Exhibition of peonies in the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University. tree peonies

From June 6 to June 27, the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University "Apothecary Garden" will host a colorful, fragrant and unprecedented event - the II annual "Month of Peonies and Irises".
The exposition of the largest exhibition of peonies and irises in Russia will be constantly updated - it will present over 200 varieties of irises and more than 300 varieties of peonies of early, medium and late flowering periods, which will smoothly replace each other. The peony program includes unique varieties of yellow herbaceous peonies, luxurious varieties of lactiflora peonies, white ITO hybrids and much more.

In addition, visitors will see at least 60 of the most spectacular peonies from the Dutch nursery Peony Shop. Each variety will feature dozens of cut flowers to showcase the lush bouquets in all their glory.
Peonies are one of the most fashionable and popular ornamental plants in Russia. In addition to peonies, the exhibition will feature medium-sized bearded irises of the Intermedia group and tall bearded irises. Flower growers pay great attention to variety testing of new world selections in the Moscow region, so guests will see both the most stable and well-established varieties, as well as new selections that demonstrate fashion trends in the world of irises. Visitors to the "Month of Peonies and Irises" will be able to compare the presented varieties in terms of decorativeness, choose the ones they like, get professional advice on the selection of resistant varieties recommended for the Moscow region, as well as on the cultivation and use of plants in garden design. In addition, the guests of the exhibition will make their choice in the traditional competition for the bluest iris and vote for the leader in the audience's sympathy.
There will be pleasant surprises too. The organizers of the exhibition are the section "Peonies" at the Club "Moscow Florists on Novinsky", the section "Irises" of the Club "Flowers of Moscow" and Yuri Bazhenov (Peony Shop). The Pharmaceutical Garden also has its own collection of peonies. Rare tree-like peonies open their huge buds at the end of May - double flowers reach 20 cm in diameter and have a wide variety of colors - from pearl to dark purple, from lemon yellow to dark orange with a burgundy edging. In the middle of the 20th century, it was here that the domestic selection of these amazing plants began and the first Russian varieties appeared. Now selection work continues on the main territory of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University on Sparrow Hills.
Address of the director of the Aptekarsky Ogorod Alexei Reteyum
- "Aptekarsky Ogorod" - the oldest botanical garden in Russia and the oldest division of Moscow State University with the status of a monument of history and culture of Moscow, a monument of gardening art of the XVIII century and a specially protected natural area. In addition, Aptekarsky Ogorod is the second most popular among parks and gardens in Moscow, and its Instagram is the most popular in the world among all botanical gardens and the most popular among all the sights of Russia. A green oasis in the center of the metropolis! Thanks to highly professional specialists, new botanical expositions are constantly created in the garden, and its collections become one of the best in the country. In 2017, we are not only celebrating the 311th anniversary of the garden, but also actively participating in the Year of the Environment in Russia, working with might and main to complete the already started projects and create new ones. Now the first stage of the reconstruction of the historic Subtropical greenhouse, which was closed more than 15 years ago, is nearing completion. Its ancient facade near the Mirror Canal is the main architectural landmark of the oldest botanical garden in Russia, which has become a hit on social networks. During the reconstruction process, we managed to preserve the unique historical architectural elements of the beginning and middle of the 19th century, which was highly appreciated by many of the largest modern architects, including Academician D. O. Shvidkovsky and Professor O. I. Yavein. Specialized excursions for architects and students are already being held in this greenhouse. Most likely, the Subtropical greenhouse will be opened to visitors at the end of 2017. It will be the largest in terms of area among all the greenhouses in the garden (more than 1000 square meters). Thanks to the huge variety of subtropical flora from all continents, this greenhouse will be even more spectacular and informative than the recently opened Victor Greenhouse with tropical water lilies and the large Palm Greenhouse, so beloved by visitors, where, since 2008, the Tropical Winter Festival has been held annually.

The Subtropical Greenhouse will feature 7 new exhibits:

1. Rhododendrons, camellias, citrus fruits and other plants of traditional winter gardens.
2. Deciduous subtropical forests with an undergrowth of palms and giant monocots.
3. Dry subtropics, plants from regions with a Mediterranean climate, including the Cape Floristic Region (South Africa).
4. Subtropical swamp forest
5. Mountain foggy forest.
6. Plants living on rocks.
7. Bamboo forest.

Already this year, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Singapore, on the initiative of the Singapore Embassy in Moscow, the Botanical Garden will be donated a collection of rare orchids, which should also be partially housed in the Subtropical greenhouse.
As part of the Year of Ecology announced by President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, the Botanical Garden has planned many events related to plants (festivals, exhibitions, lectures, seminars, master classes), as well as the opening of several new botanical expositions, the most important of which will be the exposition " Flora of Central Russia" - its grand opening will take place on Ecologist's Day, June 5, 2017 - and "Far Eastern Garden".
Among other things, in 2017, a microclonal plant propagation laboratory will be created in the Aptekarsky Garden, which will allow the garden to actively join the Noah's Ark project of Moscow State University in terms of in vitro propagation of rare plant species and their subsequent conservation outside of natural habitats (ex situ) with the possibility of their further reintroduction into nature.

Mass open-air flowering of rhododendrons, also called "pink trees"

Along with peonies, guests of the "Aptekarsky Garden" will be able to admire medium-sized and tall bearded irises.

Visitors to the "Month of Peonies and Irises" will be able to compare the presented varieties in terms of decorativeness, choose the ones they like, get professional advice on the selection of resistant varieties recommended for the Moscow region, as well as on the cultivation and use of plants in garden design. In addition, the guests of the exhibition will make their choice in the traditional competition for the bluest iris and vote for the leader in the audience's sympathy.

The collection of tree-like peonies and wild-growing species of herbaceous peonies (, ) (curated by Senior Researcher M.S. Uspenskaya) was established in the new territory of the Garden in 1967. Thanks to the developed method of seed propagation and agricultural technology, M.S. Uspenskaya, a lot of adult, abundantly flowering plants were grown, which adorned the parterre and lawns of the Garden. A large amount of experimental and collection material was focused on nurseries. Having collected an original collection of species and varieties of tree-like and herbaceous peonies, using various methods of selection work, incl. exposure to seeds of various doses of irradiation and treatment with chemical mutagens, carefully selecting seedlings for frost resistance, resistance to drought, fungal diseases and decorative qualities, she managed to obtain about 20 hybrids of tree-like peonies in 30 years of work, which are listed in the Catalog of varieties admitted to use in the production of the Russian Federation. Among the most decorative varieties, Vorobyovsky, Moscow University, Hoffman, Stefan, Peter the Great, V. Tikhomirov” “Tatiana”, “Muse” and some. etc. To date, M.S. Uspenskaya received 17 copyright certificates; . The results of many years of work with peonies are summarized by her in the book "Peonies" (2001).

From July 8 to July 16, the seventh annual exhibition "Peonies of the Northern Capital" will be held in the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great. On the last day of the exhibition, the Peony Festival is expected.

The summer of 2017 is becoming a real endurance test for all gardeners. Despite all the difficulties, the flower exhibitions of the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great will take place! Varietal peonies will be presented first, two weeks late. All flowers are grown in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region!

At the exhibition, visitors will be able to see a variety of varieties and get advice from leading collectors. Every day of the exhibition at 17:00 there will be a lecture by the curators of the exhibition. Flowers are cut, new varieties will be added daily in the order of flowering from early to late. In total, more than 200 varieties will be exhibited during the exhibition, including peonies with a Japanese flower shape.

The exhibition is decorated with works by St. Petersburg artists - oil painting and painting in the Chinese style guohua.

Working mode:

• from 8 to 11 July and from 13 to 16 July.
• Opening on July 8 at 12:00, all subsequent days the exhibition is open from 11:00 to 19:00.
• Wednesday, July 12 — the exhibition is closed for editing.
• Entrance from the embankment of the Karpovka River
• Cash desks from 10:00 to 19:00

Ticket price:

• for adult visitors - 200 rubles;
• for children over 4 years old and schoolchildren 100 rubles.
• Children under 4 years old are free.
• Tuesday and Thursday - reduced tickets for pensioners 100 rubles.

July 16 - Peony Festival

• adult ticket 400 rubles,
• children - 200 rubles.
• The ticket price includes admission to the exhibition and the greenhouse route.

More details can be found on the organizers' website.