Care
Caring for the Kansas variety consists in timely watering, fertilization with mineral complexes, prevention of diseases or pests, mulching.
Watering
Flowers are moderately hygrophilous: for them, overflow can lead to more sad consequences than drought. Typically, each plant uses up to 3 buckets of water. The procedure is repeated every 10 days. In the spring, when sap flow begins, peonies especially need regular watering.
Loosening and weeding
After the flowering of peonies is complete, standard procedures are performed - loosening the soil, weeding from weeds. Sometimes this procedure is combined with feeding. Loosening is also useful after rain, to ensure the permeability of the soil, the plant receives nutrients.
Top dressing
During the growing season, Kansas is fed twice: the first time with organic matter (at the beginning or end of the season), the second with minerals, before the formation of inflorescences. The growth of young shoots takes a lot of energy, so fertilization is required. This can be ammonium nitrate (about 15 grams per bucket of water).
The best time for the procedure is evening. When feeding "adult" plants with deep roots, it is recommended to carefully drill several wells around the bush, up to half a meter deep, into which water-soluble fertilizers will be poured.
Diseases and pests
Peonies are susceptible to pest attacks, as well as garden diseases. Each danger has its own methods of struggle, sometimes tough. To protect against insects, plants are treated with fungicides.
Gray rot
The source of gray rot on peonies is a fungus that infects roots, stems, leaves. Depending on the degree of damage, chemical treatment is used, removal of damaged parts followed by burning, deep loosening in the fall.
Rust
Brown, reddish spots are a symptom of the disease. If you do not intervene, the spores will spread to neighboring areas, affecting other plants. As a preventive measure, spraying with Bordeaux liquid is used. Affected leaves are separated, collected in heaps and burned.
Transfer
Transplanting is not a mandatory procedure for young plants. This is necessary if the place for placing the flower bed is unsuccessfully chosen, when dividing an overgrown bush. They are engaged in transplanting peonies in the fall, carefully removing the plant along with an earthen clod. You can rinse under running water, being careful not to damage the roots. Then the bush is left in the air so that it wilts, after which they proceed to pruning or dividing.
Mulching
Filling the root zone with a layer of dry branches or compost (mulch) allows you to preserve nutrients in the soil. The main thing is that fungal spores do not develop on this fertile soil.
Pruning
Autumn is the best time to prune peonies. At this time, the stems are cut shortly. If another, earlier season is chosen for the procedure, then they try to leave strong shoots with 3-4 leaves in the aerial part.
Yellow peonies with special status - Ito-peonies
Ito-hybrids, Ito-peonies, or Yellow peonies (international designation - Itoh Hybrid Group, i-hybrids, Itoh hybrids, Itoh group, Intersectional hybrids) - a group or class of hybrid varieties of peonies, obtained by crossing the tree peony (Paeonia x suffruticosa ) with a lactic-flowered peony (Paeonia lactiflora, initially with a semi-double form). They have the features of both peonies, but in garden classifications and in agricultural technology they are closer to herbaceous ones due to the fact that the aboveground part of the plants dies off in the winter.
The Ito-hybrids got their name in honor of the scientist who was the first to achieve a stable yellow color of petals through a radically new approach to plant breeding.His work divided the history of peonies into “before” and “after” and became a turning point, expanding the color palette of garden peonies with shades of yellow.
This is the most prestigious and elite group among garden peonies. Many people call plants the most promising, because the possibilities of hybridization and improvement of characteristics open up completely new horizons in the development of new varieties. Despite the fact that the crossing of herbaceous and tree-like peonies can improve all the characteristics of the variety, including the beauty of foliage, resistance, endurance, such intersectional hybrids became famous only for one single trait - color.
Ito hybrids are powerful, forming large dense bushes with strong peonies shoots. The root system is spreading, superficial, woody with age. The spreading shape of the bush, which grows more in width than in height, with dense branching and dense foliage, allows the plants to look very massive and magnificent.
The height of yellow peonies ranges from 50 to 90 cm. Shoots deviate or bend, but rarely lodge under the weight of the inflorescences. The leaves of the Ito hybrids are more like the foliage of treelike peonies. Intricate and carved, they create a unique dark green pillow that retains its decorative effect even to the point of severe frost. In autumn, the color changes to yellow only in some varieties.
Ito-hybrids bloom on the tops of annual shoots, like herbaceous peonies. But in terms of beauty, the large inflorescences of these peonies are more reminiscent of their tree-like counterparts. Buds in shape and brown color are somewhat reminiscent of chestnut fruits.
Massive, from 15 to 20 cm in diameter, with a graceful pattern of wavy petals, creating a picturesque flower, inflorescences always allow you to admire the lush center of stamens and staminodes, which seems to shyly peep in the center. Because the center is visible, Ito-peonies are closer to semi-double varieties and are rarely classified as double, although the number of petals exceeds any expectations. There are often spots at the base of the petals. Most varieties do not boast an amazingly strong aroma.
The color scheme of Ito hybrids includes not only the usual pink-white-cherry tones, but also the rarest shades of yellow - from bright lemon to melon, sunny golden, cold shade of ripe lime, often with subtle transitions of nuances. In all varieties, the flowers are prone to fading: in the sun and as they bloom, the color gradually fades.
One of the features of Ito hybrids is the general color instability. Even the same generation of plants may have different shade and color saturation, depending on the deviations of growing conditions, age, quality of care. The same bush in different years may differ in the shape of the crown, and in the color of the inflorescences, and in their size. The same factor made it possible to breed Ito-peonies of the "chameleon" category - changing color several times during flowering.
The flowering period of yellow peonies coincides with the flowering period of mid-late herbaceous peonies. They never bloom in early summer, delighting when most competitors are already leaving the garden scene. The flowering of Ito-peonies lasts up to three weeks, the effect of more abundant flowering is achieved due to the fact that the apical buds bloom gradually, and the lateral ones only follow them, stretching the general terms.
Ito hybrids are excellent cut varieties. They not only stand in the water longer than the flowers of most tree-like and herbaceous peonies, but also, unlike the flowers left on the bushes, in cut flowers, the color remains saturated and unchanged until wilting.
Ito-peony, grade "Bartzella". Southern peony
Description and cultivation of peonies "Diana Parks"
The main decoration of the garden area is ornamental shrubs with large bright flowers. Peonies are a similar plant. These are flowers with a long history and beautiful appearance.The amazing variety of peonies "Diana Parks" has a rich, bright red shade of buds and has an amazing aroma.
Characteristics of the variety
In ancient China, the peony was considered "divine" and was revered by high ranks. Russian gardeners love this flower for its variety of shades and unpretentiousness. It is not afraid of low temperatures and grows well in arid places. "Diana Parks" (Diana Parks) is a densely double peony with "burning" red inflorescences. The description of the variety implies highlighting the following characteristics:
- herbaceous perennial with a powerful fleshy root system;
- large globular inflorescences (up to 15 cm in diameter) of a dark scarlet color;
- light green leaves and dense stem;
- petals in flowers do not crumble and keep their "shape" for a long time;
- plant height reaches 95 cm;
- early flowering (June and July);
- rich sweetish aroma;
Diana Parks looks beautiful in both single and group plantings. This variety is used in the preparation of voluminous bouquet and other flower arrangements.
Landing rules
Diana Parks prefers sunny locations with nutritious soil without moisture stagnation. It goes well with bulbous crops (tulips, scillas). Without enough sunlight, Diana Parks will not bloom.
The soil must be prepared before planting. Pits are dug in advance (60 cm deep). If the soil is heavy, then the pit should be 20 cm deeper. Peonies are planted at a distance of 70–90 cm from each other. The depressions are filled with nutritious soil with organic fertilizer.
The bottom of the pit is covered with a mixture of broken brick and sand, and manure is laid on the sides
When planting, it is important to correctly position the root system of the peony. To do this, make a small hill in the center of the pit and evenly "distribute" the roots of the plant
Further, they are sprinkled with soil, thus eliminating the "voids" between them. After planting, the bush is watered abundantly.
How to water and fertilize?
Caring for the "divine" flower consists in loosening and fertilizing the soil, as well as watering
It is important to remove weeds in time. Peonies especially need moisture in dry summers.
Water the flower regularly, especially intensively during the flowering period. It is necessary to feed the plant from the age of three. The first stage takes place in early spring, the second feeding is done during the budding period, and the third must be done 14 days after flowering.
For this, mineral complexes are used that contain potassium and phosphorus. They have a beneficial effect on the root system of the plant.
Peonies are quite frost-resistant plants that can withstand even very low temperatures (up to 30 degrees below zero).
See the video below for caring for peonies.
Description of peony Alexander Fleming
Herbaceous perennial crop with a long life cycle. It blooms in one area within 6–8 years, during this time the bush grows strongly, the flowers become smaller, so division is required.
Alexander Fleming is a mid-flowering hybrid
The first buds appear in the second year of the growing season after planting. The peony blooms in late May, the buds bloom at intervals of 3-4 days, the duration of the period is 3 weeks. One flower lives no more than 6 days, then loses its freshness, it is recommended to remove it. If the flower is single, then cut off along with the peduncle. The Alexander Fleming variety does not lose its decorative effect after flowering due to its dense foliage. This is one of the few hybrids, the foliage of which does not change color by autumn. It turns dark, then dies off.
Description of the hybrid variety Alexander Fleming:
- The peony forms a dense bush up to 1 m in height and 50–65 cm in diameter. The crown is compact, does not disintegrate during flowering.
- Stems are upright, tough. The surface is light green with a brown tint. Shoots end with one bud, rarely form 2-3 lateral peduncles.
- Leaves are hard, lanceolate, dark green with pronounced veins and a matte sheen.Fixed on long petioles of 6–8 pcs.
- The root system is powerful, tuberous type with numerous adventitious processes.
- Terry flower, large, its diameter is 17–20 cm. Petals with wavy or dissected edges. The shape is round, lush, the core is closed, the color is pink, lighter at the edge, a slight purple tint may be present.
The aroma of the Alexander Fleming variety is light, with tart notes
Peony is used in ornamental gardening in all regions of Russia except the Far North. The Alexander Fleming variety can withstand frosts down to -35 ° C, therefore it is often found in Siberia and the Urals. In case of freezing, the rhizome is quickly restored.
Planting and leaving
Caring for a Japanese peony will not take much of your time and effort. You always want decorative flowers to be a worthy decoration in the garden. It is recommended to plant flowers on the southwest side of the garden. Planting is best done in late summer or early fall. You should choose the right place for planting the plant. The peony will grow best in sunny areas. It is also advisable to choose an area that is well protected from the wind.
It is recommended to dig a hole for planting no more than half a meter. The bottom should be sprinkled with sand. It can be mixed with some other auxiliary components, for example, furnace ash. Then the planting hole is filled with water so that the material settles. Further, the mixture is poured almost to the edges of the hole. After that, you can plant peonies. It is better to press the root a little into the soil, cover the bush around the stem with earth a little, while the buds should be level with the ground. It is recommended to cover the plants during the winter period. In this case, you can use the leaves. With the onset of heat, buds are removed on young bushes. This process must be carried out only in the first year after planting the peonies.
It is strongly discouraged to divide the bushes in the spring; it can cause enormous harm to the plant. It is best to do this in the fall, and they are suitable for planting already in the spring season. In winter, planting material is best stored in a cool place and covered with sawdust soaked in moisture. In the process of planting peonies, the buds should be deepened into the soil by about 5 centimeters, no more. This is necessary so that the stem can strengthen, and the flowering is intense. It is possible to divide the bushes of the Japanese peony only in the fourth year, after the plant has been planted in the ground.
When growing such a variety of peonies, it must be borne in mind that they require intensive watering. Thus, you will achieve a dense flowering of shrubs. To prevent water stagnation, it is recommended to mulch the soil around the plant. The layer thickness should not exceed 7 centimeters. Watering is necessary at least 2 times a week. Additional watering will not harm the peonies.
Peonies are well accepted in areas with abundant planting. For the normal growth of shrubs, trees and other flower plantings will not interfere with the development of peonies.
Peonies are often the basis for bouquet arrangements. If you need to cut flowers, it is best to do it in the morning. The weather must be dry.
Below you can watch the newsletter about Japanese peonies.
Everything about ITO-peonies: varieties with photos and names, planting and care features
ITO peonies were obtained by crossing the herbaceous and tree-like peonies, which have long been familiar to us. The plant has been known since 1974, and at the end of the 20th century they were combined into a separate group - ITO-hybrids (Itoh-Hybrids).
The predecessors of ITO peonies belong to different species, well, as expected, the new plant inherited the characteristics of both parents. From the tree peony, the hybrid took over the strength of the stems, the original color and shape of the flowers, and from the herbaceous peony, it is short in stature, frost resistance and light temper. Curvy bushes of ITO-peonies reach a meter in height (undersized varieties are rare), the stems are straight, in the summer the carved leaves have a rich green color, and in the fall they acquire a reddish-bronze tint.
Double, semi-double or plain flowers can be up to 25 cm in diameter. A curious characteristic of the hybrid is that the size and splendor of the flowers directly depend on the age of the bush. In a young peony, flowers are simple in shape, small, over the years they become larger and fluffier, but in an aging bush they become smaller and return to a simple form.
The flowering of herbaceous peonies can be compared with a bright, but short-term outbreak, because they bloom up to 6 or 7 days, the ITO-peony has a long flowering period - about 3 weeks, the buds (of which there are quite a few on one bush) open alternately.
The color of the petals of ITO peonies is very diverse, there are even chameleon varieties, with multi-colored flowers on one bush. In all hybrids, the petals have a contrasting center or strokes. The only minus of the flowers of a special peony is the aroma - it is barely perceptible or absent altogether. It is difficult to say which varieties of hybrids are early and which are late, we are still little familiar with this flower.
Young ITO-peonies cover the buds with foliage, and at the matured bush, the peduncles stretch out.
Photos and description of ITO-peony varieties
The first ITO hybrids appeared relatively recently, they were flowers of atypical, yellow color. Such peonies turned out to be incredibly attractive and received such a wide demand that in a very short period of time, breeders have bred many new varieties, with flowers of various colors. Let's take a look at some of them.
| Variety | Maximum bush height | Description of flowers and other features of the variety |
Hillary
80 cm Semi-double flowers up to 18 cm in diameter, very delicate pinkish-peach color, red blotches at the base of the petals
Bartzella
The flowers are very lush and large (up to 25 cm in diameter). The petals are bright yellow or orange with red strokes at the base. The variety blooms from July. An adult bush contains up to 60 peduncles;
In 2002, the cultivar was awarded the AMOP (American Peony Society) Gold Medal
Yellow Crown
60 cm Double, medium-sized flowers. Red streaks are clearly visible at the base of the bright yellow petals. The number of simultaneously open flowers in an adult bush reaches 30
Canary brilliants
70 cm Dense double flowers. In the cream color of the petals, many shades of yellow are collected, their base is decorated with a rich orange speck. Blooms in April-May
Pastel Splendour
80 cm Semi-double flowers, cupped up to 17 cm in diameter. The petals are colored with a mixture of cream, lavender, light yellow and pink flowers, at the base of the petals have a purple-red oblong spot
Pink ardor
90 cm Semi-double flowers, dark pink, up to 20 cm Blossoms in May-June
Border Charm
Very lush bushes up to 50 cm Flowers are medium, lush, creamy yellow in the middle and pale yellow around the edge. There are red spots in the center of the flower
Lollipop
90 cm Semi-double and double flowers up to 18 cm in diameter, the color of the petals is light yellow with many large purple strokes. As the flowers fade, the main color of the petals changes from yellow to lemon, peach and light coral
Callies Memory
Spreading bush up to 1 m Semi-double and double flowers are pale yellow, cream, from 15 to 20 cm in diameter. The edges of the petals are pink, the petals are dark red at the base. The flower opens slowly, at first it resembles a rose. Blooms in June
Scarlet Heaven
70 cm Flowers are simple, cupped, medium-sized, scarlet-red with golden-yellow stamens
Singing in the rain
The bush is dense, round, up to 90 cm Flowers are large, semi-double. The color of the buds is pink, when blooming, the flowers are yellow with the addition of orange and pink tones, and fully open flowers are highlighted in bright yellow
Viking full moon
