Characteristics of plants of the genus Paeonia L. in the Botanical Garden Mariae Curie Sklodowska University in Lublin. Part I. Phenological stages

Abstract

In 2001–2003 at the UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin 9 different species of peony, growing in 4 sections of the garden, were evaluated. The phenological phases of the studied plant species: start of vegetation, leaves development, the beginning, peak and end of blooming were estimated. During winters of 2001 and 2002 plus temperatures were reported, which contributed to the early start of the growing season. Frost in January and February 2003 caused damage to shrubby peonies so they began vegetation later and bloomed much less. In the middle of May, when there was a high temperature, peonies bloomed successively, they began flowering at the first 10-days’ period of May and finished at the end of the month, or even on the first days of June. The longest flowering period was characteristic of P. delavayi (16–20 days) and P. veitchii var. veitchii (15–21 days). Warm and dry summer contributed to the early end of the vegetation. P. tenuifolia ended vegetation the earliest in the 3^rd 10-days’ period of July. The longest growing season was found for P. mlokosewitschii. Peonies, long-lived perennials of high decorative value, especially during flowering, deserve a greater use in green areas.