Peonies are one of the most beloved perennials in Kamloops gardens, and their lush June blooms are worth every bit of care. Once the flowers fade, the plant shifts into a critical phase: storing energy for next year’s blossoms. What you do in the weeks and months after blooming has a direct impact on how well your peonies flower next spring.

These tips will help you keep your peonies healthy, vigorous all summer long.

Deadhead Spent Blooms

Once peonies finish blooming, the first task is removing the spent flowers. If old blooms are left in place, the plant will begin forming seed pods — a process that drains energy that should be going into the roots.

• Snip off each spent bloom just below the flower head.
• Do not remove foliage at this stage. The leaves are the plant’s solar panels, converting sunlight into stored energy.
• Even if seed pods have already begun forming, remove them so the plant can redirect its strength into root development.

Deadheading ensures your peonies put their energy where it matters most: next year’s growth and blooms.

Feed Peonies After Blooming

Once the flowers are removed, give your peonies a light midsummer feeding.

Use a balanced fertilizer such as 5‑5‑5 or 10‑10‑10. This supports:

• Root development
• Healthy foliage
• Overall plant recovery

How to apply:

• Sprinkle fertilizer 4–6 inches away from the crown
• Scratch it lightly into the soil
• Water thoroughly

Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall. Late feeding can trigger tender new growth that won’t survive winter.

Water Consistently Through Summer

Peonies need about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rain or irrigation. In Kamloops’ hot, dry summers, this often means deep watering.

Tips for healthy watering:

• Water slowly and deeply to encourage strong, deep roots
• Water at the base of the plant, not overhead
• Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy
• Avoid wetting foliage to reduce the risk of powdery mildew

Deep watering helps peonies become more drought‑resilient and better prepared for heat waves.

Avoid Dividing Peonies in Summer

Summer is not the time to divide or transplant peonies.

During July and August, peonies are actively:

• Photosynthesizing
• Storing energy
• Building next year’s buds

Disturbing the roots now can:

• Reduce or eliminate next year’s blooms
• Stress or even kill the plant

Best time to divide: Late September to early October, once foliage has died back and the plant is fully dormant.

Let the Foliage Grow Until Fall

The foliage is the engine that powers next year’s flowers. Even if the plant looks a bit tired in midsummer, resist the urge to cut it back.

• Leave foliage intact until it naturally browns and collapses in fall
• Once fully dormant, cut stems to ground level
• Remove all plant debris to prevent disease overwintering
• Apply a fresh layer of mulch to protect the crown through winter freeze‑thaw cycles

Healthy foliage now means abundant blooms next June.

A Simple Summer Peony Checklist

• Deadhead spent blooms
• Apply a balanced fertilizer
• Water deeply once per week
• Do not divide until fall
• Leave foliage until it browns naturally