Content
It is no coincidence that peonies have gained popularity among gardeners and flower growers: their luxurious, graceful buds and dense foliage fit into the landscape of any garden, becoming either a good background or an accent. Peony Angel Cheeks is different from most varieties - it is not picky, easy to care for and very beautiful.
How the variety appeared
The Angel Cheeks variety was bred by the American breeder Karl Klems, who is one of the leading specialists in peony breeding in the world. His work is aimed at creating new, unique varieties with certain characteristics.
Angel Cheeks is the result of crossing two original varieties, selected by Klems to obtain a combination of unusual properties: color and bud morphology. During the work and testing, the variety was repeatedly isolated, and in 1975 it was patented as an independent crop.
Description of the milky peony Angel Cheeks
Peony Angel Cheeks has delicate milky petals, which against the background of yellow stamens makes the appearance of this variety even more refined and beautiful.Angel Cheeks is a semi-double type.
The flowers have large and lush petals that surround a central part with anthers.
Peony gives off a pleasant aroma, similar to a cross between banana and apricot. Usually reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm. Angel Cheeks flowers have a soft milky pink color with smooth shade transitions. They look especially picturesque and elegant thanks to the thick layer of semi-double petals.
Timing and flowering period
Angel Cheeks begin to bloom in late spring or early summer. The time depends on the climatic conditions and location of the garden, as well as on the quality of plant care.
The flowering period of Angel Cheeks can last up to two to three weeks, during which time several large flowers form on the plant. Each reaches up to 19 cm in diameter. The duration and abundance of flowering increases with proper care and maintaining favorable conditions for the plant.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peony Angel Cheeks has beautiful large milky pink flowers that last a long time in a vase.
Angel Cheeks has a light and pleasant aroma, it gives the crop additional attractiveness
Pros:
- resistance to various climatic conditions;
- dense arrangement of shoots;
- good resistance to diseases and pests.
Minuses:
- stems may bend under the weight of flowers;
- Before the first flowering you need to wait from 1 to 5 years.
Landing scheme and rules
Planting the Angel Cheeks peony requires compliance with some rules and recommendations. Here are the main steps necessary for rapid rooting of a variety:
- Choosing a location. Peony Angel Cheeks prefers well-lit areas with full sun or light shade.Choose drained areas with fertile soils.
- Time. Peonies are planted in the fall, about 3-5 weeks before the onset of cold weather.
- Soil preparation. Carry out a deep excavation of the planting site, removing weeds and mixing the soil with compost (or mineral fertilizers). If the soil is heavy, add sand or perlite to improve structure and drainage characteristics.
- Distance between seedlings. It is recommended to maintain an interval of at least 90-100 cm between seedlings to leave enough space for air penetration. Young Angel Cheeks peonies can be placed nearby, and then, as they grow, they can be planted.
- Planting peony Angel Cheeks. A small drainage mound is formed in the hole where the root will be placed. The roots are unraveled, dug in and watered.
How to care
Moderate watering is important for healthy peony development. Soil moisture should be maintained regularly, while avoiding waterlogging, which can cause roots to rot. During the summer, humidity is purposefully increased, especially during drought periods. At the end of the season, when peony growth slows down, watering is reduced.
In the spring, complex mineral fertilizer is applied to stimulate the growth and flowering of Angel Cheeks. Use water-soluble fertilizers or granular fertilizers, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Organic fertilizers (compost and humus) are very useful for crop growth
After flowering, remove wilted buds to prevent the development of fungal infections or the appearance of seeds, which will extract excess energy from the plant. Damaged or rotting leaves and dead shoots are also cut off.
Preparing for winter
Before the start of the winter period, the roots of the Angel Cheeks peony are covered with a layer of foliage or straw to a height of about 10-14 cm. This will protect the roots from temperature changes.
Reproduction methods
Angel Cheeks can be propagated using the following methods:
- Rhizome division. This is the most common method of propagating peonies. The best time for division is autumn, when the plant is dormant. It is carefully dug up, cleared of soil and the rhizome is cut into pieces so that each has 3-5 live buds. The separated sections of the rhizome can then be planted in prepared holes with fertile, well-drained soil.
- Seeds. Propagation of Angel Cheeks peonies by seeds is longer and more labor-intensive. The seeds are collected after the flowers have already withered and the seed pods have become visible. The collected material is planted in the fall (for natural stratification for the winter). Please note that peonies grown from seeds may differ from the Angel Cheeks variety due to cross-pollination.
- Rooting cuttings. Although this method is less common for peonies, some gardeners prefer to propagate Angel Cheeks using cuttings. In mid-summer, you need to carefully cut off young shoots about 10 cm long and remove the lower leaves. The resulting cuttings are planted in a mixture of sand, vermiculite and perlite, covered with film/glass - greenhouse conditions are created. The method has a lower success rate compared to dividing the rhizome.
Division also ensures that the characteristics of the Angel Cheeks variety are preserved.
Disease and pest control
To combat diseases and pests on Angel Cheeks peonies, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- Choose a moist and lighted place for growth, as well as fertile and well-drained soil.
- Trim the plant, remove diseased or damaged parts. Clear the area around the peony of dead leaves and stems.
- Apply fungicides to prevent fungal diseases.
- If peony mites or thrips are found, use insecticides.
- Consider planting other plants near the peony that may repel insects.
- Regularly check the plant for diseases and pests.
In general, caring for the plant is quite simple.
Application in landscape
The culture looks great next to red roses, which have the same dense, dark foliage
Even a young variety can bloom profusely
The crop should be planted near water bodies with great care; before planting, a thick drainage layer is laid in the soil
Conclusion
Peony Angel Cheeks is a delicate flower that was bred by breeder Karl Klems almost half a century ago. The plant does not require close supervision, but the basic rules should not be neglected.
Reviews from flower growers about Angel Cheeks peony
