Peony is one of the most popular flowers that are grown in the garden. A separate interesting category is milk-flowered peony.
Milky-flowered peony (Paeonia Lactiflora) - what kind of peonies is this, the history of creation
Before buying seeds, you need to study all the characteristics of the plant. The maximum height of the plant is 1 meter. The older the plant, the larger the flowers.
Short description, characteristic
Many gardeners are interested in the question: milk flowered peonies - what kind of plants are these? Milky-flowered peony (lat. Paeonia lactiflora) refers to herbaceous perennials. The foliage is lush, dark green in color. Flowers are ordinary and double.
Milky-flowered peony
Advantages and disadvantages of the species
Benefits:
- beautiful and plentiful flowering;
- unpretentiousness in leaving;
- can grow for a long time in one place, does not need frequent transplants;
- variety of varieties.
Note! Of the shortcomings of Paeonia Lactiflora, short flowering is secreted, which lasts about 2 weeks.
Use in landscape design
Milky-flowered peony is often used in landscaping. The plant looks harmonious in single and group plantings. It is also used for decoration borders.
Classification of the type of milk-flowered peonies
The plant is divided into several types.
Medicinal
Perennial herbaceous plant. The height of the stems is 50-80 cm. The flowers are simple, usually a dark red shade.
Evasion
The wild variety is better known as Maryin root.
Narrow-leaved
The peculiarity of this species is that the leaves are very thin, similar to spruce needles. The flowers are simple, maroon.
Tree-like
The variety is distinguished by thick, erect stems and lush foliage.
Mlokosevich
Leaflets of a dark green shade. Stems erect. The flowers are ordinary, wide open.
On a note! The shape of the flowers can be simple, terry and semi-double.
Varieties most in demand among gardeners
The best varieties of milk-flowered peony, which are in great demand among gardeners.
Charm
Variety charm has several shades of inflorescence. Flowers are white, light pink and pink.
Francois Ortegat
The flowers are large, with a diameter of up to 17 cm. Inflorescences of a terry type, maroon shade.
Paul M. Wild
The diameter of the flowers is up to 20 cm. The inflorescences are terry, crimson.
Sword Dance
The type of flower is ordinary, cherry-colored petals. In the center with yellow staminodes.
Yellow
The Yellow variety is distinguished by a lemon tint of petals. Terry inflorescence.
Red
Variety Red is distinguished by raspberry-cherry color inflorescences.
Carl Rosenfield
Variety Carl Rosenfield is distinguished by large flowers, with a diameter up to 15 cm. Petals of a shade of fuchsia.
Nippon Beauty
The flowers are simple, burgundy petals. In the center are yellow staminodes.
Big Ben
Inflorescences are saturated red-carmine hue.
Grade Big Ben
Other
Of the other varieties, Sorbet is popular with an unusual form of pink-milky flowers. Another variation of White Wings with white simple buds. Bowl of Beauty - a plant with pale pink petals.
Growing a flower, how to plant in open ground
Features of growing peony at home.
Planting with root cuttings
A root stalk is a small piece of rhizome with a kidney and a small root. Features of growing plants with root cuttings:
- Dig up the rhizome, clean it from the ground, cut off the rotted areas.
- Divide it into several pieces, so that each had a growth bud and a spine. Cuttings should be 2-4 cm.
- Soak them for several hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
- Then dry and roll in crushed charcoal.
- Leave the cuttings for the night so that a thin crust appears in the places of cuts.
- Plant cuttings in beds at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other.
It's important to know! For the winter, the cuttings are sheltered. After 1-2 years, the plants can be transplanted to a permanent place.
What time is the landing
The best period for grafting is July-August. Plants grown from cuttings are best replanted in the fall (until mid-October).
Location selection
Peony prefers to grow in sunny areas protected from cold winds. In the shade, planting is not recommended. Flowering will be sparse.
How to prepare the soil and flower for planting
Loamy soil is optimal for peonies. A few months before planting, the soil is dug up and rotted manure is introduced. Then repeat the procedure again before landing.
Note! The flower is soaked for several hours in a growth activator (Kornevin, Epin) before being placed in the ground.
Landing procedure step by step
Peony planting in the ground:
- dig a hole;
- expanded clay is poured into the bottom of the hole;
- place the seedling in the ground and sprinkle;
- the root neck cannot be deepened, the flower will take root for a long time.
At the end of planting, pour the seedlings abundantly with warm water. If several bushes grow nearby, the distance between them is left at least 30 cm.
Peony planting in open ground
Seed planting
Growing a peony in a seed way is a laborious task. It is not always possible to achieve a positive result. Description of planting seeds:
- seeds are harvested from August to September;
- immediately after harvesting, planting material is planted in open ground to a depth of 5 cm;
- on the eve of winter, the place where the seeds were planted is mulched with peat or sawdust;
- Before the onset of cold weather, the mulch is covered with a layer of lapotnik.
Some shoots appear in the spring of next year.
Care for Milk Flower Varieties
Milk-flowered peony is unpretentious in leaving.
Watering and feeding
Bushes begin to be watered in the spring, in late April or early May. 2-3 waterings per week are enough. In summer, plants are watered every day if it is hot.
From top dressing, you can use complex mineral fertilizers. In the early spring, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil. During the flowering period, peonies are fed with potassium and phosphorus. You can use a solution of ammonium nitrate (6 g), superphosphate (10 g) and potassium salt (5 g).
Additional Information! Mineral fertilizing can be alternated with organic.
Mulching and cultivation
Several times a month, before irrigation, the soil must be loosened and all weeds pulled out. Mulching peonies is optional, especially in regions with mild winters.
The loosening procedure is necessary to saturate the roots with oxygen
Preventative treatment
As a prophylaxis against pests and diseases, the bushes are sprayed with Iskra or Karbofos preparations before pruning. Of the folk methods, processing with a solution of yarrow helps.
Flowering milky-flowered peonies
During the flowering period, peonies need special care so that it is plentiful.
Period of activity and rest
The flowering period lasts from late May to mid-June. The rest period falls on August-March.
Care during and after flowering
On the stems, several buds are usually formed. But, when they bloom, the flowers are small. In order for the inflorescences to be large, only one upper bud is left on each stem, the side ones are cut off. Faded peonies are immediately cut off.
Note! During flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil, or sprinkled with wood ash before irrigation.
After flowering, you need to immediately collect the fallen petals. Because of them, fungal diseases can appear. Many gardeners stop watering the bushes after flowering, but this can not be done. To lay the buds, the bush needs moisture.
What to do if it does not bloom, possible causes
Reasons why peony does not bloom:
- the root neck is set too deep;
- the plant is in the shade;
- the peony was not transplanted for a long time;
- too frequent bush transplant.
Additional Information! Also, the cause may be a lack of nutrients in the soil or their excess. In this case, the bush will actively build up deciduous mass.
Peonies after flowering
Features of plant care after flowering.
Transfer
The plant does not need frequent transplants. In one place, it can grow up to 10-15 years. It is necessary to transplant if the flower begins to grow poorly or ceases to bloom.
The procedure is not advisable to perform immediately after flowering. During the transplant, the plant is carefully dug up so as not to damage the roots and planted in a new place.
Perennial transplant
Pruning
Immediately after the buds have faded, they can be cut. It is permissible to leave the foliage until autumn.
Winter preparations
Peonies are cold-resistant plants, they do not need shelters for the winter. In the northern latitudes, you can mulch the soil near the bush for prevention.
Diseases, pests and ways to combat them
Most often, peonies affect fungi. The most common diseases:
- rust;
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- verticillus wilting.
Of the pests you can find ants, aphids, gall nematodes, bronzes. For the fight using fungicides and insecticides.
Peony is a beautiful plant that will become a real decoration of any garden. Thanks to the lush flowering, it is impossible to look away from it.
