Spruce Blue Diamond: blue diamond description and application in landscape design
Blue Diamond Spruce is a very attractive plant that has unusual light blue needles. The culture was bred in the Netherlands and is a hybrid obtained from several varieties of Colorado spruce. Since 2006, this plant began to spread massively. It is actively used in landscape design to create various compositions. At the same time, it is important to provide high-quality care.
What a tree looks like
According to the description, blue diamond prickly spruce has a classic conical shape. It has an unusual color and is in demand during the New Year holidays, because it has an elegant appearance.
The following features are typical for the culture of this variety:
- Crown and height. Spruce is distinguished by the shape of an even cone. In height, it reaches 5-7 meters. The crown in diameter reaches 2-3 meters.
- Needles. The needles are distinguished by a dense structure and a silver-blue color.
- Growth rate. Spruce of this variety develops at a moderate pace.
- Decorative properties. The tree is characterized by a symmetrical crown of high density.
The crown of the Blue Diamond spruce has a regular pointed shape that resembles a cone. The tree is characterized by straight branches that emphasize the tiered structure. The plant is characterized by dense needles. Culture is characterized by slow development. In a year it increases by 15-20 centimeters. As a result, it is possible to get a small, neat tree that serves as an excellent decoration for alleys and parks.
Blue Diamond spruce is characterized by elongated cones up to 10 centimeters in size. They have a rich brown color. The branches are able to hold their shape on their own. But from time to time they need a haircut. This is required to update the needles.
Climate Adaptability
Blue spruce is considered an unpretentious plant. It easily withstands low temperatures and grows in regions where temperatures drop to -40 degrees. The plant needs enough sun. In open areas, it has a lush crown and has a shade of a sea wave. In the shade, the plant also develops well. But in this case, the crown looks shabby, and the needles become dull and acquire a grayish color.
How to plant a tree the right way
In order for the prickly spruce to develop well, it needs to provide suitable conditions.This plant is best suited for open sunny areas. That is where it develops best. For planting a plant, it is important to properly prepare the soil. To do this, it is recommended to mix earth, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. Additionally, it is worth adding mineral top dressing and a root growth stimulator.
The planting hole should be twice the size of the root ball. At the bottom, a drainage layer of crushed brick, gravel, expanded clay or stones should be placed. It is important that the root neck is located at ground level. When planting a plant, avoid damaging the root ball.
After placing in the ground, the culture needs to be watered abundantly. To do this, it is worth using 40-50 liters of water per seedling. Then it is worth covering the trunk circle with a mulch layer. It may consist of leaves or sawdust.
Care Requirements
The plant is often used in landscape design. To use the culture to decorate the site, it is important to properly care for it. In this case, you must follow these recommendations:
- Water the tree in time. It is recommended to do this as the soil dries up.
- Pruning regularly. This should be done in the spring. At this stage, it is recommended to remove old and dried shoots. Pruning of frozen branches is also important. After pruning, the tree is definitely recommended to be fed and treated with a fungicide.
- Loosen the soil in time. This contributes to the saturation of the root system with moisture and oxygen. It is important to consider that the roots of the plant have a superficial location. Therefore, loosening the soil is required to a maximum depth of 5-7 centimeters.
- Apply fertilizer according to the scheme. In the spring, it is best to use nitrogen substances, in the summer it is worth using phosphorus preparations. In autumn, potassium-based products will be a suitable option. This variety of spruce perfectly perceives the introduction of organics and minerals. If the soil on the site is poor and contains a lot of sand, compost or humus should be added to it.
- Protect the crop from weeds. It is recommended to remove them in time. This can be done by hand or use a general purpose herbicide.
Spruce of this variety perfectly tolerates frost. Therefore, an adult tree can not be covered. In preparation for winter, it needs to be watered abundantly to create a certain supply of moisture, and to mulch the soil around the plant.
Mulch for the winter should be fresh. To do this, mix peat and sawdust in equal proportions and cover the area around the tree with this mixture. Its thickness should be 5 centimeters. On top of the mulch, you need to pour the bark of coniferous plants.
Methods of reproduction
Spruce Blue Diamond can be used in landscape design. Therefore, many summer residents have a problem of reproduction of this culture. This can be done in many ways.
Many summer residents propagate spruce by seed. Of the advantages of this growing method, it is worth highlighting the possibility of obtaining a strong and strong plant, which is distinguished by high winter hardiness parameters.However, there are also some downsides. A young plant may not adopt the generic characteristics of the mother culture. In addition, it will take 3-4 years to grow it.
To plant a crop with seeds, you need to collect cones. They need to be placed in a warm place. After the cones open, it is recommended to remove the seeds. They are stratified. To do this, the grains must be placed in a container with sand and left outside until spring. You can also store the planting material in the refrigerator.
Cuttings are considered to be a simpler and more affordable method of propagation. However, plants obtained by this method are less resistant to frost. In addition, they do not have such strong immunity.
To harvest planting material, it is recommended to break off a branch from the top of the tree in April. Then you need to treat the stalk with a solution of potassium permanganate and remove the needles and bark from the bottom.After that, it needs to be placed in a growth stimulator solution. For this purpose, "Epin" or "Heteroauxin" is perfect.
After a day, the plant needs to be planted in prepared soil. The substrate should consist of sand, peat and humus. They are recommended to be mixed in equal proportions. Seedlings need to be covered with foil, periodically moistened and ventilated.
The fastest and easiest way to plant is the use of seedlings. In this case, it is enough to buy a he althy tree and plant it in a suitable place. It is recommended to buy varietal spruce seedlings in nurseries or from trusted manufacturers. As a rule, in such places, plants are sold that are adapted to local conditions.
Protection from pests and diseases
Spruce Blue Diamond does not tolerate high humidity. This is especially true for cold weather. In this case, the tree may suffer from gray rot. For the winter, a young tree must be covered with a fabric cover, and dry mulch should be scattered in the trunk circle.You can also use spruce branches as insulation.
From pests, coniferous crops can suffer from aphids and sawflies. If such parasites are detected, insecticidal substances are immediately used.
Application
Spruce is called the "blue diamond" for a reason. This plant has a very attractive crown of unusual color. Because it is often used in landscape design. The plant can be used singly or in group compositions. At the same time, it is permissible to combine the culture with other coniferous crops - pines, thujas, cypresses. At the same time, the plant goes well with tall and low trees.
It is worth considering that the Blue Diamond spruce can be the central object of the composition or, on the contrary, surround a taller coniferous tree - for example, a classic adult pine.
Culture of this variety is used to create boundaries and outlines of the site. From it you can form a hedge. Also, the plant can be placed on the site in tubs. This applies to trees younger than 10 years old.
Spruce Blue Diamond is a fairly common culture that fits perfectly into a variety of garden compositions. In order for the culture to look decorative and develop normally, it is recommended to properly care for it.
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