Content
Buddleya David Nano Blue is very popular where winter temperatures do not drop below - 17-20 ° C. The semi-shrub is unpretentious to soils, easy to care for, almost not affected by diseases and pests. In the middle climatic zone, young plants of a flowering variety are best brought in for the winter, adult specimens remain under cover.
Breeding history of the variety
The first samples of David's buddlea were brought to England by botanist Rene Franchet, who gave the plant a specific name after the vicar and botanist of the early 18th century Adam Buddl. The second definition of a shrub was given in honor of the French missionary naturalist P. A. David, who discovered it in China. The exquisite garden plants have several romantic names: autumn or summer lilac, honey bush or butterfly bush due to the fact that the flowers attract many butterflies. Breeders have bred many varieties with inflorescences of different shades, for example, David's buddley Nanho Blue - in the USA in 1984. The variety is sold under other names:
- Mongo;
- Nanho Petite Plum;
- Nanho Petite Purple;
- Nanho Petite Indigo.
Description of Nano Blue buddley
The deciduous shrub, which some experts recommend to be considered a flowering perennial, grows from 1 to 1.5-2 m. The root system of the Nano Blue buddley variety is superficial, rather delicate, afraid of damage. Slender, flexible, beautifully drooping shoots of Nano Blue form a funnel-shaped crown, which also extends up to 1.5 m. Strong, arcuate branches of David's buddleia grow rapidly, medium-leafy. A plant can be considered as a perennial if it is planted in the middle climatic zone of Russia. In winter, buddley stalks freeze over and die, but the roots remain and in spring they sprout up new strong shoots. Sometimes in regions with mild winters, the stems are spread low, near the ground, they are cut to provoke the formation of new shoots in spring.
The elongated lanceolate leaves of the buddleia are narrow-lanceolate, opposite. The length of the pointed leaf blade is from 10 to 20-25 cm, dark green on top, sage color, below - with a gray tint, due to dense pubescence. In a warm autumn, the foliage of David's buddley does not fall for a long time.
Inflorescences of David's buddleya of the Nano Blue variety are formed in the form of cylindrical panicles of blue or blue-violet corollas, which are picturesquely bent at the tops of the shoots. The length of the spectacular flower sultans of Nano Blue is 20-25 cm, up to 30 cm. The size of buddley's panicles depends on the fertility of the soil and the required mode of moderate watering. The placement of the plant is also important, which develops in full force and forms large inflorescences with corollas of a rich blue hue only in a well-lit area. The fragrant flowers of the Nano Blue buddlei variety with an orange center exude a honey tart aroma, constantly surrounded by beautiful butterflies and other insects necessary for pollination in the garden. David buddleia's panicles are formed at the tops of the shoots of the current year, corollas bloom from late July to mid-September.
The Nano Blue variety blooms in the 3rd year of development. First, inflorescences are formed on the main shoots, then on the lateral ones.In autumn, in the southern regions, you can collect the seeds of David's buddley; in the middle climatic zone, they rarely ripen. The faded panicles are cut off, giving the plant the strength to continue flowering rather than seed formation. In areas with warm winters, David's buddley can turn into self-seeding weed.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
The Nano Blue variety has an average frost resistance, withstands a short-term drop in temperature to - 17-20 ° C. For the winter, the shrub is left in those regions where there are no prolonged frosts below -20 ° C. In harsh conditions, it is better not to cover the buddley David, but to carry it with a container to the room. When transferring in spring to another, more voluminous container, they try not to damage the peripheral root system for the summer season. During the transplantation of David's buddley, one should strive to maintain the integrity of the earthen coma of the Nano Blue variety. In the first 2-3 years, the plant is not removed from the container and in the garden, but simply deepened into the prepared hole.
The variety of Buddley David is light-loving, demonstrates its decorative potential on an area illuminated by the sun all day. Due to the peculiarities of large inflorescences, the bush is placed in a cozy, windless place. The Nano Blue variety tolerates drought and heat without much damage in development, but with moderate watering it blooms more abundantly and longer.
Disease and pest resistance
There is no need to protect a flowering variety. All of David's buddleys are not susceptible to fungal diseases. Leaves can be attacked by aphids and spider mites, and the roots of the Nano Blue variety in the southern regions can suffer from nematodes.
Reproduction methods
The variety is propagated in two ways:
- seeds;
- by cuttings.
Only professionals can grow the buddley variety of David Nano Blue from seeds on special equipment, when they strictly adhere to the heat and lighting regime. Germination takes a long time. Less than half of the seeds sprout and, unfortunately, usually only some of the sprouts develop well. The seeds of David's buddley are sown in separate pots in February, and transferred to open ground in May.
It is easier to propagate buddleya by cuttings and at the same time preserve all the characteristics of the variety:
- cut off the upper part of strong young shoots in May-June;
- leave a fragment up to 12-14 cm long, remove the leaves from below and process it according to the instructions with a growth stimulant;
- the cuttings are placed in a substrate, where sand is located on top, and garden soil is below;
- a film dome is installed on top.
Watering buddley David moderate, without waterlogging or drying out the soil. The roots appear after 30-35 days, the shelter is removed, transplanted into pots and left in a cool room for the winter, where there is no sub-zero temperature.
Planting and caring for David Nano Blue buddleya
Usually, Nanho Blue buddleya is purchased as a seedling in a container, choosing according to swollen buds or elastic leaves. Planted in the fall a month before frost or in early spring, on a cool, cloudy day. Adhere to the landing rules:
- only a sunny place, from the south or south-west, protected from the wind;
- the soil is moisture-permeable, slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline, but not swampy and not heavy;
- the interval between the bushes of David's buddley is 1.5-2 m;
- the depth and width of the pits 50-60 cm;
- the substrate is prepared from garden soil with the addition of sand or clay, depending on the predominance of the constituents of the soil;
- root collar of buddley at surface level.
Follow-up care
Seedling buddleya David is watered moderately, mulch the trunk circle to retain moisture. Loosening shallow, given the close location of the roots to the surface. In the evening, the buddlea of David bushes are sprayed with warm water.Nitrogen fertilizers are used in spring and June. Before flowering, support with complex preparations with potassium and phosphorus.
Pruning is carried out for the buddleya of David in containers, if it is transferred under a shelter for the winter. In March, remove weak shoots on adult bushes. In the first spring, the stems are shortened by half, and in the second, the growths are shortened to 2 buds for tillering.
Preparing for winter
In autumn, the stems of David's buddley are cut off, mulched with a layer of peat or humus, foliage up to 15 cm. Cover with agrofibre and burlap on top. Snow is applied in winter.
Disease and pest control
For aphids, folk remedies are used - soap, soda. Spider mites are fought with acaricides:
- Masai;
- Sunmight;
- Oberon.
Application in landscape design
Reviews of the Nano Blue buddley are replete with enthusiastic praise for the magnificent, fragrant plant that blooms during late summer and autumn. The bush is decorative not only with lush blue sultans, but charming with graceful foliage:
- for a greater effect, buddley is recommended to be planted in groups, more often varieties of different colors;
- picturesque in the borders;
- used as a background for roses or other expressive flowers.
Conclusion
Buddleya David Nano Blue is a delightful decoration of the garden. The bush, unpretentious to soils, is picky about light, prefers moderately dry soil, without waterlogging. Top dressing will provide abundant beautiful flowering.
