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Peony Laura Dessert is a herbaceous bushy perennial. This variety was developed in 1913 by the French company Dessert. The beautiful milky-flowered peony quickly became popular due to its large size and its attractiveness. It can be grown in one place for a long time, if properly planted and provided with proper care.
Description of peony Laura Dessert
Peony is a popular perennial that can be found in many flower beds. The variety Laura Dessert has the following characteristics:
- the height of the bush is 0,8-1,2 m, it grows strongly, becoming sprawling;
- strong stems;
- fleshy root tubers;
- large and dissected leaves of dark green color, shine;
- high winter hardiness – Laura Dessert perfectly survives the cold even at -34-40 ° C;
- the variety is photophilous, but does not like direct sunlight, the peony feels great in partial shade;
- medium resistance to diseases and pests;
- manifestation of varietal qualities for 2-3 years after transplantation;
- the stems of Laura Dessert are strong, so no supports are needed;
- shear stability.
Peony Laura Dessert can be grown in different regions. In areas with a harsh climate, it is recommended to make a shelter for the winter.
Peony Laura Dessert can grow in one place for decades
Features of flowering
Peony Laura Dessert is a large-flowered, double, herbaceous anemone plant. Its flowering period is medium. Depending on the region, the bush begins to bloom in late May or early summer. Flowering continues throughout June, occurs sequentially – some flowers are replaced by others.
Laura Dessert is a lush shrub with large inflorescences. The outer petals are wide and snow-white, in the center there is a dense yellow-cream crown. Flowers in diameter reach 15-16 cm. Gradually, the inner petals fade to a white-cream color.
Laura Dessert flowers attract with their magnificent aroma with light fresh notes of citrus. The splendor of peony flowering depends on several factors:
- Plant life year – in full force begins to bloom only for 3 years. The first 2 years a powerful rhizome develops, therefore during this period it is recommended to cut off all the buds. For 3 years, the bush will have a maximum of strong shoots and the most lush flowering.
- Competent landing. The deepening of the rhizome is important. If it is on the surface, then the peony will suffer in cold weather, it may die. With a strong deepening, the bush will be voluminous, but will not bloom.
- Space. The proximity of buildings or other obstacles reduces the pomp of Laura Desert.
- Proper care. The splendor of flowering depends on watering, fertilizing.
- If you need to achieve lush flowering of Laura Dessert, then after the formation of the main bud, you do not need to get rid of the side buds. They need to be broken out when you want to get large flowers for cutting.
- Laura Dessert should be cut, leaving at least half of the stem. Together with the leaves, it is important for the further development of the bush, which will be reflected in the future on the splendor of flowering.
- For the splendor of the bush for the next year in the current season, you can not cut it heavily immediately after flowering or cut it to the base.
- Disease prevention. The defeat of the peony by fungi is especially reflected in the splendor of flowering. It is important to prevent such troubles, and at the first sign of them, carry out appropriate treatment.
Due to the wide outer and small inner petals, a two-tiered shape is formed.
Application in design
The splendor of the Laura Desert variety makes it possible to grow this variety separately. Even a lone bush will look good. Peonies look great on a green lawn.
One of the options in landscape design is the creation of a pionaria. Together with Laura Dessert, you can plant other varieties with a similar height, but in different shades – red, raspberry, pink.
In a group planting, 3-7 bushes look good
Laura Dessert can be used to create mixborders with other perennials and annuals. Tall peonies will look good next to shrubs, they will perfectly set off evergreen crops – juniper, boxwood, dwarf pine, thuja. The delicate color of Laura Dessert will perfectly emphasize the unusual color of blue fir trees.
Peonies of this variety can be used in the creation of discounts, low hedges. Laura Dessert can be grown in flowerpots, but this variety is too high for balconies.
Can be combined with different colors
In small areas, good neighbors for Laura Desert are bergenia, cuff, daisies, primrose. Delphinium, foxglove will help to vertically stretch the landing. This technique allows you to balance a large number of lush flowers, make the composition neater.
Peonies are not recommended to be planted next to heavily growing crops, as they will interfere with their growth. You should also not fill the gaps between the bushes with other plants. It is better to leave a place for loosening and watering.
Methods of reproduction
Laura Dessert can be propagated in many ways:
- seeds, this option is used by breeders;
- root cuttings – this method is good when you need to get the maximum number of seedlings;
- vertical layering, easy propagation method, suitable for bushes 5-8 years old;
- division of the bush.
The most effective way to propagate Laura Dessert is to divide the bush. You need to choose plants 3-7 years old so that the rhizome is well developed. You can divide the bush from the second decade of August to mid-September.
It is necessary to divide the bush after pruning, cuts and scraps should be treated with charcoal
Rules of landing
Planting and transplanting peonies can be done in the fall.
For the successful cultivation of Laura Dessert, the following conditions are needed:
- a well-lit area, but shaded at noon;
- lack of drafts;
- remoteness of groundwater, otherwise the roots will rot;
- fertile, well-drained soil;
- loose earth – hard ground means the risk of plant death;
- Laura Dessert prefers loamy, slightly acidic soil;
- space – the root system develops well, the bush grows rapidly.
If the soil is clay, then add sand. Sandy soil is corrected with clay. If the soil is acidic, lime is added – 0,2-0,4 kg per 1 m².
An important point is the choice of planting material. It is better to refuse old bushes, as they may not take root or die next year. The best option is a plant from a nursery that is 1-2 years old, or a part separated from the bush with 2-3 buds and a rhizome 10-15 cm.
Plant a peony Laura Dessert as follows:
- Prepare a hole. Deepen by 0,6 m, the width is the same.
- The next day, fill the hole 2/3 with soil mixture. Take equally garden soil, sand, humus, peat.
- Add ash and superphosphate, sprinkle with earth.
- Place the bush in a hole, deepen the root neck by a maximum of 5-7 cm.
- Water the seedling thoroughly.
It is recommended to leave 1-1,5 m between adjacent plants.
Aftercare
Caring for a peony Laura Dessert is easy. The plant needs the following measures:
- Water every 4-7 days. Watering should be moderate.
- Loosen the soil regularly. Do this after watering, while the ground is moist.
- In the spring, the peony is fed with complex nitrogen fertilizers for growth, development, and a set of green mass. During the period of bud formation and flowering, Laura Dessert needs mineral top dressing. It is better to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
- Mulch peonies should be in the spring. It is better to use rotted horse manure, the layer should be small. It is not recommended to use rotted leaves and straw, this is a risk of fungal diseases.
Preparation for winter
After cutting the flower stalks, the Laura Dessert peony needs to be fed. Apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. It can be superphosphate and potassium sulfate or wood ash and bone meal. Nitrogen fertilizers should not be used during this period.
Before the cold weather, peony Laura Dessert needs pruning. The stems are harvested to the very soil, then sprinkled with dry earth. This should be done in mid-October, leave 1-2 cm above the kidneys.
For pruning, you must use a sharp tool, all plant residues after the procedure must be burned
Mature plants do not require shelter, but young peonies in regions with cold or little snow winters need such protection. Peat, immature compost, sawdust can serve as a heater. The layer height is 5-15 cm. The cut bush can be covered with a wooden box or a plastic container, dry branches can be placed on top.
Pests and diseases
Peonies are susceptible to fungal diseases. One of the most common problems is rust. Affected leaves should be removed and burned. For treatment, Bordeaux liquid (1%) is used, the entire plant is sprayed with it.
Orange, reddish or brown pads appear on rust-affected leaves, these are fungal spores
A serious problem is gray rot, which affects all parts of the peony. It manifests itself as brown spots around the stem near the root collar, wilting of young shoots in the spring, and the appearance of gray plaque (mold) over time. The affected parts of the peony must be cut off, the remaining plantings should be shed with Tiram in a 0,6% suspension. For prevention, the bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid in the spring, and they get rid of ants.
The causative agent of gray rot is the fungus Botrytis cinerea, its spores persist in the soil, plant debris
Adult peonies can be affected by powdery mildew. It appears as a whitish coating on the upper parts of the leaves. To combat the disease, you can use Figon (solution 2%), a solution of laundry soap with soda ash (0,5%). Spray the bushes twice with an interval of 1-1,5 weeks.
To prevent powdery mildew, it is necessary to burn plant residues, use nitrogen fertilizers moderately, and do not forget about potassium-phosphorus supplements.
Peony Laura Dessert can also be affected by a virus. One of these diseases is mosaic. On the leaf plates, light green and dark green stripes alternate.
Affected plants cannot be cured, therefore they can only be destroyed
In addition to diseases, peony Laura Dessert can suffer from pests. Ants are one of the enemies. They carry viruses, eat leaves with petals. Anteater, Muracid, Ant, Expel will help get rid of pests. From folk remedies, a decoction of bay leaf, boric acid balls with honey or jam, infusions of tansy, wormwood, lavender, mint, anise are effective.
If ants appear on buds that have not yet blossomed, then the flowers may not open at all or will be deformed.
Another peony pest is aphids. This small insect feeds on plant sap, attracts ants, and carries diseases. Actellik, Fitoverm will help get rid of it.
If there are few aphids on the bushes, then you can collect it manually, the natural enemies of the pest are ladybugs
Dangerous for a peony is golden bronze. The beetle reaches 2,3 cm in length. Feeds on petals, leaves, stems. Beetles must be collected by hand, insecticides can be used during the budding period.
To prevent the appearance of bronze, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil at the end of summer, and this period accounts for the pupation of the insect.
Peony roots can be affected by the gall nematode. This is manifested by knotty swellings, inside of which there are worms. Affected plants must be removed and burned, Formalin (1%) should be used to disinfect the soil.
The prevention of root-knot nematodes is the burning of plant sediments, deep digging of the soil before planting, careful selection of planting material
During the growing season, thrips larvae can be seen on peonies, and when buds are formed, these small insects feed on the juice of the petals. A solution of Karbofos (0,2%) will help get rid of pests. Spraying is carried out several times a season.
Thrips can be dealt with by folk methods – infusions of yarrow, dandelion
Conclusion
Peony Laura Dessert is a herbaceous perennial with large flowers and a delicate cream color. It can be combined with many plants, used in single and group plantings. Peony is unpretentious in care, not afraid of cold weather, can grow in one place up to 30 years.
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