Question
when is the best time to cut back a peony plant and a bleeding heart? my bleeding heart is getting to large and my daughter would like a piece of my peony plant which is rather large. I know some plants if they are cut at the wrong time may not bloom the following year. also should I trim my yarrow plants to keep them a little compact?
                    thank you


Answer
Brenda,
The Bleeding Heart can be divided and planted any time because they are typically planted in a shady area,so the hot summer sun shouldn't hurt them.Divide them after the sun is less hot,around 5 or 6 in the evening or on a cloudy day.
The peonies are best divided in the fall so that they are not so hot and stressed. I divided and transplanted a peony last fall and it did bloom this year,but not a lot of blooms,so they will take several years to be established plants.Of course they are well worth the wait. Make sure when you transplant the "eyes" of the Peony that you don't plant too deep.Keep them moist but not wet,they could rot if the weather is too hot and they receive too much water.
Yarrow is fine to cut back after it blooms.Sometimes you may get a repeat blooming Yarrow in the fall if you don't cut back too short.Just cut off the faded blooms.Then before winter sets in,cut them all the way back to about 3" above the soil. Have a great summer!