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Peony Moon Over Barrington is a beautiful plant with an unusual name, which translates as “moon over Barrington.” Its origins lie in the Illinois location where the variety was bred and first bloomed in 1986 at the nursery of originator Roy Clem.
A distinctive feature of peonies bred in the US Midwest are their large white buds.
Description of peony Moon Over Barrington
The variety of American selection is quite rare and belongs to the “Collector” series. It is considered the largest among milky-flowered peonies. The stable stem of the herbaceous perennial increases in size every year and can reach 1.5 m.
The shrub grows compactly. The growth of shoots in length occurs quickly, in 40-45 days. The stems are covered with glossy dark green foliage. The large leaves of the Moon Over Barrington peony have a dissected shape with cuts reaching to the midrib.
The heat-loving variety grows in places with a moderately warm climate, in the subtropics of Eurasia and North America. Peony Moon Over Barrington prefers well-lit and sun-warmed areas. In shaded conditions, the bushes become very elongated and bloom poorly.
The plant is characterized by relative frost resistance. Only new plantings should be covered for the winter. They are sprinkled with peat in a layer of 10-12 cm.
Under the weight of large buds, the stems often fall to the ground. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to install supporting supports. This can be either a regular stick or a more complex structure in the form of a lattice or ring-shaped fence. Additional supports will also protect peony flower plantings from strong winds.
Features of flowering
The main advantage of the terry pink variety Moon Over Barrington is its large white buds, which reach a diameter of 20 cm and have a moderately spicy aroma. The flowers are shaped like a rose and consist of many compactly collected, wide petals. When opened, they acquire a pink, creamy hue. Pistils and stamens are practically invisible, pollen is sterile. Double flowers do not produce seeds.
The large-flowered herbaceous peony variety Moon Over Barrington is characterized by a mid-late flowering period, which falls on June 24-29 and lasts 15-18 days. Terry buds are very well suited for forming bouquets.
Flowers of the Moon Over Barrington variety have a beautiful shape and last a long time in water
Timely removal of crumbling buds will create conditions for abundant flowering from season to season. You should not leave the petals under the bushes, so as not to provoke the occurrence and spread of infection.
In order for the Moon Over Barrington peony to delight with flowers of maximum size, it is recommended to remove the side buds
Application in design
Peonies Moon Over Barrington are beautiful both in single and mixed plantings. They can be used for decorative design of the site, placed in groups among the lawn.
Flower beds with terry buds will become a bright accent of any area
Peonies should not be planted under tree canopies, or next to lilacs, hydrangeas and other bushes with a strong root system. In the struggle for water and nutrients, the Moon Over Barrington variety will yield to stronger competitors. Beautiful, fragrant peonies do not tolerate crowding, so it is not recommended to plant them in flowerpots, on a balcony or loggia.
It is best to arrange peony plantings in open space in the form of flower beds or along paths among similar varieties
Flowers planted in a flowerbed must have the same requirements for growing conditions. The color scheme of plants can be varied. In summer, pelargoniums, lilies and petunias will look beautiful with Moon Over Barrington peonies. In autumn, a combination with dahlias, asters and chrysanthemums is appropriate. During flowering, peonies will stand out from other plants and then become a green background for them.
Reproduction methods
The Moon Over Barrington variety is propagated in several ways:
- The division of bushes is carried out at the end of summer or early autumn. At this time, peonies are at rest. The growth of the aerial part stops, renewal buds are already formed. The bush must be dug up from all sides and completely pulled out of the ground, having previously cut the stems at a height of 20 cm. The root is shaken off the soil and divided into several parts with 2-5 buds on each. The cuts should be covered with ash or crushed coal.
Reproduction of peonies by dividing the bush is the most effective
- Propagation by root cuttings takes quite a long time. A part of the root about 10 cm long is buried in a pre-selected place, on which buds and roots will appear over time. The first flowering will occur only 3-5 years after planting the cuttings.
- Peony Moon Over Barrington can also be propagated from green cuttings. To do this, separate the stem with part of the root collar. To avoid weakening the mother bush, you should not take too many cuttings from one plant.
The variety does not produce seeds, so it is not propagated using this method.
Landing rules
Considerable attention should be paid to the quality of planting material. The optimal size of the division is 20 cm. Each division should have 2-3 buds. Cuttings with damaged rotten areas should not be planted. Selected rhizomes are soaked for an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate or a special preparation “Maxim”. After drying, the cut areas are sprinkled with wood ash.
Peonies are planted in the fall, a month before the onset of cold weather, so that they have time to take root. Before spring, it is necessary to dig planting holes measuring 60*60*60 cm. During this time, the nutrient layer of soil at the bottom will give seasonal shrinkage, which will subsequently protect the buds of the seedlings from being pulled into the ground to a depth below the permissible level. This is the most important condition for normal flowering of Moon Over Barrington peonies in the spring.
To prepare plants for winter, before planting, the bottom is filled 2/3 with a nutrient composition consisting of the following components:
- compost;
- priming;
- peat;
- rotted cow or horse manure.
The cuttings are placed in pits and covered with soil, to which ash, superphosphate or bone meal are added to maintain a favorable alkaline or neutral acidity.
Holes for planting peonies should be spacious and well fertilized.
It is necessary to ensure that the buds are 2-3 cm below the soil level. The cuttings are covered with soil, compacted well and watered abundantly. If the soil settles over time, it should be added so that the buds are not visible.
Aftercare
For the first couple of years, Moon Over Barrington peonies do not need to be fertilized. They will have enough nutrients that were added to the planting holes at the time of planting. Caring for plants at this time should consist of timely watering, weeding and loosening the soil.
It is especially important to maintain an optimal level of soil moisture in early spring, during the period of growth and active flowering, as well as in late summer, when Moon Over Barrington peonies begin to form new buds. Watering should be carried out regularly, once a week, spending 25-40 liters of water on each adult bush. It's better to use a watering can. In dry weather, watering should be daily. It is not recommended to use sprinklers, since when water hits the peonies, it weighs down the buds, they get wet and droop to the ground. They may become stained and develop fungal diseases.
After watering or rain, remove weeds and loosen the soil; this will create an oxygen-enriched mulch layer around the flowers. Care should be taken not to damage the roots of Moon Over Barrington peonies. The depth of the grooves should not exceed 7 cm, and the distance from the bush should not exceed 20 cm.
When the peony reaches the age of 2 years, regular feeding begins. In autumn or early spring, each bush is sprinkled with a bucket of compost.During the period of flowering and bud formation, the soil is fertilized with a composition prepared from 10 liters of water and the following components:
- 7.5 g ammonium nitrate;
- 10 g superphosphate;
- 5 g potassium salt.
Preparing for winter
Before the onset of cold weather, damaged stems are cut off from the bushes, dry leaves are collected and burned to prevent the spread of pests and viruses. The remaining stems on the bushes are sprinkled with ash.
Peonies should be fed 2 weeks after flowering. Fertilization in the fall is necessary as the development of the root system continues. During this period, gardeners give preference to complex formulations, including phosphorus and potassium.
In late autumn, the stems are completely pruned, leaving a few leaves on each. If the cut is made too close to the root, this will negatively affect the formation of future buds.
Peonies Moon Over Barrington are not afraid of winter cold. Young bushes can be covered with spruce branches, spruce branches or dry leaves.
Pests and diseases
The most common diseases of peonies:
- Gray rot (Botrytis) affects plants during the growth period. The stem at the base of Moon Over Barrington peonies becomes covered with a gray coating, darkens and breaks. Gardeners call this phenomenon “blackleg.”
The disease becomes more active in cold, damp spring conditions.
- Rust. Yellow spore pads appear on the back of the leaves. Gray spots and tubercles with a purple tint form on the front surface.
A dangerous fungal disease affects peonies after flowering.
- Ring mosaic. Manifests itself in the formation of yellow-green stripes and rings on the leaves between the veins.
When cutting flowers with one knife without treatment, the mosaic virus is transferred from healthy bushes to diseased ones
- Cladosporiosis (brown spot). When affected, leaves appear
Leaves covered with brown spots take on a scorched appearance.
Moon Over Barrington peonies are also susceptible to powdery mildew. A fungal disease covers the foliage with a white coating.
Powdery mildew appears only on mature peonies
There are not many pests for peonies. These include:
- Ants. These insects love the sweet syrup and nectar that fills the buds of Moon Over Barrington. They gnaw off the petals and sepals, preventing the flowers from blooming.
Ants can infect Moon Over Barrington peony with fungal diseases
- Aphid. Large colonies of small insects weaken the plants, sucking all the juices out of them.
The sweet nectar released when the buds ripen attracts insect pests
- Nematodes. As a result of damage by dangerous worms, the roots of peonies become covered with knotty swellings, and the leaves become covered with yellow spots.
Frequent spraying promotes the spread of leaf nematodes
Timely treatment of peonies with protective drugs will prevent their death.
Conclusion
Peony Moon Over Barrington is a collectible variety, distinguished by large double white buds. During the flowering period, the plant, planted in the form of flower beds or along paths, will decorate any garden area. And cut buds are perfect for creating holiday bouquets. Its ease of care makes this variety even more attractive to gardeners.
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