Peonies have always been one of the most spectacular decorations of a garden or summer cottage. Their gentle fragrance spreads in space, creating an atmosphere of tenderness and comfort. One of the rare species is the purple peony. Representatives of a plant with such flowers are found among both tree-like and herbaceous varieties. Features of peonies with purple petals, their care and cultivation features will be discussed further.
General Description
Purple peonies (photo below) are found among all varieties of this plant.
They can be shrubby, semi-shrub (called tree-like), as well as herbaceous. There are a huge number of ornamental varieties that look chic.
A peony bush can grow from 1 m high and above. The rhizome is quite large. On it you can see cone-shaped large roots. Several shoots grow from one root.
The leaves on the bush can be painted in a variety of colors of green, gray and even dark purple. The flowers are solitary and always very large. The diameter of the inflorescences is from 15 to 20 cm. Moreover, they look spectacular both on the shrub itself and in cut form. A bouquet of purple peonies is often made up for a wedding or other special occasion. When cut, peonies are able to bring a touch of freshness and unique style to the interior.
The nature of peonies is absolutely non-capricious. The plant does not require much attention in the growing process. Even after flowering has ended, shrubs with dense foliage of rich color are the decoration of the site. You can grow peonies in the same place for several decades.
To choose a plant that will best suit your preference, it is worth considering species diversity. Today, thanks to the work of breeders, more than 5 thousand varieties of peonies have been bred. Plants were born due to the crossing of mainly two varieties - lactic-flowered and medicinal. Each variety differs in size, color and structure of inflorescences. Also, plants differ in the period and duration of flowering, height, and shape of the shrub.
Various variety of herbaceous peonies
Purple peonies (photo below), although rare, are found in almost all varieties of this plant.
Herbaceous speciesrepresented by the following varieties of the presented type:
- Bowl Of Beauty. The form of the inflorescence, reaching a diameter of 20 cm, is Japanese. It blooms with lilac-pink buds. In the center, the petals are painted in a light yellow hue.
- Anastasia. Terry variety, the inflorescences of which look luxurious against the background of green foliage. This peony blooms late, so it is more suitable for warm regions. The bud has a pink-lilac hue. At the same time, the petals are painted at the ends in a light gray shade. The length of the stem on which the bud blooms reaches 90 cm.
- Alexandre Dumas. This is a herbaceous purple peony of the bomb type. The inflorescences are painted in a bright, rich pink-lilac color. Petals reach 13 cm in length. This is an old variety that was bred in the 19th century. It was cultivated in France. The peony blooms late and emits a strong sweet fragrance during this period.
- Bellville. A late-flowering variety that emits a faint, pleasant fragrance as the buds open. The shape of the inflorescences is anemic. The petals are painted in a lilac-purple light tone.
- Purple Ocean. The buds have a crown shape and have a lilac hue. The variety is frost-resistant, can bloom up to 3 weeks. During flowering, inflorescences up to 16 cm in diameter emit an incredibly pleasant aroma.
- Monsieur Jules Em. This is an early variety that has more than a century of history. Inflorescences belong to the terry type of a bomb-shaped form. The petals are painted in lilac-pink light shades. The aroma of the buds, reaching a diameter of 20 cm, is strong and very pleasant.
- Black Crown. These are probably the most purple peonies of all herbaceous varieties. The petals of the buds, whose diameter is 17 cm, are shiny, painted in a dark purple hue. The grade is frost-resistant, it is well cultivated in the conditions of a temperate climate. If the region is cold, you need to cover the plant for the winter.
- Sarah Bernard. This is an early variety known in our country. The shade varies from lilac to pink. The petals are large, reaching 16 cm in span. The buds stand out effectively against the background of dark leaves.
- Imperial Crown. The inflorescences are very large, reaching 25 cm in diameter. They have a spherical shape. Blooms for about 2 weeks or even longer depending on weather conditions.
Variety of tree peonies
Purple tree peony (photo below) belongs to a variety of pink varieties.
These are hybrid varieties that were bred in China many centuries ago. More than 500 varieties of tree-like shrubs are now cultivated in this country.
In Japan, new varieties are also being developed, since in this country such an occupation is considered almost a national tradition. This variety of peonies was first brought to Europe in the 18th century. Since then, tree peonies have become very popular in the Western world.
Among the varieties of the presented group, popular in our country, stand out:
- Purple Lotus. Tree-like peony, inflorescences of which are very large. They reach a diameter of 25 cm. Budsanemic type are painted in dark purple hues. The aroma during flowering is strong. The first flowers that appear on the plant are similar in shape to a lotus and have a velvety texture. The bush grows up to 1.2 m high.
- Duck Black Ash. The variety is quite old. The range of petals in chic buds reaches 14 cm. The inflorescences have a crown shape. Their color is purple-pink. Flowering early, which allows the variety to be grown in temperate climates.
- Sapphire. Blooms in June. This is a tree-like shrub, the diameter of the inflorescences of which reaches 18 cm. The plant is medium-sized, reaches a height of 120 cm. Up to 50 buds of a simple form bloom on one bush. Their petals are silky-lilac, turning scarlet towards the center.
- Blue sapphire. Chinese group of shrubs. The hue of the petals of the buds is blue-pink. May have purple flecks. The diameter of the buds reaches 16 cm. They appear on the bush in mid-June.
Varieties of purple peonies practically do not differ in the requirements for care and cultivation. Therefore, the rules that apply to other varieties of this plant will also apply to purple and lilac varieties.
Reviews on the features of caring for peonies
According to reviews, varieties of purple peonies are as unpretentious in care as their counterparts in other shades. To grow a he althy, beautiful plant, you need to pay very little attention to this plant.
In the autumn, planting is most often carried out, as well as plant transplantation. If aa similar procedure is not required, the usual pruning of dry, yellow leaves, shoots is carried out. All cut parts of the plant should be burned, this will reduce the risk of pests and pathogens spreading to the site.
After pruning, the bushes are sprinkled with wood ash in the fall. For one plant, you will need to spend 2-3 handfuls.
In order to grow purple peonies in your garden for a bridal bouquet or other special occasion, you will need to follow a few simple procedures. If the plant was covered for the winter, you need to remove the flooring. Next, you need to adhere to the established recommendations.
In general, peonies are not watered very often. However, during the period of intensive growth, which occurs in early spring, the plant needs a lot of moisture. In addition, peonies need more water during the period of setting buds, as well as their flowering. In August and September, new buds are laid. Therefore, during this period, the number of waterings is also increased.
On average, one bush will require from 20 to 30 liters of water. Moisture penetrates the soil and must go to the depth that the roots reach. After watering, loosen the soil and be sure to remove weeds, if any. Water is poured under the very root. It should not fall on the leaves. Otherwise, they can rot, increasing the likelihood of various infections.
Feeding
Light or dark purple peonies can be planted side by side. This creates an interesting decorative effect. They are also combined in bouquets. Sometimes white inflorescences are added to such buds.
In order for the flowers to be large and look spectacular on the bushes, wedding bouquet, purple peonies need to be properly fed. In early spring, when the snow melts, the soil near the bushes should be watered with a disinfectant. To prepare it, take a bucket of water. 2 g of potassium permanganate is poured into it. One bucket is enough to disinfect around two bushes.
When the period of intensive growth begins, peonies will need to be fed with ammonium nitrate. In a bucket of water, you will need to dissolve 15 g of the product. From mid-May, peonies need to be watered with mineral fertilizer. The dosage is chosen in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the composition. Such top dressing will need to be done once a month.
The nutrient solution can be supplemented with regular laundry detergent, which will require a tablespoon per bucket. By watering the leaves with such a composition, it is possible to ensure that the bait will remain partially on them, and not drain completely into the ground. The procedure is performed in the evening or on the day when the sun does not shine brightly. Otherwise, the plant will get burned.
During the period of flowering and bud formation, you will need to add a solution of ammonium nitrate (seven and a half grams), potassium s alt (five grams) and superphosphate (ten grams). The listed substances are added to a bucket of water. Also during this period, you can alternately feed peonies with organic and mineral fertilizers. They are introduced into a previously prepared furrow around the bush. After that, the fertilizer is watered. The furrow is being dug up again.
Whenflowering will end, peonies need only timely watering. Once after the end of the flowering process, the soil will need to be loosened in time and fertilized. Weeds need to be removed.
Split bush
A bouquet of purple peonies looks spectacular. It doesn't take much effort to grow these flowers. If for some reason the bush does not want to develop properly, bloom, you can transplant it to a more suitable place. In other cases, this is not required. A peony usually thrives in one place.
If the transplant is carried out in order to propagate the plant, you need to dig up the bush, divide it into several separate parts. Then they are transplanted to the appropriate place. For reproduction in this way, only those peonies that are already at least 4 years old are suitable. The plant should bloom at least 2 times.
The older the peony bush, the thicker its root, the harder it will be to divide it into several parts. The transplant is carried out in September. This is true for both the tree purple peony and the herbaceous one.
The bush is neatly dug in. It is necessary to retreat 25 cm from the rhizome. After that, you need to gently loosen the bush. For this, forks are used. The bush is pulled out of the ground. The earth is removed from the roots. To do this, you need to wash them in water under a not very strong stream of water. Otherwise, you can injure the kidneys. Almost to the root, the green part is cut off. The root is left outdoors to dry out.
If the shoots are very long andthick, you need to cut them. Their length should be 10-15 cm. The cut is made at an angle of 45º. A stake is driven into the middle of the bush with a hammer. So it will turn out to divide the rhizome into several parts. Often, old bushes in the center of the root system have cavities and voids. They need to be cleaned, treated with a disinfectant solution (potassium permanganate).
Places of cuts are treated with fungicides. Each separated part should have 3-4 separate eyes and part of the root collar. There should be several boxes. Each part of the old bush should be approximately the same size. Too large rhizomes get sick for a long time, and small ones can die quickly.
Transfer
Purple peony flowers can be transplanted as a whole bush or rhizomes divided into parts. When the plants are planted in the holes prepared for them, the bushes are sprinkled with earth. The soil surface is mulched with a layer of at least 7 cm. This layer will need to be removed in the spring. At this time, young red shoots will appear on the surface.
Within 2 years, the transplanted plant will tirelessly form roots. Therefore, flowering should not be allowed at this time. All buds that have started on the bush will need to be removed immediately. Flowering takes a lot of energy from the shrub, because of which it can die. In the second year, only 1 bud is left on the branches. When it blooms, it is cut as short as possible.
This procedure will allow you to evaluate the appearance of the flower, how it matches the variety. If the buds do not have characteristic features, on the thirdyear they are also completely cut off. This is done until the plant can produce inflorescences of the appropriate shape and color.
Purple peony sometimes takes a long time until after transplantation it will be possible to produce buds of the corresponding color. This can happen in both the third and sixth year.
Fitting advice
Purple tree or herbaceous peony should be properly planted in the ground. When choosing a site where a flower will grow, you need to take into account that the length of the roots reaches at least 70 cm. Therefore, after the plant is more than 5 years old, transplanting it to a new place will be extremely problematic.
Peonies grow well in well-lit areas. The bush grows well if direct sunlight hits it for at least 5 hours during the day, preferably before lunch. The plant categorically does not tolerate drafts. Therefore, you need to choose protected places for planting.
Don't plant bushes in the lowlands. This is where moisture can stagnate. Because of this, the roots can rot. It is best to choose loamy soil for planting peonies. It should have an acidity of 6-6.5 pH. Sand and humus are introduced into too clayey, dense soil. Sand, wood ash and organic fertilizers are added to peat soil.
Seed propagation
Purple peony can be propagated not only by dividing the bush, but also by seeds. It should be noted that often this method does not allow to save specific features. This method is used most often by breeders.
Lack of breeding peoniesseeds is a long period that passes from the moment the first shoots appear to the formation of buds. It can be about 4 years old or even more.
If the gardener wants to experiment, he should sow the seeds on the site in August. The soil is loosened beforehand. The first sprouts will appear next year in the spring. The bushes develop quickly. They will bloom in late May or June. Although there are also late varieties. They may bloom in July.
Preparing for wintering
Preparation for the wintering of the purple peony begins as soon as the foliage turns yellow. In order for the bush to be able to accumulate strength for this process, it is necessary to remove all faded buds even after flowering. Half a month after this, you need to feed the bush with fertilizers from potassium and phosphorus. The plant needs to be watered regularly. So it can develop properly, prepare for winter.
When the yellowing of shoots and leaves begins, watering is reduced. But this must be done gradually. When frosts begin, the part of the peony that is on the surface of the soil is cut off. There will be almost no stems left.
If the peony was transplanted this year, you need to mulch the soil. Under a layer of peat or other suitable material, cut shoots should not be visible.
If the plant is young, a shelter is created for it. So frosts will not be able to damage fragile roots. For adult peonies, this is not required. Such simple actions will help prepare the plant for wintering. Varieties that are cultivated in our country tolerate fairly severe frosts well.
Performingthe listed recommendations, you can independently grow a beautiful plant. A bouquet of purple peonies will look charming. Also, a shrub planted on the site will be able to decorate the landscape design, giving it comfort. By choosing the right variety, providing the necessary conditions for it, you can get a plant with unusually beautiful flowers. They can have a variety of shapes and shades from pale lilac to deep purple.
