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Once upon a time, peonies won the heart of one of the Chinese emperors, and now they decorate parks, gardens, and personal plots. Many varieties of these flowers have been registered. Of particular interest are early peonies, stylish and fragrant flowers grown in different countries, including the Russian Federation, namely in the Krasnodar, Stavropol Territories, Rostov Region, Crimea, and Moscow Region.
When do early varieties of peonies bloom?
Depending on the variety and climate, early peonies bloom in late April - early May; there are still few other flowers during this period
Early flowering varieties of different shapes and shades are in great demand. The duration of flowering is influenced by weather and climatic conditions, care, as well as cultural characteristics. On average, early peonies bloom for 7–10 days. Some varieties are pleasing to the eye for up to 14 days, some for only five.
Experienced gardeners note that the duration of flowering of early varieties can change every year due to temperature fluctuations, precipitation and other weather conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners note quite a few advantages of early varieties compared to later ones. Thanks to these qualities, early flowering peonies are a success.
Peonies are appropriate as a gift bouquet for any occasion
Pros:
- early and abundant flowering, a fairly long process will allow you to enjoy and delight your loved ones with wonderful flowers;
- early flowering specimens attract attention with a variety of shades and tints ranging from white or pale pink to dark red and even purple;
- compact sizes allow you to easily place seedlings in the garden and create organic compositions with other plantings;
- resistance to low temperatures, such varieties tolerate cold spring well and are not afraid of frost. These properties allow you to avoid sheltering plants from possible spring cold. Peonies are able to survive in cold and temperate continental regions, in particular, Moscow and the Moscow region, the Arkhangelsk region;
- plants have a decorative appearance, simple and double flower forms;
- unpretentiousness
- low maintenance requirements;
- easy to propagate and replant;
Minuses:
- weak resistance to individual insects (aphids, bronze beetles) and diseases (leaf spot, leaf mosaic).
Varieties of peonies with early flowering
The genus Peony includes 34 species, and there are more than 5 thousand varieties. The vast majority are herbaceous varieties, about 4.5 thousand of them, the remaining 500 are tree-like.You can get acquainted with the earliest varieties of peonies, the most famous and often found, below.
Scarlet Sail
Scarlet Sails is an early tree peony. Known for its bright, purple double flowers. Once fully bloomed, a bright yellow center is visible. The shape of the peony is crown-shaped, the diameter of the flower is 16 cm. The height of the grown bush is up to 2 m. 50–70 buds are formed, the aroma of which is not very pronounced.
The flowering of the variety lasts from late April until mid-May. One of the most frost-resistant varieties among tree peonies, can withstand temperatures down to -40°C.
The stems of the Scarlet Sails peony do not fade in the fall, but grow every year
Ballerina
Ballerina has compact bushes of medium size (height up to 0.8 m). It differs from other varieties in its strong, persistent stems and light green foliage. Ballerina has high winter hardiness, can withstand temperatures from -34°C to -40°C, and therefore does not require shelter for the winter period. This variety of peonies is little susceptible to attacks by parasites. The early variety is suitable for the Moscow region, the central and southern parts of the Russian Federation, northern and mountainous regions.
Peony Ballerina is best grown separately from other varieties.
Do Tell
A characteristic feature of Du Tell is the beautiful shape of the bush, the height of which is 0.8–1 m. The stem is thin in structure, but powerful, which allows the flower to easily withstand strong gusts of wind. Spectacular lateral buds form on the shoots. The leaf part is large, dark green in color and has a varnished structure. The leaves are dissected and slightly corrugated, which is reflected in the decorative appearance of the bushes. In autumn, the foliage is painted in a rich red-burgundy color, sometimes with tints of purple.
The variety Du Tell was awarded the gold medal of the American Peony Society in 2004
Purple night (Suffruticosa Dan lu)
Purple Night is a tree-like crop with early flowering. The bush is tall, powerful and dense. The length of the shoot is on average 80-100 cm. The stem is strong and strong, pale brown in color. The leaves are pinnate, bright green, lacy in shape, densely filling the bush. There are 30–70 buds on one plant. Each is medium in size, diameter – 13–20 cm. The shape of the petals is oval, elongated, wavy. The initial color of the petals is dark red, but after a while they turn purple. The aroma is pleasant, not too pronounced.
Peony Purple Night can grow in one place for more than 20 years, delighting the owner with lush flowering
Red Spider (Red Spider, Red Spider)
Red Spider is a herbaceous crop with early flowering. It is a low (up to 0.5 m) spreading bush. The stems are erect, not afraid of winds. The leaves are bright green, dissected. The flowers are double, bright, crimson in color, 12 cm in diameter. There is practically no smell. When cut, the flower lasts for about seven days. The variety is frost-resistant down to -34°C, but in the northern regions shelter is required.
The Red Spider variety is grown on the patio and for cutting into bouquets.
Red Wiz Pink (Dao Jin)
Red Whis Pink is a fairly compact tree peony up to 1.2 m high. The leaves are bright green, large, and the stems are strong. Forms huge round flowers with a diameter of 20–25 cm. The buds are semi-double, with a fluffy center. The petals are silky, curled towards the center. The color of the petals is cherry-red, bright, with pink or white strokes. Moreover, the proportions of colors are approximately the same. The aroma is subtle, pleasant, reminiscent of a rose with a citrus additive.
Red Whis Pink is the most compact variety, looks good in pots, flowerpots, romantic and Japanese gardens
Lois Choice
Lois Choice is an early, stocky shrub 75 cm high, with double flowers similar to carnations. The edges of the petals are peachy-pink, closer to the center - creamy yellow. The strong stem can bend under the weight of the buds, the diameter of which reaches 17 cm. The unpretentious plant is resistant to drought and disease. It has been growing in one place for more than 50 years.
Lois Choice peonies came to Russia from the USA in 1993
Coral Charm
Coral Charm is a decorative early perennial of medium height (95–100 cm). The stems are strong, strong, and reddish in color. The leaves are dark green, imparipinnate. The flowers are semi-double, 10–17 cm in diameter, pearl-coral color, lighter as they bloom. The stems are strong, not bending under the weight of the buds. Flowering is bright and abundant. The variety is often used for cutting.
Peonies of the Coral Charm variety were bred in 1964; they are resistant to winter cold and moderate drought.
Black Beauty
Black Beauty - early peonies with semi-double petals, bright burgundy color with a chocolate tint. There are bright yellow stamens in the center of the buds. Powerful stems have dark green leaves. Flower diameter 15–17 cm. Bush height 80–85 cm. Very early flowering variety with a pleasant aroma of flowers. Grow alone and together with other plants. An excellent option for landscape design.
The name of the variety Black Beauty is translated as black beauty, the variety comes from the USA
London (Paeonia London)
London is an early variety with compact, regular-shaped bushes about 50 cm high, distinguished by strong stems. The leaves are pointed, dark green in color. The flowers are large and lush, up to 15 cm in diameter, with a bright, pleasant aroma. They are decorative. The color of the terry buds is dark pink. Peonies are used for summer cottages and alpine slides.
The outer petals of the London variety are wide and large, the inner ones are narrow
Conclusion
Early peonies are the simplest, but also the most effective way to decorate a garden plot. Typically, such plants are used in single plantings: bright colors attract attention to any corner of the garden. They look great in group plantings, against the backdrop of green low-growing shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants.
