Q Twelve years ago, we bought an expensive tree peony with huge salmon-pink flowers and planted it in humus-rich soil in light shade. Growth was painfully slow, and it produced at most two blooms a year, and sometimes none. This winter, it died. How can we be sure of succeeding with a replacement? Donna Carhill, Prestwich, Manchester
A Tree peonies are native to China and have been grown there for centuries, first as medicinal plants and then for the beauty of the flowers. These shrubby, usually long-lived and hardy plants make most of their annual growth in a spring surge of new leaves, flowering in May and June. Leaves fall in autumn to leave a bare framework. I imagine your peony was a showy Chinese or Japanese cultivar; some can be tricky to grow well.
Do try another one, but consider a slightly easier yellow-flowered P. lutea ‘Ludlowii’ or P. ostii (pictured above). First analyze what a tree peony needs and work out what might have killed the original one. A cold, exposed site, poor light, dryness (especially in spring) or waterlogging could be to blame. Early autumn is the best time for planting.
Although partial shade is often recommended, some direct sun is needed for good flowering. On heavy soils, a slightly raised bed helps with winter drainage. A neutral, humus-rich soil is perfect, but slightly acidic or alkaline soils are tolerated.
Denne historien er fra June 13, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra June 13, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters