Dear Master Gardener : I just planted a Bloomerang lilac. Do I need to protect it over the winter since it is newly planted?

Answer : Great choice! Bloomerang lilac has a lot of flower power and is a reblooming lilac. It blooms in spring with other lilacs and again from mid-summer through fall. The flowers are a beautiful shade of purple and sweetly scented. Bloomerang also has exceptional disease resistance. Yes, you should protect it over the winter by applying a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots and maintain consistent soil temperature. Make sure the mulch is a few inches away from the trunk. Keep the lilac well-watered until the ground freezes.

Dear Master Gardener : I am growing peonies for the first time. Am I supposed to cut them down in the fall

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