One of the common garden plants in many European countries is the narrow-leaved peony. In Russia, this plant is less common. It is mainly grown by experienced gardeners.
External description
The peculiarity of this plant is its unusual leaves. Unlike other garden peonies, they have a shape dissected into needle-shaped lobes and resemble a fern. The bush is dense, compact, grows no more than 50 cm in height. The flowering period comes in late spring. Around the end of May, large single flowers appear with one row of bright red petals and yellow anthers in the middle, which look like a flash in the spring garden. On one bush there can be more than a dozen flowers that emit a unique aroma. Flowering lasts a little over a week.
But even after the narrow-leaved peony fades, it does not lose its decorative effect thanks to the airy light green foliage.
Growing conditions
This plant is quite unpretentious and can easily endure slight frosts or drought. Growing a narrow-leaved peony is quite within the power of even a novice grower. However,observe some conditions in order for the plant to be a decoration of the garden for as long as possible.
Peony needs well-lit places, with a lack of light, flowers may simply not appear on it. The soil should be moderately moist. Excess waterlogging leads to rotting of the root system. Good watering is required only during the period of ovary buds. It is not recommended to plant narrow-leaved peony and on sandy soils. Deterioration of flowering can cause excessive use of fertilizers.
Reproduction
Usually peony is propagated by dividing the bush, but sowing seeds can also be used. In early September, when the days are no longer so hot, they plant these flowers by dividing the rhizome. To do this, use old bushes that are at least 5 years old. The rhizome is divided into several parts so that each has 3 or 4 renewal buds.
To propagate peony seeds, you must first prepare them. Boxes with this planting material are harvested a little underripe until they are fully opened.
Sowing is done at the end of September, so the seeds are carefully packed and stored until autumn in the refrigerator. This method is used mainly for breeding, since in this case it is possible only after 3 or even 4 years to observe how the narrow-leaved peony blooms.
Landing
The place where the peonies will grow is being prepared in advance. To do this, dig a landing hole measuring 60x80 cm oreven more. When planting several plants, it is required to maintain a distance between them of at least 1 meter. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pit, which is covered from above with compost with mineral fertilizers and wood ash. After that, a small mound is formed from ordinary garden soil at the bottom of the pit, on which the rhizome is located. Before planting, the cut site is recommended to be treated with a solution of wood ash for disinfection. Bury the peony in such a way that the apical bud is 6 cm above the soil surface.
Reproduction by seeds allows you to get a large amount of planting material. At the end of September, the seeds are sown to a depth of 5-6 cm on a prepared bed or in a special container. At the same time, a certain part of coarse river sand is added to the soil.
Care
Like all garden plants, the narrow-leaved peony needs watering, fertilizing and timely weeding. Excessive moisture for this plant is detrimental, so it should be watered only when the soil begins to dry out. In dry summers, you need to regularly moisten the soil. During the rainy season, the plant does not need watering.
Feeding with mineral fertilizers should be carried out only 3-4 years after planting. If the soil is poor in composition, then this can be done after 2 years. In this case, it is important not to overdo it, since an excess of nitrogen, for example, can lead to rotting of the rhizome, as well as affect the quality of flowering.
So that the thin-leaved (narrow-leaved) peony does not lose its decorative appearance even after flowering, it is prunedat the level of the top leaf. Thanks to this, the plant becomes more compact, and the seed pods do not spoil its appearance.
Pests bypass the peony. And only aphids can sometimes attack him. To combat it, it is enough to spray the plant with a specially prepared solution of tobacco infusion and soap. Excess moisture can cause various fungal diseases. As a preventive measure, the peony can be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture.
Peony is able to tolerate frost well, so it does not require shelter for the winter. But in regions with severe winters, you can cover it with spruce branches, paying special attention to ensure that the roots are not exposed.
Healing properties
The narrow-leaved peony, which is usually grown for decorative purposes, is also used to treat a number of diseases. Its diuretic, antispasmodic and sedative effects have been known in folk medicine for a long time. Peony rhizome is used to prepare various home remedies that are used to treat gout, anemia, and nervous diseases. A decoction of the root also helps with pain in the heart, stones in the bladder and kidneys, concussion.
It should be remembered that when using products based on this plant, it is very important to observe the dosage, since peony roots contain a high content of a toxic substance called neonin. Therefore, before use, it is better to consult your doctor.
Landscape use
Human activities (plowing the steppes, grazing, etc.) have led to the fact that the wild peony is now a plant in need of conservation. Breeding in parks and gardens helps conserve this species by promoting its spread.
In landscape design, the narrow-leaved peony has proven itself superbly, the terry variety of which is especially good in combination with willow bushes, cereals and perennial flax. It looks good on slides, rock gardens, mixborders. These flowers are planted both in composition and singly.
You can place several different varieties of peonies in one flower bed that bloom at different times. A narrow-leaved peony planted among stones or against the background of scree looks very beautiful. Photos of all kinds of compositions with this plant show what a huge number of options for using its decorative properties exist.
