Content
- 1 Full description of peony thin-leaved
- 2 Why is the fine-leaved peony listed in the Red Book
- 3 Hybrids and varieties of thin-leaved peonies
- 4 Breeding methods for thin-leaved peony
- 5 Narrow-leaved peony in landscape design
- 6 Planting rules for a thin-leaved peony
- 7 Care and cultivation of fine-leaved peonies
- 8 Pests and diseases
- 9 The healing properties of the narrow-leaved peony
- 10 Conclusion
The thin-leaved peony is an amazingly beautiful perennial. It attracts attention with its bright red flowers and decorative leaves. The plant is known to gardeners under other names - narrow-leaved peony or raven. In England, he has one more - a fern peony, which the culture received for spectacular dissected leaves. Refers to herbaceous perennials of the Peony family. In Latin it is designated as Paeonia tenuifolia.
Full description of peony thin-leaved
An interesting fact - the narrow-leaved flower was very popular in the 70s and 80s of the last century. Then it was overshadowed by new varieties, and now the attention of admirers of the classics again returns to the thin-leaved peony. Thanks to the original appearance of the Voronets and its characteristics, designers again include thin-leaved culture in projects for decorating areas.
The main parameters of the plant:
- Herbaceous thin-leaved shrub with a height of 40-60 cm. It reaches this size during the summer, then the aerial part dies off by the end of August. We can safely attribute it to primroses, because the first shoots of the narrow-leaved peony make their way through the snow. Perennial, growing in one place up to 15 years. The shape of the bush is spherical and compact. With age, the raven becomes more magnificent and more decorative.
- Rhizomes are not long, medium in size with thickened edges. The root system of the Voronets resembles potato tubers - oblong cones on short legs.
- Stem is single-flowered, simple, glabrous. Height from 10 cm to 50 cm. Sometimes there are two-flowered stems.
- Leaves are the pride of a peony. They are amazingly beautiful in shape. Needle-shaped, openwork, dissected, like thin threads. The color is rich, bright green. There are a lot of leaves on the bush. They create such an attractive green ball that the flowers become bright blobs in front of them. And the leaves resemble a delicate edge.
Among the characteristics of the species, the unpretentiousness of the narrow-leaved peony and good frost resistance should be noted.
The photo below shows an amazing raven peony:
To grow a luxurious bush, you must adhere to the rules of agricultural technology.
Where does the thin-leaved peony grow
In the wild, the species is found on the Balkan Peninsula, in the Crimea, in the Caucasus, southeastern regions of Europe. Voronets prefers the steppe, the space between bushes and on the steppe slopes. On the territory of Russia, thin-leaved peony can be found in the southern regions, Tambov, Belgorod, Voronezh regions. Most often it grows in forest-steppe or forests.
How the narrow-leaved peony blooms
The flowers of the thin-leaved plant are large, bright red. There are dark purple or pinkish. The diameter of the flower is about 8-10 cm, it consists of 5-8 petals. The aroma is delicate and pleasant. Flowers bloom at the same time, so the narrow-leaved raven becomes like one huge bouquet. Voronets bloom begins in May, lasts up to 10 days. Among the varieties of narrow-leaved peony, there are terry varieties that bloom for a longer period - about 14 days.
A feature of the flowering of the narrow-leaved peony is the ability to open the petals in the morning and close in the evening.
Why is the fine-leaved peony listed in the Red Book
There are several reasons why perennials have become a rare and protected plant in many countries. The narrow-leaved peony is listed in the Red Book, and its populations are under the close scrutiny of scientists. The reasons for the disappearance of a beautiful flower are:
- The healing properties of the narrow-leaved peony. Previously, it was widespread throughout the country. However, the constant extermination of plantings for the sake of obtaining medicines led to the fact that the thin-leaved peony was included in the Red Book of Russia.
- Plowing the steppe or virgin lands, expanding the areas for grazing livestock. Another factor is the increase in haymaking areas.
- Many lovers of the narrow-leaved flower dug it up in the wild and brought it to their sites for planting. They were also harvested to decorate bouquets, without giving the plant time to ripen the seeds.
- Natural disasters are fires.
Currently, connoisseurs of the narrow-leaved peony are trying to revive the planting.
Hybrids and varieties of thin-leaved peonies
The popularity of this amazing flower, its beauty and unpretentiousness attracted the attention of breeders. They bred a number of thin-leaved hybrids that are especially appreciated by peony lovers:
- Rubra Plena cultivar. The bush is very compact, the height of an adult thin-leaved peony is not more than 50 cm. The flowers are scarlet, densely double, very bright. The diameter of each is about 10 cm, a thin-leaved variety blooms in May. Flowering is short, only 5-7 days. But, decorativeness remains until August, while the openwork foliage is preserved.
Despite the short flowering period, it is worth paying attention to this variety when drawing up the design of the site.
- Hybrid Tiny Tim. Narrow-leaved peony of a completely different species, bred by US scientists. The petals of the flower are carved, deep red, the stamens are bright yellow, about 8 cm in diameter. The contrast of colors gives the plant an amazing decorative effect. It tolerates stony ground very well, therefore it is often used in the design of rock gardens.
Tinny Tim wins by contrasting color with stones and dumping
- Peony Early Scout. The height of the bush is not more than 50 cm, the flowers are large, bright red, simple. The diameter of one reaches 12 cm. Lanceolate thin leaves are colored dark green. Lush, narrow-leaved perennial looks large due to the even shape of the bush. Frost-resistant variety, winters without shelter even in the middle lane. A thin-leaved shrub blooms in late May. Received first place in 2002 at a plant show in the USA.
Early Scout will provide decorative flower beds throughout the season until early autumn
- Eaglet. The variety was bred by scientists during the Soviet era. Differs in a beautiful lush bush shape. The thin-leaved variety has slightly deflected stems and shiny green leaves. The size of an adult bush is about 60 cm.The flowers are red, simple, up to 10 cm in diameter.
When planted in the sun, the shade of the flower brightens and becomes carmine
- Merry Meishain. A hybrid, thin-leaved variety with large flowers. The shade is bright ruby, up to 15 cm in diameter. The height of an adult bush is 60 cm, the stems are erect.
An early flowering variety can be mixed in flower beds with other annuals
There are many other simple and double-leafed peony varieties that are in demand by gardeners. For example, Memorial Them, Kid, Little Rhyme, Chocolate Soldier, Big Ban, Rose Gorland, Toy Delight, Leddy, Smouthii, Herald.
Breeding methods for thin-leaved peony
Gardeners can cultivate a valuable culture on their own. There are only two optimal ways:
- dividing the bush;
- seeds.
Both are productive, only it is important to correctly determine the time for the procedure and the place for planting the peony. Each option has its own subtleties, they also need to be considered:
- Division of the bush. A method with minimal expenditure of effort and time of the gardener. Performed in the spring. Delenka is called the adventitious roots of a thin-leaved perennial older than 5 years.For transplanting a Voronets, 2 adventitious roots with 3-4 developed buds are enough. The size of the roots is 1.5 cm thick, 6-7 cm long. You will first need to dig planting holes for new narrow-leaved plants at a distance of 60 cm from each other. Apply a layer of organic fertilizer and mix with the soil. Carefully remove the thin-leaved shrub from the soil, separate the parts for transplanting with your hands or with pruning shears. This option has another plus - it allows you to rejuvenate an old bush. The buds must be left 5 cm above the ground surface.
Planting strips must be healthy and strong
- Sowing seeds. This method is used less often. The germination of planting material is not very high, even when it is purchased in a store. The plus of the method is a large number of new Voronets seedlings compared to dividing the bush. A full-fledged narrow-leaved peony bush will turn out in 4-5 years, seedlings will appear in 2 years. Seeds should be harvested at an unripe stage when the capsule is still closed. In this case, germination will be better. Immediately put them in the refrigerator until planting. Sowing time is autumn (October-November) or winter. In winter it is more difficult and longer, patience is required. But the seedlings are stronger and healthier. The collected seeds of a thin-leaved plant can be sown on the garden bed right away, You just need to dig up and fertilize the soil first. Seedlings rarely appear the following spring, usually after a year.
To collect seeds, do not wait for the time to open the bolls.
Another option is growing seedlings. It will take time to drop her off. The collected seeds must be sown in clean sand. Take the container flat. Maintain the temperature during the day + 30 ° С, at night + 15 ° С. Moisten the soil regularly. When the first roots appear, transplant the peony seedlings into the box and lower the temperature to + 10 ° C. With the appearance of the first leaves, move them again to warmth. You can plant seedlings of Voronets in the second decade of August.
Narrow-leaved peony in landscape design
The emergence of a large number of garden forms allowed gardeners to use the thin-leaved species when creating compositions. According to the recommendations of experts, the species goes well with perennial flax, cereals, eremurus, broom bushes, jasmine. Ideal for alpine slides. It is also practiced the simultaneous planting of varieties of narrow-leaved peonies with different flowering periods or in combination with milky-flowered forms. Bushes of narrow-leaved peony Vorontsa frame garden paths, mix them in rabatkas or borders. The flowers are ideal for cutting and arranging bouquets.
The combination of red and green allows ravens to be planted even as a tapeworm
Planting rules for a thin-leaved peony
Voronets saplings can be purchased at the garden center or grown from seeds. Then they need to be properly planted. In stores, you can also buy narrow-leaved peony cuttings. The planting material must be viewed so that it is not damaged. The process of planting a peony is simple, but it requires the completion of all points:
- Choosing a place. It is necessary to take into account the short-term flowering of the culture. The thin-leaved black peony prefers partial shade or diffused light. He needs protection from winds and drafts, for example, the angle between buildings. A place in the lowlands is suitable, since the narrow-leaved peony loves moisture.
- Soil preparation. The thin-leaved plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil. But, when planted in nutritious loam, the raven blooms longer and brighter. The acid reaction indicator should be neutral or slightly alkaline. The bed must be dug, weeded, leveled.
- In August or early September, dig planting holes for Voronets. Depth 70 cm, diameter 60 cm.Place a drainage layer of gravel or small stones 15 cm thick.
- Pour a fertile layer 20 cm thick. Composition - humus (10 kg), wood ash (0.5 cups), potassium sulfate (50 g), superphosphate (100 g). Sprinkle with garden soil.
- To deepen the narrow-leaved peony at a distance of 10 cm, sprinkle with soil, water, mulch with humus.
With the exact implementation of planting measures, seedlings will appear on time
Although the fine-leaved peony is a steppe plant, it will easily take root in the garden.
Care and cultivation of fine-leaved peonies
The culture among gardeners is considered unpretentious, however, violations of agricultural technology can lead to problems.
The main activities that should not be neglected:
- Watering. This is the most regular procedure that the moisture-loving narrow-leaved peony needs. In dry summer, it needs to be watered 3 times a week. The reference point is the topsoil. In order not to lead to stagnation of moisture, water the thin-leaved peony only when the top layer dries.
- Loosening and mulching. The peony needs light soil, saturated with air. Loosening is best done after wetting, very carefully and no deeper than 10 cm. Mulching reduces the need for watering of a thin-leaved plant and prevents weeds from growing.
- Top dressing. If fertilizers were applied when laying the planting pit, then the peony does not need to be fed for the first 2 years. In the 3rd year in the spring, you will need to add urea and ammonium nitrate (50 g each). In autumn - a mineral complex with phosphorus and potassium components (according to the instructions).Important! An overdose of nitrogen fertilizers will lead to a decrease in the number of buds.
- Transfer - another point of care for the narrow-leaved peony. The procedure for rejuvenating the bush should be done in the fall. The plant must be over 5 years old.
In addition to the listed activities, it is important to monitor the possible appearance of pests or diseases.
Pests and diseases
The narrow-leaved peony can be affected by fungal infections. The main reason is overflow. Also at the beginning of the growing season, the plant is threatened by aphids, ants and caterpillars. Preventive treatments with folk formulations or solutions of insecticides are required. The introduction of dolomite flour or ash, copper-containing compositions helps well.
It is important to treat the plant in a timely manner from the attack of pests.
The healing properties of the narrow-leaved peony
The healing characteristics of the Voronets caused its rapid disappearance. Although the plant is a poisonous species, its benefits to the body are very great.
It contains vitamin C, tannins, useful oils. For tinctures and lotions, leaves, buds and roots of a thin-leaved flower are used. The main therapeutic actions of peony are antispasmodic and analgesic. It is used in the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of:
- colds;
- anemia;
- epilepsy;
- problems of the cardiopulmonary system;
- disorders in the work of the kidneys and lungs.
However, self-treatment is discouraged. You can use only pharmaceutical preparations and according to the doctor's prescription.
Steppe Voronet has healing qualities
Conclusion
Thin-leaved peony has a lot of positive qualities. Luxurious decorativeness will reward the gardener for patience, and unpretentiousness will help grow a flower in any conditions.
