Content
Peony Duchess de Nemours is a type of herbaceous crop. And despite the fact that this variety was bred 170 years ago by the French breeder Calot, it is still in demand among gardeners. Its popularity is explained by its stable lush flowering regardless of weather conditions and a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma reminiscent of lily of the valley.
Duchess de Nemours looks good in a flower bed, in the garden, and is also suitable for cutting
Description of the Duchesse de Nemours peony
Peony Duchess de Nemours is characterized by a spreading, medium-sized bush, reaching a height of 100 cm and a width of 110-120 cm. The splendor of the plant is given by branched shoots that grow in all directions. They are densely covered with openwork dissected leaves of a dark green bottle shade. By autumn, the plates acquire a purplish tint.
Duchess de Nemours, like all herbaceous peonies, has a well-developed root system. It is formed in this culture in a very specific way. Every year, new root shoots form above the replacement buds at the base of the bush. And older ones gradually thicken and turn into peculiar tubers.As a result, the root system of an adult bush deepens by 1 m and grows to a width of about 30-35 cm.
The above-ground shoots of this variety die off in the fall, but with the arrival of spring, the bush very quickly gains green mass. A young seedling grows within three years. When growing, the plant does not require support, as it has strong shoots.
Peony Duchess de Nemours is highly frost-resistant. It easily tolerates temperatures down to -40 degrees. Therefore, it can be grown in all regions where winter frosts do not exceed this level.
This variety is light-loving, but can withstand light partial shade, so it can be planted near tall crops that enter the growing season late.
Features of flowering
Duchess de Nemours is a double variety of herbaceous peonies with a medium flowering period. The bush begins to form buds in April or early May. Lush flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, depending on the growing region. This period lasts about 18 days.
The diameter of the flowers of Duchess de Nemours when blooming is 16 cm. The main shade is white, but closer to the center the petals have a soft cream tint. Flowers do not lose their decorative value after rain. This non-uniform color makes this peony variety especially attractive and elegant.
The splendor of flowering depends on the location of the plant in the garden or flower bed. Duchess de Nemours, when there is a lack of light, grows bushes and reduces the number of buds. It is also important to fertilize in a timely manner so that the plant has the strength to fully bloom.
Cut peony flowers retain their decorative value for a week
Application in design
Peony Duchess de Nemours looks impressive in group plantings with other dark varieties of crops, with the same flowering period. This species can also be planted alone against a background of green lawn or coniferous crops.
In mixborders, Duchess de Nemours goes well with delphinium, foxglove, perennial asters and helenium. To create contrasting compositions, this variety is recommended to be combined with poppy, irises, heuchera and cloves, where the main role will be given to peony.
Duchess de Nemours also looks great against the background of other decorative deciduous perennial crops, where the latter play the role of a kind of background. This peony is not suitable as a tub crop, as it forms a long root. If desired, it can be used as a decoration for a gazebo by planting bushes on both sides of the entrance.
Tall trees can also serve as a backdrop for group compositions of Duchess de Nemours peony
Reproduction methods
This peony variety can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. The first method is used by breeders when obtaining new types of crops. When grown from seed, the peony bush blooms in the 6th year after planting.
The second propagation method is ideal for obtaining new seedlings. But it can only be used if you have an adult Duchess de Nemours bush, which has been growing in one place for many years and has begun to bloom poorly.
To obtain “dividings” it is necessary to dig up the overgrown plant at the end of summer or early autumn. Then it is good to clear the soil from the root and wash it so that the plexus of shoots can be seen.
Beginner gardeners are advised to divide the Duchess de Nemours peony root into strong “divisions”. Each of them should have 3-5 buds at the base and 2-3 well-developed root shoots 8-10 cm long.More experienced gardeners can use seedlings with 1-2 buds and 1-2 root shoots. But in this case, the process of growing peony will be longer and more painstaking. Prepared seedlings should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and then planted in a permanent place.
Landing rules
Planting a newly acquired Duchess de Nemours peony seedling is best done in the northern regions in September, and in the southern and central regions throughout October.
A place for this crop should be well-lit and protected from strong gusts of wind. The peony should be placed at a distance of 2 m from tall crops and at a distance of 1 m in the row. The groundwater level in the area must be at least 1.5 m. The plant prefers loam with a low acidity level.
The peony seedling must be well developed, have at least 3-4 above-ground shoots and a well-developed root system. In this case, the plant should not show any signs of damage. The planting hole for Duchess de Nemours should have a diameter and depth of 60 cm. It must be filled in advance with a nutrient mixture, combining the following components:
- turf soil – 2 parts;
- leaf soil - 1 part;
- humus – 1 part;
- sand - 1 part.
Additionally, add 200 g of wood ash and 60 g of superphosphate to the resulting substrate. This nutrient mixture needs to be filled with 2-3 volumes of the planting hole.
Landing algorithm:
- Make a slight elevation in the center of the planting hole.
- Place the seedling on it and straighten the roots.
- When planting, growth buds must be placed 3-5 cm below the soil surface.
- Cover the roots with soil.
- Compact the surface.
- Water the plant generously.
The plant must be planted at least 3 weeks before the onset of frost.
Aftercare
In the first year, a peony seedling actively grows roots, so it forms few above-ground shoots. Throughout the season, it is necessary to ensure that the soil at the base does not dry out and constantly loosen the surface of the soil. To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the root circle with humus. There is no need to fertilize the plant in the first year.
Peony Duchess de Nemorous is distinguished by its unpretentiousness. Therefore, it does not require special care. Starting from the second year, the plant needs to be fed with mullein at a rate of 1 to 10 during the period of active growth of shoots, and during the formation of buds - with superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (25 g) per bucket of water. Otherwise, care is the same as in the first year.
Preparing for winter
There is no need to cover adult Duchess de Nemours peony bushes for the winter. In late autumn, above-ground shoots should be cut off at the base. For young seedlings up to 3 years of age, it is recommended to cover the root circle with humus mulch 5 cm thick. And with the arrival of spring, this cover should be removed, since this crop has an early growing season.
Peony shoots need to be cut off with the arrival of the first frost.
Pests and diseases
This variety of herbaceous peony is characterized by high resistance to common pests and diseases. But if the growing conditions are inappropriate, the plant’s immunity decreases.
Possible difficulties:
- Aphid – when this insect appears, it is necessary to spray the bushes with Inta-Vir or Iskra.
- Ants – to combat them, it is recommended to sprinkle the soil and shoots with buds with tobacco dust or ash.
- Brown spot – for treatment you should use a 0.7% solution of copper oxychloride.
- Rust – “Fundazol” helps fight the disease.
Conclusion
Peony Duchess de Nemours is distinguished by light floating flowers that rise above the bush. Thanks to this feature, this variety retains its leading position to this day. In addition, it is characterized by stable and lush flowering, subject to minimal care rules.
Reviews of peony Duchess de Nemours
