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Peony Armani belongs to a variety of amazing flowers that have received recognition for their decorativeness and unpretentiousness. In different cultures, the plant is considered a symbol of prosperity. A huge number of varieties makes it difficult for gardeners to choose for the site. If you give preference to Armani, then among the garden crops there will be a luxurious peony bush with amazing flowers.
Luxurious Armani cannot be confused with another variety
Description of peony Armani
Peony lovers pay first of all attention to the external characteristics of the bush. The acquisition of a variety is always associated with the desire to decorate a composition or a certain place.
Peony Armani is considered a unique herbaceous species due to its extraordinary external parameters and beauty:
- The Armani variety bush reaches 90-100 cm in height, which gives the right to call it tall.
Even one bush can decorate the site, but it needs enough space.
- The stems are strong and resilient. They may be slightly branched or erect. In any configuration, they hold their shape firmly. They do not need supports, but during the flowering period, supports will help to withstand lush inflorescences.
- The rhizome of the Armani variety is powerful and strong with thickened roots.
- The leaves are dark green, glossy, fluffy, openwork. They are arranged in sequence. They look very decorative, especially in autumn. During this period, the color of the foliage becomes burgundy-red.
In addition to external decorativeness, the Armani variety has other significant advantages. The frost resistance of the variety is much higher than other types of peonies. Also, the flower resists the winds well. Shoots do not freeze when the temperature drops to -40 ° C. Therefore, the perennial is cultivated on the territory of Our Country, even in areas with a harsh climate. Armani feels great in hot climates too. Leaves and flowers do not fade, they do not get burns from the rays of the sun. The result is that the southern regions are suitable for growing the variety. In addition to the middle zone and the south of the Federation, peony is grown in areas with frosty winters.
Features of flowering
Garden peonies are divided into 5 groups that differ in the shape of flowers:
- Japanese – transitional from simple to terry;
- non-double with 5-10 petals;
- terry has several subgroups;
- semi-double – lush with more than 5 flowers;
- anemone-shaped, have 5-10 petals in several rows.
The Armani variety belongs to the terry group, it is often called densely terry in the description. Peony flowers are large and luxurious.
Silk petals give the flower a unique charm
At the stage of full disclosure, they reach a diameter of 16-20 cm. Another unique feature of Armani is that the color of the flowers changes as they bloom. At first they are ruby, then they become darker, acquire depth and saturation. The final color of the inflorescences is similar to dark pomegranate. The petals are satin and different in size. Those located at the base are much larger than those in the middle of the flower.
The number of petals is huge, one flower consists of 100 or more petals. The inflorescence of the Armani variety resembles a lush ball. The Armani peony blooms for about 4 weeks densely and abundantly. After the variety fades, all decorativeness passes to the stems and openwork leaves. They acquire a reddish tint and decorate the garden until late autumn. The flowering splendor of the Armani variety depends on the fulfillment of the agrotechnical conditions for growing the variety, especially the quality of care after planting. Soil fertility also plays an important role.
Application in design
Projects with a large number of Armani peonies look very decorative. When combined with other species, it is better to choose neighbors in pastel pale colors. Then pomegranate inflorescences of Armani stand out against a light background. To correctly compose a composition with peonies of a variety, you should know its features:
- Perennial and grows in one place up to 10 years. The variety does not like frequent transplants.
- The first 2-3 years will not look very decorative until it gains strength.
- dominant variety. Therefore, companions must be selected for him, and not vice versa.
The Armani peony variety goes well with hybrid tea roses. While the formation of pink buds, the peony begins to bloom. Then roses bloom, and Armani foliage serves as decoration for them. With the dominant position of the peony, it is planted with a decorative bow, cuff, aquilegia, garden geranium, ageratum, marigolds, viola, daisies. In a flower bed, they combine with Siberian iris, cereals, yarrow, common mordovnik, tulips, begonias, undersized dahlias.
Even simple daylilies set off the beauty of Armani
Armani is planted in single or round flower beds, long borders and borders, along the paths.
Armani is a large variety of peonies, so it is not recommended for growing on balconies. The plant needs a lot of space, and the flower pot will be small for him. Some gardeners still grow Armani in huge pots, but it is better to plant special varieties for home growing.
Methods of reproduction
To obtain new seedlings of the Armani variety, it is recommended to use vegetative peony propagation methods:
- Division of the Armani rhizome. The optimal time for the procedure is the end of August or the beginning of September. You need to choose bushes of a variety no older than 3-5 years. Gently remove the root with adventitious roots and place for 6 hours in a dark place. Then cut off all adventitious roots, leaving a length of about 15 cm. Cut the peony rhizome into 2-3 parts, each of which should have 2 developed eyes. Place again in a dark place for 3-4 days, then plant the delenki of the variety in the prepared place. To prevent root rot, treat parts of the rhizome with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Rhizomes must be healthy and strong
- Layering. This method is simple and accessible even to novice gardeners. Choose an Armani bush for propagation. Prepare a box or box without a lid and bottom – only a side frame. In the spring (April-May), rake the soil, expose the peony buds. Put a frame on them, sprinkle with soil on the outside for stability. Fill the inside with fertile soil mixture and moisten periodically. It is also necessary to add soil as needed. It will be possible to cut off and transplant rooted shoots as early as September.
- Trimming. A similar technique is suitable for spring and early autumn (September). After the snow thaws, rake the soil from the Armani peony bush and cut off the part of the root located 5-8 cm below the buds. Transplant.
With any method of breeding a peony variety on new bushes, you will need to cut the buds for the first 2 years after planting. This will serve as a guarantee of the lush flowering of Armani in the future.
Rules of landing
To properly plant an Armani peony, you need to follow certain steps. They do not differ from the traditional planting algorithm, but the requirements of the culture prescribe their own nuances:
- A place. The initial action of the gardener – must be determined in advance in order to prepare it before planting. Armani prefers open sunny areas. In dark places, it will not work to wait for the flowering of the variety. In addition, the variety is recommended to be planted away from trees with a dense wide crown, tall shrubs and walls of buildings. The bush needs to provide good air circulation. The Armani root system does not like the close occurrence of groundwater. It will rot and the plant will die.
- Period. The best time for planting a luxurious variety is the beginning of autumn, the end of August and until mid-September. It is important to take into account the weather conditions of the region and have time to plant Armani a month before the first frost.
- soil. The variety grows well in fertile land. The higher the quality of the soil, the more luxurious the bush. The Armani variety prefers loam with a slightly acidic reaction. The soil must be properly cultivated. Add clay to sand and sand to clay. Apply fertilizer – compost, humus.
Armani planting algorithm:
- prepare landing pits in the form of a cube with sides of 60 cm;
- lay drainage;
- add 1 glass of ash;
- prepare a soil mixture of peat, sand and humus (1:1:1);
- fill the pit with the finished mixture to 1/3 of the depth;
- deepen the roots of the peony by 5 cm;
- sprinkle the rhizome of the peony with garden soil and mulch;
- water (for 1 bush 10 liters of water).
Within 2 years, the plant can not be fed. If you plant several peonies, you need to take into account their growth. 1 bush requires 1,5 square meters. m area.
Armani will delight with lush flowering from the third year of life
Aftercare
Caring for a planted peony consists in watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, and pest control.
The first watering is carried out immediately after planting. Then the peony needs to be watered 1-2 times a week, given the weather conditions. Perennial roots do not tolerate stagnant water. Take settled water, a little warm. For 1 adult peony bush, 2-3 buckets of water are required. Bushes especially need water from late May to early August.
You need to water the variety regularly and plentifully so that it has enough strength for flowering.
Loosening is best combined with watering. The first time the landing circle is loosened 2 weeks after planting, while removing weeds. It is recommended to repeat the procedure once a month.
Peony needs top dressing from the third year of life. In the spring, it is required to introduce nitrogen components, for example, organic matter (manure, compost, humus). During the period of budding and flowering – 2 top dressing with mineral complexes. The plant will need phosphorus and potassium. The variety responds well to foliar spraying.
Mulching the herbaceous Armani peony is a must. This will retain moisture and keep the roots from drying out.
In order for the flowering of the variety to be lush, the first year gardeners need to remove buds that have reached a size of 1 cm. In the second year, one large bud can be left on the stem.
Preparation for winter
September top dressing with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is considered the first stage in preparing a peony for winter. It will strengthen the plant for wintering. Suitable complex “Autumn” or “Autumn”, per 1 square. m enough 30 g of the substance.
Fertilizers can be applied in liquid or granular form.
Although the variety is frost-resistant, it needs to be covered for the first 2-3 years. In the northern regions, this event is also held for adult bushes. Pre-shoots should be cut at a height of 2 cm from the kidneys. Then mulch with compost or peat. Mulch layer 5 cm.
Pests and diseases
The variety is fairly resistant to pests and diseases. For prevention purposes, periodic spraying of the bush with insecticide and fungicide solutions is needed. Watering with Fitosporin prevents the spread of gray rot.
Peonies can be susceptible to fungal diseases – powdery mildew, rust, Lemoine’s disease. To prevent the disease from spreading, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plants.
Among the pests on the bushes, you can see thrips, aphids or bronzovka. In addition to insecticide solutions, spraying with infusions of yarrow or dandelion will help in this case.
Conclusion
Peony Armani will become a real king of the garden with the right care. Gardeners need to carefully adhere to agrotechnical recommendations so that the bush will please with its flowering for many years.