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The peony genus includes more than 3 dozen species, including rare ones, for example, the mountain peony, included in the Red Book. It grows in natural conditions, has not been introduced into cultivation, but if desired, it can be grown in the garden - if you follow the rules of agricultural technology.
Full description of mountain peony
This species is classified as endangered. The description of the mountain peony, a plant from the Red Book, was made in 1984. It is a perennial, characterized by cold resistance; in nature it can withstand even the most severe cold.
The rhizome of the plant is located horizontally in the ground, the bush has a straight single stem, 0.3-0.6 m tall, ribbed, with a purple stripe along the ribs, with large red-crimson integumentary scales at the base. The leaves of the peony are green, with red-violet veins, obovate in shape, three times trifoliate, with a solid, uncut edge. Wide – 18-28 cm in diameter. As you can see, the plant is different from peonies, which usually bloom in gardens, but it is also decorative in its own way.
Mountain peony has delicate flowers and is often located among stones
Where do mountain peonies grow?
Their habitat is the Far Eastern regions of Russia, Khabarovsk, Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin region. In addition to the Russian Federation, this species grows in Korea, Japan and China. The plant can be seen in mixed forests - both among coniferous trees and larches. Likes to grow in the shade, on gentle slopes or in floodplains.
Peony does not grow in large groups, does not form clearings or large clusters, and grows mainly in single specimens or small groups.
How does a mountain peony bloom?
Plants bloom in May. The flowers are simple, formed from 5-6 medium-sized petals, arranged in 1 row, light cream or yellowish, less often pink or white. The flowers are 6-12 cm in diameter. The corolla rests on a green, fleshy sepal. In the center there are up to 6 dozen bright yellow stamens with a purple base. The aroma of flowers is reminiscent of poppy.
After 2 months - at the end of July or beginning of August, the mountain peony ripens fruits with seeds. These are greenish-purple single-leafed leaves, each containing 4-8 brown seeds.
Why is the mountain peony listed in the Red Book?
The mountain peony is included in the Red Book, as its numbers have greatly decreased and are still at a low level. And there is still no hope that plants will independently restore their numbers to levels when they are not in danger of extinction.
The value of mountain peonies for the ecosystem
Since everything in nature is interconnected, the disappearance of a population of any plant species entails a disruption in the entire system. The same applies to mountain peony. Despite the fact that it does not serve as food for animals and does not form thickets that would noticeably affect the state of the ecosystem, it also has its significance as an ornamental plant.
Mountain peonies decorate clearings in the forest and fill spaces in young deciduous plantings
Reasons for the extinction of the species
The reasons for this state of the species are human activities: deforestation, which destroys the natural habitat of plants, forest fires.
This type of plant is also vulnerable because some people, walking through the forest, dig up rhizomes to try to grow flowers on their site. But they do not always succeed, because the plant, even if it takes root, grows poorly, since it is not in comfortable conditions. They also dig up the roots because they consider them medicinal, but this is a mistake; of the many types of peonies, only the medicinal and evasive peony (Maryin root) have medicinal properties.
The number of peonies is also reduced by the fact that people pick their flowers for bouquets. In this case, the bush itself is harmed, and the plants cannot set seeds and reproduce.
Measures to protect mountain peonies
Protected natural areas have been created in the Primorsky Territory and Sakhalin, where scientific, environmental and cultural activities are carried out aimed at protecting the mountain peony from destruction. In the regions it is prohibited to pick flowers and dig up plant rhizomes. All this should contribute to the fact that the number of beautiful flowers will gradually increase.
Is it possible to grow mountain peonies at home?
Mountain peonies propagated vegetatively can theoretically grow in private gardens. But in practice this happens quite rarely. Basically, to increase their numbers, they are grown in botanical gardens, using a scientific approach to this work. In suitable conditions, the mountain peony takes root and blooms.
How to propagate mountain peonies
This species reproduces in the same way as cultivated forms. Since it is impossible to completely dig up the bush, there is only one option left - to separate part of the root from it so that the plant does not die.
The root piece should be such that it contains a growth bud. After digging, you need to sprinkle the rhizome with soil so that the roots do not remain exposed. The best time for digging is the end of August or the beginning of autumn.
You can try another way: root a leaf cutting. Cut a part from the middle of the shoot; there should be an axillary bud on it. Plant the cuttings in a moist, loose substrate and root in a greenhouse at high humidity for about 1-1.5 months. Afterwards you can plant them in the garden.
Wild peonies, unlike garden peonies, reproduce well by seeds. The species characteristics are well preserved, so for home breeding you can grow the plant from seeds. To do this, you need to collect the fruits after they have ripened on the bush. Grow seedlings from them and then transplant them to a permanent place in the garden. The cultivation technology is the same as for cultivated peonies:
- Seeds are sown in a small bed in September-October.
- Before the onset of cold weather, it is covered with a layer of mulch.
- In the spring, as soon as the snow melts, the shelter is removed with the onset of sunny weather.
Before transplanting, peonies from seeds must grow in the garden bed for at least 1 year. They most likely will not bloom in the first few years of their life.
The first years after planting, sprouts need special care.
Planting and care
The place for the mountain peony in the garden must be chosen so that it is in the shade or partial shade, because it is in such conditions that it grows in nature. Dig up the area where the plant will be located and add humus and ash to it, especially if the soil is poor and has not been fertilized for a long time.
Mountain peony is replanted early in spring or autumn - before or after the end of the growing season. The dimensions of the planting hole must exceed the volume of the roots of the seedling being planted. It needs to be deepened so that the growth buds are covered with soil. Then water the seedling with water.
Caring for a mountain peony is simple: it needs to be watered frequently in the first month, making sure that the ground is always moist. After rooting, you can water only in hot weather; the rest of the time the plant will have enough moisture from the rains.
It is enough to feed once per season - in early spring or autumn, using mineral or organic fertilizers. There is no need to overfeed, this will not make the flowers larger or more luxuriant.
Preparations for winter should be carried out during autumn work in the garden: cut off wilted stems, take them out and burn them, lightly dig up the bush to give air to the roots, then sprinkle with leaves or any other type of mulch. However, even if there is no insulation, the plant should not freeze, since it is much more resistant to cold than varietal peonies.
Pests and diseases
The mountain peony has a stronger immune system than the domestic peony, so it usually does not get sick.But under favorable conditions for pathogens, some plants can be affected by fungal diseases, and a little less often - viral ones. After establishing the cause, you need to carry out treatment: treat the bushes with drugs.
The same applies to pests. Most often, ants damage peonies. If insects are found on the buds, you need to use folk remedies to combat them, for example, mix sugar or honey with boric acid and scatter them near the bush. Attracted by the sweet bait, the ants will die.
You can spray the peony with an infusion of herbs whose smell pests do not like: bay leaf, parsley, tansy, wormwood, marigold, lavender, mint or garlic infusion. If this does not help, you need to use chemical insecticides.
Among garden pests, aphids can settle on plants. You can also fight it using traditional methods: spraying it with ash, soap or tobacco infusion. It is quite possible that one time will not be enough to completely get rid of pests, so after some time (about 1.5 weeks) you need to repeat spraying. As in the case of ants, it is advisable to use agrochemicals only in extreme cases.
Conclusion
Mountain peony is a rare plant, protected by the state. That is why it is better to admire it in nature, but if you wish, you can grow it in your garden. The general principles of agricultural technology for this type coincide with the technology for growing garden peonies, so no special difficulties should arise.
