On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 23:16:35 +0100, Roscoe wrote:

"Mark" wrote in a message:..
Can anybody help me with the care of my Tree Peony. . The petals from
this flower fell off last month and left what I describe as a crown of
seed
pods. So what do I do next, are these seed pods? do I need to cut the
plant back? what is the next step?


Hi Mark, yes they are indeed seed pods. Leave them on your plant and come
the autumn the pods will dry and split open revealing black, sticky
seeds which you can then sow in pots containing a sandy compost. Tree peony
seeds take quite a while to germinate, often more than a year so be patient!
Don't cut your tree peony back, let it grow. The leaves will fall away in
the late autumn.

I wouldn't let a young plant set seed, myself.

For the OP, no, don't cut your plant back. It is likely grafted
on a rootstock of a herbaceous peony and you may, if not careful,
cut away all the tree peony tissue.

Best thing to do is plant it out. Make sure the site allows it
room to grow: tree peonies get about six feet wide if happy.


--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada