Description of peonies "Lorelei" and the rules of their cultivation

Peonies are one of the most common plants in the front garden. They are easy to care for, the shrubs grow wide, bloom profusely for several months and delight with a wide palette of shades thanks to the painstaking work of breeders. Among the varieties loved by domestic plant breeders, "Lorelei" is especially distinguished.

This herbaceous interspecific hybrid exhibits bright, voluminous flowers of an orange-pink hue. The buds have a diamond shape, they are densely double. If you plant a bush in the sun, and not in partial shade, as experts recommend, then the color loses its brightness, since the petals fade in the sun and can become a peach hue. According to the description proposed by the breeders, there are no lateral buds during the formation of the peduncle, the diameter of the flower is 14 cm, with a height of the bush of 65 cm. The aroma of the peony emits light, in order to feel it, the flower will need to be brought close to the face.

The described species does not apply to early flowering. The bushes are low, the stems are strong, therefore, even with abundant flowering, supports are not needed. The foliage is green, in a standard form for a peony.

A peony requires little maintenance as long as it is planted in the right place. These flowers respond very poorly to transplantation, so you should not resort to the procedure if there is no particular need for it.

In most of the country, peonies are planted in autumn: at the end of September and in October, and a little later in the south. Peonies will need to be immersed in the ground six weeks before the first frost, this is how much is needed for the plant to take root. The bushes planted in the spring lag behind in growth by about a year from those planted in the fall.

The soil should be fertile, rich in humus, moist, but well-drained. The ideal pH is neutral. The plant needs to provide shelter from strong winds. Plant it away from trees or large shrubs, since peonies do not like to compete for nutrients and moisture.

To plant a tuber, you need a hole 60 cm deep and wide. It is best to add organic material to the bottom, which will serve as top dressing for several years. If the soil is heavy or very sandy, it is additionally enriched with compost. The tuber is immersed in a hole to a depth of 5 centimeters, then covered with soil. It will need to be lightly tamped, thus removing air pockets. After planting, high-quality watering is performed.

It is not difficult to take care of the plant, it usually takes several years for peonies to take root at the planting site. Unlike most perennials, they do not need to be dug up and separated for high-quality flowering. Let's take a look at some tips for caring for these plants.

• Fertilizer should be applied long before the peony is planted in the ground. If the soil is poor, then bone meal, compost or well-rotted manure, which are poured into the soil in early summer, after the peonies have faded, will be the best feeding.Do not fertilize more often than once every few years.
• Sometimes the stems are not strong enough to support the giant flowers. In this case, additional supports can be provided.
• Before wintering, the plant is cut to the root. Such pruning is a high-quality prevention of many diseases.
• Neem oil and a solution of insecticidal soap help fight aphids and other insects. Fungicides work best for fungal infections. Bacterial infections are not cured, but you can try to cure the flower if you orient yourself in time and remove damaged shoots.
• The peony is not watered too often, the main thing is that the soil remains moderately moist. On hot days, you can preserve moisture with the help of mulch laid around the plant. In regions where winters are cold, in the first winter after planting, you can mulch the soil with needles or crushed bark. Remove the mulch in the spring.

The variety is very beautiful, has a unique color. According to plant breeders, it does not require much attention, only high-quality, timely watering and the absence of transplants. Top dressing is practically not needed in the first five years, then you can add a little humus to the soil.

Of the shortcomings, the rarity of the peony can be noted, since it is not so easy to find it. However, it is quite possible to order it online and then reproduce it using one of the proposed methods.

See below for an overview of the Lorelei peony.