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Peony Buckeye Bell, bred back in the 1950s, has become quite famous in Russia in recent years. It is valued by gardeners for its lush, beautiful flowers of bright red, pink and, less often, yellow. The variety has high resistance to winter frosts, which allows it to be grown even in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.
Description of peony Buckeye Belle
Peony Buckeye Bell is a hybrid variety bred in the USA in 1956. It is distinguished by exceptionally beautiful, lush flowers of bright red color. The bush turns out to be small, the height of the peduncles is about 80 cm. Moreover, all the shoots are straight and strong - the plant does not need to install supporting supports. The leaves are dissected, grassy-green in color, with a smooth surface, and quite large.
It does not grow in width, remaining compact throughout its life. Thanks to the abundance of graceful leaves, red flowers contrast well against the overall green background. It belongs to light-loving plants, but it also feels good in the presence of slight shade for 2-3 hours a day.
In terms of winter hardiness, Buckeye Bell belongs to zones 3 and 4. The bush can withstand severe frosts down to -39 degrees.This allows it to be grown almost everywhere in Russia:
- in the European part;
- in the Urals;
- in Southern Siberia;
- in the Far East.
Peony Buckeye Bell looks great in bouquets; it can be stored for a long time when cut.
Features of flowering
Peony Buckeye Bell produces fairly large semi-double and double flowers with a diameter of 16-18 cm. The main color is red, there are also white and pink, less often yellow. Large yellow stamens form in the center, which seem to highlight the center and make it even more attractive. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts for 2-3 weeks. Peony is classified as herbaceous because its shoots do not become woody.
In order for the herbaceous peony Buckeye Bell to regularly produce lush flowers, experienced gardeners recommend following simple rules of care:
- Plant in an open area with light partial shade.
- Follow the planting technology (it is very important to leave the buds above the ground - otherwise Buckeye Bell will not bloom).
- It is advisable to grow on fertile and light soil.
- Water moderately, maintaining a constant level of moisture in the soil.
- Cover young seedlings for the winter (especially in the regions of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East).
The bright flowers of Buckeye Bell look more interesting than most other peonies.
Application in design
Thanks to their luxurious bright flowers and graceful, compact bush, Buckeye Bell peonies look good in single and group plantings of their species. They are placed on lawns, lawns, and on hills.
In garden design, peony goes well with various flowers and perennial herbaceous plants:
- juniper;
- dwarf spruce;
- honeysuckle;
- astilbe;
- daisy;
- tulip;
- delphinium;
- chrysanthemum;
- yellow daylily;
- poppies
Peony Buckeye Bell looks good in:
- rock gardens;
- discounts;
- mixborders.
It is also appropriate to plant a peony near the house or from the gazebo, on the shore of a small pond. Looks great in the very center of the flower garden - bright red flowers attract attention and will become a real calling card of the garden.
The bush needs open spaces and stable lighting. Therefore, this peony is usually not grown on balconies and loggias. It is also not recommended to plant Buckeye Bell next to buttercups, shrubs and trees that provide permanent shade. In this case, the peony will not be able to bloom.
Buckeye Bell peonies look good in single plantings and flower arrangements.
Reproduction methods
This peony variety can only be propagated vegetatively:
- dividing the bush;
- using bud renewal;
- cuttings (root and stem).
According to the recommendations and reviews of flower growers, the Buckeye Bella peony is easiest to propagate using cuttings. To do this, stem cuttings are prepared from an adult plant (4-5 years old) at the beginning of summer. They are cut from the middle part of the shoot so that 2-3 internodes remain. The further sequence of actions is as follows:
- Trim the top 2 cm above the last leaf.
- Make the bottom cut under the leaf pad (the place where the leaf meets the stem).
- Keep the cuttings in the stimulant solution for several hours.
- They purchase soil or make a mixture of equal amounts of turf soil and humus - place them in a pre-prepared hole (in open ground).
- 5-7 cm of moistened sand is poured on top and the cuttings are rooted at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Then they are covered with film to create greenhouse conditions.
- Water generously for a month, and then begin to open the film for ventilation.
- At the end of summer, the greenhouse is removed and watering continues.
- A few weeks before the onset of frost, Buckeye Bell peony cuttings are covered with a layer of pine needles, peat, hay or straw.
The easiest way to propagate Buckeye Bell peonies is from stem cuttings.
Landing rules
Like many other peonies, Buckeye Bell is most often planted in early autumn, approximately 3-4 weeks before the first frost. When choosing a place, pay attention to several points:
- the area is open, perhaps with some shade;
- the place is protected from drafts;
- Elevation is preferable, since melt water and precipitation accumulate in the lowlands.
The composition of the soil mixture can be prepared independently based on the following components:
- compost – 2 parts;
- garden soil - 1 part;
- superphosphate – 200 g;
- potassium sulfate – 60 g.
Buckeye Bell peony seedlings are purchased from a trusted store. They must be inspected for damage and then planted in a permanent place:
- The area is cleared and dug up using a shovel.
- A hole is formed with a depth and diameter of 60 cm.
- Drain it with expanded clay or other small stones.
- Cover with a layer of soil.
- Root peonies so that the buds remain 3-5 cm above the ground.
- Sprinkle with earth and water with 1-2 buckets of water.
Aftercare
Caring for the Buckeye Bell peony is quite simple. It needs moderate heat, watering, moderate lighting and fertilizer. Water regularly, but not too often. To keep the soil moderately moist, the roots can be mulched with hay, pine needles, sawdust or peat. Usually 1-2 buckets of water are given for 1 young bush, a little more for an adult. But you shouldn’t fill it too much either.
They must be fed twice – at the beginning of the season (with nitrogen fertilizer) and in the phase of bud formation (with potassium and superphosphates). The complete fertilizing cycle looks like this:
- In March or April, after the snow melts, water with a weak solution of potassium permanganate - 4 g per 10 liters of water (this amount is enough for 2 Buckeye Bell peony bushes).
- In April, nitrogen fertilizing is applied - for example, ammonium nitrate.
- After a month, complex fertilizer is added.
- At the stage of bud formation, they are again fed with saltpeter, as well as potassium sulfate and superphosphate.
- At the beginning of August, the last fertilizing is applied - potassium sulfate and superphosphate. It is no longer possible to give nitrogen during this period.
After 10 years, the Buckeye Bell peony is transplanted to a new place
Preparing for winter
Peony pruning is necessary, since this allows you to remove diseased shoots (if any) and remove all leaves on which pests could settle. The haircut can be carried out completely, leaving stumps no more than 5 cm high.
Then the young seedlings are covered for the winter with mulch made from hay, straw and other available materials. In the south it is not necessary to make a shelter.The last fertilizing is applied at the end of August - there is no need to fertilize the Buckeye Bell peony in the fall. However, a few weeks before frost, you need to water generously, giving 2-3 buckets of water.
Pests and diseases
Like other peonies, Buckeye Bell can sometimes be affected by infectious diseases caused by fungi or viruses:
- gray rot;
- septoria;
- cladosporiosis;
- rust;
- mosaic leaf disease.
Pests can also settle on the leaves:
- aphid;
- ants;
- thrips;
- nematodes.
If the lesion is small, you can simply remove the leaves and collect the pests by hand or wash them off with water. However, this does not always help, so you have to use special means - fungicides:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Toxin-M";
- "Zineb";
- "Topaz".
Insecticides are also used for treatment:
- "Decis";
- "Ultor";
- "Agravertine";
- "Tanrek";
- "Storm".
It is advisable to carry out preventive treatment in April. Subsequently, the Buckeye Bell peony is sprayed as needed. Spraying is best done in dry, windless weather in the evening.
Peonies should be periodically inspected for signs of damage.
Conclusion
You can grow the Buckeye Bell peony in most regions of Russia. This is an unpretentious variety that does well even with minimal care. The main requirement is to ensure regular watering, fertilization and loosening of the soil. If you follow these rules, you can get your first flowers within 2 years after planting.
