Content
Peony Summer Glau is a hybrid peony variety with large flowers up to 18 cm in diameter. It mainly blooms in the second half of summer and decorates the garden well both in single and group plantings. It does not have any special care requirements, but requires plenty of watering and regular fertilization.
Description of peony Summer Glau
Summer Glau is one of the most beautiful peonies. This hybrid variety was bred in the early 1990s in the USA. The bush reaches a height of 80 cm, but the main value is provided by the large double flowers. They are painted in creamy, creamy shades with fawn, peach-yellow accents. They contrast well against the background of dark green leaves.
Peony Summer Glau has delicate, large flowers that exude a delicate aroma
It grows very slowly, the bush is compact, not spreading. However, it produces a lot of lush, heavy flowers, so it requires the installation of supporting supports. This can be an ordinary peg to which a bush is tied. On average, the Summer Glau peony blooms successfully for several years in a row, producing lush, fragrant flowers.
It belongs to the light- and moisture-loving varieties, so when breeding it is better to choose the southern and eastern side of the garden. At the same time, the plant tolerates shade well. It is distinguished by increased winter hardiness, growing zone 3. According to various sources, it can withstand frosts from -34 to -40 degrees.
Therefore, it can take root in different regions:
- Central Russia;
- Northwest;
- South of Russia;
- Ural;
- Siberia;
- Far East.
Features of flowering
Flowers of cream, white, creamy shades interspersed with fawn, orange and peach flowers. Variety characteristics:
- large-flowered (up to 18 cm in diameter);
- terry;
- type: tree shrub.
The flowering period for Summer Glau usually falls in the second half of July and August, so this variety is a late-flowering variety. The splendor of flowering mainly depends on the following factors:
- soil fertility;
- degree of looseness;
- illumination of the area;
- fertilization and watering.
Application in design
Peony Summer Glau, thanks to its beautiful foliage and lush flowers, looks good even in single plantings. For example, it can be placed along paths, on an open lawn, next to a veranda, gazebo or bench.
Peony Summer Glau looks good in single plantings
The bush goes well with many other flowers. It also harmonizes with perennial conifers. Summer Glau is often planted in mixborders, combining them with asters, delphiniums, heleniums and other beautiful flowers.
When planting the Summer Glau peony, it is important to remember that it likes to dominate, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the soil.Therefore, you should not place it next to flowers such as:
- anemone;
- Adonis;
- lumbago and other representatives of the Ranunculaceae family.
Summer Glau's lush, delicate flowers and rich green foliage are a real highlight of the garden.
Reproduction methods
Peony Summer Glau is most often propagated vegetatively:
- using layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
Since this variety does not like to be disturbed, it should not be propagated by dividing the bush. It’s better to try a simpler method - for example, propagate peony cuttings. It is this method that is used when propagating valuable, exotic varieties.
The instructions are simple:
- Reproduction begins when the Summer Glau bush has reached an average age of 4-5 years. From one plant you can prepare 10-15 cuttings.
- They are cut in the first half of June - preferably from the middle part of the stem. The length of the cutting is arbitrary, the main condition is that it has at least 2 internodes.
- The upper part is cut 2 cm above the last leaf. The bottom cut is made under the leaf cushion.
- Soak for several hours in a growth stimulator (Epin, Kornevin).
- Planted directly in open ground at an angle of 45 degrees in fertile soil (equal parts of humus and turf soil) with a top layer of sand 6-7 cm.
- Spray with water 3-4 times a day for 10 days, first grow under glass or under film at a temperature of 24-25 degrees.
- Then they begin to ventilate (after 3-4 weeks), spraying is reduced.
- After 2 months, the greenhouse is opened.
- For the winter, they are well mulched with sawdust, as well as pine needles, straw or fallen leaves - the seedling must be completely covered.
- In the spring (March - April), the mulch is removed and the cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.
The main method of propagating the Summer Glau peony is stem cuttings.
Landing rules
It is better to purchase Summer Glau seedlings in trusted nurseries or stores. This needs to be done at the end of summer in order to immediately plant it in open ground. The optimal time is considered to be the last week of August, since at this time the autumn growth of roots begins, and on the other hand, the weather is still warm even in the Siberian and Ural regions.
When choosing a location, it is recommended to pay attention to several points:
- it must be open - only a faint shadow is allowed;
- ideally, if the site is protected from strong winds by fences, benches, bushes and other shelters;
- It is advisable to plant in a dry place, on a slight hill, since moisture can stagnate in the lowlands after rains.
Ideally, it is better to prepare the planting hole in April so that the soil shrinks. But if it doesn’t work out, then you can plant the Summer Glau peony directly in fresh holes. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Clean and dig up the area to a depth of 50 cm.
- Dig a middle hole (diameter 40 cm, depth 50 cm). In this case, they are guided by the size of the roots - they should fit freely in the hole (sometimes the dimensions are increased to 60 cm).
- A mixture of garden soil and compost (in equal quantities) is poured into 2/3 of the depth of the hole, 200 g of superphosphate fertilizer and 60 g of potash fertilizer are added.
- Water generously until the soil has the consistency of porridge.
- The seedling is buried so that the upper buds are close to the surface (up to 5 cm in depth).
- The top is covered with earth, but not compacted.
Aftercare
Despite the fact that the Summer Glau peony variety is considered exotic, caring for it is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The rules are exactly the same as in the case of other, more familiar varieties.
Water not too often, but very generously - 2-3 buckets per flower. The soil should remain very moist; in the future, they will be guided by the weather. If it rains, water only 1-2 times a month, if necessary. In case of drought, watering should be weekly. To retain moisture for a long time, the roots are mulched with pine needles and sawdust (layer 5-7 cm).
Regular fertilizing ensures lush flowering of the Summer Glow peony
For lush flowering, the Summer Glau peony needs to be fed several times a season:
- After the snow has completely melted, give 2 g of potassium permanganate per 5 liters of water.
- When the shoots begin to grow, they are fed with nitrogen - for example, 15 g of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water.
- In mid-May, complex mineral fertilizer is given, the dosage is determined according to the instructions.
- When the buds are set, along with ammonium nitrate (7.5 g per 10 l), superphosphate (10 g) and potassium salt (5 g) are given.
- At the end of the flowering of the Summer Glau peony (half a month later), fertilizer is applied a second time - again superphosphate and potassium salt in the same amount.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that the Summer Glau peony is a winter-hardy plant, it needs additional preparation for the winter period. According to the recommendations of experienced gardeners, the sequence of actions should be as follows:
- The last fertilizing (potassium salt and superphosphates) is applied in early September. At the same time, you can give 2-3 buckets of water - shock watering for the winter.
- It is advisable to prune the peony right before the first frost or immediately after it. The stems are removed directly to ground level, leaving only 2-5 cm.
- Cover the top with fallen leaves and spruce branches with a layer of 5-10 cm. You can use rotted sawdust, compost or peat. It is also allowed to fall asleep with the foliage of the Summer Glau peony itself, if it did not suffer from anything during the summer.
During autumn pruning, the branches of the Summer Glau peony are removed almost completely.
Pests and diseases
The Summer Glau variety is resistant to many pests and diseases, but is sometimes affected by fungal and viral infections:
- rust;
- powdery mildew;
- gray rot;
- mosaic leaf disease.
Among insects and other arthropods, the following are particularly harmful:
- aphid;
- ants;
- root-knot nematodes;
- thrips;
- fine hop strand.
Methods of prevention and treatment are traditional - treatment with fungicides (Maxim, Skor, Topaz, Fitolavin) and insecticides (Biotlin, Green Soap, Actellik, Karbofos). It is also possible to use folk remedies (solutions of baking soda, mustard powder, ammonia).
Conclusion
Peony Summer Glau is one of the most beautiful hybrid varieties, which is distinguished by large pastel-colored flowers. Due to its increased winter hardiness, it is suitable for cultivation in different regions of Russia. Since the plant does not require special care, not only an experienced, but also a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation.
