How to grow a wonderful peony Sarah Bernhardt at their summer cottage
Peony Sarah Bernhardt was bred at the beginning of the 20th century by the French gardener Pierre Lemoine. He named it after the famous actress of the time. The lush beauty of the plant also interested Russian scientists. Therefore, they adapted it to more severe climatic conditions. The flower has received high awards at various international exhibitions. In addition, growing a crop does not require special skills. It is enough to know the basics of floriculture and the desired plant will decorate the summer cottage.
External shine and unique beauty
Leaves of an openwork configuration are neatly strung on the stems. The plates are colored deep green. With the onset of cold weather, they do not turn yellow, but only acquire an unusual dark red hue. The tops of the shoots are decorated with single large buds, 16 to 25 cm in diameter. The shade of the petals directly depends on the flowering time and the amount of light. Varieties of varieties also play an important role.
The most popular are these options.:
- "Red";
- "White";
- "Unique".
The "Red" variety is distinguished by its high frost resistance. It grows up to 80 cm. The openwork foliage is dark green. The petals of the buds are pink and bright red. The diameter of the blossoming flower reaches about 15 cm.
An invariable part of wedding bouquets is the white peony Sarah Bernhardt "White". Its delicate petals have a rounded shape and a silvery frame. They look spectacular against the background of bright green leaf plates.
Peonies of the "Unique" variety will appeal to lovers of pastel shades. The buds are pale pink or light lilac. Variegated variations sometimes occur that include white streaks.
When choosing a variety, it is advisable to take into account the style of the landscape design of the site.
Peony Sarah Bernhardt: planting and care
The amazing variety of colors gives the florist the opportunity to create a unique design for his site. They bring a lot of joy to their fans. However, they need care and attention. Of course, this also applies to the peony Sarah Bernhardt, which stands out clearly against the background of other flowers. Consider what is needed for this.
Ideal location and soil characteristics
The first step is to choose a suitable “place in the sun”. Open areas with plenty of light are best. In extreme cases, use a light partial shade, which is formed by tall trees. Flowerbeds are located in the center of lawns or near residential buildings.
With a lack of sunlight, peonies do not bloom, which means they lose their main purpose.
Peonies Sarah Bernhardt prefer mixed soil. It should have enough clay and sand. If the soil in the flowerbed is too loose, add humus. Wetlands are not suitable for crops. High humidity leads to decay of the rhizome.
Landing scheme
First, prepare the landing pit. Then it is covered with a mixture of the following components:
- sand;
- clay;
- small-caliber crushed stone;
- compost;
- humus.
If necessary, apply ash or potash fertilizers. The resulting substrate is left for about a month so that it is properly compacted.When the designated period has passed, a seedling is placed in the hole. Sprinkle with earth, slightly trample and watered abundantly. The top layer of soil in the root zone is covered with peat, sawdust or straw.
The width and depth of the funnel must be at least 70 cm.
Care rules
An exquisite peony Sarah Bernhardt is able to decorate the territory of a country house. During flowering, it is impossible to take your eyes off the majestic buds. A heady aroma remains in the mind until next season. When caring for a flower, you should remember a few simple rules.
Watering
Usually, herbaceous peonies tolerate drought wonderfully, so they are moistened once a week. 10-15 liters of water are poured under an adult bush. The amount of precipitation and the age of the crop affect the amount of moisture.
With prolonged sultry weather, the bushes are sprayed with a spray bottle.
Loosening the soil
The next day after moistening, the upper soil is carefully weeded. Thanks to this, the root system receives an additional dose of oxygen. The procedure is done with a hoe, taking care not to damage the roots. To prevent moisture from evaporating, the surface of the earth is covered mulch.
Fertilizer
The first 2 years after planting, the plant does not need feeding. It receives useful substances from the prepared substrate.
But already in the 3rd year, peonies are fertilized in three stages:
- in early spring;
- during the formation of buds;
- after flowering.
As a rule, substances of a potassium-phosphorus nature are used. Also, an aqueous solution of low concentration chicken manure will not hurt. In early spring, ash is introduced into the soil.
Pruning and preparing for winter
After a violent flowering, wilted parts of the culture are removed. Ignoring this procedure often leads to various diseases of the peony Sarah Bernhardt. In mid-autumn, the entire ground part is cut off, leaving stems about 15 cm high. Then they are abundantly covered with earth and the remains of a bush. Peony cultivar Sarah Bernhardt tolerates cold winters with temperatures as low as -40 ° C.
Landscape design
Sarah Bernhardt's bright red, snow-white or pink peony looks great in gardens, parks and summer cottages. It is often used in single landings. From the outside, they look like royalty. Peonies play a major role in this flower carnival. No wonder they are named after the famous French actress.
To create exclusive compositions, the culture is planted against the background of honeysuckle, hellebore and barberry. Lush bushes are placed along curbs or garden alleys. By combining different tones, they get a chic decoration for the recreation area.
We carefully examined the phased planting of the peony Sarah Bernhardt and caring for him at their summer cottage. An important condition is the choice of a sunny place and the preparation of the landing pit. Care consists in proper watering, timely feeding and pruning of the plant. In addition, the peony fits wonderfully into the landscape design of the backyard area.