What winter treatment do herbaceous and tree peonies require?
Following the fall clean up of old stems and foliage and the removal of any remaining summer mulch, herbaceous peonies require no special winter treatment. During winter the plant accumulates chilling hours to ensure breaking dormancy in spring. In most northern areas (Zone 4) the woody stems of tree peonies can be protected from severe cold by a covering of burlap or dried leaves enclosed in a porous outer covering. Be sure to remove any winter protection by late winter or early spring to prevent any abnormally early bud break.
