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The Botan or Japanese Tree Paeonie The Botan or Japanese Tree Paeonie, is revered in Japan along with the Cherry and the Lotus. These differ from the Chinese varieties by being more compact and holding their heads well above the foliage. Although no tree paeonies are native to Japan, Chinese species were introduced around A.D. 734 by Buddhists. They possess excellent, delicately dissected foliage some have a gorgeous glaucous blue appearance others a reddish tinge. Very early in the year strange protruding buds and wrapped red fronds appear. Though they flower for perhaps only a fortnight their large flowers, particularly in my garden are the most exciting and eagerly anticipated. I believe their short flowering time adds to their mysticism and uniqueness. The single flower is more appreciated in Japan, and I believe looks more refined and elegant than the blousy double forms. No other plant exhibits such charm, they have a delicate rose scent, and placing your face into that bowl of beauty is intoxicating. They are virtually disease resistant. However they may get Paeonie wilt and dampen off, preferring an open site where air can circulate. They can tolerate any soil type, generally preferring plain garden soil as oppose to highly enriched compost. They dislike windy situations and when the exquisite flowers are open dislike rain which can soon turn the flowers into a bedraggled mushy mess. As soon as they have flowered, it is generally best to snip the spent flowerheads and developing seed heads off to conserve energy. In the Autumn the Botan can be gently pruned, pruning back to good outward facing buds. You may find the top 4 inches of the plant has died back anyway. Any brown leaves should be burnt to lessen the risk of spores developing over the winter. If purchasing your plant bare rooted it is best to plant it as soon as possible. Generally dig a good 30cm circumference by 30cm depth hole, incorporate some well rotted manure and a handful of bonemeal and place the plant in the hole with graft union is 12cm or so below the soil level. You will be rewarded with the best show of flowers for years and years. Contacts:- Kelways Tree Paeonies Barrymore Farm, Langport, Somerset TA10 9EZ www.kelways.co.uk Burncoose Nurseries Gwennap, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6BJ Kotobuki-bussan 880, Futago, Yatsuko-cho, Yathuka-gun, Shimane Prefecture 690-1406, Japan. Article contributed by: Tim Thomas Submitted on: 15th January 2005 |
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