There are many varieties of peonies, which differ in the shade of the petals, the shape of the flower and the structure of the bush. Their most common shades are white, pink and red. But there are unusual colors that will not leave anyone indifferent. One of these varieties is the peony Lemon Chiffon.
Features of the variety of lemon peonies
Peony Lemon Chiffon is a relatively new variety. It was bred by Dutch breeders in 1981. This variety is not only beautiful flowering. The variety is resistant to low temperatures, diseases and pests.
What does perennial Lemon Chiffon look like
Description
Peony Lemon Chiffon - herbaceous perennial. The variety belongs to interspecific hybrids. Grows in the form of a compact bush with a height of not more than 80 cm. The branches are hard and strong. In the presence of a large number of flowers, its rigid branches do not lie even from a strong wind.
The leaves of the plant are bright green and shiny. Young leaves have a reddish tint. Half-double flowers with a terry center and petals of a creamy yellow hue. They have a faint and pleasant aroma.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the variety are decorativeness, compactness and long flowering. The flowers are very large. They may have a diameter of 20 cm or more. Strong and stiff stems withstand the heaviness of flowers and preserve the shape and beauty of the plant. Care and breeding are not difficult.
Peony Lemon Chiffon does not have any special flaws. Requires a sunny color. Refuses to bloom in the shade. On young bushes, flowers with an insufficient number of petals may bloom. But over time, double flowers will appear in accordance with varietal characteristics.
Variety in landscape design
The variety has an unusual shade of flowering. Therefore, it is very popular in landscape design. Looks great in group landings, as it expands the color scheme.
Additional Information! Low peonies are often used in mixborders. Single bushes are planted on a background of green grass or non-flowering plants.
Growing a flower, how to plant in open ground
To grow a peony Lemon Chiffon is simple. This is a very undemanding plant. The following methods of propagating the variety are as follows:
- root cuttings;
- green cuttings;
- layering.
The first method is the most popular.
Planting with root cuttings
Root cuttings are parts of the rhizome with growth points. Usually overgrown peony bushes are divided into parts. Each divide is present at least 2 kidneys. Delenki can have developed shoots.
Peony cuttings are separated from the adult bush and planted in a pre-prepared landing pit. Plants grown in this way retain all the varietal characteristics of the mother bush.
Landing time
The root cuttings of the variety paeonia Lemon Chiffon are separated and planted in the fall. This procedure is carried out after flowering, but no later than mid-September. In this case, the cuttings can take root within 1-1.5 months before the onset of cold weather. For the winter, cuttings should be sheltered, as they have not yet adapted to the cold.
Location selection
Peonies of the Lemon Chiffon variety love lighted places. Open spaces suit them. They require direct sunlight for several hours a day. Only in such conditions will the plant bloom abundantly and annually.
You can plant peonies in light partial shade. Shady areas under large trees are not used. In the shade, the variety slows down and does not bloom.
Preparing the soil and plants for planting
The preparation of the soil mixture is very important for the proper development of the bush. Peony Lemon Chiffon requires a neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
Important! Before planting peonies, you need to check the acidity of the soil. It should be in the range of 5.5-7 pH.
For planting, make the soil of the following composition:
- garden soil;
- rotted manure;
- peat;
- sand.
All ingredients are taken in equal parts. Ash and sawdust are added to the finished mixture. The preparation of planting material consists in the processing of slices. All slices on the rhizome are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon.
Landing procedure step by step
To plant peonies, they dig a landing pit. It should be at least 50 cm deep. The width depends on the size of the root system of the plant. For planting cuttings make a wide pit. After 2-3 years, the plants are planted in new places.
Organization of the pit for planting the cuttings
A drainage layer of broken brick, stones or expanded clay is laid at the bottom of the pit. A layer of sand is poured on top.
Note! Cuttings can not be buried in the ground too much. The kidneys on them are no deeper than 10-12 cm.
The pit is filled with a soil mixture so that 10-12 cm remains to its top. After that, the planting pit is watered and cuttings are planted. Top all sprinkled with a layer of soil.
Seed propagation
You can collect seeds already at the end of August. They are sown in a moistened soil mixture for peonies under the film. After emergence, the film is removed. Care for sprouts is carried out in a closed heated room. After 2 years of age, seedlings are planted in open ground.
Propagation of peonies by seeds is a long and laborious process. But its main drawback is that the obtained specimens most often do not have varietal traits of the mother plant.
Plant Care Lemon Chiffon
With simple care, the peony of the Lemon variety Chiffon will grow and develop correctly, which will ensure its long annual flowering.
Watering and feeding
This variety of peonies is not hydrophilic. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as this can lead to the death of the plant. Water the bushes regularly, but not too abundantly. Do this when the top layer of earth under the bush is dry.
The variety does not need frequent top dressing. They are fed with nitrogen fertilizers in spring and potassium-phosphorus compounds in early autumn. Overfeeding is not recommended, as this leads to damage to the root system.
Mulching and cultivation
Loosening of the soil should be carried out after each irrigation. The procedure is carried out carefully so as not to damage the roots. After watering, the mulching of the soil is not carried out.
On a note! Usually only young plantings before the cold mulch. They are covered with a thick layer of sawdust and covered with a cloth.
Preventative treatment
Prevention from pests and infections is carried out in early spring. After the appearance of sprouts, the soil is shed with a solution of potassium permanganate (2 g per bucket of water). After 7-10 days, peonies are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid to protect against fungal infections.
Blooming Peony Lemon Chiffon
Lemon peonies are very decorative. Their flowers are large, have an unusual shade of petals and a light aroma. For long-term flowering, optimal care is required.
The period of vegetation, flowering and dormancy
Active peony growth begins in early spring after snow melts. The bush grows green mass before the beginning or until mid-May. Then the first buds appear.
Peony flower Lemon Chiffon is unusually beautiful
Flowering varieties Lemon Chiffon usually takes place in 2 stages. The first flowers appear in late May or early June. Flowering lasts about 30 days. The second wave of flowering begins in early August and lasts until September. The rest period begins in late autumn and continues until spring.
Additional Information! The duration of flowering peonies depends on air temperature and light. In the heat under direct sun, flowers quickly fall.
Care during and after flowering
During flowering, you need to increase watering of the bushes. The surface of the soil should not dry out. Top dressing during flowering for Lemon Chiffon is not required. The first top dressing is carried out in the spring.
Important! The frequency and intensity of watering after flowering should be reduced. Fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus are introduced into the soil. This will ensure the flowering of the bush next year.
What to do if a peony does not bloom, possible causes
Variety Lemon Chiffon blooms willingly. Usually there is no problem with this. But if the peony suddenly refused to bloom, the reason could be:
- growth in a shady place.
- the bush is too deeply planted;
- the age of the plant is significant.
An old plant is considered to be several decades old.
Peonies after flowering
There are procedures for the care of peonies, which are relevant for the flowering period. They are performed so that the bushes successfully wintered and bloomed the next year.
Transfer
The end of flowering is the time for a peony transplant. A transplant is necessary if:
- peony grows in one place for more than 10 years;
- the bush has grown and formed many root cuttings;
- young plants need to be transplanted to a permanent place.
Peonies of the variety Lemon Chiffon grow rapidly. They can be divided as early as 3-4 years of age. From the time of transplantation to the first frost, at least 1 month must pass before the plant is well rooted.
Pruning
By winter, the ground part of the plant completely dies. Dry foliage is pruned and burned. This will prevent the spread of pests and diseases that can remain in the dead shoots of the plant.
On a note! It is necessary to wait until the foliage withers completely. Earlier trimming peonies is highly undesirable, as the plant may die.
Winter preparations
Lemon Chiffon is frost-resistant. It can withstand temperatures down to -40 ℃. It does not need shelter and grows well even in regions with harsh climates. Shelter only young plants during the first and second years of life. To do this, use sawdust and a special fabric - lutrasil.
Diseases, pests and ways to combat them
Peonies Lemon Chiffon are resistant to various fungal viral infections. They practically do not get sick. With good care and preventive treatment, these plants do not cause problems to the grower.
Ants - the main threat to peonies
Peonies of this variety most often affect:
- spider mites;
- ants.
Worth to know! Against ticks, acaricides are used. Ants are successfully destroyed by treatment with insecticides. Complex preparations can also be used to combat all types of pests.
Peony Lemon Chiffon - an indispensable variety for landscape design. It is good for decorating gardens and parks. It features long flowering. Cut flowers retain freshness and aroma for a long time.
