Encourage large peony blossoms by removing side buds from the stems as they appear in the spring. Botrytis blight can cause shoots and flowers to turn gray-brown, soften and rot. In most locations, they will bloom in April, May or June. The bigger the plant the better so try for 5 to 8 eyes. Do not worry if it does not. Make sure to take the cover off during the daylight hours. See our section above on growth expectations for images of what to expect of your tree peony. In the fall, remove all old leaves to ground level and destroy. Small, circular red or purplish spots first appear superficially on the upper surface of young leaves. these are just examples) Click here for photos of some of these blooming! Mature stems can rot at the crown base. See “Botrytis Blight of Peony.” Peony blotch (also called red spot or measles) This fungal disease occurs in spring just before blooming and affects all above ground parts. Botrytis spores can appear on leaves and stems. Diseased plants should be dug up and destroyed. In my experience, if the nurse root (herbaceous peony root grafted onto the tree peony root) sends up shoots and starts growing it deprives the tree peony of sustenance and the tree peony will suffer and quite possibly die off. See “Botrytis Blight of Peony.” Peony blotch (also called red spot or measles) This fungal disease occurs in spring just before blooming and affects all above ground parts. A fungal disease called botrytis sometimes causes buds to blacken and shrivel as if they have been burned. Be sure to visit our shop and browse our peony bulb collection! In spring, pull the mulch back away from the peony sprouts as soon as they appear. The thick ones are actually underground stems with “eyes” that sprout new shoots. Small, circular red or purplish spots first appear superficially on the upper surface of young leaves. Small, circular red or purplish spots first appear superficially on the upper surface of young leaves. Peony water, an infusion of peony petals, was used for drinking in the Middle Ages. Any of these shoots that fill in a sparse area can be allowed to mature. Most of the nurse root blooms are not very remarkable and is not what you paid your money for.