Content
Peonies are eternal competitors of roses. Incredibly beautiful, they have an important advantage over thorny bushes: unpretentiousness, the ability to grow in any soil, and winter hardiness. Peony Ballerina is a clear confirmation of this. The flower is used in landscape decoration and floristry.
Breeding history
The Ballerina variety was developed by American Sanders scientists in 1941. The breeders created an ITO hybrid suitable for cultivation in various climatic zones. By the end of the last century, the Ballerina peony spread to Russia, Korea and China.
Description of Peony Ballerina with photo
The medium-sized shrub reaches no more than 90 cm in height. The Ballerina peony has strong stems that can hold flowers without additional support. The stems are covered with green foliage that is not pubescent.
Peony Ballerina is frost-resistant down to -40 degrees. This caused the flower to spread to the northern regions of the country. This is not a distinctive feature for peonies, but it is completely resistant to pests.
Gardeners rarely complain about parasite attacks, but some note diseases (powdery mildew and gray mold), diseases that appear due to high humidity
Timing and flowering period
Budding occurs in early summer and lasts until July. Despite the short flowering time, gardeners choose this variety of peonies. This is explained by the large number of beautiful light yellow buds, which are not inferior in decorativeness to other flowers of the same group.
The Ballerina variety produces large double flowers that grow more than 16 cm in diameter. In addition to its delicate shade, the plant’s charm is given by the wavy edging of the petals, as well as the scent that actively spreads throughout the garden in June.
Advantages and disadvantages
The plant is respected among landscape designers due to the size and beauty of the flowers. It also has other qualities that gardeners will like.
Peony Ballerina grows well in light and partial shade
Pros:
- unpretentiousness to external conditions;
- high resistance to pests;
- delicate shade of buds;
- early flowering period;
- compactness;
- winter hardiness.
Minuses:
- fade quickly after cutting;
- the buds fall off after 2-3 weeks.
When and how to plant
Peony Ballerina loves to grow separately from other plants. This must be taken into account when choosing a location on the site. It is recommended to use areas with access to the sun, although planting in light shade is allowed. In each case, the crop is protected from the winds by a fence or wall of a country house.
A month before planting procedures, a hole is dug and filled with a mixture of peat, river sand and complex mineral fertilizer. Instead of the last component, you can use superphosphate (1 cup) and bone meal (0.5 kg).
Peony Ballerina is planted in March, April or September. In summer, the plant is not touched, since it does not have time to adapt to the cold and refuses to undergo stratification (unlike autumn planting). The buds should be above the surface at a distance of 5 cm. If you plan to plant several peonies - for example, for zoning an area - take a step of 1 m between specimens.
After planting, the Ballerina variety is watered with warm water and mulched the next day to prevent grass growth. The plant will not bloom this year, since the roots are just adapting to the conditions.
For gardeners, the buds open in the second year.
Care instructions
Ballerina peonies require almost no care. However, experts warn that agricultural technology should not be neglected if the gardener wants to experience lush flowering. The main activities include:
- Fertilizer application. In the first year they are not used, since there are enough minerals and organic matter in the ground that were added during planting. Next spring, prepare a solution of ammonium nitrate and water the soil near the Ballerina peonies. After 2-3 months, superphosphate is used, and at the end of flowering, potassium salt is added.
- Watering. Peony Ballerina is not thirsty and can easily tolerate drought. In summer, the flower is additionally irrigated (but the leaves are not watered).The amount of moisture is increased during the flowering period, since flowers especially need water.
- Weeding. After systematic moistening, it is recommended to weed the area to remove weed sprouts. You can also plow the soil to improve air exchange between the roots and the environment.
Wintering
You should prepare for the arrival of cold weather. The stems are cut with sterilized pruning shears, leaving small pieces (1-2 cm) on the surface. In the first year, Ballerina peonies are mulched with pine branches and sawdust. In subsequent winters, there is no need to cover the plant, however, if a season with little snow is expected, the same procedure is followed.
Reproduction methods
The Ballerina peony is grown using cuttings and root shoots (division). In the first case, the material is collected in mid-summer, when the bushes have faded. A strong stem with an unopened bud is required. The foliage is cut by 2/3, cuts are made and the cutting is placed in Kornevin - always with the lower end.
The prepared shoots are planted in a container with loose soil, covered with plastic cups and waiting for the leaves to appear. After rooting (takes about a month), the Ballerina peony will begin to grow, and the shelter can be removed. In the fall of next year, the plant is transplanted to a permanent place - in a garden, greenhouse or flower bed.
Propagation by root shoots is the most effective method and is followed by most summer residents. To get a daughter bush of the Ballerina peony, you will need an adult sample (from 5 years old). A small hole is dug next to it to make it easier to remove the plant.
After pulling out the Ballerina peony, air dry it so that cutting the roots is less painful.Now the shoots are cut off - the part on which the renewal buds are located. The delenki are planted in separate pits.
Diseases and pests
Peony Ballerina is resistant to pests. However, ants and aphids can pose a danger to the plant, especially the young one. Ants suck the juice from the buds, and aphids feed on the leaves. Parasites are eliminated by soaping leaves and petals.
With insufficient care, immunity decreases and diseases become more active. They can be gray rot and powdery mildew. Diseases are treated with the fungicide Fitosporin.
Application in design
The Ballerina variety looks great with other yellow peonies. It is important to create the right combination of shades.
Due to competition, planting near trees and shrubs is not allowed.
The hybrid is suitable for decorating lawns, garden paths, borders, flower beds
Almost any area accessible to the sun and protected from strong winds will be suitable for flowers.
Conclusion
The Ballerina Peony produces a scent that can attract bees. This should be taken into account when planting if the presence of pollinators is undesirable. Many summer residents like the plant for a number of features: large flowers, pickiness, resistance to cold, no need to build supports.
Reviews from gardeners about the peony Ballerina
