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Unpretentious peonies with delicate flowers are planted in almost all summer cottages. Hybrids are especially popular. Peony Julia Rose, thanks to the amazing color of its buds, always attracts attention and uniquely decorates flower beds and flower beds.
Pale pink shade of petals of young peonies
Description of Ito-peony Julia Rose
In the mid-twentieth century, Japanese breeder Toichi Ito spent a lot of effort to breed a peony with yellow flowers. Crossing a milky-flowered herbaceous species with a tree-like one led to the appearance of an unusual hybrid called Ito-peony. The new variety Julia Rose successfully combines the advantages of both parents:
- frost resistance came from herbaceous peonies. Moreover, the above-ground part of the plant dies off in the autumn and there is no need to cover the stems for the winter;
- The hybrid inherited the shape and color of flowers from tree varieties.
The main feature is to exhibit characteristics of both tree-like and herbaceous plants. General description of the peony Ito-hybrid Julia Rose: it grows 80-90 cm, bright green leaves look like thin feathers, and tightly cover the bushes.Since the stems of Julia Rose are quite strong, they do not fall apart under the weight of the flowers and do not need garters.
Experienced flower growers recommend protecting Julia Rose peony bushes from severe northern frosts at the end of the season using layers of peat and hay.
Features of flowering
Semi-double silky buds reach a size of 17-20 cm in diameter, but cannot boast of particular splendor. The photo shows how impressive the Ito-peony Julia Rose bush looks, on which many buds have bloomed.
It is advisable to plant bushes in groups
Golden stamens are densely located in the center of the flower. According to experienced flower growers, peony bushes older than 4-5 years delight with maximum beauty. The period of abundant flowering begins in the second half of May and lasts until mid-July, which is facilitated by high-quality care:
- timely watering;
- loosening the soil;
- proper soil fertilization.
The unusualness of this variety of peonies is manifested in the rich palette of shades of the petals. Some flower growers call Julia Rose a chameleon for its ability to change the shades of flowers. The blooming buds are cherry-red in color. During the flowering period, the petals gradually turn pale - the bright colors acquire pastel orange-pink notes, which imperceptibly turn into a yellow palette. Or the hybrid peony Itoh Julia Rose simultaneously demonstrates the entire rich range of shades.
An example of an exquisite palette of colors for the buds of adult bushes
Application in design
Lush Julia Rose peony bushes look self-sufficient and do not need flower company. But when skillfully combined with other plants, it is easy to give your landscape design a non-standard look.
To create a game of contrasts, ornamental plants with small foliage are planted in a small area next to Ito hybrids. Or, three-dimensional peonies are placed near large trees. The tenderness of pastel-colored buds will be emphasized by the rich greenery of juniper bushes.
The lawns along the paths are also picturesquely decorated with Ito varieties. Low-growing plants (primroses, daisies, mantles) are planted along the edge. Julia Rose peonies serve as a second tier or are placed in separate groups of 3-4 bushes.
The foliage of the hybrid retains a rich green tint all season. And this is another reason why the ornamental plant is in great demand among landscape designers.
The original arrangement of flower bushes near bodies of water
An extraordinary solution is to decorate spacious loggias or large balconies with lush Julia Rose peonies. It is better to install bulk flowerpots on mobile stands to make it easier to transport the plant to the garage or basement for the winter.
Reproduction methods
Many varieties of peonies are bred by seeds, but in the case of hybrids, this method is fraught with the loss of species characteristics. Therefore, independent breeding of Julia Rose is only possible vegetatively. The classic is dividing the bush, but in the case of Ito-peonies, one must take into account that the rhizome of the plant looks like a group of tangled, hard, thick sticks with isthmuses.
Using colored threads or wire will simplify the process of dividing the root
To carefully cut the rhizome, you will need a sharp hacksaw. There are not many parts, but usually all the roots take root well, especially if they are treated with Zircon and Kornevin preparations.
If there are no plans to plant the cuttings immediately, they are stored in damp sand.
Landing rules
The suitable period for planting peonies is the end of August - September. Plants are selected that are at least 4-5 years old and consist of 6-7 stems. The procedure for preparing planting material does not take much time:
- The peony is dug up and the soil is carefully shaken off the roots or washed off with water from a hose.
- Cut lines are drawn on the rhizome - each section should have young roots and 2-4 buds.
- The delenki are cleaned of rotten parts and remains of foliage. The sections are treated with Fitosporin-M and HOM.
You can familiarize yourself with the intricacies of dividing the rhizome of a bush in the video below:
Elevated areas that are well lit are suitable for planting peonies. Recommended soil acidity is slightly alkaline or neutral. The ground must not be frozen so that the plants have time to take root. The preparation of the holes is important, since the root system of the Julia Rose hybrid will grow in all directions. The optimal pit size is approximately 80x80 cm. Procedure for planting cuttings:
- 2/3 of the hole is filled with garden soil with the addition of humus and manure. You can add wood ash, bone meal, double superphosphate (a glass each). If the site has clay soils, add sand.
- Peony root blanks are pre-treated with stimulants.
- The rhizome is placed in the center of the hole and lightly sprinkled with a sand-ash mixture to prevent rotting. The delenka is covered with a layer of earth 3-7 cm.
An example of using improvised means when planting peonies
If the work is carried out in late autumn, experienced gardeners recommend insulating the area with leaves and sawdust planted with peonies. The protective layer must be removed after the spring melting of snow.
Aftercare
The subtleties of breeding the Julia Rose hybrid coincide with the rules for growing herbaceous varieties. Key points worth noting:
- Moderate but regular watering and fertilization are important at the beginning of the summer period, when the plant spends its main energy on the growth of stems and the development of buds. And during the period of formation of renewal buds (end of the season);
- Water the bushes at the roots mainly in the evenings. Afterwards, the soil is loosened carefully so as not to damage the root system. To prevent the soil from drying out, use mulch (hay, sawdust);
- If the planting holes are fertilized well, then Julia Rose peonies are not fed for the first two years. From the third, nitrogen compounds are used in the spring and phosphorus-potassium compounds in the fall.
In mature plants, dried flowers must be cut off, which promotes the formation of renewal buds. Moreover, it is recommended to cut off the very top of the head.
Preparing for winter
In the fall (end of September - first half of October), the ground part of the Julia Rose peony bushes is cut literally to ground level. In this case, you do not need to worry about the buds located on the stems. After all, the main renewal points are formed on the roots deep in the soil. It is recommended to treat the surface of the cuts with sifted wood ash. The green mass is carefully removed and burned to prevent the occurrence and development of fungal infections on Julia Rose peonies.
As a rule, mature bushes do not need additional protection from winter weather and cold. Young plantings must be covered with spruce branches.
Pests and diseases
The peculiarity of the Julia Rose peony is its resistance to diseases.Increased humidity during periods of low temperature can provoke the occurrence of gray rot. Preventive measures include regulating watering and changing fertilizing.
To get rid of insects, some gardeners use folk remedies: a solution of laundry soap, a decoction of wood ash. If this does not help, the plants are sprayed with chemicals “Bioshield” and “Confidor Extra”.
Conclusion
The spectacular Julia Rose peony always stands out in the flower garden. Caring for lush bushes does not take much time, but the flowers will delight summer residents with their extraordinary color palette for several years.
