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In the minds of most people, peony flowers should be large and double. Many people have just such varieties growing in their plots. But some gardeners choose varieties with a Japanese type of flower, one of them is the Nippon Beauty peony. Although it does not look quite familiar, it deserves no less attention from flower growers.
Description of peony Nippon Beauty
The herbaceous peony variety Nippon Beauty is a perennial with a strong rhizome. Forms a compact but powerful bush of dark red stems with dark green foliage. Plant height is 80-90 cm. The stems are strong and do not fall apart under the weight of the flowers.
It does not require special care, is cold-resistant, can withstand quite severe frosts, so it can be planted in almost all regions of Russia, except the most northern ones. Grows well in sunny or semi-shaded areas. Prefers soil that is moderately dry, but rich in nutrients. Does not like to grow in dense soil.
Features of flowering
The flowers of the milky peony Nippon Beauty consist of large, dense petals, the tops of which bend inward. Flowers are of the Japanese type, diameter 15-16 cm. The petals are evenly colored, in a rich purple-red color. In the center are yellow staminodes.The flowers of this variety have no aroma. They bloom late - in June-July, for a long time, abundantly. You can see how the Nippon Beauty peony blooms in the photo.
Flowers of the Nippon Beauty variety are more delicate and light, with a dense core
Application in design
Peonies can be beautiful in single plantings or in small mixed groups with other plants. They can be combined with low flowers that will not cover them. The timing of flowering should be selected so that they begin to open earlier than the peony, and open later. This way you can extend the period during which the flowerbed will remain decorative.
It is important to pay attention not only to how and when the plants will bloom, but also to the attractiveness of their leaves and stems: when flowering ends, they should still decorate the flowerbed.
As for the color scheme of plants surrounding peonies, it can be varied. Nippon Beauty are quite bright, they will not be lost against the background of other colors.
The pots will be cramped for peonies; they will not be able to develop and bloom normally. If you want to decorate the inside of your home, you need to choose low-growing varieties that were bred specifically for growing in pots.
Reproduction methods
Although peonies sometimes form seeds, this method of propagation is not suitable for varietal flowers. Such plants do not inherit the characteristics characteristic of the variety; moreover, growing them from seeds is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
It is much easier to propagate Nippon Beauty peonies vegetatively - by cuttings or dividing the bush. If the latter method is chosen, then transplantation should begin at the end of August or September.By this time, the vegetative processes occurring in the plant slow down, and it tolerates the transplant normally. By dividing the bush, you can propagate peonies in the spring, but you need to have time to do this before the stems begin to grow. Each division must have growth buds. The divided bush is transplanted immediately into planting holes, which are prepared immediately before planting. You don’t have to replant the entire bush, but just dig up the rhizome on one side, separate a piece of root with buds, replant it, and fill the cut area with soil.
The method of propagation by cuttings is also suitable for peony of this variety. Cuttings 10 cm long are cut from the roots, then planted in a warm, fertile, moist substrate. Gradually, new young roots and growth buds form on them. When this happens, they are transplanted to a permanent place. The plants will bloom in about 3-5 years.
Green cuttings are cut from the bottom of the stems, capturing the root collar.
Young peony stems are first rooted and then planted in a permanent place
Landing rules
The best time to plant Nippon Beauty peonies is early autumn. You can replant in October, but not less than a month before the onset of sustained cold weather. In the spring, you need to plant plants as early as possible, do not wait until it gets warmer, as they wake up early, and if you do not have time to transplant before the sap begins to flow, the peonies will not take root well.
You need to pay special attention to the quality of planting material. Only healthy, properly developed specimens take root and grow well. They should have strong, not dried out roots, stems and leaves without signs of disease or pest damage.A day before planting, the roots are soaked in a solution of a growth stimulator, this helps the seedlings take root faster.
An area in the garden that is optimally suited for growing peonies should be located in the sun or in partial shade and protected from strong winds. In completely shaded areas they will not grow well, the stems will begin to stretch, the flowers will be small and few in number. They prefer loamy soils; on sandy loams they bloom earlier, but the flowers are less decorative. Soil acidity is neutral or slightly alkaline; acidic soils must be limed before planting.
For each bush, dig a hole 50-60 cm in diameter. A distance of 90-100 cm is left between them. First, a drainage layer is poured into the holes, then fertilizers (humus, compost and ash) are mixed with part of the excavated soil.
The process of planting a peony seedling looks like this:
- Distribute the peony roots evenly.
- Lower it to the middle of the hole.
- Water, when the water is absorbed, sprinkle with earth.
- They compact it a little at the roots.
- Cover with a thin layer of mulch.
Aftercare
In the first season after planting, the Nippon Beauty peony will not bloom; at this time it grows rapidly and gains green mass. If buds do form, you need to cut them all off so as not to deplete the plant. There is no need to feed it in the first year; the nutrients supplied with the fertilizers added to the planting hole are sufficient.
Lush flowering begins only a few years after transplantation
Watering immediately after transplanting should be thorough until the bush is completely rooted.An adult plant is not watered often, as it has deeply penetrating roots that can extract moisture from the soil. But if there is prolonged or intense heat, you need to take care of additional moisture and adult peonies. To reduce the number of waterings, it is advisable to mulch the soil surface with a layer of straw, hay, leaves or lay agrofibre. If there is no mulch, the soil should be loosened after each watering.
Adult Nippon Beauty bushes are fed 3 times per season:
- Early in spring (nitrogen fertilizers are applied, watered with slurry, saltpeter or urea).
- Before flowering (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers).
- After flowering or at the end of summer (use only fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium).
On poor soils, you can feed peonies again in the fall before preparing for winter.
Preparing for winter
After the first frost, Nippon Beauty peony bushes are pruned - all stems are removed at the root. There is no need to cover them, they tolerate cold well, but if the forecast predicts a frosty winter, covering them with mulch will not hurt. Next year, as soon as it gets warmer, it needs to be removed and replaced with a new layer.
Pests and diseases
The most common pests of peonies are ants; they climb onto buds and blooming flowers and spoil them. If there are a lot of insects, they may not open. You can drive away ants using folk remedies - infusions of tansy, mint, cloves, mustard, anise, laurel, garlic or other herbs with a pungent odor that can repel pests. If the infusions do not cope with their task, you will have to use synthetic insecticides.
The same applies to another pest of peonies - bronzes, which also like to visit flowering bushes. To combat them, you need to use folk remedies and only then agrochemicals.
The variety is resistant to diseases, but in damp, cool weather it can be affected by gray rot. Sick buds must be destroyed.
With proper care, the bush blooms profusely and suffers less
Conclusion
Peony Nippon Beauty does not belong to the widespread type with double flowers, but this does not make it any less interesting. Can be combined with other varieties of crops if you choose the shades harmoniously. This variety, like all peonies, is durable and can grow in one place for decades.
Reviews of peony Nippon Beauty
