Grassy peony: the best varieties, planting and care in the open field with a photo
The herbaceous peony is a unique garden plant. It attracts attention even after flowering is over. Most hybrids have leaves that change color throughout the season. Peony is able to grow for many years in one place and not lose its abundant flowering. In order for the plant to develop normally and not get sick, it needs to provide quality care.
Description and features
This is a powerful perennial plant that can reach 50-100 centimeters in height. It has strong roots. They are able to penetrate into the ground by almost 1 meter and grow up to 50 centimeters.
The bushes are bushy, covered with many leaves. They include branched shoots. Peonies are characterized by petiolate leaves, which have a regular arrangement. The shape of the leaf plates are different - trifoliate-pinnate, trifoliate, pinnately divided. Peony shoots tend to lean toward the ground, so they need support.
Herbaceous plant species are characterized by large flowers that reach a diameter of 15-17 centimeters.
Views
Peonies of this species may have different rosettes. First of all, they differ in the shape of the inflorescences.
Shape
The shape of the flowers of the plant is different - semi-double, non-double, terry. Other varieties are also found.
Not terry
Such peonies are also called simple. The rosette forms 1-2 rows of petals. At the same time, the flower has a cup-shaped shape with pronounced stamens and pistils.
Semi-double
For such peonies, lush and at the same time light flowers are characteristic. The rosette includes 3-7 rows of petals.
Japanese
The petals of such peonies are arranged in 1-2 rows. They are characterized by numerous stamens and staminodes.
Anemone
This variety of peonies is characterized by a single-row perianth and petalodies that fill the center.
Globular
Such peonies have horizontally arranged large petals outside. At the same time, the inner petals form a dense ball.
Petals arranged in a rose pattern
Pink peonies have compact flowers with dense doubleness. At the same time, according to the arrangement of the petals, they look like a rose.
By color
There are many shades of these peonies. This allows each grower to choose the best option.
White
These plants look very gentle. Popular representatives of white peonies include Lotus Queen, Ann Cousins.
Pink
Pink peonies are very popular with flower growers. This category includes varieties such as Corinne Wersan, Blush Queen.
Lilac
An interesting representative of such peonies is the Japanese variety Velma Atkinson. It is characterized by early flowering.
Burgundy
Such peonies look very elegant. These include varieties such as Ruth Clay, Bandmaster, Paul M. Wild.
Reds
A vivid representative of this category is the dark red peony Ruth Clay. It has anemone-like inflorescences and stands out for its early flowering.
Yellow
This category includes the spectacular Duchesse de Nemours. It is characterized by white-yellow inflorescences.
Coral
Peonies of this shade look very attractive. The spectacular representatives of coral varieties include Coral Supreme, Coral Sunset.
Fancy
Among the varieties of herbaceous peonies, you can find very unusual plants. So, Dutch Dwarf is characterized by unusual bluish-green leaves, and Bess Bockstoce has an original inflorescence shape.
Best varieties
Today there are quite a few spectacular varieties of herbaceous peonies, each of which has certain characteristics.
Coral Charm
This is a mid-early variety that has coral-pink flowers. They have a pleasant aroma.
Da Fu Gui
This is a lactic-flowered variety that originated in China. It is characterized by beautiful chrysanthemum-shaped inflorescences.
Pink Hawaiian Coral
This is a tall variety that reaches a height of 1 meter and has coral-pink buds.
Sarah Bernhardt
This is a rather old French variety, which is characterized by double pink flowers and a pleasant aroma.
Princess Julian
This is an old Dutch variety that has a lily of the valley scent. It is characterized by large light pink inflorescences.
Bartzella
This culture has large semi-double flowers. In diameter, they reach 15-20 centimeters and have a yellow color.
Yellow Emperor
This ITO hybrid has delicate pink petals. In the center it has a light crimson color.
Hillary
This ATO hybrid appeared relatively recently - in 1999. It is characterized by pink-cream petals. The middle is maroon.
Morning Lilac
This early variety has simple deep crimson flowers.
Old rose Dandy
This compact plant does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. It is characterized by original beige-yellow-pink petals.
Rock Garden Peonies
This category includes undersized varieties. Peonies are great for rocky areas.
Early Scout
This plant reaches a maximum height of 35 centimeters. It is characterized by dark scarlet flowers.
Fairy Princess
Culture grows to 45 centimeters and is characterized by abundant flowering. The plant has crimson red petals.
Eaglet
The bushes grow up to 55 centimeters and have simple flowers with a slight smell. They are red at first and then lighten.
Bessie
This is a rose-like culture that has flowers with a diameter of 16 centimeters. It is characterized by pink petals and a faint scent.
Aza Gray
This variety was obtained in France. Its bushes reach 80-100 centimeters and have pink inflorescences.
Carol
This is a terry culture, which is distinguished by bright red flowers. Stems reach 80-90 centimeters.
Anatoly Skakadub
This plant reaches 100 centimeters and its flowers grow up to 19 centimeters in diameter. They are cream colored.
Kievan Rus
The bushes grow up to 1 meter and have terry buds of pink-lilac color. Inflorescences are characterized by a weak aroma.
Alice Kruss
This is a French variety that grows up to 110 centimeters. The petals are pale pink in color.
Monsieur Jules Elie
Culture has double flowers of a lilac-pink hue. In diameter, they reach 18 centimeters.
Landing in open ground
In order for the bushes to grow normally and fully develop, they need to provide quality care.
Timing
First of all, it is recommended to choose the right time for planting. This is best done in the fall. However, spring planting is also possible.
Autumn sowing
Planting peonies is best from late August to mid-September. But later plantings can give good results.
Features of spring sowing
If necessary, peonies are planted in the spring - immediately after the snow melts. However, plants tolerate this procedure very painfully and may lag behind in development.
Choosing a seat
Peonies are recommended to be planted in open sunny areas. It is also permissible to place them in a small penumbra after lunch. At the same time, the bushes should be illuminated by the sun until noon.
Soil preparation
Culture requires loamy soil. It should be well ventilated and have good drainage. Liming is recommended for acidic soils.
Plant pattern
Recesses for planting should be placed at intervals of 70-100 centimeters. Their depth should be 60-70 centimeters. It is worth adding 15-20 kilograms of manure mixed with peat and compost into the holes. You will also need 200 grams of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Fertile soil should be placed on top, and you can start planting. Roots are recommended to be securely strengthened in the hole and sprinkled with the remaining soil. Pack the soil and water well.
Renewal buds are not recommended to be buried more than 5 centimeters, otherwise the bushes will bloom unfriendly.
When and how to transplant
The best time to transplant peonies is late August or early September. It is recommended to carry out the procedure after flowering is completed. To do this, carefully dig out the rhizome, clean it from the soil and cut off the ground part. Dry the rhizome and cut to 15 centimeters. If the bush is old, the root should be divided into several fragments and transplanted to a new place.
Cutting and garter
Herbaceous peonies can get too thick. Therefore, with an interval of 5-8 years, it is recommended to separate them.Varieties of plants with unstable shoots should be tied up. It is better to remove the flowers after dropping the petals. To get better inflorescences, it is worth cutting off the side buds.
All you need to know about feeding
For normal development and lush flowering, peonies are fed several times:
- At the beginning of active development, it is worth using nitrogen products.
- At the stage of bud formation, mineral preparations are used.
- Phosphorus and potassium are shown at the height of flowering.
Care and cultivation
In order for peonies to grow and develop normally, their care must be carried out taking into account the seasonal factor.
Autumn
In autumn it is recommended to cut dry stems and leaves. The remains of the shoots should be sprinkled with ash. 2-3 handfuls of funds are enough for 1 bush.
Spring
In the spring, it is recommended to water the bushes rarely, but plentifully. For an adult plant, it is worth using 2-3 buckets of water. After watering, it is important to loosen the soil and remove weeds.
Summer
In summer, it is important to water peonies abundantly. Often plants suffer from drought and moisture deficiency. Depending on precipitation, it is recommended to moisten the soil every 2-3 weeks. For 1 bush use 10-30 liters of water.
Reproduction
Peonies can be propagated in many ways. Most often, vegetative methods are used, but sometimes seeds are also used.
Seeds
Hybrid varieties are rarely propagated in this way. Seedlings do not retain the characteristics of parent crops. At the same time, it will be possible to wait for flowering only after 5-7 years. This method is most often used by breeders.
Shanks
This is one of the more difficult breeding options. To do this, a few days before the start of flowering, it is worth cutting off the flowering shoot and dividing it into fragments. Then soak in a growth stimulator and plant in a greenhouse.
Layers
In the spring, bend the shoots of the selected bush to the ground, fix with a metal bracket and sprinkle with soil. Periodically water and sprinkle the soil. By the end of September, the layering will have roots. They need to be separated and transplanted to a new place.
Rhizome division
This is the most common and affordable method. In this case, the bushes are recommended to be divided into several fragments during transplantation. After that, they can be dropped off at a new place.
What to do when they have faded
Peony bloom ends in late May or early June. In this case, it is necessary to remove all the inflorescences, and after 2 weeks to add phosphorus and potassium agents. Then you should systematically water the bushes.
Diseases
Sometimes peonies face dangerous diseases. To avoid the death of the bush, it is worth taking action in time.
Grey Rot
At the same time, a gray coating appears at the base of the stem, which gradually darkens. To prevent the disease, it is recommended to follow the rules of care and avoid high humidity.
Powdery mildew
At the end of summer, the peony can become infected with powdery mildew. In this case, the bush is covered with white bloom. At the first symptoms of pathology, it is worth using a solution of soda ash.
Pests
Sometimes herbaceous peonies suffer from pest attacks. In such a situation, it is worth taking action in time.
Aphid
These small parasites absorb plant juices. When they appear, it is worth spraying the bush with Karbofos.
Pincers
Infection with ticks is accompanied by the formation of cobwebs on the bushes. In this case, it is worth using acaricides.
Thrips
These parasites cause bushes to wilt. Insecticidal preparations help to cope with them.
Application in landscape design
These plants have excellent decorative properties. Therefore, they are often used to decorate garden plots. Such crops can be used to decorate flower beds, mixborders and other compositions.
Herbaceous peonies are popular garden plants that serve to decorate the site. To succeed in growing flowers, they are advised to provide quality care.
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