Description of varieties of Japanese spirea, planting and care in open ground

Gardeners fell in love with Japanese spirea for its beautiful flowers and unpretentiousness. This ornamental shrub is suitable for creating hedges and decorating alpine hills. Breeders have developed more than 10 varieties of spirea, each of which differs in the shade of flowers, the length of branches and other characteristics. Moreover, each type of crop is grown according to the same rules.

General information about Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea (or meadowsweet) is a perennial plant with erect branches. Each bush is decorated with many bright flowers, collected in large shields. Regardless of the chosen species, the crop quickly adapts to new growing conditions. The color of meadowsweet flowers varies widely: from white to pink and bright red.

Spiraea is classified into two types: spring and autumn flowering. Each of the above groups includes several varieties, including dwarf varieties, the height of whose branches does not exceed 80 centimeters.

Varieties with a brief description

Breeders have developed more than 10 varieties of Japanese spirea. The following varieties are popular among gardeners:

1. Spiraea Goldflame. It is characterized by small flowers and leaves that change color from brown to yellow-green over the course of the season. The height of the bush does not exceed 80 centimeters.
2. Spiraea Macrophila. A shrub with rounded leaves that change color to orange, yellow and purple in the fall. Macrophila reaches one meter in height.
3. Jenpei (Genpei or Genpei). A number of sources refer to this variety as Spiraea Shirobana. The Jenpei species is distinguished by its dwarf (up to 60 centimeters) size and colors, the shade of which varies from pink to lilac-red.
4. Country ed. An 80-centimeter shrub with erect shoots and dark pink flowers appearing in late summer.
5. Golden princess. The crown width and height of the bush do not exceed 50 centimeters. The leaves on the bush in the spring have a creamy yellow tint, which changes to bright yellow in the summer, and to orange-red in the fall.
6. Magic Carpet. The variety is distinguished by its cushion-shaped appearance and leaves that change color throughout the season and depending on the viewing angle.
7. Crispa.Compact shrub up to half a meter high. The popularity of this variety is due to the light pink flowers that remain on the branches for two months.
8. Little princesses. Also refers to small shrubs. Little's popularity is due to its bright pink flowers contrasting with the green foliage.

Spirea varieties Neon, Flash, Darts, Albiflora are often planted in garden plots. Popular species include Goldmound, which can tolerate air temperatures dropping to -30 degrees.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of Japanese spirea, gardeners highlight the following qualities:

• long-lasting (up to a month) and lush flowering;
• rich foliage color;
• wide variety of varieties;
• unpretentiousness;
• frost resistance;
• the ability to quickly adapt to new conditions.

The popularity of Japanese spirea is also explained by the fact that the shrub can be given various decorative forms. The description of the culture should be supplemented by the fact that the plant rarely gets sick. Basically, infection occurs due to excessive watering. In addition, the shrub is easy to propagate by cuttings or cuttings.

The only important drawback of the culture is that Japanese spirea requires shelter for the winter.

Growing a plant

Planting in open ground is recommended in spring or autumn. Moreover, the last period is recommended for all varieties of Japanese spirea, and the first - only for late flowering ones, before the buds swell. If replanting is carried out in the spring, then it is necessary to wait until the soil warms up completely.

Preparation of seedlings

When preparing Japanese spirea for planting, it is recommended to follow a number of rules:

• purchase seedlings with a root system covered with soil;
• refuse to buy a plant with blossoming leaves;
• buy seedlings with light green bark, without visible damage;
• Before planting, cut the roots to 30 centimeters and soak the plant.

A properly prepared plant takes root more successfully in a new location. If necessary, before planting, the roots are treated with a growth stimulator. But this procedure is not mandatory.

Site selection

Japanese spirea is recommended to be planted in well-lit areas. Due to lack of sunlight, the shrub will not bloom. The root system of the crop is characterized by active growth. Therefore, plant the bush follows at a distance from other plants. The distance between neighboring spirea should exceed 50 centimeters.

Soil requirements

Japanese spirea can grow in various soils. But gardeners recommend growing the crop in mixed soils (leaf or turf). When preparing a site for planting seedlings, a drainage layer, turf soil, humus, peat with low or neutral acidity and river sand should be added to the dug hole. It is also worth adding fertilizer intended for leaf crops as a top dressing. Thanks to this soil mixture, growing ornamental shrubs is simplified.

Planting

It is necessary to plant Japanese spirea according to the following algorithm:

1. Dig a hole. The diameter of the hole is selected taking into account the volume of the root system, and the depth should be 40-50 centimeters.
2. Pour the prepared soil mixture into the hole and form a small hill at the bottom of the hole.
3. Place a seedling on a hill in the center and straighten the roots.
4. Cover the seedling with soil so that the root collar remains flush with the ground.

After planting, the bush is watered abundantly. There is no need to apply mineral or other fertilizers during this period.

Care instructions

Despite its unpretentiousness and frost resistance, spirea care Japanese is necessary. The plant is not able to tolerate prolonged drought and abundant watering. The first causes the death of the bush, and waterlogging causes the development of fungal diseases. Caring for the plant comes down to periodic watering, weeding and loosening the soil.

Watering

The frequency of watering depends on the selected variety. Summer-flowering plants consume a lot of moisture during the growing season, and spring varieties can tolerate short-term drought.

It is recommended to water the shrub in doses. In waterlogged soil, the root system rots. In dry summers, it is necessary to add up to 15 liters of water for large bushes, and up to one bucket for dwarf bushes.

Top dressing

Japanese spirea is fed twice a season. After spring pruning, it is recommended to apply mineral fertilizers under the bush. In summer, you should feed the crop with mullein solution.

If the plant grows in depleted soils, then the spirea also needs to be fed in early autumn. However, during this period it is prohibited to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen. This feeding stimulates the development of shoots, which is why the plant does not have time to gain enough strength for wintering and dies by next spring.

Loosening, mulching

The shrub develops well in loose soil. Such soil provides an influx of oxygen in a volume sufficient for the root system. Therefore, after watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil, removing weeds.

After planting, as well as during the warm season, it is recommended to apply a layer of mulch 5-8 centimeters thick under the bush. This reduces the rate of moisture evaporation. Gardeners use peat or dry compost as mulch.

Drafts

Japanese spirea is not afraid of drafts. Therefore, shrubs can be planted in open spaces.But due to strong gusts of wind, the process of bud formation is disrupted.

Pruning, replanting

Japanese spirea is distinguished by its rapid development. To avoid the growth of the crop, it is recommended to prune new shoots to the first buds with the onset of spring. Also, after winter it is necessary to remove damaged and dead branches. This procedure will ensure normal plant growth. Infected pruning must be burned.

4-year-old spireas require removal of excess length - up to 30 centimeters of each branch. This procedure allows you to achieve a more luxuriant crown and increase the number of flowers.

You can replant an adult shrub in the fall. The plant should be dug up based on the volume of the crown. The root system usually does not grow further than the shoots extend. It is necessary to move the bush to a new place together with the turf soil. Soil from the old site will speed up adaptation.

Pest control and disease treatment

Japanese spirea is highly resistant to most common garden diseases. The plant is mainly affected by gray rot, which develops in waterlogged soil. Fitosporin helps cure shrubs from this disease.

Of the pests, the most dangerous for the crop is the spider mite, which can withstand the effects of popular insecticides. This pest eats flowers. You can get rid of spider mites using Karbofos or Phosfamide.

The second most common pest is aphids, which feed on plant sap. The leaf roller, which is also often found on Japanese spirea, eats the leaves. Pirimor helps to cope with these pests.

Features of reproduction

Japanese spirea can be propagated in four ways:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• seeds;
• division.

The first reproduction option is the most popular, as it gives results in 70% of cases. And in the case of using growth stimulants, this figure increases to 100%. To propagate the plant, it is necessary to cut the cuttings at the beginning of autumn, leaving no more than 4-5 leaves. After this, the shoot is soaked for 2-3 hours in plain water and placed in the prepared soil mixture. The cutting should be placed at a depth of 2 centimeters, tilted at an angle of 45 degrees. The container with the cutting is then placed in a shaded area.

To propagate by layering, it is enough in the spring to bend 2-3 shoots to the ground, cover them with soil, leaving the tip above the surface, and press them with a stone or other object. With sufficient watering, the branches will produce roots by the following spring.

Propagation by seeds is considered the least effective method. This breeding method is not suitable for hybrid varieties. To propagate shrubs using this method, it is enough to sow the seeds in loose soil and cover the container with the material with polyethylene. After the seedlings reach two centimeters, the plant dives. And a year later, a new shrub is transplanted to the site.

Reproduction by division is possible in summer or early autumn. To do this, you need to dig up the bush, remove several strong stems and rhizomes and transfer the plant to a previously prepared place, fertilized with crushed coal.