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The exquisite peony of the Maxim Festival will become a real decoration of any garden. The variety strikes with its decorative qualities. Its delicate snow-white inflorescences not only fascinate with beauty, but also exude a fragrant aroma. The variety was bred by French breeders in 1851. Since then, the Maxim Festival peony has spread to many countries, gaining popularity among gardeners around the world.
Peony Maxima Festival fascinates with its large double flowers and fragrant aroma
Description of the herbaceous peony Maxim Festival
Lactic-flowered peony of the Maxim Festival is a perennial tall herbaceous culture. In one place, a flower can grow for about 20-30 years. The height of an adult plant reaches an average of 1 m, but some specimens can grow up to 1,2-1,3 m. The bush is sprawling, with strong shoots covered with wide openwork dark green leaves. The foliage gives the plant a decorative appearance in autumn. The leaves do not turn yellow during this period, but acquire the original burgundy-red color.
Thanks to strong stems, the plant retains its shape even during lush flowering. Because of this, the Maxim Festival peony does not need to be tied to a support, especially in the first few years after planting. But sometimes bushes need support when growing in regions with frequent gusty winds.
Spreading bushes do not need to be tied to a support
Peony Maxima Festival is adapted for growing in the temperate climate zone, but it can be cultivated in the northern latitudes, as it is quite frost-resistant. This culture is able to withstand significant temperature drops, down to -40 ° C.
Features of flowering
Peony Maxima Festival is characterized by abundant flowering, which begins in May-June. It lasts for 14-20 days. The variety belongs to the large-flowered group of herbaceous plants. A large number of large inflorescences are tied on one bush, the dimensions of which reach 20 cm. The flowers are terry, consisting of many tightly fitting petals.
Basically, all the inflorescences of the peony of the Maxim Festival are white, sometimes with a pink tint. But at the same time, pink or red strokes can be seen on the central petals. This is a kind of highlight of the peony of the Maxim Festival, in a special way shading its milky color. In addition to the bewitching beauty, the flowers also have a very pleasant and rather strong aroma.
A distinctive feature of the variety are the characteristic red marks on the tips of the central petals.
The main flowering phase of the Maxima Festival peony begins 2-3 seasons after planting. At first, the bushes bloom magnificently and smell incredibly fragrant. But every year the number of buds and the size of flowers decrease. Regular top dressing and proper crown formation will help to cope with the problem. Lateral stems and buds must be pinched, while paying special attention to the central peduncle.
Application in design
Peony Maxima Festival is one of the most popular flowers among gardeners. It is widely used in landscape design – in solo and mixed plantings, in group compositions.
Peony Maxima Festival can occupy a central position among other garden plants, the main thing is that they are not located too close to it
Very often, peonies of the Maxim Festival variety are planted along the perimeter of fences and fences.
Methods of reproduction
The most effective way to propagate the Maxim Festival peony is to divide the rhizomes. Seedlings obtained in this way are called delenki. They can be purchased at specialized nurseries or stores. You can also propagate the peony of the Maxim Festival on your own, separating the delenki from the mother bush. Each should have at least 2-3 well-developed buds. It is recommended to carry out this procedure in August or early September.
It is advisable to purchase seedlings in a proven nursery
Rules of landing
The best time to plant a Maxim Festival peony is autumn. At the same time, it is recommended to transfer seedlings to the ground as early as possible so that they have time to take root before the onset of frost. The peony of the Maxim Festival tolerates the spring transplant worse. Plants take much longer to adapt and may not even bloom. The buds open very early, so they can fall off.
Peony Maxima Festival loves space and sunlight, which should be considered when planting. In one place, the bush will grow for more than one year, so it is necessary to assume in advance whether it will eventually have enough space and sun. Do not place seedlings near houses and other buildings. Rainwater flowing from the roofs will destroy young sprouts breaking through the ground in spring. The distance between them must be at least 2 m.
It is not recommended to plant peonies next to large shrubs and trees, as they can oppress flower bushes, taking micronutrients from the soil. Drafts can also be fatal for the peony of the Maxim Festival.
The soil of the peony variety of the Maxima Festival prefers neutral or slightly acidic soils, with an acidity level not higher than 6,0-6,5. The soil should be sufficiently nutritious and loose. It is not recommended to plant bushes in sandy and wetlands. The presence of excess moisture will provoke rotting of the roots, which will subsequently lead to the death of the plant. You can lower the pH of the soil by adding wood ash or lime.
Landing hole preparation rules:
- Dig a hole first, at least 70 cm deep. The root of the plant grows up to 60 cm in length, so it needs a place for subsequent development.
- Equip drainage at the bottom of expanded clay, coarse sand or gravel.
- Mix the top layer of soil with humus and peat. Add 1 tbsp. superphosphate or wood ash.
- Return the prepared soil mixture to the planting hole.
- Give the prepared well time to settle, at least 14 days.
Each seedling must be carefully inspected before planting. They must be absolutely healthy. In this case, it is necessary to remove all dry, damaged or rotten stems, leaves and root shoots.
It is necessary to place peony seedlings of the Maxim Festival at a distance of 1 m from each other. Do not over-bury the plant when planting. The upper bud should be no more than 3-5 cm below ground level. A deep-planted bush will have weak shoots. Also, the setting of buds will be significantly reduced.
When planting, do not deepen the upper buds of the plant too much.
Aftercare
Peony of the Maxim Festival is a rather moisture-loving culture, therefore, immediately after planting, the bushes need abundant watering. To keep moisture in the soil as long as possible, the near-trunk circle can be mulched with peat or hay.
The first year after planting, the peony of the Maxim Festival is unlikely to bloom. During this period, the bush will increase the green mass. Flowers do not need fertilizers in the first years. Seedlings will have enough nutrients introduced into the soil during planting. The main thing is to loosen the soil in a timely manner and remove weeds.
Preparation for winter
At the end of the summer season, mineral fertilizers and humus must be applied under each flower bush. Peony of the Maxim Festival is a fairly frost-resistant variety, so the bushes do not need shelter for the winter. Pre-winter preparation consists in cutting off the shoots. In this case, the height of the stumps should be 1-2 cm above the leaf buds. Pruning is carried out in the fall with the advent of stable frosts. It is impossible to cover bushes with cut foliage, as this will provoke the development of gray rot. You can sprinkle the bushes on top with a layer of immature compost or peat.
In October, the shoots of faded peonies are pruned
Pests and diseases
Peony Maxima Festival is characterized by increased resistance to diseases and pests. But sometimes ants attack flower bushes. They climb into the buds, thereby causing harm to the plant. Insecticides are used to control ants.
With an excess of moisture, the flowers can rot. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to thoroughly loosen the soil, as well as add dry soil.
Conclusion
Peony Maxima Festival is an unpretentious plant with large and fragrant flowers, loved by many flower growers. These beautiful bushes do not need complex care or a lot of sunlight. At the same time, the plant can decorate gardens and flower beds with its flowering for more than a year.