Mine die back to the ground here in Atlanta - when you first see signs
of growth next spring, it is time to put out one of those hoop things
that support the flowers. Peonies come up so fast you can almost watch
them grow.

When they are all brown this fall, you can cut them back. If you peek
way down into the center, you'll see the little red tips still there.

Gorgeous flower! Takes about 3 years to really get big. I have about 12
or 15 now.

You will probably get ants on the flowers in the spring. That's OK - but
when you cut the flowers, submerge them upside down in a bucket of water
for a few minutes and all the ants will depart. Ants LOVE peonies.

Dawn wrote:
Hi,

I planted my first peonies this year and am looking forward to enjoying
the blooms next spring.

It's turned chilly here in MO and I notice the leaves on my two small
plants are turning gold and brown. Is this normal for peonies? Or are
they lacking something? Should I be fertilizing them before it turns
really cold?



Dawn