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Blue peonies are still an unrealistic dream of enthusiastic flower growers. Breeders are working on the task, but they managed to get only varieties with lilac petals of cold shades. Therefore, amateurs should soberly evaluate the offers of gardening online stores.
Blue peonies are often just a wonderful result of Photoshop
Are there blue peonies
Peonies are distinguished by a variety of colors – from snow-white to dark red and rich burgundy. The only color that is not in the palette of this culture is blue or blue. Although recently in online stores they often find offers to buy exotic peonies of the color of a cloudless sky. Unfortunately, in reality it is now almost impossible to acquire a variety of such a shade. Genetically, the peony is not inclined to form flowers with blue petals. The absence of the blue color gene in this culture prevents scientists from reaching a solution to the actual problem. As a result of selection, only various shades of lilac-pink or maroon flowers were always obtained, which does not at all correspond to the definition of “blue” in .
Varieties of peonies with flowers of blue and blue shades
Most of the new cultivars with varying shades of lilac are of the tree peony species. Almost all bushes are winter-hardy, covered with lush greenery, which boasts a special decorative effect and decorate the garden throughout the warm season. Many cultivars with purple-burgundy petals can grow in semi-shaded areas.
Blue sapphire
On powerful tree-like shoots of the Blue Sapphire variety, up to 1,2 m high, inflorescences with a diameter of 16-17 cm with light pink petals open. Strong peduncles carry large crowns, the petals of which are painted at the base with dark purple stripes and raspberry-burgundy splashes. The flowers are delicate watercolor, very attractive.
Blue sapphire pleases with flowering for 10-15 days
Blue bird
Plants are tall, up to 1,5 m and above. On strong branched shoots of an adult bush, many terry flower caps of a coldish pink-lilac tone are formed. During flowering, which lasts up to 2 weeks, shoots under lush flowers tend to the ground.
Bush variety Blue bird has a powerful growth
blue chrysanthemum
A variety of a dwarf ruler, growing up to 50-60 cm, with a flower crown with a diameter of 16-17 cm, is placed in a spacious place, away from trees and large bushes. It blooms in late June, spreading an amazing aroma and drawing attention to itself with shiny pink petals with soft tints of purple tones.
Blue chrysanthemum – undersized bush
blue ball
The tree-like variety is known for tall bushes with spreading branches and fluffy caps of flowers of a cold lilac hue with a bluish tint. Crowns are large, 15-17 cm. Flowering is long. Shoots rise over 1,5 m. The variety is winter-hardy and undemanding to care.
The blue ball pleases with abundant flowering
Blue lotus
The bush of the Chinese tree-like variety is winter-hardy, vigorous branches rise to 1,2-1,6 m. Leaf blades are rich green. During the flowering period, the bush is covered with intense pink inflorescences, in the petals of which, when the light plays, they catch bluish hues. Prefers to grow in an open lighted area.
Blue lotus flowers with good nutrition reach more than 20 cm in diameter.
blue doe
The vigorous variety Blue Doe rises to 2 m. A magnificent crown with a diameter of 15 cm or more is formed by vertically standing petals of a lilac hue with bluish nuances with a certain play of light.
On strong shoots, abundant flowering begins in mid-June
Heavenly brocade
The bushes are low, 70-80 cm. In June they are strewn with lush crowns, consisting of glossy pink-purple petals. Flowers sometimes turn into a bluish tint under special, indirect illumination of oblique sunlight.
Heavenly brocade – a representative of a grassy species
rain song
The tree-like peony has luxurious, densely double flowers with a diameter of 17-19 cm. The bush is vigorous, powerful, 1,7-1,9 m high. It blooms magnificently, but for a relatively short time up to 7-10 days. The petals are light purple, delicate lavender in color, along the edge with a delicate bluish tint.
Variety Song of the rain is decorative and with its oblong leaves with burgundy veins
Deep blue Sea
A winter-hardy tree-like peony grows up to 1,3-1,6 m. On the tops of strong shoots, amazing hats of dark purple petals sway, which sometimes surprise with tints of lilac-blue tones. The plant prefers well-drained alkaline soil rich in nutrients.
The variety is striking in the intensity of the color of the flowers
Blue and blue peonies in landscape design
Plants with bluish hues will decorate any garden and give a delicious aroma. Since for the most part they are powerful, sprawling specimens, they are not planted near other plants. Between the bushes, the distance is at least 1,5 m. Also, ground covers are not placed under the peonies. The site is thickened only with early spring bulbs, which precede the flowering of the main crop.
There are many design solutions:
- creation of magnificent curtains on spacious glades;
- tapeworms in the flower beds;
- tall tree-like peonies are placed as a background for lower flowers;
- low-growing varieties are used in border elements;
- profusely flowering bushes and carved leaves look beautiful in rock gardens and rockeries.
Vigorous tree-like peonies are especially decorative. Partners for species with blue shades of lilac-pink petals are plants that are contrasting or harmonious in color:
- cream and yellow daylilies;
- blue sage;
- various irises;
- bright poppies;
- white, blue and purple bells.
Planting and caring for blue peonies
The culture is unpretentious to growth conditions, prefers brightly lit areas, but tolerates partial shade and even needs it in the southern regions. The land should be well-drained, fertile, preferably light loam. When planting, humus, 300 ml of wood ash, 100 g of potassium sulfate and superphosphate are placed in the pit. Acidic soils are limed at the rate of 1 kg of lime or dolomite flour per 10 liters of water. Landing is carried out only at the end of August, in September.
In one place, the peony grows for a very long time. The bush requires abundant, but rare watering. For one adult copy, they spend from 2 to 5 buckets of water, watering the plant under the root. In the spring, fertilize with nitrogen preparations or organic matter. At the beginning of the creation of buds, they are supported with phosphorus preparations. The third time, at the beginning of the blooming of flowers, top dressing is carried out with the same composition. Watering does not stop until autumn and be sure to keep the soil in a loose state.
Pests and diseases
Tree peonies are resistant to various fungal diseases. If a focus of infection is found on plants near the bush, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis with any fungicide. Viral diseases cannot be cured, so plants with mosaic lesions are removed from the site.
Peonies are most affected by neighboring colonies of aphids and ants. To remove ants from the site, either their nests are transferred to the wild, or narrowly targeted preparations are used. Aphids are destroyed by folk remedies, spraying plants with solutions of soda or soap.
In the budding phase, be sure to check the peonies every morning for the presence of bronzes. Beetles suck the juice from the buds and thus disfigure the flower, which has underdeveloped and crippled petals.
If the bush withers, the rhizomes are checked for infection with the root-knot nematode. In the case of a confirmed diagnosis, the plant is dug up and taken to a centralized waste collection point or burned.
Conclusion
Blue peonies with ultramarine petals are a beautiful fairy tale for gullible gardeners. But varieties of lavender shade have their own special charm. The plant will decorate the garden and give it a unique charm.
