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Unpretentious peonies with delicate flowers are planted in almost all summer cottages. Hybrids are especially popular. Peony Julia Rose, thanks to the amazing color of the buds, always attracts attention, and uncommonly decorates flower beds and flower beds.
Description of Ito-peony Julia Rose
In the middle of the twentieth century, Japanese breeder Toichi Ito spent a lot of effort to breed a peony with yellow flowers. The crossing of a milky-flowered herbaceous species with a tree-like species led to the emergence of an unusual hybrid called Ito-pion. The new Julia Rose variety successfully combines the merits of both parents:
- frost resistance came from herbaceous peonies. Moreover, the ground part of the plant dies off in the autumn and there is no need to cover the stems for the winter;
- the shape and color of the flowers, the hybrid inherited from the tree varieties.
The main feature is to show signs of both treelike and herbaceous plants. General description of the peony Ito-hybrid Julia Rose: grows 80-90 cm, bright green leaves look like thin feathers, and densely cover the bushes. Since Julia Rose's stems are quite sturdy, they don't fall apart under the weight of the flowers and don't need garters.
Experienced growers recommend protecting Julia Rose peony bushes from severe northern frosts at the end of the season with layers of peat and hay.
Flowering features
Semi-double silky buds reach 17-20 cm in diameter, but cannot boast of special splendor. The photo shows how spectacularly the Ito-peony Julia Rose bush looks, on which many buds have blossomed.
In the center of the flower, golden stamens are densely located. According to experienced flower growers, peony bushes over 4-5 years old delight with maximum beauty. The period of abundant flowering begins in the second half of May and lasts until mid-July, which is facilitated by high-quality care:
- timely watering;
- loosening the soil;
- proper fertilization of the soil.
The originality of this variety of peonies is manifested in a rich palette of petal shades. Some growers call Julia Rose a chameleon for the peculiarity of changing the shades of flowers. The blossoming buds are cherry red in color. During the flowering period, the petals gradually fade - bright colors acquire pastel orange-pink notes, which imperceptibly turn into a yellow palette. Or the hybrid peony Itoh Julia Rose demonstrates the entire rich range of shades at the same time.
Application in design
Lush peony bushes Julia Rose look self-sufficient and do not need a flower company. But when skillfully combined with other plants, it is not difficult to give a landscape design a non-standard look.
To create a play of contrasts, ornamental plants with small foliage are planted in a small area next to the Ito hybrids. Or three-dimensional peonies are located near large trees. The tenderness of the buds of pastel colors will be emphasized by the rich greenery of the juniper bushes.
Picturesquely decorated with Ito varieties and lawns along the paths. Low-growing plants (primroses, daisies, cuffs) are planted along the edge. Julia Rose peonies serve as the second tier or are arranged in separate groups of 3-4 bushes.
The foliage of the hybrid retains a juicy green hue throughout the season.And this is another reason why an ornamental plant is in great demand among landscape designers.
An uncommon solution is to decorate spacious loggias or large balconies with lush peonies Julia Rose. It is better to install voluminous flowerpots on mobile stands to make it easier to transport the plant to a garage or basement for the winter.
Reproduction methods
Many varieties of peonies are bred with seeds, but in the case of hybrids, this method is fraught with the loss of species characteristics. Therefore, independent breeding of Julia Rose is possible only vegetatively. The classic is the division of the bush, but in the case of Ito-peonies, it must be borne in mind that the rhizome of the plant looks like a group of tangled solid thick sticks with isthmuses.
A sharp hacksaw is required to carefully cut the rhizome. There are not many parts, but usually all the roots take root well, especially if they are treated with Zircon and Kornevin preparations.
If there are no plans to immediately plant the delenki, they are stored in wet sand.
Landing rules
A suitable period for planting peonies is the end of August - September. Plants are chosen at least 4-5 years old, consisting of 6-7 stems. The procedure for preparing planting material does not take much time:
- The peony is dug up, and the soil is gently shaken off the roots or washed off with water from a hose.
- Cut lines are marked on the rhizome - each section should have young roots and 2-4 buds.
- Delenki are cleaned of rotten parts, foliage remnants. Sections are treated with Fitosporin-M and HOM preparations.
You can familiarize yourself with the intricacies of dividing the rhizome of the bush in the video below:
For planting peonies, elevated areas, well-lit, are suitable. The recommended acidity of the soil is slightly alkaline or neutral. The ground should not be frozen for the plants to take root. The preparation of the holes is important, since the root system of the Julia Rose hybrid will grow in all directions. The optimal size of the pit is approximately 80x80 cm. The procedure for planting divisions:
- 2/3 the hole is filled with garden soil with the addition of humus, manure. You can mix wood ash, bone meal, double superphosphate (glass each). If the site has clay soils, then add sand.
- Blanks of peony roots are pretreated with stimulants.
- The rhizome is placed in the center of the pit and lightly sprinkled with a sand-ash mixture to prevent decay. The delenka is covered with a layer of earth 3-7 cm.
If the work is carried out in late autumn, experienced florists recommend insulating the area with leaves and sawdust planted with peonies. The protective layer must be removed after the spring melting of snow.
Follow-up care
The subtleties of breeding a Julia Rose hybrid coincide with the rules for growing herbaceous varieties. Highlights worth noting:
- moderate, but regular watering, fertilization are important at the beginning of the summer period, when the plant spends its main forces on the growth of stems, the development of buds. And during the formation of kidney renewal (end of the season);
- watered bushes under the root mainly in the evenings. After the soil is loosened carefully so as not to damage the root system. To prevent the soil from drying out, use mulch (hay, sawdust);
- if the planting pits were fertilized with high quality, then Julia Rose peonies do not feed for the first two years. From the third, nitrogenous compounds are used in the spring and phosphorus-potassium compounds in the fall.
In adult plants, dried flowers are necessarily cut off, which contributes to the establishment of renewal buds. Moreover, it is recommended to cut off the very top of the head.
Preparing for winter
In the fall (end of September - first half of October), the ground part of the Julia Rose peony bushes is cut literally to the ground level.In this case, you do not need to worry about the buds located on the stems. After all, the main points of renewal are formed on the roots in the depths of the soil. It is recommended to treat the cut surface with sieved wood ash. The green mass is carefully removed and burned to prevent the occurrence and development of fungal infections on Julia Rose peonies.
As a rule, adult bushes do not need additional protection from winter weather and cold weather. Young plantings must be covered with spruce branches.
Pests and diseases
The peculiarity of the peony Julia Rose is resistance to diseases. Increased humidity during periods of low temperatures can provoke the appearance of gray rot. Preventive measures include the regulation of irrigation, a change in feeding.
To get rid of insects, some gardeners use folk remedies: a solution of laundry soap, a decoction of wood ash. If this does not help, the plants are sprayed with chemical preparations "Bioshchit", "Confidor Extra".
Conclusion
The spectacular peony Julia Rose always stands out in the flower garden. Caring for lush bushes does not take much time, but flowers will delight summer residents with an outstanding color palette for several years.