Japanese Spirea: description of varieties, planting and care in the open field, preparation for winter

Japanese gardeners fell in love with Spiraeus for its beautiful flowers and unpretentiousness. This ornamental shrub is suitable for creating hedges and decorating alpine slides. Breeders have bred more than 10 varieties of spirea, each of which differs in the shade of flowers, the length of the 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 upright branches. Each bush is decorated with many bright flowers, collected in large corymbs.Regardless of the chosen species, the culture quickly adapts to new growing conditions. Meadowsweet flowers range in color from white to pink to bright red.

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

Varieties with brief descriptions

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

1. Spirea Goldflame (Goldflame). It is characterized by small flowers and leaves that change color from brown to yellow-green during the season. The height of the bush does not exceed 80 centimeters.
2. Spirea Macrophila. A shrub with rounded leaves that change color to orange, yellow and purple in autumn. Macrophila reaches one meter in height.
3. Genpei (Genpei or Genpei). A number of sources refer to this variety as Shirobanu spirea. The Genpei species is characterized by dwarf (up to 60 centimeters) size and flowers, the hue of which varies from pink to purple-red.
4. Country ed. 80 cm shrub with erect shoots and dark pink flowers that appear in late summer.
5. Golden princess. The width of the crown and the height of the bush do not exceed 50 centimeters. The leaves on the bush have a creamy yellow tint in spring, which changes to bright yellow by summer, and to orange-red in autumn.
6. Majik Carpet. The variety has a cushion-like appearance and leaves that change shade during 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 light pink flowers that stay on the branches for two months.
8. Little princesses. Also applies to small shrubs. Little's popularity is due to the bright pink flowers that contrast with the green foliage.

Spiraea varieties Neon, Flash, Darts, Albiflora are often planted in garden plots. Among the popular species is Goldmound, which tolerates a drop in air temperature to -30 degrees.

Pros and cons

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

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

The popularity of the 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 abundant watering.In addition, the shrub is easy to propagate by cuttings or taps.

The only important drawback of the culture is that the 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, before the buds swell. If the transplant is carried out in the spring, then it is necessary to wait for the soil to warm 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, closed ground;
• refuse to buy a plant with blossoming leaves;
• buy seedlings with light green bark, no 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 place. If necessary, before planting, the roots are treated with a growth stimulator. But this procedure is not mandatory.

Select site

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 culture is characterized by active growth. Therefore, shrubs should be planted at a distance from other plants. The distance between adjacent spireas should exceed 50 centimeters.

Soil Requirements

Japanese spirea is able to grow in various soils. But gardeners recommend growing a crop in mixed soils (leaf or sod). During the preparation of the site for planting seedlings, a drainage layer, soddy soil, humus, peat with low or neutral acidity and river sand should be added to the dug hole.Also, as a top dressing, it is worth adding a fertilizer intended for leafy crops. Thanks to this soil mixture, the cultivation of 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. In the center of the hill put a seedling and spread the roots.
4. Fill the seedling with soil so that the root neck remains flush with the ground.

After planting, the bush is watered abundantly. It is not necessary to apply mineral or other fertilizers during this period.

Care instructions

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

Irrigation

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

It is recommended to water the shrub in a dosed manner. In waterlogged soil, the root system rots. In a dry summer, up to 15 liters of water must be brought under large bushes, up to one bucket under dwarf bushes.

Feeding

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

If the plant grows in depleted soils, then the spirea should be fed even in early autumn. At the same time, it is forbidden to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen during this period. Such top dressing stimulates the development of shoots, which is why the plant does not have time to gain enough strength for wintering and dies by the next spring.

Loosening, mulching

Shrub develops well in loose soil. Such a soil provides an influx of oxygen in a volume sufficient for the root system. Therefore, after watering, it is necessary to loosen the earth, 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, you can plant shrubs in open spaces. But due to strong gusts of wind, the process of bud formation is disrupted.

Pruning, transplanting

Japanese Spirea is characterized by rapid development. In order to avoid the growth of culture, it is recommended to cut off new shoots to the first buds with the onset of spring. Also, after winter, it is necessary to remove the affected and dead branches. This procedure will ensure the normal growth of the plant. The infected cutting 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 lush crown and increase the number of flowers.

You can transplant an adult shrub in the fall. Dig up the plant should be guided by the volume of the crown. The root system usually does not grow further than the shoots are extended. It is necessary to transfer the bush to a new place along with sod land. Soil from the old site will speed up adaptation.

Pest and disease control

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 to cure a shrub from this disease.

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

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

Features of reproduction

You can propagate Japanese spirea in four ways:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• seeds;
• dividing.

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

For propagation by layering, it is enough to bend 2-3 shoots to the ground in spring, cover them with soil, leaving the tip above the surface, and press it with a stone or other object. With enough water, the branches will take root by next spring.

Propagation by seeds is considered the least efficient method. This breeding method is not suitable for hybrid varieties. To propagate the shrub by this method, it is enough to sow the seeds in loose soil and close the container with the material with polyethylene. After the seedlings reach two centimeters, the plant dives. 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 a bush, remove a few strong stems and rhizomes and transfer the plant to a previously prepared place, fertilized with crushed coal.

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