Description of thin-leaved peony, planting and care in the open field
Growing a thin-leaved peony is a very interesting process that requires strict implementation of the recommendations of experienced florists. To get a strong plant, you need to provide it with proper and complete care. To do this, it is recommended to water correctly, apply fertilizers in a timely manner, cut and loosen the plant. The fight against pests and diseases is of great importance.
Description and features
The narrow-leaved peony that grows naturally is called the raven. Today there are more than 20 varieties of such crops. The breeders managed to breed a terry crop. The plant does not produce seeds, and therefore it can only be propagated by dividing the root system.
The thin-leaved peony reaches a height of 40-60 centimeters. A lot of buds are formed on it, the diameter of which is 8-10 centimeters. All flowers appear at the same time. Thanks to this, you can admire lush bouquets for 7-10 days.
A perennial plant does not lose its beauty even after flowering. Its thin leaves are fern-like and have excellent decorative properties..
Beneficial features
This culture has poisonous properties. However, at the same time, it is actively used in medicine. This is due to the expectorant, analgesic, bactericidal characteristics. Peony is an effective antispasmodic and helps fight off parasites.
Plant-based substances are often used to combat anemia. They can be used for coughs and syphilis. From the roots of a peony, you can prepare funds to eliminate tuberculosis and pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
The plant contains tannins and anthocyanins. It also contains flavonoids, vitamin C, fatty oil. All of these substances are required for the manufacture of drugs. The plant is also prized for its melliferous characteristics.
Popular varieties
There are quite a few varieties of this type of peony. Each of them has certain features.
Rubra plena
This plant has a compact shrub that grows up to 50 centimeters. Scarlet double flowers are 10 centimeters in diameter. Flowering begins in May.Although the culture does not bloom for long, its decorative properties can be preserved until August.
Tiny Tim
It is a hybrid characterized by carved red petals. Their diameter is 8 centimeters. The culture is characterized by early flowering and the absence of special requirements for the composition of the soil. The plant grows well in rocky soil. It is actively used for rock gardens.
Early scout
The peony of this variety reaches 50 centimeters in height. The diameter of its flowers is 12 centimeters. The culture is characterized by thin lanceolate leaves of a dark green hue. The bush is impressive in size and retains its decorative properties throughout the warm season. Flowers have a bright red hue and a laconic shape.
The culture is resistant to frost. Therefore, it is possible not to cover it for the winter. The peony begins to bloom in the second half of May.
Eaglet
This variety is characterized by a beautiful bush shape. It has slightly deflected stems and green glossy leaves. The plant reaches a height of 60 centimeters. It is characterized by simple flowers up to 10 centimeters in size. They have a red tint. Under the influence of the sun, the petals acquire a carmine hue.
Landing
To get a strong and viable plant, it is worth choosing the right place for planting and providing it with adequate care.
Seat selection
The plant grows well in sunny areas. In the shade, the crop can also be grown, but in this case it may not bloom. It is forbidden to plant a narrow-leaved peony in a lowland, since it hardly perceives stagnant liquid. Natural habitats include the slopes of gullies and ravines, dense thickets, edges.
The culture goes well with other plants. It can be safely planted near junipers or conifers. Also, the plant grows well in combination with herbaceous peonies.
Soil requirements
High-quality drainage is considered a key requirement for the soil. It is important that the liquid goes away quickly. This will help prevent the development of fungal diseases. The soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline.
Soil preparation
It is recommended to make a hole under the seedling. Its diameter and depth should be 50 centimeters. Drainage is installed at the bottom. It is made from crushed brick, expanded clay or gravel. The height of this layer should be 20 centimeters.
It is worth pouring garden soil on top. It is recommended to mix it with compost, humus. You can also use mineral dressings and dolomite flour.
Timing
It is best to plant a peony in August or September. It is at this moment that the vegetative period of the ground part ends. Thanks to this, the roots of the plot take root easily and do not waste energy on the shoots.
When planting, it is not recommended to deeply deepen the plant. It is important that the kidneys are 3-5 centimeters below the surface of the earth. In spring, the plant can also be planted. It will be accepted, but it will lag behind in development.
Landing scheme
It is allowed to deepen the peony by a maximum of 10 centimeters. After separation, the bushes should not be immersed more than 3-5 centimeters. Otherwise, they will not be able to fully bloom.
It is important that the root system does not touch the fertilizer layer. After the end of planting, it is worth making an elevation around the plant. Its height should reach 10-12 centimeters. The land can be replaced with peat or humus. It is forbidden to tamp the soil in the planting area. This will damage the fragile root system.
Care
In order for the plant to develop fully, it is necessary to provide it with quality care. It should be comprehensive.
Watering
This is a fairly moisture-loving culture that requires systematic soil moistening. In summer, it is recommended to water each seedling at least 3 times a week. It is important to remember about a sense of proportion. Stagnant liquid will harm the plant.When watering, you should focus on the appearance of the soil. When it dries, you can water the peony.
Top dressing
When using fertilizers when planting in the first 2 years, the crop can be left without feeding. It is worth applying fertilizers from the third year. In the spring, it is recommended to add 50 grams of ammonium nitrate and urea under each bush.
In the summer, it is worth using complex mineral preparations. In autumn, the peony needs to use potassium and phosphorus-based dressings. At the same time, an excess of nitrogen is harmful to the plant - it leads to a decrease in the number of buds.
Loosening and weeding
The soil around the plant should be systematically loosened. Peonies thrive in light and airy soil. The procedure should be carried out very carefully to avoid damage to the root system. It is recommended to loosen the ground near the roots by 5-7 centimeters in depth. In more remote areas, it is allowed to deepen by 10 centimeters.
Removal of weeds, which leads to the spread of diseases, is of no small importance. To reduce the number of waterings and deal with weeds, gardeners are advised to mulch the soil. For this, humus or peat can be used.
Pruning
In the fall, the plant should be pruned. It is recommended to do this after the leaves have wilted. The bush should be cut to the root, after which a layer of peat should be made for the winter.
Shelter for the winter
Peony is resistant to frost. Therefore, it does not need to be covered before winter. But it is important to consider that with return frosts, the plant may die.
Diseases and pests
Flowers are eaten by ants, caterpillars, bronze beetles. To scare away insects, it is recommended to sprinkle the bushes with hellebore infusion or an insecticidal preparation. Nematodes live on roots. For preventive purposes, the tops should be burned, and the soil should be dug up.
Peony can face such diseases:
- Gray rot. To avoid its development, the soil should be weeded and loosened. In early spring, the soil is treated with a fungicide.
- Brown spotting. Bordeaux liquid will help to cope with it.
Reproduction
Thin-leaved peony can be propagated in various ways. Each of them has some peculiarities.
Dividing the bush
This is the most reliable way to rejuvenate adult cultures. To do this, you need to separate 2 roots 10 centimeters long in a finger thick. They should have 3-4 buds. The plant will take root quickly.
Seeds
It is worth planting seeds immediately after ripening. The sprouts will appear next spring or in 1-2 years. Reproduction of culture is a long process. It takes 5 years from planting seeds to the appearance of flowers.
Cuttings
Peonies can be transplanted with root cuttings with a bud. This is done in late August or early September. It is worth planting root shoots at a distance of 60-70 centimeters.
How to plant in winter
This peony can be planted in winter. In this case, a number of features should be taken into account.
Soil preparation
The plant requires nutritious fertile soil. It should have a neutral alkaline reaction. It is important to avoid acidic soil.
How to prepare seeds
Purchased seeds quickly lose moisture during long-term storage. The hard shell prevents the emergence of sprouts. To facilitate this process, the seeds should be soaked before planting.
How to plant
After 2 days after soaking, the seeds can be placed in the soil. This can be done in winter. To begin with, it is worth pouring sand into a wide container. It should be moistened, and then the seeds should be placed in the dish.
Temperature and light conditions
The container with seeds should be placed on a heating pad. During the day, the temperature should be 30 degrees, at night - 15. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings are transferred to a warm and bright place. The temperature should be 18-20 degrees.
Transfer to peat tablets
When the first roots appear, the seeds can be transplanted into fertile soil.Peat tablets are perfect for this purpose. They contain antibacterial agents and nutrients.
Dive
This procedure is recommended when 2-3 leaves appear on the plant. For this, each sprout is transferred to a separate container.
Hardening
It is allowed to transplant peonies into open ground after hardening. To do this, they should be taken outside for several days.
Landing in open ground
In late August or early September, seedlings should be planted in open ground. The development of the root system will continue in the fall. When grown from seed, flowers will appear only 4-5 years.
Conservation status
Today, group plantings of such peonies can be found exclusively in reserves. The plant is listed in the Red Book of Russia. Thin-leaved peonies are found in the foothills of the Caucasus and other places that are not plowed.
Florist reviews
Numerous reviews confirm the excellent decorative properties of a thin-leaved peony:
- Anastasia: “I saw this peony from a neighbor in the country and asked her for the roots. This ornamental plant now adorns my site as well.
- Valentina: “I have been growing narrow-leaved peonies for a long time in my country house. I like this plant very much, but it is quite whimsical. "
Use in landscape design
This culture is actively used in landscape design. It goes well with cereals, flax, broom bushes. The narrow-leaved peony adorns the alpine slides. Experienced flower growers recommend planting several peonies at once, combining early and late varieties.
Thin-leaved peony is a beautiful plant that is actively used for decorative purposes. To grow a culture, you should strictly follow the recommendations of experienced florists.
