Fern Leaf Peony
Facts about Planting and Growing the Fern Leaf Peony
The fern leaf peony is so attractive that settlers actually carried the plant with them across the western part of the United States as they migrated there. The red peony is a symbol of good fortune when it comes to love and romance, according to Feng Shui. It is also meant to keep love and passion alive, as well as provide protection. This alone gives it some history that few plants in most gardens have.
When the fern leaf peony was being transported across the United States, the settlers bound the roots of the plant in wet rags and set off for their new homes with the rest of their prized possessions. Now, you, too can plant your own fern leaf peony using just the roots, only without the hassle of toting it across 10 states on the back of a covered wagon.
The peony blooms around Mother's Day and if you plant them near your door they are meant to help keep evil away. They are able to grow for years and years, although in the sweltering heat of summer their blooms usually become dormant. Still, you have the bright green foliage to look forward to during this time.
They are herbaceous perennials and their thick roots can be planted in the soil in the fall with an almost assured bloom in the springtime. For most of the year, they remain underground and hidden. However, when they do finally come out, they are very lovely to behold. The leaves are a purplish shade and finely divided and produce single blooms that are dark red in color. The blooms themselves can either be highly ruffled and double in shape, single, or contain one row of petals with a large center.
The peony tubers can be planted in the fall in garden beds, about 1 to 2 inches deep. It is best to work organic matter in around them. They do well when you fertilize them yearly although for the most part you can leave them alone and let them grow on their own. They infrequently need to be divided and are fairly hardy plants. They can even survive neglect and live to be one hundred years old.
When planting them in your garden, they do well when planted alone or near other plants. Unlike other peonies, the fern leaf peony does not grow more than a foot tall and doesn’t fall under the weight of its bloom. It also gives off various other colors throughout its growing season, which means that in the fall, even after it ceases to bloom, you can enjoy a bronze and purple tint to it.
Unlike some plants, they actually do well in the wintertime, too. In fact, they need a winter chill in order to bloom properly in the springtime so don't be afraid of letting them feel some cool air. In the spring and summer, however, they need full sun to partial sun in order to grow. They also need good drainage, too, to ensure that they don't develop root rot.
Many people prefer to plant the fern leaf peony because while they have beautiful blooms, they are extraordinarily easy to care for. In fact, they require very little care at all! Like the rose, they are lovely to look at. Unlike the rose, however, they can be left undisturbed to grow and flourish on their own. For the gardener that wants an attractive bloom for their garden, but doesn't have a lot of time to spend on the upkeep of it, then it can be a great addition.