Refined fragrant peonies have long earned the love of gardeners around the world. Perennial plants are represented by a huge assortment of different varieties. Among all species, an important place is occupied by the development of the French breeder - the peony Duchesse de Nemours.
Peony Duchesse de Nemours (Duchesse de Nemours) - what kind of variety, the history of creation
The variety was bred by an agronomist from France Calo in the mid-19th century. At that time, in order for the ornamental plant to become popular, it was necessary to work on the creation of important properties: a refined aroma, purity of color and terry inflorescences. The tender paeonia Duchesse de Nemours met all of these requirements, so it quickly became popular among flower growers.
Peony Duchesse de Nemours
Short description, characteristic
Peony bushes are tall. An adult plant reaches a height of 1 meter. As the company and development perennial grows quite rapidly. Ornamental culture has a strong root system, so that one plant can grow from 7 to 10 years. Varietal grassy peony Duchesse de Nemours belongs to the group Dairy.
The medium-sized shrub has many shoots that create volume and splendor. The culture has dissected leaves of dark green color. Refinement to the plant is added by flowers of milky white color with a yellowish tint and greenish at the base of the petals. When opened, the flowers reach a diameter of 15-20 cm. Peony Duchesse de Nemours blooms from 15 to 20 days in mid-summer. The flowering bush is distinguished by splendor and a pleasant aroma reminiscent of the fragrance of lily of the valley.
Additional Information. Cut peony flowers retain a decorative look for no more than a week.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Decorative flower has several important advantages:
- unpretentiousness to the conditions of cultivation and care;
- annual profuse flowering;
- resistance to frost and other adverse climatic conditions;
- resistant immunity to most fungal and bacterial diseases characteristic of other varieties of peonies;
- the possibility of using flowers for decorating gardens, parks and for making compositions in cut form.
The variety has some disadvantages that do not affect the relevance of the culture. The main disadvantages are a short flowering period of the bush, as well as a short time to preserve the decorative properties in a cut form.
Use in landscape design
A milky peony looks great in group plantings with dark cultivars with the same flowering time. Single bushes organically look on any flower bed or in the adjoining territory. The most abundant flowering in the bushes is observed at the age of 4 to 10 years. This variety is ideal for decorating a summer cottage and city parks.
Peonies in the park
Growing a flower, how to plant in open ground
Planting a plant is carried out in several ways. The most popular is the use of cuttings.
Planting with root cuttings
The rhizome is cleaned of the remnants of the earth and divided with a sharp knife into several parts. In each part there should be 3-5 developed kidneys and the same number of roots.
What time is the landing
Peony bushes are best planted in the second half of August or early September. The plant must have time to take root and grow stronger before the onset of the winter period. Spring planting is possible, but the culture can be very sick and does not bloom for a long time.
Location selection
For the full development and lush flowering of the bush, you need to choose a suitable site for planting. All peonies love good lighting, so you need to choose an open sunny place, protected from gusts of wind. Planting peonies in the shade of tall buildings and trees will lead to the loss of abundant flowering.
Important! No need to plant peony bushes near groundwater. Excess moisture adversely affects the development of the root system. In such a humid place, the rhizome of the bush will quickly begin to rot, which will lead to the death of the plant.
How to prepare the soil and flower for planting
Peonies are mainly propagated by the vegetative method. Material for planting is taken from the bushes 3-4 years. In older plants, the rhizome becomes wooden, which makes it impossible to divide it into parts. The soil for planting should be fertile and loose. It is desirable that the soil does not contain clay.
Landing procedure step by step
After choosing the optimal location, you can begin the phased planting process:
- A young bush is carefully dug out of the ground so as not to damage the roots.
- Drainage is poured into the bottom of a deep hole. Two-thirds of the recesses are covered with soil mixed with peat, sand and humus.
- The prepared stalk is placed in the middle of a deep hole, carefully spreading the roots. Around the shoot garden soil is poured and densely compacted.
- Planted plant is required to pour plenty of warm water.
- The final step involves mulching the soil around the future bush.
Subject to the rules of planting a peony, after 3-4 years the bush will delight the owners with lush flowering.
Note! The buds when planting should be buried 3-5 cm below ground level. A deeper planting will lead to overgrowth of the bush and sparse flowering.
Peony planting
Seeding (for breeding)
This method of cultivation is used mainly by breeders. The first flowering of the bush begins not earlier than 6 years after planting.
Plant care
The proper development and abundant flowering of bushes depends on the implementation of the rules for care. It is important to carry out regular watering, fertilizing, weed in a timely manner and loosen the soil.
Watering and feeding
A flower loves moisture, but do not get involved in watering. Water must first be defended in a suitable container, it must be warm. Water the bushes should be no more than 2-3 times a week. One plant takes about 10 liters of warm water.
The first 2 years after planting, peony does not need to be fed. When planting, they bring in all the necessary mineral and organic fertilizers that stimulate the growth and development of bushes. In the third year, you can begin to apply phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen-containing fertilizing. Especially this procedure is relevant at the beginning of the flowering period.
Mulching and cultivation
Bushes as they grow require loosening and weeding. This helps to enrich the plant roots with oxygen, to destroy pathogens and harmful insects. Loosen the soil after irrigation. So on the ground an earth crust will not form.
Cultivation of plants
Preventative treatment
Despite their good resistance to diseases and pests, Duchess peonies require preventative treatments. Bushes should be inspected regularly. If infected leaves or shoots are identified, take the necessary measures immediately. The bushes are sprayed with copper sulfate or other special means.
Flowering Peony Duchess de Nemours
Peony bushes bloom together. The flowering period lasts about 3-4 weeks. At this time, the garden is fragrant.
Period of activity and rest
In perennial plants, the period of activity begins from mid-spring and continues until the onset of cold weather.
Care during and after flowering
During flowering, peony bushes should be regularly looked after. Plants need additional nutrition, timely watering and loosening. After the end of the flowering season, dried buds must be cut off.
Peony pruning
What to do if it does not bloom, possible causes
After planting, peonies delight with lush flowering for only 3-4 years. If several flowers appeared on the bushes, they must be cut. This will help to get more abundant flowering next year.
Important! If the flowers are grown for cutting and making bouquets, then in the fall on the bush you need to remove half of the shoots.
Peonies after flowering
After the end of the flowering season, the bushes of Duchess peonies require a series of events. Consistent actions will allow in the future to propagate the variety and strengthen plants.
Transfer
Young bushes, until they are 4-5 years old, are suitable for transplanting to another place. To do this, the bush is divided into several parts, each planted on the planned site.
Pruning
In the first years of flowering, no more than one bud is left on the bushes, the rest are cut. This procedure allows the bushes to gain more strength for growth. In adult bushes after flowering, all side shoots are cut. This will help get larger flowers. Before wintering, the entire ground part of the peony bushes is cut off.
Winter preparations
Young bushes in the first year after planting are best protected from the weather and frost. To do this, they can be sprinkled with peat, spud with earth, cover with fallen leaves or coniferous spruce branches. In early spring, shelter must be removed. Adult bushes are already quite adapted to severe weather, and do not need protective measures.
Frost protection
Diseases, pests and ways to combat them
Duchess peony decorative bushes are highly resistant to various diseases and garden pests. However, under adverse weather conditions and improper care, the plant can overtake the disease: brown spotting, gray rot, mosaic or rust. To solve the problem, special fungicides are suitable. Also, peony bushes can be invaded by ants, aphids and other pests. You can get rid of them with insecticidal drugs.
Peony Duches de Nemours can be a real decoration of any garden or a composite element of a decorative flower bed. Subject to the rules of agricultural technology, there will always be a gorgeous cloud of snow-white flowers on the bushes.
