Tree Peony. Selection

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The flowering period of peonies is a holiday for all lovers of beautiful plants. Usually at this time, exhibitions of magnificent varieties are arranged, an extensive list of which is replenished with new names. Scientists from many countries have been working on breeding hybrids for several centuries. Let's take a closer look at their achievements

Selection

L. Henry was the first to start breeding work with tree peonies. He repeatedly crossed the yellow species with the Chinese tree forms. The first grade was named "Souvenir de Maxime Cornu". It was distinguished by huge densely double inflorescences.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the French gardener Leon Nicholas created a whole series of varietal specimens. Colleagues Kahlo, Lemoine, Cruz pollinated shrub forms with milky-flowering peony.

The main direction of breeding is the breeding of hybrids with large inflorescences, a pleasant aroma, and increased doubleness of the buds. The best result of that time was the Alice Harding variety. In the 20th century, O. Deser specialized in breeding specimens with simple inflorescences, bright petals.

In Russia, the selection of tree peonies in different years was carried out by the scientists A. Sosnovets, M. Uspenskaya, N. Krasnova, V. Fomichova.

At the level of amateur floriculture, there are many enthusiasts who receive new hybrids on their backyards.

Basis for crossing

Several types of peonies serve as material for breeding new varieties:

• shrub (tree-like);

• Delyaveya;

• yellow.

Here is a description of each option.

Shrub peony

Botanical description is given in the previous article

There are several forms of tree peony, differing in structure, color of inflorescences:

1. Pink. The petals are shiny, pink with a strong aroma.

2. Excellent pink. Differs in terry inflorescences.

3. Poppy. The petals are thin, similar to a wild poppy, the center is dark red, the edging is white.

4. Red. With dense double buds.

5. Gume. Semi-double structure of reddish or whitish inflorescences with a dark center.

6. Striped (tape). Red or pinkish stripes flaunt on a white background of fragrant petals.

7. Banks. Differs in the largest sizes of terry buds of all kinds.

These subspecies are widely used in landscape design, are suitable for cutting, have a more decorative shape compared to the original.

Culture requirements

The tree peony loves well-lit places, sheltered from northerly winds or a little partial shade. In the latter version, the inflorescences retain their decorative appearance longer. The petals remain bright, do not fade from the sun. They may die in highly ventilated places.

Winter-hardy in the middle lane. It is not afraid of drought, thanks to the fleshy powerful root system. It grows successfully at the level of St. Petersburg, Moscow and further south to the Black Sea coast.

Does not like the proximity of groundwater, wetlands. When the depth of the water horizon is less than 50 cm, fill ridges with drainage ditches are made.

They grow on any soil except heavy clay. Prefers a slightly alkaline reaction.

Young seedlings are covered for wintering with spruce branches, leaf litter. Adult plants are covered with a large layer of fluffy, white "blanket".

It begins to grow back in mid-April, after the snow melts.

Weak bloom

The reasons for the violation of the normal development of tree-like forms (absence or weak flowering) are several factors:

• close location of groundwater;

• wrong habitat;

• poor nutrition or excess mineral nutrition;

• deep or shallow landing;

• transfer of old bushes without division;

• growing plants for more than 30 years in one place;

• dense soil crust;

• early pruning of the bush;

• frequent division, transplant;

• diseases, pests;

• numerous cut of bouquets.

When growing peonies, try to observe everything in measure, use the correct agricultural techniques.

The characteristics of Delyavey and yellow peonies will be considered in the next article.