What is causing the leaves on my peony plant to turn yellow? - Ask Extension
The leaves on one of my peonies are quite yellow. I'm wondering what the problem might be. Last year this peony had some stems that were black near ...
Knowledgebase
What is causing the leaves on my peony plant to turn yellow? #242562
Asked May 07, 2015, 5:51 PM EDT
The leaves on one of my peonies are quite yellow. I'm wondering what the problem might be. Last year this peony had some stems that were black near the ground. I cut them out below ground. Stems all look good right now, but leaves are yellow (a little brown at the edge) and seem to be narrow. See photos attached. Appreciate your help with diagnosis and whether there's something I can do.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Your plant does not look healthy. It is possible that it needs to be fertilized and you can try that. However, it also is possible that your plant is diseased and should be removed. Please visit our publication on Diseases of Peony.
What kind of fertilizer should I use if I try that? And is it OK to fertilize now? This peony is getting less sun than it used to. Could lack of sun be a factor?
Yes, lack of sun definitely is a problem for peonies. They do best with full sun. You could use one application of a liquid fertilizer for immediate response and then scratch in a granular fertilizer for long range application.
