INTRODUCTION OF PEONY SPECIES IN THE STAVROPOL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Abstract

In the Stavropol Botanical Garden, seven species of peony had been being studied for
five years: common garden peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), Paeonia mlokosewitschii (p.
mlokosewitschii Lomakin), Wittman's peony (p.Wittmanniana Hartwissex Lindl.), Paeonia
anomala (p. anomala L.), fern leaf peony (p. tenuifolia L.), Biberstein peony (p. bibersteiniana Bieb.), Paeonia daurica (p.caucasica (Schipcz.) Schipcz).It was found that specific peonies can be grown in culture, because they are decorative and resistant to diseases. Since these
plants became rare or endangered in nature, their cultivation in botanical gardens is almost the
only measure to save them. The ability of wild peony species to produce full seeds when replanting from natural habitats (exsitu) to culture is considered one of the most important characteristics for its adaptation to changed growth conditions. All studied peony species remain
or exceed their natural size in culture. They are resistant to diseases and pests. Plants go
through a full cycle of development in the conditions of culture. They annually develop viable
seeds. As for Paeonia daurica, fern leaf peony, Biberstein peony and common garden peony
species, they are self-sown. Reproduction of specific peonies is possible by seed and vegetative methods. However, growing plants from seeds is a very long process due to the fact that
peony seeds are slow to germinate because of an underdeveloped embryo.
Seedlings grow and form innovation buds slowly, as a result of which the blooming
period occurs during the fifth or sixth year. That is why the vegetative method of reproduction
of peonies is more preferable: young plants bloom in the first or second year after replanting.
The plants are flexible. They are characterized by increased winterhardiness and drought
hardness. They are long-lasting in plantings and are recommended for greenspace expansion
of the Stavropol Territory. They can be used for planting in large groups or single planting, in
open sunny places, in partial shadow. Р. wittmanniana, p. caucasica, p. anomala, p. mlokosewitschii species can grow in the shade.