Hi North-eastern gardeners. I'm in north-central Massachusetts and I am experiencing some very strange growth for this time of year. My grape hyacinths have all grown in (no flower buds though), my peonies have a bit of new growth and all but one are not showing any signs of being affected by autumn, and several of my plants are exhibiting new spring growth including flower buds! I'm not only surprised, but I'm concerned. Will they survive winter and grow again in the spring?

Is anyone else experiencing this? If you have in the past, what was the next spring like? Did your plants make it through?

We have .. but usually not this long in.. will see what happens .. I guess

I've seen forsythia blooming at Christmas.....no harm done.....bulbs should be fine.....you should cut back the peonies to the ground right now, & dispose of foliage so you don't get fungus problems.....

RobinD said:I've seen forsythia blooming at Christmas.....no harm done.....bulbs should be fine.....you should cut back the peonies to the ground right now, & dispose of foliage so you don't get fungus problems.....

Thank you @RobinD, even the ones that are still green? They literally show no signs of preparing for winter!

One year we had tulips and daffs .. popping up at Christmas.. they died back as normal.. and were fine.. not a peony person .. well don't have enough experience with them anyway.. but I don't think they need the foliage to feed new blooms

I usually wait until my peony leaves show some color before cutting them down, but by now, you can probably mow them right down......

RobinD said:I usually wait until my peony leaves show some color before cutting them down, but by now, you can probably mow them right down......

We had a nice frost last night that lasted into the morning. I just checked my peonies and...with that one exception, they're all green and healthy looking! This will be my first time cutting them back. It's a little emotional!

What do you mean by color?

The leaves begin turning yellow...that's when I usually cut....but it's late in the season, so even if the leaves are still green, you can cut them....or you can wait....we're in for a nice stretch of weather, so there's no hurry to cut the leaves down.......just be sure you dispose of them so fungus doesn't get in there during the winter.

RobinD said:The leaves begin turning yellow...that's when I usually cut....but it's late in the season, so even if the leaves are still green, you can cut them....or you can wait....we're in for a nice stretch of weather, so there's no hurry to cut the leaves down.......just be sure you dispose of them so fungus doesn't get in there during the winter.

I will Marilyn, thank you so much for your advice.

You're welcome, Jkat....happy gardening!