Content
Peony Touch of Class is a hybrid shrub popular in cold regions of Russia. A distinctive feature of the plant is its high winter hardiness. The culture appeared relatively recently, so it has not yet received decorative awards. However, the peony needs no introduction, thanks to its beautiful buds, the color of which is known to botanists in every country.
How the variety appeared
Touch of Class was brought out by Klehm. The originator from the USA has many interesting varieties of peonies. The official date of creation is 1999.
Description of peony Touch of Class with photo
The flower has strong stems that can hold large buds without a garter. They do not break even in strong winds.
Experts strongly advise not to plant Touch of Class in areas unprotected from drafts, since in such conditions the plant’s immunity is reduced.
Peony does not form pistils and stamens.
Wavy petals form a dense ball up to 16 cm in size
The buds are collected in inflorescences, shaped like Asian peonies. The color of the flowers is two-tone: lilac on the outside and cream on the inside.By the end of flowering, the lilac petals lose their shade and become lighter, while the central ones, on the contrary, darken.
If the soil is fertile enough, then the root system of adult bushes is capable of independently feeding the plant. The height of Touch of Class is 90 cm. In spring, the crop becomes lush: the bushes have large plates that serve as additional protection from the cold.
The hybrid tolerates sub-zero temperatures down to -35 degrees. With a further decline, they may die, so plantings, especially young ones, require shelter. As for immunity, Touch of Class has it at an average level. In spring and autumn, peonies should be treated with preventative agents.
Timing and flowering period
Touch of Class forms buds in early June, in Siberia 1-2 weeks later. Flowering does not recur, the average duration is about 20 days.
Florists use Touch of Class peonies for their own purposes. The bouquet stays in a vase for 8-12 days.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peony Touch of Class is a flower with an unobtrusive scent that helps to emphasize the details of the garden. Designers love to plant it in flower beds and rock gardens.
The plant is suitable for growing in the Moscow region, the middle zone and northern regions
Pros:
- large bud size;
- the stems do not require tying;
- low demands;
- decorativeness throughout life.
Minuses:
- price;
- It performs well only on neutral substrates.
How to plant
Hybrid peonies are perennials, so they choose the location carefully. Areas with high and low acidity should be excluded.In such conditions, Touch of Class does not bloom.
If planting is done in a flower bed, it should be on the bright side and at the same time protected from the wind by a wall or fence. Fertile soil mixed with sand and peat for permeability is the best option for growing. It is recommended to check the groundwater level; peonies do not need high humidity.
Landing is carried out as follows:
- A month before work, they dig a hole, add fertilizer and dig it back in. This step can be skipped if the soil is fertile enough to grow Touch of Class.
- When planting directly, dig a hole in the same place and lay drainage. The seedling is placed in the center, trying not to damage the root system.
- Cover the area with soil, water it and mulch it with sawdust, spruce branches or peat.
The Touch of Class peony should not be allowed to bloom until it is three years old. Energy should be spent on the development of the underground part.
Care instructions
Touch of Class is undemanding, new gardeners can breathe easy. However, minimum growing conditions must be maintained.
If planted correctly, the peony only needs to be looked after and watered from time to time.
The flower prefers a moderate amount of moisture; flooding the crop is prohibited. The norm is 60-80 liters per month. Watering is carried out at intervals of 10 days, in summer - every 6-8 days (depending on the degree of drought). The water must be settled.
Peony Touch of Class can be fed next year. At the beginning of spring, additives containing nitrogen are used.Before flowering begins and after it ends, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied.
After heavy watering or rain, the soil is weeded to remove growing weeds. To speed up the development of roots, it is recommended to loosen the root zone. To do this, use a rake; the tool is deepened into the ground by 5 cm.
Preparing for winter
In winter, the Touch of Class peony can get sick without preparation. Preparatory procedures include three things:
- Feeding. The last time supplements are used is in August; complex mineral mixtures are needed.
- Moisture-recharging irrigation. Carry out in the second week of October.
- Shelter. Necessary for young plantings (up to 3 years) or when growing Touch of Class in a cold area. In all other cases, it is enough to change the mulching material to a new one and increase its height to 12-14 cm.
In spring, the shelter must be removed to prevent condensation.
Reproduction methods
Touch of Class peonies are propagated by two methods - cuttings and division.
Cuttings are carried out as follows:
- After flowering, a viable shoot of 10 cm in length is cut, the bottom is cut at an angle, and with this end the cutting is placed in Kornevin’s solution.
- After stimulation, Touch of Class is placed in a substrate consisting entirely of wet sand. Cover the cuttings with a plastic bottle and wait for germination.
- The cover is removed when the root system adapts, as evidenced by the appearance of green leaves. After a year, the peonies are transplanted to a permanent place.
Propagation by division is much more effective, which is why most gardeners practice it.
Rhizomes are separated using standard technology:
- An adult shrub is dug up from all sides and the root system is carefully removed. Wash and dry.
- After this, they are divided into parts equal to the number of planned divisions. Each bunch should have two renewal buds.
Planting in the ground is carried out according to the described instructions.
Disease and pest control
Peony does not have a superior immune system and may be bothered by illness from time to time. To prevent this from happening, Touch of Class is sprayed with:
- Fitosporin – against gray rot;
- Bordeaux mixture - against rust.
There are fewer problems with insects. The main pests are bronze beetles and ants. The first is dealt with on their own - they are collected by hand, and the drug Anteater is used against ants.
Application in design
Due to its ambiguous color, the Touch of Class peony can be used in different flower arrangements
The plant goes well with bells, cornflowers, gladioli, and some varieties of roses. The presence of peonies is appropriate against the background of fences and lawns.
The culture looks good in flower beds and as a hedge
Conclusion
Peony Touch of Class is a bright flower that has won the interest of Russian gardeners and designers. The plant has good immunity and requires almost no care.
Reviews from flower growers about Touch of Class peony
