Content
Peony Joker is one of the best hybrid specimens. It was bred in 2004 by breeders from the United States. The extraordinary beauty of delicate petals, a delicate refined aroma and a unique color of the chameleon have made this variety a favorite all over the world.
The Joker has an exquisite scent that spreads throughout the garden
Description of Peony Joker
Peony rightfully bears the title of the king of flowers. Its lush buds, woven from a mass of delicate fragrant petals, are a serious competitor to many garden plants. Incredibly beautiful bushes with a noble pedigree are able to outshine even roses. In ancient China, they were grown only by noble nobles, and the Greeks actively used the healing properties of flowers.
The Latin name for the flower comes from the name of the ancient Greek healer Pean, who healed the Olympian gods. Since ancient times, peonies have a special status among garden plants, and today their varietal variety makes the heart swoon with delight. Peony Joker appeared in flower beds relatively recently.
The bushes of this variety are compact, neat, slightly elongated upward, characterized by rapid growth. The maximum height of the stems is 75-80 cm. On them there are openwork pinnately-separated leaves of an unusual brown-green hue. The adult Joker peony is not too sprawling, so it does not need additional support. However, with strong gusts of wind, it makes sense to tie the stems to the pegs.
The Joker belongs to frost-resistant varieties, but many gardeners still prefer to build a shelter for bushes from spruce branches. This variety can be grown in almost any region, except in areas with too high humidity levels.
Flowering features
The flowers of the Joker herbaceous peony deserve special attention. Their uniqueness lies in the pink-shaped inflorescences, the flowers themselves are terry bomb-shaped. About 5 buds are usually formed on one stem. They bloom in the last days of June, and the real magic begins.
The chameleon color unfolds gradually: at first, all the petals have a rich pink tint, then the middle begins to lighten slowly, and there is a clear pink border along the edge of the petals.
The flowering period of the Joker peony takes 20 days, while it not only does not lose its decorative effect, but also reveals new facets of beauty
The variety belongs to the early-middle group and is distinguished by rather large flowers (diameter from 10 to 20 cm). The splendor of the flowering of the Joker peony depends on proper care, balanced feeding and the condition of the roots (you can not transplant the plants in spring, so as not to injure the delicate roots).
Application in design
Joker peonies are born soloists in flower beds. These flowers always attract attention to themselves anywhere in the garden. Joker peonies are also planted in groups. You can choose two varieties of plants that will complement each other in terms of color or flowering time. Joker peonies are used to decorate round or tiered flower beds, oblong ridges.
Do not plant these plants near water, as they do not tolerate excess moisture in the air and soil.
The best neighbors for the Joker will be tulips, lilies, petunias, phloxes, chrysanthemums, asters, silver iris and nasturtium.
It is not recommended to combine peonies with plants that quickly drain the soil or create a thick shade.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways to breed a Joker peony:
- By dividing the roots... The best time is the end of summer, when the temperature of the soil and air decreases significantly. It is necessary to select only those Joker peony bushes that grow on the site for about 3-4 years. Their stems are completely cut off, and a layer of earth is carefully removed near the bush. After that, the roots are carefully removed, cut off (leaving about 10-12 cm), washed from soil particles, if necessary, cleaned from rot. Next, the Joker peony cuttings are dried and placed in a nutritious garden soil.
Most often, peonies are propagated by dividing the roots.
- Root cuttings. This procedure is carried out in the spring. A healthy Joker peony bush is dug up on one side and the adventitious roots are cut off from it. Roots with a minimum thickness of 1 cm are suitable for further growth. They are cut into separate fragments 5 cm long and planted in the soil, burying 3 cm into the substrate without fertilizers. During the summer, plantings are watered abundantly. New kidneys will appear in 3-4 years. This method is only suitable for some hybrids.
- Seeds... Success will depend on the quality of the planting material. Even if all growing conditions are observed, young Joker peonies do not always have the desired varietal qualities.
Landing rules
For the Joker peony, it is necessary to select a bright area, which, at the same time, will be protected from the scorching midday rays of the sun. The soil is cleared of weeds and dug up. Joker peonies grow best on loose loam, which has a neutral alkaline reaction. If there is too much clay in the composition of the substrate, humus or peat is added to it, sandy soils are supplemented with clay or the same peat. Excess peat is smoothed out by adding ash or organic matter. The most optimal time is from mid-August to late September.
The Joker peony planting scheme is extremely simple:
- A hole is dug on the site, the bottom of which is filled with high-quality drainage (crushed brick or crushed stone).
- This is followed by a layer of compost and humus with other fertilizers (wood ash + lime + superphosphate + potassium sulfate). Above is the compost pillow again. Now you need to wait 7 days for all layers to settle and compact in a natural way.
- In the center of the pit, a mound of earth is made, on which the rhizome of the Joker peony is placed. The roots are carefully straightened, directing downward, and sprinkled with earth. It is important to ensure that the buds of the bush are at a depth of 3 to 5 cm. Larger or smaller values will not allow the plant to bloom in the future.
- After planting, the soil is tamped and watered well.
Follow-up care
Joker peonies are among the perennials that can grow and bloom for a long time in one place.
The key to success will be compliance with the main rules of care:
- Watering... It should be infrequent, but abundant. The frequency can be determined by the rate of drying out of the earth: it should not be dry or too wet. For one adult Joker peony bush, there are about 2-3 buckets of water. But it all depends on the weather and the period of development of the plant itself. The Joker peonies experience the greatest need for moisture at the very beginning of spring, during the period of active growth, at the stage of bud formation and during flowering. The stream of water should be poured deliberately under the root, preventing drops from falling on the leaf blades.
Plants at first need especially abundant watering.
- Top dressing... The first time fertilizers are applied at the beginning of spring with potassium permanganate. As soon as the shoots begin to grow, ammonium nitrate is used. Since mid-May, Joker peonies are fed every month with mineral complexes (leaves are treated with a ready-made solution). Do this after sunset to prevent burns.
- Loosening and mulching... It is carried out after each watering so that moisture lingers in the soil longer, and there is no dense crust on its surface.It is also important to get rid of weeds in time, which will take away nutrients and water from the Joker.
Preparing for winter
The Joker variety tolerates low temperatures well. In regions with mild winters, shelter is not needed at all. If the temperature drops significantly, coniferous branches can be used as a covering material. Young bushes of the Joker peony that have not reached 3 years old need mandatory protection from the cold. The stems tucked up by the first frosts are cut off, and the roots are slightly covered with earth.
Pests and diseases
Most of all, one should be afraid of diseases of a fungal nature. These include rust, powdery mildew, gray rot. To avoid problems, you need to be careful about watering, avoiding stagnant moisture. Among the infectious diseases of the Joker peony, it is especially worth highlighting mosaic and verticillary wilting. They contribute to the death of the plant.
Peonies are often affected by rust and powdery mildew, inaction can lead to the death of the plant
Conclusion
Peony Joker is one of the most beautiful herbaceous hybrids. Its delicate pink petals with a chameleon color will always surprise and delight gardeners. The plant is unpretentious and does not require complex care. In gratitude for the care, the peony will reward its owners with abundant and long flowering. A bouquet of such majestic flowers will be a luxurious gift for a wedding or anniversary. They can also decorate a banquet hall or a summer gazebo.
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