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Spirea - flowering, an ornamental shrub that is used to decorate the infield. There are a large number of varieties and species, differing in color of flowers and leaves, crown size and flowering period. To keep the site in bloom from early spring to late autumn, gardeners plant different varieties of spirea. Spiraea niponskaya is an early flowering shrub with fragrant snow-white flowers that appear at the end of May.
Description of nippon spirea
Spirea Nippon came to our country from Japan, from the island of Shikoku. The plant is a medium-sized shrub, reaching a height of up to 2 m. The spreading crown is formed by flexible, curved shoots. The oval leaf plate reaches a length of 1 to 4 cm. The dark olive color of the foliage gradually turns into a green hue, and in autumn changes to red.
In one place, the Nippon spirea can grow up to 30 years old, the annual growth is 20-30 cm, both in width and in height.
In early summer, the bush is covered with snow-white, large, corymbose inflorescences with small fragrant flowers. The flowering is intense and abundant, lasting about 2 months.
Spirea nipponskaya in landscape design
Due to its unpretentiousness, cold resistance and ease of care, nippon spirea has found wide application in landscape design. It goes well with conifers, looks beautiful near water bodies. In urban landscape design, the plant is planted:
- next to playgrounds and sports grounds;
- in the park area;
- near residential buildings;
- to create a green fence;
- for single and group landings.
In early summer, the plant attracts the eye with the beauty of a lush, snow-white bloom, which is noticeable from a distance. In household plots, the spirea is planted in rock gardens and complex flower beds, along garden paths, next to nondescript buildings.
And also the shrub looks harmoniously against the background of blooming lilacs, with other types of spirea, near tall bulbous plants. Since spirea is an excellent honey plant, it is often planted next to an apiary or near single hives.
Varieties of nipponskaya spirea
Spirea nippon has 2 decorative forms:
- round-leaved - a powerful bush with ovoid leaves and large snow-white inflorescences;
- narrow-leaved - a shrub with narrow leaves and small, numerous flowers.
The following flowering species are popular in Russia.
Spirea Nippon Snowmound
The most beautiful species, reaching a height of up to 2 m. Spiraea nipponica Snowmound is a spring-flowering shrub with a spreading crown, which is formed by numerous, vertically growing shoots and arched branches.
Dark emerald, ovoid leaves are up to 4 cm long. Lush, snow-white inflorescences are collected from small fragrant flowers.
Planting and caring for the Nippon Snumound spirea is easy, the main thing is to follow simple rules:
- For lush and abundant flowering, the plant is planted in a sunny place.
- The distance between landings should be at least half a meter.
- Watering is moderate.
- The soil is mulched with straw or sawdust.
Spiraea nippon Snowmound is a frost-resistant, deciduous shrub that can winter at temperatures down to -30 degrees.
Spirea Nippon JuneBride
Spirea nippon JuneBride is an ornamental, spherical shrub, reaching a height and width of up to one and a half meters. In mid-May, the plant forms pink buds, from which snow-white inflorescences appear. The dark olive leaves retain their color until late autumn. The species is winter-hardy, withstands a drop in temperature to -25 degrees.
Used for group and single plantings, as borders and green hedges, to decorate complex flower gardens and rock gardens.
Spirea Nippon Halvard Silver
Spiraea nipponskaya Halwardsilver - undersized, densely leafy shrub. An adult plant reaches 1 m in height and 1.5 m in width. Oval leaves are dark green in color, changing color at the end of August to copper-red.
The snow-white bloom begins in June and lasts up to 25 days. Due to its rich aroma, the species attracts butterflies and pollinating insects.
Spirea Nippon Silver grows well in nutritious, moist soil in an easily shaded or sunny place.
Spirea Nippon Gelves
Spirea Nippon Gerlves Rainbow is a flowering, slow-growing shrub. The annual growth is 10-15 cm. Dark brown shoots are covered with small orange-green leaves, among which you can see snow-white inflorescences.
Although the species is frost-resistant, without shelter there is a possibility of freezing of young shoots, which, after pruning, quickly recover.
Spirea Nippon Rainbow is photophilous, has immunity to diseases and insect pests.
Planting and caring for nippon spirea
According to reviews, nippon spirea is an unpretentious shrub that even a novice gardener can grow. If you make a minimum of effort and maximum care, the shrub will show itself in all its beauty a year after planting.
Preparation of planting material and site
It is better to purchase a nippon spirea seedling with a lump of earth or in a container. When buying, pay attention to the condition of the root system. If the roots have sprouted through the drainage holes, then the plant is old and the survival rate will be low.
If the seedling has an open root system, the roots should be:
- flexible and moist;
- no signs of rot or damage;
- it is best to cover them with a clay mash.
Before planting, dried and broken roots are cut off from the seedling. The plant is kept in water for 1–2 hours and planting is started.
Landing rules
Spirea Nipponskaya is planted in autumn or spring, in cloudy weather. For planting a seedling, choose a well-lit place or light partial shade. The soil should be moist, nutritious, well-drained. Due to its unpretentiousness, spirea can grow on poor soil in urban environments.
Before planting, the selected place is dug onto the bayonet of the shovel, sand and peat are added in equal proportions. A planting pit is made, a little larger than the root system. A 15 cm layer of drainage, a layer of earth is laid on the bottom. The roots of the plant are straightened and laid on a nutritious soil. The seedling is covered with earth, tamping each layer to avoid the appearance of an air cushion.
The planted plant is abundantly watered and mulched with straw or sawdust. Caring for the plant is simple, it consists in watering, feeding and timely pruning.
Watering and feeding
The plant has a fibrous root system, which is located closer to the soil surface, so watering should be regular. In dry, hot weather, irrigation is carried out 2-3 times a month. Up to 15 liters of warm water are used for each bush. After watering, the soil is loosened and mulched.
For abundant flowering, the bush is fed 3 times per season:
- in the spring - nitrogenous fertilizers;
- in summer - organic;
- in the fall - phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or wood ash.
Pruning nippon spirea
To enhance flowering, the shrub must be pruned regularly. Pruning rules:
- Since the nippon spirea produces inflorescences along the entire length of the shoots, the pruning is carried out on the faded branches by ½ the length.
- In the spring, before sap flow, frozen branches are removed, in the fall - old, weak shoots and excess growth.
- Once every 2 years, low-flowering shoots are cut, and once every 10 years, the shrub is rejuvenated, completely getting rid of old shoots.
Preparing for winter
Although the plant is frost-resistant, it must be prepared for cold weather. For this, the plant is abundantly watered, fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and covered. For shelter, you can use non-woven material, dry straw or foliage with a layer of at least 25 cm.
Reproduction
Spirea nippon can be propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- taps;
- dividing the bush.
Seed propagation is a difficult and time-consuming process that may not bring the desired result.
Reproduction by branches gives a good survival rate. To do this, a strong lower shoot is laid in a prepared trench, fixed with a bracket and covered with earth so that the top remains above the ground surface. Then the soil is watered and mulched. The next year, after the branch develops a powerful root system, it is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Dividing a bush is an easy breeding method that even a novice gardener can handle. The plant is dug up and divided into small parts, which are transplanted to the chosen place.
Cuttings are the most popular breeding method for Nippon spirea. To propagate a bush by cuttings, you must adhere to simple rules:
- annual, green cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut;
- the lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by ½ the length;
- planting material is planted in moist sand at an acute angle;
- the container is covered with a plastic bottle and placed in a warm, well-lit room;
- with the onset of cold weather, the pot can be taken out to the balcony or left in the garden, covering it with double polyethylene or dry foliage;
- in spring, after warming up the soil, the cutting can be safely planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Spiraea nipponskaya has good immunity to diseases and insect pests. But, like any other plant, without proper care, it can suffer from insect pests.
Spider mite. Appears in hot, dry summers. The pest can be detected by white spots and thin cobwebs on the leaves, which turn yellow without treatment, dry out and fall off. To get rid of the insect, the shrub is treated with Fusalon, Phosphamide, Metaphos.
Blue meadow sawfly goose. The insect eats unopened buds, young foliage and shoots. If left untreated, the caterpillar can destroy the plant. To get rid of the drug used "Decis".
Conclusion
Spiraea nipponskaya is an early flowering, perennial shrub with snow-white flowers. Due to its unpretentiousness, the plant can be grown on a personal plot and in city parks. Subject to the simple rules of care, the spirea will show its splendor during the first summer month.
