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white on peony leaves #942826

Asked August 18, 2026, 6:11 PM EDT

All season my peonies have leaves with white coloration on them. Now many have turned brown and dried up. What can I do?

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
Please send me a photograph, not a video or three or four leaves that are ill but not dead.
it could be several of these. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/peony-problems
How do you water your peonies?

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County, (I am a volunteer human being: not a bot, not AI). I'm an avid gardener but not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I will do much better if you also send a photograph. I like follow-up questions. The University' garden soil tests are excellent. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional A Directory of ISA certified arborists is at https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com/ The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Ask a Master Gardener is a public service of the University of MInnesota's Extension Division. Please donate if we make you happy. https://give.umn.edu/gardener Replied August 18, 2026, 8:51 PM EDT

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 18, 2026, at 7:51 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

The Question Asker Replied August 19, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT

Thank you for writing back.
The top picture is sunscald. Your peonies need a somewhat less brightly lit area. Alternatively UV filtering garden cloth is helpful.
https://peonita.com/blogs/news/saving-peonies-from-the-extreme-heat?srsltid=AfmBOorWdWO4HDYJF4Ufna8r8MWcUEC60N4t80tqeLf5GLoCz9ywdkCA#:~:text=Recognizing%20sun%2Dscalded%20peony%20leaves%20is,appears%20on%20exposed%20areas%20only.

Stressed peonies get fungus growing on them, powdery mildew. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-06-16-what-are-those-spots-my-peony-powdery-mildew-and-leaf-blotch

The dead leaves of any plant cannot be saved. Cut them with a lysol dipped scissors. Put all leaves in a bag and add any leaves you find on the ground. Water at the base, rather than by sprinkler. This is rarely fatal.

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County, (I am a volunteer human being: not a bot, not AI). I'm an avid gardener but not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I will do much better if you also send a photograph. I like follow-up questions. The University' garden soil tests are excellent. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional A Directory of ISA certified arborists is at https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com/ The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Ask a Master Gardener is a public service of the University of MInnesota's Extension Division. Please donate if we make you happy. https://give.umn.edu/gardener Replied August 19, 2026, 3:57 PM EDT

Thank you for answering my questions.

Should I use a fungicide. I have about 20 peonies and about 2/3 of them are affected.

Maybe I should transplant the affected ones to a less sunny location. Can I do this in early September.

Once again, thank you so very much for your help. Diane

On Wed, Aug 19, 2026 at 2:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied August 19, 2026, 4:10 PM EDT

Transplant to a more shady spot at 4 -5 feet from a wall or fence. Give them room. Your plants are way to crowded.
Peonies get 3 to 4 feet in diameter
https://peonita.com/blogs/news/how-big-do-peony-plants-get-size-guide-by-type-and-variety?srsltid=AfmBOoqf5F1YfAQittgdk0W8l9b7Kongaoo9y48OQ9GGbB64tWNkcmfz

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County, (I am a volunteer human being: not a bot, not AI). I'm an avid gardener but not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I will do much better if you also send a photograph. I like follow-up questions. The University' garden soil tests are excellent. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional A Directory of ISA certified arborists is at https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com/ The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Ask a Master Gardener is a public service of the University of MInnesota's Extension Division. Please donate if we make you happy. https://give.umn.edu/gardener Replied August 19, 2026, 4:34 PM EDT

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