Peonies "Duchesse de Nemours": description of the variety, planting and care rules

Peonies are flowers adored by many gardeners. The Duchess de Nemours variety is one of the most popular and favorite varieties. For a long period of time, he held a leading sales position in the Netherlands. In the original language, the flower is called Duchesse de Nemours. He is of French origin. Agronomist Kahlo took up the cultivation of these crops a century and a half ago.

The Parisian fashion for ornamental plants demanded that they be delicate and clean in color, have a light airy aroma and were distinguished by exquisite double inflorescences. Duchesse de Nemours coped with all these requirements. Therefore, he gained fame.

In the cultivation of any crop, the description is studied in order to understand its basic properties. "Duchesse de Nemours" is a medium-sized plant. The peony bush is high, reaches 1 m in height. It grows very quickly. Due to its abundant flowering, it is used and looks great in combined bouquets.

Peony "Duchesse de Nemours" refers to plants of medium or late flowering. It depends on the growing area. The flowering period is 18 days on average. Usually this is the end of April - the first half of May, due to climatic and weather conditions.

Terry inflorescences 15–20 cm in diameter form something like a crown. This gives the bushes a lot of volume and makes them visually very lush. The color of the inflorescences is milky white, sometimes with a slight greenish tint. In the center of the bud, the color is soft yellow or cream in color. This color scheme gives the flowers incredible lightness, tenderness and airiness. The surface of the petals is smooth.

In autumn, the leaves turn crimson, which makes the plant unusually attractive and spectacular.

Cut flowers can last for about a week in good condition. "Duchesse de Nemours" has a very delicate and fresh scent, which is somewhat reminiscent of the scent of lily of the valley.

He loves sunlight very much, but he grows beautifully in the shade. Low temperature resistance (even down to -40 °) is one of the greatest advantages of the plant. Rain also does not interfere with its normal growth. Only young plants, which may still suffer from the vagaries of nature, require special attention.

Other benefits of culture:

• Flowers look unusually impressive in single plantings. Group plantings resemble garden snowdrifts.
• "Duchess" refers to a type of perennial plant. They will decorate the summer cottage for a very long time.
• Endurance, durability and resistance to the cold season. Weather changes have little effect on flowering.
• An amazing fragrance that can fill a home with a delicious scent.
• Flowers are used to make up gorgeous bouquets, including combined ones (for example, with lilies of the valley).

Possible disadvantages:

• short flowering period;
• cut flowers do not last very long (a little more than a week).

For planting crops, it is best to use soil. Loamy soil is excellent.To reduce its acidity, you can use lime, which is poured into the bottom of the dug hole. Dense soil is not suitable for growing.

"Duchesse de Nemours" is a very unpretentious plant. It must be watered in accordance with the weather conditions of the region. In dry weather, the amount of irrigation is increased, in rainy weather, it is reduced. On average, you need to use 2 or 3 buckets of water per bush. It should be warm. It is best to let the water stand for a couple of days before watering.

Three-year-old and adult plants need to be fed 1-2 times a year. Before flowering, organic fertilizers (2-3 kg) are added, and after flowering, mineral fertilizers (potassium, phosphorus) in the amount of 30 g are added. Seven-year-old plants are recommended to be fertilized with humus twice during one season.... The soil must be loosened periodically. Weeds need to be removed.

At the beginning of winter, the bush can already be cut to the very base. At the same time, to improve the properties of the soil, it is necessary to mulch using peat or humus.

Peonies "Duchesse de Nemours" do not need insulation even in the cold season, as they are very resistant to any climatic conditions and tolerate adverse weather conditions, for example, rain well.

Duchesse de Nemours is very resistant to various diseases. If they occur, take the necessary measures.

• The flower should be checked periodically for rust. It is best to deal with it with a 0.1% foundationol solution. Use 500 ml.
• Brown spot is best removed with a solution of copper oxychloride 0.7%.
• Alirin is used to combat ring mosaics.
• Aphids are removed using Agrovertin or Fitoverma.
• To prevent any kind of disease, it is recommended to spray the plant from time to time with insecticides and fungicides.

Peony propagates vegetatively in early autumn. For this, a three-year or four-year bush is used. Plants need to be planted at a distance of 1 m from each other, since they grow very abundantly. A close planting can lead to the creation of excessive shade, and there will be an obstacle to the normal development of the root system.

It is best to stick to the following breeding plan:

• Dig up the soil thoroughly.
• Remove weeds.
• Rinse the roots thoroughly.
• Prepare holes 60–70 cm deep.
• A third of the pit is filled with soil fertilized with organic matter. Added 50 g of superphosphate. For the best effect, it is also recommended to use mineral fertilizers.
• Divide the roots of an adult bush into several parts.
• Plant the resulting small bushes in the pits.
• Fill the second third of the holes with garden soil.
• Cover the rest with sand.

During planting, it is important to carefully monitor that the growth buds are above ground level.... If you do not follow all the conditions, there is a threat that the plant will not bloom. The characteristics of the variety become discernible as early as 2 or 3 years of culture life.

For information on how to plant a peony in spring, see the video below.