Content
There are not many varieties in the ITO group of peonies. But they all attract attention with their unusual appearance. Peony Cora Louise is distinguished by double-colored buds and a pleasant aroma. Description of the crop, features of cultivation and care are important for lovers of garden plants.
The petals do not fall off for a long time, they stay well not only on bushes, but also when cut
Description of peony Cora Louis
Peony ITO Cora Louis is a representative of intersectional hybrids. For its selection, herbaceous and tree-like varieties were used. The flowering perennials got their name from the author, Japanese botanist Toichi Ito.
Peony Cora Louise is a shrub whose height ranges from 95-100 cm. The shoots and peduncles are powerful, strong, and perfectly hold a large number of buds. Despite the fact that the bushes are spreading, there is no need to install any supports.
Plants prefer open areas, as the beauty of the buds is revealed better in the sun. But they feel good with slight shading.
Peony Cora Louise has a thick green mass with carved large leaves. Moreover, the shade remains throughout the growing season. The bushes grow quickly, this must be taken into account when planting so that the flowers do not interfere with each other.
The Cora Louise variety is frost-resistant and does not freeze at -39 degrees, so it can be grown almost throughout Russia.
Flowers can be grown in one place without replanting for about 20 years
Peculiarities of flowering of ITO-peony Cora Louise (Cora Louise)
ITO peonies Cora Louise are classified as large-flowered plants with semi-double buds, which is confirmed by the photo below. The diameter of the flower varies within 25 cm.
The petals are not monochromatic: they can be white-pink or white-cream with a barely noticeable lilac tint
The base where the stamens are located is a rich lavender or purple color. Against this background, the dark yellow long stamens look especially decorative. During flowering, a delicate sweetish aroma spreads throughout the area.
Flowering begins early; as a rule, if the growing standards are observed, a lot of buds are formed. On mature bushes there are up to 50 of them. Already at the end of May or beginning of June (depending on the climatic conditions of the region), the frost-resistant plant pleases with its first buds.
The lush flowering of the Cora Louise hybrid depends not only on the agricultural technology of cultivation, but also on the correct choice of location and implementation of the planting algorithm.
If all the standards have been followed, then within 2-3 years blooming peonies will appear on the site. Unfortunately, they are ugly, the petals are distorted.That is why it is recommended to remove the first flowers, so that 4-5 years after planting, the Cora Louise hybrid will reveal all its properties.
Application in design
Peony Cora Louise is a plant that gets along with almost all garden crops. With its help, you can create amazing flower arrangements not only in your summer cottage, but also in parks.
How to combine:
- Bushes can be placed one at a time or in a group.
- They are often planted on green lawns, decorated with mixborders, discounts, flower beds.
If mixed plantings are used, then the Cora Louise peony is positioned in such a way that it does not interfere with neighboring plants
- The culture looks great next to low-growing daisies, primroses, mantles, and bergenia.
- You can create a flower arrangement by planting an ITO hybrid among delphiniums, bells, and foxgloves.
- Against the background of evergreen conifers, such as thuja, juniper, fir, peony, Cora Louise will look especially attractive not only during flowering.
The hybrid is highly valued by landscape designers for its unusual color and unpretentiousness.
Most often, the hybrid is grown for cutting. Fragrant flowers on long stalks do not bend under the weight of the buds. In a vase for 14-15 days the petals do not fall off and remain fresh.
It is not recommended to grow perennial shrubs on loggias and balconies, not only because of their height and spreading nature, but also because of the impossibility of creating optimal conditions.
Reproduction methods
Since the Cora Louise peony is a hybrid, seed propagation is not recommended. In this case, maternal properties are not preserved. It is simple and easy to propagate the plant by dividing an adult bush that has already bloomed.
To do this, choose a healthy bush, dig it up and cut it into pieces, each one should have at least 2-3 growth buds. The peony will reach full strength after planting in 3-4 years.
Landing rules
Since peonies grow in one place for about two decades and do not really like transplanting, you need to choose the optimal place for growing. It is also necessary to take into account timing and use healthy seedlings.
Selecting a location
Cora Louise hybrids prefer well-lit places with plenty of air, but without drafts. You should also remember that in the July heat you will have to shade the bushes in any convenient way.
You should not plant bushes in lowlands and places where groundwater is located close to the surface. The fact is that the root system of the Cora Louise variety reacts negatively to excess moisture, although it really needs regular watering.
Soil Features
As for the soil, the crop grows well in fertile, slightly acidic soils. To fill the planting hole, you can use store-bought balanced compounds or prepare them yourself.
Ingredients for peonies:
- garden soil and humus (compost);
- peat and sand;
- wood ash and superphosphate.
Planting begins in the fall before frost sets in.
Preparation of seedlings
It is recommended to purchase planting material for ITO peonies Cora Louise from trusted sellers. Seedlings with an open root system should have healthy tubers without signs of rot or blackness. Before planting, the roots are shortened and the planting material is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate.
Landing algorithm
Cora Louise peonies are planted in the same way as other varieties of crops.If the rules are followed, the flowers grow quickly and after a few years present gardeners with lush buds.
Stages of work:
- A hole is prepared 30 days before planting. Its size is 60x60x60.
A large hole volume is necessary, since a rapidly growing peony will require space
- The bottom is filled with drainage made from pieces of brick, coarse sand or small pebbles.
- Add nutrient soil, then make a mound.
The soil for Cora Louise peonies should be nutritious, air- and moisture-permeable
- A seedling is placed on it obliquely, the buds are sprinkled with soil no deeper than 3-4 cm.
- Make a furrow around the bush and water it abundantly. Then mulch with humus.
Gently press down the soil so as not to damage the fragile buds
Aftercare
Further care for the Cora Louise hybrid is traditional and comes down to the following activities:
- watering;
- feeding;
- weed removal;
- loosening the soil;
- protection of plants from pests and diseases.
Peonies are demanding of moisture. They especially need irrigation during flowering and during hot periods. But it is not recommended to flood the bushes, as this can cause rotting of the root system.
Hybrid Cora Louise will not need to be fed for 2-3 years after planting if nutritious soil and fertilizers are used for this. Subsequently, nutrition is applied early in the spring to activate plant growth. Then fertilizing is carried out when peonies are formed. The third time is after the end of flowering.
For the first two feedings, a mineral fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium is used. In autumn - superphosphate.
The root system of the peony Cora Louise needs oxygen, so the root zone needs to be loosened to a shallow depth so as not to damage the roots and buds. Remove weeds at the same time.
If you follow all the rules, then every spring the bushes will delight you with abundant flowering
Preparing for winter
ITO peonies, unlike herbaceous species, are not cut off completely, but only shortened to the lignified part. The fact is that it is in this place that next year’s buds are formed. Afterwards, water and fertilize well.
Despite its winter hardiness, in the Northern regions the hybrid needs partial shelter. It is carried out when stable frosts begin. The root zone is covered with compost, humus, the layer should be at least 20-25 cm. You can also first cover the soil around it with pieces of cardboard.
Pests and diseases
Peony Cora Louise, unfortunately, is not very resistant to diseases and pests, so this complicates care. That is why you need to know your enemies and be able to deal with them.
Diseases | Signs | Control measures |
Gray rot | Young shoots in the spring become covered with brown spots, which later become gray from plaque. | Use fungicides for spring treatment of bushes: · "Fundazol"; · "Vitaros"; · "Skor" |
Rust | In mid-summer, rusty spots appear on the upper part of the leaf blades, which, as they grow, lead to the drying out of the green mass and buds. | In the spring, for prevention, treat with “Skor” or “Chorus”. Before wintering, use the drug "Ridomil Gold" |
If we talk about pests, then most often the Cora Louise hybrid is annoyed by:
- bronze beetle;
- root-knot nematodes;
- turf ant;
- aphid.
To combat pests, it is recommended to use special or folk remedies.
Conclusion
Peony Cora Louise is a relatively young hybrid, but is already gaining popularity among flower growers around the world. With its help you can decorate any garden plot, and you don’t have to make any special efforts.
