Question
Thsi may be a dumb question....but does one cut peony plants down in the fall or leave them as they are at the end of the season.
Thank you

Answer
Hey Bob,
Thanx for your question.  Your question is absolutely NOT a dumb question.  I used to wonder about this myself when I first started getting serious about horticulture.  The fact is, you don't want to cut the plant down until the leaves start turning brown.  The reason is, during the summer and early fall, the leaves are gathering energy from the sun which helps the plant convert sugars for storage in the rhizomes for next year's growth and bloom.  I cut my peonies back after the first frost.  This way, I know, the plant is finished.  If your plants are brown, yellow, etc., cut them back.  Once winter is approaching, it is best to clean up the flower beds and get rid of dead or dying growth.  I hope this helps.
thx,
Tom