Hi Everyone! This is my first season having a yard and a garden so I have much to learn. I planted 7 peonies two weeks ago and they're all doing pretty well except for this one. It's wilting and the leaves are yellowing. Do you guys have any advice or ideas about what is wrong with it? I'm debating if it needs to be trimmed down or dug up completely. Thank you so much!

twenty_someone! Sorry about this peony, it does not look good. I would cut all foliage because it is very unhealthy. I hope the root will survive the winter and the peony will give new and health grown next season. It might give a leaf or two even before the fall. Did you buy this peony in a pot? Where in Alaska are you? Zone 5A is probably South-East. You have a very long growing season and mild winter, so if the peony has feeding roots it will be OK.

Thank you for the feedback! I appreciate your advice. Yes, I bought it in a pot. It looked a little rough when I got it, but it's gone far downhill since planting. I'm in Anchorage. Someone else told me it's possibly sunburnt. I guess that's possible since we're the land of the midnight sun. I think Alaska is tricky to garden in, but I'm determined to learn.

It might be sunburn. Could I see a couple of green leaves close to the ground? I agree with Anya that the brown leaves should be cut off, but I would leave those green leaves close to the ground. That's not a lot of green leaves, but it might help. Good luck! Hope the peony will survive.

Build a sun barrier. The fast way is to just put a deck chair over it. A more lasting light-weight solution would involve some poles, some clothespins, and a bit of cloth.

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Anchorage is a great place to grow peonies, there are quite a few peony farms in Alaska, around Anchorage specifically. I am in Fairbanks and we have more sun here, I have never had a problem with sunburn in peonies. Maybe the p[lace where this particular peony grows gets too much heat (from a wall or something)? I agree with Jasmin, if three are green leaves it's better to leave them on the plant.

Thank you for the ideas! This peony is in my south facing backyard. Anya, you're right about Fairbanks having much more intense sun, so if you're having success, then perhaps it isn't sunburnt. I used to live up there and the winters and summers were both extreme. I'm going to give this peony and trim and cross my fingers that is grows back next year.

Do you guys usually trim the leaves as they start to look poor or is it best to wait until fall to cut all the foliage together?

twenty_someone, if leaves look bad there is no use of them, they don't produce any food/energy so they can be cut off. Sometimes it is necessary to cut them when they are affected with botrytis. If leaves look healthy it is always good to leave them as long as possible.