Content
Peony Laura Dessert is a herbaceous bushy perennial. This variety was developed by the French company Dessert in 1913. The beautiful milky-flowered peony quickly became popular due to its large size and its attractiveness. It can be grown in one place for a long time if planted correctly and provided with proper care.
Description of peony Laura Dessert
Peony is a popular perennial that can be found in many flower beds. The Laura Dessert variety has the following characteristics:
- the height of the bush is 0.8-1.2 m, it grows strongly, becoming spreading;
- strong stems;
- fleshy root tubers;
- large and dissected leaves are dark green and shiny;
- high winter hardiness - Laura Dessert survives cold well even at -34-40 °C;
- The variety is light-loving, but does not like direct sunlight; the peony feels great in partial shade;
- average resistance to diseases and pests;
- manifestation of varietal qualities 2-3 years after transplantation;
- Laura Dessert's stems are strong, so no supports are needed;
- cutting stability.
Peony Laura Dessert can be grown in different regions. In areas with a harsh climate, it is recommended to provide shelter for the winter.
Peony Laura Dessert can grow in one place for decades
Features of flowering
Peony Laura Dessert is a large-flowered, double, herbaceous anemone-like plant. Its flowering period is average. Depending on the region, the bush begins to bloom in late May or early summer. Flowering continues throughout June, occurring sequentially - some flowers are replaced by others.
Laura Dessert is a lush shrub with large inflorescences. The outer petals are wide and snow-white, in the center there is a thick yellow-cream crown. The flowers reach 15-16 cm in diameter. Gradually, the inner petals fade to a white-cream color.
Laura Dessert flowers attract with their magnificent aroma with light fresh notes of citrus. The splendor of peony flowering depends on several factors:
- Year of plant life – begins to bloom in full force only in the 3rd year. During the first 2 years, a powerful rhizome develops, so during this period it is recommended to cut off all the buds. In the 3rd year, the bush will have a maximum of strong shoots and the most luxuriant flowering.
- Proper landing. It is important to deepen the rhizome. If it is on the surface, the peony will suffer in frosts and may die. If deeply buried, the bush will be voluminous, but will not bloom.
- Space. The proximity of buildings or other obstacles reduces the splendor of Laura Dessert.
- Proper care. The splendor of flowering depends on watering and fertilizing.
- If you want to achieve lush flowering of Laura Dessert, then after the formation of the main bud you do not need to get rid of the side buds. They need to be broken out when you want to get large flowers for cutting.
- Laura Dessert should be cut, leaving at least half of the stem. Together with the leaves, it is important for the further development of the bush, which will be reflected in the splendor of flowering in the future.
- To ensure that the bush is full the next year, during the current season, you cannot prune it heavily immediately after flowering or cut it to the ground.
- Disease prevention. Peony infection by fungi especially affects the splendor of flowering. It is important to prevent such troubles, and at the first sign of them, carry out appropriate treatment.
Thanks to the wide outer and small inner petals, a two-tiered shape is formed
Application in design
The splendor of the Laura Dessert variety allows you to grow this variety separately. Even a lonely bush will look good. Peonies look great on a green lawn.
One of the options in landscape design is to create a peony garden. Together with Laura Dessert, you can plant other varieties with a similar height, but in different shades - red, crimson, pink.
3-7 bushes look good in group planting
Laura Dessert can be used to create mixborders, combining with other perennials and annual plants. Tall peonies will look good next to shrubs; they will perfectly set off evergreen crops - juniper, boxwood, dwarf pine, thuja. The delicate color of Laura Dessert will perfectly highlight the unusual color of blue spruce trees.
Peonies of this variety can be used to create ridges and low hedges. Laura Dessert can be grown in flowerpots, but this variety is too tall for balconies.
You can combine it with different colors
In small areas, good neighbors for Laura Dessert are bergenia, mantle, daisies, and primrose. Delphinium and foxglove will help to stretch plantings vertically.This technique allows you to balance a large number of lush flowers and make the composition neater.
Peonies are not recommended to be planted next to heavily growing crops, as they will interfere with their growth. You should also not fill the gaps between the bushes with other plants. It is better to leave room for loosening and watering.
Reproduction methods
Laura Dessert can be propagated in different ways:
- seeds, this option is used by breeders;
- root cuttings - this method is good when you need to get the maximum number of seedlings;
- vertical layering, a simple method of propagation, suitable for bushes 5-8 years old;
- dividing the bush.
The most effective way to propagate Laura Dessert is by dividing the bush. You need to choose plants that are 3-7 years old so that the rhizome is well developed. You can divide the bush from the second ten days of August to mid-September.
After pruning, the bush should be divided; the cuts and breaks should be treated with charcoal
Landing rules
Planting and replanting peonies can be done in the fall.
To successfully grow Laura Dessert, the following conditions are needed:
- a well-lit area, but shaded at midday;
- absence of drafts;
- remoteness of groundwater, otherwise the roots will rot;
- fertile, well-drained soil;
- loose soil - hard soil means the risk of plant death;
- Laura Dessert prefers loam, slightly acidic soil;
- space - the root system develops well, the bush grows quickly.
If the soil is clayey, then add sand. Sandy soil is corrected with clay.If the soil is acidic, add lime - 0.2-0.4 kg per 1 m².
An important point is the choice of planting material. It is better to discard old bushes, as they may not take root or may die the next year. The best option is a plant from a nursery that is 1-2 years old, or a part separated from the bush with 2-3 buds and a 10-15 cm rhizome.
The Laura Dessert peony should be planted as follows:
- Prepare the pit. Deepen by 0.6 m, the width is the same.
- The next day, fill the hole 2/3 with soil mixture. Take equal amounts of garden soil, sand, humus, and peat.
- Add ash and superphosphate, sprinkle with soil.
- Place the bush in a hole, deepen the root collar by a maximum of 5-7 cm.
- Water the seedling generously.
It is recommended to leave 1-1.5 m between adjacent plants.
Aftercare
Caring for the Laura Dessert peony is easy. The plant needs the following measures:
- Water every 4-7 days. Watering should be moderate.
- Loosen the soil regularly. Do this after watering, while the soil is wet.
- In the spring, the peony is fed with complex nitrogen fertilizers for growth, development, and green mass gain. During the period of bud formation and flowering, Laura Dessert needs mineral nutrition. It is better to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
- Peonies should be mulched in the spring. It is better to use rotted horse manure; the layer should be small. It is not recommended to use rotted leaves and straw; this poses a risk of fungal diseases.
Preparing for winter
After cutting off the flower stalks, the Laura Dessert peony needs to be fed. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is applied. This can be superphosphate and potassium sulfate or wood ash and bone meal. Nitrogen fertilizers cannot be used during this period.
Before the cold weather, the Laura Dessert peony requires pruning. The stems are removed right down to the soil, then sprinkled with dry soil. This should be done in mid-October, leaving 1-2 cm above the buds.
For pruning, you must use a sharp tool; all plant residues after the procedure must be burned
Adult plants do not require shelter, but young peonies in regions with cold or little snow winters need such protection. Peat, unripe compost, and sawdust can serve as insulation. The layer height is 5-15 cm. The trimmed bush can be covered with a wooden box or plastic container, and dry branches can be placed on top.
Pests and diseases
Peonies are susceptible to fungal diseases. One common problem is rust. Affected leaves should be removed and burned. For treatment, use Bordeaux mixture (1%), spray the entire plant with it.
Orange, reddish or brown pads appear on leaves affected by rust; these are fungal spores
A serious problem is gray rot, which affects all parts of the peony. It manifests itself as brown spots around the stem near the root collar, withering of young shoots in the spring, and the appearance of a gray coating (mold) over time. The affected parts of the peony must be cut off, and the remaining plantings must be shed with Thiram in a 0.6% suspension. For prevention, bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture in the spring to get rid of ants.
The causative agent of gray rot is the fungus Botrytis cinerea; its spores persist in soil and plant debris
Mature peonies can be affected by powdery mildew. It appears as a whitish coating on the upper parts of the leaves. To combat the disease, you can use Figon (2% solution), a solution of laundry soap with soda ash (0.5%). Spray the bushes twice with an interval of 1-1.5 weeks.
To prevent powdery mildew, it is necessary to burn plant residues, use nitrogen fertilizers moderately, and do not forget about potassium-phosphorus fertilizers
Peony Laura Dessert can also be affected by a virus. One of these diseases is mosaic. The leaf blades have alternating light green and dark green stripes.
Affected plants cannot be cured, so they can only be destroyed
In addition to diseases, the peony Laura Dessert can suffer from pests. One of the enemies is ants. They carry viruses and eat leaves and petals. The drugs Anteater, Muratsid, Ant, Expel will help get rid of pests. Among the folk remedies, a decoction of bay leaves, balls of boric acid with honey or jam, infusions of tansy, wormwood, lavender, mint, and anise are effective.
If ants appear on buds that have not yet blossomed, the flowers may not open at all or will be deformed
Another peony pest is aphids. This small insect feeds on plant sap, attracts ants, and transmits diseases. Actellik and Fitoverm will help you get rid of it.
If there are few aphids on the bushes, you can collect them by hand; the natural enemies of the pest are ladybugs
Golden bronzing is dangerous for peony. The beetle reaches 2.3 cm in length. It feeds on petals, leaves, stems. Beetles must be collected manually; insecticides can be used during the budding period.
To prevent the appearance of the bronze fly, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil at the end of summer, and this period is when the insect pupates
Peony roots can be affected by root-knot nematodes. This manifests itself as knotty swellings, inside of which there are worms. Affected plants should be removed and burned; Formalin (1%) should be used to disinfect the soil.
Prevention of root-knot nematode is the burning of plant sediments, deep digging of the soil before planting, and careful selection of planting material.
During the growing season, thrips larvae can be seen on peonies, and when buds form, these small insects feed on the juice of the petals. A solution of Karbofos (0.2%) will help get rid of pests. Spraying is carried out several times per season.
Thrips can be dealt with using folk methods - infusions of yarrow, dandelion
Conclusion
Peony Laura Dessert is a herbaceous perennial with large flowers and a delicate cream color. It can be combined with many plants and used in single and group plantings. Peony is easy to care for, is not afraid of cold weather, and can grow in one place for up to 30 years.
Reviews of peony Laura Dessert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sSiEiqNLOs
