Ito-peonies: the best varieties and hybrids, planting and care rules, reproduction

The appearance of Ito-peonies in the world of floriculture is associated with many years of selection work. Hybrid-type peonies began to form a separate section of garden peonies. They decorate summer cottages and household plots, are actively used by landscape designers and delight with flowering throughout the summer period. Hybrids have collected the best qualities of tree and herbaceous peonies.

Description and features

Hybrid peonies or Itoh-hybrids are perennial plants with a branched bush.

The main characteristics of hybrids repeat the features of a tree peony:

the bush reaches a height of up to 90 centimeters, the stems deviate to the sides with full development;
leaves tightly adhere to the stems, similar in shape and structure to the leaf plates of tree-like relatives;
flowers of hybrids have middle spots, emit a strong smell when flowering.

Ito-peony blooming starts depending on the varietal characteristics, lasts up to 3 weeks. Cut flowers retain their original appearance for 2 weeks, taking into account the change of water.

Information! Every year there is a change in the aerial part of the perennial, this distinguishes Ito hybrids from related species.

History of selection

Ito hybrid peonies were obtained by crossing a perennial tree peony and a herbaceous peony with varietal characteristics. Crossbreeding was started by Japanese breeder Toichi Ito. Cultivation of the first generation of intersectional species dates back to the beginning of 1948.Then the crossbreeding work continued. To date, a separate section of Ito hybrids has been created.

Itoh-hybrids or Itoh-hybrids became a separate group among the classification list in 1974.

Best varieties

Among the variety of varieties, there are rare types that peony lovers collect. Popular varieties are distributed throughout the world and are cultivated in the territories of different climatic zones.

Barcella

A variety that has a gold medal from the American Peony Society. Bushes grow up to 50 centimeters, the diameter of the flower is about 15 centimeters. The shade of the petals is lemon.

Border Charm

The diameter of the yellow flower is about 16 centimeters, the center has a burgundy color. The variety belongs to the terry type.

Viking Full Moon

Tall bush - up to 85 centimeters. The hue of the bud becomes greenish, lilac stripes may form on the petals.

Garden Treasure

The bush grows up to 80 centimeters. The petals are bright yellow, the center is maroon.

Dark Aes

The shape of the bud belongs to simple types. Color - maroon, with yellow stamens in the center.

Julia Rose

Double flowers up to 18 centimeters in diameter. Due to the doubleness of the yellow petals, the burgundy spot in the center is almost invisible.

Yellow Crown

Peonies can be double or semi-double. The shade of the petals is lemon.

Doodle Dandy

The diameter of the flower is about 16 centimeters. From the beginning of flowering it has a pink tint, as it blooms, the shade brightens, fades.

Yellow Haven

Wide bush with flowers up to 17 centimeters in diameter. Petals are formed up to 7 rows.

Yellow Emperor

The bush is wide. The flowers are pale yellow with an inconspicuous red center.

Canary Diamond

Unusual variety Canary Brilliants is known for multi-colored buds on a single plant. Early buds grow pale yellow, later buds turn bright yellow.

Kellis Memory

Compact low bush with different creamy buds. The edges of the petals may turn orange.

Copper Kettle

Semi-double yellow buds with lilac stripes. The bush grows up to 75 centimeters.

Lollipop

Yellow flower with purple stripes. The name comes from the English word "lollipop", due to the similarity of the shape with a round candy.

Lemon Dream

The bush grows up to 80 centimeters. The petals are a uniform light yellow color.

Morning Lylek

The bushes reach 60 centimeters. Petals are painted pink, the middle is covered with yellow stamens.

Old Rose Dandy

Small shrubs with flowers growing up to 12 centimeters. The yellow flowers of Old Rose Dandy have maroon centres.

Prairie Charm

Semi-double variety, each row of petals has up to 20 pieces. Petals greenish-yellow, center red.

Sequestered Sunshine

Petals are yellow with pinkish edges. The bush grows up to 80 centimeters.

Singing in the Rhine

Buds at the initial stage of flowering pink. At the last stage, they turn orange.

Sonoma Apricot

The bushes reach 50 centimeters. Bud color - apricot, turns pink over time.

Hillary

The hue of Hillary's petals is pinkish-yellow, with a red center. Hillary can grow fully double or semi-double.

Cora Louise

The bushes reach 60 centimeters. Lavender flowers with a lilac spot in the center.

Lafayette Squadron

Simple flowers have a diameter of 10 centimeters. Color - burgundy, with a yellow center.

Impossible Dream

Double variety with 45-50 petals. The color is pink, brightens towards the end of flowering.

Norvigien Blache

White peony. The center of the bud becomes dark pink, almost red by the end of flowering.

Pastel Splendor

A simple lilac flower with a dark spot in the center. Bushes can reach 90 centimeters.

Reverse Magic

Terry peony pink. The shade brightens over time.

Rose Fantasy

Unusual variety. The flowers are pink, the lower row of lilac petals surrounds the buds.

Scarlet Heaven

Scarlet Heaven variety was bred by American breeders. Red flowers have yellow stamens.

White Emperor

White peonies with lilac stripes. The bushes are tall, reaching 90 centimeters.

Fest Arrival

Lilac flowers on small bushes. The diameter of most buds reaches 12 centimeters.

Lois Choyce

Large double pink flowers. The edges of the petals take on a darker hue.

Pink Hawaiyan Coral

Hybrid has round flowers. The shade of the petals is deep pink.

Collis Memory

Peonies resemble tea-colored roses. This is a rare semi-double variety.

ScrumdidlyApshes

Hybrid with buds of light shades: pink, yellow, lilac. Peony petals are especially thin. By type, it belongs to semi-double varieties.

Golden Rose

Hybrid variety with a simple flower shape. Bushes stretch up to 70 centimeters.

Pros and cons

Gardeners identify positive and negative sides among the qualities of Ito peonies. Hybrids show high adaptive qualities in many ways.

Pros

Itoh peonies have more advantages than disadvantages. Proper care allows you to grow full-fledged bushes and observe flowering for several years.

Frost resistant

Peonies are able to tolerate up to -25 degrees with additional shelter. Young bushes cover at -10 degrees.

Unique coloration

Ito-peonies amaze with a variety of shades. Varietal features associated with different bud colors are valued by flower collectors.

Powerful growth

With minimal care requirements, peony bushes are actively growing. The average height reaches 50-60 centimeters.

Profuse flowering

For long flowering and abundance of emerging flowers, Ito-peonies are especially appreciated. The demand for hybrids with an early type of flowering is growing every year.

Developed root system

Growth and flowering at a high level become possible due to the developed root system. Thin and dense roots are able to get the most nutrients from the soil.

Vegetative propagation method

Peonies can be bred in any chosen way. They successfully take root, propagate by layering and dividing the bushes.

Well developed kidneys

There are always enough buds on the root system of a medium-sized peony. They develop according to their own scenario, do not interfere with each other.

Cons

Of the shortcomings of Ito peonies, gardeners distinguish only 2. They are associated with the conditions of detention.

Poor heat tolerance

When the temperature rises from +25 degrees, the bushes begin to lose the density of the stems, wilt. During such periods, it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering.

The need to observe the watering regime

Ito peonies need watering according to the established pattern. At the same time, with a decrease in air temperature, they do not tolerate waterlogging, and with an increase, drought.

Landing

To plant Ito peonies on the site, choose a place in advance. An important condition for the content is the choice of neighboring crops.

Choosing a seat

Ito peonies are located in areas where access to the sun's rays is open. Peonies do not like lowlands or wetlands.

Ground requirements

The soil for flowers should have a neutral level of acidity. Before planting, the soil is prepared in advance, fertilized, dug up, saturating it with air.

Timing

The best option for planting seedlings is the end of summer, the beginning of autumn. When planted during this period, the peonies will have time to take root and approach the frost prepared.

Precursors

When planting flower crops, the rules of crop rotation are observed. Vegetable crops or annual flowers can grow in front of peonies.

Neighbours

As a rule, peonies are grown next to flower crops. Good neighbors for them can be:

ornamental shrubs;
coniferous trees of low growing type;
flowers annuals.

Plant pattern

Peony bushes need space to fully grow. Between the bushes leave a distance of 35-50 centimeters.

Care

Compliance with the rules of care is the key to full development and abundant annual flowering. When growing peonies, special attention is paid to watering.

Irrigation

This item is important for peonies. In summer, they are watered as the topsoil dries. Waterlogging of the soil is harmful to the development of the root system, therefore, when assessing the condition of the soil, the degree of moisture is often checked with a sharp wooden stick.

Loosening and weeding

To exclude the possibility of infection of the bush with the help of weed-carriers of diseases, they monitor the purity of the soil. Loosening is carried out after heavy watering or rain.

Growth Accelerators

Complexes containing nitrogen help to accelerate growth. They are laid at the stage of bud formation.

Feeding

During the period of growing green mass, the soil is fertilized with mineral complexes. When buds appear, flower growers recommend using folk methods. Wood ash is poured around the bushes, urea solutions are added if necessary.

Shelter for the winter

Winter shelter is necessary for young bushes. They are covered with spruce branches or sprinkled with needles.

Warning! They do not use a film for shelter, under it the plants begin to rot and rot.

Cutting

To stimulate flowering, faded buds are removed from peonies. Bushes are also pruned before wintering, leaving 2-3 centimeters above the surface.

Reproduction

The main method of breeding is the division of the bush. This method allows you to save varietal characteristics and solve the problem of reproduction.

Reviews

Flower growers speak positively about Ito-peonies. They amaze with an abundance of colors, while showing high protective properties.