Step-by-step instructions for planting peonies in the ground in summer for beginning gardeners
The lush and delicate peony has rightfully become one of the most favorite flowers of Russian gardeners. White, pink, burgundy, blue and even black peonies are easy to care for and will decorate any garden or cottage. Growing a flower garden does not take much effort, especially if you plant it in accordance with all the rules. Next, we will consider in detail when to plant peonies in open ground and what tips to follow.
Is it possible to plant peonies in summer?
Peonies are planted in spring and summer. For spring planting, purchase peonies in bags are chosen; they are placed on the site from the end of April to the end of May.
Peonies in containers are planted in the flower garden until mid-summer. If we are talking about division and replanting your own flowers, then any summer day in August is suitable for this procedure.
The advantage of summer planting is that the plant is placed in well-warmed soil. In spring, young flowers can freeze, especially in the northern regions of the country.
There are no downsides to the summer event; The main thing is to comply with the agrotechnical features of the procedure and take into account the climatic conditions of the region.
Important! If you plant peonies at the end of summer, before the first frost they will take root and have time to prepare for the winter. Already in late spring or early summer, the flower will delight you with its blooming.
Summer planting dates for peonies
Suitable periods for planting flowers in the ground are June and July. When choosing a day, gardeners take into account not so much the date on the calendar as the weather conditions.
The best option is a dry and warm day without wind or precipitation. Also, there should be no extreme heat or scorching sun - this will harm perennial flowers. According to the rules, planting is carried out in the early morning before 8 o’clock or in the evening after 19:00.
Favorable days
When choosing favorable days, many summer residents are guided by the lunar calendar. It shows which dates are best for planting flowers. This is explained by the position of the Moon in the sky and other natural nuances.
In 2020, favorable dates are July 28-31 and August 1, 21-23, 31. It is believed that it is on these days that plants take root in the area faster and get sick less often.
How to choose a site for planting
Peonies are perennial flowers, so summer residents choose a planting site carefully and for a long time. Otherwise, the peonies will not bloom and you will have to replant them in a new place. And this harms the plant’s immunity and its root system.
Do not grow flowers near paths - the bushes grow strongly and interfere with the passage. Flowerbeds near fences and houses are also not suitable.
Favorable conditions for peonies
Flowers are unpretentious and take root in any soil. It can be clayey, sandy, mixed soil. However, it is better to add vermicompost to the soil before planting and dig it up well. Peat, sawdust, and compost will not interfere with flowers.
Organic matter nourishes the soil and makes it more fertile. On such land, the peony will take root well and delight you with lush flowering. Choose a place for planting that is sunny or with diffuse partial shade. Winds are acceptable, but not desirable.
Barberries, decorative onions, daffodils and tulips. Summer residents plant these plants in one flowerbed - they get an original and colorful flower garden.
An unfavorable neighborhood for peonies are violets, lilies, lilies of the valley and roses. These plants deplete the soil, which can lead to the death of other flowers.
Important! Peonies should not be planted after honeysuckle, roses, gooseberries and raspberries. At least 2 years must pass from the date of harvesting these crops from the site. But you can plant peonies after greens or legumes - this will not harm the future flower garden in any way.
Use in landscape design
Landscape designers recommend planting plants with smaller inflorescences next to peonies.. These can be flowers of white, blue, yellow, red. Peonies go well with any shade.
Flowers are grown in round, square or tiered flower beds - it depends on the gardener’s plans. It is recommended that after the peonies finish blooming, other flowers continue to bloom. The flowerbed should not be empty.
Also, different varieties of peonies are not planted in the same flowerbed. It is better to decorate the flower garden with chrysanthemums, lilies or asters. Peonies look interesting in the center of the lawn or in rock gardens.
This is interesting:
How to propagate a climbing rose by cuttings in the summer step by step
Why do you need to prune petunia in the middle of summer and how to do it correctly
Preparing the landing site
2 months before planting, holes 60 cm deep are prepared for flowers. The ground is first cleared of debris and plant debris, dug up and fertilized with organic fertilizers. Then wood ash and superphosphate are added to the pit. As a result, the hole should be filled so that about 12 cm remains to the edge.
If the soil is acidic, add dry lime - it reduces the acidity level of the soil.
It is important to maintain an interval of 1 m between peony bushes, otherwise large inflorescences will obscure each other and prevent lush flowering.
Preparation of planting material
For planting, choose two-year-old seedlings 20-25 cm high. It is better to buy them in specialized nurseries; flowers are sold in containers, pots, and bags. Summer residents inspect the roots; there should be no rot, stains or plaque on them.
Yellowing or blackening of the seedling is also unacceptable - this indicates disease and weak immunity. Before planting, peonies are soaked in a growth stimulator. The drug strengthens the root system, thanks to which the flowers take root in the area faster.
Important! Experienced gardeners do not advise buying overdried seedlings with dried or blackened buds. Sellers can assure that the buds will wake up, but it is better not to risk it and immediately purchase a healthy seedling.
How to plant peonies correctly
Planting peonies in the ground in summer is a simple procedure even for novice gardeners. The main thing is to study all the requirements and nuances in advance.
Step-by-step instruction
After preparing the land and treating the roots with a growth stimulator, they begin planting the plant on the site:
- A small mound is placed in the center of the hole.
- The rhizome is placed there and carefully straightened to the sides.
- The buds of the bush are positioned so that they are at a distance of 5 cm from the soil surface.
- Sprinkle the roots with loose and dry soil.
- Water the plant at the root with warm, clean water.
Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake made by summer residents is to bury the flower at a distance of more than 5 cm. Because of this, the roots rot and the buds do not bloom. There is nothing left but to transplant the flower to a new place.
In addition to this mistake, gardeners make the following:
- choose weak and obviously sick specimens;
- do not fertilize the soil with organic matter;
- do not clean from debris and weeds;
- forget to water peonies after planting or allow excess water;
- dig a hole that is not deep enough.
Planting nuances for different types of peonies
There are tree and herbaceous peonies. Tree-like plants grow in bush form on tall and hard stems. Plant height is up to 1 m, flower diameter is up to 30 cm.
When planting tree peonies, make sure that the root collar is 15 cm below ground level. These flowers love partial shade and places protected from the winds. The roots of the tree peony need abundant watering and can grow up to 2-3 m in length.
Herbaceous peonies are distinguished by powerful roots and soft stems up to 1.5 m high and lush foliage.
Before planting, the soil is fertilized with bone meal and superphosphate, the last layer consists of purified sand.
Afterwards, the plant is mulched with peat or manure to protect the roots from external adverse factors. At the end, it is important to compact the soil with your hands.
For different regions
Peonies take root well in all regions of the country. However, in the north, it is better to pre-fertilize the hole with a mixture of superphosphate (100 g), vermicompost (80 g), wood ash (100 g) and peat (50 g). All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and placed at the bottom of the pit.
This fertilizing protects the flowers in case of a sharp drop in temperature. Also, after planting, the flower garden is sprinkled with organic or decorative mulch. It protects against insect pests.
In the south, they pay attention to ensuring that the flower garden is not located under the rays of the scorching sun. It is better to place it in partial shade.Otherwise, the flowers will have to be constantly watered, which will lead to rotting of the root system and death of the entire plant.
Further care
Further care for the peony flower garden consists of standard agrotechnical procedures. Water peonies as the soil dries - once every 7-10 days, depending on the region.
Gardeners recommend heating water in the sun, as cold water provokes the development of fungal and infectious diseases. Before the procedure, the ground is loosened and cleared of weeds. The depth of loosening is no more than 5 cm, otherwise the root system can be damaged.
Attention! It is necessary to inspect the flower garden for the presence of pests. Flies and mites love to feast on young leaves. When an insect is found, the bush is dug up and the root system is examined. The peony is burned. If there are no signs of damage, they try to revive the plant - they treat it with Fitosporin and plant it back.
The first feeding of peonies consists of potassium sulfate (25 g) or ammonium nitrate (20 g). The products are scattered around the bush, after loosening the soil. Afterwards, the peony is watered to avoid chemical burns to the roots.
After 3-4 weeks, the plants are sprayed with a solution of 100 g of sugar, 100 g of yeast and 10 liters of warm water. The mixture is left for 2 hours and then used as a preventative against pests.
Advice from experienced gardeners
In order for peonies to quickly take root in the garden plot and delight summer residents with their appearance and wonderful aroma, it is recommended to follow the following tips:
- Prepare the soil 2 months before planting. This should be a well-lit, sunny area away from marshy areas.
- Buy seedlings only from trusted places.Before purchasing, inspect the planting material - it should be free of rot, stains, and traces of insects.
- For planting, choose a dry and warm day. Do not plant a flower in the rain or in strong winds.
- Follow neighborhood rules and plant peonies away from roses and violets. It is also not recommended to build a flower bed where raspberries or honeysuckle used to grow.
- After planting and after each watering, mulch the peonies with wood chips or river sand. This will give the flower garden a well-groomed appearance and protect the plant from insects.
Conclusion
Peonies are planted in partial shade, having dug up the ground in advance and adding organic fertilizers to it - peat, vermicompost, manure. The depth of the planting hole is about 60 cm, the distance between the bushes is at least 1 m.
For planting, healthy two-year-old seedlings 20-25 cm high are selected. They are placed in a hole, the roots are straightened and sprinkled with loose soil. Afterwards, water generously with water heated in the sun and mulch. Further care for the flower garden includes regular watering and fertilizing, loosening and preventive treatments.