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Peony Garden Treasure is a hybrid variety of peonies that appeared in the USA in 1984. It produces very lush, large yellow flowers: with proper care, up to 50 peonies appear on 1 bush. Due to its high winter hardiness, it can be cultivated not only in the central part of Russia, but also in some regions of the Urals and Southern Siberia.
Description of peony Garden Treasure
Peony Garden Treasure belongs to the category of hybrid ito varieties. This means that they were developed by crossing herbaceous and tree peonies. Its name literally translates as “treasure of the garden.” It has large, attractive yellow flowers that emit a very strong aroma.
Peony is a sun-loving plant. Even a faint shadow from neighboring bushes, trees or buildings interferes with it. Light shading for 2-3 hours a day is allowed only in the south. The bush's stems are quite strong, so it does not need supporting supports. The leaves are small, pinnate, rich green.
The description of the peony ito Gargen Treasure states that the variety is characterized by high winter hardiness. Therefore, such a bush can be grown in many regions of Russia:
- Moscow region and middle zone;
- Volga-Vyatka region;
- Chernozem region;
- Kuban and the North Caucasus.
Cultivation in the Urals and Southern Siberia is also allowed. However, additional protection of the plant for the winter is required here - mulching and covering (especially young seedlings).
Peony Garden Treasure is distinguished by a beautiful, spreading bush with lush, large flowers.
Features of flowering
Peony ito Garden Treasure is a hybrid with lush flowers that reach a diameter of 20-24 cm. A large-flowered, semi-double variety with a mid-late flowering period (second half of summer). The flowers have up to 50 golden-yellow petals and an orange center. In this case, flowering begins in 2-3 years. It will be long-lasting (30-50 buds appear on an adult bush within a month) if several conditions are met:
- plenty of sunlight - planting in an open area, away from sources of shade;
- moderate but regular watering;
- fairly fertile, well-drained soil;
- regular fertilizing;
- mulching and shelter for the winter.
The Garden Treasure peony often blooms at the end of July - beginning of August. In some cases it can produce flowers until the first half of September.
With proper care, Garden Treasure peony flowers turn out to be very large - more than 20 cm in diameter
Application in design
Since the ito Garden Treasure peony bush turns out to be very spreading, it itself decorates the garden well. It is usually planted in open spaces, in the very center of the flower garden, so that it attracts attention.Along with single plantings, peony also goes well with other plants, for example:
- delphinium;
- daisy;
- blue forget-me-not;
- phlox;
- sedum;
- lily;
- astilbe;
- petunia;
- pelargonium;
- hydrangeas
- coniferous plants (juniper, thuja, dwarf spruce).
Experienced gardeners note that plants of the Ranunculaceae family should not be placed next to the Garden Treasure peony. It also does not tolerate shade well, so it is better not to plant it next to trees, shrubs and other large plants.
Garden Treasure looks great in rock gardens, mixborders, along paths, next to benches and verandas. If there is a pond in the garden, the peony bushes will be very beautifully reflected in the water.
Spreading bushes Garden Treasure look good both in compositions and in single plantings
Reproduction methods
Since the variety is a hybrid, it will not be possible to propagate it with seeds. However, vegetative propagation methods are available:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- layering.
To injure the bush less, it can be propagated by cuttings. You can start breeding after the Garden Treasure peony turns 5 years old. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- At the beginning of June, several cuttings of the middle part of the shoots are prepared. Their length can be any, but the main thing is that each has 2 internodes.
- Make the top cut - 2 cm above the last sheet.
- The bottom cut is also made - immediately under the leaf cushion.
- The cuttings are kept for several hours in a solution of a growth stimulator, for example, in “Kornevin”.
- Then they make up a mixture of equal amounts of turf soil and humus, pour wet sand on top in a layer of 5-6 cm and root the cutting at an angle of 45 degrees (in open ground).
- They are moistened abundantly, grown in greenhouse conditions (under film) for a month, then begin to ventilate.
- At the end of August, you can open the greenhouse for a few days, and then mulch it for the winter - the Garden Treasure peony needs shelter. For this you can use straw, sawdust, pine needles, and peat.
Landing rules
It is better to immediately plant Peony Garden Treasure in a permanent place so as not to replant it later. The main requirement is the openness of the space, the absence of even a faint shadow (which is especially important in the middle zone). The bush prefers well-drained, light and fairly fertile loams. If the soil is depleted, it must be fed regularly. The reaction is neutral or slightly acidic (pH from 5.5 to 7.0).
Bushes are planted at the end of August, 1-1.5 months before the first frost. On the other hand, you should not plant it earlier - otherwise Garden Treasure may begin to actively grow, and the young shoots will freeze.
For planting, you can prepare a mixture of several components:
- 1 part garden soil;
- 2 parts compost;
- 200 g superphosphate;
- 60 g potassium salt.
Next, you need to clean the area and dig it to a depth of 50 cm. A hole is dug of medium size - approximately 50 cm in depth and in diameter. The Garden Treasure peony seedling is buried so that it fits freely in the hole, and at the same time the buds remain above the soil at a height of 2-3 cm.Then water abundantly and after a few days mulch with hay, sawdust or pine needles so that the soil retains moisture well in the summer.
If several bushes are planted at the same time, the distance between them should be at least 1.5 m
Aftercare
Peony Garden Treasure does not need heavy watering. Moderate moisture is needed - for example, 2-3 times a month (in the absence of precipitation) 2-3 buckets per adult bush. In case of drought, you can water weekly or more often: the soil should not crack, and at the same time, waterlogging is also not allowed.
Fertilizing is applied several times per season:
- After the snow has completely melted, you can pour a solution of 2 g of potassium permanganate per 5 d of water.
- In April, after the start of growth, nitrogen fertilizer is given.
- In mid-May they are fed with complex fertilizer.
- During the formation of buds, a mixture of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium fertilizer is given.
- After the end of flowering (in early August), the Garden Treasure peony is fed one last time with potassium and superphosphate.
Preparing for winter
The last feeding with superphosphate and potassium sulfate is given at the end of August or beginning of September, after which there is no need to fertilize the peony. Autumn pruning is also not necessary - it is better not to touch the bush until it is 4-5 years old.Then it is allowed to carry out a sanitary and shaping haircut, removing damaged, diseased and clearly protruding branches. Some gardeners advise cutting the Garden Treasure peony to a stump, leaving branches 4-5 cm high.
Mature bushes need formative pruning
For a good wintering, it is important to hill up the plant and mulch the roots with a layer of hay and straw up to 6-7 cm. Young seedlings can be completely covered, which is especially important in the conditions of the Urals and Siberia. In the south, such shelter is not necessary, especially since Garden Treasure is a frost-resistant variety.
Pests and diseases
Peony Garden Treasure is sometimes affected by infectious diseases of fungal and viral origin:
- powdery mildew;
- gray rot;
- mosaic leaf disease;
- rust.
The following pests can parasitize peony:
- aphid;
- ants;
- thrips;
- nematodes.
Therefore, in mid-spring it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment with fungicides (Vintage, Maxim, Profit, Topaz) and insecticides (Biotlin, Confidor, Karbofos, Green Soap). You can also fight pests with folk remedies - a solution of wood ash, an infusion of onion peels, garlic, and celandine.
Peonies should be periodically inspected for signs of disease and pests.
Conclusion
You can grow the Garden Treasure peony with even minimal skills. The main condition is to place the bushes in an open, well-lit place, preferably on a hill where rain and melt water do not accumulate. By regularly watering and feeding the bush, you can wait for the first flowering 2-3 years after planting.
Garden Traje planted her peony in the ground in mid-November 2020, not really hoping that it would survive the winter, well, it turned out to be a joint purchase. But it overwintered, and in the first year it pleased me with a delightful, luxurious flower.