Peony: tips for planting and care in open ground

2024 Author: Arianna Cook | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:55

Characteristics of the peony plant, the rules of planting and care in the open field, recommendations for reproduction, the fight against diseases, pests and possible difficulties, curious notes, species and varieties.

Peony (Paeonia) belongs to the representatives of the Peony family (Paeoniaceae), although more recently the species were part of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). The area of natural growth falls on the territory of the regions of Eurasia and the North American continent, characterized by a temperate and subtropical climate. According to information obtained in 2016 based on The Plant List database, 36 different species of the genus have been recorded to date.

Family name	Peony
Growing period	Perennial
Vegetation form	Herbaceous, shrub or semi-shrub
Breeding method	Vegetative (by cuttings, dividing, layering, parts of the rhizome)
Landing period in open ground	Aug. Sept
Landing rules	The distance between seedlings is not closer than 1–1.5 m
Priming	Loam, nutritious, loose
Soil acidity values, pH	5, 8–7 (slightly alkaline to neutral)
Lighting degree	Open, sunny place or light partial shade
Humidity parameters	For young plants, abundant watering 2-3 times a week, for adults in the heat 2-3 buckets of water
Special care rules	Does not tolerate waterlogged and waterlogged soil
Height values	Up to 1 meter
Inflorescence shape or type of flowers	Single flowers
Flower color	The most varied
Flowering time	End of spring-summer
Decorative period	Spring-summer
Application in landscape design	Flower beds, mixborders, flower beds, for cutting
USDA zone	4–8

The name in Latin was given to the plant because of its medicinal properties, in honor of the legendary doctor Peanu (or as he is also called Peonu or Peanu), who helped not only the gods, but also people to heal from wounds received in battles. The term in Latin is first encountered in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist Terfrast (370 BC - 285 BC). Popularly, some species carry the following names: Maryin root - evading peony (Paeonia anomala); Voronets, Lazorka or Azure color for the color of the petals in the flowers of the fine-leaved peony (Paeonia tenuifolia).

All types of peonies are perennials with both herbaceous and shrub or semi-shrub forms of vegetation. The rhizome of this representative of the flora is rather large with cone-like root processes, characterized by thickening. Usually there are several stems (trunks) that can grow up to a meter in height. Shoots originate from the rhizome and grow rapidly with the arrival of spring heat. When about a month has passed after the development of the shoots, the formation of branched flower-bearing stems occurs, at the tops of which flower buds are formed. The buds are usually small in number, while their surface is formed by scales overlapping each other in the form of tiles.

The leaf plates are arranged on the stems in a regular order. The outlines of the leaf are characterized by an unpaired pinnate separation or they take on triple outlines. In this case, the shares can be either wide or narrowed. The color of the foliage is mainly dark emerald, in rare cases it acquires a bluish color. With the arrival of autumn, the leaves appear yellow, brown, reddish or dark purple.

In bloom, which begins in late spring and can stretch into the summer months, very spectacular, fragrant flowers are revealed. The diameter at full disclosure varies within 15–25 cm. Flowers are located on the stems singly and are characterized by the presence of a calyx and a corolla. The calyx has five intergrown sepals, their surface is more or less leathery. The color of the calyx is dark green or reddish. There are the same number of petals, in rare cases more. Their size greatly exceeds the parameters of sepals. The petals are wide, and there is chipping at the top. The color can take on shades of white, pink, red, cream and yellow. Often there are dark spots in their base. A large number of stamens are formed inside the flower, the number of pistils varies from 1-8 pieces, they are located on a thickened and fleshy flower disk.

After the flowers are pollinated, the fruits ripen, which in peonies have the appearance of complex many-leaves, characteristic star-shaped outlines. When fully ripe, such a fruit is opened at the seam and contains several seeds. The seeds are attached to the edge of the abdominal suture. The size of the seeds is large, the shape is oval or rounded. The color of the seed is black or black-brown, the surface is glossy.

The types of peonies differ not only in the structure and size of the bush, but also in the flowering time, the color and shape of flowers are also different. The types of peonies are so diverse that every lover of garden flowers will be able to satisfy their needs, and besides, growing is not particularly difficult, it is just important not to violate the rules of agricultural technology below.

Rules for planting and caring for peonies in the open field

Landing place pick up well lit. This is because the peony will not bloom in shading and will quickly turn from a flowering representative of the flora into a decorative leafy one. Light partial shade is possible, but 5-6 hours of direct sunlight is vital. A damp and wetland will also negatively affect both the growth and flowering of the Voronets. Since peonies are heat-loving plants, it is best to plant them in places that provide protection from the wind. They place the bushes next to the house in the front gardens, where they will be covered from gusts of wind by the walls of the building, tall bushes or fences. However, they should not be placed too close to the walls or large trees (bushes), since the root system in the first case will not have enough space, and in the second, moisture and nutrition, which will be taken away by taller neighbors.
Soil for peony it is not difficult to pick up, since the plant is not capricious. The soil should be loose and nutritious, have drainage. Loam is recommended. The acidity of the substrate should be in the range of pH 5, 8–7 (slightly alkaline or neutral). With acidic soil, it is limestone, adding dolomite flour or slaked lime.
Planting a peony held from late summer to mid-October. Since the root system is azure in color, it is large in size, a planting hole is dug about 60–70 cm in depth and in diameter. Then a nutrient mixture is prepared from rotted manure, peat crumbs and compost, into which mineral fertilizers are stirred. They are usually superphosphate in the dosage indicated by the manufacturer, 2-3 glasses of wood ash and an incomplete glass of dolomite flour. This composition fills the dug hole by three quarters. If the soil on the site is sandy, then a small amount of clay or some kind of heavy and nutritious substrate must be added to it. When the soil on the site is too wet, the bottom of the pit is covered with a layer of pebbles or bricks crushed into medium pieces, and the earth itself is mixed with river sand. Then the substrate is thoroughly watered and wait until it settles well. Only then can a seedling be placed in the pit. When planting in spring, rooting of peonies is difficult, subsequent growth will be very inhibited, and the type of plant for the next few years will not become healthy and blooming. It happens that such specimens may even die. However, if peony seedlings were purchased in the spring, then planting should be carried out as soon as the soil is free of snow and thaws. If the heat indicators are on average 15 degrees, then in 4 weeks the plants will be able to take root. When planting a peony seedling, no more than 3-4 cm of soil mixture should be poured over its upper renewal bud. If the planting is too deep, it will negatively affect flowering, and when shallow, the bushes will be exposed to freezing in the harsh and snowless winter. The hole with the plant is filled to the top with a prepared substrate from garden soil and river sand, carefully squeezed (fertilizers are no longer needed here!). When planting, it is important how it is planned to grow peonies: if it is solo, then the bush can be placed anywhere in the flower bed, but if the planting is group, then the distance between the seedlings should not be less than one and a half meters.
Watering when caring for peonies under normal weather conditions, when there is enough rain, it is not required. But this only applies to adult bushes. When the seedlings were just planted in the flowerbed, they are watered twice in 7 days for three weeks. If the weather is dry and hot, then each adult specimen will need to pour in 20-30 liters of water. You should also water young bushes that do not yet have a formed root system.
Fertilizers when caring for peonies are very necessary. Already in the first year of growth, mullein or a complete mineral complex should be introduced, until the end of June, in order to compensate for the lack of full-fledged roots. When the specimen is adult, then fertilizing is applied three times during the growing season. For the first time after the spring melting of snow, it is recommended to use nitrogen-potassium preparations, which are scattered over the surface of the soil around the peony bush, trying not to fall on the root collar. Used for 10-15 grams of each component. The second time is fertilized when budding has begun, during this period you need to add 10-15 grams of phosphorus with potassium nitrogen. The third fertilization is carried out when 14 days have passed after the flowering process has passed, fertilizing with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers is carried out in a proportion of 12:20 grams each. This will stimulate flower buds.
Wintering when growing peonies, it is not a problem, since the bushes can withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees below zero. If a lot of snow is poured on top, then the bushes will not need anything else. According to the recommendations of some gardeners, you can cut all the shoots to soil level before wintering, and some simply try not to leave the stems without snow cover.
The use of peonies in landscape design. These bushes can be planted in groups or as a tapeworm in the middle of the lawn. They will also look good as a background for other representatives of the flora in flower beds or garden glades. However, you should not "push" the peonies too deep into the garden. For planting, wide ridges are recommended, where the distance between the peony bushes is about 1.5–2 m. Nearby, the voids are filled with low-growing ground covers. Representatives of flora with a herbaceous and shrubby form of growth will be excellent neighbors for peony bushes, but in the latter case, their height should exceed or be less than the Voronets itself. Nearby, it is customary to plant aconite and decorative onions, irises and physosthenia, as well as daylilies.

Important

It is not recommended to plant various varieties of lazorka next to each other, since the plants will "jam" each other's decorativeness. The only exceptions are specimens with different flowering periods.

Recommendations for breeding peonies

To get new bushes of these flowering plants, a vegetative propagation method should be used, which consists of cuttings, dividing the bush, rooting of cuttings or parts of the rhizome.

Reproduction of peonies by division

This method is the simplest and most effective. For this, the time is selected in the period from August to September. This is because the regenerating buds of the plant have already formed, but the suction root processes have not yet begun to grow en masse.

Important

If you divide (or transplant) a peony bush in the spring, then it is possible that the plant will hurt and will not please with flowering in the first year.

To separate the bush, it is carefully removed from the soil, the shoots are cut off, and the rest of the soil is shaken off the root system. The division is carried out in such a way that each of the divisions becomes the owner of 3-5 buds of renewal and a small number of roots. If rotten parts were found on the roots during inspection, it is recommended to clean them with a sharpened knife, and then powder the wounds with crushed charcoal powder.

There are recommendations of experienced gardeners from each bush to take a couple of pieces of very small divisions with 1-2 eyes and pieces of rhizome. It happens when the winter is rather harsh, then they can disappear, but if engraftment occurs, then the specimen grown in this way will delight you with good health. After 1-2 years, the planted peony bush will begin to bloom, and the size of the opened flowers will be quite significant, and the corolla will be beautiful.

If we talk about the cultivation of hybrid varieties of peonies, then their life span is 8-10 years and they need a rejuvenation operation more often than ordinary species.

Disease and pest control methods when growing peonies in the garden

In case of violation of the cultivation technique of these highly decorative plants, it is often possible to be affected by fungal diseases, among which there are:

Rust in which on the foliage spots-pads of a brown, orange or reddish hue are formed, formed by fungal spores. If measures are not taken, then the infection will quickly spread to healthy parts of the bush and neighboring plants. For rust, it is recommended to spray with Bordeaux liquid in a 1% concentration, after all damaged parts have been removed (they are burned).
Gray rot affecting all parts of the peony bush. Leading in the spring to wilting of young stems. On the surface of the shoots, a bloom is found that resembles a grayish pubescence, as well as spots of brown color near the root collar on the stems. Damp and cold weather encourages development. For prevention, it is recommended to carry out processing in the spring with Bordeaux liquid, in the fall to cut off the entire aerial part, and also to fight the ants - carriers of infection. If the damage to the bush is significant, that all parts with such manifestations are cut off, and then spraying with a suspension of Tiram at 0.6% concentration is performed.
Powdery mildew usually occurring on mature bushes. A characteristic difference is a whitish bloom on the leaves. If such plaque covers most of the leaves, then photosynthesis will stop and the plant will wither. For treatment, spraying with soda ash (concentration 0.5%) mixed with laundry soap is performed. After 10 days, the processing is repeated. You can also use when spraying with a fungicide - Figon 2%.

In case of viral diseases that sometimes appear on peonies, there is no cure, and it is better to remove the bushes so that the infection is not transferred to healthy neighbors, and the planting site is carefully treated with a strong solution of potassium permanganate, bleach or formalin. Such diseases are considered:

Mosaic of leaves - manifested by spotting on foliage in the form of rings of light and dark green colors, which are then replaced by tissue necrosis.
Lemoine's disease under the influence of which the bushes become small, flowers are not formed, the roots are covered with swellings. Often it is accompanied by infection with nematodes, which, according to some opinions, are the cause.
Verticillary wilting manifested by darkening of blood vessels, if you look at a cut made across the stem. In case of illness, shoots and foliage wither.
Leaf spot clearly visible due to the specks formed by fungal spores on the back of the leaves. The color of the spot is blue, purple or light brown. To prevent it, it is recommended not to thicken the planting of peonies, to process them in spring with Bordeaux liquid, not to be zealous with nitrogen fertilizing.

Among the pests that are harmful when caring for peonies, one can distinguish: ants, aphids, thrips, bronze and hop fine moth. You can fight them by using insecticidal preparations such as Fitoverma, Aktellik or Aktara. It is also not uncommon for nematodes to infect the root system. You can get rid of the pest by using Nemagon or Carbation, but often you will have to dig up and burn the peony bushes, and cultivate the soil.

It happens that when growing peonies, it happens that flower buds do not form on a fully developed specimen, and there is no flowering. The reasons for this trouble are the following aspects:

Landing error, when the seedling was located incorrectly (too deep or, on the contrary, the pit was shallow).
An error occurred when choosing a landing site. A shady place will not allow flower buds to form normally. It takes 5-6 hours of good lighting.
The peony bush has aged and needs rejuvenation. Such an operation is performed every 10-12 years.
The transplant is carried out frequently. Do not disturb the plant earlier than 5 years from the moment of planting.
Lack of moisture in summer heat and drought. It is especially important to carry out regular watering during the period of July-August.
Depleted substrate. Although the buds will appear, the plant will not have the strength to bloom. We need feeding.
Nearby are planted with trees and large shrubs. Such neighbors of the peony will choose all the moisture and nutrients from the soil, and the plant will not have enough, it will become oppressed and weak.
Small size of the cut. In this case, the bush will be engaged in building up the root mass, and it will not have energy left for flowering.

Read also about the fight against possible diseases and pests of anemones.

Curious notes about the peony flower

The plant is ornamental, but some of its species also have medicinal properties. So folk healers have known for a long time about the ability of the evading peony (Paeonia anomala) or Maryin's root, as well as the tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) and thin-leaved (Paeonia tenuifolia). For example, the root of the lactobacillus peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is very common in medicine in the Chinese lands under the term Bai Shao. The rhizome of the red peony, or, as it is also called, decorative (Paeonia peregrina), is famous for its beauty and has been used by folk medicine men for a long time in the treatment of various diseases.

The prepared tincture from Maryina root is characterized by sedative properties, doctors noted its low toxicity. The tool is able to relieve convulsions, prolongs the effect of anesthesia (both hexenal and thiopental). The dosage should be prescribed only by the attending physician and this tincture should be used only under his supervision. For medicines, not only the roots are used, but also the aerial part in equal proportions.

There are also restrictions on the use of peony-based preparations, among them are:

pregnancy;
children's age of the patient up to 12 years old;
hypotension, although there is no exact information on the effect of Voronets on blood pressure.

Description of species and varieties of peony

According to some reports, the genus has united 40 varieties and about 5,000 officially recognized varieties. The following group division is carried out here:

Herbaceous species, in which the entire aboveground part will die off with the arrival of autumn, and for the winter only the roots of the bush remain underground.
Tree-like, characterized by a shrub shape and shoots, which can be semi-lignified (when lignification occurs in the root zone) or completely lignified. During wintering, such species lose their leaves that grow back with the arrival of spring. The root is elongated and spindle-shaped.
Ito hybrids (ITOH) represents plants obtained by crossing the first two groups. The similarity with herbaceous ones is that for the winter the entire part above the soil surface dies off; these species have received large-sized flowers from tree species. The newly introduced varieties are also characterized by the yellow color of the petals in the flowers. The number of buds in the varieties is large. On one bush, up to fifty buds can bloom, in size commensurate with a plate. The flowering period is also different and its duration - from 14 days it reaches 4 weeks.

The following division into groups occurs relative to the structure of the flower:

Simple (non-double)

characterized by a corolla with one or two rows of petals. The size of the flower is large, the stamens are formed in its central part.

Semi-double,

with flowers of the same large size, but the corolla is composed of 7 rows of petals. Multiple stamens can form both in the central part and grow in the aisle of the petals.

The most popular varieties are:

Miss America - mid-early, characterized by flowers that initially have a pink color, gradually changing to white. There are six rows of petals, the stamens have a bright yellow color. The diameter of an open flower is 25 cm. The stem is durable and does not exceed 0.8 m in height.
Cytheria (Cytherea) - medium early variety. After opening at the flower, the petals are of a bright red hue, gradually becoming pale pink. The corolla is cupped. The diameter at full disclosure is 17 cm. The color of the thick stems is light, their height reaches 0.65 m.
Ann Berry Cousins It is distinguished by early flowering, in which flowers of a pinkish-coral color bloom, in the central part having yellow stamens. The bush does not exceed 0.95 m in height. There are many leaves and they grow densely.
Lastres - early, which has bright red flowers, with petals arranged in 4-5 rows. The stamens have a yellow color with reddish veins. The diameter of the corolla opening is measured at 19 cm. The color of the stems does not exceed 0.7 m, light, large foliage.
Sable differs in medium late flowering, the height of flexible and thin shoots up to 0.9 m. It blooms with black and red flowers, the diameter of which is 17 cm. There are 3-4 rows of petals in the corolla.

Japanese species

have flowers, in the central part with numerous modified stamens, collected in the form of pompons. Often, the stamens may even differ in a bend towards the central part. Ordinary petals surround the stamens in one or more rows. The color of the petals coincides with the color of the stamens at the base, on the edge of the stamen with a golden edging.

The following popular varieties can be distinguished:

Carrara - mid-flowering, with indicators for the height of the bush is noticeably 0.8 m. When the flower blooms, its diameter is 16 cm. The color of the petals is white, the stamens in the lower part are whitish-yellowish, they do not bloom completely.
Pearl placer or Pearl place with medium late flowering. The bush is 0.7 m in height. When opened, the flower reaches 16 cm in diameter. Flowering is accompanied by a pink scent. The color of the petals is pale pinkish, but there are modified stamens of a dark pink tone with a darker edge at the top. Buds are formed along all the stems.
Velma Atkinson differs in early flowering. The stems reach a height of 0.8 m. The diameter of the flower is no more than 18 cm. The petals in the flower are characterized by brightness and pink-carmine color. The modified stamens have a bright yellow tint. In the central part of the small size of the petals "tuft" is formed.

Anemone peonies

have two types of petals: in the center - shortened, narrowed, forming a compacted ball; the rest in one or two rows along the bottom, encircling it - wide, rounded. The color of the upper petals is the same as that of the lower ones or lighter.

The best varieties are recognized:

Rhapsody with medium early flowering. The sturdy stems extend up to 0.7 m in height. The petals of the flowers are pinkish. In the central part, a ball is formed from narrowed yellowish-cream petals. When opened, the flower reaches 16 cm in diameter.
Ruth Clay - medium early. The bush does not exceed 0.9 m in height. The diameter of a dark red flower is almost 15 cm.
Snow Mountain - early flowering, bush height no more than 0.75 m, formed from strong stems. The diameter of the disclosure of flowers is 17 cm. The petals are creamy, forming a corolla of 1-3 lower rows.

Terry species

characterized by such a multitude of petals that when the rim of the peony is fully opened, it acquires a hemispherical shape. Three subgroups are distinguished here: spherical, hemispherical and bomb-shaped. In such a corolla, the petals in the lower part are located almost in a horizontal plane and with a slight bend downward, the remaining ones are slightly narrowed, with a dissected edge.

The varieties are highlighted here:

Duchesse de Nemours has an average flowering period. The bush is 1 m in height, it is formed by elongated shoots. It is the first garden variety. The petals in the flower are snow-white, but in the central part they have a yellow-greenish tone. The diameter can reach 19 cm. When flowering, a lily of the valley aroma is spread.
Red Charm - medium early flowering. A bush of strong branched stems, measuring 0.75 m in height. The diameter of open dark red flowers reaches 22 cm.
Monsieur Jules Elie - early flowering. A bush with a height of 0.9 m. The aroma during flowering is pleasant and refined. The diameter of the flower is measured 20 cm. The petals are pinkish-lilac.

Rosy

- owners of wide and rounded flowers, formed by large petals of the same length. They resemble a tea rose.

Crowned

peony varieties are characterized by different sizes of petals in flowers and a variety of colors. The petals in the corolla have a three-tiered arrangement, while on the lower tier they are the largest. There is a division into hemispherical and spherical.