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Peony Miss America has been pleasing flower growers since 1936. It has repeatedly received awards from various flower growing societies. The culture is frost-resistant, unpretentious, pleases with long and luxurious flowering.
Miss America’s airy flowers are arranged on strong shoots that do not lean into the soil
Description of the peony variety Miss America
The herbaceous milky-flowered peony of the Miss America variety has a compact bush with a semicircular crown, which is formed by erect strong shoots. The diameter and height of the bush is 60-90 cm. A strong root system feeds strong shoots that branch weakly. In the lower part of the stems, covered with leaves, a powerful peduncle rises upward. Dark green leaf blades are trifoliate, shiny above. Thanks to the leaves, the Miss America peony bush retains its decorative effect until the end of the warm season.
The variety is sun-loving, shows all its attractiveness only in an open area, in the presence of a sufficient amount of humus it develops rapidly. Miss America is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the middle lane. Plants are frost-resistant, rhizomes under a layer of mulch can withstand low temperatures down to -40 ° C.
Features of flowering
Gardeners highly appreciate the semi-double Miss America peony. The herbaceous large-flowered variety is characterized by lush and long flowering. The brilliance of the peony is given by wide snow-white petals and yellow-golden stamens, which enliven the middle of the flower. Wide folded petals are arranged in two to four rows. In a mid-early peony, buds bloom at the end of May or in the first decade of June. Flowering time depends on the geographical location of the site and weather conditions.
Each Miss America flower does not crumble for a long time, up to 7-10 days. The combination of bright white and yellow shades gives the peony variety airiness and elegance. The diameter of large flowers of an adult Miss America bush reaches 20-25 cm. During flowering, a slight aroma is felt. Each peduncle carries at least three buds. Large flowers are formed on the bushes:
- growing on a fertile substrate;
- receiving a sufficient amount of moisture and fertilizing;
- correctly formed.
Peony buds are normalized at the beginning of development. 1-2 buds are left on the peduncle.
Application in design
The Miss America peony is an ideal element in many bouquet arrangements or a component in garden decoration. The bush is planted as a soloist in a flower bed or on a lawn, as well as in compositions with other peonies or flower shrubs. Snow-white inflorescences solemnly look against the backdrop of coniferous crops. Great partners for Miss America are bright red peonies or varieties with wine-colored petals. If several peony plants are planted, they are placed in a checkerboard pattern.
To accompany Miss America, various undersized flowers are selected, for example, primroses, geyhers, violets. Carnations, irises, bluebells, lilies are planted nearby. The main rule in combinations of plants with peonies is that near a luxurious bush, the soil for one and a half to two sizes of the near-stem circle should be available for loosening and weeding. In such conditions, nothing prevents the rhizomes from developing.
Flower growers do not confirm the negative effect attributed to the peony on roses. If the bushes are too close, less than 1 m, both plants will suffer from a lack of ventilation.
After blooming, the petals of pale pink buds become dazzling white
A medium-sized variety of herbaceous peony can be grown in flowerpots with a volume of 20 liters on terraces. On balconies and loggias, specially bred low varieties of a lush flower are planted. Culture does not like transplants. It is recommended to place the rhizome immediately in a large container. Kadochny culture is given increased attention to:
- regular watering;
- top dressing every 14-17 days;
- removal of extra sprouts in the spring – no more than 5-7 shoots are left;
- careful wrapping of containers for the winter.
Methods of reproduction
The Miss America herbaceous peony is propagated most often by dividing the rhizome. This is the most effective way to get a new, healthy and strong plant. Experienced gardeners also root cuttings cut from stems in summer, or propagate by cuttings from spring shoots. The method of dropping layering from the formed stems is also used.
The easiest way is to divide the mother bush of adult peonies in the fall, at least 5-6 years old. Such seedlings take root well and begin to bloom profusely in the second or third year.
Flower buds form on the rhizome in early August. At the end of September, white thick roots are completely created, in which plants store nutrients. In the interval between these important processes for the peony, it is easiest to divide the rhizomes and select new planting material.
Rules of landing
Miss America peonies are best transplanted in late summer or early autumn. Only as a last resort, peonies are moved at the very beginning of spring. In the middle lane, delenki are planted from the second decade of August to the middle of September, planting in the southern regions continues until the end of the month. An important requirement for the timing of planting is that the plant has time to take root before the ground freezes.
When choosing a site for peonies, follow these requirements:
- it is brightly lit by the sun;
- located 1 m from buildings, since constant ventilation is necessary to prevent diseases;
- land with neutral soil – pH 6-6,5.
The culture develops well on loams.
To plant a Miss America peony, they dig holes 50-60 cm deep and the same diameter. Drainage is placed down with a layer of 5-7 cm. The planting substrate consists of garden soil, humus or compost, a glass of wood ash. The substrate is poured into a hole, a rhizome is placed, the soil is slightly compacted, sprinkled with the remaining soil and watered. For the development of a peony, 2 years are required, then a period of lush flowering of the bush begins. In one place, the peony blooms wildly for up to 20 years.
Aftercare
The large-flowered Miss America peony requires frequent watering, at least 1-2 per week. In the south, the frequency of watering along with evening sprinkling may increase, especially during the drought period. Watering does not stop in August and September, since moisture in the ground is necessary for the constant development of the rhizome. The area where peonies grow must be kept in order, weeds are regularly removed and the soil is kept loose.
The Miss America variety is fed at least 3 times:
- in early spring;
- in the phase of growth and creation of buds;
- in the fall.
In the spring-summer period, nitrogen and potash fertilizers are used, and in the fall, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are necessary for laying flower buds and winter hardiness.
When choosing a seedling, the rhizome is examined, it should be without damage, with several buds
Preparation for winter
Faded buds are cut off so that the plant does not waste energy for the formation of seeds. But the shoots are left to grow with the leaves until late autumn in order to ensure the normal process of photosynthesis and the development of replacement buds.
In late autumn, before frosts, peony stems are cut off above ground level. Wood ash and bone meal are added to the trunk circle, covered with loose garden soil or mixed with compost from above. Peonies should not be covered with improvised materials. This can only be taken care of in regions with a harsh climate, especially for young seedlings. Adult bushes only spud with soil and put compost or peat on top.
Pests and diseases
Preventing the spread of fungal infections, gray rot and rust, in the fall, old leaves, along with stems, are removed from the site. In the spring, the bush is treated with a new generation of fungicides. The trunk circle during the growing season is kept well-groomed, weeds are removed. For a densely leafy bush, good ventilation is important, a sufficient distance from other crops.
Garden ants and bronze beetles annoy the flowers, which, by sucking the juice from the buds, spoil the appearance of the petals. The beetles are harvested primarily by hand, and the ants are controlled with targeted drugs, as they can also carry disease.
Conclusion
Peony Miss America is one of the most spectacular varieties. Proper placement in the flower bed, timely prevention and compliance with other requirements of agricultural technology will allow you to enjoy long flowering and a pleasant aroma in the garden.
