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Cinquefoil Marion Red Robin differs from the original species with yellow flowers in a beautiful orange-red shade of petals. An ornamental variety of five-leafed shrubs of summer-autumn flowering was bred on the basis of the long-known Red Ice. The shrub is moisture-loving, winter-hardy, tolerates urban conditions well.
Description Potentilla Marion Red Robin
Dwarf Potentilla Marrob, as the variety is sometimes also called, is characterized by a rounded, compact crown, dense, but small in size - 45-60 cm high, up to 80-100 cm wide. Growth strength is average: thin branches grow by 10-15 cm during the season Densely branched, fragile shoots of red-brown Potentilla, slightly spreading. Small leaves are feathery, deeply cut to the base, from 5 lobules, sometimes from 3-7 parts. Green leaf blades turn yellow by autumn. Due to the dense arrangement of small Potentilla leaves, Marion Red Robin gives the impression of a dense crown.
The abundant flowering of the variety begins in June and lasts until mid-September or even October in warm weather. The flowers are numerous, with a yellow center, consisting of 5 petals of red terracotta color, up to 3.5 cm in diameter. Below the petals are much lighter, to a creamy orange hue. In the sun, the flowers of Potentilla Marion Red Robin fade little, but by the end of flowering they slightly change their shade to burnt terracotta. In autumn, fruits are formed - prefabricated hemicarps.
Cinquefoil Marion Red Robin in landscape design
The Red Robin shrub bush is especially picturesque towards the end of summer and early autumn. The plant is stable in an urban atmosphere, it is planted in one bush and in groups, combined with other decorative specimens:
- in curbs;
- on discounts;
- in rock gardens and rockeries;
- ground cover for slopes and spacious lawns;
- as a padding for tall bushes or trees with an openwork crown;
- low hedges for symbolic gardening.
Planting and caring for Potentilla Marion Red Robin
Potentilla is planted in early spring or autumn, plants in containers are moved in summer. For the shrub, a sunny place is chosen, on which a shadow can fall only for a short time, no longer than 4 hours. The best corner is cozy, without access to strong winds and snow drifts in winter. The decorative cinquefoil Red Robin grows, as in the photo, lush and blooming profusely in temperate regions, rich in rain.
Landing site preparation
The Marrob variety develops well on fertile soil, loves loose loam. On sandy loam, the substrate must be enriched with compost or humus. If the site is low-lying, a mound is formed, up to 60 cm high, and a landing pit is arranged in it:
- depth and diameter 60 cm;
- the interval between plants is up to 80 cm, for hedges - 40-50 cm.
Landing rules
Correct planting determines the successful development of a shrub for 20-30 years:
- drainage up to 10 cm is placed below, you can use lime gravel, since Red Robin cinquefoil tolerates alkaline soils well;
- complex fertilizers are added to the prepared enriched substrate, referring to the instructions;
- the seedling is positioned taking into account the requirement that the root collar be on the same level with the garden soil;
- having compacted the soil around the bush, the trunk circle is watered with a bucket of water;
- put mulch on top.
Watering and feeding
Shrub cinquefoil grows well on loose and moderately moist soils. Areas with stagnant water or too dry are contraindicated for the plant. In the first year of growth, the bushes of Potentilla shrub Red Robin are watered up to 2 times a week, preventing the earthen coma from drying out. Mature plants tolerate short-term drought, but this period affects the splendor of the flowering. In summer, regular watering is required, which is accompanied by loosening or mulching of the soil. The Red Robin variety is fed in the spring with nitrogen and potassium preparations, and before flowering, the bush is maintained with potassium-phosphorus preparations. Convenient to use complex fertilizers for ornamental shrubs.
Pruning
The Marion Red variety lends itself well to cutting, crown formation begins from the second or third year of growth. Pruning is carried out in the spring, often late, when you can see how well the plant has endured the winter. Gardeners advise to shorten only a third of each developed branch, and leave young shoots for flowering. Due to the formation, flowering is more abundant. Sanitary cleaning is carried out in any season, removing damaged shoots.
Preparing for winter
According to the description, cinquefoil shrub Marion Red Robin is winter-hardy, tolerates short-term sub-zero temperatures up to 30 degrees. But in the harsh conditions of snowless and frosty winters of the middle lane, an ornamental bush requires mulching the trunk circle and covering young plants with mats made of natural materials. Frozen shoots are removed, new ones grow to replace them.
Reproduction of Potentilla shrub Marian Red Robin
Like all bushes, the Marion Red variety is propagated:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the roots;
- seeds.
Cuttings that root well are cut in early summer. At the same time, layering from the lower branches is added. Before sowing, seeds are stratified for 3 months. It is noticed that under favorable conditions, branches planted near the bush are accepted and grow into growth after pruning.
Diseases and pests
Shrub cinquefoil is not very susceptible to diseases and pests. Only with the closest presence of a focus with a rust pathogen, anthracnose or powdery mildew, the leaves of the Marion Red variety are also affected. For treatment and prevention, planting is sprayed with fungicides. A soap or soda solution is used against aphid colonies.
Conclusion
Cinquefoil Marion Red Robin is able to delight the eye with abundant flowering with careful care and the right choice of location. Regular watering and periodic feeding, moisture retention by mulching, shelter for the winter of young plants will create the necessary conditions for an ornamental variety.
