origin
Paeonia suffruticosa, which in German bears names like shrub peony or tree peony, belongs to the peony family. More than 1,000 varieties have emerged from breeding, which are considered to be popular ornamental plants. Shrub peonies come from China, where they colonize habitats in the high mountains. In this environment, the plants have adapted to extreme conditions, so that the varieties are very resistant.
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- Plant the shrub peony in the garden
- Choosing the perfect location for the shrub peony
- Propagate the bush peony yourself
growth
Peonies grow shrubby and reach heights of up to 150 centimeters. Occasionally, varieties grow between three and five meters high. Shrub peonies do not retreat in autumn. Their shoots lignify with age and sprout again very early next year. Non-lignified shoots can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius. Lignified twigs have gray-brown bark, while fresh shoots initially appear reddish and later take on various shades of green. The plants are long-lived and can live up to 60 years.
leaves
The shrubs develop alternate leaves that are short stalked. Your leaf blade is pinnate several times. They consist of three leaf lobes, which are also divided into three leaflets. The individual leaflets are up to eight inches long and seven inches wide. They appear egg-shaped and are bald on both sides.
blossom
At the end of the branches, shrub peonies form large individual flowers that are hermaphroditic. They reach a diameter between ten and 25 centimeters. The calyx is composed of five broad sepals that are green in color.
While the wild forms develop unfilled flowers with five to eleven petals, cultivated forms often have numerous petals. These strains cannot seed to reproduce because they are sterile. Reproductive specimens develop numerous stamens that are pink to purple in color and have a white base. Their anthers are colored yellow. In the center of the flower sits a purple wreath called a discus.
Heyday
Shrub peonies bloom between April and June. The flowering time varies depending on the location and variety. The color palette for the wild forms includes light shades such as white and pink as well as intense red and purple tones. Cultivars develop pink, red, purple, yellow or white petals.
fruit
In August fertile specimens ripen. They develop follicles that are brown-yellow in color and have a hairy surface.
use
The low varieties are suitable for beautifying small front gardens or secluded corners in spacious gardens. They cut a fine figure in individual positions, because with their strikingly large and brightly colored flowers, the bushes attract attention. Group planting of several varieties is also possible. Use varieties that bloom at different times. How to create a brightly colored hedge that blooms continuously between April and June.
Is shrub peony poisonous?
Tree peonies are considered to be slightly toxic due to the ester compounds they contain in all parts of the plant. In order to suffer symptoms of poisoning, large quantities must be consumed. Possible symptoms are gastrointestinal complaints. You may experience nausea, vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea. The symptoms appear much more severe in dogs and cats than in humans. Even small amounts are sufficient in these pets to cause symptoms of poisoning.
Which location is suitable?
Peonies prefer warm locations. They thrive in both the sun and partial shade. So that the plants do not sprout during the mild winter months, they should be planted in a slightly exposed location with airy conditions. A place on a south-facing house wall is suboptimal.
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What soil does the plant need?
Shrub peonies prefer deep soil with nutrient-rich conditions. They grow on sandy loam soils and have no problems with heavy loess soils. You can plant the shrub on any normal garden substrate that contains humus and ensures good water permeability. The peonies are suitable for damp locations. The soil may lie in a calcareous environment. A pH value between six and eight is ideal.
What is the best time to plant?
Peonies are planted between August and October. During this time, the roots grow and the soil ensures warm and moist conditions. The plants can take root well before the onset of winter. The potted plants sold in stores can be planted during the entire growing season between March and November.
Propagate shrub peony
Tree peonies can be multiplied by dividing or sowing. Propagation by means of seeds is tedious and does not produce single-variety offspring. It can only be carried out on fertile specimens. The young plants need a few years before they begin to develop flowers.
division
Adult specimens can be divided in spring or autumn. Dig up the root ball and remove the earth. The root ball is cut up with a sharp knife or spade. Immediately plant the partial plants in the desired location. They should be set into the earth according to their original depth. Water the bushes well in order to obtain an optimal bottom seal.
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sowing
The seeds do not have a long shelf life and should be stratified immediately after collection. The cold germs need low temperatures, which stimulates them to germinate. Store the seeds in a freezer bag filled with sand in the refrigerator. The seeds should spend around two months here before being sown on a nutrient-poor substrate in the plant pot.
Put the jar in a place where the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius. Keep the substrate evenly moist. After a few weeks, the seeds have developed roots and cotyledons. When they have grown several inches high, they can be planted individually. The young plants have to overwinter in a frost-free place for the first year.
Bush peony in a pot
Peonies can be grown in the tub. Use a large pot to allow the plants to spread out optimally. The shrubs are fast-growing and root through the substrate within a short time. The bucket should be at least 50 centimeters deep and have a diameter of 40 centimeters. Use a pot made of clay, stone or terracotta.
You should pay attention to this when planting in pots:
- Create drainage from pottery shards or pebbles
- Use pots with drainage holes
- Place the trunk base three to four centimeters under the ground
balcony
Shrub peonies are suitable for decorating balconies, provided they are not facing south. The bushes do not tolerate heat. They prefer airy locations facing west or east. Peonies should get at least four hours of sun a day so that they bloom profusely.
Water the bush peony
Shrub peonies have a high water requirement. They thrive particularly well in moist soils. The watering amount varies depending on the nature of the soil. Loess soils and substrates with sandy and loamy parts store water and have to be watered less often. Light soils require watering more often.
Make sure that the soil does not dry out completely. The roots do not tolerate waterlogging. Always water at the base of the trunk so that the leaves stay dry. This measure prevents an infestation by fungi or pests.
Fertilize the bush peony properly
Peonies are fertilized for the first time in the second year. They enjoy a supply of nutrients in the spring shortly before budding. You can fertilize a second time immediately after flowering. Organic fertilizer or ripe compost are ideal. The nitrogen content should not be too high so that the plants are not over-fertilized and susceptible to aphid infestation. Work the fertilizer lightly into the substrate.
Cut the bush peony correctly
The shrubs do not require regular pruning. However, this measure stimulates flower formation in the next spring. Just before the leaves begin to shoot, cut off any disturbing branches and withered flower stems. For rejuvenation, you can cut the shrubs back to 30 to 40 centimeters. Cap the branches just above a bud so that the plant can sprout at this point.
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How do I transplant properly?
Tree peonies are sensitive to a change of location. When you've found a place for the shrub, it should stay there. Transplanting measures can mean that the flowering will fail in the next few years.
Overwinter
Tree peonies shed their leaves in autumn and survive with the help of their woody shoots. These survive the winter months without any problems. If the winter is particularly severe, the plants should be given additional protection. Young plants are not yet lignified. Your fabric is susceptible to frost and requires special protective measures.
The ideal winter protection:
- Tie the branches together loosely
- Cover made of fir branches, spruce twigs or straw
- Remove snow masses to avoid branch breaks
Fungal attack
Gray mold often attacks shrubs that are exposed to warm, humid weather. Infestation occurs especially in spring. The spores settle on leaves, shoots and buds. The parts of the plant wither and begin to rot. Remove affected areas to prevent the spores from spreading further. Treat the plants with a fungicide and prevent excessive nutrient intake with nitrogenous fertilizers.
Tips
Place peonies in the substrate at a slight angle. The sleeping eyes on the underground trunk sprout and develop ground shoots, so that the shrub grows bushy. Shrubs planted vertically develop sparse forms of growth.
sorts
- High Noon : Lutea Hybrid. Bushy shrub. Flowers medium-sized, semi-double with light yellow petals, the center of the flower is orange-red to red. Reaches heights of between 120 and 150 centimeters.
- Gauguin : Lutea hybrid. Flowers colored red and yellow, blooms in May. Up to 120 centimeters high.
- Renkaku : Suffruticosa hybrid. Foliage blue-green. Snow-white flowers, semi-double. Flowering time from May to June. Up to 150 centimeters high.
- Shima Nishiki : Suffruticosa hybrid. Flowers purple-pink and striped white. Up to 130 centimeters high.
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