Peony ITO-hybrid Prairie Charm: photos, description, reviews

For lovers of beautiful decorative flowers, the Prairie Charm peony is perfect. He is not capricious, and if kept properly, he practically does not get sick. Needs periodic feeding and hydration. Even beginners can cope with growing the variety.

Where and how did it appear

The peony first appeared in Japan. Then the Japanese breeder Toichi Ito created a unique flower that was irresistible and bloomed for a long time. Peony ITO-hybrid Prairie Charm has a stunning range of flowers that you will hardly find anywhere else. This was achieved by hybridizing tree peony with several varieties of milky peony. The second one is herbaceous. Prairie Charm combines the features and beauty of these two species to create a completely new flower.

Description of the Prairie Charm peony with photo

The plant has its own characteristics and unique appearance. Prairie Charm is a perennial that can decorate any flower garden.

The color of Prairie Charm is lemon yellow, there are scarlet spots inside the petals near the core

Peony stands out from others with its non-classical appearance. In diameter it ranges from 16 to 18 inches.

The leaves are dark green and look unnatural, more like decoration. They are large and slightly dissected. The stem is strong. It will not break in case of wind or incorrect standing position. The flower bends in a horizontal plane. The bush reaches a height of no more than 70 cm, and the peony itself can grow up to a meter.

The aroma is not pronounced. You can only feel small floral notes. Prairie Charm is well protected from diseases. Through many years of crossing many species, it was possible to develop the most resistant to environmental influences. The flower retains its decorative appearance until the onset of cold weather and can grow in the same place for up to ten years. If you plant it in well-fertilized soil and provide all the necessary conditions, it will please the eye for many years.

Peony has an unusual pattern, which has no analogues in the world

The shape is semi-double. This means that there are from 3 to 7 different rows of petals. But at the same time, when the flower is fully developed, the center opens. This is necessary to make it easier for insects to pollinate the plant. The petals move back a little. Pistils are yellow.

Prairie Charm is a spreading perennial flower. Due to the peculiar branching, the bouquet or flowerbed looks larger and more voluminous.

Prairie Charm is a light-loving plant. It can live and function normally only if it is constantly exposed to sunlight. Don’t worry that a short absence of sun can affect their development. Peonies easily tolerate light afternoon shade.They can be planted in the shade, but in this case flowering may not occur.

Transplantation and transportation can have a negative effect on the plant. A peony may get sick and not bloom for a long time, but with proper care it quickly recovers.

Important! Prairie Charm peonies can survive without moisture for some time, but this is best avoided, as harsh conditions can significantly affect the flowering and development process.

The peony has well-developed root tubers. They are meaty and powerful. Due to this, many nutrients accumulate in them, which have a positive effect on the growth and development of the plant.

Timing and flowering period

The flowering period is from June to July. In the first year in the soil, the flower just gets used to it and begins to grow. Flowering begins around 2-3 years. The petals open and show their beauty. A light aroma begins to appear. The plant is insect-pollinated, the smell begins to attract bees and other insects. For 4-5 years after planting, the flower becomes as attractive as possible. It has well-developed greenery, so even in the absence of flowering it decorates the area.

Advantages and disadvantages

Prairie Charm tolerates transportation well. The variety does not require special care.

Prairie Charm delights others with its unusual color

Pros:

  • resistance to harsh weather conditions (can withstand cold down to - 40 degrees);
  • practically never gets sick;
  • loves sunny areas, but can be in the shade for some time;
  • compact, does not take up much space in the garden;
  • unpretentious, the leaves do not deteriorate and retain their green appearance until autumn.

Minuses:

  • weak aroma. Not suitable for those who like a rich floral scent in the garden;
  • high cost of seedlings.

Planting peony Prairie charm

Almost all plant life processes occur in the light. It obtains the necessary substances through photosynthesis. For placement, it is better to choose places where the sun shines almost all day. Otherwise, the Prairie Charm peony will either take too long to grow or will not grow at all. The flowering processes will be disrupted and all the efforts of the grower will be in vain.

30 days before planting, prepare a hole. Its area is 60 cubic cm. It is filled 1/2 with fertile soil, that is, containing the necessary nutrients (peat, humus, superphosphate).

After planting, the hole is covered with ordinary soil from the garden or vegetable garden.

The distance between Prairie Charm flowers is 1 m. Their buds should be 4 cm deep into the ground.

Caring for Prairie Charm peonies in the open ground

The procedures consist of watering, fertilizing and mulching (covering the soil with organic or inorganic substances to improve growth efficiency).

The soil and plants need to be constantly watered and moistened. This should be done especially often in the spring, during the formation of buds, and in the fall, when the buds form. For one Prairie Charm bush, use 2-3 buckets. This will help completely wet the soil and start the process of root nutrition. In the first year, fertilizing is carried out using a foliar method. Next, all necessary fertilizers are applied 3 times a year.

Many people wonder whether pruning is worth it. There's really no need for it. The buds are resistant to low temperatures. They often cope with harsh weather conditions and survive winter.

Preparing for winter

In autumn you need to take care of the Prairie Charm peony. A number of procedures are carried out so that next year the flowers will also delight others with their presence. Before wintering carry out:

  • feeding;
  • mulching;
  • watering.

How does it reproduce

Attention! The simplest and most optimal propagation method is dividing the bush.

They take the most productive specimen and divide it into small parts. They are planted separately. The divisions grow and produce fertile offspring.

Disease and pest control

Most of the diseases are the same as in other plant varieties. They are related to environmental factors.

Main diseases and methods of their treatment:

  1. Gray rot. Affects all above-ground parts of the plant. When a disease is detected, the affected areas are cut off. For the winter, the bushes are trimmed short. In spring they are treated with Bordeaux mixture (1%).
  2. Powdery mildew appears on the foliage in the form of whitish spots. The tops are sprayed with a soap-soda solution. Among the drugs used are Rakurs and Baktofit.
  3. Rust appears as reddish spots on the foliage. Affected specimens are cut off. Treated with Fitosporin, Hom, Oksikhom, Ordan.
  4. Leaf mosaic cannot be treated. Sick specimens are dug up and burned.

Mosaic is a dangerous disease for which there are no cures.

Insects can also have a negative impact on the development of flowers. They love to eat leaves and pollen. These include:

  • ants;
  • root-knot nematodes;
  • aphid;
  • bronze;
  • thrips.

Spraying with insecticides helps against insects.

Application in landscape design

Peonies are grown for aesthetic purposes. They bring color to the interior of the house and garden. Prairie Charm can be combined with some colors.

Attention! Peonies look great together with roses, juniper, and phlox.

If there is little space in the garden, then Prairie Charm can be planted with some flowers. Excellent neighbors will be:

  • lilies;
  • hydrangeas;
  • irises.

It is not recommended to plant together with lilies of the valley.The plant grows quickly and damages the root system of nearby flowers.

Solitaire planting allows you to focus attention on the peony

Prairie Charm is also grown for cutting. If you put flowers in a vase, they will delight others for about two weeks.

Conclusion

Peony Prairie Charm is a great find for gardeners. Ito hybrid attracts with its beauty, uniqueness and resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Flower lovers will definitely appreciate them.

Reviews from gardeners about the Prairie Charm peony

Mironova Albina Pavlovna, 45 years old, Ramenskoye
I planted Prairie Charm peonies along with the roses. They look very beautiful in the garden. We don't have much sun, but even a couple of hours a day is enough for the flowers. I like ito hybrids. There are almost no problems with them; planting and care are easy and simple.
Konovalova Lyudmila Alekseevna, 60 years old, Krasnodar
Peonies grow well in our region. We have sun almost every day, but when it is not there, the plant does not suffer. I am amazed by the color scheme of Prairie Charm. They look artificial from afar, but when you get closer, it becomes clear that this is a real miracle of nature.

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