One of my 8 peonies has been eaten, almost down to the ground. The picture is hard to see, but it looks to me as if both an insect and a small animal have been chowing down.
In full morning sun, clay soil, has bloomed prolifically for years. Although upon reflection there weren’t as many blooms on it last year as in previous years.
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners;
Looking at your photo it looks like the peony was eaten; as per The American Peony Society, animals that eat peonies are rabbits, or a very hungry deer. On a smaller scale there are several insects that eat peonies, rose chafers, aphids, beetles and mites. The American Peony Society: Peony Pests and Diseases
Our Toronto Master Gardener Website also provides information on what may cause Peony decline: Pest or Disease Causing Peony Problems
To find out if this peony is being eaten by animals, place a chicken wire fence around the peony. I used to have chickens that would eat anything and the chicken wire fencing would deter them from eating my vegetables. If your peony is still getting eaten, you may have an insect that is devouring the plant. If there are insects eating your peony, you can easily pick them off the plant and place them in a cup of water with soap to drown them.
June 3, 2024