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Peony Joker is one of the best hybrid specimens. It was bred in 2004 by breeders from the USA. The extraordinary beauty of the delicate petals, the subtle exquisite aroma and the unique chameleon coloring have made this variety a favorite all over the world.
Joker has an exquisite aroma that spreads throughout the garden
Description of Peony Joker
Peony rightfully bears the title of the king of flowers. Its lush buds, woven from a mass of delicate fragrant petals, seriously compete with many garden plants. Incredibly beautiful bushes with a noble pedigree can outshine even roses. In Ancient China, only noble nobles grew them, and the Greeks actively used the healing properties of flowers.
The Latin name of the flower comes from the name of the ancient Greek physician Pean, who healed the Olympian gods. Since ancient times, peonies have had a special status among garden plants, and today their variety of varieties makes the heart skip a beat with delight. Peony Joker appeared in the flower beds of flower growers relatively recently.
The bushes of this variety are compact, neat, slightly elongated upward, and are characterized by rapid growth. The maximum height of the stems is 75-80 cm.They bear openwork pinnately divided leaves of an unusual brown-green hue. An adult Joker peony is not too spreading, so it does not require additional support. However, in case of strong gusts of wind, it makes sense to tie the stems to pegs.
Joker is a frost-resistant variety, but many gardeners still prefer to build a shelter for the bushes from spruce branches. This variety can be grown in almost any region, except areas with too high humidity levels.
Features of flowering
The flowers of the herbaceous peony Joker deserve special attention. Their uniqueness lies in the pink shape of the inflorescences; the flowers themselves are double bomb-shaped. About 5 buds are usually formed on one stem. They bloom in the last days of June, and the real magic begins.
The color of the chameleon reveals itself gradually: at first all the petals have a rich pink tint, then the middle begins to slowly lighten, and along the edge of the petals there is a clear pink border.
The flowering period of the Joker peony takes 20 days, while it not only does not lose its decorative effect, but also reveals new facets of beauty
The variety belongs to the early-middle group and is distinguished by rather large flowers (diameter from 10 to 20 cm). The lush flowering of the Joker peony depends on proper care, balanced fertilizing and the condition of the roots (plants cannot be replanted in the spring so as not to injure the delicate roots).
Application in design
Peonies Joker are natural soloists in flower beds. These flowers always attract attention anywhere in the garden. Peonies of the Joker variety are also planted in groups.You can choose two plant varieties that will complement each other in color or flowering time. Joker peonies are used to decorate round or tiered flower beds and oblong flower beds.
These plants should not be planted near water, as they cannot tolerate excess moisture in the air and soil.
The best neighbors for the Joker will be tulips, lilies, petunias, phlox, chrysanthemums, asters, silver iris and nasturtium
It is not recommended to combine peonies with plants that quickly deplete the soil or create dense shade.
Reproduction methods
You can breed the Joker peony in several ways:
- Dividing the roots. The best time is the end of summer, when the soil and air temperatures drop significantly. It is necessary to select only those Joker peony bushes that have been growing on the site for about 3-4 years. Their stems are completely cut off, and a layer of soil is carefully removed near the bush. After this, the roots are carefully removed, trimmed (leaving approximately 10-12 cm), washed to remove soil particles, and, if necessary, cleaned of rot. Next, the Joker peony sections are dried and placed in nutritious garden soil.
Most often, peonies are propagated by dividing the roots.
- Root cuttings. This procedure is carried out in the spring. A healthy Joker peony bush is dug up on one side and the adventitious roots are cut off. Roots with a minimum thickness of 1 cm are suitable for further growth. They are cut into separate fragments 5 cm long and planted in the soil, buried 3 cm into the substrate without fertilizers. During the summer, plantings are watered abundantly. New buds will appear in 3-4 years. This method is only suitable for some hybrids.
- Seeds. Success will depend on the quality of planting material. Even if all growing conditions are met, young peonies of the Joker variety do not always have the required varietal qualities.
Landing rules
For the Joker peony, you need to choose a light area, which, at the same time, will be protected from the scorching midday rays of the sun. The soil is cleared of weeds and dug up. Joker peonies grow best on loose loams that have a neutral alkaline reaction. If the substrate contains too much clay, humus or peat is added to it; sandy soils are supplemented with clay or the same peat. Excess peat is smoothed out by adding ash or organic matter. The most optimal time is from mid-August to the end of September.
The Joker peony planting scheme is extremely simple:
- A hole is dug at the site, the bottom of which is filled with high-quality drainage (crushed brick or crushed stone).
- This is followed by a layer of compost and humus with other fertilizers (wood ash + lime + superphosphate + potassium sulfate). On top again comes a bed of compost. Now you need to wait 7 days for all the layers to settle and compact naturally.
- In the center of the hole, make a mound of earth, on which the rhizome of the Joker peony is placed. The roots are carefully straightened, pointing downwards, and sprinkled with earth. It is important to ensure that the buds of the bush are at a depth of 3 to 5 cm. Larger or smaller indicators will not allow the plant to bloom in the future.
- After planting, the soil is compacted and watered thoroughly.
Aftercare
Joker peonies are classified as perennials that can grow and bloom in one place for a long time.
The key to success will be compliance with the main rules of care:
- Watering. It should be infrequent, but plentiful.The frequency can be determined by the speed at which the soil dries out: it should not be dry or too wet. One adult Joker peony bush requires about 2-3 buckets of water. But it all depends on the weather and the period of development of the plant itself. Joker peonies experience the greatest need for moisture at the very beginning of spring, during the period of active growth, at the stage of bud formation and during flowering. A stream of water should be poured purposefully under the root, avoiding drops from falling on the leaf blades.
Plants need especially abundant watering at first.
- Feeding. Fertilizers are applied for the first time in early spring with potassium permanganate. As soon as the shoots begin to grow, use ammonium nitrate. Since mid-May, Joker peonies have been fed every month with mineral complexes (the leaves are treated with the prepared solution). This is done after sunset to prevent burns from appearing.
- Loosening and mulching. This is done after each watering so that moisture is retained in the soil longer and there is no dense crust on its surface. It is also important to promptly get rid of weeds, which will rob the Joker of nutrients and water.
Preparing for winter
The Joker variety tolerates low temperatures well. In regions with mild winters, shelter will not be needed at all. If the temperature drops significantly, you can use coniferous branches as covering material. Young Joker peony bushes under 3 years old need mandatory protection from the cold. The stems, covered with the first frosts, are cut off, and the roots are covered a little with earth.
Pests and diseases
Most of all, you should be wary of fungal diseases. These include rust, powdery mildew, gray rot.To avoid problems, you need to be careful about watering, avoiding stagnation of moisture. Among the infectious diseases of the Joker peony, mosaic and verticillium wilt are especially worth highlighting. They contribute to the death of the plant.
Peonies are often affected by rust and powdery mildew; inaction can lead to the death of the plant.
Conclusion
Peony Joker is one of the most beautiful herbaceous hybrids. Its delicate pink petals with chameleon coloring will always surprise and delight gardeners. The plant is unpretentious and does not require complex care. In gratitude for their care, the peony will reward its owners with abundant and long-lasting flowering. A bouquet of such majestic flowers will be a luxurious gift for a wedding or anniversary. They can also decorate a banquet hall or summer gazebo.
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