It's normal. You should start seeing a lot more of those red shoots before long.

Thanks! I know the red is normal, but there are brown root like things too that seem like they are coming up. Again, no experience here, but are the roots (not red sprouts, but brown woody things) supposed to come up too? I know the picture makes it so hard to tell. Thanks,

they look fine to me. they are just coming up for this season. no need to worry. it looks like you need to cut back last years growth though. it's not needed for this year. all that dead brown stuff can go, but that's it. nothing else needs to be done, other than getting your supports in place if you want to.

I agree completely with aggiegrad, just for neatness the refuse left from last year should be removed now while you can still reach it. Al

Thanks! Do you just clip them off at ground level? Or do you pull them until they break? Also does anyone fertilize their peonies? Last year we did nothing and they were spectacular. But I don't want to get complacent!

If the remains from last year do not remove easily, shorten them but leave them stay. Too much pulling can tear off a big chunk of root and several eyes. Al