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Skumpia tannery is a unique deciduous shrub that amazes with the beauty of its flowering. This native of North America has won the hearts of gardeners around the world, so it is not surprising that even in central Russia, many people dream of growing this beautiful plant in their country house. However, not every type of shrub can take root in this climate, so lovers of this plant should study the description of the scumpia varieties for the Moscow region.
What varieties of skumpia are suitable for the Moscow region
As a thermophilic deciduous plant, scumpia are very sensitive to sharp temperature changes, which are far from uncommon in the Moscow region. Therefore, gardeners who decide to grow this spectacular culture on their site should take a responsible attitude to the choice of a suitable variety:
- In the Moscow region, seedlings purchased from nurseries are most successfully taken root. Preference should be given to crops that have survived 1 - 2 winters.
- Before disembarking for the scump, it is necessary to prepare a place that would be protected from drafts and would not be in the shade.
- Young shrubs and trees up to 3-4 years old should be covered during the winter months.
- For the Moscow region, frost-resistant varieties of crops are best suited, moreover, it is important to take into account that varieties with green leaves tolerate frosts more successfully than purple-leaved ones.
According to the reviews of plant breeders, the following varieties of scumpia are popular for growing in the Moscow region.
Young Lady
Young Lady is the most common variety for cultivation in the middle lane, due to its excellent winter hardiness and unpretentious care. This not too tall shrub, up to 1.5 m in size, is distinguished by its pink inflorescences, which, during the flowering period, make it look like clouds at the time of sunset. Bright green leaves of the culture acquire red shades by autumn.
Golden Spirit
Another green-leaved variety up to 2 m in height, which has a high decorative effect. Unlike Young Lady, Golden Spirit scumpia is quite sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, therefore it requires additional insulation for the winter. Nevertheless, it is actively grown in the suburbs due to the fabulously beautiful appearance that golden foliage gives the plant.
Grace
This spectacular variety, reaching a height of 2.5 - 3 m, stands out against the background of other scumpia shrubs with its dark green foliage with a deep purple tint, which is enriched in shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn. The culture blooms from late May or early June with lush crimson inflorescences, which makes it a wonderful decoration for landscape design in single and group plantings.
Royal Purple
The variety Royal Purple or Royal Purple also feels great in the climate of the Moscow region. This shrub grows up to 1.5 m and has a compact oval crown with dark purple leaf plates, which acquire a bluish color by autumn. The inflorescences of such a scumpia have a noble burgundy hue.
Rubrifolius
This shrub immediately attracts attention not only with its foliage, but also with its crown volume, since with a low height of 1.5 - 2 m it has a diameter of 2.5 - 3 m.Blue-violet foliage in the weather conditions of the Moscow region retains its color all summer, becoming red only by autumn. Airy inflorescences have a lilac purple hue similar to foliage.
All of the above varieties of leather skumpia are capable of not only growing well, but also blooming magnificently in the Moscow region, if the conditions for planting and caring for this crop are correctly observed.
Rules for growing leather skumpia in the Moscow region
Since the scumpia is of tropical origin, it is worth preparing for the fact that even frost-resistant plant varieties will require additional care in central Russia. When cultivating skumpia in the Moscow region, to maintain the health of the shrub, special attention should be paid to the place and timing of planting, as well as to devote enough time to watering and pruning.
Timing
Scumpia seedlings are planted, as a rule, in spring, but if a young plant has a closed root system, then planting can be carried out at any time of the year, except for winter. The main thing for him is to have time to take root before the onset of stable frosts. Sowing seeds is carried out in early autumn or early spring.
Site selection and soil preparation
Since the scumpia comes from warm latitudes, it loves the sun very much, therefore, when choosing a seat in the Moscow region, it is worthwhile to allocate an open area with a lot of light to the plant in advance. In no case should shrubs be planted under tall trees - the abundant shade inhibits their growth and negatively affects flowering. In addition, the skumpia does not react well to drafts, as a result of which it will not be superfluous to take care of protecting these shrubs from strong winds.
Skumpia is not too picky about the quality of the soil, but it grows most luxuriantly on slightly alkaline soils. In turn, too acidic soil adversely affects the development of the shrub. Excessively moist soil also does not have a very good effect on the health of the plant, especially if the groundwater is near the surface of the earth, therefore, this feature must also be taken into account when planting a crop in the Moscow region.
Planting scumpia in the suburbs
Having decided on the permanent place of cultivation, you can start planting the scumpia:
- The planting hole should be larger than the earthen lump of the plant.
- Immediately before planting, it is worth soaking the seedlings in water, and pouring plenty of water over the recess itself at the rate of 2 buckets of water per 1 place.
- If necessary, place 20-30 cm of drainage material on the bottom of the pit, after which a small elevation of the substrate should be made on top of it and a seedling should be placed on it.
- At the end of the procedure, the deepening must be filled up, and the soil must be tamped tightly.
Follow-up care
With regard to care, the scumpia cannot be attributed to capricious plants. In the climate of the Moscow region, taking care of the bush consists in timely watering and pruning. In addition, some skumpia varieties will need to be covered for the winter.
As already mentioned, excess moisture can be detrimental to these shrubs, so the scumpia is watered as the earthen coma dries, bringing water directly to the base of the plant. During dry summers, watering can be increased.
Top dressing of skumpia in the Moscow region is carried out 2 times: with nitrogen compounds - during the growth of green mass by the plant and with phosphorus-potassium - during the budding period.The culture reacts equally well to mineral and organic fertilizers, so in order to achieve the most effective flowering, it will be advisable to alternate such feeding methods.
Most of the skumpia varieties suitable for growing in the Moscow region are subject to regular pruning. As a rule, this procedure is carried out at the end of April, before the beginning of the growing season, no more than 1 time in 2 - 3 years. In the process, the shrub is removed from dry or damaged branches. Pruning the plant for decorative purposes is not required, since the natural shape of the crown looks very impressive and without additional intervention.
Although some varieties of skumpia are quite frost-resistant, in the weather conditions of the Moscow region, in preparation for winter, protective structures are made for these shrubs. Before covering the plants, the soil in the near-stem circle is mulched using peat or humus, and the crown is tied with straw or spruce branches, after which it is insulated with a special non-woven material.
Pests and diseases
Despite the fact that scumpia gives the impression of a rather delicate plant, it is highly resistant to various diseases. Only a few species of insects, such as the fawn leaf beetle and the scumpian beetle, pose a threat to the well-being of the shrub in the Moscow Region.
They eat up the leaves of the shrub, thus weakening the scumpia, to the detriment of its aesthetic appearance. Insecticides, for example, Decis and Karbofos, will help to cope with these pests.
In addition, in winter, scumpia is especially vulnerable to various rodents and hares, which, due to the lack of other food, are not averse to profiting from the bark of this plant. A reliable winter shelter can save the day. Whitewashing the bush may also be helpful.
Conclusion
Having studied the description of the scumpia varieties for the Moscow region, we can conclude that shrubs with high frost resistance grow most successfully in the conditions of Central Russia. Proper care will help you cultivate healthy plants and provide them with abundant flowering.
