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Unpretentious peonies with delicate flowers are planted in almost all summer cottages. Hybrids are very popular. Peony Julia Rose, thanks to the amazing color of the buds, always attracts attention, and uncommonly decorates flower beds and flower beds.
Pale pink petals in young peonies
Description of Ito-peony Julia Rose
In the middle of the twentieth century, the Japanese breeder Toichi Ito spent a lot of effort to develop a peony with yellow flowers. Crossing a milky-flowered herbaceous species with a tree-like one led to the appearance of an unusual hybrid, called Ito-peony. The new variety Julia Rose successfully combines the advantages of both parents:
- frost resistance inherited from grassy peonies. Moreover, the ground part of the plant dies off in the autumn and there is no need to cover the stems for the winter;
- the hybrid inherited the shape and color of the flowers from tree-like varieties.
The main feature is to show signs of both tree-like and herbaceous plants. General description of peony Ito-hybrid Julia Rose: grow 80-90 cm, bright green leaves look like thin feathers, and densely cover the bushes. Since the stems of Julia Rose are quite strong, they do not fall apart under the weight of flowers and do not need garters.
Experienced flower growers recommend protecting Julia Rose pion bushes from severe northern frosts at the end of the season with layers of peat and hay.
Features of flowering
Semi-double silky buds reach a size of 17-20 cm in diameter, but cannot boast of special splendor. The photo shows how spectacular the bush of Ito-peony Julia Rose looks, on which many buds have blossomed.
It is advisable to plant bushes in groups
Golden stamens are densely located in the center of the flower. According to experienced flower growers, peony bushes older than 4-5 years old delight with maximum beauty. The period of abundant flowering begins in the second half of May and lasts until mid-July, which is facilitated by high-quality care:
- timely watering;
- loosening of the soil;
- proper fertilization of the soil.
The unusualness of this variety of peonies is manifested in a rich palette of shades of petals. Some flower growers call Julia Rose a chameleon for her ability to change the shades of flowers. Blooming buds are cherry red. During the flowering period, the petals gradually turn pale – bright colors acquire pastel orange-pink notes, which imperceptibly turn into a yellow palette. Or the Itoh Julia Rose hybrid peony demonstrates the whole rich range of shades at the same time.
An example of an exquisite palette of colors of the buds of adult bushes
Application in design
The lush bushes of the Julia Rose peony look self-sufficient and do not need a flower company. But with skillful combination with other plants, it is easy to give the landscape design a non-standard look.
To create a game of contrasts, decorative plants with small foliage are planted in a small area next to Ito hybrids. Or peonies of volumetric forms are located near large trees. The tenderness of the buds of pastel colors will be emphasized by the rich green of the juniper bushes.
Picturesquely decorate with Ito varieties and lawns along the paths. Undersized plants (primroses, daisies, cuff) are planted along the edge. Julia Rose peonies serve as a second tier or they have separate groups of 3-4 bushes.
The foliage of the hybrid retains a juicy green hue throughout the season. And this is another reason why an ornamental plant is in high demand among landscape designers.
The original arrangement of flower bushes near water bodies
An outstanding solution is to decorate spacious loggias or large balconies with lush Julia Rose peonies. Volumetric flowerpots are best installed on mobile stands to make it easier to transport the plant to the garage or basement for the winter.
Methods of reproduction
Many varieties of peonies are bred by seeds, but in the case of hybrids, this method is fraught with the loss of species characteristics. Therefore, self-breeding of Julia Rose is possible only vegetatively. The classic is the division of the bush, but in the case of Ito-peons, it must be borne in mind that the rhizome of the plant looks like a group of tangled hard thick sticks with isthmuses.
The use of colored threads or wire will simplify the process of dividing the root
To carefully cut the rhizome, you need a sharp hacksaw. There are few parts, but usually all roots take root well, especially if they are treated with Zircon and Kornevin preparations.
If there are no plans to immediately plant delenki, they are stored in wet sand for storage.
Rules of landing
A suitable period for planting peonies is the end of August – September. Plants are chosen at least 4-5 years old, consisting of 6-7 stems. The procedure for preparing planting material does not take much time:
- The peony is dug up, and the soil is gently shaken off the roots or washed off with water from a hose.
- Cut lines are drawn on the rhizome – each division should have young roots and 2-4 buds.
- Delenki are cleaned of rotten parts, remnants of foliage. Sections are treated with Fitosporin-M, HOM preparations.
You can get acquainted with the intricacies of dividing the rhizome of the bush in the video below:
Elevated areas, well lit, are suitable for planting peonies. The recommended acidity of the soil is slightly alkaline or neutral. The ground should not be frozen so that the plants have time to take root. Hole preparation is important, as the root system of the Julia Rose hybrid will grow in all directions. The optimal size of the pit is approximately 80×80 cm. The procedure for planting divisions:
- 2/3 of the hole is filled with garden soil with the addition of humus and manure. You can mix wood ash, bone meal, double superphosphate (a glass each). If the site has clay soils, then add sand.
- Peony root blanks are pre-treated with stimulants.
- The rhizome is placed in the center of the pit and lightly sprinkled with a sand-ash mixture to prevent decay. The delenka is covered with a layer of earth 3-7 cm.
An example of the use of improvised means when planting peonies
If work is carried out in late autumn, experienced flower growers recommend warming the area with leaves and sawdust planted with peonies. The protective layer after the spring snowmelt must be removed.
Aftercare
The subtleties of breeding hybrid Julia Rose coincide with the rules for growing herbaceous varieties. Key points worth noting:
- moderate but regular watering, fertilization are important at the beginning of the summer period, when the plant spends the main forces on stem growth and bud development. And during the period of bud formation of renewal (end of the season);
- water the bushes under the root mainly in the evenings. After the soil is loosened carefully so as not to damage the root system. To prevent the soil from drying out, use mulch (hay, sawdust);
- if the planting pits were fertilized with high quality, then Julia Rose peonies are not fed for the first two years. From the third, nitrogenous compounds are used in spring and phosphorus-potassium compounds in autumn.
In adult plants, dried flowers must be cut off, which contributes to the laying of renewal buds. Moreover, it is recommended to cut off the very top.
Preparation for winter
In autumn (end of September – first half of October), the ground part of the Julia Rose peony bushes is cut literally to the ground level. In this case, you do not need to worry about the kidneys located on the stems. After all, the main points of renewal are formed on the roots in the depths of the soil. It is recommended to treat the cut surface with sifted wood ash. The green mass is carefully removed and burned to prevent the occurrence and development of fungal infections on Julia Rose peonies.
As a rule, adult bushes do not need additional protection from winter weather and cold. Young plantings must be covered with spruce branches.
Pests and diseases
A feature of the Julia Rose peony is disease resistance. Increased humidity during periods of low temperatures can provoke the occurrence of gray rot. Preventive measures include regulation of watering, change of top dressing.
To get rid of insects, some gardeners use folk remedies: a solution of laundry soap, a decoction of wood ash. If this does not help, the plants are sprayed with chemicals “Bioshield”, “Confidor Extra”.
Conclusion
Spectacular peony Julia Rose always stands out in the flower garden. Caring for lush bushes does not take much time, but the flowers will delight gardeners with an extraordinary color palette for several years.