Red Grace Peony: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation features, care

Peony - a crop that is grown in any garden, the Red Grace variety is distinguished by dense red buds. The plant tolerates low temperatures, with proper care, blooms within 3 weeks after the formation of buds.

Description and features

The plant has large dark red flowers. Inflorescences of a uniform color, the diameter of the flower reaches 18 cm. The bud is dense, it opens gradually. Peony variety Red grace is widely used for cultivation. The plant is tall, reaches a height of 1.2 meters, sprawling bushes.The leaves are dark green, openwork.

Features of the plant:

• petals on the inflorescence are round, the bud is in the shape of a hemisphere;
• first color appears in the second year after planting;
• plant smell pleasant, underdeveloped;
• the plant is hardy and can withstand low temperatures.

Flowers retain their attractive characteristics for a long time.

Important. The plant has tall stems, so it is recommended to tie it up to reduce the risk of damage to the bush during flowering.

History of selection

This type of plant belongs to hybrids. First appeared in 1980 as a result of the use of two varieties P. Lactiflora and P. Officinalis. Repeatedly the plant has received awards and is considered the most beautiful species of peony.

Landing

In order for the peony to please with its abundant color, you should follow the features of planting and caring for the crop.

Choosing a seat

When choosing a location, preference should be given to illuminated areas. Sunlight should hit the plant at least 7 hours a day. Also, the site must be protected from wind and drafts. The plant should not be planted near trees and houses.

Soil preparation

Culture prefers a light soil type rich in nutrients. Before planting, you must first prepare the nutrient mixture by mixing in equal proportions:

• humus;
• peat;
• sand.

The resulting composition is mixed with the soil in a ratio of 1:2, and a peony is planted.

Timing

This type of flowers should be planted in the soil in mid-August or September. The autumn period allows the roots to adapt to the new soil and make it easier to endure the winter. Crops can be planted in the spring after the soil has warmed up, but such a seedling is often susceptible to disease.

Plant pattern

To plant a peony in open ground, you must first prepare holes up to 70 cm deep and leave for a few days.

Then you need to do the following:

• add fertilizer to the wells;
• put drainage, you can use pebbles or wood chips;
• seedlings must be selected with 2-3 buds;
• place in hole and carefully sprinkle with nutrient mixture.

After the hole is filled, it is necessary to compact the soil and pour warm water.

Care

Proper care speeds up the development of the plant and reduces the risk of pests.

Irrigation

The plant prefers moist soil, so it is necessary to water the bushes every 4-5 days. One bush takes up to 10 liters of water. However, if rains are observed, watering is not carried out, as excessive moisture provokes damage to the root.

Loosening and weeding

The soil must contain enough oxygen, so loosening is a must. It is necessary to loosen the soil the day before watering, this will keep the soil airy. Weeding is carried out as needed, it is recommended to remove weeds manually so as not to harm the plant.

Feeding

In order for the plant to bloom profusely, in the third year after planting, it is necessary to feed. Peony requires regular feeding, otherwise the buds may be small.

Fertilizers such as phosphorus and nitrogen are introduced. Such additives will promote violent flowering. You can also use a chicken manure solution in the spring to strengthen the stems and reduce the risk of diseases in the spring.

Bud formation

In the process of bud formation, the Kemira-Kombi substance is most often used, which contains complex elements necessary for the development of culture.

Flowering

Used as a top dressing potassium and phosphorus. Applied by root method during irrigation.

After flowering

Potassium-phosphorus top dressing is introduced in order to strengthen the root system for the winter period.

It is also recommended to add humus to the soil in autumn, which will serve not only as a fertilizer, but also as a heater.

Diseases and pests

Peonies are disease resistant. However, improper care very often leads to problems.

Grey Rot

This problem occurs most often with frequent watering. The first symptoms of the disease are the wilting of the bush and the absence of buds. The leaves become dull with yellow spots. Gradually, the shoots of the bush become covered with a gray coating and die. For treatment, it is necessary to remove the damaged area of the culture and treat it with Bordeaux mixture.

Aphid

Such a pest can appear at any period of crop development, but most often in mid-spring and summer. Insects of small size feed on the juice of the culture and lead to the death of leaves and shoots. To remove the pest, you can use a solution of laundry soap or the Fitoverm preparation for spraying.

Ants

A common problem with peonies. The ants infect the buds and feed on the sweet syrup. As a result, leads to the destruction of inflorescences. To remove pests, it is necessary to spray the area where the plants grow with special repellents.

The best neighbors in a flower arrangement

Peony are undemanding to their neighbors, however, it must be borne in mind that the culture bushes are large. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully select flowers in a flower bed.

According to the texture of foliage

Peonies will not develop well next to plants that grow larger than the bush itself. Therefore, it is necessary to select crops that have the same leaf texture as peonies, filling the space on the flower garden.

Phloxes

Plants can be used with peonies in composition. They do not have common pests, therefore they do not affect the development of each other. However, it is recommended not to plant at a close distance from each other, leaving room for loosening the soil.

Irises

Unlike peonies, the roots of irises are located in the upper layers of the soil, so these two varieties of crops can be planted on the site. In addition, outwardly, plants are combined in landscape design.

Sedums

Peonies and sedums have a similar bush and foliage structure. Therefore, they can be planted in the same area as the main plants, however, a distance of at least 50 cm must be observed between the bushes so that the bushes have the necessary space for development.

Vertical structure

Peonies can be grown with other types of tall crops that are larger than bushes.

Delphinium

The height of the crop is up to 2 meters, can be grown on the site together with peonies and roses as an additional background for the composition.

Vatochnik

The plant has strong, fleshy stems and can be grown with peonies. The height of the bush is on average 150 cm. The culture blooms in the middle of summer. Therefore, it does not affect the development of peonies.

Foxglove

The plant can act as an addition to the appearance of the flower bed, foxglove blooms in late August. Therefore, it does not affect the development of peony buds.

Peony is a decoration of the garden. The Red Grace peony is distinguished not only by its attractive appearance, but also by resistance to diseases. Despite the fact that the plant has no smell, the peony is a sought-after crop.

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