Content
Peony Alerti is a perennial that can grow for a long time without replanting. Life expectancy in this case will be at least 25 years. The plant does not cause problems during planting and during cultivation. The culture has an attractive appearance and a pleasant smell. High winter hardiness has become the reason for the spread of peony to all regions of the country.
How the variety appeared
There is no mention of the Alerti variety in the public domain, so it is impossible to identify the author. It is known that the culture is a close relative of the Pecher and Noemi Demei peonies.
Description of the herbaceous peony Alerti
The perennial is a low, herbaceous plant that does not exceed 70 cm. The average size of the bush is about 55-60 cm. Alerti peony is intended for growing in gardens, parks, and public gardens. Has a landscape purpose.
The variety exhibits active branching at all life stages. The stems are furrowed and dense, bearing long green leaves, usually reaching 25 cm in length.
The leaf blades, like most peonies, are pointed and have a serrated structure.
There is vegetable hair on the inside, while the outside is covered with a glossy shell that reflects excess ultraviolet radiation. The sides also differ in color: the top is always lighter.
Peony Alerti has a tap root system, so closer to the surface it has a pronounced thickening. The root resembles a brown spindle. It goes through two stages of development, one of which begins in the spring, and the second in the fall.
Up to 10 buds can form on one stem. They have a diameter of 14 cm, made up of 8-10 petals. Can be one, two or three colors. The palette depends on the lighting and acidity of the soil. The smell of Alerti peony is easy to remember, it is pleasant and unobtrusive.
Timing and flowering period
Flowering lasts 1-1.5 months - from June to July. The duration depends on climatic factors and weather. When the flowers fall, massive fruits form in their place. Their number usually ranges from 2 to 6 pieces.
At the initial stages of formation, the fruits are straight. Then they change their shape to hooked. Inside the thick walls are seeds that are equally elongated and dark.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peony Alerti is valued among florists and designers. The reason for this was the delicate fragrant flowers.
The variety has a high frost resistance; it does not need to be covered in most regions
Pros:
- can be grown for a long time without replanting;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- long flowering period;
- no installation of supports required.
Minuses:
- low seedlings are difficult to grow as a hedge.
How to plant
Thanks to the unpretentiousness of Alerti peonies, any summer resident can cope with planting.It is recommended to place the plant in bright places to increase the number of flowers. If this is not possible, peonies can be planted in light shade.
The best substrate for Alerti peonies is loam with neutral acidity. If the area is not loose enough, the planting site is dug up. It is also recommended to apply fertilizing during the procedure. Complex mineral mixtures dissolve in the soil on average within a month, so they are used in advance and mixed with water to be effective.
Acidified soils need to be prepared: treated with slaked lime - 250 g per 1 sq. m. m. Alerti peonies react negatively to excess water in the soil, so when planting you need to create a drainage cushion. It is made of sand, small pebbles, crushed bricks or slate.
Alerti peony seedlings cannot be placed in damp soil. Wet substrates are most often found in ravines. But even if the site is located high enough, you should check how deep the groundwater is. The minimum depth required for growing peonies is 100 cm.
If the substrate mainly consists of clay, it is diluted with river sand and humus
Based on this, planting work is carried out as follows:
- Dig a square-shaped hole and place drainage at the bottom. When planning to create a flower garden, keep a distance of 50 cm between Alerti peonies.
- If fertilizing has not been applied before, it is prepared at this stage. Potassium sulfate, wood ash, and superphosphate are mixed in one bucket. Dilute with water and pour onto the drainage layer. Wait for a week for the fertilizer to dissolve.
- After this, Alerti peonies are planted.If they have an open root system, the shoots are straightened to the sides. On the contrary, it is better not to touch the earthen lump. It should be moved to a new location with the utmost care.
At the end of the procedure, you need to compact the root zone, water it and leave it at rest.
How to care
Alerti peonies do not require regular supervision. They grow on their own; you just need to water and feed them periodically.
To increase decorativeness, experts advise loosening and weeding the area after each moistening. If such events seem time-consuming to the summer resident, you can mulch the Alerti peonies. Straw and spruce branches work well. But they try not to use peat again - it acidifies the soil.
Pruning needs to be done from time to time. During the procedure, weak, diseased leaves and branches are removed. There is no need for a shaping haircut; Alerti peonies themselves are neat and compact in size.
The Alerti variety is watered with the same regularity as other peonies, spending up to 1 bucket of water per plant. Mineral fertilizers are applied during the growing season (in spring), and organic matter is added to them during the budding period.
By autumn, feeding is stopped
Preparing for winter
Alerti peonies do not need shelter. The exception is the northern regions of Russia, where temperatures drop below -40 degrees. However, for the first year it is recommended to mulch the seedlings tightly. Then it becomes optional.
Reproduction methods
Flowers can be propagated by seeds. True, their germination rate is not so high. Other methods include:
- stem cuttings;
- division;
- formation of layering.
Dividing the rhizome is the simplest and at the same time the most effective way. It allows you to see flowering within 2-3 years. But you need an adult Alerti peony: it is removed from the ground, washed with warm water and cut into sections. Each sample should contain 4 renewal buds.
Disease and pest control
Alerti peonies are disease resistant and pests are not interested in them. For prevention, you can treat bushes with biological fungicides and insecticides.
Application in design
The plant is included in delicate floral arrangements.
Often miniature bushes are planted separately - they look most interesting against the backdrop of a lawn or green hedge.
Conclusion
Peony Alerti is a crop that can become the central object in the garden. At the same time, the plant requires virtually no outside care. The seedlings are winter hardy (up to -40 degrees) and have strong immunity. The most important advantage of the variety is its beautiful and fragrant flowers.
Reviews from flower growers about peony Alerti
