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Peony Collis Memory is a sprawling shrub with strong trunks. Produces several beautiful pale apricot flowers with cherry splashes. Collis Memory has good winter hardiness: it withstands winter frosts down to -35 ° C. This allows you to grow it in almost any region of Our Country.
Description of ITO-peony Collis Memory
Peony Collis Memory refers to ito-hybrids, i.e. obtained by crossing herbaceous and tree-like specimens. Its bushes have signs of both one and another variety.
The bushes are sprawling, quite tall (90-100 cm). The stems are dense, do not need support. The leaves are deep dark green in color, slightly dissected. By autumn, they become crimson, which gives the plant a special appeal. The first flowering occurs after 2-3 years, and the bush becomes the most beautiful after 5 years. The culture is photophilous, but tolerates light penumbra well. In the south, a slight shading from trees or shrubs is desirable.
Peony Collis Memory belongs to the 3-4 winter hardiness zone, it can be grown in such regions of Our Country:
- Central part;
- The Urals;
- Southern Siberia;
- Far East.
Since the flower loves the sun, it grows best in areas with a lot of sunny days.
Features of flowering
The color of the petals is pale yellow, pinkish at the edges, with narrow stripes of rich cherry color. The diameter of the flowers reaches 16-20 cm. They exude a pleasant aroma, felt at a short distance. Terry flower, European shape. The flowering period is medium early, falls on the end of May – the beginning of June, the duration is 2-3 weeks.
The splendor of flowering depends on care. Also, when planting a Collis Memory peony, it should be noted that this bush loves sunny, open places. The soil should be sufficiently fertile and light, not waterlogged; if necessary, a drainage layer is laid in the planting holes.
Application in design
Peony bushes are usually used in single plantings. These are bright, attractive flowers that decorate the lawn, places next to benches, gazebos and other recreation areas. It is even better to use Collis Memory in group plantings:
- in mixborders;
- rock gardens, simple flower beds or complex flower beds;
- on the banks of the reservoirs.
Collis Memory looks good in compositions with decorative perennial grass, low (up to 50-60 cm) hosts and conifers. For example, thuja can be planted on the back row or around a peony bush. Nearby you can plant juniper or dwarf firs. Such compositions are appropriate in rock gardens.
You should not plant bushes next to Buttercups, which aggressively capture space, as well as next to large shrubs and trees. They will not only give a strong shadow, but also neutralize the attractiveness of lush flowers.
Methods of reproduction
Ito-peony Callies Memory refers to hybrids, so it will not be possible to obtain new specimens from seeds. The plant is propagated in other ways:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- division of the bush.
The last option is the easiest. It does not require much effort, besides, the resulting “kids” are immediately ready for planting and quickly take root in a new place.
You can divide the bush at the age of 4-5 years. The procedure is started in early September, approximately a month before the first frost. The bush is dug up with a sharp shovel, the rhizome is cleaned from the ground and cut with a knife so that there are 2-3 healthy shoots on each division. Planted in the ground with an interval between plants of 50-70 cm.
Rules of landing
Peonies are planted in late August or early September. When choosing a site, they are guided by the design of the garden and practical considerations – the site should not be shaded or swampy. The soil is light, with slightly acidic or neutral reaction pH=6,0-7,0. If the soil is known to be alkaline, this can be corrected with fresh manure, citric acid (1 tsp per bucket of water) or 9% vinegar (10 tsp per 10 liters of liquid).
For planting, a mixture of the following components is prepared:
- garden soil – 1 bucket;
- compost – 20 kg;
- superphosphate – 200 g;
- potassium salt – 60 g.
Sequencing:
- The site is cleared of debris and grass, dug to a shallow depth.
- Then they dig a hole, if there are several of them, then they maintain a distance of 50-70 cm.
- The planting mixture is poured and the seedling is rooted so that the root neck remains above the surface at a height of 3-4 cm.
- Well watered and mulched.
For these purposes, you can use fragments of brick, pebbles, expanded clay and other small stones.
Aftercare
Peony Collis Memory is not too picky about care. For a plant, it is enough to provide:
- Moderate (weekly) watering. In the presence of rain, additional moisture is not required.
- Top dressing 3 times per season: nitrogen fertilizer in April, at the beginning and after flowering – a mixture of superphosphate and potassium salt.
- Root mulching (a layer of peat or sawdust conserves moisture and inhibits weed growth).
- Periodic loosening of the soil, especially after fertilization.
Experienced gardeners recommend replanting peonies to a new place every 5-7 years. It is also better to do this in early autumn. To work, you will need a sharp shovel and great physical strength, since the powerful roots of peonies go to a depth of 1 meter or more.
Preparation for winter
Collis Memory peonies, like many other varieties, do not require special preparation for winter. The last time he is fed in mid-August: they give superphosphates and potassium salt (for example, potassium sulfate). Such top dressing helps the roots survive even severe frosts.
Care in early September will be as follows:
- Total pruning of all branches – shoots are left only 4-5 cm in height.
- Abundant pre-winter watering (2 buckets per bush).
- Mulching is optional, but young seedlings can be covered with a layer of needles, peat or straw. This is especially true for the Ural and Siberian regions.
Pests and diseases
Peony Collie Memory is quite resistant not only to cold weather, but also to diseases. However, the defeat of viral and fungal infections is not excluded:
- rust;
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- leaf mosaic.
Often typical pests parasitize on the bushes:
- aphid;
- thrips;
- ants;
- nematodes.
Conclusion
Peony Collis Memory is an attractive bush that gives lush, large and fragrant flowers of unusual color. Caring for it does not require special skills, so both experienced and novice gardeners can grow such a flower.