Content
The Armani peony belongs to a variety of amazing flowers that are recognized for their decorativeness and unpretentiousness. In different cultures, the plant is considered a symbol of prosperity. The huge number of varieties makes it difficult for gardeners to choose for a site. If you give preference to Armani, then among the garden crops there will be a luxurious peony bush with amazing flowers.
Luxurious Armani cannot be confused with another variety.
Description of peony Armani
Lovers of peonies pay primarily attention to the external characteristics of the bush. The purchase of a variety is always associated with a desire to decorate a composition or a specific place.
Peony Armani is considered a unique herbaceous species due to its extraordinary external parameters and beauty:
- The Armani bush reaches 90-100 cm in height, which gives the right to call it tall.
Even one bush can decorate the site, but it needs enough space.
- The stems are strong and resilient. May be weakly branched or erect. In any configuration, they hold their shape tightly. They do not need supports, but during the flowering period, the supports will help withstand lush inflorescences.
- The rhizome of the Armani variety is powerful and strong with thickened roots.
- The leaves are dark green, glossy, fluffy, delicate. Arranged alternately. They look very decorative, especially in autumn. During this period, the color of the foliage becomes burgundy-red.
In addition to external decorativeness, the Armani variety has other significant advantages. The frost resistance of the variety is much higher than other types of peonies. Also, the flower resists winds well. Shoots do not freeze when the temperature drops to -40 ° C. Therefore, the perennial is cultivated on the territory of Russia, even in areas with a harsh climate. Armani also feels great in hot climates. Leaves and flowers do not fade, they do not get burns from the rays of the sun. The result is that the southern regions are suitable for cultivating the variety. In addition to the middle zone and the south of the Russian Federation, the peony is grown in areas with frosty winters.
Flowering features
Garden peonies are divided into 5 groups, differing in the shape of the flowers:
- Japanese - transitional from simple to terry;
- non-double with 5-10 petals;
- terry have several subgroups;
- semi-double - lush with more than 5 flowers;
- anemone, have 5-10 petals in several rows.
The Armani variety belongs to the group of terry, it is often called thick double in the description. Peony flowers are large and luxurious.
Silk petals give the flower a unique charm
In the stage of full disclosure, they reach a diameter of 16-20 cm. Another unique feature of Armani is that the color of the flowers changes as they bloom. At first they are ruby, then they become darker, acquire depth and saturation. The final color of the inflorescences is similar to a dark pomegranate. The petals are satin and vary in size. Those located at the base are much larger than those in the middle of the flower.
The number of petals is huge, one flower consists of 100 or more petals. The inflorescence of the Armani variety resembles a lush ball. Armani peony blooms for about 4 weeks, densely and abundantly. After the variety has faded, all decorativeness goes to the stems and openwork leaves. They take on a reddish hue and adorn the garden until late autumn.The splendor of the flowering of the Armani variety depends on the fulfillment of the agrotechnical conditions for growing the variety, especially the quality of care after planting. Also, the fertility of the soil plays an important role.
Application in design
Projects with a large number of Armani peonies look very decorative. When combined with other species, it is better to choose neighbors in pastel pale colors. Then Armani's pomegranate inflorescences stand out favorably against a light background. In order to correctly compose a composition with peonies of a variety, you should know its features:
- Perennial and grows in one place for up to 10 years. The variety does not like frequent transplants.
- The first 2-3 years will not look very decorative until it gains strength.
- The dominant variety. Therefore, companions need to be selected for him, and not vice versa.
Armani peony goes well with hybrid tea roses. While the pink buds are forming, the peony begins to bloom. Then roses bloom, and Armani foliage serves as a decor for them. With the dominant position of the peony, it is planted with a decorative onion, cuff, aquilegia, garden geranium, ageratum, marigolds, viola, daisies. In a flowerbed, they are combined with Siberian iris, cereals, yarrow, common mordovina, tulips, begonia, dahlias undersized.
Even with simple daylilies, they favorably set off the beauty of Armani.
Armani is planted in single or round flower beds, long borders and ridges, along paths.
Armani is a large variety of peonies, so it is not recommended for growing on balconies. The plant needs a lot of space, and the flower pot will be small for it. Some gardeners still grow Armani in huge pots, but it is better to plant special varieties for home growing.
Reproduction methods
To obtain new seedlings of the Armani variety, it is recommended to use vegetative propagation techniques for peony:
- Armani rhizome division... The optimal time for the procedure is the end of August or the beginning of September. You need to choose bushes of a variety not older than 3-5 years. Gently remove the root with adventitious roots and place in a dark place for 6 hours. Then cut off all adventitious roots, leaving a length of about 15 cm. Cut the rhizome of the peony into 2-3 parts, each of which should have 2 developed eyes. Place again in a dark place for 3-4 days, and then plant the varieties in the prepared place. To prevent the appearance of root rot, treat parts of the rhizome with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Rhizomes must be healthy and strong
- Layers... This method is simple and affordable even for novice gardeners. Choose an Armani bush for propagation. Prepare a box or drawer without a lid and bottom - only a side frame. In the spring (April-May), clean the soil, expose the peony buds. Put a frame on them, sprinkle with soil from the outside for stability. Fill the inside with fertile soil mixture and moisturize periodically. It is also necessary to add soil as needed. It will be possible to cut off and transplant rooted shoots already in September.
- Pruning... A similar technique is suitable for spring and early fall (September). After the snow has thawed, shake off the soil from the Armani peony bush and cut off the part of the root located 5-8 cm below the buds. Transplant.
With any method of propagation of the peony variety on new bushes, you will need to cut the buds for the first 2 years after planting. This will serve as the key to the lush flowering of Armani in the future.
Landing rules
To properly plant a peony of the Armani variety, you need to complete certain stages. They do not differ from the traditional planting algorithm, but the requirements of the culture prescribe their own nuances:
- A place. The gardener's initial action is to be determined in advance in order to prepare it before planting. Armani prefers open, sunny areas. In darkened places, waiting for the flowering of the variety will not work.In addition, the variety is recommended to be planted away from trees with a dense wide crown, tall shrubs and walls of buildings. The bush needs good air circulation. The Armani root system does not like the close occurrence of groundwater. It rots and the plant will die.
- Term... The best time to plant a luxurious variety is early fall, late August and mid-September. It is important to take into account the weather conditions of the region and have time to plant Armani a month before the onset of the first frost.
- The soil... The variety grows well in fertile land. The higher the quality of the soil, the more luxurious the bush. Prefers the Armani variety, a slightly acidic loam. The soil needs to be cultivated accordingly. Add clay to sand and sand to clay. Apply fertilizers - compost, humus.
Planting algorithm of the Armani variety:
- prepare the landing pits in the form of a cube with sides of 60 cm;
- lay drainage;
- add 1 glass of ash;
- prepare a soil mixture of peat, sand and humus (1: 1: 1);
- fill the pit with the finished mixture to 1/3 of the depth;
- deepen the roots of the peony by 5 cm;
- sprinkle the rhizome of the peony with garden soil and mulch;
- water (for 1 bush 10 liters of water).
Within 2 years, the plant can not be fed. If you plant several peonies, you need to take into account their proliferation. 1 bush requires 1.5 sq. m area.
Armani will delight with lush flowering from the third year of life
Follow-up care
Taking care of the planted peony consists in watering, feeding, loosening the soil, and pest control.
The first watering is carried out immediately after planting. Then the peony needs to be watered 1-2 times a week, taking into account the weather conditions. Perennial roots do not tolerate stagnant water. Take the water that is settled, a little warm. For 1 adult peony bush, 2-3 buckets of water are required. The bushes especially need water from the end of May to the beginning of August.
You need to water the variety regularly and abundantly so that it has enough strength to bloom.
Loosening is best combined with watering. The first time the planting circle is loosened 2 weeks after planting, while removing weeds. It is recommended to repeat the procedure once a month.
Peony needs top dressing from the third year of life. In the spring, it is required to add nitrogen components, for example, organic matter (manure, compost, humus). During the budding and flowering period - 2 fertilizing with mineral complexes. The plant needs phosphorus and potassium. The variety responds well to foliar spraying.
Mulching the Armani herbaceous peony is a must. This will retain moisture and prevent the roots from drying out.
For the flowering of the variety to be lush, the first year, gardeners need to remove the buds that have reached a size of 1 cm.In the second year, one large bud can be left on the stem.
Preparing for winter
September feeding with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is considered the first stage in preparing a peony for winter. It will strengthen the plant for wintering. The "Autumn" or "Autumn" complex is suitable, for 1 sq. m is enough 30 g of substance.
Fertilizers can be applied in liquid or granular form
Although the variety is frost-resistant, it needs to be covered for the first 2-3 years. In the northern regions, this event is also held for adult bushes. Pre-shoots should be cut at a height of 2 cm from the buds. Then cover with compost or peat. Mulch layer 5 cm.
Pests and diseases
The variety is quite resistant to pests and diseases. For prevention purposes, periodic spraying of the bush with solutions of insecticide and fungicide is needed. Watering with Fitosporin prevents the spread of gray mold.
Peonies can be susceptible to fungal diseases - powdery mildew, rust, Lemoine's disease. To prevent the disease from spreading, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plants.
Among the pests on the bushes, you can see thrips, aphids or bronzes. In addition to insecticide solutions, spraying with yarrow or dandelion infusions will help in this case.
Conclusion
Armani Peony will become the real king of the garden with proper care.Gardeners need to carefully adhere to agrotechnical recommendations so that the bush will please with its flowering for many years.
