Description and characteristics of peony varieties Sarah Bernhardt, cultivation technology
Sarah Bernhardt is one of the most luxurious peony varieties. First introduced over a century ago, this elegant and aromatic plant is popular with gardeners. They love this variety of peony for the harmonious combination of a spectacular appearance, noble shades and unpretentiousness.
Description and features
Peony Sarah Bernhardt is a perennial herb that can decorate and transform a garden or summer cottage. Its large flowers have a dense texture and a double surface. Numerous concave petals are arranged in scales. The stems are short, but strong and stable enough that the peony does not need support. The bush looks very neat.
The Sarah Bernhardt peony variety is characterized by delicate leaves with a slight dissection, which retain their rich green color from April to late autumn.
The flowering period starts relatively late, lasts about 1-2 months. The color range is very noble, it is represented by white, red, pearl pink and milky-flowered colors.
The history of the origin of the flower
A hybrid peony variety was born over a century ago. Its author was the famous breeder Pierre Lemoine, who was a contemporary and admirer of the talented actress Sarah Bernhardt. In his creation, he decided to embody the main features inherent in her - sophistication, charm, sophistication, grace and aristocracy.
Varieties
Peony Sarah Bernhardt is divided into several varieties.
Red Sarah Bernard
The peony variety Red Sarah Bernhardt is characterized by an expressive aroma and strong, strong flower stalks. Large flowers have a truly luxurious color - dark red with copper and ruby tints. The terry surface of their petals is in harmony with the glossy dark green foliage. The average height of such a bush is 85-90 centimeters.
White
White variety is distinguished by snow-white flowers with a delicate double surface and a pleasant sweetish aroma. The silvery tint gives nobility and sophistication. The height of the peony bush is about 75 centimeters.
Unique
Sarah Bernhardt Unique - a flower in pearl pink tones with soft lilac tints. It begins to bloom in the first half of summer.
Landing
Before planting peonies, it is necessary to take into account the requirements for the soil.
Seat selection
The peony likes the abundance of light, so it is most comfortable in areas with natural sunlight and little shade. Strongly shaded areas are not suitable as they adversely affect flowering.
Soil requirements
The optimal soil for peony Sarah Bernhardt is a loamy soil with a slightly acidic reaction. In the case of a predominance of clay in the soil, it is necessary to add refined river sand. If the soil contains more sand, you need to dilute it with clay. The soil with the highest hydrogen values needs to be added lime at the rate of 300-350 grams per 1 m2 - this will optimize the acidity of the soil.
Timing
Sarah Bernhardt should start planting herbaceous peony in spring, preferably at the end of April. Prerequisites are the absence of snow and frost, as well as stable heating of the air to a temperature of + 12 ° C.
How to plant
Pits for planting peony bushes must be prepared in advance - about two weeks in advance. At the bottom of each seat, add a nutrient mixture consisting of 200 g of superphosphate, 0.5 liters of a solution of wood ash, as well as equal parts of sod land, river coarse sand and humus.
Sarah Bernhardt peony seedlings prepared for planting must be examined for diseases and any damage. If defects are found, the rhizomes should be kept in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes.
Then make a mound in the planting hole, place the seedling in it and sprinkle with the prepared substrate. Planting depth should not exceed 2.5-4 centimeters.
Care
A competent and regular move is the key to the development of a peony without diseases.
Watering
The first watering of the plant is carried out immediately after planting. In the future, you need to water this luxurious flower at least twice a month in the evening. Each bush requires 30 liters of water. In case of prolonged dry weather, the frequency of water procedures should be increased.
Loosening and weeding
Weeding the soil in which the Sarah Bernhardt peony grows is required as weeds appear. Loosening should be done after each watering. In autumn, all dry and damaged inflorescences should be removed to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Prune the stems before wintering. After cutting, there should be 1-2 centimeters above the kidneys.
Mulching
In spring it is recommended to mulch the soil using a mixture of wood ash and peat to increase fertility.
Peony Sarah Bernhardt usually tolerates wintering with ease, but sometimes you need to be on the safe side. A layer of peat or unripe compost can be used to cover the bushes.
It is necessary to remove the covering material in the spring, immediately when the soil begins to thaw.
Top dressing
The first top dressing applied to the planting site will provide the peony bush with all the necessary nutrients for three years in advance. Subsequently, you will need to periodically fertilize the plant.
Nitrogen based fertilizers have a beneficial effect on the bud setting process. And for optimal formation of the root system, the peony will need fertilizers with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus.
It is unacceptable to make any top dressing in dry soil conditions, as this can lead to root burns and subsequent plant death.
You can feed peonies only after rain or planned watering.
During the spring-summer period, the Sarah Bernhardt peonies require feeding in three stages:
- In early spring, while the snow has not melted, scatter a mixture of carbamide and potassium sulfate (15 grams of each component) around the bush.
- Before starting the laying of flowers, fertilize the plant with a mixture consisting of 20 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium sulfate and 10 g of carbamide.
- At the end of the peony flowering period, use a mixture of potassium and phosphorus dressings (15 grams each) to stimulate kidney formation.
Diseases and pests
Peony Sarah Bernhardt, with proper care, is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests, but in some cases it may be disturbed by gray rot, viruses and rodents.
Gray rot
The disease, called gray rot, is a danger mainly for young and immature plants. Its main symptom is a gray coating on the leaves, flowers and stems.
There are two effective preventive methods:
- Bordeaux mixture - 3 liters for 1 bush;
- garlic solution - 1 chopped head of garlic in 2 liters of water.
Both products are used to treat bushes in early spring.
Rust
Rust is a dangerous disease that leads to disruption of the metabolic process, as well as a decrease in the immunity and winter hardiness of the plant. The causative agent is a rust fungus. It is easy to determine the infection - spots of a characteristic brown color appear on the leaves of the peony. To get rid of the disease, it is necessary to cut off and burn all the affected areas of the bush.
Mosaic
Mosaic, or ring mosaic, is a viral disease that manifests itself as yellow and light green spots and stripes localized on the surface of the leaves. Not amenable to treatment. In order to prevent further spread of the infection, it is necessary to uproot and burn the bush.
Nematodes
Nematodes are small roundworms that attack the leaves, flowers, stems and even the roots of the plant. The main symptoms of pest activity are:
- curvature of the stems;
- swelling on the rhizomes;
- yellowish tint of leaves.
It is difficult to fight the nematode, since the abundance of chemicals is undesirable for the garden plot. The infected plant must be completely dug up and burned.
As a preventive measure, before planting a peony, you should carefully examine the roots, and clean the garden tools from the remains of the earth and pour over boiling water.
Rodents
Mice and other rodents are also enemies of peonies. They spoil the roots of plants, as a result of which leaves begin to curl.
In order to protect it, it is advisable to plant several plants next to the peonies, which have a deterrent effect on rodents. These include:
- black elderberry;
- chamomile;
- common tansy;
- peritrum girlish;
- wormwood.
Reproduction
There are several ways to breed a variety.
Division of rhizomes
The easiest and most effective way is to divide the peony rhizomes in August or September.
It is recommended to carry out this procedure only for the 3-5th year after planting, so that the plant is sufficiently strong and strong:
- Remove the bush from the ground.
- Clean the rhizome, remove the rotten parts.
- Keep the root under the sun for several hours.
- Gently drive a wooden wedge into the center of the bush and split the root. The divided parts should have one root and 2-3 buds.
- Treat the cut surfaces with charcoal.
- Place the obtained parts of the rhizomes in the previously prepared planting holes and water.
Collection and storage of seeds
Seeds should be harvested between mid-August and early September, while their shells are moderately soft. In place of the flower, a box is formed, filled with round-shaped seeds. When the sash of the box opens slightly, it must be ripped off and all contents removed.
For subsequent reproduction, you should collect shiny large seeds of light brown color. You can store them in cardboard boxes or small glass containers.
Why does not it bloom
Care errors lead to a lack of flowering.
Wrong choice of landing site
In a heavily shaded area, do not expect wild flowering. You can correct the situation by transplanting the peony on a small hill, well-lit by the sun and blown by the wind.
Frequent transplants and divisions
A peony transplant, performed more often than five years later, weakens the plant.
Incorrect fit
A large planting depth is unfavorable due to too far-apart roots. Planting a peony at a minimum depth is also not recommended, since the buds will freeze and the flowers will not be able to develop. The optimum depth is 3-4 centimeters.
Advanced age
In bushes that have been growing for several years, the intensity and quality of flowering decreases. Therefore, a transplant or division is required every five years.
Too acidic soil
Reduce soil acidity by adding magnesium and calcium. Ground limestone, wood ash, or crushed chalk can be used.
Potassium deficiency
Lack of potassium also negatively affects the flowering of the Sarah Bernhardt peony. In this situation, you need to feed the plant with a potassium magnesium solution or potassium sulfate.
Insufficient watering
Dryness of the soil during the budding period of the peony leads to a lack of flowering. For proper development, at least 30 liters of water per bush is required.
Diseases or pests
As a result of damage to the roots of the peony by nematodes or rodents, the bush stops blooming. Affected plants must be destroyed and preventive measures taken.
Use in landscape design
This variety of peony decorates parks, squares, rock gardens, gardens and personal plots.
This flower looks most impressive next to barberry, sage, honeysuckle, hellebore, thuja, poppies and irises.
