Peony Cora Louise (Cora Louise)
The group of peonies, called ITO-hybrids, stands out strongly from other varieties of the specified plant. It is represented by varieties whose inflorescences can be safely called royal or even imperial - their appearance is so majestic and refined. One of the most original plants of this type is considered to be the Cora Louise variety. Its two-tone lush buds, like stars, shine against the backdrop of green carved foliage.
Description
The amazing Cora Louise belongs to the intersectional hybrids resulting from the distant hybridization of herbaceous and treelike peonies. Such plants in the environment of florists are better known as ITO-hybrids, and the group of flowering perennials received this name by the name of their creator - Japanese botanist and breeder Toichi Ito.
Directly Cora Louise is a shrub under a meter in height, with shoots that are distinguished by increased strength and decorative dense foliage of a dark green hue that persists until late autumn. The flowers of this plant are very large, up to 25 cm in diameter, semi-double. Their color is mesmerizing at first sight: white-pink or white-cream with a pale lilac tint. But this is with regard to the bulk of the inflorescence. At the base, the petals are painted in rich lavender-purple tones, thus forming a bright spot in the core of the bud. The fascinating picture is completed by a bunch of yellow stamens in the center of the flower. The inflorescences of a spectacular crop open wide and exude a pleasant, light, slightly sweet aroma. In the blooming Cora Louise, many experts notice the resemblance to the mountain peony. Among the ITO hybrids, except for our heroine, there is no longer a variety with almost white petals. Bark Louise is a medium flowering plant. Unusual inflorescences appear on perennials in June. In a couple of weeks, the bush acquires several dozen lush buds.
The shrub does not need support: strong peduncles easily hold flowers of impressive size, without bending under the weight of this beauty. The culture tolerates very low temperatures (-37 ... -39 ° C). A peony can grow in one place for up to 20 years without needing a transplant. The variety is poorly resistant to diseases and precipitation.
Agrotechnical features
The plot of land on which you decide to plant the Cora Louise variety should be moderately lit by the sun, but in the midst of a summer day, the flower should be kept in partial shade. To do this, an umbrella of light fabric or a frame tightened with white agrospan is installed over it. The plant needs a soil fertile, slightly acidic, with the occurrence of groundwater at a sufficient depth, since the perennial does not tolerate waterlogging of the substrate. You can make your own potting mix. The following components are used: leaf earth, humus, peat, sand. It is advisable to add superphosphate and ash to the mixture.
The shrub consumes a lot of water, especially on hot days, so it is necessary to moisten the soil under the flower in an enhanced mode. Cora Louise is watered even in September. The first feeding of the peony is done in the spring, when the luxurious handsome man enters the phase of active growth, the second - in the phase of tying buds, the third - a couple of weeks after flowering. For this purpose, in the first two cases, a mineral complex fertilizer is used, and in the fall - superphosphate.
Of course, like any varietal plant, the original Cora Louise flower needs such care measures as weeding, loosening the soil under the bush, mulching the trunk circle with peat or compost. The latter is especially important to carry out during the preparation of the plant for wintering, as this will eliminate the need to apply organic fertilizer under the bush in spring. You must first cut the shoots of the plant shorter. After mulching, the peony bush can be covered with spruce branches or cut foliage from above.
Use cases
Any type of green space for relaxation is suitable for placing the Cora Louise variety: a flower garden, a front garden, a park, a garden.
