Content
The Chinese peony blooms like a living jewel, bringing a wealth of colors and amazing aroma to the world of gardens and parks. These flowers, imbued with history and cultural roots, have long won the hearts of gardeners and flower growers around the world. Their graceful buds and rich colors make them a popular choice for landscaping and garden decoration.
Description of the Chinese peony
Chinese peony (P. lactiflora) also known as common garden peony
These plants are distinguished by large and fragrant flowers, consisting of many petals surrounding a central bud. They can come in a variety of shades, from white and pink to bright red and purple. The size of the inflorescence can reach from 10 to 25 centimeters in diameter, and the height of the bush from 60 cm to 1.2 m, depending on the variety. They bloom in late spring or early summer for two weeks.Structurally, the Chinese peony is divided into artisanal and tree-like forms.
Where does it grow
The Chinese peony is endemic to China. Its natural habitats are in Central and East Asia, including China, Korea, Mongolia and Siberia. However, these plants, due to their popularity and wide distribution, are grown in other countries, including Russia.
It is important to note that for successful growth and prosperity of Chinese peonies, certain climatic conditions are required, including cool winters and warm summers.
Varieties and types of Chinese peony
Before you plant any flower in your flowerbed, you need to familiarize yourself with its characteristics. Below are descriptions of the most popular varieties.
Galaxy (Hei Xiu Qiu)
The Galaxy variety is known for its double buds, which consist of large petals with a dark purple color that can appear almost black in certain lighting. They reach 14 cm in diameter. They are spherical, and during the blooming period they are distinguished by a “triangular shape”.
The stems are strong and straight, branched, reaching a height of 70-80 cm. The shoots are densely covered with plates of a dark or rich green hue.
The variety was bred in China.
The petals of the Galaxy have a velvety texture and a dark purple, almost black, color with unusually dark veins.
Red Magic (Hei Hai Bo Tao)
Country of selection: China. This is a densely double spherical peony with large flowers with a diameter of 15-17 centimeters, which include many feathery dark red petals of a cool shade and form a very dense bud. During the flowering process, they change color from cherry to deep pink. It has an unobtrusive, light aroma with spicy notes.The plant grows on average up to 80 cm.
Red Magic is valued for its very abundant and lush flowering
Snow Fortress, Xue Ta
The Snow Fortress tree peony is native to China.
The bush is tall and can reach 180 cm in height. On erect and strong shoots, a large number of slightly wavy dark green leaves are formed.
Large double crown-shaped flowers reach 18 cm in diameter.
The color of the petals is snow-white, with a slight yellowish-pink tint in the center. The central petals may have red streaks. The inflorescences have a strong aroma.
Snow Fortress flowers are tightly packed, the stamens are visible only when fully opened and withered
Storing Red (Cang Zhi Hong)
It was selected in China in 1963 by authors from the Zhaolou Peony Garden.
The flowers of this variety are large, up to 25 cm in size, dark pink, bright and very rich. Their shape is terry, the petals are tightly packed to each other. The stamens are golden, and the aroma is sweetish, of medium intensity.
The tree peony bush Storing Red grows 150 centimeters high and forms strong shoots
White Sarah Bernhardt
The upright bush White Sarah Bernhardt is characterized by strong and powerful stems, good foliage, elongated oval leaves of a dark green color with a pronounced gloss. The perennial is strewn with numerous snow-white spherical flowers. 2-3 buds are formed on each peduncle. In favorable conditions, peony grows to a height of 75-90 cm.
The variety is not a hybrid of the famous “Sarah Bernhardt” variety; this name was assigned by marketers to a peony imported from China.
A blossoming Chinese peony flower (pictured) emits a moderately intense aroma with sweet notes
Kinko (Kinkaku, Gold Placer)
Domestic flower shops imported the tree-like variety Kinko from China.
He fell in love with a huge number of gardeners due to the beautiful appearance of the flowers. They are formed terry and crown-shaped. As a rule, the flowers grow very large. Their diameter can be 17-20 cm. The flowers are characterized by a very beautiful golden-yellowish color, as well as a pink tint to the border.
The petals of the Kinko variety are quite thin and wavy, and the stamens are yellow.
Blue Sapphire (Lan Bao Shi)
Blue Sapphire is a two-color variety. The flowers are semi-double, pink-shaped. The colors of these peonies are pale. There are ink spots at the base of the petals; over time, the color gradually blurs towards the edges from deep lavender to orchid pink. They also have a subtle and faint odor.
Their leaves are bright green. They are relatively large in size and have an unusual shape. Thanks to them, even after the flowering period the bush does not lose its decorative effect.
The petals have an unusual corrugated shape and a pleasant silky surface.
Red Visa Pink (Red With Pink)
Red Visa Pink is known for its two-tone coat. The main shade is cherry, but there are white strokes with light pink splashes. The colors smoothly replace each other. It belongs to the category of terry plants. The peony in particular has a very fuzzy center. This is considered a feature of this species.
The shape of the leaves is unusual; they are large, bright green in color with slight pubescence on the back surface.
Unofficially, China is considered the homeland, since most tree varieties were bred in this country.
Each flower has its own unique color and bright stamens
Features of cultivation
Peonies require cold enough winters to induce plant dormancy, so they are rarely used as garden plants in areas above USDA zone 7. On the other hand, many varieties are hardy down to -10 degrees Celsius, so they are highly prized in most northern gardens.
Landing rules
The Chinese peony prefers sunny places with loose and fertile soil. Preparing the soil before planting a peony is very important. It is recommended to add organic fertilizer or compost to the soil and loosen it well.
Planting is carried out in autumn or spring. Because Chinese peony plants require winter cool to form flower buds, they should be planted with the root crown fairly close to the surface—no more than two inches deep.
Chinese peony care
Chinese peony needs regular watering. However, stagnation of moisture should be avoided so as not to cause rotting of the roots. Water the plant sparingly, maintaining soil moisture at a level that allows the roots to breathe sufficiently.
It is also necessary to ensure that the Chinese peony has access to a sufficient amount of air. It is recommended to retreat 80-100 cm from neighboring plants to ensure good air circulation. This will help reduce the risk of developing fungal diseases and protect the plant from sandstorms and winds.
The Chinese peony also needs moderate pruning. Peduncles that have already faded should be removed. This will help conserve the plant's energy for further growth. Deeper pruning is recommended in the fall to prepare the plant for winter. Leave healthy branches approximately 10-15 cm above the soil.
Application in landscape design
Chinese peony can be successfully used to decorate a flower bed, garden or summer cottage
Its beautiful and fragrant flowers attract attention and create bright accents in the garden.
Suitable for both single and group plantings, looks good as a hedge
The Chinese peony can be combined with a variety of flowers, excluding only too tall plants that can shade it.
As part of a garden composition, Chinese peony looks great with lavender, irises, roses, ornamental grasses, aquilegia and other perennial flowers. Colorful combinations can be created by combining peonies of different shades: from white to rich reds and purples.
Conclusion
The Chinese Peony is a beautiful plant that brings splendor and fragrance to gardens and landscape designs. The many varieties provide endless possibilities for gardener creativity. For their successful cultivation and care, it is necessary to follow certain rules and recommendations.
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