I am noticing huge differences between the peonies in my garden in how their foliage looks now as the growing season comes to a close. The foliage of some is just as green and clear of spots as it was in early spring. Others have black spots and/or mildew on fading foliage. Some are even turning brown and shriveling up.

What cultivars in your garden have foliage that is looking good now?

Coral Fay still looks good here.

Butter Bowl, Shirley Temple and Requiem.

My peonies foliage all turned really brown, shriveled up and look awful.
Is that a fungus? I just assumed they all did this, do some of them not do that?

At about this time, all of my peony foliage look pretty bad. I don't see anything that is lush and green. Most have turned color. I had started cutting them down since the start of Sept.

Most of mine have died back and those few that haven't don't look that great. I stopped watering a couple of weeks ago when our night temps dropped to the 50s

Is it coincidence that the first peony to bloom here is Coral Charm (5/23) was also the first to get browning of the leaves? I cut it back gradually until it made no sense to cut three leaves a day and cut the entire plants to the ground. Others have either been cut down or soon will be.

Arlene, Coral Charm is the first of the foliage to brown for me too. You should just cut them off when they start to do that. Once it gets to that stage, it is not generating anymore food for the plant so cutting them down the sooner the better.

Good! Exactly what I wanted to hear and that's how I'll proceed next year. Thanks, Karen!

I have found sun versus shade has much to do with longevity of peony foliage. I have three of the same cultivar, white with red flecks and nice thick stems. One in full sun, one in 75% sun, and one in 75% shade. Full sun went first, mostly sun went second, and mostly shade was still lush and green when I cut it recently. My peonies usually develop powdery mildew when they begin to dry and wither so I cut them when they turn gray.

I took a pic of ST yesterday afternoon. I thought I could reply from work last night but I haven't got the chance. Planted in full sun.

I think tree peonies have nicer foliage that holds up throughout the season, much more so than any herbaceous ones. That said, Jerry has it correct. The sun can be very hot in my climate and the peonies with 50-75% shade hold up the best and the longest. Fernleaf always dies back for me midseason.

Also, as an added bonus, peonies in some shade retain their blossoms longer than those in full sun. The exception is the fern leafs which require full sun but, since they bloom very early, heat is not an issue.

Mine are all in full sun and turned brown totally look awful.
They are all older varieties, just some full double white ones when we bought our last house and I am sure have been there forever. I was so disappointed with the foliage.

Mine also looked so bad that it spoils too much of the view, so I intend to plant several Autumn Joy sedum in the peony garden. Then, next year, I can cut back the foliage without guilt and enjoy the sturdy sedum.

Hi CS,

Here are a few more plants that look decent through the season. They're just starting to go dormant due to the cooler weather we've been having.

Lady Orchid


Do Tell


Sorbet

I use garden peonies as ground cover. Mine are in semi or complete shade, and they still look ok like these two below. There is only one (of nine) with a little bit of powdery mildew (second picture.)

Anyone have experience applying fungicides for grey mold or botrytis? I have old plants that have increasing problems with black spots on the leaves and eventually the stem and rest of the plant shrivel and turn black. Suggestions are appreciated!

Some people use milk while others use baking soda. I've only used the pruners.

I'm brand new to peonies and am planning a hedge in my front bed. Are they going to look OK when not in bloom?