When is the earliest you can cutback a peony bush?

Answer 1

After the foliage starts to die back.
Cut the peonies back in the fall when you cut back your other plants, before the frost hits. Leave about an inch of the stalks above ground. In the spring, carefully brush the dirt away from the rising red/pink stalks, exposing them to the light and air, being careful not to break them.
When? In general - leaves stay on plants for a good reason - to provide nutrient stores to any perrenial parts such as rootstock, tuber, bulb etc., ready for next year's growth.

Answer 2

They should only be pruned in the fall after they have started to die back.

Answer 3

As long as the leaves are green, let it alone.

Answer 4

Prune the peony bush when the leaves turn brown. Cutting too much otherwise will mean that the peony will not have enough food to flower the next year.

Answer 5

Peonies should be fertilized before they bloom in the spring with low nitrogen fertilizer 5-10-10.

Answer 6

It is best to divide a peony in the fall.