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Spirea Douglas is a representative of the Rosaceae family, which includes more than a hundred species, differing in height and color. The habitat of ornamental shrubs is Asia (Himalayas), part of Mexico, found in mountainous regions, forest-steppe. The plant is frost-resistant, tolerates drought well. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is used as an element in the design of the site.
Description of spirea Douglas
Douglas spirea (spiraea Douglasii) is a deciduous plant with a long flowering period. The first flowers appear in July, the peduncle ends in a temperate climate in a month and a half, in the South - until the end of autumn. External features of the spirea:
- Shrub 1.5 m high, gives a significant number of erect processes. The structure of the stem is tough, strong, flexible, light brown with a burgundy tint. Branches with a dense edge.
- Spirea has oblong leaves up to 10 cm long. The plate is rich green, two-tiered structure. The lower part is oval, smooth along the edges, framed in the middle by a toothed structure, tapering at the top. The reverse side of the leaf is silvery with a strong edge.
- The root system is fibrous, dense, well expanded in breadth.
- Small multiple flowers of a dark pink hue, collected in panicles (up to 15 cm). A pyramidal inflorescence is formed at the top of the stem. The protruding white stamens give decorative effect, the panicle looks like in an openwork cocoon.
The Douglas shrub grows rapidly. After 3 years, it reaches its maximum height, begins to bloom.
Spirea Douglas in landscape design
Spirea of this type is the most popular among professional designers and amateur gardeners. The Douglas variety is planted in the composition as a background accent, as a decoration for alleys, near water bodies.
The use of Douglas spirea (pictured) in the landscape design of the site:
- in the form of a composition in the center of a flower bed;
- to highlight a certain part of the garden;
- distribution along the edges of the garden path creates a visual perception of the alley;
- as a hedge to mark areas on the site;
- to create a background near the wall of a building.
In combination with low-growing flowers, the plant is used in rockeries to draw attention to a specific composition of stones. Distributed along the edges of the alpine slide.
In urban recreation areas, squares, parks, Douglas spirea is planted as a hedge near sanitary areas, benches, along alleys. It is harmoniously combined with conifers, junipers, Japanese pine. A Douglas spirea placed under a maple tree will favorably emphasize the foliage of the tree.
Planting and caring for Douglas spirea
Spiraea Douglasii is a perennial, summer flowering plant; it is assigned to a permanent place in early spring, when the soil has thawed so much that planting work can be carried out, or in the fall, until the sap flow has ended and it has not thrown off the foliage.
Preparation of planting material and site
Spirea Douglas is a thermophilic plant that can grow in one place for up to 15 years, this factor is taken into account when choosing a site. The bush can be in the shade for a certain time without prejudice to flowering, for example, several hours a day.Constant shading and dampness are unacceptable for the species.
Soils for planting are chosen fertile, loose, well-drained. The composition of the soil is slightly acidic or neutral. The roots of the plant are fibrous, prone to decay. If there is groundwater in the area close to the surface, the shrub will die. An unsuitable place for planting is a lowland with a lack of lighting and accumulation of water.
Planting material is chosen with a well-developed, healthy root system. Damaged areas or dry fragments are cut out before planting. The seedling is dipped in a manganese solution for 2 hours, then placed in an agent that stimulates root growth for a day. Treat with fungicide.
Landing rules
If the Douglas spirea is part of the composition, it is planted in the hole. For a hedge, seedlings are placed in a trench, the depth in both cases is 50 cm.The width of the hole is 15 cm larger than the root system, the distance between the bushes is 60 cm. The algorithm of actions:
- A twenty-centimeter layer of drainage (pebbles, gravel) is laid on the bottom.
- A soil mixture is poured on top, consisting of equal parts of the fertile layer and compost.
- A spirea is vertically installed in the middle, the roots are distributed, and covered with soil. The root collar should be 3 cm above the surface.
- They compact the earth, water it, and mulch it with peat.
Watering and feeding
Spirea Douglas does not require constant watering, it is enough twice a month, but with plenty of water. If the weather is dry, the irrigation is increased. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as well as waterlogging. Be sure to loosen the soil and remove weeds.
Top dressing is applied in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, diluted in water with organic matter, after two weeks with superphosphate agents. Fertilizer "Kemira Universal" applied at the root has an effective effect on the growth of shrubs.
Douglas spirea pruning
Spirea Douglas blooms in summer, the crown is formed in the spring, before the leaves appear. Remove old branches and young growth that thickens the crown. Frozen shoots are cut out, the tops are shortened. A young plant is cut off the top to well-developed buds.
After four years of growth, the Douglas spirea is subjected to cardinal pruning, 25 cm are left from the root.The shrub will quickly restore new shoots without sacrificing flowering. Cutting off the tops is impractical, the spirea will form thin stems with small inflorescences. Pruning activities continue every year. If the Douglas spirea gives a weak growth, the plant is transplanted to another site.
Preparing for winter
The frost-resistant culture of spiraea Douglasii, grown in the European zone, tolerates a drop in temperature well if certain preventive measures are taken. The root system of the plant is shallow, so shelter is needed. The root circle is mulched with dry leaves, peat or needles, preliminarily spire Douglas spirea with soil by 30 cm. There is no need to bend and cover the branches, in the spring the bush will quickly recover, it is better to tie the shoots into a bunch.
Reproduction
Propagated by the Douglas spirea on the site by several methods: seeds, division, cuttings, layering. Planting material is taken from the mother plant (at least 4 years old). Spirea is rarely propagated by seeds, the process is long, the planting material does not always give the required number of shoots. This method is used in the hybridization of new ornamental varieties.
Productive and easy breeding methods:
- Layers. The side branches are bent to the ground, fixed and sprinkled with soil. The work is carried out in early spring. After a while, the root system will form from the buds. After the appearance of two or more young shoots, the branch is cut off from the bush, removed from the soil, and divided by the number of seedlings formed. Spirea Douglas has good survival rate, young shoots are immediately planted in a permanent place of growth.
- By dividing the bush. This method is used in the fall, approximately in September, so that there is enough time for the adaptation of the root system. The spirea is removed from the ground, divided so that each part consists of several shoots and a strong root lobe.
- Cuttings. At the beginning of September, 15 cm fragments are cut from the one-year shoot.Placed in a container with soil at an angle of 400, covered with a foil with holes for oxygen access.
In winter, containers with cuttings of Douglas spirea are covered with leaves, sprinkled with snow. In the spring, cuttings are opened, planted in early June.
Diseases and pests
Spirea Douglas practically does not get sick. The most common plant pest is the spider mite. The female of the insect hibernates under the foliage fallen from the bush, lays eggs on the leaves in the spring, up to 10 clutches per season. Affected leaves die and fall off. Vegetation slows down, Douglas spirea loses its decorative appearance. For preventive purposes, they remove fallen leaves, loosen the soil. In hot weather, completely irrigate the bush. Treat with means: "Akreks", "Keltan", "Phosphamide".
Aphids are less common, they feed on spirea juice, the colony grows rapidly. Without timely measures, the plant will not give flowers, throw off the leaves, and stop growing. They neutralize the pest with drugs: "Pirimor", "Actellik", "Bitoxibacillin".
Conclusion
Spirea Douglas is a perennial shrub widely used for design decoration of personal plots, urban recreation areas. The frost-resistant plant is widespread throughout Russia. Undemanding to care, tolerates drought well. Deciduous shrub blooms with conical, large inflorescences of a dark pink hue.
