Content
Peony Adolphe Rousseau is one of the classic varieties that produces large, bright red flowers. Suitable for single plantings in the most prominent places. The variety is winter-hardy, so it does not need special shelter. The basic rules for planting and caring for this flower are described in detail in the presented article.
Breeding history
Peony Adolphe Rousseau was developed quite a long time ago - it appeared in 1890 in France. The originator is Desert & Mechin. Subsequently, the variety spread to European countries, as well as to Russia.
Description of the herbaceous peony Adolphe Rousseau with photo
Peony Adolphe Rousseau is a herbaceous perennial plant that reaches 80-100 cm. The bush spreads about the same width, which must be kept in mind when planting. The foliage is dark green, often with a reddish tint. Moreover, it persists until frost in the fall, so the bush remains decorative throughout the season.
Peony flowers Adolphe Rousseau are very large, reaching 12-15 cm in diameter.The type is semi-double - consists of large bright red petals arranged in several rows. The edges are distinguished by a cherry tint and look very elegant. At the same time, over time, the flowers of the Adolphe Russo peony become more lush and double. They give a pleasant aroma, although not too strong. Each peduncle bears at least 2-3 flowers, often more.
Peony Adolphe Rousseau produces very beautiful fiery red flowers
The inflorescences of this variety retain their color and shape, despite cloudy weather or heavy rains. They do not fade in the sun and remain bright red.
Therefore, it can be grown not only in the middle zone, but also in the Urals, Siberia and the northern regions.
Peony flowering time Adolphe Rousseau
The Adolphe Rousseau peony blooms at the end of May, June and July. The buds bloom within 2-2.5 months. Therefore, for a significant part of the season, the shrub looks especially attractive, not to mention its beautiful foliage, which remains decorative until autumn frosts.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peony Adolphe Rousseau is of French origin, but takes root well in different regions of Russia due to its high winter hardiness. The plant needs some care, but it produces lush, bright buds that open for two or more months.
Over time, the inflorescences become double
Pros:
- very large flowers;
- bright color;
- attractive curvy shape;
- flowering up to 2-2.5 months;
- exceptional winter hardiness;
- beautiful leaves.
Minuses:
- the aroma is weak;
- bushes may suffer from aphids, ants and other insects;
- the plant does not tolerate shade.
When and how to plant
Peony Adolphe Rousseau, like other varieties, is best planted from late April to mid-May. The place should be chosen and prepared in advance. It should be sunny or semi-shaded, but well lit for a significant part of the day. There are other important requirements:
- No strong drafts.
- Light and fertile soil - preferably loam with a neutral reaction.
- No stagnant water (lowlands are not suitable).
Adolphe Russo begins to prepare for planting the peony in early spring. The soil is dug up and filled with compost or humus in a 2 m bucket2. If the soil is dense, add vermiculite, sawdust or sand up to 4 kg for the same area. The landing itself is carried out according to the following instructions:
- First, fairly large holes are marked with a depth and width of up to 60 cm and an interval of at least 70 cm (the bush spreads half a meter in each direction).
- Fill the bottom with small stones - pebbles, expanded clay, broken brick.
- Pour fertile soil and root the seedling in the center.
- Carefully straighten the roots, pour soil so that the root collar goes to a shallow depth (maximum 5 cm).
- Then water with settled water (a bucket per bush). After a few days, mulch.
Care Tips
Peony care by Adolphe Rousseau is standard for plants of this family. We can say that the variety is not the most whimsical, but for good flowering you need to follow several rules:
- Water every week, in drought - 2 times in 7 days. Only distilled water should be used. If it rains, additional moisture is not required. It is worth making sure that the surface layer of soil dries out.
- Peony Adolf Russo needs to be fed periodically.It is especially important to do this in April - they give nitrogen fertilizers, for example, urea or ammonium nitrate. During the formation of buds, a complex composition or organic matter (mullein, potassium humate) is added. A similar composition is given two more times with an interval of three weeks.
- As necessary, the soil is loosened and weeded.
- In the summer, change the mulch 1-2 times, keeping a small layer of hay, straw, peat or other materials directly under the bush.
- All wilted flower stalks should be cut off.
For lush flowering, fertilize at least three times per season.
Wintering
The winter hardiness of the Adolphe Russo peony is very high. It allows the plant to safely survive even Siberian frosts. Therefore, preparation in the fall is minimal. When frost sets in (air temperature is about 0 degrees), all bushes should be cut almost flush to the ground, leaving stems 3-5 cm high. Then they are covered with dry leaves, straw or other mulch. In March, the shelter is removed.
Reproduction methods
Peony Adolf Russo can be propagated by any vegetative methods:
- dividing the bush;
- layering;
- stem cuttings.
Most often, the bush is propagated by division. This is a good method of rejuvenation, which is suitable for adult plants aged 5-7 years. At the end of September, the bush is dug up, shaken off the ground and cut into several pieces. Then the cuttings are sprinkled with wood powder and planted in a new place.
Breeding peony Adolphe Russo by layering is planned for early spring. First, they dig several ditches and fill them with fertile soil. Then the shoots are pinned, laid at the bottom of the trench, and only the apical part is left on the surface. In the fall, cuttings are cut off from the mother bush and all rooted fragments are transplanted to a new location.
You can try to propagate Peony Adolphe Rousseau using stem cuttings. At the end of spring, lignified shoots are cut (10-15 cm each) and planted in fertile soil. Cover with a jar, periodically water and ventilate. At the end of summer, when the seedlings take root, they are transferred to a permanent place, and with the onset of the first frost they are carefully mulched.
Disease and pest control
Peony Adolphe Rousseau is quite resistant to various diseases. But it can suffer from fungal infections in case of excessive watering, cloudy and at the same time warm summer. To prevent this from happening, water should be given in moderation, keeping an eye on weather forecasts. If plaque, spots on the leaves or other signs of the disease appear, urgent treatment with fungicides is carried out:
- "HOM";
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "Ordan";
- "Fundazol".
In summer, the plant can suffer from ants, aphids and spider mites. To prevent and destroy pests, proven insecticides are used:
- "Fitoverm";
- "Vertimek";
- "Aktara";
- "Colorado".
How it is used in landscape design
Peony Adolphe Rousseau produces very bright flowers and spreading bushes. It is beautiful in itself, so it is often used in single plantings to decorate the lawn, a place near the entrance, and recreation areas. Below are several ways to use the plant in garden design:
- Single landing.
- Placement against the backdrop of the lawn.
- Landing next to the path.
Conclusion
Peony Adolphe Rousseau is decorative thanks to its lush flowers and equally beautiful leaves. When planting, you need to take into account that the bushes are spreading, so they need a lot of space. During care, it is important to take care of watering and fertilizing, and preparation for wintering comes down to root pruning and mulching.
