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Peony Svord Dance is one of the brightest species, it is distinguished by very beautiful buds of dark crimson and red shades. Forms a rather tall bush, the first flowers on which appear 3-4 years after planting. It tolerates winter frosts well, so it can be grown not only in the central part, but also in the Urals and Siberia.
Description of peony Sword Dance
Sword Dance is a variety known since the early 1930s. In Russia, it began to spread relatively recently. They will be distinguished by very beautiful, lush flowers of bright red color. The bush is quite tall, up to 80 cm in height, the peduncle is up to 100 cm. Sun-loving, prefers open, well-lit areas. The stems are strong, powerful, so this variety of peony does not need support.
The foliage of Sword Dance is bright green, with a glossy surface, well emphasizes the dark crimson flowers
In terms of winter hardiness, Sword Dance peony belongs to resistant varieties, withstands winter frosts down to -35 degrees, which allows it to be grown in different regions of Russia, including:
- Central part;
- Ural;
- Southern Siberia;
- Far East.
Flowering features
In the description of the Sword Dance peony, special attention is paid to flowers, since they are the ones that adorn the garden. These are bright red double buds with light yellow, graceful stamens. They are large in diameter, with proper care they reach 17-20 cm. They give a light, fragrant aroma that is well felt, especially in calm weather.
Peonies Sword Dance bloom magnificently even on not very fertile soils, but only if the minimum requirements are met:
- the site should be completely open, brightly lit;
- if possible, it should be protected from drafts;
- regular watering, the soil is always moist;
- fertilizers are applied regularly, at least 3 times per season.
The flowering period of Sword Dance is average: peonies appear on the bushes in the second half of June - early July
Application in design
Due to the large, brightly colored flowers of a dark crimson hue, Sword Dance peonies are often used in single plantings. They are placed in the center of the flower garden, next to the entrance, bench, seating area and other attractive places. They also look appropriate in compositions:
- in flower beds;
- in mixborders;
- with dwarf conifers;
- in compositions with hosts.
Among plants and flowers, Sword Dance goes especially well with:
- forget-me-nots;
- decorative bow;
- crocuses;
- tulips;
- chrysanthemums;
- phlox;
- daisies;
- delphinium;
- heychera;
- thuja;
- dwarf firs.
Peonies Sword Dance look spectacular in single plantings
Reproduction methods
Sword Dance peonies can be grown in the same place for several years, up to 10 or more. But it is advisable to plant overgrown bushes periodically. You can propagate them:
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
The latter method is considered to be the simplest and most effective - almost all delenki successfully take root in a new place. It is better to start breeding the plant in early September, a month before frost.You need to act like this:
- Shorten the lower stems 1/3 of the length so that they do not break during separation.
- Cut off the circle with a shovel and carefully take out the bush, being careful not to damage the roots.
- They wash away the earth with the pressure of water.
- Carefully examine the rhizomes and cut them with a sharp knife into several parts.
- Each division should have 3-5 buds and 2 root processes.
- The decayed parts of the rhizome are cut off.
- They are transplanted to a new place at the same depth as the mother bush (the buds should be located no deeper than 3-5 cm from the surface).
- It is abundantly watered and mulched with peat, humus. In Siberia, you can additionally fill it with straw so that the Svord Dance peony seedlings survive the winter well.
It is better to propagate only adult Sword Dance bushes at the age of 4-5 years
Landing rules
When buying a peony Sword Dance, special attention is paid to the rhizomes. The roots should be healthy and have 3-5 normal buds, which will ensure good survival in the new place. They are planted at the end of August, and in the southern regions around mid-September. When choosing a place, pay attention to the following points:
- openness, the absence of even a faint shadow;
- protection from drafts;
- attractiveness of the place - preferably in the center of the garden, next to the gazebo, bench, pond.
Sword Dance peonies prefer light, moderately fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction (pH 5.5 to 7.0). If the soil is too acidic, wood ash can be added to it (200-300 g per 1 m2).
Before planting, the site is prepared for several weeks. It needs to be cleaned and dug onto the bayonet of the shovel. Then form several large planting holes up to 1 m in diameter and up to 60 cm in depth (interval of about 1 m). If the site is located in a lowland, groundwater is close to the surface, you will need to lay a drainage of small stones with a layer of 5-7 cm at the bottom.
Then the soil is prepared - as a basis, you can take the following composition (for 1 hole):
- 2 parts humus or compost;
- 1 part of garden soil;
- 200 superphosphate;
- 60 g of potassium salt.
The mixture is poured into the hole and the seedlings are rooted so that the buds are at least 3-5 cm from the surface. It is abundantly watered and mulched with peat and humus.
Follow-up care
Sword Dance peonies are quite easy to care for. It is important to ensure that the soil remains moderately moist:
- In the first season, watered regularly - you can use a bucket of water 3 times a month.
- In the second season, additional watering is given only during the dry season or if there is very little rain.
- The next day after watering, the soil is loosened so that the lumps do not stick together, which will cause the roots to receive less oxygen.
- Mulch is laid from hay, straw or spruce branches - then the earth will remain well moistened for as long as possible.
Top dressing is applied from the second year, at least 3 times per season:
- In early April - ammonium nitrate or urea.
- During the formation of buds (early June) - a complex mineral fertilizer: it can be both root and foliar method.
- After flowering in mid-August, Sword Dance is fertilized with superphosphates and potassium salt.
Regular fertilization and timely watering guarantee lush flowering of the peony
Preparing for winter
Since Sword Dance has a fairly high winter hardiness, it does not need special preparation for frost. Usually in mid-September, a month before frost, gardeners carry out the following activities:
- Prune shoots completely to stimulate green mass growth and flowering next year.
- Treat with any fungicide.
- Cover with hay, straw or other mulch.
In the fall, fertilization is no longer necessary - the peonies must prepare for the winter period.
Pests and diseases
Sword Dance is resistant to disease. But sometimes it is affected by viral and fungal infections:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- mosaic disease.
The invasion of pests is also possible:
- aphid;
- ants;
- thrips.
To combat fungi, fungicides are used - Bordeaux liquid, "Vintage", "Profit", "Spor". For the destruction of insects, insecticides are used - "Biotlin", "Decis", "Karate", "Green soap". It is also allowed to use folk remedies (solutions of soda, ammonia, onion peel infusion, and others).
So that the Sward Dance peony does not suffer from diseases and insects, it is better to process it at the beginning of autumn
Conclusion
Peony Svord Dance is a really bright, very beautiful flower. At the same time, it does not require special care conditions; it can be bred even on moderately fertile soil. If you provide him with the basic conditions (lighting, watering and feeding), lush flowering is guaranteed.
