Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) white

White tree peony / Paeonia suffruticosa - is a shrub reaching a height of 1,5-2 m, with large bright green double-pinnate 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 white with a dark crimson 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 place peonies, preference should be given to sunny, somewhat 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 work best on loamy cultivated soils. Peonies do not tolerate damp wetlands. 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 have a depth and width of at least 60-70 cm and a distance from one another of 0.8-1.2 m. They are prepared in advance.

The best precursor 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), and 60-100 grams of potassium salt are added to the hole. Fill the hole 2/3 with a fertile mixture of humus, peat and the top layer of soil. If the soil is acidic, then 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 weak flowering of the bush. Peonies are planted so that the buds are no lower than the soil level. In the center of the planting hole, filled with a well-mixed nutrient mixture, a mound is made on which the roots of the seedling are spread. The earth is carefully compacted. After planting, the plant should sit firmly in the ground and not be pulled out. After watering, the peony roots deepen and occupy a normal position, in which there is 2-3 cm of soil above the buds.

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