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Peony Bakai Bell, bred back in the 1950s, has become quite famous in Russia in recent years. It is prized by gardeners for its lush, beautiful flowers of bright red, pink and less often yellow. The variety has a high resistance to winter frosts, which makes it possible to grow it even in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.
Description of peony Buckeye Belle
Peony Buckeye Bell is a hybrid cultivar bred in the USA in 1956. It is distinguished by extremely beautiful, lush flowers of bright red color. The bush turns out to be small, the height of the peduncles is about 80 cm. Moreover, all the shoots are straight and strong - the plant does not need to install supporting supports. The leaves are dissected, herbaceous green, with a smooth surface, rather large.
In width, it does not grow, remaining compact throughout life. Due to the abundance of graceful leaves, the red flowers contrast well against the general green background. Refers to light-loving plants, however, it feels good even in the presence of a small shade for 2-3 hours a day.
In terms of winter hardiness, Bakai Bell belongs to zones 3 and 4. The bush can withstand severe frosts down to -39 degrees. This allows it to be grown almost everywhere in Russia:
- in the European part;
- in the Urals;
- in southern Siberia;
- in the Far East.
Peony Buckeye Bell looks great in bouquets, it is stored for a long time in cut form
Flowering features
Peony Buckeye Bell gives rather large semi-double and double flowers with a diameter of 16-18 cm. The main color is red, there are also white and pink, less often yellow. Large yellow stamens are formed in the center, which, as it were, highlight the center and make it even more attractive. Flowering begins in mid-June, lasts for 2-3 weeks. The peony is classified as herbaceous, since its shoots are not lignified.
In order for the Bakai Bell herbaceous peony to regularly give lush flowers, experienced florists recommend following simple rules of care:
- Plant in an open area with light partial shade.
- Observe the planting technology (it is very important to leave the buds above the ground - otherwise the Buckeye Bell will not bloom).
- It is advisable to grow on fertile and light soil.
- Water in moderation while keeping the soil moisture constant.
- Cover young seedlings for the winter (especially in the regions of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East).
The vibrant Buckeye Bell flowers look more interesting than most other peonies.
Application in design
Thanks to their luxurious bright flowers and an elegant, compact bush, Buckeye Bell peonies look good in single and group plantings of their kind. They are placed on lawns, lawns, on hills.
In garden design, the peony goes well with a variety of flowers and perennial herbaceous plants:
- juniper;
- dwarf spruce;
- honeysuckle;
- astilba;
- daisy;
- tulip;
- delphinium;
- chrysanthemum;
- daylily yellow;
- poppies.
Peony Buckeye Bell looks good in:
- rock gardens;
- discounts;
- mixborders.
It is also appropriate to plant a peony not far from the house or from the gazebo, on the shore of a small pond. Looks great in the very center of the flower garden - bright red flowers attract attention and become a real hallmark of the garden.
The bush needs open spaces and stable lighting. Therefore, this peony is usually not grown on balconies and loggias. It is also not recommended to plant Buckeye Bell next to buttercups, shrubs and trees that provide permanent shade. In this case, the peony will not be able to bloom.
Buckeye Bell peonies look good in single plantings and flower arrangements
Reproduction methods
This variety of peony can be propagated only vegetatively:
- dividing the bush;
- using kidney renewal;
- cuttings (root and stem).
According to the recommendations and reviews of flower growers, Bakai Bella peony is easiest to dilute with cuttings. For this, stem cuttings are harvested from an adult plant (age from 4-5 years) at the beginning of summer. They are cut from the middle part of the shoot so that 2-3 internodes remain. The further sequence of actions is as follows:
- Cut from the top 2 cm above the last sheet.
- A lower cut is made under the leaf cushion (the place where the leaf flows into the stem).
- The cuttings are kept in a stimulant solution for several hours.
- They acquire soil or make up a mixture of equal amounts of sod land and humus - they are placed in a previously prepared hole (in open ground).
- 5-7 cm of moistened sand is poured on top and the cuttings are rooted at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Then covered with foil to create a greenhouse environment.
- Water is abundantly watered for a month, and then they begin to open the film for airing.
- At the end of summer, the greenhouse is removed and watering continues.
- A few weeks before the onset of frost, the cuttings of the Bakai Bell peony are covered with a layer of pine needles, peat, hay or straw.
The easiest way to propagate Buckeye Bell peonies is by stem cuttings
Landing rules
Like many other peonies, Buckeye Bell is most often planted in early autumn, approximately 3-4 weeks before the onset of the first frost. When choosing a place, they pay attention to several points:
- the area is open, possibly with a slight shadow;
- the place is protected from drafts;
- an elevation is preferable, since melt water and precipitation accumulate in the lowland.
The composition of the soil mixture can be prepared independently based on the following components:
- compost - 2 parts;
- garden soil - 1 part;
- superphosphate - 200 g;
- potassium sulfate - 60 g.
Peony seedlings Bakai Bell are purchased in a trusted store. They must be inspected for damage, and then landed in a permanent place:
- The site is cleaned and dug onto a shovel bayonet.
- A hole is formed with a depth and diameter of 60 cm.
- Drain it with expanded clay or other small stones.
- The soil layer is covered.
- Peonies are rooted so that the buds remain 3-5 cm above the ground.
- Sprinkle with earth and watered with 1-2 buckets of water.
Follow-up care
Caring for a Buckeye Bell peony is pretty simple. He needs moderate heat, watering, moderate lighting, and fertilization. Water regularly, but not too often. To keep the soil moderately moist, the roots can be mulched with hay, needles, sawdust or peat. Usually 1-2 buckets of water are given for 1 young bush, a little more for an adult. But you shouldn't pour too much too.
They must be fed 2 times - at the beginning of the season (nitrogen fertilization) and in the bud formation phase (potassium and superphosphates). The complete feeding cycle looks like this:
- In March or April, after the snow melts, it is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate - 4 g per 10 liters of water (this amount is enough for 2 Bakai Bell peony bushes).
- In April, nitrogen fertilization is introduced - for example, ammonium nitrate.
- A month later, a complex fertilizer is added.
- At the stage of bud formation, they are again fed with nitrate, as well as potassium sulfate and superphosphate.
- At the beginning of August, the last top dressing is introduced - this is potassium sulfate and superphosphate. It is no longer possible to give nitrogen during this period.
After 10 years, the Buckeye Bell peony is transplanted to a new place.
Preparing for winter
Peony pruning is mandatory, since this allows you to remove diseased shoots (if any) and remove all leaves on which pests could settle. The haircut can be done completely, leaving stumps no more than 5 cm high.
Then young seedlings are covered with mulch from hay, straw and other materials at hand for the winter. Shelter is optional in the south. The last top dressing is applied at the end of August - in the fall, it is not required to fertilize the Bakai Bell peony. However, a few weeks before frost, you need to water abundantly, giving 2-3 buckets of water.
Pests and diseases
Like other peonies, Buckeye Bell can sometimes be affected by infectious diseases caused by fungi or viruses:
- gray rot;
- septoria;
- cladosporium disease;
- rust;
- mosaic leaf disease.
Pests can also settle on the leaves:
- aphid;
- ants;
- thrips;
- nematodes.
If the lesion is small, you can simply remove the leaves, and collect the pests by hand or wash off the pressure of water. However, this does not always help, so you have to use special agents - fungicides:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- "Toksin-M";
- "Tsineb";
- "Topaz".
Also, insecticides are used for treatment:
- "Decis";
- "Ultor";
- "Agravertin";
- Tanrek;
- "Storm".
Preventive treatment is desirable in April. Subsequently, Buckeye Bell peony is sprayed as needed. Spraying is best done in dry, calm weather in the evening.
Peonies should be periodically examined for signs of damage.
Conclusion
It is possible to grow Bakai Bell peony in most regions of Russia. It is an unpretentious strain that does well even with minimal maintenance. The main requirement is to ensure regular watering, fertilization and loosening of the soil. If you follow these rules, the first flowers can be obtained within 2 years after planting.
