Flowering shrubs are often used to decorate the garden. They are actively used in landscape design. Deutia is considered one of these plants. At the same time, the description of the hybrid variety Strawberry Fields, as well as planting and caring for the plant, are of interest to many gardeners. This plant is considered very decorative. At the same time, it is not very demanding in terms of care.
Description of the variety
Hybrid Deutia Strawberry Fields is a spreading flowering shrub, the crown of which consists of long thin shoots decorated with many small bright flowers. This plant belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family.The color of the flowers can be different - from pale pink to more saturated, almost crimson. The edges are brighter than the center.
The shrub is characterized by light green leaves of a lime shade. They are distinguished by their elongated shape and rough surface. The length of the plates reaches 6 centimeters. The shoots are quite long and flexible. They have a light brown or light green color. An adult deutzia reaches a height of 0.5-4 meters.
The bush blooms from early June to late July. Over the course of a year, the plant grows by 20-25 centimeters. It is characterized by average resistance to low temperatures. The flowers form large inflorescences of indeterminate shape. They are found at the ends of the shoots in groups of 15-20 pieces. The older the bush becomes, the lower the ends of the shoots bend.
Landing rules
The hybrid form of the crop is an undemanding plant. At the same time, for lush flowering you still need to follow a number of rules. Planting dates depend on the weather in the region. In the southern regions, ornamental shrubs are planted in the spring - in early or mid-April. Autumn planting should be done a month before the onset of frost. This is usually done in October.
When choosing a place for planting, it is worth considering the structure of the root system. The site should be well drained, without stagnant water. Deutzia Strawberry is considered a light-loving crop. Lack of lighting has a bad effect on the growing season. In the shade, the color of the flowers becomes paler. The hybrid does not withstand wind well and has brittle branches. Therefore, it should be planted on the south or east side.
The action of this variety does not develop well in acidic substrate. The soil must be neutral or slightly alkaline.If the substrate is acidic, you should add lime when planting in the hole. To plant a crop, it is first recommended to make a nutrient substrate by mixing compost or humus with turf soil in a 1:2 ratio. It is also worth adding a quarter of sand to the composition.
To plant a crop, it is recommended to do the following:
- Dig a hole measuring 50x50 centimeters. It is important to consider the size of the roots.
- Place large drainage at the bottom, and then small drainage. The thickness of this layer should be 10 centimeters.
- Add a layer of nutrient substrate.
- Place the seedling in the center, pour in nutrient soil, compact and water the bed.
- Cover the tree trunk circle with peat, mixing it with sawdust. Mulch retains moisture and protects the root system from overheating.
Care requirements
This plant is considered unpretentious. However, to obtain lush flowering, it is worth considering a number of nuances:
- Watering - the crop is considered drought-resistant. She perceives a lack of moisture better than excess. An adult shrub requires 12 liters of water.
- Mulching and fertilizing - the covering layer prevents the growth of weeds, retains moisture, and protects the roots from overheating. It is recommended to use sawdust, peat, and straw as mulch. Fertilizing should begin during the flowering period. In the spring, during the formation of buds, ash and compost should be added. At the beginning of flowering and after a month, the shrub should be fed with complex minerals.
- Pruning - carried out in spring and summer. The first time it is necessary to perform sanitary pruning, the second – formative pruning. In the spring, before sap flow begins, it is worth removing deformed and frozen shoots. It is also recommended to get rid of dry areas.Crown formation should be done after flowering. The stems need to be shortened to the first strong branches. Every 4 years it is worth carrying out anti-aging pruning. It is recommended to get rid of old stems.
Possible diseases and pests
Plant hybrids differ from varietal varieties in their high resistance to infections. With the right choice of location, the crop does not get sick. If the soil is waterlogged, there is a risk of root rot. In this case, it is worth reducing the number of waterings. In the shade with high humidity, the leaves suffer from spotting. Copper-containing products will help cope with the fungus.
Among the pests, the bumblebee proboscis is dangerous. Its caterpillars consume the leaves of the crop. To process the action, you should use “Decis” or “Kinmiks”.
Winter hardiness
The plant is moderately resistant to frost. Therefore, when the temperature drops to -25 degrees, the bush must be insulated. This is especially true when growing young plants. In this case, it is recommended to cover the bush with white agrofibre. Tarpaulin or other impervious material should not be used. This can cause rot to appear.
Deutzia Strawberry Fields is a beautiful ornamental plant that is often used in landscape design. In order for the cultivation of a plant to be successful, it is necessary to follow certain rules of agricultural technology.
