The modeling method of peony is very simple. Generally, it grows naturally. With a little manual intervention, it can form a beautiful plant type. Peony propagated by ramets can grow naturally in the first 1 ~ 2 years after planting. In the third year, 5 ~ 8 branches evenly distributed around the base are selected as main branches, and redundant branches, cross branches and parallel branches are cut inward. If the number of main branches in that year is not enough, we can choose branches with suitable direction and vigorous growth from the sprouts at the base of branches in the fourth year, or choose side branches from top to bottom to fill the vacancy. In the future, appropriate lateral branches should be selected on the main branches year by year according to the plant cluster length. When choosing lateral branches, we must pay attention to the fact that lateral branches and lateral branches cannot overlap each other, let alone cross each other, so as to lay a good foundation for forming a full and symmetrical plant cluster.

Because the top of the new branches of Paeonia suffruticosa is differentiated into mixed buds, pruning is mostly carried out in dormancy, spring and after flowering.

Short cutting and thinning during dormancy. Before germination, the dead branches, weak branches, diseased branches and residual branches are thinned, and then each branch is left with 1 ~ 2 branches, and each branch is cut short above the full bud in the middle, leaving 2 ~ 4 buds long. At the same time, check whether the flowers are too dense. If it is too dense, it is necessary to cut off the low flower branches to make them thick and moderate, so as to prevent "hiding flowers in leaves".

Pick buds. At the same time as the first pruning, the buds should be picked. Buds should be picked according to the strength and branching of the plant. Each branch can leave 1 ~ 2 full buds, and all the others are removed. If there are enough flowering branches, only one bud can be left in each branch, and each bud will have one flower. If the plant cluster is irregular, it is necessary to leave branches, and at most two buds are left on one branch. Otherwise, leaving too many branches will not only destroy the plant shape, but also disperse nutrition and make the flowers smaller. Weak branches should not be allowed to blossom, but all buds should be picked so that when plants are strong, they can produce huge and beautiful flowers.

Tillering in growing season. In spring, many tillers germinate at the base of plants. If the plants are grafted seedlings, we should know whether the tillers come from rootstocks or scions. All new shoots on the roots must be removed. The sprouting tiller at the base of the scion or the sprouting tiller at the base of the branch, except the regenerated branch, should be removed, that is, it is often said that "peony begins with peony and peony pedicure". The sprouted tillers are very vigorous, which will compete with the main branches for nutrition, make the plants aging and affect the ornamental effect. With the sprouting of tillers, tillering should be carried out for 2 ~ 3 times continuously to avoid consuming nutrients and destroying plant types.

Prune after flowering. Because peony is put together with flowers and leaves, it is necessary to cut off the residual flowers after flowering to avoid wasting nutrition, and all the leaves under the flowers can be preserved to enrich the branches.

Update pruning. The life span of peony can reach decades, even hundreds of years. As the saying goes, "Old plum blossoms, less grapes", 5 ~ 15-year-old branches bloom best. Therefore, we must pay attention to updating and pruning in order to extract good flower branches. Usually, every 2-3 years, the old branches and weak branches are thinned from the base, leaving the sprouting branches with suitable direction as regenerated branches.

In addition, we should also pay attention to some varieties with large flower diameters. When flowers bloom, flowers often droop and fall, and they need to be supported by columns.