Dr. Alexander Fleming

Peonies commonly get gray mold (Botrytis), which shows up as brown, mushy stems or buds that turn gray and fuzzy in cool, wet weather. Remove and discard affected stems/buds immediately, then improve airflow by spacing plants and avoiding overhead watering; if the problem is recurring, treat preventively early in the season with a label-approved fungicide for ornamentals. Another frequent issue is root-knot nematodes—if plants become stunted with galled roots, dig and discard the plant and consider soil solarization or replanting only after nematode management for several seasons.

Harvest peony flowers when buds are firm and just starting to show color, but before they fully open—fully opened blooms have a shorter vase life. Cut in the morning with sharp pruners, leaving adequate leaf stems on the plant so it can store energy for next year’s flowering. If you’re harvesting for display, aim to pick when the bud is tight but colored, and avoid cutting weak, browning, or already wilting buds.