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Peony Duchesse de Nemours is a variety of herbaceous culture species. And despite the fact that this variety was bred 170 years ago by the French breeder Kahlo, it is still in demand among gardeners. Its popularity is explained by stable lush flowering regardless of weather conditions and a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma reminiscent of lily of the valley.
Duchesse de Nemours looks good in the flower bed, in the garden, and is also suitable for cutting.
Description of the peony Duchesse de Nemours
Peony Duchesse de Nemours is characterized by a sprawling, medium-sized bush, reaching a height of 100 cm and a width of 110-120 cm. Branched shoots that grow in all directions give splendor to the plant. They are densely arranged openwork dissected leaves of a dark green bottle shade. By autumn, the plates acquire a crimson tint.
Duchess de Nemours, like all herbaceous peonies, has a well-developed root system. It is formed in this culture very specifically. Every year, new root shoots form above the replacement buds at the base of the bush. And older ones – gradually thicken and turn into a kind of tubers. As a result, the root system of an adult bush deepens by 1 m, and grows to a width of about 30-35 cm.
In this variety, above-ground shoots die off in the fall, but with the advent of spring, the bush very quickly gains green mass. A young seedling grows within three years. When growing, the plant does not require support, as it has strong shoots.
Peony Duchesse de Nemours is highly frost-resistant. It easily tolerates temperatures down to -40 degrees. Therefore, it can be grown in all regions where winter frosts do not exceed this mark.
This variety is photophilous, but can withstand light partial shade, so it can be planted near tall crops that come into vegetation late.
Features of flowering
Duchess de Nemours is a terry variety of herbaceous peonies of medium flowering time. The bush begins to form buds in April or early May. Lush flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, depending on the region of cultivation. This period lasts about 18 days.
The diameter of the flowers at Duchesse de Nemours when blooming is 16 cm. The main shade is white, but closer to the center the petals have a soft cream shade. Flowers do not lose their decorative effect after rain. Such a non-monochrome color makes this peony variety especially attractive and elegant.
The splendor of flowering depends on the location of the plant in the garden or in the flower bed. Duchesse de Nemours, with a lack of light, grows bushes and reduces the number of buds. It is also important to fertilize in a timely manner so that the plant has the strength to fully bloom.
Cut peony flowers retain their decorative effect for a week.
Application in design
Peony Duchesse de Nemours looks spectacular in group plantings with other dark varieties of culture, with the same flowering period. Also, this species can be planted singly against the background of a green lawn or coniferous crops.
In mixborders, Duchesse de Nemours goes well with delphinium, foxglove, perennial asters and gelenium. To create contrasting compositions, this variety is recommended to be combined with poppy, irises, geyhera and cloves, where the peony will play the main role.
Duchess de Nemours also looks great against the background of other decorative and deciduous perennial crops, where the latter play the role of a kind of background. This peony is not suitable as a tub culture, as it forms a long root. If desired, it can be used as a gazebo decoration by planting bushes on both sides of the entrance.
Tall trees can also serve as a backdrop for group compositions of the Duchesse de Nemours peony.
Methods of reproduction
This variety of peony can be propagated by seeds and “delenki”. The first method is used by breeders when obtaining new types of culture. With seed cultivation, the peony bush blooms in the 6th year after planting.
The second propagation method is ideal for obtaining new seedlings. But it can only be used if there is an adult Duchesse de Nemours bush, which has been growing in one place for many years and has begun to bloom poorly.
To obtain “delenok” it is necessary to dig out an overgrown plant at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn. Then it is good to clean the ground from the root and wash it so that the plexus of the processes can be seen.
Beginning gardeners are advised to divide the Duchesse de Nemours peony root into strong “delenki”. Each of them should have 3-5 buds at the base and 2-3 well-developed root shoots 8-10 cm long. More experienced flower growers can use seedlings with 1-2 buds and 1-2 root shoots. But in this case, the process of growing a peony will be longer and painstaking. Prepared seedlings should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, and then planted in a permanent place.
Rules of landing
Planting a newly acquired seedling of the Duchesse de Nemours peony is best done in the northern regions in September, and in the southern and central regions throughout October.
A place for this culture must be selected well-lit and protected from strong gusts of wind. It is necessary to have a peony at a distance of 2 m from tall crops and at a distance of 1 m in a row. The groundwater level on the site must be at least 1,5 m. The plant prefers loam with a low level of acidity.
The peony seedling should be well developed, have at least 3-4 above-ground shoots and a well-developed root system. In this case, the plant should not show any signs of damage. The landing pit for Duchesse de Nemours should be 60 cm in diameter and depth. It must be filled in advance with a nutrient mixture by combining the following components:
- sod soil – 2 parts;
- leaf earth – 1 part;
- humus – 1 part;
- sand – 1 part.
Additionally, add 200 g of wood ash and 60 g of superphosphate to the resulting substrate. With this nutrient mixture, you need to fill the planting hole by 2-3 volumes.
Landing algorithm:
- Make a small elevation in the center of the planting hole.
- Put a seedling on it and straighten the roots.
- When planting, growth buds must be placed 3-5 cm below the soil surface.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth.
- Seal the surface.
- Water the plant generously.
It is necessary to plant a plant at least 3 weeks before the onset of frost.
Aftercare
In the first year, the peony seedling actively builds up the root, so it forms few above-ground shoots. Throughout the season, it is necessary to ensure that the soil at the base does not dry out and constantly loosen the soil surface. To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the root circle with humus. It is not necessary to fertilize the plant in the first year.
Peony Duchesse de Nemorose is unpretentious. Therefore, it does not require special care. Starting from the second year, the plant needs to be fed during the period of active growth of shoots with mullein at the rate of 1 to 10, and during the formation of buds – with superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (25 g) per bucket of water. The rest of the care is the same as in the first year.
Preparation for winter
It is not necessary to cover the adult bushes of the Duchesse de Nemours peony for the winter. In late autumn, above-ground shoots should be cut at the base. In young seedlings up to 3 years of age, it is recommended to cover the root circle with 5 cm thick humus mulch. And with the advent of spring, this shelter should be removed, since this crop has an early growing season.
You need to cut off the shoots of a peony with the arrival of the first frost.
Pests and diseases
This herbaceous peony variety is highly resistant to common pests and diseases. But if the growing conditions do not match, the immunity of the plant decreases.
Possible difficulties:
- aphid – when this insect appears, it is necessary to spray the bushes with Inta-Vir or Iskra.
- Ants – to combat them, it is recommended to sprinkle the ground and shoots with buds with tobacco dust or ash.
- brown spot – for treatment, a 0,7% solution of copper oxychloride should be used.
- Rust – Fundazol helps to fight the disease.
Conclusion
Peony Duchesse de Nemours is distinguished by light soaring flowers that rise above the bush. Thanks to this feature, this variety retains its leading position to this day. In addition, it is characterized by stable and lush flowering with minimal care.
Peony reviews Duchesse de Nemours
