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Peonies in the garden. Step-by-step preparation of tree peonies for winter

tree peony in Siberia can also grow if for the winter this perennial cover well. The temperature in winter often drops to -48, or even lower, and in tree peony flower buds formed at the top of the annual growth and if they are not preserved, then there will be no flowers. To shelter peonies for the winter, Siberian flower growers use dry leaves and roofing felt or film.

In early October, leaf blades are cut to 2/3 of their length, thanks to which the wood ripens faster and the resistance of peonies to frost increases. After the snow melts in the spring, the shelter can be removed, carefully loosen the top layer of earth around the peony bushes and mulch with humus. The following year, this mulch is mixed into the topsoil during spring digging.

A tree-like peony is made up of soddy, garden soil, humus and coarse sand in the ratio: 2: 3: 3: 1, the main thing is that it is not acidic, peonies get sick in acidic soil and grow poorly. Soil reaction must be neutral. They also do not tolerate proximity peonies ground water.

Multiply tree peony can be divided by 4-5 year old bush, grafting, cuttings or seeds. ripen by the end of August so that they do not crumble ahead of time, it is better to put gauze bags on seed boxes. Immediately after collection, the seeds can be. They will germinate in Siberia in 11-12 months.

When cotyledons with the remnants of the peel appear from the ground, they can be eaten by mice or pecked by birds, and even the bright sun can destroy them. To prevent this from happening, the seedlings need to be mulched with peat or humus, mixed in half with the ground. Regular watering is also important.

The root grows quickly, and the aerial part slowly, and yet by autumn the seedling forms 2-3 buds. As soon as the first frosts come, the bed with seedlings should be covered with a thick layer of dry leaves and a film or roofing material on top. When enough snow falls, it is advisable to fill them with a bed on top of the shelter with a layer of at least half a meter.

tree peony can also be grown from stratified seeds. To check the quality of freshly harvested seeds, you need to pour them into water and leave for 12 hours. Any seeds that float should be discarded. Drowned seeds are mixed with wet sand and placed in a glass jar.

For two months, the jar, closed with a plastic lid, stands in the open air, in the sun. In November, it can be transferred to the cellar, where it will stand until spring. In the spring, before planting, you can hold the seeds in a thermos with warm water (30 degrees) for a day.

When the earth warms up to 10 degrees, you can sow the seeds on the prepared bed, according to the scheme: 20x10 cm and to a depth of 5 cm. Shoots will appear in August. In the third year, by autumn, bushes with several stems are formed, which can already be transplanted to where they will grow constantly.

After 5 years tree peony, grown , will bloom. The first flowers will not be large, but every year their size will increase, in some hybrids up to 30 cm in diameter and flowering will be more abundant.

Easiest to propagate tree peony dividing 4-5 year old bushes. Bushes that are going to be divided need to be spudded 2-3 times during the summer by 10 cm for the first time, then by 20-25 cm. Thanks to this, new shoots will appear at the base of the bush. If you start hilling in May, then by autumn, roots will appear on young shoots.

Tree peonies (Paeonia saffruticosa) are a group of species, natural and artificial hybrids and varieties of the genus Paeonia. It is a deciduous shrub up to 1.5 meters in height. Very decorative, thanks to spectacular, bright green, double-cut leaves and unusually beautiful, large (diameter from 12 to 25 cm) flowers. They come in plain, terry and semi-double shapes and come in a variety of colors, from snow white to almost black, including yellow and lilac.

The history of tree peony cultivation goes back over two thousand years. In the wild, the tree peony grows in the highlands of southeastern China, so the Chinese are the founders of the introduction of these plants into cultivation and subsequent selection. Around the 7th-10th century, the tree peony came to Japan, and the Japanese contributed to the development of this culture. The tree peony came to Europe only at the end of the 18th century, gained popularity in the gardens of England, France, Holland, and, of course, did not leave European breeders without work. As a result of this centuries-old work, more than 1000 tree peony varieties were created, divided into several groups:

Chinese-European - with heavy double flowers;
Japanese - with non-double or semi-double light and airy flowers;
hybrids of yellow peony and Delaway peony - with yellow flowers.

There is another group of tree-like peonies - these are mountain peonies - newest group, created with the participation of highland species and has a number of advantages for growing in our rather harsh conditions. This is:

Increased winter hardiness;

Stronger annual growth compared to tree peonies;

Early flowering.

Tree peonies have a number of features that must be considered when growing them.

First, it is slow growth. Yes, the tree-like peony grows slowly, but every year it becomes more and more beautiful. So be patient and it will definitely be rewarded.

Secondly, it is a long-liver, in one place it can grow for more than 100 years. This must be taken into account when choosing a location.

Thirdly, he is very tenacious. If in the spring it seems to you that he is gone, frozen, dried up, the buds do not bloom, do not rush to say goodbye to him. After some time, new shoots may appear, and even with buds.

Buying a tree peony

When choosing a seedling of a tree peony, you should pay attention to the fact that the planting unit has 2-3 lignified shoots no more than 25 cm high, with unblown buds. In this case, the kidneys should be large enough and glossy. The roots should be well developed, ideally the length of the roots should be equal to the height of the crown.

Planting a tree peony

A place for planting a peony is chosen sunny or light partial shade, protected from the winds.

Tree peonies grow on almost any soil, but prefer permeable loam with a slightly alkaline reaction.

The best time for planting tree peonies is from mid-August to mid-September.

A pit for planting a peony is prepared in advance, in about 2-3 weeks. It should have dimensions of 80x80 and a depth of 60-70 cm. A drainage layer of 15-25 cm is poured onto the bottom of the pit, then covered with a soil mixture consisting of garden soil, humus and peat in equal proportions with the addition of ash, bone or dolomite flour, potassium sulfate and superphosphate (about one glass each).

When planting, carefully straighten the peony roots along the formed surface of the hole, and fill it with the remaining soil mixture so that the root neck is at the level of the soil, tamp and water.

But, since planting material is supplied for sale mainly in the spring, the question arises: what to do in this case? There are at least two solutions.

Plant the delenka in a pot with a volume of 5-6 liters, with the onset of a stable positive positive temperature, take it out into the garden and wait for a favorable time for planting, carefully transferring the plant from the pot to the prepared hole. In this case, it is important to prevent waterlogging and stagnant water during the overexposure period.
Landing is similar to autumn. In this case, it is advisable to choose a landing time when the danger has already passed return frosts and the heat has not set in yet.

I used both of these methods in my practice: I planted a mountain peony in spring, and a yellow-flowered one with overexposure in autumn. Both are still growing and developing.

Tree peony care

top dressing- if the peony is planted correctly, then in the first two years, feeding can be omitted. Starting from the third year, the first top dressing is carried out in the snow with nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus fertilizer. The second - before flowering with the same fertilizer composition. The third - after flowering - with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. I use fertilizer "Fertika" ("Kemira"), respectively, spring and summer.

Watering- plentiful, but not frequent. In dry weather, it is enough to water an adult bush once a week at the rate of 2-3 buckets per bush.

pruning- carried out every spring until the beginning of the growing season: dried shoots are removed, old shoots are shortened up to 10 cm. This gives the plant the opportunity to awaken adnexal buds at the base of the plant. Another pruning is carried out after flowering. In this case, it is necessary to remove the faded bud and cut the peduncle 2 buds below. Based own experience, I strongly recommend this operation, as it promotes further growth and abundant flowering next year.

Fig.1 Pruning a tree peony after flowering

Shelter tree peony for the winter

In Siberia, it is necessary to cover a tree peony. I cover my peonies like this: I tie the crown, wrap it with spruce branches, wrap it with covering material in several layers and tie it again. It is enough to wrap a mountain peony with a covering material.

Tree peony transplant

A tree peony transplant is very painful. Transplanted bushes are restored for a long time, sometimes for several years. If it is already necessary to transplant a healthy bush, then carefully dig it in, trying not to damage the root system, and transfer it with a clod of earth to a previously prepared hole. If the bush has signs of illness, and you want to reanimate it, then after digging up the bush, carefully rinse it under running water, inspect the roots, remove the diseased ones, treat the sections with a maroon solution of potassium permanganate, sprinkle with crushed coal and land in a prepared place.

Tree peony rejuvenation

If your peony bush has reached a mature age (20 years or more) and has begun to lose its decorative effect, then the bush can be rejuvenated by cutting it in the fall almost to the very surface of the soil. This will give impetus to the awakening of adnexal buds at the base of the shoots.

Diseases and pests of tree peonies

Tree peonies are very disease resistant. In 10 years of caring for them, I have never noticed signs of disease or pest damage. But, nevertheless, tree-like peonies can be subject to gray rot and brown spotting. In case of gray rot, it is necessary to remove the damaged shoots and spray them with a 6-7% solution of copper sulfate or a solution of potassium permanganate (3 g per 10 liters of water). In case of brown spot disease, it is necessary to remove and burn diseased leaves and spray with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.

Reproduction of tree peonies

There are 5 ways to propagate tree peonies.

1. Dividing the bush

This is the most acceptable method of reproduction; it is carried out at the same time as planting a peony, i.e. from mid-August to mid-September. It should be a 5-6 year old, healthy bush with 7 or more shoots, with a distance between them of at least 3.5 cm. weak pressure, cut the shoots to a height of 10-15 cm and dry in the shade for 2-3 hours. Then the rhizome is divided in such a way as to obtain divisions with 2-3 buds and a part of the root of at least 10 cm. The places of cut and damage are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and sprinkled with crushed coal. The divisions obtained in this way are planted in pits prepared in advance.

2. Layering

Peony propagation by layering begins in May, before flowering. To do this, they take a strong shoot, bend it to the ground, and make an incision at the place where the shoot touches the ground. The incision is powdered with root stimulants, you can insert a small spacer. After that, the shoot is pinned to the surface of the soil, covered with a layer of earth 10-15 cm high and ensure that the earth does not dry out in this place. Roots should appear in late August - early September.

3. Cuttings

From about mid-June to early August, a tree peony can be propagated by cuttings. Semi-lignified cuttings are cut obliquely under the bud, the leaf blades are shortened by half, treated with root formation stimulants and planted in boxes with a mixture of sand and peat in equal amounts to a depth of 1.5 cm. The boxes are covered with foil and constantly watered and sprayed. At the end of September, rooted cuttings are planted in separate pots and left in the greenhouse until spring. In the spring, when the plants begin to grow, they are planted on permanent place. Peonies bloom with this method of reproduction in the 5th year.

4. Grafting

With this method of reproduction, roots are used as a stock. herbaceous peony, you can also use horses and tree peony. In this case, you need to monitor the appearance of root growth and remove it. This can be avoided by using your own peony roots. Harvested roots are desirable to withstand 2-3 weeks in a cool room. Cuttings with two buds are cut in early August and cut from both sides in the shape of a wedge. An incision of the same shape is made on the rootstock, the stem of the rootstock is inserted tightly, tightly wrapped polyethylene film and tie up. The prepared material is laid horizontally in a moistened layer of sawdust and placed in a cool shaded place. A month later, when the scion grows together with the stock, plant it in a greenhouse so that the lower eye is deepened by 5-7 cm. They are planted in a permanent place after 2 years.

5. Seeds

The advantage of this method is that a plant grown in this way will have increased immunity and adapt more easily to environmental conditions. It is best to sow with freshly harvested seeds. Seeds are sown in the ground in September-October. In this case, flowering occurs at 4-5 years. If the seeds have lain for several months or years, germination is sharply reduced and the seeds require stratification and even scarification. The stratification process is quite complicated, I personally do not have the patience to follow exactly all the recommendations. I myself sowed purchased seeds in the spring in open ground. From 10pcs. I have 2 seedlings appeared in the 2nd year and 1 seedling in the 3rd.

Using a tree peony

The tree-like peony is an unconditional soloist. He shows his best qualities in single plantings, especially good against the background of the lawn. You can also use it in group plantings, large bushes serve perfectly as a background in prefabricated flower beds. And, of course, it's a great cut.

Russian selection

And I also want to say a little about the Russian selection of tree peonies. Selection work conducted by the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University for over 30 years. During this time, more than 40 varieties of tree-like peonies have been registered, which are listed in the catalog of varieties and are recommended for use in production. These are winter-hardy varieties, they feel great not only in middle lane Russia, but also in the Urals and Siberia.

The most popular varieties of Russian selection:

white - Lomonosov, Moscow University, Maria, Anastasia Sosnovets;
pale pink - Dmitry Kapinos;
yellow - Kuindzhi, Academician Sadovnichy;
red - Vladimir Mayakovsky;
salmon - Irina, Marianna;
purple-pink - Nikolai Vavilov, Yulia Drunina;
lilac-beetroot - Peter the Great.

Below is a photo of a Mountain Peony and a Tree Peony "Yellow Bird".

Peonies of different types and varieties growing in our gardens are at the time of their flowering. And although peony planting material is very expensive, many gardeners strive to replenish their collections of peonies every year with new favorite varieties.

Remember that peonies do not tolerate stagnant water, because of this their roots rot, appear. However, during the period of active growth and flowering, peonies need regular and plentiful watering.

The flowering of peony bushes will be long and especially lush if the soil in the dug planting hole is loose and fertile.
The minimum size of a landing hole for a peony division is 45 x 45 x 40 cm.

For the lower layer in the pit, I make up a nutrient soil substrate: from fertile garden soil, humus and with the addition of superphosphate (100 g).
I water the soil in the planting pit, then the introduced lower layer of the substrate will settle.

I make up the top layer of the substrate from the same components, only I don’t add superphosphate to it.
When planting peonies, experts recommend adding several potassium permanganate crystals, a pack boric acid and blue vitriol.
The top light fertile layer in the planting hole should be 10–12 cm.

I carefully lower the peony division onto the lower compacted layer of the pit and fill it with earth prepared for the upper layer.
It is very important not to deepen the division when planting, otherwise the peony will not bloom for a long time. Above the upper kidney, taking into account the shrinkage of the soil, there should be no more than 5 cm of land.

For the first two years, peonies are advised to remove buds so that the young plant takes root well and gains strength.

Peonies in garden design and in a bouquet

Many gardeners like large-flowered peony varieties that are more suitable for cutting. But most often such plants have a tall bush, and heavy blooming flowers require a garter.

Now in the assortment of peonies there are many compact varieties of peonies created specifically for landscape design - with strong non-lodging stems, with light flowers of a simple or Japanese shape.

So far, for many Russian flower growers, non-double varieties of peonies, whose flowers look like blooming ones, are still unusual.
But what amazing, unusual shades in the color of the petals of the new varieties of peonies! Suffice it to recall the wonderful varieties. For example, against a light yellow background of petals with bright purple flashes, there is a burgundy spot in the center of the flower of the Pastel Splendor hybrid peony. The hybrid peony "Coral Supreme" has salmon-coral-pink flower petals, later brightening.

In the photo: peony ITO-hybrid "Pastel Splendor"; "Coral Supreme"

Of the famous varieties of herbaceous peonies, I still like everyone's favorite, the old variety "Sarah Bernard". He has a huge double flower dense, pink-lilac with lighter edges. The bush of this variety is slender and attractive, the stems are very powerful. This world-famous, masterpiece peony variety now grows in almost every garden.

The peony bush blooms for a short time; Peony flowers bloom especially quickly in hot weather. But if you choose for the garden a variety of varieties of peonies with different terms flowering, you can admire the amazing shades of beautiful and fragrant flowers for quite a long time.

The main advantage of peonies for Siberian flower growers is their unpretentiousness and resistance to severe frosts. Peonies are easy to care for. Wonderful peonies have been growing in the garden without a transplant for many years, annually delighting gardeners with their own.

Ludmila Melentyeva (Irkutsk)
www.vsp.ru

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Peonies have long been popular among gardeners. Indeed, according to the decorative foliage and beauty of flowers, it is difficult for them to find analogues. Peonies are pleasantly pleasing to the eye with a variety colors, ranging from the most delicate shades and ending with a bright, rich palette. In addition, they have a wonderful aroma. It is not surprising that almost all gardeners strive to grow and propagate such flowers. This is simple process if you follow the necessary conditions. So, consider when to plant peonies in the fall? And how to do it right.

autumn planting

Novice gardeners often face the question: in autumn or spring?

Flower growers recommend planting flowers in open ground in the month of September. The beginning of autumn is the most suitable moment for planting any. At the same time, preparation for the procedure can begin in August. However, the landing itself should be postponed until mid-September.

When thinking about when to plant peonies in the fall, gardeners often ask the question: why September? This period was not chosen by chance.

Flower growers give the following arguments:

Renewal buds on the plant are fully formed.
The bush stops growing in September. This applies to the ground part.
The process of formation of the smallest roots has not yet begun. Therefore, during transplantation, you do not injure the plant.
The heat has already passed.
The rainy season is starting. This promotes better rooting.

But what if the plant was presented in early spring? Knowing perfectly well when to plant peonies in the fall, novice gardeners can be confused. Do not despair. The plant can be temporarily planted in a pot. And transfer to open ground in March or April. However, be aware that such a procedure is only permissible if the temperature on the street has been established and reaches + 5 C.

Now let's consider what conditions should be created for the pion.

Location selection

So, now you know when is the best time to plant peonies in the fall. But it is important to understand the features of the correct choice of site.

Peony loves the sun. Therefore, choose a well-lit area.
The flower does not tolerate winds and drafts. Therefore, it is recommended to plant a plant near shrubs and trees. They provide excellent wind protection. However, provide free space for the root system.
Do not choose a place near the house. For a plant, this will play bad service. After all, the walls of the house constantly radiate heat, and the flower does not tolerate overheating. From this, the peony simply dies. The distance from the house to the peony should be at least 1.5-2 m.

Soil preparation

Now let's move on to the soil. What kind of soil is needed for a plant?

Take advantage of the advice of professionals:

Peony grows best in loamy soil.
If the earth is heavy, clayey, it is recommended to add sand, humus and peat to it. Such soil will allow the plant to develop well.
Sandy soils are supplemented with peat, clay and humus.
Peaty lands are most unsuitable for peony growth. However, even such a soil can be made of high quality for the development of a peony. It is necessary to add sand, wood ash and organic fertilizers to the soil.

Necessary fertilizers

Of course, it is very important to understand when to plant peonies in the fall. However, experts cite many more points that affect the development of the bush. You should also be aware of them. It is important enough to properly feed the flower.

Before planting, add superphosphate to the hole and 200 g of such fertilizers will be needed. They should be mixed with wood ash. The last one will need a liter jar.
Now prepare the manganese solution. It should be a dark pink, saturated color. It will take about 10-15 liters of it. Fill them with the applied fertilizer mixture.

The subtleties of landing

The preparations have been completed.

Now let's look at how to plant peonies in the fall:

The landing hole should be prepared in advance. In this case, the soil mixture will have time to give the necessary shrinkage.
Make a small mound at the bottom of the hole. Put a plant on it. Be sure to straighten all the roots.
Fill voids with earth. Carefully squeeze the plant with your hands from all sides. You must form a hole for watering.
Plant a flower in such a way that the upper bud is covered by the ground by about 3-5 cm. You can plant a little deeper.
After planting the plant, the hole should be watered abundantly. Mulch with compost.

If groundwater is close to the surface, then consider drainage system. For its manufacture, you can use crushed stone, tiles, broken brick, gravel, shell rock.

Some of the beginner gardeners have the opinion that there are certain risks in planting peonies in the spring. The reason is the fact that spring is the time of active growth of the green mass of plants, and planting peonies in the spring is regarded as a direct path to the depletion of the root system and weakening of the immune system. And this means that from the very beginning, tortured seedlings will take root for a very long time, grow weakly and develop poorly. Not to mention the lack of budding in the next year or two.

However, quite successful summer residents say that if you are lucky enough to buy a peony seedling in February, you should not wait six months before planting it. It only needs to be stored until planting in open ground. The advantage of the situation is that in the spring the suction roots do not lose their ability to grow back. The main thing is to carry out all the necessary manipulations correctly and in a timely manner.

Varieties and popular varieties of peonies

There are 2 varieties of peonies by origin and shape:

Treelike

herbaceous

According to the shape of the buds, peonies are divided into:

Depending on the timing of the start of flowering, peonies can be divided into:

very early (before June 5)
early (as a rule, they begin to bloom from June 5-10);
medium (from June 10-20);
late - (from June 20-30);
very late - (after June 30).

Video: all about peonies for beginners

Choosing healthy peony seedlings: the main selection criteria

The packaging itself can help in choosing a good peony seedling, since, as a rule, the very name of the variety and its short description, and also indicates the number of divisions for planting, there is a mark on quality control. Of course, you can not neglect the mini landing instructions, which are printed on the back of the box.

It is critical to inspect the divisions (through a transparent plastic bag). It is especially worth focusing on the following elements:

on the number of renewal kidneys (at least 3 pieces);
on the number and length of adventitious roots (at least 2 roots longer than 5 cm);
on traces of injuries and signs of disease.

It is not advisable to purchase a seedling if the following signs of poor quality are present:

excessive moisture or, conversely, dryness of the division;
a specific smell (strongly stinks of mold or rot);
suspicious growths or noticeable thickenings on the rhizomes (such specimens have a very high risk of cancer or, no less badly, root nematodes).

Important! If you got a delenka with only 1-2 kidneys, do not rush to throw it away. It's just that such peonies will not grow so fast and will bloom 1-2 years later.

Video: how to choose peony seedlings in spring

By the way! Sell peonies begin in February-March. If you buy them so early, then you will have to perform certain conservation measures for peony seedlings before planting in open ground. The following videos will help you with this.

Video: buying peonies and storing them until spring planting in open ground

Video: planting a peony from a pot in open ground in spring

The optimal place and soil for planting peonies

When the peony grows in the brightly lit place, then his flowers are large, magnificent saturated color. A little natural shading at noon does not bring trouble. But a strong one is abnormal and uncomfortable for him. It cannot pass without problems and sometimes leads to a complete absence of budding, sometimes even to the death of the plant.

But in relation to soils peony is quite unpretentious, although on different types of soil the development of a flower is carried out in completely different ways.

By the way! It should be noted that the most remarkable decorative effect is achieved when the peony grows on cultivated land or loam (soil with a high content of clay and a significant amount of sand), which is able to receive and retain water well.

If you are going to plant a peony near groundwater, then you should not allow their level to cross the mark of 0.5-0.7 m from the surface at the landing site. This is fraught with rotting of the roots of the plant, and consequently, the death of the bush. In such cases, it is required to raise the flower beds higher, adding soil. More reliable way- dig extra drainage channels around the flower bed, laying a ceramic pipe.

Planting peonies in open ground: step by step instructions

It is recommended to plant peonies in early spring, or rather, before the start of stable warming, in other words, optimal time- the whole month of April. This is done so that before the shoots appear, the delenka has time to take root well in the soil.

It is wiser, of course, to make a landing hole in advance so that the earth has time to sink a little. But it's okay if you dig it right on the day the rhizomes are planted.

Step-by-step instructions for planting peonies in open ground in spring are as follows:

We make the landing pit larger than root system seedling, and this is in the region of 60 by 60 cm. The distance between seedlings should be about 1-1.5 meters. The upper fertile layer of soil is folded on one side of the pit, the lower one on the other.
We loosen the bottom of the pit a little more and fill it with a 15-30 cm layer of drainage (you can choose from expanded clay, broken brick or the most common river sand, depending on what you have available).
We drop the top (more fertile) layer of soil to the roots down into the pit, followed by a couple of buckets of excellent compost or humus, 1 cup of superphosphate and 2 cups of wood ash. As it should, mix everything thoroughly. If the earth is excessively clayey, then it is recommended to add 1 bucket of sand (peat is also allowed), and if, on the contrary, it is too sandy, on the contrary, 1 bucket of clay.
Next, we fill up such an amount of soil that about 10 centimeters remain to the surface.
We straighten the roots and put a peony division in the center of the pit. With heavy soil, it is necessary to deepen the division from the point of growth of the kidneys by 5 cm, and with light soil - by 7 centimeters.
Now you need to fill the peony roots with soil, and slightly compact with your hands, but not with your feet.
Then water well. If suddenly the soil sags slightly, then additional soil should be added.
It will be absolutely the right decision if you mulch the hole with peat or humus. Mulch will protect against excessive overheating and cracking of the soil, in other words, it will create optimal conditions for quick rooting of delenki.

Note! One of the reasons for the weak or complete absence of flowering may be too much deepening of the peony bush during planting. On the other hand, on the contrary, an excessively close location to the surface can lead to freezing of the plant in winter.

Care for peonies in the open field: mandatory activities

Your peony bushes will grow and bloom intensively if you take care of them intensively and properly care for them. And this requires a quality watering, periodical loosening and regular weeding.

In the first days after planting, peonies should be watered daily for more successful rooting. When the period of active growth begins, the land near the plants should be plentifully irrigated with not cold water (+ 22-24 C). With the onset of dry and hot weather, it is worth watering so that moisture penetrates right up to the very roots. The watering rate for an adult peony is literally 2 buckets. Try to avoid getting moisture on the leaves, otherwise, wait for the inevitable disease of the plant with a fungal infection.

Operational weeding and loosening of the soil will help to resist the appearance of dry crusts on the surface of the earth.

We will talk about such an important component of caring for peonies as top dressing separately.

Root top dressing

Starting from 2-3 years of development, for luxurious flowering, in addition to regular watering, loosening and weeding, peonies will need to be additionally fed.

As a rule, top dressing is carried out in 3 stages:

Feed for the first time peony follows immediately after all the snow melts in the garden. At this time, we proceed from the greatest need for nitrogen-potassium fertilizers: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of nitrogen and 1-2 tbsp. spoons of potassium per bush.
Next top dressing carried out already during the formation of buds. Each bush should be fed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, 1 tbsp. spoons of each remedy (nitrogen can be slightly smaller).
Last autumn dressing should be done 10-14 days after flowering (gives strength to lay new buds). The composition of the fertilizer should include one tablespoon of phosphorus and potassium.

Important! You should not be surprised at the need to monitor the rate of use of fertilizers, since an unbalanced amount (in particular, nitrogen) causes unnecessary foliage to grow wildly, and budding stops.

Video: care and feeding of peonies in the spring before flowering

What fertilizer to feed peonies

In order not to burden you with search problems necessary fertilizers for feeding peonies, we will help you figure out which modern preparations should be taken with the greatest seriousness and how to choose the best and most effective.

Mineral fertilizer Kemira (Fertika)

According to the reviews of flower growers practitioners, Kemira (Fertika) gives flowering of excellent quality, and also increases the vitality of plants to many fungal and viral diseases. It is economical, odorless, diluted without sediment. It is recommended to use the entire spring-summer season with an interval of 10-14 days.

In early spring and a week after flowering, Kemira Universal fertilizer is more relevant than ever. In order to get all the fertilizer without residue to the roots, it is more efficient to apply it in the form of a solution. In this form, it definitely will not be lost, will not wash out, will not evaporate. And the roots will instantly receive nutrients. It would seem a mere trifle, but the fertilization process should take place in this way: first, the land is irrigated with water, and only then fertilizer is used. And then once again the usual watering. This procedure is of great importance, as it helps to protect the delicate roots of plants from burns in case of an error in the calculation of fertilizer.

The second top dressing is carried out with Kemira Combi fertilizer (most often in the form of a pink powder easily soluble in water) with the same procedure as described above.

By the way! All the constituent elements of the fertilizer are easily absorbed by plants due to their chelate form, because. chelates do not react with the soil and do not bind to it, which is why chelated fertilizers are absorbed by plants by almost 100%, and not by 25% -35%, as usual.

Organic fertilizer Baikal EM1

To restore the fertility of the soil in which peonies grow, to saturate it with oxygen will help the living microorganisms contained in microbiological fertilizer prepared on the basis of EM technologies. Fertilizer Baikal EM1 is added once a week to the compost and for irrigation from spring to July.

foliar top dressing

Those who prefer to feed foliarly will like Ideal fertilizer. This product is based on biohumus and contains everything that flowers love so much. For this type of top dressing, it is just right to spray the leaves of both young and adult bushes with a spray gun (you can pour it from a watering can, in which there is a small chintz) once a month. Solution consumption - 2 caps per 1 liter of water.

By the way! If you add a little household soap or a tablespoon of washing powder per bucket of water to this solution, then such a “soapy” solution will linger on the leaves better and longer.

In addition, you can adhere to such a scheme for applying foliar dressings for peonies:

1 dressing(upon the appearance of a green bush) - usually only a solution of urea is taken (3 tablespoons per bucket of water).
2 top dressing(about a month later, during the budding period) - the urea solution is supplemented with microfertilizer tablets (for example, Agricola, 1 piece per bucket of solution).
3 top dressing(at the end of flowering) - only a more saturated solution of micronutrient fertilizers without urea is used (2 tablets per 10 liters of water).

Video: how to care for peonies in spring - top dressing

Carrying out timely dressings in accordance with all the rules will help develop and bloom healthy and truly beautiful peonies. It is logical that for a stronger effect, top dressing should go along with operational watering, loosening and weeding the soil from weeds.

Video: why peonies do not bloom

Note! Read about what to do with peonies in the fall (fertilizing, pruning, shelter) and how to properly prepare them for winter. in this article.

Every novice summer resident is able to destroy the ridiculous stereotype about the impossibility successful landing peonies in spring. To do this, you need to know and correctly follow the proposed recommendations for choosing a seedling, place, soil, as well as creating normal conditions for growing and caring for these magnificent perennial flowers in spring.

Video: how to plant peonies in spring

Maryin root

Siberia and Far East are home to many species. The most valuable of them are marin root, steppe peony and Far Eastern white-flowered (milky-flowered), they have non-double, but bright numerous flowers that appear against the background of beautiful foliage, different in different species. bloom earlier garden varieties, which is important in the design of early period, moreover, this good material for selection work. Garden forms and varieties of peony for the most part are a herbaceous perennial rhizome plant with a height of 60 to 100 cm. The bush is large, multi-stemmed, with beautiful greenery, which has decorative look until mid September. The flowers are large, showy, can be double, semi-double and simple, with different timing and duration of flowering.

Early varieties bloom in the first decade of June, late - in early July. By the age of 5, the bush reaches its optimal sizes and has from 20 to 50 flowers and, as an exception, 150. When choosing the appropriate assortment, you can have flowering peonies on the site for 40-55 days.

Steppe peonyIn addition, it is possible to increase the flowering period due to agricultural practices: using film frames, as on strawberries, you can cause earlier flowering, and when planting on shady side plot and cover the bushes with sawdust (10-15 cm), it can be delayed by 10-12 days, thereby further extending the flowering period by 15-20 days.

Peonies grow well on soil rich in organic matter with sufficient moisture, they do not like transplants and develop better in one place for 10-12 years, subject to good agricultural practices.

It is better to plant pions in pits, the size of which depends on the size of the planting material (50 × 50, 60 × 60, 70 × 70 cm), humus (8-10 kg per hole) and superphosphate (200 g) are added, mixed well with the ground , pour water and plant a “delenka” of a peony in a liquefied mass so that its buds are no deeper than 3-5 cm from the soil level after backfilling with earth.

Gardeners make the mistake of planting peonies in loose soil without taking into account its precipitation. In this case, the plant turns out to be buried, does not bloom, sometimes even grows poorly. To correct the error, you have to lift the bush with a pitchfork and pour earth into the hole or completely transplant it, violating the root system. The distance between the bushes should be given 80-100 cm.

In the spring, as soon as the snow melts and the first sprouts appear, the first top dressing is carried out with a flower mixture (50-80 g / m2) and loosening to a depth of 3-5 cm. The second top dressing is given two weeks before flowering (mullein infusion with an admixture of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers) and the third - at the end of August only with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

With a lack of moisture, abundant watering of plants is necessary during budding, flowering and at the end of August during the secondary growth of roots. Timely watering has a beneficial effect on the overwintering of plants and their development in the coming year. After each watering, the soil is loosened or mulched.

For larger flowers, one bud should be left on the stem. For better flowering next year, in the fall, the leaves are cut off and humus mixed with wood ash and bone meal is added under each bush. Planting peonies should be carried out separately if they are in the shade of trees, the number of buds and their size are sharply reduced.

On old bushes, damage by a nematode (acne) is possible, which causes nodular swelling of the roots. Such plants should be dug up and burned, and the soil disinfected. Peony flowers can be damaged by bronze. This golden-green beetle eats away the core of the flowers. Beetles should be collected in the morning hours and burned.

Often you can see ants on the buds, they are attracted by sweet juice. The buds are sprayed with tobacco infusion, and the nearby anthill must be moved away from the bush.

Peonies propagate by dividing the bush, renewal buds, stem and root cuttings, seeds.

The division of the bush is carried out in the first half of August before the secondary growth of the roots begins or in early spring, as soon as the soil thaws. This is the most common way to propagate peonies. It is used by most gardeners when transplanting plants to a new place. Many believe that when transplanted, peonies do not bloom for three to four years. Meanwhile, if this operation is carried out on time and carefully (damaging the roots as little as possible), peonies will bloom the next year.

To do this, you need to know that in peonies, in addition to the spring growth of roots, there is an increased growth of them a second time - in the fall, from about August 20-25. Therefore, transplanting and dividing the roots should be carried out as soon as the soil thaws and before the start of secondary root growth! It should be borne in mind that the root system of pions grows, depending on age, up to 80 cm in depth and up to 90 cm in width.

Carefully digging the bush with a shovel, lift it with a garden pitchfork, trying to damage the roots as little as possible. They are washed from the ground with water from a hose and divided, while using the knife as little as possible, separating them in places where jumpers are formed, as it were, in order to inflict less wounds.

To get the maximum number of divisions, it is better to take 4-5-year-old bushes and divide them into four to six parts, with four to five buds; you can leave one or two buds per delenka, but they begin to bloom one or two years late.

You can get peony seedlings without digging up the plant completely. To this end, the bush is cut into two parts with a shovel, one part is carefully removed from the soil and divided, as described above, and the other remains in the ground.

The cut part is sprinkled with crushed coal, the hole is covered with soil, watered - and the bush continues to bloom and develop. When transplanting old bushes to a new place, rejuvenating pruning is carried out, fleshy rhizomes are shortened, leaving roots 8-10 cm long near the renewal buds.

There is another way to get peony seedlings without digging up a bush. To do this, in the first half of August (before the start of secondary growth), the bush is carefully disentangled, part of the renewal buds with a piece of rhizome are separated from it and planted in cold nurseries at a distance of 10 × 10 cm, covered with a film, rooting occurs on the fortieth day. Then the film is removed and covered with a sheet pillow for the winter. In spring, plants are transplanted to a school or to a permanent place. Such plants bloom in the third or fourth year of life.

On the principle of preserving the bush, a method of reproduction by layering is also built. A wooden box 25-30 cm high is placed on a peony bush in spring. As the bush grows, the buds are covered with loose earth or humus, gradually filling the box. Shoots normally grow and bloom (slightly lagging compared to free-growing bushes). Roots form at their base. In autumn, the box is removed and the rooted stems are cut off, transplanted to a permanent place. Such plants begin to bloom in the fourth or fifth year.

Chinese-European - with heavy double flowers;
Japanese - with non-double or semi-double light and airy flowers;
hybrids of yellow peony and Delaway peony - with yellow flowers.

There is another group of tree peonies - these are mountain peonies - the latest group created with the participation of highland species and has a number of advantages for growing in our rather harsh conditions. This is:

Increased winter hardiness;

Stronger annual growth compared to tree peonies;

Early flowering.

Tree peonies have a number of features that must be considered when growing them.

First, it is slow growth. Yes, the tree-like peony grows slowly, but every year it becomes more and more beautiful. So be patient and it will definitely be rewarded.

Secondly, it is a long-liver, in one place it can grow for more than 100 years. This must be taken into account when choosing a location.

Buying a tree peony

Planting a tree peony

A place for planting a peony is chosen sunny or light partial shade, protected from the winds.

Tree peonies grow on almost any soil, but prefer permeable loam with a slightly alkaline reaction.

The best time for planting tree peonies is from mid-August to mid-September.

But, since planting material is supplied for sale mainly in the spring, the question arises: what to do in this case? There are at least two solutions.

Plant the delenka in a pot with a volume of 5-6 liters, with the onset of a stable positive positive temperature, take it out into the garden and wait for a favorable time for planting, carefully transferring the plant from the pot to the prepared hole. In this case, it is important to prevent waterlogging and stagnant water during the overexposure period.
Landing is similar to autumn. In this case, it is advisable to choose a planting time when the danger of return frosts has already passed and a stable heat has not yet set in.

I used both of these methods in my practice: I planted a mountain peony in spring, and a yellow-flowered one with overexposure in autumn. Both are still growing and developing.

Tree peony care

Watering- plentiful, but not frequent. In dry weather, it is enough to water an adult bush once a week at the rate of 2-3 buckets per bush.

pruning- carried out every spring until the beginning of the growing season: dried shoots are removed, old shoots are shortened up to 10 cm. This gives the plant the opportunity to awaken adnexal buds at the base of the plant. Another pruning is carried out after flowering. In this case, it is necessary to remove the faded bud and cut the peduncle 2 buds below. Based on my own experience, I strongly recommend this operation, as it promotes further growth and abundant flowering next year.

Fig.1 Pruning a tree peony after flowering

Shelter tree peony for the winter

Tree peony transplant

Tree peony rejuvenation

Diseases and pests of tree peonies

Reproduction of tree peonies

There are 5 ways to propagate tree peonies.

1. Dividing the bush

This is the most acceptable method of reproduction; it is carried out at the same time as planting a peony, i.e. from mid-August to mid-September. It should be a 5-6 year old, healthy bush with 7 or more shoots, with a distance between them of at least 3.5 cm. The bush is carefully dug up, the ground is washed off with a stream of water with low pressure, the shoots are cut to a height of 10-15 cm and dried in the shade for 2-3 hours. Then the rhizome is divided in such a way as to obtain divisions with 2-3 buds and a part of the root of at least 10 cm. The places of cut and damage are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and sprinkled with crushed coal. The divisions obtained in this way are planted in pits prepared in advance.

2. Layering

3. Cuttings

From about mid-June to early August, a tree peony can be propagated by cuttings. Semi-lignified cuttings are cut obliquely under the bud, the leaf blades are shortened by half, treated with root formation stimulants and planted in boxes with a mixture of sand and peat in equal amounts to a depth of 1.5 cm. The boxes are covered with foil and constantly watered and sprayed. At the end of September, rooted cuttings are planted in separate pots and left in the greenhouse until spring. In the spring, when the plants begin to grow, they are planted in a permanent place. Peonies bloom with this method of reproduction in the 5th year.

4. Grafting

With this method of reproduction, the roots of a grassy peony are used as a stock, you can also use horses and a tree peony. In this case, you need to monitor the appearance of root growth and remove it. This can be avoided by using your own peony roots. Harvested roots are desirable to withstand 2-3 weeks in a cool room. Cuttings with two buds are cut in early August and cut from both sides in the shape of a wedge. An incision of the same shape is made on the rootstock, the stem of the rootstock is tightly inserted, tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and tied. The prepared material is laid horizontally in a moistened layer of sawdust and placed in a cool shaded place. A month later, when the scion grows together with the stock, plant it in a greenhouse so that the lower eye is deepened by 5-7 cm. They are planted in a permanent place after 2 years.

5. Seeds

Using a tree peony

Russian selection

And I also want to say a little about the Russian selection of tree peonies. Selection work has been carried out by the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University for more than 30 years. During this time, more than 40 varieties of tree-like peonies have been registered, which are listed in the catalog of varieties and are recommended for use in production. These are winter-hardy varieties, they feel great not only in central Russia, but also in the Urals and Siberia.

The most popular varieties of Russian selection:

white - Lomonosov, Moscow University, Maria, Anastasia Sosnovets;
pale pink - Dmitry Kapinos;
yellow - Kuindzhi, Academician Sadovnichy;
red - Vladimir Mayakovsky;
salmon - Irina, Marianna;
purple-pink - Nikolai Vavilov, Yulia Drunina;
lilac-beetroot - Peter the Great.

Below is a photo of a Mountain Peony and a Tree Peony "Yellow Bird".

Bocharova T.M.

Peonies planting and care

Peonies are impressive in size flowers, of various colors: bright red, raspberry, deep pink, white. Who wants to grow these wonderful flowers in their country house, read the article: peony planting and care in open field. Not everyone knows that the appearance of a peony bud depends on the type of flower, they can be double, smooth or pompous. Peonies look very beautiful, resembling rosettes with a noticeable core.

The beginning of flowering of peonies falls on the end of May - the beginning of June. The height of the bush can reach 90 cm. Peonies are a perennial garden culture that has been pleasing the eye with its splendor for more than one year. Growing a peony (Paeonia) is not difficult, it is not capricious plant requiring no laborious maintenance.

Types and varieties of peonies

To date, more than five thousand varieties of peony are known. All species of this family are divided into herbaceous and tree-like. Tree varieties are shrubs growing up to 2 m. Herbaceous species do not require special care, they bloom for many years in a row. Basically, by the second half of July, herbaceous varieties of peonies fade. To prolong the pleasure of the sight of flowering specimens, it is necessary to plant flowers with different flowering periods.

Attention! The peony variety for planting is selected individually, depending on its future location. For planting next to a curbstone, herbaceous types are more suitable, when planting alone, tree peonies are better suited.

Tree peonies are divided into 3 varieties:

European ones are distinguished by large flowers with double petals of various colors - from pinkish to deep crimson. Their leaves are dense, fleshy, large in size.
Japanese are found terry and semi-smooth, the inflorescences are not so heavy. This variety stands out for its increased resistance to frost. This feature is due to the method of cuttings, when cuttings are grafted to the root system of herbaceous peonies. This method allows the heat-loving plant to survive the harsh natural conditions of the Russian winter.
Hybrids bred by crossing the Delaway and Yellow peony. This semi-shrub species is bright yellow with a prominent red mark at the base of the bud. The trunk does not branch and grows up to 2 m in height. On one branch, basically, from 3 to 5 inflorescences. Blooming flowers can reach 10 cm in diameter.

Tree varieties of peonies take root well and develop in lighted places that are not accessible to direct wind. The soil base must be selected fertilized and well permeable to moisture, preventing stagnant water. In winter, representatives of this species should be covered with branches. conifers and board fences to prevent freezing.

Attention! The soil for planting tree peonies must have good drainage.

Nowadays, they are getting more and more famous hybrid varieties obtained by repeatedly crossing different varieties. Hybrids are unique, as they combine the properties and external qualities of herbaceous and tree types.

The result is a unique color, large flowers, good frost tolerance. Crossed species are relevant for use in decorating the landscape, because their undeniable qualities are the increased duration of flowering, a wide range of colors and a unique aroma.

The classification of herbaceous varieties is more extensive than tree-like ones. The main varieties include:

Maryin root (avoiding peony), which has straight-growing stems large in diameter, up to 1 m high. Enough big flowers color pink- these are the distinguishing features of this variety. Flowering occurs in May - June. It is used as a medicine and to decorate the territory of the garden plot.
Peony officinalis used to be used only for medical purposes, but at the moment it is also widely known as beautiful flower for decor. The inflorescences have no aroma, up to 12 cm in size. The color of blossoming buds is usually dark red. This variety is distributed mainly in the middle zone of our country. Flowering begins in early June.
The narrow-leaved peony is an attractive decor element for unshaded areas that are not subject to increased watering. During the flowering period, they delight with beautiful raspberry buds, but already in the second half of May they fade and cease to be a decoration of the territory.
Peony Mlokosevich is named after a researcher who discovered this variety on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains in the 19th century. The unique yellow color and bluish color of the leaves makes it interesting for peony lovers. One more hallmark very slow blooming of buds is considered, which, when opened, reach 12 cm. Flowering time varies depending on the climate, but usually this occurs in May.
White-flowered peonies are a wide variety, which in turn is divided into a number of subspecies. These are simple, semi-double and Japanese varieties.

The most famous of the semi-double:

Miss America - tall plant with lush white buds;
Cytheria - flowers are medium in height, changing color during flowering, from rich burgundy at the beginning to white-pink at the end;
Lastres - flowers with a five-row arrangement of red petals. The height of the bushes is decent and reaches 70 cm.
Japanese white-flowered peonies are the most popular and widespread. The main varieties of this species:
Velma Atkinson - flowers with predominantly early flowering, pink hue;
Pearl placer - a type of later flowering and a long duration of flowering. It smells like roses;
Karara is a variety of medium height, with a diameter of blooming flowers up to 16 cm.

It is not possible to describe all varieties of the pion family, and these are only a few of the existing five thousand. Constantly the list of varieties is replenished with newly discovered or bred ones, raising the art of breeding peonies to the rank of a certain philosophy.

Peonies exist for every taste, even the most fastidious gardener will like one for growing and decorating his site.

peonies photo

Peony planting and care in the open field

Choosing and preparing a place for planting a peony

The key to successful planting of peonies is the optimally chosen place for the flower. The area for peonies should be sufficiently lit, especially in the morning, not obscured by other garden crops.

Peonies negatively perceive strong gusts of wind, so they should be placed near the walls of buildings, fences or closed from drafts for more tall bushes or trees.

It is better if the chosen site is on a hill, because peonies do not tolerate too moist soil, and places in the lowlands are absolutely not suitable for them.

Attention! If the composition of the soil mixture on the site is not suitable for peonies, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work to improve it.

Previously, a few weeks before the transplant, the area for peonies must be prepared. It is necessary to make a recess for one and a half shovels and fill it with soil prepared from humus, peat, ordinary soil and sand, taken in the same amount. For proper growth, 0.5 liters of ash should be added to this mixture.

Peony planting time

Early autumn is considered the most suitable time for planting peonies in open ground. It is at this time that there are no high air temperatures, more rain, which improves the adaptation of the plant in a new place. Before the onset of cold weather, the flower will have time to strengthen thanks to active growth new root branches.

Attention! Peonies planted in spring time are more prone to disease and recover more slowly. Flowers transplanted in autumn take root better and begin to develop rapidly in spring.

If it is necessary to land in the spring, then this must be done before the air has warmed up to 10 degrees. If this condition is not met, then the plant is likely to die.

Peony care basics

Since peonies are usually grown in outdoor gardens, care rules are considered in relation to outdoor growth.

Temperature and lighting

There are no specific temperature characteristics. Each gardener chooses a variety intended for growing in his climate zone and adapted to specific temperature conditions. A suitably selected variety tolerates the temperature of its climate well and is unpretentious in adaptation.

Peonies are plants that love sunlight. Their leaves and flowers are not afraid of exposure to direct sunlight. Growth in light shade is also possible, but periods of good light should prevail.

Soil composition requirements

A suitable soil composition plays an important role in the proper development of a peony bush. An optimally selected soil mixture during planting is a guarantee of beautiful flowers that will delight the eye and decorate the site.

For peonies, soil that has a slightly acidic or alkaline reaction is well suited. If the soil is clayey, then the addition of sand is required, in the case of sandy soil, humus must be added, and limestone rocks must be introduced into the soil with an acidic environment at least a year before planting the pions.

The planting process is very important in the life of the plant and requires some preparation from gardeners. Under the peony, it is necessary to dig a hole 70 cm deep. It must be prepared a month before planting and filled with a specially prepared soil mixture of peat, sand, humus and the necessary fertilizers. This mixture is covered with ordinary soil and left to settle. After 3-4 weeks, peonies can be planted.

Attention! Fertilizers applied to the soil should not fall directly on the root system of peonies.

Waiting for soil shrinkage is required to prevent soil from covering the transplanted pion buds.

Watering

Peonies should be watered sparingly. These plants are negatively affected by closely spaced groundwater. The soil for peonies should have good drainage and be loosened. In hot summer weather, when peonies are actively blooming, they need to be watered more often and large quantity water. Watering should be done directly under the roots, without watering the foliage.

Frequent loosening of the soil helps to ensure optimal development and growth. In loose soil, the necessary supply of moisture is better retained, weeds and dangerous pests appear less.

top dressing

In the first year after planting, additional feeding is not required. Fertilizers begin to be applied to soil mix after the plant reaches two years of age. Top dressing is carried out with urea, crystallin or any other nitrogen-containing mixture. During the period of spring and summer, it is advisable to feed the peonies 3 times:

the first top dressing is carried out with the onset of spring by sprinkling with urea or potassium sulfate in the amount of 15 g;
the second time peonies are fertilized with a solution of urea or superphosphate when future flowers are formed;
the third dressing is done 2 weeks after the end of flowering to form buds for the next year.

pruning

One of the necessary procedures for growing peonies is pruning. Autumn is considered the best time for pruning. This helps to prepare the plants for a safe existence in the winter.

It is optimal to cut the bushes at the beginning of cold weather. For the winter months, shoots remain about 4 cm, covered spruce branches.

It is wrong to prune peonies immediately after flowering has ended. This will remove the buds of the next year's inflorescences. Pruning during the flowering period, the peony will lose the opportunity to bloom in a year.

Preparing a peony for winter

After rapid flowering, garden peonies must be prepared for winter period. This includes weeding and loosening the soil around the bushes.

In autumn, it is necessary to cut the leaves and stems low so that they do not develop fungal diseases. In the case of severe winters, sheltering the bushes with spruce branches is required. The same procedure is carried out to protect all young individuals.

Features of planting and caring for peony in Siberia, in the north

The Siberian region and the Far East are considered the native territory for some types of peonies. The most famous of them are Maryin root, Far Eastern white-flowered and steppe peony. These cultures bloom in the conditions of Siberian nature among the first, which makes them of particular value in the formation landscape designs these territories.

The climatic conditions of the region have the following influence on the development of flowers: cold during the period of picking buds slows down blooming, subsequent heat accelerates flowering. To increase the duration of the flowering period, you need to adjust the conditions, bringing them closer to natural for certain varieties.

Peonies are unpretentious plants, some varieties of which can grow in northern climatic conditions. A prerequisite here is the autumn mulching of the bushes.

The main variety for growing in the northern nature was the evasive peony (marin root). Its winter hardiness indicators are higher than others, which allows you to enjoy its flowers in northern nature.

Reproduction of peonies

The breeding methods for herbaceous or tree peonies have their own characteristics, but there are also the same methods for all types.

The propagation method suitable for any kind of peonies is propagation by seeds. It should be borne in mind that this method is quite lengthy, because the flowering of plants will appear on average only after 5 years. However, not all varietal peonies will retain their varietal characteristics.

The most commonly used method is the division of the bushes. This method used for tree and herbaceous varieties without exception. The separated parts of the bush usually adapt quickly and flowers appear on them already in the second year after reproduction. The division of a grassy peony is also a kind of way to rejuvenate a bush. And tree-like plants can be divided only if they have grown sufficiently.

In addition to the basic methods, tree peonies can be propagated by cuttings and air layers. They also use the grafting of the roots of one variety onto another, including tree-like to grassy. Herbaceous varieties are propagated by root cuttings and separation of part of the plant.

Features of caring for a peony by season

Spring. The first sprouts of peonies appear early, even from under the snow. If autumn mulching of bushes was carried out, then in early April it is necessary to carefully remove the covering structure. In the first days of May, the first top dressing and preventive spraying against diseases are carried out.

Summer. Summer care includes weeding the ground around the bushes, timely watering and necessary supplements.

In autumn. Pruning of leaves, destruction of tops in case of fungal attack, or shelter with cut foliage if the plant is healthy.

In winter. Special warming is carried out if the peony is young or in severe winters. Older specimens under normal winter conditions will not require warming.

If the peonies don't bloom

A common problem when breeding peonies is the lack of flowers. This problem may have the following causes:

excessive deepening of the kidneys during planting;
little light and too wet soil;
a large age of the bush, its rejuvenation by division is required;
unsuitable composition of the soil base, acidic environment, the addition of ash or limestone is necessary;
removal of buds during pruning in the previous year;
insufficient amount of applied fertilizers.

Determining the problem moment will allow you to make the right decision and improve the condition of the peony, which will definitely manifest itself in the appearance of flowers on it.

Peony pests and diseases

Growing outdoors is an increased risk for the plant to be damaged by a disease or pest. The gardener's concern is to protect peonies from these negative influences.

Main pests:

root nematode;
caterpillars;
bronze.

Bronze and caterpillars are collected from flowers by hand and destroyed. Additionally, a solution of aconite is applied to the plants.

To eliminate the root nematode, apply special set fertilizers and replanting in the immediate vicinity of peonies of plants that the pest does not tolerate.
Chlorophos is used to control aphids.

The most unwanted diseases of peonies are caused by fungi. This is brown spotting, rust, gray rot.

Gray rot is manifested by a characteristic grayish bloom on foliage and flowers. The trunk of the bush dries up and becomes brittle, the flowers turn black. For healing, fungicides are used, with which peonies are processed.

In order to prevent the disease, the earth is loosened, the distance between individual bushes is observed, and the stems and leaves are not left at the end of pruning.

If spots are noticed on the foliage of peonies yellow color, then the plant is damaged by rust. Leaves begin to curl and dry. Eliminate the disease with the use of fungicides. In order to avoid the death of plants from brown spotting caused by a fungus, in the spring they are sprayed with infusion of celandine or Bordeaux mixture.

The peonies in the garden are magnificent. They make a great addition to any space. But it must be remembered that only proper care and maintenance of the plant will allow you to enjoy wonderful flowers for many years in a row.

Video tips: how to plant and care for peonies

Peony is one of the most amazing and beautiful ornamental plants. This flower is second only to the rose - the real queen of the garden. Peony flowers are short-lived, but they are able to fill the garden with marvelous colors and magical aromas, and give its owner unforgettable emotions.

Peony flowers are very different, they differ in color, shape and have a charming aroma. Peonies are able to grow for many years, bringing real joy to their owners with their amazing flowers.

Peony remains an adornment of any garden even after flowering: its leaves are no less beautiful and attractive.

plant homeland

This amazing flower was cultivated in China, another 5 century BC new era. They were admired by the Chinese emperors. Peony lactiflora was the first to be cultivated - a plant common in China, Siberia and Mongolia. The name of this flower comes from the name of the legendary healer Pean, who was so skilled that he healed the wounds of gods and heroes.

This flower reached Europe quite late - in the 18th century and quickly became a universal favorite. He took a worthy place in the royal gardens of Europe, hundreds of breeders began work on breeding varieties. In the 19th century, the peony crossed the Atlantic and quickly conquered the New World.

General description of the flower

Peonies are a member of the Peony family. It includes 32 species.

These are perennial plants, with a herbaceous, shrubby or semi-shrub stem, reaching a height of one meter.

Although, the tree-like peony, which is a symbol of China, grows up to two meters. Peonies have a powerful rhizome, with thickened cone-shaped roots. Large leaves of rich green color are arranged alternately. The shape of the leaf plate is trifoliate or pinnatipartite.

Peony flowers are large, solitary. The petals form a corolla. There are five sepals, most often there are also five petals. Petals have a very rich color palette. There can be up to eight pistils, many stamens.

Complexity, whimsicality, availability of cultivation

Growing peonies does not cause much trouble, peony farming is not difficult even for not very skilled flower growers, subject to simple rules, these flowers will bring you joy for many years. This is another important reason for the wide popularity of the peony.

Breeders did not deprive the peony of their attention: today several thousand plant varieties are known, new ones are constantly appearing. There are several nuances that are important for the growth of a peony.

Planting peonies in open ground. Optimal time

Autumn- the best time for transplanting and planting peonies. In the spring, these manipulations are not recommended.

The most important thing when planting a plant is right choice places. Need to pay Special attention to the following:

A peony needs at least five to six hours of intense sunlight.
The flower does not tolerate drafts.
It is better not to plant the plant in the lowlands.
Don't plant the peony too deep, it won't bloom well.

Planting a flower in autumn

It is better to plant and transplant peonies in early autumn. This will give the plant enough time to prepare for winter.

Prepare planting holes. The hole should have dimensions of 60x60x60 cm. Place drainage (20 cm thick), top dressing consisting of humus, compost, lime, superphosphate and wood ash in the hole. Fill the hole to the top with a mixture of compost and earth. When the soil settles, you can start planting the plant.

In the next step, you should dig up the rhizome of the peony and this must be done very carefully. Better use a garden fork. It is necessary to dig a bush with them and extract the rhizome. Remove the soil and dry it. Then the rhizome should be divided into parts, 15 cm long, containing roots and several buds. It is recommended to lower the pieces of rhizome into a solution of potassium permanganate to destroy root rot.

Good results are obtained by dipping rhizomes in a solution of heteroauxin.

Remember, deep planting is one of the most common reasons for the lack of flowers. The upper bud should not be deeper than 3-4 cm. In the first year, the peony blooms very rarely and does not look too healthy.

Planting in the spring

Usually this plant is not planted in the spring. But if it is necessary, then it is better to do the following. Transplant the peony into a pot and place it in a cool room (in the cellar), keep the soil moist at all times. In May, plant the plant directly in a pot, and in the fall, transplant along with the ground in which the root system is located. Landing should be carried out according to the method described above.

Soil preparation and space in the garden

It is important to choose the right habitat for the plant, its growth depends on it. Choose a well-lit place for the flower, not far from the nearest shrub or tree. In the shade, peonies grow normally, but bloom much worse. The landing site should not be flooded with water.

peonies care

Peony is unpretentious plant, it does not deliver to flower growers extra hassle. However, there are nuances in its cultivation, they need to be known.

Peony is able to grow on any soil, but loam (6-6.6 pH) is preferred. Peony does not like wet soils, so do not plant it in the lowlands. High humidity leads to rotting of the roots and death of the flower. If you did everything right, then the plant can not be fertilized for a whole year. Provide the plant with regular watering.

spring care

In spring, the plant needs abundant watering. You need to do it once a week, spending two buckets of water on each bush. Moisture is especially important during flower formation.

autumn care

In autumn, you should remove all withered leaves and parts of the stems and burn them, so you are guaranteed to destroy pathogens. Then it is necessary to cover each bush with ashes and leave to winter. Adult peonies do not need shelter.

Top dressing and fertilizer

In the first year after planting, it is better not to get carried away with top dressing. Then use liquid forms of top dressing. In early spring, nitrogen-potassium top dressing is used, during the period of bud formation, top dressing containing phosphorus and nitrogen is used. After its completion, potassium-phosphorus top dressing is recommended, it can be continued until mid-autumn.

Watering

For a peony, you need not very frequent, but quite plentiful. It is recommended to water it once a week, but spend at least two buckets of water per bush.

Watering is extremely important during peony flowering. Insufficient watering is one of the main reasons for the lack of flowers. Water should fall under the flower bush.

illumination

Peonies are sun-loving plants, they need 6 hours of sunlight. But the southern parts of the garden, where the plant can get burned, are best avoided.

Temperature regime

Peonies are not too demanding on temperature. They are quite suitable for the climatic conditions of the temperate zone.

Peony transplant

Peonies are transplanted in early autumn. First, choose the right place for planting and prepare the hole (this has already been discussed above).

For transplantation, it is necessary to carefully dig out the rhizome of the peony, prepare a hole for it and place the plant in it. Apply enough fertilizer.

reproduction

Reproduction by dividing the bush

This method is most often used by gardeners. You need to take an adult plant that has already bloomed. Then the rhizome is carefully dug in and carefully removed from the ground. Rotten roots are removed, and the rhizome is divided into parts (the planting method is described in detail above). The ground part is almost completely cut off. Usually these works are carried out in early autumn. Cover the landing site with a layer of peat.

Propagation by root cuttings

A fairly reliable way, it lies in the fact that part of the root is planted in the hole. By winter, it has time to take root and winters normally. But you will see the first flowers in a few years.

Reproduction by seeds

Peonies can be propagated by seeds. True, this does not preserve the quality of the variety. Growing peonies from seeds often used by breeders.

peonies bloom

Peony has a large single red, yellow, bright crimson or White flower. It can be terry, lush or look like a rosette. Numerous yellow stamens are clearly visible. Flowers usually appear in May or early June.

There are several groups of peonies that differ in the structure of flowers:

Japanese. Stamens and pistils are located in the center of the flower, they form a kind of cluster (pompon).
Non-terry. The flowers are large, two rows of petals, the leaves are corrugated.
Semi-double. The flowers are large, the stamens are in its center, several rows of petals.
Anemoid. The lower petals are very wide, the inner petals form a ball. It is considered a transitional form between terry and Japanese peonies.
Terry. The flower has a spherical shape, when the petals open, a bright and colorful ball is obtained.
Rosaceous. The flowers are large, the petals strongly resemble those of a rose.

After flowering, remove wilted flowers, and carry out another top dressing.

pruning

Cut peonies worth it late autumn, before the start of the first frosts, if this needs to be done earlier, leave a few leaves on the bush so that the plant can accumulate strength.

Autumn pruning is carried out almost to the level of the soil.

Preparing peonies for winter

In autumn, when the leaves turn yellow, you need to gradually reduce the intensity of watering. Newly planted plants should be covered with a layer of peat, and they will overwinter well. Peat should be removed in spring. Old plants are frost-resistant and there will be no problems with their wintering either.

Popular varieties of peonies

Breeders did a great job, today there are a large number of varieties of peonies. The variety of these flowers allows you to create amazing flower beds by arranging them with colors. different colors and size.

It is impossible to name all varieties of peonies that are deservedly popular with flower growers. Let's just give some examples.

Variety "Starlight". They have large, light cream-colored, anemone-shaped flowers.
Variety "Suzy Ku". Huge double flowers are painted in a pleasant light pink color. The leaves are small and narrow.
Variety "Westerner". Has white flowers medium size Japanese form. Blooms relatively late.
Variety "White bowl". It has medium-sized flowers, dark pink in color.
Variety "Amabilis". The plant has light pink flowers, the petals of which turn white at the edges during the end of flowering.

The thin-leaved peony deserves special mention - a plant that has been bred by gardeners for several decades. This peony is listed in the Red Book, but among flower growers it is at the top of popularity.

ITO hybrids are also very popular: this is the result of crossing tree-like and grass-like peonies. An excellent example of such plants is

"Coral Sunset".

Another peony that is a frequent guest of our gardens is peony bartzella. This is a beautiful plant with Japanese-shaped flowers, bright lemon color.

pion diseases

Gray rot

The most dangerous enemies of peonies are diseases caused by microscopic fungi. Here are the main ones:

rust;
gray rot;
powdery mildew;
brown spotting.

Gray rot. Appears in May, affects leaves, stem and buds. A symptom of gray rot is a gray coating on the organs of the plant. It is better to burn the affected parts. An effective remedy are copper sulfate and fungicides.

Powdery mildew. A whitish coating forms on the stems and leaves. Fungicides are used to treat the disease.

Rust. The disease is characterized by the formation of dark brown spots. The disease leads to curling and drying of the leaf plate. Fungicides are used to treat the disease.

brown spot also manifests itself in the form of specific spots on leaves, stem sections and buds. They are off-white. The disease is dangerous, leads to leaf fall. This disease is treated with fungicides.

The main problems faced by novice flower growers

Why is the peony not growing?

A flower may grow poorly due to a number of reasons: incorrect choice landing sites (little light), insufficient mineral supplement or insufficient watering. Also, unsatisfactory growth is noted in the case of transplantation without dividing the rhizome.

Why is the peony not blooming

The absence of flowers on the plant most likely indicates an improper planting of the rhizome. It's probably set too deep. Also, poor soil and lack of top dressing, poor lighting of the plant, insufficient watering during the formation of buds leads to the absence of flowers. Too old plants do not bloom.

Why does the peony not rise

The germination of peonies depends on the quality of the seed material, as well as the degree of soil preparation.

The history of growing peonies has more than two millennia, during which a great many varieties and varieties have been created. But no matter how much peonies have changed, planting and caring for them in the open field have not changed much since then.

In order to enjoy the lush carved foliage and spectacular flowering year after year, the summer resident will have to master all the intricacies of agricultural technology and find out the preferences of these amazing ornamental plants.

All pion species that exist in nature come from Eurasia and the American continent, represented by herbaceous perennials and subshrubs. AT Russian gardens plants have long proved their unpretentiousness and the ability to grow and bloom in one place from 10 to 20 years without a transplant.

A place for planting and caring for peonies in the open field

The place for planting peonies is chosen so that the plant is as comfortable as possible for not only one season, but also several years. Since this culture belongs to light and heat-loving, up to 3 hours a day it can endure a transparent garden shade, but is afraid of the cold wind and draft, the peony is selected according to its requirements and shaded for the hottest, midday hours.

For several years, the root system of peonies can deepen up to 70–80 cm. To simplify the care of peonies in the open field, before planting, pay attention to the danger of flooding the site and stagnant scarlet or groundwater. Constant moisture greatly increases the risk of root rot and the death of the entire bush.

Actively growing peonies need space, tightness leads to a deterioration in flowering, the appearance of diseases and pests.

Peony planting conditions:

Planting pits are made at a distance of at least 1–1.5 meters from shrubs and other perennial plants.
Leave a gap of at least 2-3 meters to the nearest tree.
Do not plant peonies directly under the walls of buildings and fences.
Between the bushes, depending on the type and variety, leave from 70 to 180 cm of free space.

A bright, wind-protected area has been found, it's time to take care of the soil in which the peony is to grow. The soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction should be loose, aerated, nutritious. Sandy soil is flavored with humus, peat, wood ash and deoxidized dolomite flour. Mix as needed garden soil. Dense clay soil can be made more airy with river sand and a small amount of peat. Sand structure the nutritious, but quickly caking chernozem.

Rules for planting peonies for outdoor care

Unlike many horticultural crops, when planting which it is important to leave the growth point at the level of the soil or above it, peonies are deeply buried. The buds, from which the stems will subsequently develop, are sunk into it by 3–7 cm, depending on the density of the soil.

If this is not done, the most sensitive and main part plants will be unprotected in the rain, snow and sun. However, even with an excessively deep planting of a peony in open ground, caring for it can be not only time-consuming, but also in vain. Such plants form lush foliage in spring, but bloom weakly or refuse to form buds at all.

Peony planting rules:

Planting pits for peonies are made up to 80 cm deep for tree plants and up to 60 cm for the more common herbaceous varieties. The width of the pit is 60 and 50 cm, respectively.
The bottom, in order to avoid stagnant water, is covered with drainage.
The pit is filled two-thirds with the prepared substrate, mixed with 100-150 grams of superphosphate, one spoonful of iron sulfate and liter jar bone meal or sifted wood ash.
When the straightened peony roots fall into the ground, they are covered with loose soil for another 15–20 cm so that the buds are securely hidden below the ground level.

Care for peonies in the open field in spring or autumn begins immediately after planting. The soil is carefully compacted and watered at the rate of 8-10 liters of water per bush. If the plants have autumn rooting and wintering ahead, they are densely mulched with a 10-centimeter layer of peat. With the onset of spring, perennial care continues.

Planting peonies in the ground: spring or autumn

The most convenient planting time for the grower and favorable for the peony is the beginning of autumn. By this time, the root system of the perennial is growing, and he himself is recovering after flowering and accumulating strength.

If you have to plant in the open field and care for peonies in the fall, it should be done 30–40 days before the onset of stable cold weather. In this case, an adult transplanted plant or a young seedling obtained from dividing a bush is guaranteed to take root and not freeze through in winter.

The timing of planting decorative perennials depends on the climate of a particular region. The shorter the summer, the earlier it is worth taking care of the preparation of pits and planting material.

Boarding times:

Planting pions in open ground in Siberia takes place in August, September and October, and in the northern regions it ends 1.5–2 months earlier than in the south.
In the Urals, where the weather is extremely changeable, seedlings are taken out into the ground from the second half of August to mid-September.
A week later, flowering perennials can be planted in the middle lane and in the North-West of the country.
And in the south of Russia, peonies can be planted without fear for the condition of the plant from September to mid-October.

When buying seedlings from a nursery or due to the early arrival of cold weather, planting is transferred to spring. Unfortunately, if the plants have an open root system, they do not tolerate such a procedure very well. Weakened peonies after wintering take a long time to acclimatize, and sometimes even for the whole summer they cannot recover.

To eliminate unpleasant consequences, planting peonies in the ground in the spring is carried out very early, in the soil moist after the snow melts, until hot weather, and the plants themselves did not grow.

The exception is peonies with a closed root system in containers. They can be safely planted from spring to autumn.

Care for peonies after planting in open ground

Vegetation of peonies begins in early May and ends in late autumn. Caring for peonies in the open field in spring begins with very careful loosening of the soil, watering if necessary, and fertilizing.

Peonies are watered infrequently, but very plentifully, in order to completely wet the earthen ball and the roots that have braided it. Since the plant has to grow foliage and prepare for flowering, the peony needs full mineral fertilizers and nitrogen.

Top dressing of peonies in the open field is done on wet ground. In order for the mixture to get to the suction roots faster, a shallow hole is made around the bush, at a distance of 10-15 cm, into which the solution is poured. In the summer, especially for young plants that have not reached the age of 3–4 years, foliar top dressing with urea is useful. They are applied three times with a frequency of 15–20 days from the moment the shoots appear.

During dry periods, peonies are watered at the rate of 10-15 liters per bush. It is especially important to maintain soil moisture in the first month after spring planting.

On the blooming peonies wilted flowers are regularly removed. On young plants, under 3 years old, all weak buds are also removed. All summer I weed the area under perennials, and in the fall, before the onset of cold weather, the shoots are cut off, and the soil is mulched. If the planting is carried out correctly, and the plants receive competent and sufficient care, the first flowering of the peony will begin in 2-3 years, gradually becoming brighter and more magnificent.

Planting a peony in autumn - video

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Peonies in the garden. Step-by-step preparation of tree peonies for winter

Peonies in garden design and in a bouquet

autumn planting

Location selection

Soil preparation

Necessary fertilizers

The subtleties of landing

Varieties and popular varieties of peonies

Treelike

herbaceous

Choosing healthy peony seedlings: the main selection criteria

The optimal place and soil for planting peonies

Planting peonies in open ground: step by step instructions

Care for peonies in the open field: mandatory activities

Root top dressing

What fertilizer to feed peonies

Mineral fertilizer Kemira (Fertika)

Organic fertilizer Baikal EM1

foliar top dressing

Peonies planting and care

Types and varieties of peonies

peonies photo

Peony planting and care in the open field

Peony care basics

Temperature and lighting

Soil composition requirements

Watering

top dressing

pruning

Preparing a peony for winter

Features of planting and caring for peony in Siberia, in the north

Reproduction of peonies

Features of caring for a peony by season

If the peonies don't bloom

Peony pests and diseases

Video tips: how to plant and care for peonies

plant homeland

General description of the flower

Complexity, whimsicality, availability of cultivation

Planting peonies in open ground. Optimal time

Planting a flower in autumn

Planting in the spring

Soil preparation and space in the garden

peonies care

spring care

autumn care

Top dressing and fertilizer

Watering

illumination

Temperature regime

Peony transplant

reproduction

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Propagation by root cuttings

Reproduction by seeds

peonies bloom

pruning

Preparing peonies for winter

Popular varieties of peonies

pion diseases

The main problems faced by novice flower growers

Why is the peony not growing?

Why is the peony not blooming

Why does the peony not rise

A place for planting and caring for peonies in the open field

Rules for planting peonies for outdoor care

Planting peonies in the ground: spring or autumn

Care for peonies after planting in open ground

Planting a peony in autumn - video

What else to read

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