Content
Planting and caring for tree peonies in the Moscow region does not require complex knowledge and skills; even novice gardeners can grow them. The principles of agricultural technology are based on timely weeding, loosening the soil, and applying fertilizers. Strict adherence to the recommendations for preparing the shrub for winter will preserve its blooming appearance for many years.
With proper care, a peony bush can grow for more than 50 years in one place
Features of growing tree peonies in the Moscow region
Tree peony is a tall, dense shrub with large (up to 25 cm in diameter) double or semi-double flowers of various shades. The plant is not whimsical. It is successfully cultivated throughout Russia.
Growing tree peonies in the Moscow region is based on simple principles:
- high-quality planting material;
- ensuring sufficient soil moisture in summer (watering during the dry summer months);
- regular application of fertilizers;
- frost protection;
- timely pruning and rejuvenation of shrubs to prevent the development of diseases and pest infestation.
The shrub can be planted in partial shade
With proper care, flowering occurs 2–3 years after planting and can last up to 50–70 years.
The best varieties of tree peonies for the Moscow region
In the Moscow region you can plant a wide variety of peonies. They take root easily, bloom profusely, and tolerate winters well. Due to their unpretentiousness, frost-resistant shrubs are used in landscape design.
The following varieties of tree peonies are recognized as the best for the Moscow region:
- "August Dessert" with soft pink double or semi-double buds;
- "Vesuvius" – purple-red flowers remain open for up to 14–20 days;
- "Maria" – delicate terry buds with a pink core;
- "Hoffman" – frost-resistant variety with large double pink flowers; one of the first to bloom;
- "Blue Lagoon" – tall peony with bluish-pink buds;
- "Spring Waltz" – early flowering, spreading shrub with a short flowering period (5–7 days);
- "Kuindzhi" - one of the best varieties with spreading yellow inflorescences.
Frost-resistant tree peonies are recognized as the most unpretentious in care, cultivation and propagation for the Moscow region:
- "Blue Sapphire" – grows quickly, blooms for a long time, can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees;
- "Scarlet Sails" – one of the first to bloom (in mid-May), produces up to 70 buds per season;
- "Jade Princess" - a low-growing spreading shrub with lush white flowers.
Breeders have bred more than 200 tree-like varieties of peonies, any of which, following the recommendations, can be grown independently
Planting and caring for tree peony in the Moscow region
Peonies do not tolerate transplants or movements around the site, so it is important to immediately decide on the location.
Recommended timing
The conditions of the Moscow region allow planting tree-like peonies in open ground both in spring and autumn. Planting dates depend on the prevailing weather and the type of seedlings:
- Shoots with a closed root system can be rooted starting in May throughout the year. Such plants bloom already in the 2nd year;
- It is advisable to plant young shrubs with an open root system in the fall (late August–September). Spring planting will lead to abundant growth of green mass and a delay in the onset of flowering.
Saplings with an open root system will bloom in 3–4 years
Failure to comply with planting deadlines is dangerous for fragile shrubs. In the spring, young shoots may die from returning frosts; they develop worse and do not produce buds well. Plants brought into open ground in October do not tolerate winter well and weaken.
Site selection and soil preparation
Tree varieties of peonies do well in dry, elevated areas with diffused light. Free spaces between garden trees, the space in front of the house or fence are suitable. Such protection will also protect the plant from wind and drafts.
At the same time, too close proximity of tall neighbors can lead to a reduction in the number of buds and flowering time. The optimal distance is 1.5–2 m between plants.
Swampy soil with close groundwater is not desirable for the location of shrubs. It is necessary to organize good drainage or planting in a high flowerbed.
The composition of the soil determines the splendor and duration of flowering. For planting, it is advisable to choose an area with slightly acidic loamy soil. The clay substrate is diluted with ash or coarse sand. Acidity is adjusted with lime.
Landing algorithm
To plant a tree peony on a site in the Moscow region, prepare a deep hole, at least 90 cm deep. Then:
- A drainage layer (expanded clay, broken brick, crushed stone) is placed at the bottom.
- Prepare a nutritious soil mixture of humus, peat and garden soil (1:1:1). For looseness and additional nutrition of young sprouts, add bone meal, sand or ash.
- Apply complex fertilizers according to the recommendations on the packaging.
- The seedling is carefully placed in the hole and the roots are straightened.
- Sprinkle with soil mixture and compact. The root collar is left open to avoid rotting.
- Water the bush abundantly.
- To protect against drying out and provide additional insulation during autumn planting, the tree trunk circle is mulched.
Mulch protects the root space from drying out and frost
Caring for tree peonies in the Moscow region
Peonies are one of the most unpretentious shrubs. They respond well to proper care with vigorous and long-lasting flowering.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Peonies are not picky about soil conditions and can withstand drought. With excessive moisture, stagnation of water, they are prone to rot and powdery mildew infection.
In the conditions of the Moscow region, tree peonies are watered abundantly in the spring (starting in May) and before flowering.During the summer months, moderate irrigation once every 6–10 days is sufficient.
From August, watering is reduced, and by the end of summer-early autumn, it is stopped completely.
1–2 days after moistening, the soil is loosened (no deeper than 5 cm, so as not to damage the roots), and if necessary, mulched with sawdust.
Feeding of peonies planted in the Moscow region is carried out annually:
- in the spring, after the snow melts, the first fertilizers are applied to the bushes: 2 tsp. nitrogen and potassium;
- the second feeding is carried out during the budding period: 2 tsp. nitrogen, 1 tsp. potassium, 100 g phosphorus;
- to prepare for winter and strengthen shoots, the plant is fertilized with a mixture of phosphorus (20 g) and potassium (15 g).
Trimming
Tree varieties of peonies do not require formative pruning.
In the spring, before intensive growth begins, weak, frozen shoots are removed from the bush. The remaining branches are shortened by 10–15 cm, to a living bud.
Living buds on frozen branches may appear in the second half of May, so there is no need to rush to remove them
Anti-aging pruning is carried out every 7-10 years. All shoots are removed at the root, leaving 5–7 cm.
Damaged shoots infected with pests are removed immediately throughout the year, preventing the disease from spreading to the entire bush.
Preparing tree peony for winter in the Moscow region
Adult flowering shrubs are frost-resistant; they tolerate frosts down to -20 degrees.
A warm, damp autumn or late return frosts in the spring in the Moscow region can lead to the appearance of rot, the death of young shoots, and the cessation of flowering.In addition, insufficient attention to the condition of the soil, an abundance of weeds and fallen leaves create favorable conditions for infection by pests and fungi.
In the Moscow region, preparing tree peonies for winter begins in August and includes the following activities:
- reduction or complete cessation of watering in August (depending on weather conditions);
- deep loosening of the soil in September with the addition of peat or humus (1 bucket per bush);
- pruning leaves and wilted buds, removing damaged shoots;
- thorough cleaning of fallen leaves.
For successful wintering of tree peony in the Moscow region, young bushes are completely covered with a layer of mulch (straw, sawdust). A tripod canopy is built over the mature plants and wrapped with covering material and spruce branches.
Tarpaulin, non-woven fabric, burlap are used as covering materials.
The shelter is removed after the snow begins to melt.
Pests and diseases
Tree peonies, when properly cared for, are resistant to diseases and pests. In the Moscow region, most often shoots are affected by:
- gray rot – occurs when there is high humidity and non-compliance with the watering schedule. Spreads to young stems, leaves, buds. Without timely treatment, it spreads to the roots and the plant dies. To save the bush, it is treated with copper sulfate (7% solution) or potassium permanganate (4 g per 10 liters of water);
White fluffy plaque is the main sign of rot infection.
- brown spot – affects the leaf plate, leads to drying of the crown and slower growth. The affected shoots are removed and burned, the bush is treated with Bordeaux mixture;
In the Moscow region, spotting appears on leaves in the first half of June
- powdery mildew – harmless to peony, but spoils the appearance of the foliage; affected branches are not suitable for making a bouquet. For treatment, use a solution of soda ash and laundry soap.
Most often, powdery mildew appears on mature plants.
Of the pests, tree peonies attack:
- ants;
- thrips;
- nematodes;
- aphid.
Ants attracted to the sweet nectar of peonies encourage aphid colonies to grow on leaves and stems.
To combat them, a variety of fungicides and insecticides are used, weeds are removed in a timely manner, and the condition of the soil and the health of neighboring plants on the site are monitored.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for tree peony in the Moscow region has its own characteristics, which include careful selection of planting material, careful attention to the composition of the soil, humidity, and responsible preparation for winter. If you strictly follow all the recommendations, you can grow any variety of flowering shrub on your site without deep knowledge of agricultural technology.
