On 19 Jul 2006 15:49:52 -0700, "Merle O'Broham"
wrote:

Hi everyone,

In Chicago, the peonies looked great this year due to a long wet
spring. Mine bloom, then I generally cut the foliage down about halfway
to highlight other perennials in my little garden patch. Anyone cut
them down all the way in late summer? I'd like to give the mums and
black-eyed susans better light sooner. Suggestions?


Severely pruning peonies back will effect next year's bloom. It needs
the green leaves to make food, then stores the energy in the roots
over winter.