What’s the best way to remove leaves from a tree Peony when cleaning up?
When the leaves have started to die back in the fall, they can often be removed by light pressure at the base of the leaf stem. If leaves are to be removed early, say, due to powdery mildew, then they may need to be cut off near the base of the stem, to avoid damage to the plant. Since incomplete composting could easily spread disease, it’s often best to discard leaves.