Karyopteris: planting and care in the open field
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Such a beautiful, ornamental plant like karyopteris will perfectly complement any composition on the site thanks to its bright, blue flowers. The height does not affect the compactness, so it will not take up much space.
Karipoteris: general information
Panicle-like inflorescences, slightly serrated leaves. At the end of flowering, the plant forms, divided into four parts, a fruit. The attractive splendor of flowering pleases at the end of summer, when many plants have already faded. It will please the eye until frost. Slightly coniferous, pleasant aroma.
Karipoteris: varieties and types
The Klandonensky (Kladonsky) variety, resulted from the crossing of several species. Rather dense shrub, dark green, slightly drooping, oval leaves. The blueness of the inflorescences has been preserved, It blooms and smells sweet at the end of summer. The height has stopped up to a meter, i.e. not very high, which allows you to fit into the landscape you created on the site. It tolerates wintering very steadily.
Cladonian variegated, obtained by mutation of another variety of karyopteris, rather high, up to 80 cm, abundant foliage, green, in places with yellow edging, jagged edges. The color of the buds is bright blue. Inflorescences develop already from the beginning of the shoots, and will delight with flowering at the end of summer and until the first snow. Prefers neutral soils. It is cold-resistant enough, but when there is little snow, it is better to use a covering material. In the spring, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning, this process allows the formation of new shoots and a beautiful bush.
Worcester Gold is another variety, a very compact ball-like shrub. Bronze, slightly green color of the leaves. Inflorescences of a rolling shade from blue to deep blue. Despite its compactness, the bush is quite tall, up to 1.5 meters, the aroma is coniferous, pleasant, intensifies when touched. It will delight you with flowering in the autumn and will last until the cold weather. Prefers sunny areas, but no direct sunlight. Here are the requirements for the soil, not necessarily acidic, with a sufficient amount of lime.
Gray (gray) Karyopteris, this is the popular name for another species. Tall, the shape of a bush with a fall of leaves, The lower part of the leaves is olive-colored, but the lower is a shade of bronze. Subtle smell of pine needles. The inflorescences are shaped like a shield. Pleases with flowering in early autumn, for a long time.
Planting and leaving
The shrub is quite unpretentious to care for, and therefore is popular among gardeners. It tolerates the cold winter very firmly, however, if the soil is heavy during planting, a lot of water accumulates before the winter period and the roots may die when freezing. In this regard, it is better to choose the soil with good drainage. The acidity state does not attract much attention. Humidity should be moderate, an increase can lead to poor development. Sunny places are especially attracted by views with yellow tints, they look very bright. Rare watering can only be increased in drought.
Mineral additives are necessary as a complex fertilizer, a small amount of organic matter during the season. Annual pruning is needed to renew the bush, since flowering prefers to occur on young, newly formed shoots. A small autumn pruning will remove all dry debris (inflorescences, diseased leaves, twigs). We update the bush every 3-4 years, cutting it to a height of 10-25 cm.
Growing from seeds
To obtain seedlings, seeds are scattered over the surface of the earth in a container without sprinkling. A mini greenhouse is created, covered with a film. This whole procedure is carried out in the last month of winter. Periodically ventilate the greenhouse and spray the soil with water, avoiding jet irrigation. Seedlings can be observed in two weeks, at the end of May they can be determined for permanent residence.
Propagation by cuttings
In spring, cut the cutting about 12 cm with the buds. Loose soil is perfect, dig in and cover, for example, with a cut plastic bottle to create warmth and accelerate the germination of leaves. When rooting and a little adaptation take place, plant it on the site.
Diseases and pests
The plant itself is not afraid of various diseases. The main reasons can be waterlogging of the soil, which will lead to decay of the root system, and in the future the plant will die. Horseflies can appear from pests. Insecticides will help in the fight against them, according to the instructions. In general, all the care. Another point, do not clog, weed in a timely manner.
As can be seen from the disassembled material, growing this flower we get a minimum of costs and maximum pleasure from the beauty obtained.