Herbaceous peonies planting and care in the open field

Part 1. Herbaceous peonies - favorites for all time
Part 2. Features of growing herbaceous peonies

Herbaceous peonies of even the best varieties are one of the most unpretentious and persistent flowering perennials. Their cultivation is within the power of even inexperienced gardeners, and the requirements for the growing conditions of peonies are quite modest.

Content of the second part:

• Conditions necessary for herbaceous peonies
• Planting herbaceous peonies
• Humidity and watering requirements
• Rejuvenation, pruning and tying bushes
• Top dressing for herbaceous peonies
• Wintering herbaceous peonies
• Pest and disease control
• Reproduction of herbaceous peonies

Milk-flowered peony in the garden

The main thing to look for when choosing a place to plant a herbaceous peony is a sufficient amount of light. All herbaceous peonies are sun-loving plants, but they can put up with light shading at noon. Insufficient lighting affects the quantity and quality of flowers, so herbaceous peonies are best placed in well-lit places. In the shade, these perennials do not bloom at all, but they always retain the attractiveness of the bush.

Herbaceous peonies love sheltered and warm places. New varieties have increased shoot resistance, do not linger under the weight of inflorescences, but even they should be placed on areas protected from active drafts. It is worth remembering that, like roses, peonies need to ensure free air circulation around the bushes. Peonies are placed away from large plants, buildings, objects of small architecture - so that the plants grow and breathe freely.

It is better to select the soil for peonies from among fertile and well-developed substrates. For these perennials, loams are best suited - loose, fertile, fresh (or at least not too dry). Herbaceous peonies prefer a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction (the optimum pH is from 6 to 6.5).

Plants are able to put up with slightly acidic, but not extremely acidic soil, the reaction of which can be corrected in advance by adding lime. Peonies do not tolerate dampness, they are not suitable for areas with a high groundwater table, lowlands, places where there is a risk of water stagnation in spring. Compacted soils will not work for this perennial.

Planting herbaceous peonies

Preliminary soil preparation is carried out several weeks or a month before planting seedlings. On high-quality fertile soil for peonies, sufficiently deep digging and applying organic fertilizers to the soil (plants do not like manure, therefore compost or leaf humus is added to the soil). But usually the soil for planting peonies needs to be improved qualitatively.

There are many options for preparing soil mixtures, each of which provides the peonies with a sufficient level of nutrition and the "correct" soil texture:

1. The soil removed from the planting pits is mixed in equal proportions with compost, peat and sand, supplementing them with a standard portion of complete mineral or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers recommended by the manufacturer, and a handful of wood ash. If necessary, correct the texture of the soil with the addition of clay or sand.
2. The planting pits are filled with different soil mixtures: a mixture of garden soil with sand, peat, humus, taken in equal quantities, is poured into the planting hole at half or two-thirds of the height, adding double superphosphate to them to increase the nutritional value (200-250 g, can be replaced by twice as much amount of bone meal), iron vitriol (a tablespoon is enough for a planting pit), wood ash (a few handfuls or 3-4 glasses) and potassium carbonate (half a tablespoon). The planting hole is filled to the top with ordinary garden soil without impurities.
3. The planting hole is filled on top of the drainage with a layer of a mixture of compost, humus and a double portion of mineral fertilizers 20-30 cm high, and for planting and filling planting holes, they use ordinary soil, to which organic fertilizers are added.

Given the size of the rhizome and the plant's dislike of root injuries, planting holes for herbaceous peonies are dug in the same way as for planting large trees and shrubs - about 60-70 cm in width and depth. On damp soils or in places where there is a risk of water stagnation, a high layer of large drainage (at least 20 cm) is laid on the bottom of the planting pits.

The planting pits are filled with the selected mixtures, allowing them to compact and settle before planting. If the preliminary preparation was not carried out on time, then when filling the planting holes, it is necessary to spill and tamp the layers in order to avoid soil shrinkage during planting.

Planting dates for peonies are limited due to the rather early flowering period and the death of aerial parts for the winter. Plants are transplanted only after flowering and ripening of renewal buds and fruits, in early autumn (first and second decades of September) or at the end of August.

The distance when planting for herbaceous peonies is at least 1 m. Only this distance allows the bushes to develop freely and not bend, to form them dense, elegant and symmetrical.

Peonies do not like transplanting, therefore, being careful, careful handling of the roots when planting new bushes is the key to their health and longevity. Plants are placed on a sand cushion so that after the soil has settled, it is slightly deepened, focusing on the buds: they should be located 3-5 cm below the ground level. Deeper planting will lead to both a lack of flowering and plant health problems, and a higher planting will increase the risk of freezing.

Usually, the plant is installed at the soil level or slightly higher, which, after filling the holes with soil, watering and shrinking, allows you to get the desired depth. When planting, the soil is carefully poured and compacted by hand so that there are no voids between the roots.

The planting of peonies is completed with traditional abundant watering. With the onset of stable frost, the plants must be mulched for the winter.

Rhizome of an adult peony bush

Herbaceous peonies are quite stable and unpretentious, requiring minimal watering during the flowering period.

In fact, there are only two mandatory watering:

1. at the end of June, watering allows the peonies to form high-quality renewal buds;
2. at the end of August, watering stimulates the growth of strong adventitious roots.

But if there is a possibility, you can not be limited to only two waterings. Watering at the stage of budding and flowering, as well as during the period of active growth of leaves, allows you to get more effectively and luxuriantly flowering bushes. Watering is carried out only during droughts, compensating for the insufficient level of natural precipitation.

The plant does not tolerate waterlogging, stagnant water, therefore, one maintenance watering per week is enough. After flowering, peonies do not need to be watered, but these additional procedures allow you to keep attractive greens longer. The main thing is not to overdo it.

When conducting any watering on herbaceous peonies, it is important to ensure that the soil is soaked to the full root depth.Usually for each bush it is necessary to use not the standard 10 liters, but 2-3 buckets of water. Peonies are watered only in the evening, on days with high night temperatures, not with cold water. It is possible to simplify watering by additionally laying communications for "point" irrigation at the root or by creating watering holes.

Rejuvenation, pruning and tying bushes

Herbaceous peonies are durable, can delight for decades, but due to thickening and overgrowth, the quality of their flowering usually deteriorates with age, it begins to suffer on bushes older than 7-10 years. It is better to divide the bushes of varietal herbaceous peonies regularly, with a frequency of 1 time in 5-8 years. The division of the bushes is carried out only in late summer or early autumn.

Peony varieties with unstable shoots, as well as bushes growing in open areas, with the beginning of flowering under the weight of the heads, without timely garters, quickly fall apart and lose their attractiveness. Luxurious flowers lying on the ground are not the most pleasant sight. Therefore, at the beginning of the growth of peduncles and at the stage of budding, peonies are tied up so as not to allow the branches to bend, bend, break.

There are special supports on sale that are installed on the bush, but you can tie peonies to simple pegs installed along the perimeter of the bush, wrapping the bush with soft twine or cords in a circular manner at the budding stage and lifting the circle as the flowers bloom and flower stalks grow.

Support to keep the peony bush from falling apart

Removing flowers from peonies is carried out in different ways, depending on whether the flowers are cut into bouquets or left on the bush to reveal their full decorative effect:

1. For bouquets, branches are cut before they bloom, after coloring the outer petals in a color characteristic of the variety - in simple and semi-double varieties, or after opening, folding the lower petals - in densely double varieties. In any herbaceous peony, no more than half of all flowers can be removed, because pruning all shoots leads to a disruption in the process of laying renewing buds. Cut flowers with legs up to 40 cm long, be sure to leave a shoot with 2-3 leaves in the bush. Peonies are cut early in the morning, only on fine days, immediately placing the flowers in the water and coolness. For bouquets, the cuts are updated under water.
2. To obtain larger and higher quality flowers, you can remove the lateral buds, leaving only the central one on each shoot.
3. Withering flowers are cut after the petals begin to drop. It is impossible to leave withered flowers on the bush, as this greatly increases the risk of spreading diseases and infecting the plant. If you want to let the seeds ripen, then 1-2 flowers from the first are left on the bush, removing the rest. Cutting of faded peduncles is carried out not to the base, but leaving the leafy part of the shoots for the formation of buds.
4. On new bushes of peonies, for the first two years after planting, it is not advisable to allow flowering to form a powerful rhizome and strong renewal buds.

Pre-winter pruning of a peony is a mandatory measure. But it's not worth it too early. It is better to postpone pruning of peony bushes until the onset of stable frost. In plants, all aboveground parts are removed, leaving hemp 3-4 cm above the buds of renewal, almost at the level of the soil. All cut parts of herbaceous peonies are burned, not leaving on the site and not using for composting. It is advisable to sprinkle the remains of the bush with wood ash to prevent the spread of diseases.

Top dressing for herbaceous peonies

In order for the plant to please with a large number of flowers, to fully manifest its varietal properties, it is necessary to regularly replenish the level of nutrients in the soil. Herbaceous peonies are fed according to the standard method for all flowering plants, making three dressings per season:

1. At the beginning of active growth.For the first feeding, it is preferable to use nitrogen fertilizers to stimulate the rapid growth of shoots and leaves.
2. At the stage of budding. For the second feeding, complete mineral fertilizers are used in a standard amount.
3. At the peak of flowering. This top dressing can be replaced with two procedures - at the beginning of the opening of the first flowers and at the end of flowering. For these dressings, it is preferable to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

If herbaceous peonies are grown for cutting or varieties with unknown winter hardiness are grown, then instead of classical dressings, you can fertilize at the beginning of growth with nitrogen or full fertilizers, in June - with organic or complete mineral fertilizers, and in September - with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

Spraying with growth regulators and foliar feeding have a beneficial effect on the beauty of inflorescences and the general condition of plants. Such procedures are carried out only in summer and no more than 1 time per month. Young plants react especially well to foliar feeding.

Young bush of herbaceous peony

In addition to basic care procedures, it is worth including a few more agrotechnical techniques in the care program for herbaceous peonies:

1. mulching the soil, with the obligatory renewal of the mulch layer in the spring (it is advisable to use organic fertilizers or a mixture of soil and organic matter with a layer of up to 10 cm);
2. weeding, regular weed removal;
3. loosening the soil to maintain its water permeability, which is desirable after each irrigation or heavy rainfall.

Wintering herbaceous peonies

Despite the fact that garden peonies are considered winter-hardy plants, do not forget that their renewal buds are located high and are not protected by a sufficient layer of soil. Peonies winter well only under snow, so it is better to take timely measures and create an easy shelter that guarantees successful wintering even in snowless periods.

Peony is very dangerous for peonies, so leaves or straw for shelter are not used. It is best to create a thick layer of peat or compost mulch (at least 5-7 cm) over the bushes cut for the winter. But such a shelter is considered mandatory only for young and varietal peonies, the acclimatization of which (in the past) is unknown. Plants purchased from local nurseries in adulthood may not be covered at all.

In the spring, you should not rush to remove the layer of mulch: the shelter is removed only after the appearance of reddish sprouts and the beginning of the development of shoots. It is necessary to carry out the procedure for removing the shelter carefully, because young shoots are very fragile. After removing the shelter, the soil around the bush must be loosened.

Pruning peonies for the winter

Gray rot is especially common on herbaceous peonies, which is considered the main reason for the loss of these herbaceous perennials. The slightest deviation in soil characteristics towards compaction, acidic reaction or excess nitrogen dramatically increases the risk of damage to bushes. But besides gray rot, common diseases of garden plants are not so rare on herbaceous peonies - from spotting to stem and root rot, powdery mildew and even rust.

For unstable varieties of herbaceous peonies, the surest way to avoid problems is timely and regular prevention. Enough annual treatment with a solution of copper sulfate (from rust - a vigorous mixture, from powdery mildew - colloidal sulfur) or a systemic fungicide to protect plants from infection. Fighting on infected bushes is a long and not always successful process. To cope with this problem, systemic fungicide treatments and preventive treatments in early spring are necessary.

Pests on herbaceous peonies are less common. But aphids, mites and thrips can cause as much harm as disease. It is better to fight insect pests with systemic insecticides at the frequency and concentration recommended by the manufacturer.

Reproduction of herbaceous peonies

Like any other peonies, varieties of herbaceous peonies can be propagated both by seed and vegetative methods.

The easiest way is to get the offspring of herbaceous peonies, completely preserving all the characteristics of the original plant, with the rejuvenation of the bushes and the planned separation. Separate only those herbaceous peonies that develop at least 7 full-fledged shoots and have full flowering for several years.

The optimal timing for separation coincides with the timing of planting - from the second half of August to the end of September. Before starting to dig, it is worth cutting off all the shoots of the plant, leaving not very short, about 15 cm long, hemp on all stems.

Dividing a herbaceous peony bush

The procedure itself is slightly complicated by the fragility of the root system of peonies:

1. The bushes are dug out very carefully, with a large earthy clod, trying not to damage the young and old roots. It is best to take out the bush, first digging it over a wide radius, and then - removing a very large earthen lump.
2. Depending on the condition of the soil, it is gently shaken off or washed off with a gentle stream of water, exposing the rhizome for inspection. After removing the main soil, the bush is carefully examined and left to dry for several hours.
3. A dried bush with a sharp knife or other sharp instrument is divided so that at least 2-3 shoots, 3 renewal buds and strong new roots remain in each part (the optimal size of the separated rhizome is about 10-15 cm). Both large and small parcels, like the whole bushes, do not take root well and require careful maintenance.
4. Each division is examined, removing damaged areas of the roots. All cuts and breaks on the plant must be treated with ash or special preparations for treating wounds. Before planting, it is better to soak the plants in solutions of fungicides, and then - rooting stimulants, but such treatment is not considered mandatory. Soaking is carried out before pruning.
5. The planting of herbaceous peonies is carried out according to the same rules as the planting of peonies in general. Plants separated at the end of summer take root well and grow actively, but they will bloom only in the second or third year after transplantation (even if the bushes release flowers in the first or second year, it is better not to allow them to bloom in order to get larger and more abundant ones in the third year flowers).

Also, herbaceous peonies are propagated in another vegetative way - by root cuttings or individual stems with a bud and roots. Small pieces of rhizome with one dormant bud at the base of a single shoot are separated from the bushes. This procedure is best done not in early autumn, but in July, immediately shortening the shoot to 2 - 3 leaves.

Seedlings are rooted like ordinary cuttings in seedling beds (without a cap, but with constant care). For the winter, the plants are covered with a thick layer of mulch, and then peonies are grown for several years, receiving flowering plants only in the fifth year after rooting.

Seed propagation is a method that is used only in the selection of herbaceous peonies and is very rarely used in private gardens (in contrast to tree-like counterparts and species plants). But if you want to try your hand at breeding new peonies, then it is better to sow before winter. Peonies will bloom only in the fourth or fifth year.

The first part of the material: Herbaceous peonies are favorites of all time

The Chinese are sure that the gods themselves patronize the cultivation of these flowers. Peonies: planting and care in the open field - how to do it right.

Description: varieties and varieties of peony

Luxurious peonies familiar to everyone with a magnificent aroma bloom in spring. Blossoming usually coincides with graduation parties in schools. The last hours of school are saturated with sadness and the piercing, intoxicating scent of these beautiful plants.

Maryin root

The known flowers belong to herbaceous varieties, which are subdivided in turn:

1. Dodging peonies - this group includes Maryin root.
2. Medicinal peonies. Varieties of this group of species are subshrub plants and Lemoine peonies, which belong to tree peonies.
3. White-flowered (double and non-double forms, Japanese, anemone).
4. Terry (crown, pink, spherical, hemispherical, etc.).

Herbaceous peonies

Peonies of unusual cream color

The cultivation of herbaceous peonies is not difficult: perennial plants can do without transplanting for over 20 years.

Important! A correctly chosen place for planting peonies is a guarantee of exuberant flowering of perennial bushes.

Modern herbaceous peonies are bred by breeders in a wide variety of shapes and colors. There are over 5,000 varieties of this crop. Usually the plant height is from 0.3 to 1.5 m. The diameter of the flower is slightly different in different honeycomb species. The color of the petals of herbaceous peonies is of all shades of pink, white, burgundy-red.

The appearance of the bush, even without flowers, already serves as a decoration for the site. The leaves of peonies are juicy green on long petioles, form lush spreading bushes that look great both in individual plantings and when decorating compositions in landscape design.

Peonies of the following types are successfully used for outdoor gardening:

• Vitmana - the petals are yellowish;
• Milk-flowered peony - white petals; the middle part of the flower is open; stamens are yellow;

Milk-flowered peony

• Medicinal peony - ruby ​​red petals;
• Thin-leaved peony - dark red petals with shades;
• Maryin root is a flower with dark purple petals.

There is a classification of herbaceous peonies by the height of the bush, which includes 4 groups: low (height up to 60 cm); medium (up to 80 cm); tall (up to 1 m); giants (up to 1.5 m).

In addition, herbaceous peonies differ in the duration and timing of flowering: early; medium, medium late; late varieties. Planting peonies of different flowering periods on the site will allow you to have plants flowering for 2 months.

Peony flowers differ not only in the shape, shade of the petals, the timing of flowering, but even in the shape of the stamens.

Tree peonies

Treelike peonies form a special group of plants. These plants are widespread in eastern countries - in China and Japan. In recent years, this species has been cultivated in our country when grown in the open field.

Tree peony

Unlike herbaceous peonies, tree varieties do not have dying shoots. The height of the tree peony bush can reach 2 m.

Decorative tree peonies are divided into 3 groups:

• Plants with double flowers (Sino-European varieties). These peonies have a wide range of petal colors. Terry buds, heavy flowers. With the abundant flowering of peonies of this group, the plant droops under the weight of the buds, therefore, the installation of supporting supports is often required: this somewhat reduces the decorative effect of the bush.

Terry peony

• Yellow and Delaway hybrid peonies. Peonies belonging to this group are widely used in landscape design. This is due to the fact that the flowers are colored yellow, which is rare for peonies. Bright flowers in combination with openwork foliage serve as a decoration for garden areas.

Hybrid yellow peony

• Japanese varietal peonies (with double and semi-double flowers). These plants with light colors of different shades are gaining more and more popularity in the arrangement of flower beds.

Japanese terry peonies

Tree peonies grow more slowly than herbaceous ones, so the price of planting material is somewhat more expensive.

Currently, breeders have bred a large number of varietal tree-like peonies that can not only bloom beautifully, but also withstand the harsh Russian winters.

Planting a plant

Planting peonies in the open field is most favorable in early autumn. During the growing season, the peonies have grown stronger, the plant has formed many new roots, which increases the chances of survival of the bushes.

Transplanting peonies in the fall. An open, sunny place is suitable for peonies. Given that the plant has been developing in one place for many years, a sufficient distance between the bushes should be provided. Wetlands or places with high groundwater levels are not suitable for planting crops.

Planting a peony bush in a permanent place

The plant is planted in a pre-prepared hole. For this, the garden soil must be selected to a depth of 1-2 shovel bayonets. The pit needs to be filled with a fertile soil mixture: peat, humus, turf soil and sand are mixed in equal parts. 1 cup of double superphosphate, 0.5 liters of ash and iron vitriol (1 tablespoon) are added to the mixture for planting peonies.

For better survival of peony bushes, it is required to treat the plant roots with a special clay talker, which consists of natural clay, 2 tablets of heteroauxin and copper sulfate. A liquid clay dough is kneaded, into which the root system of a peony cut is dipped when planting in the open field. This operation increases the survival rate of young peony plants in a new place.

Important! Peony roots are very fragile. Transplanting plants with a high degree of care is required.

Young plants are not buried - the upper buds are covered with soil only 3-5 cm. The first watering of the planted divisions should be abundant. The top of the planting pit is mulched with peat chips or garden soil - it is important to maintain soil moisture for better root survival.

Planting peonies in spring - will not cause problems if the rules are followed.
There is an opinion that planting peonies in the open field in the spring is fraught with great difficulties and setbacks. Plants that have started to grow get sick longer, often the death of the transplanted plants occurs.

Important! A spring crop transplant should be planned as early as possible. Transplanting peonies in the spring should be carried out in early April, immediately after the snow melts.

Before planting, pits are dug, the depth of which is at least 70 cm, and the diameter is over 0.5 m. Drainage from fine gravel and coarse sand is laid at the bottom of the pit. The pit is filled with a fertile nutrient mixture with the addition of fertilizers. The plant is dug up with a clod of earth, located in a hole strictly vertically. It is not allowed to cover the upper buds with soil at a distance of more than 10 cm.

Peony bush before transplanting

Subject to the rules of spring transplantation, the plants start growing together, grow well in summer and begin to bloom the next year.

Plant care

Caring for peonies is reduced to regular watering, loosening the soil under the bushes and timely feeding.

Peonies require at least 5 hours of sunlight a day. When shaded, they bloom poorly, stagnate and get sick, so you need to monitor the growth of nearby plants, the shade of which can interfere with the growing season of peony bushes.

Inspect peony bushes regularly for disease

You cannot grow a crop in one place for over 10 years. Peonies become smaller, flowering decreases and the development of diseases is observed.

To preserve the decorative effect of the peony bush, it is required to periodically remove faded peduncles and damaged leaves.
To increase the size of the flower, it is useful to leave one central bud on the peduncle, plucking out the rest.

Reproduction of a peony

Reproduction of peony bushes is allowed to be done vegetatively (by dividing the bush, cuttings, layering, grafting) and seeds.

Each method has its positive and negative sides. So, reproduction by grafting is justified on rare, expensive varieties of tree peonies.

Split peony bushes

The easiest way to get new plants is to divide the peony bushes.It should be remembered that good planting material is obtained by dividing healthy, mature bushes older than 5 years.

Reproduction of a tree peony by layering allows you to quickly get young plants that correspond to the variety. A mature and strong shoot with several buds is selected for layering. Rooting is carried out in wet moss, sand or soil, it is sometimes useful to use a greenhouse.

Seed propagation is most common in breeding work and breeding new varieties.

Fertilizing and feeding peony

The cultivation of lush peony bushes, pleasing to the eye with annual exuberant flowering, directly depends on what kind of care is provided to the plant. One of the necessary measures to maintain the health and full flowering of the plant is the introduction of dressings, which are divided into two types: foliar and root.

Foliar feeding of peonies

Fertilization of crops with foliar feeding is carried out by spraying the nutrient solution over the green mass of the plant. The greatest effect of this procedure is observed when spraying plants in the early morning hours or in cloudy weather.

Foliar dressing is spraying the ground part of the plant with nutrients from a spray bottle

During the summer period, three foliar feeding of peonies with various fertilizers is carried out:

• 1st feeding is carried out by spraying the plants with a urea solution;
• 2nd feeding is carried out using urea mixed with mineral fertilizers;
• The 3rd feeding of peonies is carried out with a solution of mineral fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers: mullein (1:10 dilution) or bird death (1:25 dilution), are used for adult plants during the budding period.

Root feeding of peonies

Root feeding of peony bushes

The introduction of nutrients under the peony bushes during the growing season is carried out 3 times:

1. During March-April, fertilization of plantings of peonies is carried out by the introduction of mineral fertilizers (scattered over the top layer of the soil). Melt snow water gradually dissolves the fertilizer granules, which slowly penetrate through the soil to the roots.
2. Summer dressing of bushes is carried out 2 times per season, while dry fertilizer is scattered under the bushes on the ground and watered abundantly.

Diseases and pests

The decorative qualities of peonies suffer greatly from diseases and pests that affect plants, especially if the agricultural technology of growing crops is not followed.

Among diseases of peonies fungal and viral diseases are leading: rust, gray rot, leaf spot, circular leaf mosaic.

Peony spotting

Diseases can be prevented by providing careful planting care: timely watering and periodic loosening of the soil, the introduction of the necessary fertilizers, the timely removal of dead plant parts. With a high level of groundwater, reliable drainage should be provided, which will save the long roots of peonies from getting wet.

Fungicide treatment will help prevent the development of fungal diseases. Excellent results are observed with early spraying of plants with Bordeaux mixture or systemic fungicides. For the prevention of leaf mosaic, peony bushes should be treated with Alirin.

Preparation of a composition for combating diseases of peonies

Peonies get damaged plant pests: aphids, bronzes, beetles, root nematodes and caterpillars. For pest control, iron and copper sulfate, green soap, karbofos, fufanon, actellik and other preparations are used.

The destruction of beetles and caterpillars is most reliable to carry out manually, carefully examining each bush of peonies.

Timely care of the plant will ensure its long life and lush flowering.

Peonies: combination with other plants

Taking into account that the peony is a perennial plant, the root system of which is quite delicate, when planting in open ground, it should be provided for the proximity to suitable perennials.Companion flowers should be in harmony with peonies in color. So, lilac veronica, oak sage, catnip, popovnik or cuff are suitable for white or pale pink peonies. A perfect combination is achieved by planting peonies next to miniature conifers. Growing perennial plants next to peony bushes should not oppress the bushes and interfere with the formation of the root system.

Peonies in the flowerbed

A great combination is achieved by planting peonies next to hosts, but remember that the hosta cannot tolerate long-term exposure to sunlight. Such a neighborhood is possible with light shading, on the eastern side of the site.

Peonies in landscape design

Peonies are so decorative that single plantings of plants are pleasing to the eye on their own. In landscape design, planting peony bushes on an emerald lawn is appropriate. Peonies look great next to perennial shrubs.

Peonies in landscape design

The design of the territories should take into account the short flowering period of peonies, provide for planting bright, blooming summer crops next to the bushes. Growing peonies is a fun and affordable activity even for a novice florist.

Planting a peony: video

Peony varieties: photo

The herbaceous peony belongs to plants that delight with their flowering in the first half of summer. As soon as the land in the personal plot warms up a little, reddish thickened sprouts can be observed on its surface after a short period of time.

Initially, they do not differ in large size, but very soon they turn into tall and strong stems, on which buds are formed.
There are also such peonies, whose inflorescences can reach up to 20 cm in diameter.

Those who adore them for their abundant flowering and lush bush, strive to extend the time of enjoying their view and plant varieties of different flowering periods in flower beds.

Herbaceous peonies most often come in the following colors:

• white;
• red;
• yellow;
• pink.

Peony care

Gardeners love peonies because they are perennial plants that do not require special maintenance conditions. In order to enjoy its lush bushes for a long time, the flower must be watered abundantly (after all, the tuberous roots are at a depth) and the peri-stem space must be loosened.

In early spring, when the vegetative period of peonies is just beginning, it is recommended to feed the plants with a nitrogen-containing complex. Secondary feeding will be appropriate during the period of bud formation, only this time it will be necessary to choose a phosphorus fertilizer.

In order for the bushes to bloom longer, you need to get rid of the fading shoots with a knife.

The third time to fertilize the peony bushes is necessary after flowering, when the plant will need potassium and phosphorus.

All types of herbaceous peonies can suffer from diseases, among which gray rot is common. Moreover, any part of the plant is affected by the fungus:

• trunk;
• foliage;
• inflorescence;
• roots.

In the event that this disease was found on the bush, it is necessary to remove all damaged areas with a sharp knife and disinfect the plant with a preparation containing copper.

It is recommended to use foundation, HOM or Bordeaux mixture. And for preventive measures, spraying three times per season.

In the autumn, the ground part of the peonies must be cut. Peonies do not need shelter for the winter, as they steadily survive the cold. Only in their first wintering, young plants are recommended to be insulated with a covering material.

Reproduction of peonies

Those who have conceived to propagate this flower with the help of seeds that ripen in capsules in the place of the former bud are advised to abandon it. At the same time, the varietal characteristics of the peony are most often not preserved, and it will take at least five years to wait for flowering.

The best way to breed peonies is by root division. It is better to do it in the fall or at the end of August.

The roots are dug up when the bushes are subject to renewal.The need for this arises when peonies grow in one place for a very long time and flowering becomes scarce.

The bushes are carefully removed from the soil, cleaned of soil residues. The roots are washed with water and divided into several parts. Each new rhizome should have buds and adventitious roots.

A suitable process is a cutting with five buds, 7-10 cm long, which has three adventitious roots.

You can also get a full-fledged peony bush from a small cutting that has at least one developed bud with several dormant ones. But these processes will take longer to develop.

Before planting, all delenki must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

If they were purchased at a retail outlet, then the time for planting such a plant should be selected at the end of September or at the beginning of October.

Prepare a planting pit for a herbaceous peony in advance. Rotted manure and superphosphate fertilizers should be added to the bottom of the soil. It will be useful to mix a little wood ash into the soil.

The planting depth of the peony should have a five-centimeter layer of soil above the upper bud, since with excessive deepening, the plant will bloom sparsely, and if the buds are insufficiently covered, the roots may freeze in winter.

Peony growth

Since in the early years the herbaceous peony is actively building up its root system, a full-fledged and lush bush will not grow soon. But the fact that young shoots appear on the surface of the soil in their first spring can be considered a successful beginning of the development of a peony. Also, young plants can not be fertilized in the first year of life. Abundant watering and regular loosening of the soil is all that a young herbaceous peony needs.

Even if buds begin to appear on young bushes, they must be destroyed. The plant should not be weakened by flowering to the detriment of the normal development of the root system.

In the second year, herbaceous peonies can be fertilized, but the amount of dressing should be small. On a bush this year, you can leave one or two buds, cutting off the rest. During this period of development, new buds are formed in the root system, from which new shoots will grow the next year.

Caring for young plants is no different from looking after adults: they should also be watered throughout the season, destroyed nearby weeds, and loosened around the bush.

These vigorous, long-lasting flowering shrubs will always be in demand by flower growers.

In nature, you can count about 40 species of peonies and do not count the number of varieties. Everyone chooses a new plant for themselves, starting from color, aromas, sizes of inflorescences.

Tree peonies

One of the extraordinary creations of nature is the tree-like peony. It is not for nothing that this plant bears the name of the aristocrat of the garden of a house in the village.

The tree peony is both a shrub and a flower at the same time.

One has only to plant this plant in your personal plot, and you can get an ornamental shrub lush with inflorescences. The tree-like peony can grow up to 2 meters in height.

It all depends on the fertility of the soil, the year of life and care.
These flowering plants are long-lived.

These shrubs can grow in one place for 90-150 years. The most ancient long-liver is the tree-like peony, which is 300 years old.

The peony grows slowly and as it grows, every year it gives 10-70 inflorescences, and sometimes hundreds. Flowers are most often in the form of a ball or bowl. They decorate the bush for about two weeks.

Among the gardeners who care for the tree peony, hybrid varieties are the most common. They have long feathery leaves and flowers up to 25 cm in diameter. Dwarf tree peonies are also in demand.

Tree peonies requirements

For the normal maintenance of tree peonies, it is desirable to provide them with a place with sufficient light and protected from drafts. If a peony bush is located under the shade of a small tree, it receives scattered sun baths and blooms longer.But in the open air, the bushes bloom more abundantly.

The soil under the peonies should be fertilized, drained and alkaline.

If there is a need to transplant a plant or plant a new one in your personal plot, then the most favorable time for this is the period from late August to mid-September. Also, a tree peony can be planted in early spring, but it must be borne in mind that in this case it will be most vulnerable to frost.

A planting hole for a flower is prepared in advance. She is given the shape of a cone. The base should be twice the diameter at the surface.

Landing principle

First, a thick drainage layer (broken brick, gravel and sand) must be poured onto the bottom. Then all this should be filled with humus. At the end, place the root of the bush there and sprinkle with the top fertile layer of soil.

If severe winters are raging in the region, then flower growers recommend performing a protective dry shelter. Especially young plants or recently planted shrubs need this. The following can be used as a covering material:

• spruce branches;
• reed;
• dry needles.

After wintering, in April, the plant is examined and all dry branches are removed.

There is a place for these beautiful plants in any garden. They look gorgeous against the backdrop of lawns, even at the moment when the flowering has passed. Landscape designers note the demand for this shrub, meet their customers halfway and use the tree peony in both single and group plantings.

Why peonies don't bloom

During flowering, the peony bush is very lush greenery and lush, bright inflorescences with a heady aroma. But it also happens that some owners of a house in the village do not have peonies in bloom.

The first reason for the lack of flowering may be the wrong planting site. A place that is too shady, with stagnant moisture, is not suitable for a peony. Also, this plant will not bloom luxuriantly near tall trees and shrubs.

The acidity of the soil should not be higher than 6.5.

The planting depth of the peony bush is of great importance. If the plant is planted too shallow, its buds will not be protected by soil and may suffer from frost in winter. Conversely, planting too deep prevents flowering. The best option is to deepen the buds of the peonies, which are located at the base of its stems five cm into the ground.

Also, the reason for the lack of flowering of peonies can be errors in feeding. If the soil is poor in trace elements, the bushes of this plant will bloom, but sparsely and in small inflorescences. And with an overabundance of fertilizers, they will acquire too violent green mass, but flowering may not come at all.

Therefore, in order for the plant to please its owners with an abundance of flowers, it is necessary to fertilize with nitrogenous fertilizers during budding and foliage growth.

If the weather is too dry on the street and the plant needs watering, but it is not possible to provide it in the required amount, the peonies will bloom very poorly. They especially need moisture during the laying of buds.

One large bush requires three buckets of liquid.

Reasons for a few blooms

Gardeners make the mistake of pruning the foliage from the bushes too early. Many motivate this by the fact that they make room for other flowering plants. But this cannot be done, since from the lack of foliage the bush will not receive adequate nutrition and the process of budding for the next year will be disrupted.

Too deep cut of flowers for bouquets can lead to similar results.

Untimely transplantation of a peony bush can be another reason why there will be no flowering.

You need to transplant the peony bush in August. If it was transplanted in early spring, then you need to take it for granted that this year it will not bloom.

Another reason for the lack of flowering of peonies is the aging of the bush. The situation can be corrected by planting young shoots.After a three-year period, they will gain strength and bloom.

The peony variety purchased in spring is recommended to be planted in a flower pot and deepened into the ground at the planned location until August.

For those who love flowering peonies, you can significantly increase the size of the inflorescences by watering the bushes twice with a solution of urea. The proportions of 1/10 are the most optimal.

Once the plants have bloomed, they need to be supported by feeding. This will help the peony bushes to form the required number of replacement buds for the next flowering. You can use as fertilizer:

• urea;
• potassium sulfate;
• organic fertilizers.

As soon as the snow melts, the soil of the peonies must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. It will significantly accelerate plant growth, bud formation and disinfect the soil.

At the end of September, foliage is cut from the flowers flush with the ground. If the region has a harsh climate, then the roots are insulated.

Growing beautiful peonies in the garden

Peonies (lat. Paeonia) are decorative garden perennials, characterized by lush and fragrant flowering. In total, there are about 40 species in the culture. In modern floriculture, peonies are divided into two groups - herbaceous, in which the leaves and stems die off every season; and tree-like, preserving the terrestrial part all year round.

Herbaceous peony - cultivar EDULES SUPERBA

Today the collection of flower culture consists of more than 5 thousand varieties. About 500 varieties of domestic and foreign selection are cultivated on the territory of Russia.

Yellow Grown hybrid peony

These plants reach a height of 60 to 100 cm. They have powerful roots and large dark green leaves. They can be of a wide variety of colors and shades: from pure white to burgundy with a white core.

Peony planting technology

Peonies are very popular among gardeners due to the variety of colors and delicate aroma of flowers. They are quite unpretentious; if desired, any florist can grow them on his site. The main thing is to prepare the ground and land in the right place, adhering to generally accepted technology.

Multi-petaled peony Dolorodell cultivar

Seat selection

A perennial peony can be grown for decades without replanting. But, if he does not like the landing site, he will have to wait for flowering for a very long time.

Peonies, the planting of which consists of several stages, do not tolerate tightness, it is not advisable to plant them near fences and walls of buildings. This culture prefers open, flat terrain, well lit by the sun. The more light falls on the bush, the better it will bloom. In shady areas, peonies stretch out, and flower stalks bend from heavy buds and break.

When choosing a place, consider at what depth the groundwater is located. If at a level of 1 m or more, this can cause root rot and the death of the bush.

Preparing a pit for planting peonies

Peonies thrive on fertile soils, but prefer light loam with good drainage. The landing sites are prepared in advance - 15-20 days in advance, so that the substrate dries up and becomes denser.

On heavy, clayey soils, the pit is prepared 60 cm deep, and on light and loose ones - 50 cm, with a diameter of 60 by 70 cm, this depth will allow the bushes to quickly form strong roots that go deep into the soil.

Preparing a planting pit for peonies

When digging, a 20 cm layer of soil is laid separately, it is used to fix the plant. The bottom of the pit is laid out with expanded clay for drainage of water (can be replaced with broken brick or gravel).

Next, you need to add complementary foods. For its preparation, 300 grams of ash, 100 grams of potassium sulfate, and 100 grams of double superphosphate are added for 5-6 kg of humus. Peonies require medium acidity, ph value 6.5. If it is necessary to deoxidize the soil, add a liter of lime mixture (a kilogram of lime per bucket of water).

Planting peonies in autumn

The optimal time for planting herbaceous peonies in open ground is late summer and early autumn (from August 15 to September 5). It is better not to postpone the dates, since the flower will not have time to take root before the onset of stable cold weather.

Planting peonies in open ground

It is important to observe the depth when landing. It is recommended to place root tubers in the pit in this way: the upper bud of rhizome growth should be 3-5 cm below the soil surface.

To maintain the planting depth, you should use a special boarding board. During the process, the board is installed over the pit and, adhering to the planned values, planting is carried out. If the flower is deepened more, it is fraught with the weakness of the plant, which will lead to poor flowering and frequent diseases.

The seedlings are placed in planting holes, the roots are spread. Then they are covered with a mixture of soil and compost, mixed in equal parts. In this case, the plant is shaken a little in order to prevent the formation of voids between the layers of the soil mixture.

Peony flowers - planting and care, photo

When the planting of peonies in summer is completed, the earth is compacted with hands around the stem. Watered, spending 5-6 liters of water for each bush.

For herbaceous varieties, the optimal distance between bushes is 0.8-1.2 meters.

Herbaceous peonies: planting in spring and care

They start landing in the 2nd decade of April, until the air warms up above plus 10 grams. Celsius. At elevated temperatures, the buds immediately begin to grow, which significantly reduces the survival rate.

Pits for peonies are dug and prepared in advance, as soon as the snow melts. The rest of the procedure is the same as for the autumn-summer planting.

After planting, it is necessary to observe the plant and its adaptation. The lower leaves may wilt and need to be pinched off before they are affected by disease.

Herbaceous peonies - planting and care, photo

Features of planting a tree peony

Peonies of the tree group are classified as tall shrubs growing in height from 1.5-2 meters with straight massive light brown shoots. It is characterized by openwork feathery leaves and large flowers up to 25 cm in diameter. It blooms 10-15 days earlier than the herbaceous species, and is distinguished by relative frost resistance. Subject to the rules of care, it can be grown without transplanting from 20 to 50 years.

Tree peony - planting and care in the open field

A tree-like peony is planted using the same technology as a herbaceous one. Basically, they choose the period from September 1 to 15. The main difference between planting two types of plants is their size. For tree peonies, the distance between the bushes and to the nearest buildings or other plants should be 1.2-1.5 meters; a pit for them is prepared 10 cm larger in diameter and deeper.

Growing peonies in the open field

Planting and caring for peonies consists in observing all the rules of cultivation, organizing regulatory moisture and aeration of the soil, full dressing, as well as protection from parasites and infections.

Peony care during flowering

Watering and loosening the soil

Peonies are moisture-loving. They especially need watering during the period of bud formation. From April to June, if the summer is sultry, watering is organized once a decade, 20 liters per square meter. Due to this periodicity, plants form good renewal buds.

During and after flowering, it is watered less often - twice a month, but more abundantly, making 1 sq.m. planting 40 liters of water. The soil in the near-trunk circles, as soon as the shoots appear, is constantly kept in a loose state. Loosen the soil carefully, not deeply, and not close to the roots, so as not to damage them.

Top dressing

In the first year after planting, young peonies, planting and caring for which does not cause difficulties, practically do not require additional fertilizing. During this period, the roots are actively developing, but poorly assimilate mineral fertilizers. It is recommended to make only foliar top dressing with Kemir or Baikal-M complex fertilizers.

In the spring, during active leaf growth (April and May), plants are sprayed with a solution of Agricola, according to the instructions for use. In mid-June, Ideal fertilizer is applied (2 tablespoons per bucket of water).

From the second year of life, the plants are fed systematically. In May, as soon as the leaves begin to bloom, humus or compost is embedded in the soil around the bush. As root dressings, I use nitrogen fertilizers, for example, urea diluted in water at the rate of 1 tbsp. 10 liters.

During the formation of peduncles, liquid organic matter (preferably mullein) is introduced with the addition of 1 tbsp. nitrophosphate on a bucket of working solution. Additionally, the leaves and buds are sprayed with the Bud preparation, and 1-2 glasses of ash are added to the trunk circles.

After flowering - in early August, plants are watered with a solution of superphosphate and potassium sulfate, 1 tbsp each. each on a bucket of water.

Peony care during flowering

As a rule, peonies begin to bloom from the age of three. As soon as the buds reach the size of a pea, the plants are stepchild - pluck out the side shoots, leaving one central one on each stem. To stimulate lush bloom.

Installation of supports for peonies

Most varieties form large inflorescences, the bushes often do not withstand their weight and lodge, especially during the rainy season. To support the plants, metal or plastic supports are installed. Faded peduncles are cut off at a level of 15 cm from the ground.

Pruning herbaceous and treelike peonies

Pruning of peonies is started 14 days after flowering. It is not recommended to prune only faded bushes, otherwise they will not have time to form buds for flowering next year. Faded peduncles are cut off at a level of 15 cm from the ground.

Pruning peonies after flowering

In late autumn, as soon as the first frost hits, all the stems of the herbaceous peonies are cut off, leaving the cuttings 10 cm from the ground. The cut leaves and stems are removed and burned. And the soil in the trunks is sprinkled with humus and ash.

Treelike peonies are pruned in spring, in April. Dry and damaged branches are removed, and old ones are shortened by 10 cm. Shoots affected by frost are cut to a living bud. Once every 10 years, the rejuvenation of the bush is carried out, cutting off all the shoots to the base.

Protection from pests and diseases

The main disease of peonies is gray rot, it occurs if the soil under them is swampy, damp or acidic. An overabundance of nitrogen-containing substances can also be the cause of root decay.

To prevent disease in April or October, the bushes are sprayed with copper sulfate, 100 g per bucket of water. Before the peonies are planted in the ground, plots of rhizomes for 5 minutes. placed in a solution of the root formation stimulator Kornevin.

Another common flower disease is powdery mildew. From it, the plants are sprayed with colloidal sulfur, dissolving 40 g of the drug in 10 liters of water.

Powdery mildew on peony leaves

Against rust, they are treated with Topaz fungicide or Bordeaux mixture - 100 g of concentrate are diluted in 10 liters of water.

Pests

Most often, peonies are annoyed by ticks, aphids and thrips. To combat them, the following drugs are used - Fitoverm, Agroverin and Confidor according to the instructions.

Methods and rules for breeding peonies

There are several methods by which herbaceous peonies are bred and propagated, planting and care in the open field is possible regardless of the method chosen. Basically, they choose to divide the bush and germinate cuttings, less often by layering.

Seed propagation is used only for the purpose of obtaining new varieties and forms in breeding farms. In gardening, it is not practiced, since varietal characteristics with seeds are practically not transmitted, and flowering occurs only 6-7 years after sowing.

Layers

Thus, bushes that have reached 6 years of age are propagated. Vertical layering is done in April when buds begin to develop.During the season, the bush is well looked after: they spud with fertile soil, organize frequent watering and good nutrition. At the end of summer, well-developed roots are formed on the stems.

Carefully, so as not to damage the buds, the shoots together with the roots are separated from the mother plant and planted in boxes or a greenhouse. Before winter, young plants are covered with peat, straw or spruce branches. Transplantation to flower beds is carried out in 1-2 years.

Cuttings

Rare varieties are propagated by cuttings, when, with an insufficient amount of planting material, you need to get a lot of seedlings. Cuttings are harvested from plants aged 4 years and older. About 15 cuttings are obtained from one such bush, and 30-35 from older ones.

Peony cuttings for reproduction

The best time for grafting is considered to be the period from late May to mid-June. The cut cuttings are kept for 8 hours in a solution of the Heteroauxin root formation stimulator (100 ml per 10 liters of water) and planted in a nursery or greenhouse.

By dividing the bush

The division of the root system is the most effective way by which you can not only propagate, but also rejuvenate peonies that have been growing in one place for more than 8 years. The best period for dividing the peony bush is from August 15 to September 5.

Reproduction of peonies by division

The overgrown bush is first undermined with a shovel, trying not to injure a single root, and carefully removed from the ground. The rhizome is cleaned of the earthy clod with hands, if there is a lot of soil, it is washed off with water from the watering can.

Next, the peonies are left for 3-4 hours in a dry and sunny place so that the roots dry out and share more easily. Immediately before dividing, the shoots are shortened to a height of 10-15 cm from the ground. With the help of a peg, the bush is separated into two halves.

These areas are divided with a knife first into large divisions, and then into smaller ones with several buds, in the places of root plexus. At the same time, they try to save as many young roots that have grown from the rhizome.

The divided parts are placed in a growth stimulant solution for 8 hours, and planted in previously prepared planting pits.

When and how to transplant peonies

Garden peonies do not require frequent replanting. They painfully endure moving to a new place, to which they can adapt for 2-3 years. Plants are transplanted in case of emergency: improper or shallow planting, lack of flowering or its shallowness. Once every ten years, the bushes are planted by dividing the roots.

Transplanting peonies in autumn

The process begins in August or September. The bush is carefully dug out together with an earthen lump. The soil is washed off with water from a watering can or a hose. The cleaned plants are examined, removing diseased plants and shortening long roots. Places of cuts are treated with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and sprinkled with crushed coal.

Preparing peonies for the winter season

Regardless of the species and climatic conditions, peonies, aged from planting to 3 years old, need shelter for the winter. More mature bushes can not be covered, but simply mulched with dry peat or humus.

Shelter of herbaceous peonies for the winter

They begin to build a shelter for herbaceous varieties as soon as a stable sub-zero temperature is established. The cut shoots are covered with loose earth or peat with a layer of 10 cm.

In the northern regions, the layer of mulch is increased to 20 cm. The formed mound is additionally covered with spruce branches, straw or sawdust. In the spring, the shelter is removed.

Tree peonies are covered more thoroughly. First, the stems are pulled together with a cloth twine. Low young bushes are covered with spruce branches, burlap or covering material. Above, in order to protect the plant from wind and snow, a hut of spruce branches or branches of fruit trees is installed after pruning.

Tall shrubs are also tied. A frame made of wood is installed around the plant. The fence must necessarily correspond to the size of the bush or be slightly higher than it.The space between the frame and the plant is covered with dry foliage.

Outcome

Gorgeous peony flowers, planting and caring for which are available even to a novice gardener without special skills, will decorate any garden. Follow the recommendations given in the article, provide the plants with appropriate care, and in a few years your garden will be decorated with abundant and lush flowering of beautiful peonies.