The World of the Peony (III)
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The World of the Peony (III) |
Appearance
Peonies are attractive plants from the first shoots in early spring, through the flowering period to autumn. Their vigorous growth, the attractive foliage, the various sizes, the variety of colours of their flowers - there are all the shades from white, pink, yellow and different reds - and the long flowering season from the end of April to the middle of June give the garden lover many structural possibilities
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Shoot of Paeonia 'Ballerina' (herbaceous hybrid). the dark red brown light hairy leaves of this creation of Prof. Saunders are very beautiful in combination with the fresh green of the other plants early in spring. Foto: W. Good |
Herbstfärbung
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The gorgeous plant of Paeonia var. ludlowii has wonderfull coloured leaves in fall. Foto: W. Good |
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Some cultivars of the Suffruticosa group have wonderfull coloured leaves in fall. Foto: W. Good |
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The fine texture and colours of a leave of a cultivar of the Suffruticosa group (detail). Foto: W. Good |
Use
The different forms of growth and colours allow many uses. In the mixed border the combination with other plants and shrubs is most important. It is best to choose the place for the peony first, since it is a dominant plant. A minimum distance of 80 - 90 cm from other high plants is necessary; in combination with low ground-covering plants the distance may be accordingly smaller.
Tree peonies in particular can give wonderful accents to a garden, whether planted in groups or singly.
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Tree peonies above a drive Foto: W. Good |
The different forms of peony flowers
The different shapes of the flowers are very interesting. There are single, japanese, anemone-shaped, semi-double and double flowers in various sizes.
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single peony flower |
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japanese peony flower |
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anemone-shaped peony flower |
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semi-double peony flower |
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double peony flower |
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Floral uses If peonies are to be used as cut flowers it is advisable with many sorts to nip off the side buds in order to obtain a stalk with a bigger and better-shaped flower. They should be cut when the buds are about to open and show their colour, early morning being the best time. The flowers may then last 10 to 15 days in the vase. It is not only the flowers that look splendid in summer bunches, but the deeply cut leaves are also very decorative. |
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Copyright |
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Tel |
+41 (0) 1 954 12
09 |
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