What varieties of peonies do we like best? Or which varieties would we never give up?
At first, as a rule, gardeners are attracted to double varieties with dense and heavy inflorescences. But then you want something easier. This is where our gaze falls on semi-double and simple forms, and on exquisite Japanese peonies, which form the basis of amateur peonies.
What about color? There are already white and pink peonies in the garden, red and dark red ones are planted. But the heart of a true peony connoisseur will not rest until he finds and plants varieties with a variety of flower colors. Cream, coral and other amazing colors with bold color combinations and different flower shapes are fascinating.
So which varieties of peonies are the best for me?
Peony variety "Ballerina"
The snow had not yet completely melted, but the red noses of peonies were already appearing from the ground that had just begun to thaw.
This is the “Ballerina” variety - very early, blooms at the end of May, almost immediately after the species peonies (, evading ()).
The variety “Ballerina” was obtained by the famous American breeder A.P. Sanders. Its flower is semi-double, graceful in shape and really resembles a ballerina’s skirt. At first it is creamy white in color, even with a greenish tint, but later lightens to pure white.
The mature bush “Ballerina” looks beautiful with strong stems and large leaves - this is a real decoration of the spring garden.
In the photo: peonies of the varieties “Ballerina” and “Henry Boxtox”
Peony variety "Henry Boxtos"
Is it possible for a peony lover to live without the Henry Bockstoce variety? Of course not!
The variety is mid-early, but very slowly opens its large buds on thick stems. You wait, wait, wait... And finally, gradually, petal by petal, wonderful flowers begin to bloom. Red, the color of blood. Huge. Heavy. Full-double.
Peony flowers of the "Henry Boxtos" variety are ideally pink-shaped, with an internal "bud". And when this inner “bud” also opens, small sharp petals and staminodes are found in the center, partially framed by a thin yellow border.
Incredibly beautiful variety! The sight of the Henry Boxtos bush blooming in full bloom delights everyone without exception.
Peony variety "Coral Sunset"
“Coral Sunset” is probably one of the most attractive varieties of the “coral” series of peonies by breeder Samuel Wissing.
This variety has the most intense orange hue when blooming and gives the largest number of shading transitions during flower aging - from peachy-pink to yellowish-creamy at the very end.
The flowers of the Coral Sunset peony are large, semi-double. They start out cupped and then the outer petals begin to curve outward to form a more complex shape. The bush is above average, strong, the stems are strong and straight.
The flowering of a large bush shows at once the whole range of coral-cream shades due to the different timing of the opening and beginning of withering of the flowers. No wonder the name of the peony variety “Coral Sunset” is translated as “Coral Sunset”.
In the photo: peonies of the varieties “Coral Sunset” and “Pastelegance”
Peony variety "Pastelegans"
Peony "Pastelegance" is a relatively new variety in Russia, semi-double or almost double, with a subtle aroma of vanilla. It was first shown here in 2013 at the flower exhibition of the Moscow Flower Growers club at the State Biological Museum of K.A. Timiryazev, where he created a real sensation.
The peony flower "Pastelegance" is such an unusual color that it cannot be called pink, yellow, or peach. This is a unique shade, similar to a mixture of fermented baked milk with baked milk.
The hybrid, which blooms in the mid-early period, was bred by Bill Seidle in 1989, but for a long time was almost inaccessible to flower growers. Now large American and European nurseries have begun commercial propagation of the Pastelegans peony, but it still remains rare and expensive.
Peony variety "Lemon Chiffon"
True yellow color in herbaceous peonies, not in Ito hybrids, has long been a “fixe idea” for most breeders. Until, in 1981, David Rieth registered the Lemon Chiffon peony variety. Its flower is truly yellow with a lemon tint. And most importantly, it keeps the original color for a long time. By the end of flowering, it, of course, fades a little.
The variety "Lemon Chiffon" has a flower that is almost double, but loose. And in the first years after planting, it produces mostly semi-double flowers. The bush is beautifully shaped, has strong stems and spectacular leaves. Flowering period is mid-early.
In the photo: peonies of the varieties “Lemon Chiffon” and “Varenka”
Peony variety "Varenka"
The curator of the GBS peony collection, G.M. Dyakova, has an article about domestic varieties of peonies with the title: “The American is rather weak against our “Varenka”.” So it is, against “Varenka” - rather weak!
Peony variety “Varenka” is an ideal variety in every sense, a masterpiece of domestic selection. It was bred by Nadezhda Krasnova in 1958. Medium height, harmonious bush with strong stems and beautiful leaves. The flowers are dark pink, densely double, shiny, regular pink in shape and very fragrant. Blooms in mid-season.
Peony variety "Olympics-80"
For many years, there has been an increased interest among flower growers in the “Olympiad-80” variety from Mikhail Akimov. It seems that its flowers are not so huge, and the color is ordinary pink, but there is something about it that catches you. When an adult bush of this variety blooms, you can’t take your eyes off it...
The shape of the flower is classic bomb-shaped (when the large petals of the first row contain a ball of narrower petals), but in the “Olympiada-80” variety they are also curly, and yellow petalodes are visible inside the curls. Complex combination. You need to see this, or even better, plant a peony of this variety and admire it every year. Every year the maturing bush shows itself more and more brightly - it blooms more profusely, and the flowers become larger and denser.
In the photo: peonies of the “Olympiada-80” and “White Cap” varieties
White Cap peony
The White Cap peony variety has a very contrasting Japanese flower shape. Inside the dark pink outer petals are narrower white petals with pink strokes.
This is one of the most spectacular and consistently flowering varieties with a Japanese form.
The White Cap peony bush is slightly taller than average with strong stems. Flowering period is average. It looks very beautiful both in the garden and in a vase.
Peony variety "Kansas"
The color of the flesh of a ripe watermelon is how the flower color of the Kansas peony variety is sometimes characterized. This is one of the best terry varieties, although it is not at all a modern novelty - it was bred by Biter in 1940.
The "Kansas" peony has a pink-shaped flower with an internal "bud", bright red with a slight lilac tint. The bush is of medium height, holds its shape well thanks to its strong stems. Flowering period is average. The flowering bush looks fantastically beautiful!
In the photo: peony variety "Kansas"; Peonies of the "Anne Cousins" variety in a bouquet with phlox
Peony variety "Anne Cousins"
In many varieties of peonies, each individual flower does not last long, on average up to 10 days (sometimes due to the opening of the side buds, the flowering of each peduncle is extended). But we want to extend the flowering of peonies in the garden for as long as possible!
And now, when almost all varieties of peonies have already bloomed, one of the latest varieties begins to bloom - “Ann Cousins”.
The flower of this variety is snow-white and densely double. Yes, somewhere in the depths a greenish-yellowish glow is visible, but this only emphasizes the impeccable whiteness of its petals. The flowers are large, perfectly pink-shaped, with a rose aroma.
The height of the bush is slightly above average. And although its stems are thick and strong enough to hold large flowers, support is necessary.
The “Anne Cousins” variety is wonderful both in the garden and for a bouquet - the last bouquet of peonies.
You can add many more beautiful peonies to the “list of favorites” from the huge number of existing varieties. Each gardener undoubtedly has his own special favorites. But these varieties of peonies always attract attention with their beauty, both classic and new, which someday will definitely become classic too.
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Peonies are beautiful perennial flowers that are very popular among gardeners and landscape designers. The perennial ornamental crop is good for decorating a flower garden. Beautiful flowers captivate with their unique aroma and beauty. In our article we want to talk about what peonies are and how they need to be bred, because among our readers there are many fans of this beautiful culture.
Beautiful flower
Peonies occupy one of the leading places among decorative perennial crops. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that such flowers are found in almost every garden plot. They are very popular among experienced and novice gardeners. Beautiful flowers are not only a decoration for any garden plot, but are also used for cutting. Fragrant bouquets look great in vases.
What are peonies? The culture refers to herbaceous perennials and deciduous shrubs (if we are talking about tree peonies). The plants belong to a single genus of the peony family. The culture received its Latin name in honor of the legendary physician Peanu, who healed people and gods from wounds received in battles.
China is considered the birthplace of culture. Varietal plants first came to Europe in the seventeenth century. Subsequently they began to be called Chinese. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, garden peonies were brought from China to Japan, where new varieties with the Chinese type of flowers were bred. In France in the nineteenth century, through the efforts of breeders, new varieties of crops were obtained, which to this day remain real masterpieces of world selection.
According to the International Register, more than 4,664 herbaceous varieties and more than 500 tree varieties are now registered.
Classification of varieties
Not everyone knows about the diversity of culture. Even experienced flower growers are not always familiar with how many types of peonies there are. The names of varieties and photos of flowers presented in our article will help you navigate the issue. It is worth noting that according to the structure of the flower, varieties are divided into:
- Non-double. Such plants have only one row of wide petals (“golden glow”, “nadia”).
- Semi-double (for example, “legion hankor”).
- Anemone-like (Longfellow variety).
- Japanese (“moon of nippon”).
- Rose-shaped (“Robert Outen”).
- Hemispherical terry (“pearl scattering”).
- Crowned (“Kansas”).
Botanical description
What are peonies? This is a perennial subshrub. A shrub or herbaceous plant with several stems reaching a meter in height. The culture has a powerful, large, cone-shaped rhizome.
There are a few buds on the stems of the crop, and the leaves are arranged alternately. Typically the foliage is dark green with brown, dark purple or bluish stripes.
Peony flowers (photos and descriptions are given in the article) reach 15-25 centimeters in diameter. Single inflorescences have a corolla and a calyx. Typically, the flowers have five dark green sepals and five petals.
After flowering, a fruit is formed on the plant, which is a complex multi-leaflet of a star-shaped shape, each of which opens at the seam and produces several large seeds (the seeds can be oval or round in shape).
History of the plant
What are peonies? These are the oldest plants. Even the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians laid out beautiful gardens in which they tried to grow the most outlandish crops brought from other countries. The Greeks and Persians planted gardens for educational purposes. The first mentions of peonies date back to those times.
Peony is a beautiful flower. Since ancient times, it has decorated the paintings of artists and palace halls. It was not for nothing that he was considered the king of all flowers. Peonies even competed with roses in their splendor and beauty. The culture was revered and loved not only in China, but also in Europe. Legends were even made about beautiful flowers, attributing wonderful properties to them. In Greece, for example, a description of beads made from pieces of peony has been preserved. This type of jewelry has been worn since infancy. It was believed that beads ward off evil spirits and heal ailments.
Even 1500 years ago in China, flowers decorated the beautiful imperial gardens. Already in those days, skilled court gardeners developed new varieties of peonies. An interesting fact is that ordinary people were strictly forbidden to grow such a crop. It was believed that the flower was very expensive and symbolized wealth and nobility. That’s why ordinary people weren’t supposed to have it in their garden.
It is worth noting that the meaning of the flower has not changed to this day. Peony still remains a symbol of nobility and wealth. Giving a flower means wishing a person well-being and goodness.
Japanese gardeners have managed to develop a large number of tree-like varieties. At the same time, the flower form was obtained, which is now called Japanese.
Until now, many peoples attach great importance to peony flowers. For example, in the East it is believed that they kindle passion. Young girls need to keep flowers in the bedroom to attract love. In ancient Rome, culture was considered a medicine. Therefore, treatises described ailments for which peony could be used as a remedy. Almost all famous healers of the ancient world used the plant to prepare healing potions. And nowadays in pharmacies you can buy a tincture of peony roots, which has a calming effect. It is successfully used for sleep disorders.
The ancient Greeks considered the flower a symbol of longevity. In ancient chronicles of the sixteenth century there are references to peonies growing in the gardens of palaces and monasteries. Presumably it is believed that Peter I brought culture to Russia. But peonies came to Siberia and the Far East from Japan.
In Europe, the culture is most loved in France. Famous gardeners of that time actively worked to create new varieties that are popular to this day.
At the end of the nineteenth century, American and English breeders also began working on developing new species. Thanks to their efforts, new colors of flowers appeared in the world, and the decorativeness of plants was increased.
Varieties of peonies with photos and names
Currently, gardeners have a large selection of crop varieties. The best varieties of peonies include the following:
- "Vitamana" is a plant with yellow-golden petals.
- "Peter Brand" - peonies with snow-white flowers and an open core with numerous yellow stamens.
- "Red Pearl" is a herbaceous crop with bright red flowers.
- “Flock of Butterflies” is a variety with soft pink petals and bright yellow stamens.
- "Black Pirate" has very dark burgundy double buds.
- Peony thin-leaved. Photos and descriptions of this variety allow you to appreciate its beauty. This is one of the most popular species found in our gardens.
- "Pink Jade". The name itself suggests that the plant has pink flowers.
- Peonies “Maryin Root” are a evasive species. The flowers of this variety are dark purple.
- "Sarah Bernard" is a herbaceous plant with dark pink buds.
Thin-leaved peonies
Every experienced gardener has heard of thin-leaved peonies. The description and photo of this unusual plant allow you to appreciate all its beauty. Very often this species is called narrow-leaved or crowed. The perennial herbaceous plant differs from other varieties in its decorative leaves and bright red flowers. This type of peonies is considered very rare and is listed in the Red Book. Unfortunately, culture is incredibly rare in the wild. But as a garden plant, the narrow-leaved form is becoming increasingly in demand.
In the 70-80s this species was very popular. But then it was replaced by new varieties. For a long time, thin-leaved peonies (described in the article) grew on the plots of real connoisseurs. Adult plants of this species reach a height of 40-60 cm. Numerous flowers are formed on the bushes, which reach 8-10 centimeters in diameter. The plant is very bright and beautiful. All buds begin to bloom at the same time, so the bushes resemble huge bouquets. The excellent culture pleases the owners for 7-10 days. But even after the flowers fade, the bushes continue to be decorative.
True connoisseurs believe that this is one of the best varieties of peonies. The culture prefers sunny areas, but can also grow in places with slight shading.
Ito-peonies
The new generation of culture is Ito-peonies. Hybrid varieties appeared as a result of the insatiable desire of breeders to obtain herbaceous forms with beautiful yellow flowers. In the process of breeding Ito hybrids, tree-like and milk-flowering species were used. The pioneer in developing new forms was the Japanese Toichi Ito. The new hybrid was named after him. The breeder began painstaking work on creating a new plant back in 1948. Many years have passed since then, but his work is continued by his students, creating ever newer and more advanced species.
As a result of the most complex work, a separate branch of the culture was created, which differs significantly from the rest of the family.
Ito hybrids are perennial plants with dying terrestrial shoots. The bushes reach a height of 50-90 centimeters. The leaves of the crop resemble the stems of tree peonies.
“Lemon Dream”, “White Emperor”, “Barzella”, “Border Charm”, “Viking Full Moon” are the most famous Ito hybrids. Varieties of peonies differ in color and size of buds.
Tree peonies
Tree peonies are extremely popular. Their main difference from other varieties is that their shoots do not die off. It is for this reason that plants need to be preserved in winter. Bushes of tree peonies reach a height of 1.5-2 meters.
This type of culture can be divided into three groups:
- Peonies with double flowers. Such plants can have very different bud colors. During flowering, the bushes become very heavy and therefore need support.
- Hybrid yellow peonies - this variety is very popular in landscape design because it has an unusual color. The rich hues of the flowers with patterned leaves are extraordinarily beautiful.
- Japanese varietal plants can have semi-double and double flowers of different shades.
Of the tree-like forms, the following varieties of peonies are the most popular (described below):
- "White Crystal" The flowers fully justify their name, as they sparkle with crystal whiteness in the sun.
- “White Jade” is an ancient variety with white multi-petaled buds.
- "White Phoenix" The buds of this species are pink when blooming, but later turn white.
- “White Wanderer” is a special super-double variety that does not have a core. White peony flowers are very large.
- "Red Giant" is a beautiful plant with giant red-pink buds.
- "Red Lotus" This variety of crop has bright red flowers, reminiscent of a lotus in shape.
Peony propagation
Peonies reproduce in divisions. But you need to purchase them from trusted places. You won't find good deals in the markets. If you want to purchase a varietal crop, you should visit specialized stores. How to choose a good root? It is necessary to opt for divisions with from three to five eyes. The length of the roots should be 10-15 cm.
Some varieties of American hybrids and medicinal peonies are propagated by pieces of roots. Experts note that very good bushes can often be obtained from non-standard cuttings. But it is not recommended to plant overly developed rhizomes in the ground.
The eyes of high-quality pieces should be shiny and bright. There should be no signs of rot or sunburn on the roots. All rotten areas on the cuttings are removed, leaving only healthy tissue.
In the process of cleaning the roots from dirt and rot, they must be soaked for a day in a humate solution. After dividing, it is necessary to disinfect it in a suspension of foundationazole for thirty minutes.
To prevent the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the soil into the roots, experts recommend using a clay mash with the addition of copper sulfate and wood ash. The mass is thoroughly mixed and each piece is dipped into it.
Preparing the landing site
It is very important to choose the right place to plant peonies. The area should be well lit and at the same time it should be well protected from drafts and winds. When choosing a place for planting, it is worth remembering that peonies are large flowers that grow in one place for many years. To plant one bush, you need to set up an area measuring 80 by 80 centimeters.
If the soil in the garden plot is acidic, it is necessary to add lime and clay to it. For further normal growth of the crop, regular addition of wood ash will be required. Phosphogypsum must be added to saline soil.
Planting divisions
To successfully grow peonies, it is necessary to perform planting correctly. Each division is planted in a separate hole. In this case, its eyes should be at a depth of no more than 3-5 centimeters. If we are talking about hybrid forms, then they are planted to a depth of 10-12 centimeters.
The cuttings are covered ¾ of the way with soil. The soil on top is compacted by hand so that there are no air voids. The surface is mulched with a mixture of sand and ash mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The delenki are well watered after planting (about one bucket of water). If autumn turns out to be dry, then 2-3 waterings can be carried out before the cold weather arrives. The amount of watering directly depends on the condition of the soil.
Preparing for winter
Depending on which peony flowers you choose for planting, you will need to prepare the bushes for winter. It is preferable to cover some varieties before the cold weather arrives. The shelter must be made on dry soil. You can use spruce branches as a material. If there is snow on the ground, then you should not cover the plantings. Peony roots do not tolerate high humidity well, so in the fall it is necessary to mulch the soil. This simple method will help protect plantings from suffocation in the spring. After all, it is not recommended to loosen the soil before the first shoots appear, since they can be damaged.
Fertilizing
To obtain abundant and long-lasting flowering, the bushes must be fed regularly. Plants that are more than two years old can be fertilized with ammonium nitrate. To do this, granules are scattered over melted snow. To speed up the melting process, you can scatter ash.
Delenki planted in the fall can be fed after 10-15 days with a weak solution of ammonium nitrate. To do this, granules (5-10 grams) are dissolved in a bucket of water (10 l).
Experienced gardeners believe that overfeeding peonies is very dangerous, as this can lead to poor flowering. A large amount of fertilizer makes the plant defenseless against infections.
In the process of caring for peonies, it is necessary to alternate foliar and root feeding. To do this, it is necessary to use humate, foundationazole and preparations with a high content of microelements.
In addition, plants can be fed with mullein. Cow dung is poured with water and infused for several days. Afterwards, the plants are watered with the settled solution. During the period of bud formation, it is recommended to add superphosphate to mullein.
At the end of the flowering period, you can add a solution of wood ash, which is infused for four days (take 300 g of ash per 10 liters of water).
Features of Argotechnics
Caring for peonies has its own characteristics. Every year, the root collar of the plant grows five to six mm upward. And therefore it is greatly exposed in the process of removing weeds. You can cope with the problem by mulching.
In addition, plants need regular watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds. It is especially important to provide watering after flowering, since it is during this period that the buds for the next year are laid. In August, the root system grows intensively and the eyes develop. The leaves of the plant are removed in preparation for winter no earlier than October.
Flower cut
Flower growers grow peonies for their beautiful flowers, which they use to create beautiful bouquets. However, improper cutting can harm the bushes. Before flowering begins, it is necessary to form a plant. After the buds reach the size of a pea, they need to be thinned out.
Only the strongest ovaries are left, and the rest are removed. This will allow you to get beautiful flowers next year.
Obtaining young plants
After growing peonies in one place for ten years, their flowering noticeably deteriorates. Therefore, it becomes necessary to rejuvenate the bushes. To do this, the plant is dug up by making a hole around it. It is worth noting that adult plants are not so easy to remove from the ground. Their root system is very powerful. Next, the bush is divided into separate divisions, each of which should have 3-5 eyes and the same number of roots.
Before dividing, dug up plants must be dried for several hours to avoid future brittleness of the roots. Separating the tubers into parts must be done carefully. After all, the quality of planting material depends on this. After dividing the rhizomes, a lot of fragments and stems with buds remain. They should not be thrown away; it is better to plant the roots in a separate area. In a couple of years they can become good plants. For the winter, the plantings must be covered with a layer of peat.
To speed up the germination process, full cuttings must be placed in a bag with damp sawdust or moss. They are then kept in an incubator for a month. Periodically, the bag must be untied and ventilated. Subsequently, the preparations are stored in the cellar. As soon as weather conditions permit, the cuttings are planted in open ground.
Disease prevention
Proper care is the key to healthy plants. With proper agricultural technology, peonies practically do not get sick. It is very important not to overfeed the bushes with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. It is recommended to treat young plants with fungicides containing microelements.
Every year it is necessary to add a mixture of wood ash and sand to the root collar. In early spring, seedlings need to be pollinated with wood ash. The most harmful disease for peonies is gray rot. At an early stage, it causes the stems to wither, and at a later time it contributes to the death of the buds. If you notice the appearance of gray rot on the bushes, you need to cut out the affected shoots at the root. The cut areas are treated with ash, and the bushes are generously watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. Removed parts of plants and flowers must be burned to destroy gray rot.
Peonies are beautiful perennial flowers that are very popular among gardeners and landscape designers. The perennial ornamental crop is good for decorating a flower garden. Beautiful flowers captivate with their unique aroma and beauty. In our article we want to talk about what peonies are and how they need to be bred, because among our readers there are many fans of this beautiful culture.
Beautiful flower
Peonies occupy one of the leading places among decorative perennial crops. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that such flowers are found in almost every garden plot. They are very popular among experienced and novice gardeners. Beautiful flowers are not only a decoration for any garden plot, but are also used for cutting. Fragrant bouquets look great in vases.
What are peonies? The culture refers to herbaceous perennials and deciduous shrubs (if we are talking about tree peonies). The plants belong to a single genus of the peony family. The culture received its Latin name in honor of the legendary physician Peanu, who healed people and gods from wounds received in battles.
China is considered the birthplace of culture. Varietal plants first came to Europe in the seventeenth century. Subsequently they began to be called Chinese. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, garden peonies were brought from China to Japan, where new varieties with the Chinese type of flowers were bred. In France in the nineteenth century, through the efforts of breeders, new varieties of crops were obtained, which to this day remain real masterpieces of world selection.
According to the International Register, more than 4,664 herbaceous varieties and more than 500 tree varieties are now registered.
Classification of varieties
Not everyone knows about the diversity of culture. Even experienced flower growers are not always familiar with how many types of peonies there are. The names of varieties and photos of flowers presented in our article will help you navigate the issue. It is worth noting that according to the structure of the flower, varieties are divided into:
Botanical description
What are peonies? This is a perennial subshrub. A shrub or herbaceous plant with several stems reaching a meter in height. The culture has a powerful, large, cone-shaped rhizome.
There are a few buds on the stems of the crop, and the leaves are arranged alternately. Typically the foliage is dark green with brown, dark purple or bluish stripes.
Peony flowers (photos and descriptions are given in the article) reach 15-25 centimeters in diameter. Single inflorescences have a corolla and a calyx. Typically, the flowers have five dark green sepals and five petals.
After flowering, a fruit is formed on the plant, which is a complex multi-leaflet of a star-shaped shape, each of which opens at the seam and produces several large seeds (the seeds can be oval or round in shape).
History of the plant
What are peonies? These are the oldest plants. Even the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians laid out beautiful gardens in which they tried to grow the most outlandish crops brought from other countries. The Greeks and Persians planted gardens for educational purposes. The first mentions of peonies date back to those times.
Peony is a beautiful flower. Since ancient times, it has decorated the paintings of artists and palace halls. It was not for nothing that he was considered the king of all flowers. Peonies even competed with roses in their splendor and beauty. The culture was revered and loved not only in China, but also in Europe. Legends were even made about beautiful flowers, attributing wonderful properties to them. In Greece, for example, a description of beads made from pieces of peony has been preserved. This type of jewelry has been worn since infancy. It was believed that beads ward off evil spirits and heal ailments.
Even 1500 years ago in China, flowers decorated the beautiful imperial gardens. Already in those days, skilled court gardeners developed new varieties of peonies. An interesting fact is that ordinary people were strictly forbidden to grow such a crop. It was believed that the flower was very expensive and symbolized wealth and nobility. That’s why ordinary people weren’t supposed to have it in their garden.
It is worth noting that the meaning of the flower has not changed to this day. Peony still remains a symbol of nobility and wealth. Giving a flower means wishing a person well-being and goodness.
Japanese gardeners have managed to develop a large number of tree-like varieties. At the same time, the flower form was obtained, which is now called Japanese.
Until now, many peoples attach great importance to peony flowers. For example, in the East it is believed that they kindle passion. Young girls need to keep flowers in the bedroom to attract love. In ancient Rome, culture was considered a medicine. Therefore, treatises described ailments for which peony could be used as a remedy. Almost all famous healers of the ancient world used the plant to prepare healing potions. And nowadays in pharmacies you can buy a tincture of peony roots, which has a calming effect. It is successfully used for sleep disorders.
The ancient Greeks considered the flower a symbol of longevity. In ancient chronicles of the sixteenth century there are references to peonies growing in the gardens of palaces and monasteries. Presumably it is believed that Peter I brought culture to Russia. But peonies came to Siberia and the Far East from Japan.
In Europe, the culture is most loved in France. Famous gardeners of that time actively worked to create new varieties that are popular to this day.
At the end of the nineteenth century, American and English breeders also began working on developing new species. Thanks to their efforts, new colors of flowers appeared in the world, and the decorativeness of plants was increased.
Varieties of peonies with photos and names
Currently, gardeners have a large selection of crop varieties. The best varieties of peonies include the following:
Thin-leaved peonies
Every experienced gardener has heard of thin-leaved peonies. The description and photo of this unusual plant allow you to appreciate all its beauty. Very often this species is called narrow-leaved or crowed. The perennial herbaceous plant differs from other varieties in its decorative leaves and bright red flowers. This type of peonies is considered very rare and is listed in the Red Book. Unfortunately, culture is incredibly rare in the wild. But as a garden plant, the narrow-leaved form is becoming increasingly in demand.
In the 70-80s this species was very popular. But then it was replaced by new varieties. For a long time, thin-leaved peonies (described in the article) grew on the plots of real connoisseurs. Adult plants of this species reach a height of 40-60 cm. Numerous flowers are formed on the bushes, which reach 8-10 centimeters in diameter. The plant is very bright and beautiful. All buds begin to bloom at the same time, so the bushes resemble huge bouquets. The excellent culture pleases the owners for 7-10 days. But even after the flowers fade, the bushes continue to be decorative.
True connoisseurs believe that this is one of the best varieties of peonies. The culture prefers sunny areas, but can also grow in places with slight shading.
Ito-peonies
The new generation of culture is Ito-peonies. Hybrid varieties appeared as a result of the insatiable desire of breeders to obtain herbaceous forms with beautiful yellow flowers. In the process of breeding Ito hybrids, tree-like and milk-flowering species were used. The pioneer in developing new forms was the Japanese Toichi Ito. The new hybrid was named after him. The breeder began painstaking work on creating a new plant back in 1948. Many years have passed since then, but his work is continued by his students, creating ever newer and more advanced species.
As a result of the most complex work, a separate branch of the culture was created, which differs significantly from the rest of the family.
Ito hybrids are perennial plants with dying terrestrial shoots. The bushes reach a height of 50-90 centimeters. The leaves of the crop resemble the stems of tree peonies.
“Lemon Dream”, “White Emperor”, “Barzella”, “Border Charm”, “Viking Full Moon” are the most famous Ito hybrids. Varieties of peonies differ in color and size of buds.
Tree peonies
Tree peonies are extremely popular. Their main difference from other varieties is that their shoots do not die off. It is for this reason that plants need to be preserved in winter. Bushes of tree peonies reach a height of 1.5-2 meters.
This type of culture can be divided into three groups:
Of the tree-like forms, the following varieties of peonies are the most popular (described below):
Peony propagation
Peonies reproduce in divisions. But you need to purchase them from trusted places. You won't find good deals in the markets. If you want to purchase a varietal crop, you should visit specialized stores. How to choose a good root? It is necessary to opt for divisions with from three to five eyes. The length of the roots should be 10-15 cm.
Some varieties of American hybrids and medicinal peonies are propagated by pieces of roots. Experts note that very good bushes can often be obtained from non-standard cuttings. But it is not recommended to plant overly developed rhizomes in the ground.
The eyes of high-quality pieces should be shiny and bright. There should be no signs of rot or sunburn on the roots. All rotten areas on the cuttings are removed, leaving only healthy tissue.
In the process of cleaning the roots from dirt and rot, they must be soaked for a day in a humate solution. After dividing, it is necessary to disinfect it in a suspension of foundationazole for thirty minutes.
To prevent the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the soil into the roots, experts recommend using a clay mash with the addition of copper sulfate and wood ash. The mass is thoroughly mixed and each piece is dipped into it.
Preparing the landing site
It is very important to choose the right place to plant peonies. The area should be well lit and at the same time it should be well protected from drafts and winds. When choosing a place for planting, it is worth remembering that peonies are large flowers that grow in one place for many years. To plant one bush, you need to set up an area measuring 80 by 80 centimeters.
If the soil in the garden plot is acidic, it is necessary to add lime and clay to it. For further normal growth of the crop, regular addition of wood ash will be required. Phosphogypsum must be added to saline soil.
Planting divisions
To successfully grow peonies, it is necessary to perform planting correctly. Each division is planted in a separate hole. In this case, its eyes should be at a depth of no more than 3-5 centimeters. If we are talking about hybrid forms, then they are planted to a depth of 10-12 centimeters.
The cuttings are covered ¾ of the way with soil. The soil on top is compacted by hand so that there are no air voids. The surface is mulched with a mixture of sand and ash mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The delenki are well watered after planting (about one bucket of water). If autumn turns out to be dry, then 2-3 waterings can be carried out before the cold weather arrives. The amount of watering directly depends on the condition of the soil.
Preparing for winter
Depending on which peony flowers you choose for planting, you will need to prepare the bushes for winter. It is preferable to cover some varieties before the cold weather arrives. The shelter must be made on dry soil. You can use spruce branches as a material. If there is snow on the ground, then you should not cover the plantings. Peony roots do not tolerate high humidity well, so in the fall it is necessary to mulch the soil. This simple method will help protect plantings from suffocation in the spring. After all, it is not recommended to loosen the soil before the first shoots appear, since they can be damaged.
Fertilizing
To obtain abundant and long-lasting flowering, the bushes must be fed regularly. Plants that are more than two years old can be fertilized with ammonium nitrate. To do this, granules are scattered over melted snow. To speed up the melting process, you can scatter ash.
Delenki planted in the fall can be fed after 10-15 days with a weak solution of ammonium nitrate. To do this, granules (5-10 grams) are dissolved in a bucket of water (10 l).
Experienced gardeners believe that overfeeding peonies is very dangerous, as this can lead to poor flowering. A large amount of fertilizer makes the plant defenseless against infections.
In the process of caring for peonies, it is necessary to alternate foliar and root feeding. To do this, it is necessary to use humate, foundationazole and preparations with a high content of microelements.
In addition, plants can be fed with mullein. Cow dung is poured with water and infused for several days. Afterwards, the plants are watered with the settled solution. During the period of bud formation, it is recommended to add superphosphate to mullein.
At the end of the flowering period, you can add a solution of wood ash, which is infused for four days (take 300 g of ash per 10 liters of water).
Features of Argotechnics
Caring for peonies has its own characteristics. Every year, the root collar of the plant grows five to six mm upward. And therefore it is greatly exposed in the process of removing weeds. You can cope with the problem by mulching.
In addition, plants need regular watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds. It is especially important to provide watering after flowering, since it is during this period that the buds for the next year are laid. In August, the root system grows intensively and the eyes develop. The leaves of the plant are removed in preparation for winter no earlier than October.
Flower cut
Flower growers grow peonies for their beautiful flowers, which they use to create beautiful bouquets. However, improper cutting can harm the bushes. Before flowering begins, it is necessary to form a plant. After the buds reach the size of a pea, they need to be thinned out.
Only the strongest ovaries are left, and the rest are removed. This will allow you to get beautiful flowers next year.
Obtaining young plants
After growing peonies in one place for ten years, their flowering noticeably deteriorates. Therefore, it becomes necessary to rejuvenate the bushes. To do this, the plant is dug up by making a hole around it. It is worth noting that adult plants are not so easy to remove from the ground. Their root system is very powerful. Next, the bush is divided into separate divisions, each of which should have 3-5 eyes and the same number of roots.
Before dividing, dug up plants must be dried for several hours to avoid future brittleness of the roots. Separating the tubers into parts must be done carefully. After all, the quality of planting material depends on this. After dividing the rhizomes, a lot of fragments and stems with buds remain. They should not be thrown away; it is better to plant the roots in a separate area. In a couple of years they can become good plants. For the winter, the plantings must be covered with a layer of peat.
To speed up the germination process, full cuttings must be placed in a bag with damp sawdust or moss. They are then kept in an incubator for a month. Periodically, the bag must be untied and ventilated. Subsequently, the preparations are stored in the cellar. As soon as weather conditions permit, the cuttings are planted in open ground.
Disease prevention
Proper care is the key to healthy plants. With proper agricultural technology, peonies practically do not get sick. It is very important not to overfeed the bushes with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. It is recommended to treat young plants with fungicides containing microelements.
Every year it is necessary to add a mixture of wood ash and sand to the root collar. In early spring, seedlings need to be pollinated with wood ash. The most harmful disease for peonies is gray rot. At an early stage, it causes the stems to wither, and at a later time it contributes to the death of the buds. If you notice the appearance of gray rot on the bushes, you need to cut out the affected shoots at the root. The cut areas are treated with ash, and the bushes are generously watered with a solution of potassium permanganate. Removed parts of plants and flowers must be burned to destroy gray rot.
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