Tree peony. A tree peony differs from a grassy peony in that it is a shrub.

TREE PION.

tree peony differs from herbaceous in that it is a shrub. With the onset of frost, it sheds its leaves, and the stems remain to hibernate above the ground.

The tree peony is national flower China. Most of the available varieties (about 500 in total) are created and cultivated in China. And in Japan, this plant is considered a flower of well-being and prosperity.

Tree-like peonies usually reach a height of 1-1.5 m, and in the southern regions up to 2.5 m and even higher. The flowers of these peonies are very large - up to 25-30 cm in diameter. Simple, semi-double and double huge flowers turn the bush into an extraordinary luxurious bouquet! Flower color is very different. Along with white, pink and red varieties with yellow and purple color, as well as two- and three-color varieties are often found.

The tree-like peony surprisingly combines the pampered luxury of flowering and powerful growth. Several dozen huge, extraordinary beauty flowers can be counted on one bush. It is a pity, but the period of lush fragrance of peony flowers is short-lived. However, this spectacle is worth seeing!

After flowering, the bush of a tree-like peony remains decorative until the end of leaf fall, thanks to the openwork carved foliage with a slight bluish tinge due to a wax coating.

The culture of a tree peony is quite simple. It is quite winter hardy. Freezing of shoots of varying degrees occurs often, but nevertheless, a bush 1 m high quickly recovers and blooms well.

How to accelerate the growth of these peonies?

Tree peonies have a feature: they grow very slowly. And wait lush flowering accounts for almost 10 years. You can speed up development by grafting tree peony cuttings onto the roots of a grassy peony.

Planting and transplanting bushes
And now you have acquired this plant miracle - a tree-like peony. The most important thing is to immediately find the right place for him so as not to touch for many years. At good conditions bushes can grow in one place for decades. Completely unsuitable damp areas. It is believed that the tree peony is undemanding to the soil, but loose, fertile, alkaline and well-drained are more preferable.

The best time for planting a tree peony is early spring and autumn. The size of the planting pit is 40 x 40 x 40 cm. In addition to garden soil, compost and complex mineral fertilizers are added. If the soil on the site is heavy, clayey, then sand and gravel are added to it. All prepared components are well mixed with top layer soil taken out when digging a hole, and a plant is planted. Planting depth should be such that the grafting site is 10-15 cm below the soil surface. You can spud a planted peony higher by pouring a small mound of a light, breathable earthen mixture. Over time, new roots will develop on this underground part of the scion and a self-rooted plant will turn out. If desired, some shoots can be separated from it - layering

All care comes down to the usual weeding, top dressing, watering in dry times. In the first year, plants usually do not bloom and look weak. If buds do form, they must be removed before blooming so as not to weaken the plants.

These peonies need good watering. As for dressings, in spring and early summer they are very important for the normal growth of young shoots, usually ending in flower buds. At the end of summer, it is better not to feed, especially with nitrogen fertilizers, because this leads to a decrease in winter hardiness.

Pruning of the bush is carried out in early April. In fact, the tree peony does not like pruning. Only broken and old dried branches are cut out. The second time you need to cut the frozen tops of the shoots when the buds are fully bloomed. Just take your time, the upper, slightly frozen buds wake up late.

If you do not plan to get seeds, then withered flowers are regularly removed so as not to deplete the plant.

If necessary, so as not to break under the weight of large flowers, the bushes are tied to supports.

In very rainy weather, it is better to treat the plant with copper-containing preparations from gray rot that affects flowers and buds.

reproduction

Seeds of varietal tree-like peonies form weakly, and terry ones, as a rule, do not give them at all. Therefore, seed propagation of these pions is difficult. If the seeds are tied, then interesting seedlings that differ from each other can grow from them. Freshly harvested seeds germinate in 2-3 years, and seedlings will bloom only in 5-7 years.

Cuttings of tree-like pions practically do not give positive results.

Grafting on tree seedlings or on the roots of herbaceous peonies is the most common method of propagating varietal forms. This is not an easy task, only specialists can do it. In China, this propagation method is well developed, and in our garden centers and stores, tree peony seedlings of Chinese origin are often found.

Tree peony belongs to the group of artificially bred species and varieties. The homeland of the plant is China, where it is very much appreciated for its decorative qualities. Large flowers with a wide range of shades have been growing in Chinese gardens for over 2000 years. A tall spreading subshrub with strong stems grows well in temperate climate. If you want to decorate your site with a tree peony, then you need to learn how to plant a plant and care for it.

Botanical description and breeding history

The tree peony belongs to the genus Paeonia of the Peony family, it is a perennial deciduous shrub. Stems erect, woody, light brown. Shoots do not die off, give an annual increase. Hemispherical bush. The leaves are green, dissected, turning purple by the end of the growing season. The timing of flowering depends on the variety, usually in May. Flowers with a diameter of 20-22 cm are simple and double. Their range includes many shades of pink, red, lilac, yellow, white. There are two color varieties. The photo shows how densely the flowers cover the bush.

On one bush there are 30-80 flowers. The petals are dense, corrugated, with many yellow stamens. Flowering time is 10-14 days, cool weather and the absence of direct rays at noon prolong this period. The star-shaped fruit opens at the seam when ripe. Black shiny seeds inside. Fruits from four years. With good care in a warm climate, the height of the bush is 1.7-2 m, but in central Russia, peonies do not grow above 1.5 m.

plant history

The history of breeding tree peonies originates in Ancient China. The first description of varieties was made in 1034. The largest collections of plants are collected in Luoyang. In Chinese monasteries, there are old bushes up to 2.4 m high, with a shoot diameter of 10 cm. Japan creates its own varieties of peony, and this country associates flowers with the arrival of spring. Tree peonies came to Russia in the 18th century and were cultivated in greenhouses. Only in the middle of the 20th century did flowers settle in the open field.

Tree peony: care and cultivation

For growing a tree peony, proper planting and competent care in the open field are important. The first thing a gardener should do is choose a place for a bush. It should be protected from the wind, sunny, located away from tall trees. The lowland where water collects will not work. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture. IN ideal conditions Shading is recommended during the midday hours.

Information. In China and Japan, where the culture of growing tree-like peonies is developed, sheds are built near the bushes to protect the flowers from fading colors.

Winter hardiness is good, if the temperature does not drop to very low levels (-25-30 °) it survives the cold season without shelter. But it’s still not worth the risk, the root area is covered with peat. The shoots are covered with non-woven material or they build a hut from spruce branches. Mulching with straw and leaves is not recommended, this is a fertile environment for the development of bacteria.

Tree peony shelter for the winter

Information. Uncovered plants freeze through, but do not necessarily die. Usually in the spring the shoot grows from the vegetative bud at the base.

Landing in the ground

Optimal time when it is worth planting a seedling in the ground, this is the beginning of autumn. It's better to choose permanent place on which the plant will develop for decades. If necessary, it can be transplanted, but due to stress, the flower is sick for 1-2 years. Under the seedling, they dig a hole measuring 40:40:50 cm. A drainage layer is necessarily arranged at the bottom. You can use sand, gravel, expanded clay or just broken brick. A layer of 15 cm is required. The prepared soil mixture is poured on top.

Advice. Before planting a tree peony out of the box, it is necessary to treat the roots with a fungicide solution. A preventive procedure will prevent the development of harmful microorganisms.

The seedling is lowered into the pit, while the root neck should be at ground level. The roots are covered with the remnants of the soil. The planting is well watered. In autumn, the roots will have time to take root and build up suction roots. And the growth buds will fall asleep with the advent of cold weather and will not take away nutrients. After the winter, the peony will grow properly.

Soil preparation

The best soil for the plant is loamy, neutral or slightly alkaline. Optimal Level pH 6-6.5. With an excess of sand, clay is added to the soil; with heavy soils, the opposite is done. The soil for a tree peony should be fertile, permeable and loose. Before planting a seedling, a suitable mixture is prepared in the hole:

• ash;
• compost or rotted manure;
• peat;
• bone flour;
• superphosphates or complex granular fertilizer.

Types of seedlings

On sale there are own-rooted and grafted flowers. What does a self-rooted tree peony look like - it has many roots of the same diameter 5-8 mm, painted in light brown color. Grafted specimens have a main rhizome 3-5 cm thick, the color is dark. Both types have strengths and weaknesses:

• Own-rooted - have a long lifespan (about 50 years), strong immunity, can reproduce by dividing the main bush. Minus - slow growth and a long wait for flowering.
• The vaccinated ones live much less, they do not tolerate transplantation well, they do not reproduce by division. How fast is growing? Flowers appear after 1-2 years.

Another option for classifying seedlings: with an open and closed root system. The bare roots of plants are wrapped in moss or other substrate, covered with a film. Seedlings are packed in boxes. Peonies with closed roots are planted in containers with soil. The optimal planting time depends on the type of packaging. A seedling from a container with earth can be planted in open ground spring and autumn. The open-rooted option is suitable for autumn planting.

Planting a peony in autumn

If a seedling without soil is bought in winter or spring, intermediate cultivation in a pot is practiced. A large capacity of 5 liters is selected. A layer of expanded clay drainage is poured at the bottom. A universal soil is suitable for the plant. Before planting, the roots of the seedling are washed and inspected, the damaged areas are removed. The seedling is lowered into a pot, covered with soil from above. which is carefully taken. Abundantly watered.

Advice. In the water used for irrigation, you can add the growth stimulator "Epin".

A pot with a seedling is kept in a cool place (2-8 °), its buds should not start growing. Staying in the ground is necessary for the formation of small suction roots. Without them, the plant lacks nutrition, it lags behind in development. Further, each gardener decides for himself how to grow a bush from a seedling. some prefer to plant it in the ground in the spring. Others are looking forward to autumn. Until September, the peony is in a pot, which is placed in a cool place in the garden.

Problems with growing a peony

The landing is not always successful, in some cases it is necessary to solve the question of why the tree peony does not grow. There are several reasons:

• The planting site was chosen incorrectly, the plant was in the shade of buildings or tall trees.
• Increased acidity of the soil. Peonies need a neutral or slightly alkaline earth. correct the situation by adding lime or dolomite flour.
• Excessive deepening, the root neck was below the soil level. The opposite option is insufficient planting depth.
• Perhaps the bush is sick, common ailments are gray rot and rust.
• The flower lacks air. In the absence of loosening, a crust forms on the ground that prevents air exchange.

Tree peonies grow slowly, in the photo is a 2-year-old seedling

Knowing how to care for a tree peony will help you avoid many problems.

Tree peony transplant

Young plants and bushes at the age of 10-15 years painfully endure a transplant to a new place. Do not be alarmed if many shoots dry out. By the end of summer, adnexal buds will appear, and from them new shoots. The old dried parts of the plant are cut off, the bush is rejuvenated. The optimal time for transplanting a tree peony is the end of August or September. If you delay the procedure for more late deadline due to the cold, the roots may not have time to take root.

The plant is best dug up with a clod of earth. Can be transplanted whole or divided. In this case, it is worth examining the roots, dry or rotten ones are removed. sections are treated with activated charcoal. You should not often transplant, the bush grows well in one place.

Planting a tree peony in spring

Sale of seedlings of tree peonies begins in February-March. At this time, there is still snow and planting in open ground is not possible. Until the heat is stable, the flower is stored in a cool place. Planting a seedling bought in the spring with closed roots is possible already in April. If the forecast promises night frosts, the flower is covered with non-woven material.

How to plant a peony in spring

When and how to plant a peony in spring? Usually, seedlings begin active growth under any storage conditions, so you should not delay planting. They act similarly to the autumn landing. A place is chosen - not a lowland, sunny, between the bushes at least 1.5 m. A hole is dug 50-70 cm deep. Drainage is arranged at the bottom (up to 25 cm). Garden soil is enriched with compost, humus, ash and phosphates. The seedling is watered abundantly.

Peony seedlings for spring planting

After landing in the spring, it is important to provide the peony with good care. The first year you need to carefully monitor the level of moisture. If there is no rain, water the bush every week. Do not forget about loosening and weeding. Tree peony grows slowly, needs to be fed with nitrogen and potassium.

Advice. Planting a peony out of a box in the spring is highly undesirable, the plant will grow leaves to the detriment of the roots.

spring care

The time to open the bush depends on the region. Focus on the absence of frost. spring care begins with sanitary pruning of dry shoots. The procedure is performed until the first living kidney. Watering is performed 1 time in two weeks, 6-7 liters each. The soil around the bush is mulched with compost. Overgrowth often grows around the bush, its transplantation is performed immediately after the soil thaws.

top dressing

How to feed a tree peony at the beginning of the growing season? When growing greenery, flowers respond well to nitrogen fertilizers. they can be scattered in the trunk circle immediately after the snow melts. In the process of laying buds, the plant is fertilized with a potassium-phosphorus composition. The last feeding is at the end of summer. It consists of superphosphates.

At the beginning of the growing season, nitrogen is needed for the leaves.

Bushes are pruned every spring. It is useful for the plant, has a rejuvenating effect. Weak shoots are cut to a height of 10-20 cm. This does not prevent them from gaining new strength during the growing season. In the spring, not only shoots are removed, but also part of the flowers. By cutting off a third of the buds, you will achieve a larger flowering.

After pruning, the bush is rejuvenated

Information. In China, in the homeland of tree-like peonies, anti-aging pruning is carried out every 20 years. Lignified shoots are cut to the ground. The benefit of the procedure is confirmed by the existence of peonies in the country over the age of 200 years.

Methods for propagating a tree peony

There are several options for propagating a tree peony:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• division of the bush;
• seeds.

For dividing the bushes, plants older than 5-6 years are taken. The procedure is performed in the fall. The bush is dug out of the ground and cut into pieces. Each should have its own roots and renewal buds. Slices are covered with the drug "Maxim".

cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, semi-lignified shoots are used. The part with the kidney and leaf is cut off. Half of the leaf plate is removed. The stalk is soaked for 2 hours in Kornevin, then stuck into wet vermiculite or a mixture of sand and peat. To ensure a constant temperature and humidity at home allows covering with a film. Cuttings take root by September. Seedlings are distributed in separate pots and stored until spring.

Advice. Is not The best way reproduction, according to information from Wikipedia, 2-3% of the cuttings will take root.

Branch committee

Reproduction by layering begins in May, before flowering. An incision is made on the shoot, which is treated with a growth stimulator ("Epin"). The layer is pressed against the ground, fixed, the soil is poured on top by 8-10 cm. The layers are watered all summer. In autumn, when the roots appear, it can be cut off from the main bush.

Reproduction technology by layering

Grafting on a grassy peony

One of the most common ways to propagate a tree peony is by grafting. The root of a herbaceous peony is used as a stock. The procedure is performed in August. The graft is a cutting with buds. At one end it is cut in the form of a wedge. At the root (rootstock), the middle of a similar shape is taken out. The cutting is inserted into the root and tightly wrapped with plastic tape. After grafting, the plant is planted in a pot with fertile soil, covered with a jar on top to create greenhouse conditions.

The greenhouse is placed away from direct sunlight. Watered for a month. Planted in the ground in autumn. The grafting site should be at a depth of 6-8 cm. The video will tell you more about grafting a tree peony onto a grassy peony.

Growing a tree peony from seeds

One of the methods of reproduction is seed. This option gives nice results, but there is a downside. Flowering of a young plant will have to be expected for about 4 years. The collection of planting material begins after the coloring of the pods in dark brown. Time is the end of August. The box opens easily. Fresh seeds give germination up to 85%. They are sown in the ground in autumn, buried 3 cm. Mark this place, some varieties germinate in 2-3 years.

tree peony seeds

How to grow a flower at home

Before growing a seedling at home, seeds are stratified. They are buried in sand, watered and kept at a variable temperature. Heating is maintained up to 30° for 18 hours, then the temperature drops to 18°. Roots appear by January. A container with sprouts is sent to a dark basement. Planting in the ground in May, when the leaves appear. Propagation by seeds is long and difficult process, usually used by breeders.

Features of flowering tree peony

The main question that worries gardeners is when will a tree peony bloom after planting? Seedlings with their own roots will give the first flowering after 4-5 years. If the plant was grafted onto the root of a grassy peony, it will bloom in 1-2 years. A flower is bought not only by seedlings, but also by seeds. What year does the plant bloom from the seed? In this case, add 2 more years to 5 years, necessary for seed germination. The flowering period depends on climatic conditions. In the south, it begins at the end of May, in more northern regions - in June-July.

The first flower on a peony is removed to lay other buds.

Why is the peony not blooming?

If the plant is already mature, and spring bloom does not occur, then the main cause of the situation is a violation of the rules of agricultural technology. This means that the plant lacks something or it receives fertilizer and moisture in excess. what to pay attention to:

• The amount of light, is there enough lighting for the bushes? They should be exposed to the sun most of the day.
• Lack of nutrition. Soil poor in organic matter and microelements does not provide enough nutrients. Flowers are fed before flowering and after opening the buds.
• Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen. An excessive amount of minerals is more harmful than their lack, a peony can get sick.
• Wrong watering. Excess moisture leads to gray rot. Dry land is also harmful, the soil should be moderately moist.

How to save a tree peony until planting

Overexposure before planting the root of a tree peony takes place in a cold place, this can be a refrigerator shelf. The root is wrapped in sphagnum. If the appearance of young roots or swelling of the kidneys is noted, it is planted in a pot with universal soil. In the same way, seedlings purchased in February can be preserved until planting. The pot with the plant is kept in a cool place, do not allow the soil to dry out. Planted in the area in the spring.

Saplings in boxes are sold with open roots.

Herbaceous peony and tree peony: plant differences

Herbaceous and tree peonies belong to the same genus. Spherical bushes are outwardly similar to each other, especially after the blooming of large double flowers. What is the difference between a tree peony and a grassy one:

• bush height;
• shoot type;
• methods of reproduction;
• flower diameter;
• care features.

The difference between the plants is clearly noticeable when considering the shoots. In a tree peony, they are strong, lignified. Herbaceous peony has flexible thin stems. Differences appear in the period of the first flowering. The herbaceous peony blooms a year after planting, the features of its cultivation are written in the article. The tree-like variant develops slowly, but lives much longer.

tree and herbaceous peony

There is no right answer to the question of which peonies are better to plant herbaceous or tree-like. Choice ornamental plants depends on the taste and desire of the gardener.

Peonies are beautiful perennials or treelike shrubs whose flowers resemble small roses without thorns. They come from Japan, where they are a symbol of happiness and prosperity. In gardens and summer cottages this plant has no equal, because we not only admire the flowers of peonies, but also enjoy their pleasant delicate aroma. The peony has been cultivated in gardens for thousands of years and is still very popular.

The external beauty and health of a plant directly depends on the correct planting and seasonal care. Performance simple rules and recommendations will allow you to admire luxurious peonies in your own garden every year.

Peonies description and plant varieties.

Peonies are perennials of the Peony family, which are divided into 2 main varieties: herbaceous (about 500 varieties), and tree-like (more than 4,600 varieties). There are also many hybrids that combine best qualities these two types.

Tree peonies grow in the form of bushes on hard tall stems. The plant blooms for 2-3 months, starting in June, and loses leaves for the winter. Over time, he grows new shoots, which gradually harden. The flowers of the tree peony are lush and large. Depending on the varieties, there are different shades.

The herbaceous peony has a powerful root from which soft stems grow. Throughout the season, the plant actively grows new leaves, the color of which varies in different varieties from green to dark purple.

The main differences between tree and herbaceous peonies:

herbaceous peony- the stems are soft, the diameter of the flower is up to 20 cm, the height of the plant is 1.5-2 meters, the planting is shallow, you need to cut the flowers the first two years after planting.

tree peony- the stems are solid, the diameter of the flower is up to 30 cm, the height of the plant is 1 meter, the planting is buried, shelter is needed for the winter.

One of the popular varieties of herbaceous peonies is evasive, it is also called Maryin root. The stems and rhizome of this plant are used to make a tincture that:

• improves skin condition, rejuvenates it;
• eliminates dandruff, strengthens hair follicles;
• calms the nervous system;
• helps in the fight against gynecological diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Medicines based on tincture of peony evader should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor in the appropriate dosage, because. large doses are poisonous.

Due to the extensive systematic and botanical description of the peony on Wikipedia, we will not go into this because it would be a duplication of what already exists. For those who want to get to know this in more depth, you can click on the link on Wikipedia.

Reproduction of peonies.

There are several ways to propagate peonies, but the simplest of them is the method of dividing the bush. It can be produced from August to September according to the following scheme:

• tie or cut the leaves of the plant;
• carefully dig the root out of the ground;
• wash away the soil from the root;
• remove diseased and defective roots, and shorten healthy ones to 15 cm;
• divide the root into several parts (make sure that each division has at least 3 buds and 2 strong roots);
• plant the delenki in the holes, sprinkling the kidneys with earth;
• water and mulch the ground at the landing site.

Peony propagation by seeds is a very long and painstaking method. It is usually used by breeders to develop new varieties. Some experts grow peonies by root or stem cuttings, as well as layering. In horticulture, these propagation options are not very popular due to the complexity and low survival rate of seedlings.

How to plant a peony: herbaceous and treelike.

It is best to plant peonies from September to August. Such flowers get sick less often than those planted in spring, and most importantly, they take root perfectly. Accordingly, the transplantation of herbaceous species should be dealt with at the same time. In general, the procedures for transplanting and planting pions from divisions are identical.

It is important to choose the right place for the peony: it should be sunny, with shading at noon. Peonies can grow in the shade, but they won't bloom. Recall that peonies are high altitude plants, so they prefer cool places and will bloom best in cool, dry years. For the same reasons, the eastern and western sides of the site are more suitable for planting peonies. Although the plant loves the sun, the south side is the least favorable for it. Peony will bloom even in partial shade, although there will be much fewer flowers.

Due to initial problems with the efficiency of the root system, you need to properly prepare the soil. Taking into account the love of peonies for loose soils, we will try to pamper them. The best soil for peonies is slightly acidic loam. Sandy soils can be improved a small amount compost or clay: this will improve both the structure and composition of the soil.

If you have clay soils, make sure there is no stagnant water. If after a big rain there are puddles in your chosen place for more than an hour, this is not a place for peonies, and nothing will help here, because stagnant water is the biggest enemy of peonies. You must choose another location. If the water does not stagnate, for clay soil you need to do good drainage: under the roots of the plant, we leave at least 10 cm of the drainage layer. It is much better for him to use gravel than sand.

How to plant a herbaceous peony:

How to plant a tree peony:

Plant tree peonies in partial shade, in a place protected from strong wind. Pour a mixture of soil and fertilizers at the bottom of the pit (200 g each of superphosphate, dilomit flour, potassium sulfate). Place the seedling in the hole so that the root neck is 15 cm below ground level. Before filling the plant with a mixture of compost and soil, pour a bucket of water into the hole until it is completely absorbed. After planting, water the seedling abundantly and mulch the ground around it.

The roots of a newly planted tree peony will constantly seek out and follow water. Therefore, his root can grow several meters. This is one of the main reasons for the low transplant tolerance. Therefore, after transplantation, it is necessary to act with the plant, as with a baby - regularly water, loosen and shelter for the winter.

The difference in planting a grassy and tree peony.

1. herbaceous peonies should not be planted too deep or they will not bloom.
2. tree peonies they plant deeply, so that the root neck is covered with soil of at least 10-15 centimeters - only then can it form its own roots. The second difference in planting herbaceous and tree peonies is the slanted position of the young plants. This little trick causes tree peonies to form larger shoots and thus grow more bushy.

The specificity of the peony root system means that it does not tolerate transplantation. Therefore, seriously approach the choice of landing site. Also, keep in mind that they will become a large shrub in a few years, so you can only plant plants around them that can be easily replanted later and do not compete with them for water. So, due to fierce competition for water, the peony should not be planted near shrubs.

Peony care.

In herbaceous peonies, the first 2 years after planting, you need to cut the buds. This is necessary to strengthen the root system and form lush buds in the future. For tree views, this is not necessary. Peony care should include:

• abundant watering during the periods of bud formation, flowering, budding (August);
• weed removal;
• loosening and mulching the soil around the flower;
• spring pruning of tree peonies to form a crown (this is important to do before the buds open);
• because the peonies big flowers, it is good for them to make a support in spring so that the bush is compact and does not fall apart under the weight of flowers.

How to feed a peony?

Although peonies are not big gluttons, do not forget about top dressing. Starting from mid-spring, young plants should be watered monthly with a universal organo-mineral fertilizer with the addition of liquid soap(1 tbsp / 1 bucket of water).

Fertilize peonies older than 2 years in 3 stages every 3 weeks, starting in May:

• a solution of urea and water (50 g / 10 l);
• solution of urea and water (50 g / 10 l) + 1 tab. microfertilizers;
• solution of urea and water (50 g / 10 l) + 2 tab. microfertilizers.

In mid-spring, feed the soil with a fertilizer containing potassium and nitrogen (15 g per plant). During the formation of buds, water the flowers with a solution cow dung. At the end of flowering, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with potassium-phosphorus feed (15 g per plant).

Advice. Do not overdo it with fertilizing the peony with mineral fertilizers, especially nitrogen ones. With an excess of nitrogen, it may happen that the leaves will grow great, but the peony will bloom with one flower or will not bloom at all. In addition, a too fertilized plant is susceptible to fungal diseases.

What to do if peonies do not bloom?

Sometimes this is due to improper planting of the peony. Most often, you just have to wait: the first flowers on grassy peonies will appear in 2 years, and for several years it will come into full force until it reaches its maximum flowering. For tree-like ones, you will have to wait a few years before the start of full flowering. This is due to the slow development of the root system in this species of peony.

Diseases of peonies.

Another important condition caring for peonies - the fight against diseases and pests. Characteristic spots on the leaves, weakening, deterioration in the appearance of the plant may indicate the presence of one of the common problems:

1. Rust - brown spots fungal origin on the leaves, which quickly spread through the air from a diseased plant to a healthy one. The rust-infected parts of the perennial must be cut and disposed of, and the bush itself should be treated with Bordeaux liquid.
2. Powdery mildew - white coating on the leaves. It is necessary to process with a mixture of households. soap and soda ash.
3. Gray rot (mold) - affects the entire plant, leads to its death. Sick areas should be disposed of, and then spray the plant with Thiram liquid.
4. Viral mosaic - the leaves are covered with light green and dark green spots that alternate with each other. A diseased plant must be removed from the site.
5. Spotting - the formation of dark spots on the leaves with a purple or brown tint. It is necessary to remove the diseased flower, and treat the area with Bordeaux liquid.
6. Causeless weakness of the plant, lack of flowering, swelling in the root area - these problems indicate Lemoine's disease. A diseased plant must be disposed of.
7. You cannot save peonies infected with verticillium wilt. This disease is recognized by the causeless weakening and drying of young leaves, stems, buds.

Also make sure that the plant is not affected by pests: ants, aphids, gall nematodes, thrips, hop silkworm. Some pests can be removed manually, but more often you have to use special preparations.

Peonies have faded - what to do?

With the advent of winter, cut the leaves of grassy peonies as close to ground level as possible, and sprinkle the soil with ashes. For tree species, shelter is required: mulch the ground with peat, and wrap the stems with burlap or thick cloth until spring.

At proper care grassy peonies grow in one place for about 15 years, and tree views- even longer. Therefore, do not be lazy to follow the recommendations for the maintenance of these wonderful perennials, which will decorate your site every summer.

Peonies not only look great in the garden. They are also great cut flowers that last up to 10 days in a vase. To enjoy their sight and smell in the house longer, it is better to cut peonies in buds. Best time for cutting - early morning or evening.

I hope we have inspired you to plant beautiful peonies in your garden.

The main difference between a tree peony and a grassy peony is the presence of a rigid trunk. During the growing season, when growing a tree peony, new shoots form in a plant, and leaves in a herbaceous peony. A tree peony bush can grow in one place for up to a hundred years, while its herbaceous relative lives only three decades. And of course, the flowers of a tree peony are much larger than those of herbaceous species.

Chinese tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa): photo and description of the bush

tree peony or semi-shrub (Paeonia suffruticosa) belongs to the Peony family. Its homeland is China, where the plant was widely cultivated as early as the 18th century. Currently, breeders have bred many varieties and hybrids. Hybrids differ in size and color of flowers.

Propagated by seed, the Chinese tree peony produces many varieties, new varieties of which are often worth their weight in gold. The number of its varieties reaches several hundred, many of which have a remarkably pleasant smell. In China, it is sometimes called the "flower of twenty days" because its petals do not wither for almost three weeks. It is said that the peony tree lives for more than one hundred and twenty years.

The tree peony plant has been cultivated in China since ancient times. Already in the era of the Northern and Southern dynasties (317-581), they were one of the favorite ornamental plants. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), Luoyang peonies were especially famous throughout the country. During this period, many valuable varieties appeared, for example, the yellow peony bred by Yao. At that time, Luoyang was called the city of peonies, and now festivals are held there, where all kinds of tree-like peonies are displayed. The tree peony is the flower of the Chinese nation, and the Chinese consider it a symbol of their country.

In total, there are about 500 varieties of tree peonies in the world, most of which are concentrated in China, where 13 varieties were obtained by the 13th century. Now collections of tree peonies are available in many European countries. However, the milder European climate compared to China led to a decrease in the frost resistance of plants. But you can try to grow them on a glazed loggia. This does not seem impossible at all.

In 1783, the English explorer, naturalist Joseph Banks became interested in the report of Dutch botanists on the flora of China, where they described a flower "... similar to a rose, but twice as large and without thorns." The image of similar flowers Banks found on painted Chinese silk fabrics. At the request of J. Banks in 1784-1787. a physician of the British East India Company in China purchased tree peonies from florists in Canton and sent them to England, to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. The scientific description of the tree peony was first given in 1804 by the botanist H. Andrews.

Until 1914, the probability of finding a natural ancestor of the tree peony was questioned by botanists, until Reginald Farrer, an English taxonomist and researcher of the flora of China and Tibet, described it in nature. He discovered a tree peony in the mountains Chinese province Gansu.

In China, spray tree peonies are called "Mu-Tan", which means "male red flower" in Chinese. Tree peonies have been known in China since the Northern and Southern Dynasties 317–581. Peony culture has flourished in China since the Northern Song era in 960-1126, when the cities of Luoyang, Chang'an, Bozhou, Caozhou and Beijing were declared "peony capitals" in different centuries, and the number of cultivated varieties increased from 30 in the 13th century. up to 300 today.

In nature, in Southwestern China, namely the provinces of Gansu, Sichuan, Shenxi, Shanxi and in the southern part of Tibet, the semi-shrub peony grows in bushes in the mountains, on the border of the forest and subalpine belts, at an altitude of up to 1400–2400 m above sea level .

The climate of the peony growing zone is characterized by sharp temperature changes, cold snowy winters (temperature can drop to -30 ... -40 ° C), and hot dry summers. Tree peony is a winter-hardy species, adapted to a wide range of temperatures, winter frosts, and summer drought.

Usually the shrub grows on fertile loess and marl calcareous soils with a neutral or alkaline reaction, with good natural drainage.

Tree peony - a spherical bush, reaching a height of 1-1.5 m. It has thick, slightly branched, erect shoots, with openwork bright green pinnate leaves. large flowers different shades, when blooming are very lush, and have the shape of a ball. They are located in the upper part of annual shoots and under the weight huge flower may sag. Flowering usually begins in May.

By their own biological features semi-shrub peony and its varieties differ significantly from the rest of the above-mentioned types of peonies and their cultivars. In the shoots of a semi-shrub peony, the upper part - generative, bearing a flower, dies off annually in autumn to the level of the upper axillary buds. next spring new shoots grow from these buds with a flower bud at the end. Thus, the main axis is replaced by side ones. The seedling of a semi-shrub peony in the first year forms a short shoot with 1-2 leaves, which dies off during the winter.

In the second year, one shoot 20–30 cm high grows from the bud of renewal in the lower part of the bush, in which the upper part with the apical bud dies the next winter.

In the third year, 2-3 shoots are already formed from the axillary buds of the overwintered shoot, and in the 4-5th year the young bush blooms. In ordinary Russian winters, the shoots of the semi-shrub peony successfully overwinter, the plants bloom profusely in May - June. In severe winters, the shoots can freeze to the level of the snow cover or even to the level of the soil, then new shoots appear from the renewal buds that have wintered under the snow at the base of the bush. The degree of freezing of the shoots of the semi-shrub peony depends on the climatic conditions and the landing site. The shoots of yellow, Delaway and Potanin peonies die off annually to the level of the soil or the level of the snow cover.

In spring, bushes are restored with the help of renewal shoots emerging from buds at the base of older shoots. For this reason, it would be correct to call P. suffruticosa a tree-like peony, and the rest of the species as semi-shrub.

It is known that the shoots of the Tibetan form of the yellow peony (sometimes referred to as the mountain peony) are able to successfully overwinter without freezing. To overcome the well-known confusion in the names, it is customary to attribute all its garden forms to P. suffruticosa.

Tree peony: care and cultivation of flowers (with video)

When caring for a tree peony during cultivation, keep in mind that this shrub is very demanding on soil and planting site, which directly affects its growth, development and life expectancy. This is a plant that can grow in one place for about a hundred years.

Planting a tree-like shrub is carried out in late summer or early autumn. Before you grow a tree peony, you first need to pick correct plot. Tree peony likes to grow in elevated sunny places, away from trees and buildings that can create an unnecessary shadow for him.

Loamy soil is ideal for this flower. If the landing is made on sandy soil, then it is mixed with clay, turf, peat and humus soil. You can improve the composition of loamy soil with the help of organic matter and sand.

If planting is carried out in a low-lying area ground water, then the landing pit must be made with a depth and diameter of up to seventy centimeters. As a drainage layer, a 30-cm layer of crushed brick, gravel or coarse sand is laid on the bottom.

Tree peony does not grow well in acidic soil. Therefore, if necessary, it is deoxidized with lime. Three hundred grams of the substance is brought into one hole, then covered with soil and a plant is placed in it. When planting, the roots of the plant are straightened and watered abundantly. After the moisture has gone into the ground, the plant is sprinkled with earth so that the root collar is flush with the surface. If you plan to plant several plants, then the distance between them should be about two meters.

The video "Care and cultivation of a tree peony" shows all the basic agricultural practices:

Propagation of a tree peony by seeds, cuttings, layering and division

There are several ways to propagate a tree peony - by seeds, cuttings, layering and dividing the bush.

Propagation of a tree peony by seeds. A plant grown from seeds, with a good combination of circumstances, will be able to bloom only 5-6 years after planting, in addition, the seeds of a tree peony, due to the underdevelopment of the embryo, need mandatory stratification, and if long-term storage generally lose their viability. When a tree peony is propagated by seeds, stratification is carried out in two stages: first warm, then cold. But even the implementation of these difficult manipulations will not guarantee that your efforts will be crowned with success.

Propagation of a tree peony by cuttings. Cuttings for this method of reproduction need semi-lignified, and cut them off in the second half of June: they separate the kidney from sheet plate and part of the escape wood. The leaf is cut in half, the cuttings are stuck into containers with a mixture of sand and peat to a depth of 1.5 cm, covered with glass or film, regularly watered and sprayed. At the end of September, during the reproduction of a tree-like peony, the cuttings are planted in personal pots and kept until spring in a greenhouse. When peonies begin to grow, they can be planted in open ground.

Propagation of tree peonies by layering. The duration of the breeding process in this way is two years. In May, before flowering, select developed shoots, carefully bend them to the ground, after making an incision on the side facing the soil, treating it with a growth substance and inserting a peg into it, and bury the outlet with a layer of soil of 8-10 cm. Moisten the soil over layering when you water the peony. In September, when the roots appear, the shoot is separated from the bush and planted in the ground in a permanent place. Also, tree peony propagation is carried out air layers: an incision is made on the shoot, wrapped with wet moss, and then with a film, which is hermetically fixed. Roots will appear by the end of summer. The method is as simple as it is ineffective.

Propagation of a tree peony by dividing a bush. Actually, we just talked about this, it remains only to add that it is best to divide bushes of 5-6 years of age for reproduction and this should be done in August. Planting delenok is carried out in the manner already described.

Watch the video "Tree Peony" to better understand how to propagate this plant:

How to grow a tree peony: pruning plants

Every spring, even before the start of the growing season, prune the bushes while caring for the peony: remove the shrunken shoots, shorten the old ones to 10 cm. Every twenty years, Chinese flower growers cut the peony bushes almost to the soil surface to rejuvenate the plants, awakening adventitious buds at the base of the shoots.

In Russia, also in the process of caring for a tree peony, it is recommended to cut the shoots to the upper axillary point so that the plant blooms more abundantly next year. The length of its life depends on how you pruning form a tree peony bush.

Usually, peonies live for a hundred years, or even more: in China, protected by law and specialists, five-hundred-year-old specimens of tree-like peonies grow safely.

Varieties and varieties of tree peony: photo, name and description

In the gardens of China and Japan, cultural forms of peony are grown on ridges well prepared and seasoned with humus, compost, sometimes under a wicker canopy to protect them from the sun, wind, and rain. The shrub is also grown in terracotta containers, which is easy in the warm climate of the southern provinces of China. In the 8th century semi-shrub peony was brought to Japan. Japanese gardeners have bred many varieties with medium-sized, simple, brightly colored flowers of elegant shapes. This ratio cultivars observed today, in China they prefer double peonies, and in Japan - varieties with simple or semi-double flowers.

In China, several more types of tree peonies grow:

peony yellow (P. lutea),

peony delaway (P. delavayi) And

peony Potanin (P. potanini).

The Delaway peony was found in 1883-1884. Abbot Delaway in Yunnan. By his name and given the name of this species of tree-like peonies. It was described by Franchet in 1886. Both species grow in thickets of shrubs at an altitude of 2400–3400 m above sea level. They reach a height of 1.5 m and 150–170 cm in diameter. At the ends of the shoots in the axils of the leaves, they develop not one flower, like a semi-shrub peony, but 3–4, with a diameter of 5–10 cm.

The yellow peony, also found by Delaway, has flowers with bright yellow petals, sometimes with purple spots at the base. Delaway peony flowers are chestnut. The Potanin peony was first described by the botanist V. L. Komarov in China in 1921. A plant up to 1.5 m high consists of 8–10 shoots bearing 4–5 small flowers with chestnut-red petals. The Potanin peony is characterized by the presence of underground rhizomes - stolons.

In 1925–1926 American missionary Joseph Rock in one of the Buddhist monasteries in the province of Gansu in China discovered and described a previously unknown variety of tree peony. A shrub up to 2 m high with bright green double-pinnate leaves, white-pink or crimson flowers up to 20 cm in diameter, with a bright fuchsia spot in the center, botanists called the Rock peony (P. rockii), but most experts consider it a subspecies of the semi-shrub peony (P. suffruticosa sp. rockii). The seeds of this peony were sent to America, where numerous varieties were subsequently bred on its basis. For many years it was believed that the Roca peony - rare view in nature, possibly found in a single copy. Unexpectedly, in 1990, the Rock peony was discovered in the collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it was probably brought by Reginald Farrer in 1914.

Peony Roca stands out with powerful shoots, high growth energy - it reaches a height of 2 m in 10–15 years. The growth of shoots per season reaches 70 cm. Roca peony flowers up to 20 cm in diameter are raspberry, pink, white, have a strong pleasant aroma. The Roca peony is often referred to as the "peony tree" for its vigorous growth, vigorous shoots, and abundant flowering.

Other types–

n. yellow,

Delaway, as well as the semi-shrub peony and its Chinese varieties, were used by European breeders to develop new varieties.

Systematists of the genus peony (Paeonia) divided it into subgenera, one of them Moutan (tree-like peonies) contains 2 sections: the Delavayana section, which includes yellow and Delaway peonies, and the Moutan section, which includes Roca and semi-shrub peonies. Herbaceous peonies are assigned to other subgenera and sections of the genus.

Since the appearance of tree-like peonies in Europe in the 18th century. for a long time, only botanists were interested in the plant, until peonies first appeared at the Versailles flower exhibition in 1869. Peonies became the sensation of the season. One of the first breeders of tree peonies in Europe was Louis Henry. He crossed a yellow peony with Chinese variety tree peony with double flowers and received a hybrid with bright yellow double fragrant flowers "Souvenir de Maxime Cornu" (Henry, 1897).

A similar work with peonies was carried out by the famous French breeder Victor Lemoine, his varieties " Alice Harding" (1935) and " Chromatella» (1928) and others are singled out in the group of Lemoine hybrids and still adorn the collections. The flowers of hybrids are heavy, dense, branches on the bushes can break from the abundance of flowers. American breeder, Professor Arthur Percy Sanders tried to cross Japanese varieties of tree peonies with herbaceous garden peonies, but failed.

It was Anders who set himself the task of bringing out tree-like peonies with light flowers that do not require garters and supports. To do this, he crossed yellow and Delaway peonies with Japanese varieties with medium-sized simple flowers. Some of his hybrids, such as the bright yellow "Argosy" (1928), show underground stolons, indicating that Potanin's peony was involved in hybridization work.

A. Sanders' series of varieties with simple and semi-double light flowers on long peduncles is highly valued among collectors:

Vesuvian (1946),

Age of Gold (1948),

"Chinese Dragon" (1950),

Regent (1945).

Japanese experts believe that the flower stalks of these hybrid varieties are weak, however, despite some failures, A. Sanders is the author of most varieties from the world assortment of tree-like peonies, numbering 500 cultivars.

By the middle of the XX century. the range of tree and semi-shrub peonies consisted of:

• varieties of tree-like peonies of Sino-European origin, mainly with heavy double fragrant flowers; up to 100 flowers bloom on a bush at the same time, branches can even break under their weight; bushes of Chinese peonies are low (up to 1 m tall), with short peduncles - the flowers seem to “sit” in the leaves;
• varieties of Japanese origin, mainly with simple or semi-double flowers; usually odorless; the height of the bushes reaches 1.5–2 m; flowers are medium-sized, light, hovering above the bush on long strong peduncles;
• hybrids of yellow and Delaway peonies with a semi-shrub peony, with simple, semi-double and double flowers, often with yellow petals;
• varieties of peony Roca, up to 2 m high, with simple ones. semi-double and double large flowers, American and European selection.

In 1958, the Japanese breeder Toichi Itoh achieved success in intersectional crossing, pollinating the pollen of the tree peony variety " Alice Harding» herbaceous peony flowers « Kakoden» from the section of milky-flowered peonies. From 1200 crosses made, 6 plants were obtained with yellow flowers. Ito was no longer alive when his hybrid peonies fully bloomed. The case was continued by his widow and assistant.

In 1967, Louis Smirnov, a Russian emigrant, owner of a nursery in the USA, purchased 4 varieties of hybrid peonies from the widow of Ito, propagated them, and in 1974 registered them in the USA, in the Register of the American Peony Society (AOP), in the section of herbaceous peonies . Peonies were assigned the authorship of "Ito-Smirnov", according to international rules, where the first name belongs to the breeder, the second - to the owner of the rights.

For these pions, a new group was introduced in the register of pion varieties of the AOP - "Cross-sectional hybrids" (Intersectional Hybrids).

Bushes of ITO hybrids (as they are usually called) are widely spreading, densely leafy, 50–90 cm tall, with stems that die annually. Shoots are often sloping or curved. The flowers are large, of various colors, often yellow, double, with spots and stripes on the petals. The leaves outwardly resemble the leaves of tree-like peonies; in the fall they do not fade for a long time. Plants are highly frost-resistant, bloom more abundantly and longer than tree-like peonies, stand out for their exceptional decorative effect. The selection of ITO hybrids is concentrated in the USA, where in 1984-1999. new varieties with interesting and varied flower colors have been bred.

ITO hybrids have signs of herbaceous peonies:

• dying off every year above-ground part;
• flowering on annual shoots of the current year;
• the ability to reproduce by dividing the rhizome.

Also, ITO hybrids have signs of tree-like pions:

• appearance flowers, their size and structure;
• the appearance of the bush and foliage;
• renewal buds are located in lower parts shoots and in leaf axils;
• roots partially or completely lignified.

In varieties of ITO hybrids in Lately there are signs of instability of hereditary traits that may appear with age or under the influence of external factors. Some varieties change the color of the petals, in others, colored spots and stripes appear on the previously monochromatic petals, and the shape of the flower may change. There is little information about the durability of ITO hybrids, their biology is even less studied. At present, breeders in Europe and the USA continue cross-sectional hybridization, pollinating fertile varieties of herbaceous peonies with pollen of yellow, Delaway, semi-shrub peonies.

Look at the photo of tree peonies, the description of which is given above:

Breeding tree peonies in Russia

In Russia, in the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden, tree-like peonies appeared in 1863, and for the next 80 years they were grown in cold greenhouses, since they were considered a non-hardy culture. Only in 1939, peonies were first planted in open ground, where they successfully endure northern winters and grow to this day.

In 1951, peonies were cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the Moscow State University. The employees of the garden A. A. Sosnovets and V. F. Fomicheva first collected a collection of species and forms of the tree peony in the branch of the Botanical Garden on Prospekt Mira in Moscow, and since 1961 they have been working on studying the biology of shrubs, developing methods of care and reproduction, breeding new winter-hardy varieties for Russian gardens. In 1967, the collection was transferred to the Moscow State University Botanical Garden on Sparrow Hills, where winter temperatures are much lower than in the city center. To develop winter-hardy varieties and conduct introduction studies, seedlings must be tested under conditions close to the climatic norm in central Russia. Given that peonies are susceptible to gray rot disease, leading to the death of entire bushes, special attention was paid to the resistance of seedlings to fungal diseases.

Work with tree peonies was carried out in the following sequence:

1. Creation of a collection of wild species of tree-like peonies carrying the gene for resistance to cold.
2. Sowing seeds from free pollination of introduced plants to obtain an introduction population that is heterogeneous in terms of the gene pool.
3. Selection of viable seedlings of the first generation F1.
4. Seeds from viable F1 seedlings were irradiated with different doses of radiation exposure and treated with chemical mutagens.
5. Seedlings of the second generation F2 were selected for cold tolerance traits. Drought, fungal diseases.
6. Among the selected resistant plants, the selection of the most ornamental cultivars was carried out - according to the density of the bush, the decorativeness of the foliage, the shape and size of the flower, the texture of the petals, and the length of the pedicel.
7. Selected plants were selected pairs for hybridization. The flowers of the selected plants were pollinated with a mixture of pollen from the best foreign terry varieties.

"Peter the First".

Peonies overwinter in the garden without shelter. For the winter, it is desirable to tie the branches, cover the shoots with burlap, jute to protect the kidneys from pecking by crows.

Tree peonies and ITO hybrids can be propagated in the following ways:

• sowing freshly harvested seeds in September-October; germination rate 80–85%; flowering for 4–5 years; stratification is needed;
• dividing the bushes in August;
• layering in May before flowers bloom;
• air layering (method with low efficiency);
• semi-lignified cuttings in mid-July;
• grafting on the roots of herbaceous and tree-like peonies in mid-August (side grafting is recognized as the best).

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to establish industrial breeding of domestic winter-hardy varieties of Moscow selection, but it is possible that the copyright holder of most varieties, M. S. Uspenskaya, is planning further work on large-scale plant propagation. According to amateur gardeners, planting material tree-like peonies, brought to Russia from Europe, are not winter-hardy, the plants develop poorly, there are many attacks, they bloom weakly.

The Roca peony varieties are promising for growing in Russia, however, there is still not enough information in the literature and reviews of gardeners about their winter hardiness and durability. Therefore, at present, the most promising for growing in Russia are ITO hybrids with winter hardiness at the level of herbaceous peonies.

The participation of domestic breeders in breeding new varieties in this group of hybrids will speed up the process of creating a wide range winter-hardy peonies for the harsh conditions of Russia.

Novice flower growers believe that it is difficult to grow a tree peony, that it is capricious and requires some kind of special attitude towards itself. This is not at all the case: a peony can grow in a flower bed for several decades due to its endurance, unpretentiousness and frost resistance.

The difference between a tree-like peony and a herbaceous one is that it is a shrub that grows up to 1.5 m, and in the southern regions up to 2.5 m. For the winter, it drops its leaves and only the stems remain on the surface to winter. The large size of the flowers (25-30 cm) gives the bush the appearance of a huge luxurious bouquet. Semi-double, terry and simple flowers have a variety of colors and not only pink, white and red, they can be purple, yellow, two- and three-color.

"Foreigners" imported from Poland and China rarely survive, but Russian breeders of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University have bred enough domestic hybrids, the most famous of which are Vorobyevsky, Muza, Tatyana, Peter the Great, Hoffman and others. They are perfectly adapted to the Russian climate, are winter-hardy and can be grown even in Siberia.

Peonies do not like cramped conditions, so they should not be planted near trees, shrubs and buildings: such a close environment bothers them, they need freedom. Landing in the burning sun and in windy places is also excluded. Does not tolerate peony and damp areas.

Although he is not picky about the soil, it is still better that it be loose, fertile and well-drained, then the plant will develop quickly and fully. In sunny areas, the peony will bloom profusely, and diffused sunlight lengthens the flowering time and ensures the preservation of color.

Available planting material should be immediately identified for a permanent place. are engaged or in early spring, or already at the end of the season: from late summer to mid-September. During spring planting, the seedling is cut 2-3 buds from the root neck and planted immediately.

After digging a hole 40x40x40 cm, mix garden soil with compost and complex mineral fertilizer. Gravel and sand must be added to heavy soil. The pit should “ripen”, so it is prepared 2-4 weeks before planting.

A mound is built at the bottom of the pit, a peony is placed on it and its roots are straightened, watered abundantly and, after the water has been completely absorbed, they are covered with earth, placing the root neck at ground level.

How to care for a peony?

Peony is the most elementary: weeding, watering during hot dry periods, top dressing. In the first year, peonies usually do not bloom, but if buds appear, they must be cut off immediately so as not to deplete the plant.

Peony does not like pruning. In early April, only dry and broken branches are removed. If the shoots are frozen - do not rush to cut them off, wait until the buds finally bloom, their awakening occurs late.

Since several dozen flowers can bloom, their weight is impressive and the bush will need to be tied to a support so that it does not break. If seed production is not planned, wilted flowers should be cut off regularly.

It is not worth getting carried away with feeding. They are important for the active growth of young shoots on which flower buds are formed, therefore they feed peonies in spring and early summer. By the end of summer, they are stopped, as they reduce the winter hardiness of the plant.

How to propagate a peony?

Reproduction is almost never used, since varietal peonies form them weakly, while terry ones do not have them at all. If the seeds still managed to be collected, then the freshly harvested ones will germinate for 2-3 years, and these seedlings will begin to bloom in 5-7 years. Cuttings are not always happy with a positive result, so professionals are also involved in them.

Easier and more accessible reproduction dividing the bush or layering. Even an inexperienced florist can cope with this work. It is possible to graft herbaceous peonies on the roots, but this is also difficult.

Wintering tree peonies

Grafted purchased plants are required. Without the habit of frost in the first 2-3 years, they can freeze. Therefore, fragile branches are neatly tied with twine and covered with burlap, or several layers of spunbond, or cardboard, and covered with snow on top. You can build a hut from spruce branches.

Tree peony bushes are different large sizes, so they are planted one at a time or in very small groups. They look good against the background of the monotonous greenery of the hedge. Planted next to a resting bench, the peony will please not only with lush flowers: even after flowering it does not lose its decorative effect thanks to the cut leaves of beautiful color.

Large, charming, fragrant flowers of various shades will certainly attract the attention of hosts and guests, delight and delight with their regal appearance and luxurious flowering.

Video: Detailed agricultural technology of Tree Peonies