Peonie seeds

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,
My peonies have gone to seed. I meant to take the seed heads off but moved the tub and totally forgot.
Will it be best to collect the seeds or just let them self seed?
If the best option is to collect the seed do I need to start sowing the seed now or leave it to next year?
If it is to sow what is going to be the best way to get them to grow?
We've had such a mild winter that they haven't seemed to die down or anything they've just had their leaves on all the time.
Thanks

[WendyC]

I've never had peonies self seed so I think you will need to give it a helping hand. Mine is still at the bud stage so far. There's a detailed article on the RHS website (sorry can't do link), but they need two winters to germinate then up to five years to get to flowering size. Think if I wanted more I'd divide it mid winter as Carol Klein suggests in her book, and she seems to sow seeds of just about anything!

[Scarlet]

I'm sure BB, grew some peonies from seed... Have a search on the threads. ( on my phone so I can't have a look)