Varieties
But no matter how valuable medicinal raw material the fine-leaved peony turns out to be, gardeners and gardeners pay attention primarily to its decorative properties. And in this regard, literally every type of plant is attractive.
The Eaglet variety is characterized by red flowers and dissected foliage. The height of the bush is up to 0.6 m. If gardeners like cherry tone more, they should choose "Airlie Scout".
This variety stands out for its relatively small leaves, painted in an elegant dark green tone. Tiny Tim has clear-cut bushes. Half-double flowers develop on them, which bloom quickly. The variety is recommended for decorating flower beds. As for the alternative name (Voronets), it was given for its characteristic appearance.
Interesting facts, the meaning of the peony
It is interesting that flower growers from various countries, from Ancient China to Europe and Egypt, were fond of peonies. The Chinese were the first to develop new varieties - about 1500 years ago, these beautiful plants were grown in the imperial gardens, it was strictly forbidden for mere mortals to keep this flower.
In Greece, the plant was considered a symbol of longevity, and beads were made from dense spherical flower buds and it was believed that such decorations could protect from evil spirits.
In Asian countries, peony flowers were cut and placed in a vase in the room of a girl who wants to start a family - it was believed that the flower could attract the attention of a young man to a girl. In many regions, peony flowers are considered a symbol of wealth and love.
In many regions, peony flowers are considered a symbol of wealth and love.
All parts of plants are poisonous and, if ingested, can cause poisoning.
Peony flowers can decorate rooms in cut form for 7 - 10 days without losing their attractive appearance. Cutting is carried out in the morning or evening hours with a sharp, sterile knife. For cutting, shoots are selected with buds that have just begun to bloom - they will fully open already in a vase of water.
The medicinal properties of peony are used in folk medicine and homeopathy - the official science does not recognize the medicinal properties of plants. Even in ancient Rome, local healers noticed the calming effect of the peony horse tincture - it was believed that it helps to improve the quality of sleep.
It is believed that flowers appeared in Russia under Peter 1 - bushes in lush double flowers could be seen in the gardens of monasteries and in the plots of nobles. Plants with simple, non-double buds were used as medicinal plants. In European floriculture, the fashion for peonies began only in the 19th century - the milk-flowered peony was brought there from China.
There are several legends associated with the name of the plant. One of them speaks of a very talented physician - a young man named Péan, who studied with Aesculapius himself. The young doctor was very successful in his business and often healed the most difficult patients with the help of medicinal plants. The crown of his work was the cure of the god of the dead. Upon learning of such a student's talent, Aesculapius wanted to destroy the peony, but the very god of the dead interceded for the student and turned him into a beautiful plant.
How to plant peonies Ito hybrids in spring and autumn
The accumulated experience in caring for Ito-peonies allows us to assert that our growers can successfully grow Ito-hybrids. However, Ito are complex hybrids obtained from species peonies from different climatic zones: from the steppes of our Transbaikalia to the high-mountain meadows of Tibet, so some of the varieties may require an individual approach. The varieties described above are quite resistant to the cold weather of the Moscow region. They endured many winters with frosts, including the abnormal winter of 2002-2003, heat and drought of 2010-2011. no loss.Shelter for the winter is not necessary, although sometimes you can cover (with a layer of oak leaves or spruce branches) some new cuttings, especially with late planting.
Before planting Ito-peonies, you need to choose the right site. Planting site requirements are the same as for herbaceous peonies. But when determining the size of the pit, it should be borne in mind that many Ito varieties develop their underground part more to the sides than in depth. For example, the size of a pit for long-term cultivation should be 100X100X60 cm, and when kept in a collection - 75X75X45 cm. From my experience I will add that Ito respond well to shading at noon.
Ito hybrids are best planted where garden crops used to grow or where there was virgin land. Places of old or large trees and shrubs should be avoided. The groundwater level must be at least 100 cm below the surface.
In order to plant Itopions in spring or autumn, as required by correct agricultural technology, the soil must be neutral or slightly alkaline in terms of acidity. In central Russia, it is necessary to maintain the acidity level pH = 6.5-7.5 by periodically adding deoxidizing additives to the soil around the plantings (bone meal, dolomite meal or limestone meal).
Planting dates are the same as for other peonies: preferable in autumn, from late August to early October (in the middle lane). When planting peonies of Ito hybrids in the spring, strive to do this as early as possible, before mid-May. It is recommended to place the cut at an angle to the surface so that all renewal buds on it are at a depth of 3-5 cm.
In general, Ito hybrids after planting are similar to caring for herbaceous peonies. Most of Ito's shrubs do not need support (holds flowers). Pruning the stems when caring for Ito-peonies after planting is not done. The branches should be completely cut off after severe frosts, much later than for herbaceous peonies: in the Moscow region in mid-November.
Description of forest, steppe and meadow peonies
Below are photos and descriptions of varieties of peonies grown in household plots.
The genus contains about 40 species of large rhizome perennials of the temperate zone of Eurasia.
All types of peonies are divided into forest ones:
Maryin root (P. anomala);
Wittmann (P. wittmanniana);
Felt peony (P. tomentosa);
Caucasian peony (P. caucasica);
Large-leaved (P. macrophylla);
Obovate peony (P. obovata).
All these are peonies of the forests of the Caucasus, Siberia and the Far East. Tall (up to 80 cm) spreading bushes with beautiful trifoliate leaves.
As you can see in the photo, these varieties of peonies have large (up to 12 cm in diameter) and fairly simple flowers. In autumn, their foliage turns purple and blue-black seeds ripen, which stand out against the bright red lining of the fruit.
Crimean peony (P. daurica);
Milk-flowered peony (P. lactiflora);
Thin-leaved peony (P. tenuifolia) - steppe and meadow plants.
Specific peonies bloom earlier than varietal ones, from mid-May. They grow and bloom normally in culture, but due to the slow growth of rhizomes and difficult reproduction by seeds, they are still rarely cultivated, although they are worthy of the widest use.
The use of tree peonies in landscape design
Growing a tree-like peony, gardeners versed in landscape design - amateurs and professionals - use the plant both as a component of original "live" flower arrangements, and as a bright, self-sufficient single decoration of their own plot.
If there is a desire to plant one bush, it should be borne in mind that it will look most successful on a spacious, open area of the backyard area. Low, small, discreet flowers can be placed around it, or the entire lawn can be sown with decorative grass. How does a single tree-like peony look on a lush green "carpet", evaluate in the photo.
If you are thinking about how to organize a group planting of plants to decorate your site, then pay attention to the recommendations of specialists:
You can use several varieties of tree peony to create a flower garden composition at the same time, planting them in one row. They will make an original lush hedge.
A very popular method of alternating them with other shrubs about 1.5 m high - hydrangea, Japanese spirea. How luxurious a tree-like peony looks surrounded by these flowers, look at the photos below.
Peonies look gorgeous in the "heart" of the site, if along its edges are additionally planted in even rows of flowers, the shades of which represent the same color palette as the shade of the peonies.
To create flower beds, it is important to use plants whose flowering period coincides with the period when the color of the tree peony appears. If the latter blooms in spring, tulips can make an ideal tandem with it, but if in June, then nigella, nasturtiums, daisies, petunias will become excellent "neighbors" for it
Appreciate the uniqueness and beauty that the tree-like peony, called the "imperial flower", creates in the landscape design in the photos below.
An interesting solution is to decorate the flower bed with decorative stones, which turns the flower garden into a real creative masterpiece.
Watch the video on how to organize the cultivation of a tree peony on your site, and listen to the valuable advice of professionals:
