"Mary" wrote in message
om...
This was a bad year for my perennials! My peonies--which bloomed
terrificly for several years--got as far as forming a tall bud, but
the still closed bud just browned and died. Shall I take it these
won't come back for future seasons? Thanks.


Peonies can get fungal diseases like botrytis that will kill the buds. If
the rest of the plant is still alive, then I would clean up the area now and
again in early winter to get rid of any infected plant material.