Sarah Bernard's colorful peony bush lends any sunny corner of the garden a luxurious holiday feel. The strong stems do not lean to the ground, but hold large baskets of a delicate pastel pink almost vertically, allowing you to admire the lush flowering for a long time.
Description
The peony Sarah Bernhardt was bred at the beginning of the twentieth century by the French gardener Pierre Lemoine, naming it in honor of the talented actress. Soon, the peony was adapted to the conditions of Russia by scientists from Moscow University. Possessing a high level of decorativeness, the variety received awards at exhibitions and became the standard of its kind.
Hybrid Sarah Bernhardt blooms profusely and for a long time - from a week to three, but later than other peonies. The bush, 0.9-1 m high, produces single baskets with a delicate aroma on a strong peduncle. Large inflorescences are semi-double or double, pink or spherical. Lush flower - 16-20 cm in diameter, some specimens - up to 25 cm.The petals are slightly concave towards the center of the flower. The color of the petals changes, depending on the lighting and the duration of flowering: from light pink to crimson or purple. The originality of the flowers is emphasized by the characteristic silvery-white border of each petal.
Peony Sarah Bernhardt
On the basis of the hybrid, varieties with white, red, yellow and cream colors were bred and distributed. Peonies White Sarah Bernhardt and Sarah Bernhardt Red are also late flowering. Bushes of derived forms are lower - up to 85 cm, the size of flowers is also smaller - up to 15-17 cm.
Peonies retain their spectacular appearance throughout the warm season, thanks to the dense dark green leaves, which acquire a dark crimson by autumn. The foliage of the Sarah Bernhardt hybrid turns green in April and does not turn yellow in summer.
Agrotechnics
Landing
The peony bush, unpretentious in care, is demanding only at the time of transplantation. The decorativeness of the plant depends on the choice of place and time.
Time
Florists plant peonies from late August to the third decade of September. New bushes bloom in two years.
Planting peonies
Priming
The best soil for milk-flowered peony is loam with low acidity:
- in areas with acidic soil, where the pH reaction is below 5-6, preliminary liming of the substrate for the planting pit is carried out, adding 1 sq. m of soil 450-500 g of slaked lime or 200-300 g of dolomite flour;
- half the volume of clay is added to the sandy loam soil;
- sand is mixed into clay soil;
- good drainage and loose soil are important for rhizomes.
Plot
Peonies develop well in a sunny, cozy place, light partial shade is allowed at lunchtime. Avoid peaty, dry, sandy areas or those where groundwater approaches at a distance of 1 m to the surface. Peonies planted in the shade will not please with flowering.
Seedling preparation
Elastic divisions of peony rhizomes with 2-3 buds are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate or in a garlic infusion for 15-20 minutes. Then the seedlings are placed in the selected growth stimulant, according to the instructions for the preparation. The dried planting material on the sections is additionally treated with wood ash and planted.
Planting process
It is better to dig a spacious hole for a powerful bush Sarah Bernhardt a month before planting. The size of the pit is 60x60 cm, with the same depth. Lay the drainage and prepare the substrate. For fertilization, take 500 g of bone meal, 200 g of superphosphate, a liter can of wood ash.
Peony seedlings
The landing algorithm is followed:
- The rhizome is placed on the finished substrate so as not to deepen the buds more than 5 cm from the ground level;
- Sprinkle with soil, lightly tamping;
- Water with 5-6 liters of water;
- The entire surface of the hole is mulched with peat, humus or plant residues, which are removed in spring.
Care
Unassuming peony Sarah Bernhardt grows well with minimal maintenance. In a well-chosen place, the plant pleases with flowering for 30-80 years.
Top dressing
For the first two years, the bush uses a set of fertilizers laid in the planting pit. In the third year, peonies are fed:
- in early April, after the snow melts;
- in the phase of bud formation;
- two weeks after flowering.
They are increasingly using convenient complex mineral fertilizers for flowers, guided by the attached instructions. In the spring, they also put up to 0.5 liters of wood ash under the bush, sprinkling it lightly with earth. In the summer, at the beginning of July, the introduction of a solution of mullein or chicken droppings is justified. Organic matter is diluted, respectively, in a ratio of 1: 5 and 1:15.
Top dressing
At the end of August, a superphosphate solution is poured under the peony: 30 g into a bucket of water. First, the granules are dissolved in a liter of hot water, leaving for a day and stirring from time to time. Then it is combined with the rest of the liquid.
Loosening, mulching
After watering, the soil is gently, not deeply loosened. Put dry grass as mulch to retain moisture.
Drafts
Windy areas quickly reduce the decorative effect of the bushes, knocking down delicate petals. But strong peduncles, according to the description, can withstand gusts without lying on the ground.
Watering
Watering
Peonies are quite drought-resistant. In spring and early summer, weekly abundant watering is enough for the bushes - 20-40 liters each for an adult plant. Later, watered with the same rate twice a month, if there is no precipitation. In the first decade of August, watering is resumed, since flower buds are laid for the next year.
Irrigation and spraying
It is better to irrigate peonies in the evening to avoid sunburn on a clear day. Sprinkling Sarah Bernhardt's peony bush with a fine spray can help maintain its vibrant beauty in dry weather.
Pest control
Dampness, like pests, can cause fungal and viral infections. Fungicides will help protect flowers from fungal diseases. Viral mosaics often lead to the death of bushes. Usually these plants are destroyed.
Bouquet Sarah Bernhardt
Preventively, peonies protect against diseases and pests in early spring by spraying the bush with three liters of Bordeaux mixture. At the same time, soil disinfection takes place. Gardeners mostly collect bronze flowers from flowers by hand. Aphids are eliminated by using insecticides or soap solution. They also monitor the development of ant families and divert this threat from the bush by transferring the anthill or using poisonous traps.
It is necessary to avoid planting peonies near raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers, which can be sick with viral infections.
Transplant, pruning
Transplanting an old peony bush without dividing the rhizome is useless. In a new place, the plant usually withers. He needs stress due to root damage, which will provide an incentive for the formation of new stems and further development.
Peony transplant
An important point in caring for peonies is the removal of faded baskets, which can become a source of spread of fungal infections. In September-October, the stems are cut to a height of 10-15 cm. They can be used to cover bushes in the cold season.
Wintering
In autumn, peonies are mulched with compost or humus, in a layer up to 3-5 cm. Then they cover the cut bushes with the remains of old stems. Rhizomes winter well under the snow. Additional shelter from scrap materials is not required.
Reproduction
Herbaceous peonies, like the Sarah Bernhardt hybrid, are easier to propagate by dividing the rhizomes in early fall. Experts are engaged in cuttings or remove strong stems for sprouts.
Growing peonies
Application in landscape design
Peonies are expressive soloists; group plantings from monophonic or different colors of varieties also look beautiful. In spring, against the background of their dark foliage, bright bulbous ones win. In summer, petunias, lilies, geraniums, phloxes become partners of peonies, in autumn - asters and chrysanthemums.
Flowers Sarah Bernhardt create an attractive fragrant bouquet, on the garden lawn will become an attractive island for relaxation.
