Peony Henry Bockstoce (Henry Boxtos): description, reviews, planting and care

Tatyana Panasenko Purchased peonies of the Henry Bockstoce variety

In 2016, I purchased the Henry Bockstoce variety. I can’t describe how I waited for the flowering; in 2022, a wonderful bush grew, but it didn’t have enough strength to flower, but this year it produced 6 flower stalks.

I sat down to study how to properly care for the plant and when to fertilize it.

I have collected a whole selection of interesting information.

History of selection

Peonies began to be grown as an ornamental plant in ancient China. Since then, breeders have developed about 5,000 new varieties with different characteristics and features. They differ in flowering time, bush shape and height, aroma and color. According to the existing classification, peonies are divided into three groups:

1. Tree-like - perennials with woody shoots that do not die in winter, up to 2 m high.
2. Herbaceous - shoots change annually.
3. Ito hybrids are varieties created by crossing tree and herbaceous peonies; the stems die off in the fall.

The milky-flowered peony "Henry Boxtos" is an interspecific hybrid bred in 1955 in the USA. The originator of the variety is Bockstoce William S. Since then, “Henry Bockstoce” has spread throughout the world and a magnificent plant with giant red flowers can be seen in any garden.

"Henry Boxtos" - a hybrid with an average flowering period

Description of peony Henry Boxtos

The perennial herbaceous plant has strong stems that can hold flowers without additional support. Peony leaves are twice trifoliate, pointed, light green with a yellow tint. Their length is from 20 to 45 cm. The roots are brown, thickened, spindle-shaped.

The peony bush "Henry Boxtos" is spreading, reaches a height of 1 m. At the top of the shoots, one bud is formed, which, after opening, turn into large, double, blood-red flowers. Their petals are dense, wide, with a satin sheen, and curved inward. The flower head is spherical in shape and reaches 20 cm in diameter. When blooming, the outer petals deviate outward from the center.

The abundant flowering of the Henry Boxtos peony is observed in early summer and is accompanied by a pleasant, strong aroma.

Peony variety Henry Bockstoce

• Variety name in Russian: “Henry Boxtox”
• Country of origin: Netherlands
• Bush height: 0.9 m
• Location on the flower bed: with direct sunlight
• Soil requirements: moderate humidity

This is an early variety that does not have a pronounced smell. It will not give you an enchanting aroma, but it will more than give you visual splendor! The fact is that this variety of peonies has stunning flowers: they are as double as possible, painted in garnet color, the petals shine and shine in the sun. The inner petals form a tight bud inside the flower, which the side petals carefully encircle. If you cut a flower right down to the sepal and take it in your hand, it will be visually impossible to find the place where it was attached to the stem.

Application in design

When choosing a place in the garden for the milky-flowered peony Henry Bockstoce, you should take into account the size of the bush and allocate sufficient area for it. The plants thrive in individual plantings and look impressive against the backdrop of a neatly trimmed, lush green lawn. Perennials look no less interesting against the background of conifers - spruce, juniper, thuja.

Peony blooms once - in the first half of summer

Landscape designers recommend combining the Henry Boxtos peony with clematis, phlox and roses. It is used in the design of mixborders created from continuously flowering perennials.

You should not place plants in flowerpots, even large ones. The root system needs sufficient space, and if it is limited, the Henry Boxtos peony feels depressed and stops blooming.

Important! Henry Boxtos peonies do not like acidic soil; soil with a neutral reaction is more suitable for them.

What kind of variety is this

The Henry Bockstoce peony was bred by Canadian specialists. The interspecific hybrid immediately became desirable for many gardeners.

Description and characteristics

The bushes reach a height of 80-100 cm. The shoots are straight, buds develop at the top of each of them. The color of the double flowers is garnet-red. When in bloom, the inflorescences reach a size of 20 cm. They emit a delicate aroma.

How the Henry Bostox variety blooms

Under the influence of large flowers, the shoots will bend, so some gardeners use a garter. Peonies of this variety are resistant to frost and have good immunity.

For your information! Several generations of a family can admire the bush, since it can grow in one place for 100 years.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Positive qualities include the following characteristics:

• beautiful appearance;
• possibility of use for cutting;
• frost resistance;
• good immunity;
• drought resistance.

Disadvantages include lodging of shoots in strong winds.

Use in landscape design

Peony Henry is planted alone or in combination with other plants. Lush bushes look beautiful next to evergreen conifers. They are also planted near gazebos, in flowerbeds, and in mixborders.

Single planted Henry Bostocks

Compositions made from peonies of different varieties look impressive.

Reproduction methods

The easiest and most effective way to propagate the Henry Boxtos peony is by dividing the rhizome. To carry it out you need to perform a number of sequential actions:

1. At the end of August, cut off the above-ground shoots of the plant by a third.
2. Carefully dig the rhizome out of the ground.
3. Carefully free it from the soil by rinsing it with water.
4. To make the roots elastic, lower them into the cellar for several hours.
5. Prepare a sharp, disinfected knife.
6. Cut the rhizome into pieces so that each has full roots and several buds.
7. Treat the cut areas with a solution of potassium permanganate, crushed coal or wood ash.

Important! Peony rhizomes that are at least 5 years old are suitable for division.

There are other methods of reproduction that are used extremely rarely. The cutting method is very labor-intensive and ineffective. Reproduction of the Henry Boxtos peony by seeds leads to a deterioration in its species qualities, since it is a hybrid. A plant grown in this way blooms in the sixth year.

When propagating a peony by division, pay attention to the condition of the kidneys

Planting and care

The optimal time for planting Henry Boxtos peonies is the end of August or the first ten days of September. At this time, it is convenient to dig up and divide the rhizome into “divisions”. Planting at the end of spring is acceptable, but in this case flowering will occur only in the next season.

For perennials, choose a sunny place, sheltered from northern winds. The soil should be loose, well-drained, with a neutral reaction. Peonies tolerate swampy soil and excess moisture worse than its lack. You should not plant the peony “Henry Boxtos” in low parts of the site or near structures where drifts are possible in winter and stagnation of water in spring after the snow melts.

As planting material, select “cuts” with 2-3 buds without damage, rot or cavities.

Important! Choosing a rhizome that is too large can cause the plant to refuse to flower after a few years.

To prepare for planting, the Henry Boxtos peony is dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate for 1 hour, after which it is powdered with ash or coal. If planting is delayed for some time, to reliably preserve the rhizome, it is wrapped in damp moss and craft paper.

When planting plants, adhere to the following algorithm:

1. Dig a hole 60x60x60 cm.
2. Place two buckets of rotted cow manure in the bottom.
3. Pour 3 buckets of a mixture of garden soil, compost and ash on top.
4. Place the “delenki” in the center of the planting hole so that the buds are at least 3 cm above the surface.
5. Fill in the rhizomes and compact the soil a little.
6. Water and mulch the soil.

Important! If the buds are not deepened correctly, the Henry Boxtos peony does not bloom.

Pomegranate peonies “Henry Boxtos” look very advantageous next to white and pink varieties

Growing a flower, how to plant it correctly in open ground

In order for the plant to develop normally, it is necessary to carry out planting work correctly.

Planting with root cuttings

Rose Henry Kelsey - planting and caring for the crop

To plant from root cuttings, it is recommended to select and dig up a healthy bush, and then carefully divide it into fragments. Each part should include roots and 2-3 buds.

What time does boarding take place?

It is recommended to plant peonies in late summer or early autumn. Planting material is often sold in stores in February or March. In such a situation, spring planting is acceptable.

Selecting a location

The peony should be planted in a well-lit area. It should not be swampy or too low. Peonies can suffer from stagnant water, which negatively affects root development.

How to prepare the soil and flower for planting

Long peony roots need to be trimmed to 10-15 cm. To disinfect them, you should use a solution of potassium permanganate. To speed up the rooting process, you can sprinkle the roots with a growth stimulator.

The bed needs to be cleared of debris and dug up. It is recommended to add sand and black soil to heavy and clayey soil. It is important that the soil is loose and permeable.

Step by step landing procedure

• Dig a hole measuring 90x90 cm.
• Place a drainage layer on the bottom.
• Add substrate.
• Place the seedling in the hole, straighten the roots and sprinkle with soil.
• Compact the soil and water.

Important! It is not recommended to deepen the root collar too much. To retain moisture in the soil, it must be covered with a mulch layer.

For peonies to grow well, they need to be planted correctly.

Planting by seeds

Gardeners usually do not use this propagation method. It does not allow the characteristics of the mother plant to be preserved. Most often it is used by breeders to obtain new varieties.

Features of cultivation

Peony "Henry Boxtos" is an unpretentious plant that does not require special care. For its growth and development, it is necessary to water, fertilize, loosen and mulch the soil in a timely manner.

The perennial is moistened as needed, maintaining the soil at medium moisture. Watering of young plants that are at the stage of rooting and beginning of the growing season is monitored more carefully. Despite the ability of the Henry Boxtos peony to survive drought, you should not allow the soil to dry out. In hot weather, about 2 buckets of clean, settled water are poured under an adult plant in the evening.

Weeding is especially necessary during the first time after planting. Weeds are removed, and the soil around the Henry Boxtos peony is carefully loosened without damaging the roots located in the top layer. Immediately after loosening the soil, mulch it to slow down the drying process. For this purpose, dry grass, leaves and straw are used.

The plant needs periodic feeding, thanks to which it actively develops and blooms profusely. Both organic and mineral fertilizers are used. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizing is used twice - during budding and immediately after flowering.

Plant care

In order for the plant to develop normally and bloom luxuriantly, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality care.

Watering and fertilizing

Peony Duchesse de Nemours - growing a variety in the garden

The plant requires moderate watering. Only during active flowering the soil is moistened more abundantly. In the first year of cultivation, peonies should be fed. This ensures the formation of healthy roots. It is best to use preparations with minerals.

Important! After flowering is completed, strengthening components should be added to the water. Potassium and phosphorus are suitable for this.

Mulching and loosening

The root system develops upward, so the soil around the bushes should be carefully loosened. The soil should be added to the shoots. Mulching the soil is important. It helps retain moisture in the soil.

Preventative treatment

In unfavorable conditions, there is a risk of peonies being affected by diseases and parasites. To prevent the occurrence of problems from the root circle, it is worth removing weeds, leaves and carrying out preventive treatments. To do this, insecticides are used 3 times during the season.

Protection from diseases and pests

According to expert reviews and species descriptions, the Henry Bockstoce peony is resistant to diseases and pest damage. With incorrect agricultural practices and unfavorable environmental conditions, there is a risk of a number of diseases:

• gray rot is a fungal disease that affects shoots in spring or autumn, which leads to their drying out;

• root rot - the appearance of a white coating on rhizomes that rot and the entire plant dies;

• rust - brown spots on leaves with a dark border and swellings with fungal spores on the back side;

• mosaics are a viral disease that manifests itself in the form of a marble pattern on leaf plates.

To combat pathologies, the Henry Boxtos peony is treated with fungicides three times a season. For prevention purposes, you should use a clean, disinfected tool for cutting shoots, remove wilted leaves, buds and stems, and if the damage is significant, dispose of the entire plant.

Some insects cause significant damage to Henry Boxtos peonies. Among them:

• aphids - located on the leaves in groups, eat the buds, suck out the juice, which leads to wilting; insecticides are used to combat them;

• the bronze beetle is a bright beetle with a golden color that eats the entire flower; the most effective methods of destruction are manual collection of pests or the application of Medvetox or Thunder under the bush;

• root-knot nematodes are microscopic pest worms that attack the roots; such a plant must be dug up, burned, and the hole treated with a solution of 1% formaldehyde.

Luxurious handsome peony Kansas

Every year, Peony Kansas wins the hearts of summer residents and gardeners with its beauty. Luxurious velvet buds have won more than one heart. These flowers look like terry balls. It blooms very densely, emitting a wonderful aroma. A beautiful and unpretentious flower. It can be planted in pots and placed on the window. It is also called the king of the flower garden.

Peony Facts Kansas

1. It is considered a perennial plant;
2. Long flowering period (May-June);
3. It is considered an unpretentious flower;
4. Has stems 100 cm high;
5. The leaves are wide, dark green;
6. Terry buds of bright red and white color reach a size of 29 centimeters;
7. Drought resistant;
8. Cold resistant;
9. The plant is used to combat various diseases;
10. With good care, it can grow in one place for 10 years;
11. Does not lose its decorative effect for 7 days.

Peony lactiflora Kansas

This variety is well known in China. This variety is a national treasure. The milky peony has a very impressive appearance. Grows well in cold, rain and drought. It can grow to various heights. May have various forms.

How to grow peony Kansas

It is better to plant this variety of peony in sunny areas. Does not tolerate shade at all (except in cases of extreme heat). But if, after all, planting in the shade took place, then there is no need to wait for flowering, it will not happen. It is not recommended to plant peonies next to trees, shrubs and buildings; these can ensure good air circulation. It is also necessary to protect the Kansas peony from various diseases.

The soil can be any, but it is better to choose loamy soil. The main thing is that the soil is filled with nutrients. To improve clay soil, sand is added to it, and clay is added to sandy soil.

It is better to plant a peony in the fall. Planting period: late August – early October. Plant it immediately in the place where it will grow throughout its life.

You can also plant part of the bush in a 3-liter jar in the spring or at the end of winter. Store in a cool place. As soon as the temperature outside is 10 degrees, you can safely plant this part of the bush in the soil.

But before that, place drainage and nutrients in the flower hole. Then place part of the bush in a hole 10 centimeters deep and sprinkle with soil. After this, be sure to water well.

Does not tolerate stagnation of water in the soil.

The distance between plants should be at least one meter.

For the first time in 2 years, peonies will not bloom and will look a little weakened. At this time, they are building up the root system.

Caring for Kansas peonies

This plant tolerates cold well. If, before planting, the land was well fertilized, then the next time it will be necessary to fertilize only after 2 years.

Necessary measures by season

• It is necessary to remove debris in the spring as soon as the first shoots begin to appear. Also water with potassium permanganate and loosen the soil.
• In summer you need to fertilize adult plants. The first time before flowering begins, the second time in August. Do not fertilize for the first two years.
• In autumn you need to remove shoots and leaves to the soil level. And cover the root system: young bushes with leaves, adult plants with sawdust. But you don’t need to cover them; they overwinter well under the snow.

Water the flower 2-3 buckets per bush, but do not overdo it. Watering every 10 days

It is especially important to do this in the spring

Pests

Like all plants, peonies also have pests.

Bronze beetles: They love to eat the stamens and pistils of flowers;

Treatment: spraying with cherry tincture.

Turf ants: They attack buds that secrete sweet sap; they eat the petals;

Treatment: treat the root system with chemicals.

Nematodes: eat roots;

Carefully inspect the soil before planting.

Viruses: they infect the entire plant

There is no cure for viruses; it is better to burn the plant so that the disease does not spread to other plantings.

Kansas peonies are great for any garden. They will add bright colors and liveliness. It is ideal to plant them against the backdrop of a bright lawn. Roses and phloxes will be excellent neighbors. Everyone who passes by a garden with peonies will envy the luxury of these flowers.

Caring for him is not difficult. The Kansas peony is also said to have “royal roots.” This is not only a very beautiful flower. It contains medicinal properties. Soothes, tones and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Therefore, the best choice for a vegetable garden, balcony or garden is the Kansas peony.

Preparing for winter

Henry Boxtos peonies are frost-resistant, tolerate temperature changes well and most often do not require additional shelter for the winter. To prepare the plant, after the first autumn frosts, the drooping stems are cut off, leaving no more than 3 cm. The shoots are removed from the site and burned to prevent the spread of spores and fungi.

In regions with a harsh climate and little snow in winters, it is worth mulching the pruned Henry Boxtos peony bush with dry sawdust, leaf litter, humus, loose compost, or using a breathable covering material for this purpose. If necessary, in winter the peony is additionally covered with snow.

Important! With the onset of spring, the covering material is removed and the mulch is raked away from the shoots to prevent the buds from rotting.

Care after flowering

In order for peonies to bloom next year, you need to correctly implement agrotechnical practices.

Transfer

Overgrown Henry Bockstoce paeonia bushes are divided and replanted. If this is not done, the buds will become smaller and weaker every year. The best time for the procedure is the end of August or the beginning of September. Plant the separated plants in a sunny place, not blown by cold winds.

Note! If transplanted in spring to the wrong place, peonies may never bloom.

Trimming

The above-ground part is cut off in late autumn after the shoots have lodged. The procedure is performed with a sharp, disinfected pruning shears. Early pruning can harm the plant: the root system will not receive enough nutrients, the conductor of which is the shoots.

For the winter, dried shoots are cut off

Preparing for winter

At the end of August, peonies are fed with a potassium-phosphorus mixture. In autumn, moisture-recharging irrigation is carried out. Being in moist soil, the root system can more easily withstand frost. For the winter, the bushes are mulched with peat or compost.

For your information! This variety does not require shelter for the winter.