Red Charm Peony: description and characteristics of the variety, subtleties of cultivation, preparation for winter

Red Charm peony has been familiar to flower growers since the end of World War II. Over the years, its popularity has only grown. Beautiful red flowers on a chic green background attract the eye, and a light, delicate fragrance appeals to even the most demanding connoisseurs of spring splendor.

Description and features

The Red Charm peony variety is suitable for cutting and for decorating flower beds. It has a delicate aroma. The petals of the bud are correctly concave in shape, form an inflorescence of a beet-red color.With the onset of autumn, the foliage turns purple. The diameter of the flowers reaches 20 cm. They are terry to the touch. Leaf plates do not have excessive shine, their color is light green.

Red Charm is characterized by a thick and strong stem, but due to the heaviness of the buds, it still needs a garter. The height of the bush reaches 0.75 m. The flowering period falls at the end of May or the beginning of June (the exact period depends on the climatic features of the region). The plant is propagated by dividing the bush.

History of selection

Red Charm is a variety of American origin, obtained in 1944. Since then, the peony has been gaining more and more fans, attracting their eyes with its beauty and delicate aroma. The name itself in translation means red charm. In China, this variety is considered a symbol of prosperity and happiness.

Landing

Peony planting is similar to a similar procedure for bulbous perennials, but has its own characteristics.

Choosing a seat

Red Charm Peony is susceptible to fungal infections, so it is recommended to grow it in a well-ventilated area. The area should be well lit by the sun, and the soil is preferably with a drainage layer and compost. It is impossible to plant a flower near fences or walls of houses.

Soil preparation

If the site has not been fertilized, then before planting the Red Charm peony, mix the earth with compost or other organic fertilizer. It is recommended to slightly oxidize the soil.

Timing

The best time to plant a Red Charm peony is the end of summer or the very beginning of autumn.

Plant pattern

When planting a peony, maintain a distance between bushes of at least 1 meter. It is also taken into account that Red Charm grows well and is able to obscure small flowers or bushes.

Care

Caring for a peony is easy, but in gratitude for the attention, he will definitely respond with gorgeous flowering.

Irrigation

In the dry summer season, peony bushes are watered once every 7 days. Excess moisture leads to the development of the fungus and rotting of the roots.

Mulching

So that the moisture does not evaporate very quickly, and the soil under the bush does not crack, mulching is done. Cut hay, dried grass, straw, needles are used as mulch.

Garter

The stems of the Red Charm peony are thick and stable, but still they cannot withstand the weight of the blossoming buds and need a garter. Along the perimeter of the bush, wooden or metal pegs are installed, on which twine, nylon rope or wire are pulled in a circle.

Loosening and weeding

To provide the roots with air access, after watering and heavy rainfall, it is necessary to loosen the soil. As they appear, weeds should be removed, weeding the area around the peonies. This will not only give them a well-groomed appearance, but will also prevent weeds from taking nutrients and moisture from the ground.

Feeding

Red Charm peony should be fed in the third year after planting on the site. Immediately after the snow melts, urea is added (recommended rates are indicated in the instructions). The second time the flowers are fertilized during budding. The third top dressing is carried out at the very beginning of flowering, introducing nitrophoska. 2 weeks after the end of flowering, superphosphate and wood ash should be added under the bushes.

Diseases and pests

Peony Red Charm is able to be affected not only by viral, but also by fungal diseases. To prevent their occurrence, it is necessary to take preventive measures in a timely manner. The most common diseases of these flowers are:

• rattle;
• mosaic;
• mottling;
• grey rot;
• rust;
• cladosporiosis;
• septoria;
• root rot;
• powdery mildew;
• verticillium wilt.

Some pests can cause irreparable harm to peonies, as a result of which it will not be possible to admire the lush flowering of bushes. The most common ones are:

• ants;
• Maybeetles;
• aphid;
• nematodes.

We must fight them immediately.

Preparing for wintering

Peony Red Charm is a frost-resistant plant and winters in open ground.But even such a flower requires preparation for the cold, which consists, first of all, in feeding and pruning the bushes. Pruning is carried out after the onset of the first cold weather. It performs a sanitary function and prevents pests from overwintering in stems and leaves.

During the autumn feeding, nitrogen fertilizers should not be used, which can lead to the fact that the flower starts growing ahead of time. Usually, only phosphorus and potassium are used as fertilizers before wintering. With the onset of the first frosts, the cut peony bushes are spudded, and a layer of mulch with a thickness of at least 15 cm is laid on top.

Why doesn't bloom

Sometimes Red Charm grows and develops normally, but the long-awaited flowering never comes. There are several reasons for this behavior in a flower.

Lack of sun

If a peony grows in partial shade or shade, then it will not be possible to achieve a riot of color from it. The plant is photophilous and can demonstrate all its beauty only in a well-lit area, where it is recommended to transplant it.

Low fertilizer

Over time, even fertile soil depletes its supply of nutrients, and on depleted soils, this process occurs even faster. The lack of trace elements and fertilizers is manifested in poor flowering or its absence. Peony Red Charm must be fed in a timely manner starting from the third year after planting.

Shrub planted too deep in the soil

Recessed planting of peonies also leads to the absence of buds and flowers. You can't make a hole deeper than 60 cm, otherwise the bush will not be able to fully develop, and will spend all its strength only on building up green mass.

Landscape use

Landscape designers in their work widely use the Red Charm peony variety to decorate garden paths, sidewalks or arbors. Also, the plant is used to dilute the background of other colors, to create spectacular compositions.With its help, any site is transformed, becoming refined and charming.

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