Varieties of white flower
Spring
Can be seen in the natural environment of the Carpathians, as well as on the outskirts of the beech forests of Central Europe.
The spring species is a bulbous perennial plant reaching 0.2 m in height. The bulbous head has an ovoid appearance, it is 2 cm in cross section. Wide leaves have a lanceolate structure, their length is 0.25 m, and their width is 0.12 m. The height of the peduncle is 0.3 m. Inflorescences can be single or paired, they are located on high pedicels and have a bracts at the base. The inflorescences are drooping, white and with a pleasant smell.
The blooming of the spring white flower falls in April and lasts for 20-30 days. After flowering, the fruit appears - a spherical box with three nests. The plant has been cultivated since 1420. Among the varieties can be distinguished Carpathicum, the flowers of which are much larger than natural species and have a yellow pigmentation on the petals.
Summer white flower
In its natural environment, it can be found in the Crimea, Western Europe, in some parts of Asia, in the Western Caucasus and in the Mediterranean. This species loves wet habitats such as coastal areas and floodplains.
The summer variety of the white flower is a perennial with a bulbous root system. Its height reaches 40 cm. The drooping inflorescences are collected in umbrellas from 3 to 10 pieces. The plant begins to bloom in mid-May and lasts 20 days.
Summer white flower blooms a little later - in May
Initially, the genus Belotsvetnik included other varieties of plants, but now they belong to the Amaryllis family, to the genus Acis. However, many, out of habit, also call them white flowers. These include the following Mediterranean representatives:
- hairy;
- Tingitan - very rare and beautiful;
- long-leaved.
Autumn
This slender and beautiful perennial is widespread in central Russia and blooms from September.
There is also an autumn white flower, which blooms in September.
His homeland is the south of Western Europe and the northern part of Africa. The plant grows up to 10-15 cm in height, and reaches 5 cm in width.It has green foliage of a dark shade, about 16 cm long.On each peduncle there are from 2 to 4 white inflorescences (with a red base), whose length is 1 cm.
This type of white flower grows well and blooms in shaded and damp areas, loves well-fertilized soils.
In addition to these three representatives, there are four more species that are considered rare specimens. At the moment they can be seen in the complete collections of the botanical gardens. We list them below.
Nicaean white flower
His homeland is the southeast of France. It grows in height up to 10 cm, and in width - 5 cm.The foliage of a linear shape can be 30 cm long.
The Nicene white flower is quite rare.
By the end of the spring period, from 1 to 2 snow-white, like wax flowers, may appear on one peduncle. The plant is very thermophilic, the minimum winter temperature for it is -5 degrees.
Pink white flower
This is the name of one of the Mediterranean varieties, which was brought from Sardinia and Corsica.
Its height is 10 cm, in diameter - 5 cm. The length of thin and linear foliage is 10 cm. Bell-shaped pink inflorescences are very good despite the fact that they have a drooping appearance. The length of the inflorescences is 1 cm, and they bloom in late summer or early autumn. This species is as thermophilic as the previous one.
The pink white flower blooms at the end of summer, besides, it loves warmth very much
Hairy white flower
This bulbous perennial has a very sophisticated aristocratic appearance. His homeland is Morocco, the south of Portugal, southwest of Spain. Particularly interesting for summer residents who own the southern plots.
The plant grows in height from 10 to 30 cm, and in diameter up to 5 cm. Just like the above-described species, it is thermophilic. Peduncles appear towards the end of winter or early spring and carry 2 to 4 white bells.
The hairy white flower is also quite rare in Russia.
White flower Valentine
It was brought from the western regions of Greece and central Spain, where it is customary to use it as a border decoration. In our country, it can be grown in the middle lane using a shelter. This thermophilic species can tolerate winter temperatures of at least -15 degrees.
This perennial of the bulbous type has a rather graceful appearance at a height of 15 cm, and in diameter - from 3 to 5 cm. The foliage 25 cm long has a gray-green color and a linear structure.
White flower Valentine, like other species, is quite thermophilic
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. Only those herbaceous peonies are separated, in which at least 7 full-fledged shoots develop and full flowering took place 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.
The procedure itself is slightly complicated by the fragility of the root system of peonies:
- 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 remove the bush, first digging it over a wide radius, and then - removing a very large earthen lump.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The 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 cousins 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 - favorites for all time
