The fernleaf peony ( Paeonia tenuifolia ; USDA zones 4 to 8) is a change of peony that gets its name from its fine , thread - like foliage . While they can be more elusive and more expensive to buy than other types of peony , the fernleaf varieties have the advantage of being particularly long - living .
Fernleaf Peony Characteristics
aboriginal to Eastern Europe , fernleaf peonies are distinguished by their deeply dissected leaves , which are reminiscent of ferns . Fernleaf peonies hand a maximum tallness of about 2 foot , which makes them the smallest type of peony available .
The flower of the fernleaf peonies are a deep red color and have a width of about 3 inch . While each plant only blooms for a workweek or so , the leafage remain attractive and furnish interest through summer and into decline .
for blossom in the spring , paeony must be exposed to 500 to 1,000 chilling time of day , which means hour of exposure to temperatures between 32 and 40 ° F during the wintertime . Peonies that do not get enough chilling hours may not flower .
Tip
paeony must be endanger to temperatures between 32 and 40 ° farad for 500 to 1,000 hours during the winter . peony that do not have enough chilling hours may not blossom in the spring .
Fernleaf Peony Culture
All paeony like ground that has a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 . A grease test can tell you if the soil you are planning to use hasthe right pHfor peonies .
It is also vital that the land for fernleaf peony be well draining and fat in organic matter . That may postulate amending heavy remains ground with compost or other organic matter prior to planting . paeony grown in stain that debilitate poorly may succumb to a condition know as root rot .
When choosing a location for your fernleaf peonies , keep in mind that they grow best when they meet at least six hours of sun a day .
Fernleaf Peonies Care
Established peony plants can handle dry conditions . Aim to irrigate your fernleaf paeony profoundly once every 10 to 14 day . Avoid have the leaves when watering , as doing so can encourage the development of some diseases .
peony that do not receive enough nutrients may not bloom . To forestall this problem , you’re able to feast your peonies in the spring with a fertilizer low in nitrogen to forefend boost foliage growth at the expense of heyday . Work in 2 or 3 pounds of plant food per 100 square foot of territory .
To control the spread of fungi that cause diseases on fernleaf peonies , it is significant to tailor peony flora down to the undercoat after the first frost of the fall and off them from the garden .
Peony Care in Fall
After the grow season , it is good drill to remove spent flower and cum heads from your fernleaf peony plants . This will tolerate the plant to preserve DOE that they can put toward flowering the following year .
Peony plants are susceptible to a few disease , including Botrytis blight ( also bang as gray mold ) and Phytophthora blight . To control the spread of the fungus that get these diseases , it is important to cut peony plants down to the ground after the first frost of the surrender and remove them from the garden .
Fernleaf paeony do not need to be divide . However , if you wish to divide or move your peony plants , the best time to do so is in other fall .
