Content
Peony White Cap is an American variety created in the middle of the last century and awarded several gold awards. The plant is characterized by a long-term life cycle and can bloom in one place for about 12 years. They grow crops for decorating gardens and creating bouquets.
The White Cap variety is classified as a crop with an average flowering period.
Description of Peony White Cap
A perennial plant with a well-developed root system, it grows quickly and forms a thick, dense above-ground part. After three years of growing season, the peony enters the reproductive phase, begins to bloom and form many root shoots (tubers).
The characteristics of the herbaceous variety White Cap are as follows:
- spreading bush (up to 1.2 m in diameter);
- peduncles are erect, rigid structure, dark green, with a smooth surface. Reaches a height of 80-100 cm;
- up to four lateral shoots are formed on the stem, ending in buds;
- the root system is mixed, superficial, forms a root circle with a diameter of 40-50 cm, the central part deepens by 40 cm;
- the leaves are dark green, elongated, lanceolate, the surface is smooth, glossy, the structure is rigid. The shoots are arranged alternately;
- the tops remain until October, acquiring a dark burgundy color.
White Cap peony is grown for garden decoration and for cutting. From 3 to 5 flowers can bloom on one stem; under their weight, the peduncles bend, so the bush falls apart.
A plant with brightly colored inflorescences needs a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light for photosynthesis; the peony is a sun-loving peony; it will not bloom under the crown of large trees; its shade tolerance is weak. The herbaceous shrub White Cap loses crown density, the leaves in the shade are faded, if single buds appear, the flowers are small and dim.
The varietal characteristics indicate the frost resistance of the plant to -40 0C. According to reviews from gardeners, the White Cap peony meets this parameter. The ornamental plant is grown in the gardens of the European part; the peony feels comfortable both in the warm climate of the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, as well as in the conditions of Siberia, Central, Central Russia, and the Urals. Depending on the climatic zone, agricultural technology will differ slightly in the frequency of watering and preparation for the winter.
Features of flowering
Milky-flowered White Cap belongs to the Japanese group of peonies. The crop blooms at the end of May, in warm regions this happens a little earlier. Flowering duration is 15 days. The biological cycle of a flower lasts from 6 to 8 days. The buds are blooming massively, the bush is completely covered with bright inflorescences.
Description of peony variety White Cap:
- anemone-type flowers with contrasting colors, their diameter is 15-17 cm;
- 2 rows of rounded petals of dark burgundy color;
- the core consists of densely arranged, feathery, light pink staminodes (stamens);
- at the end of the biological cycle, the central part becomes white or cream.
In cloudy or rainy weather, the color of the inflorescences remains unchanged
The plant does not produce a sufficient number of buds even with periodic shading, so when choosing a site this feature is taken into account first.
Application in design
White Cap, with its contrasting color and dense green mass, is combined with flowering plants, ornamental shrubs, and dwarf conifers. Often used in design in single or mass planting with other varieties of peonies.
The White Cap variety is planted together with plants that, like peonies, require a neutral soil composition:
- irises;
- hydrangea;
- daylilies;
- tulips;
- roses.
White Cap does not tolerate the proximity of large trees with a dense crown or crops with a creeping root system. Due to different biological needs for soil composition, it does not get along well with some varieties of junipers.
The White Cap variety can be grown on loggias and balconies if they are located on the south side of the building and are illuminated by the sun most of the day.
Examples of growing peonies to decorate gardens and grounds:
- to create a bright accent in the flowerbed;
Peony favorably emphasizes ornamental plants
- planted to tamp down low-growing conifers;
Bright peonies go well with golden thuja
- create compositions in summer cottages;
- to create a foreground corner of wildlife;
The contrasting colors of the White Cap peony flowers match with almost all types of plants.
- planted solo in the central part of the lawn;
Reproduction methods
The White Cap variety is sterile and does not produce seeds, so the crop is propagated only vegetatively. You can cut cuttings from the middle of strong shoots before flowering, place them in water, and when root threads appear, transfer them to the ground. The method is not very productive; the survival rate of cuttings is poor. At least three years will pass before the first budding.
Most often, the White Cap herbaceous peony is propagated by dividing the mother bush. They select strong specimens older than three years of age, make plots and plant them. The procedure is carried out at the end of summer, when the root system has formed young tubers. In spring the crop will bloom.
Landing rules
A plant with a spring flowering period, therefore the peony is planted at the end of summer, approximately in August, so that it has time to adapt and bloom the next season. Seedlings purchased from a nursery can be placed on the site in the spring. They will bloom after reaching the age of three.
The site is allocated on neutral soil; a place with stagnant water is not suitable, because the peony will not grow with high humidity. For planting, choose a place without shading with light, fertile soil.
Prepare the area 10 days before the planned work:
- dig a hole 50 cm deep and 40 cm wide, thoroughly moisten it;
- the bottom is covered with a drainage cushion;
- a fertile substrate of compost and peat with the addition of complex mineral fertilizers is poured on top;
- Approximately 20 cm is left to the edge of the hole, the recess is filled with water.
If propagation is carried out by division, the bush is carefully dug up, 5 vegetation buds are left on the plots, the soil is carefully washed off and left for 4 hours. During this time, the root will wither and will not be fragile.The purchased planting material with a closed root is planted with a ball of earth.
If you go deeper, the peony will not bloom; if left on the surface, it will not be able to form a thick green mass.
Landing consists of the following steps:
- a stick is placed on the edges of the pit;
The crossbar will not allow the root to settle
- using the bar as a guide, add the mixture to the bottom;
- fix the peony to the rail;
The buds may protrude above the surface, the main thing is that their base is deepened correctly
- covered to the top with turf soil mixed with compost.
The plant is watered and the tree trunk circle is covered with mulch.
Aftercare
Caring for the White Cap variety is standard and is no different from agricultural practices for other varieties. The following activities are carried out:
- Watering the peony is required during any growing season; an adult plant needs 25 liters of water for two weeks. This parameter is used to guide the irrigation regime, taking into account precipitation. For a young plant, activities are carried out in a small volume to prevent the top layer from drying out and moisture stagnation.
- White Cap peony seedlings begin to be fertilized in the third year of the growing season. When the first shoots appear on the plots, they need potassium. During shoot formation, nitrogen and ammonium nitrate are added. During the budding period, they are fed with organic matter and superphosphate. In July, fertilize with a complex mineral product.
- Loosening is necessary for aeration; it is carried out at the first signs of soil compaction, and weeds are removed along the way.
When mulching a plant, loosening is not important, since the soil does not dry out for a long time. In this case, weeds are removed as they appear.
Preparing for winter
The above-ground part is cut off only when it begins to die. Early pruning of peonies is not recommended.
Preparations for winter are carried out around October, after the first frost:
- bushes are watered abundantly;
- peonies planted this season are spudded;
- increase the mulch layer;
- cover with straw on top;
- install arcs and tighten any covering material.
For an adult White Cap peony, moisture-recharging watering, fertilizing with organic matter and increasing the layer of mulch are sufficient.
Pests and diseases
If the site is selected in accordance with the biological requirements of the peony, the White Cap variety does not get sick. Only in the shade and with high soil moisture can gray rot develop. In such cases, the plant can rarely be saved. At the first signs of illness you must:
- dig up a bush;
- wash off the soil;
- remove parts of the affected root;
- treat with any antifungal drug and transfer to another sunny and dry area.
Pests on White Cap include the root-knot nematode and the bronze beetle.
If insects are detected, the bushes are treated with insecticides
Conclusion
White Cap Peony is a herbaceous perennial shrub. This is a popular variety that is suitable for planting in regions with cold and warm climates. The plant has large two-color inflorescences and decorative green mass. It grows quickly and blooms profusely only on fertile soil and with sufficient lighting.
Reviews of Peony White Cap
