Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) crimson

Tree peony raspberry / Paeonia suffruticosa (Pione tree, raspberry) - this is a shrub reaching a height of 1.5-2 m, with large bright green bipinnate leaves. One bush can have from 30 to 70 flowers. The diameter of each is from 20 to 25 cm. The color of the petals is dark pink with a dark spot at the base.

The petals are dense and corrugated. Large, numerous stamens with bright yellow anthers are clearly visible. There are forms with double and semi-double flowers. The flowering period of the bush is 12-14 days, and longer in cool weather. The plant is decorative even after flowering due to the unusual shape of the leaves and fruits.

Growing tree peony

When choosing a place to plant peonies, preference should be given to sunny, slightly elevated areas. Peonies tolerate light shade, but do not bloom in heavily shaded areas. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant them near trees, large shrubs and buildings. They grow best on loamy cultivated soils. Peonies do not tolerate damp, swampy areas. On sandy soils, it is necessary to add turf soil, humus, and peat.

The size of the hole depends on the size of the root system. Planting holes should be at least 60-70 cm deep and wide and 0.8-1.2 m apart. Prepare them in advance.

The best predecessor for peonies are fallow areas. They develop well on lupine fallow or other legumes.

Before planting, bone meal (80-100 grams) or granulated superphosphate (40-50 grams), 60-100 grams of potassium salt are added to the hole. Fill the hole 2/3 with a fertile mixture of humus, peat and topsoil. If the soil is acidic, add 200-300 grams of lime, or one bucket of humus, 100 grams of nitroammophoska and two liter jars of wood ash.

Deep or too shallow planting is one of the reasons for the bush's weak flowering. Peonies are planted so that the buds are not below the soil level. In the center of the planting hole, filled with a well-mixed nutrient mixture, make a mound on which the roots of the seedling are straightened. Carefully compact the soil. After planting, the plant should sit firmly in the ground, not giving in to being pulled out. After watering, the peony roots deepen and take a normal position, in which 2-3 cm of soil is above the buds.

Peonies planted on clay soil can be "squeezed" out of the ground in winter. Therefore, they should be slightly hilled or covered with peat, leaves. In the spring, remove this cover. The best time to plant and divide peony bushes is the second half of August - the first half of September. You can divide and plant the plants in the spring, but preferably before May 1, so as not to break the young shoots.