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A photo and description of Macrophyll's spirea will introduce those who do not yet know with an unusual, deciduous shrub. In the wild, it is distributed almost throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Breeders have done a great job of breeding varieties that would be suitable for growing at home. The attractiveness of the forms of the sheets and the play of color of the Macrophyll spirea allow landscape designers to embody the most extraordinary ideas.
Description of spirea Japanese Macrophylla
Variety Macrophylla is the best variety among decorative deciduous spirits. Its homeland is considered the territory of the Far East and Eastern Siberia. Also grows in North China, Europe, South-East Russia. The plant selects areas on the shores of lakes, reservoirs, forest edges, mountain slopes.
The height of the spirea is 1.3 m, and the width of the crown reaches 1.5 m. Among its counterparts, it is characterized by rapid growth, an annual growth of 25-30 cm. The foliage is wrinkled, swollen, large in size. The length of the leaf is 20 cm, and the width is 10 cm. During the blooming period, the leaves have a purple color, which eventually changes to green.
Spirea Macrophylla refers to summer flowering plants. The beginning of flowering period is July-August. Inflorescences are corymbose, 20 cm long. The color is pink.
Perennial frost-resistant. Sun-loving. It grows in soils of various compositions. Does not tolerate long periods of drought.
Spirea Macrophyllav Landscape Design
Spirea Macrophylla is suitable for creating a romantic design on the site. The variety stands out brightly for its foliage, or rather its color. In the springtime, it has a purple hue, which, closer to summer, smoothly flows into green. In autumn, the leaves acquire a rich yellow color, due to which the plant harmoniously fits into the general atmosphere.
The shrub looks perfect both in group and single plantings. Looks original when framing sidewalk paths, curbs, mixborders. Spirea Macrofill is used to create flower beds, compositions from ornamental shrubs. Looking at the photo, it is not always possible to guess that the main element of the garden's decor is the Japanese spirea Macrophyll.
Planting and caring for the Macrophyll spirea
This ornamental plant is not at all demanding. Growing a healthy and strong bush is within the power of even those who have never done this. For spirea Macrophyll, standard agricultural practices are applicable.
Preparation of planting material and site
The key to a quick adaptation of a plant to a new place and rapid growth is a healthy planting material. This is evidenced by the flexibility and the presence of buds on the shoot. If there is a Macrophyll spirea seedling with an open root system, then first of all it is necessary to inspect the root system. Remove all dry, yellow areas. Shorten roots that are too long. It is worth trimming the upper part of the seedling by 1/3 of the length.
Planting material with a closed root system, first of all, must be removed from the container. Drizzle with warm water. If hardening has formed, it is best to leave the seedling in a container of water for several hours.
The photophilous nature of an ornamental shrub determines its active development in the sun. If necessary, you can plant the Macrophyll spirea in partial shade. The shrub gives abundant root growth, which increases the occupied area. This fact should be taken into account when planning the landing site.
Any soil is suitable as a growing medium. Of course, flowering will be much more abundant in fertile and loose soil. The depleted substrate is fertilized with peat or a mixture of river sand with leafy soil. It will be useful to arrange a drainage layer of broken bricks and pebbles.
Planting spirea Macrophyll in the garden
Planting procedure for summer-flowering spirea Macrofill is performed in the spring. The main task is to be in time before the foliage bloom. During the warm period, the plant will root well and will endure the first wintering without any problems.
It is advisable to choose a cloudy or rainy day for planting. For planting shrubs in rows, it is necessary to leave a gap between the pits of about half a meter. Algorithm for planting spirea Macrophyll:
- Prepare a depression 1/3 larger than the root ball. Approximately 50x50 cm.
- The bottom is lined with crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay. Layer height - 15 cm.
- Then add a mixture of turf, peat and sand.
- A Macrophyll spirea seedling is placed in the center of the recess and sprinkled with earth.
- The soil is not compacted.
- The plant is watered with 20 liters of water.
- When the water is absorbed, sprinkle the trunk circle with peat.
Watering and feeding
Due to the fact that an ornamental plant does not have the ability to penetrate deeply, the issue of moisture is acute. Especially during periods of drought, then the volume of fluid is increased. The water norm for Macrophyll spirea leaves on average 15-20 liters in the interval of 7-10 days. The watering process should be regular, starting from the moment of planting. The young individual needs to be moistened more often. Water is preferably used at room temperature.
For the entire growing season, Macrophylla spirea should be fed 3 times. The first time - in March, fertilized with nitrogenous preparations. The second procedure falls in June, and the next one is performed in August. In the summer they are fed with complex mineral and organic substances.
Pruning
An important stage in the process of caring for Macrophyll's spirea is pruning. Bushes tend to grow, so adjustment is required from time to time. With the help of pruning, gardeners achieve a beautiful shape and long flowering.
Sick, dry, poorly developed shoots are removed in early spring. Long branches are shortened by trimming the tips to strong buds. Bushes that are more than 4 years old need to be cut vigorously, leaving shoots only 20-25 cm long from the root. If after this spirea Macrophylla will give weak growth, it's time to think about replacing the bush. Although the life expectancy of this culture is on average 15 years.
Preparing for winter
From the description it follows that Macrophylla's spirea is a winter-hardy plant. She can endure even harsh winters without shelter. However, extra protection does not hurt when it comes to a young plant. Bending the shoots to the ground will help to transfer the cold without consequences. They are pinned with rods to the surface, and sprinkled on top with dry foliage with a layer of 15 cm.
Reproduction of spirea Macrophyll
Spirea Macrophylla reproduces by dividing the bush, layering and seeds.
Layers
A reliable way that doesn't take long. The process occurs in the spring, when the first leaves appear. You need to select a couple of side branches and bend them to the surface of the ground. Then attach tightly with hairpins. As a result, the shoots should not grow vertically, but horizontally. Sprinkle with soil on top and water.It is important to control the soil moisture level. It should not be dry or wet. Excessive liquid under the bush can lead to decay of the shoots. For the winter, the bends should be covered with dry grass or leaves. If all the recommendations are followed, then young plants can be planted for the next season.
Dividing the bush
For this method, it is necessary to pick up bushes aged 4-5 years or more. At the same time, you cannot use the young Macrophyll spirea, since this procedure can cause irreversible damage to her. The technology itself is simple and does not require any special skills. In the fall, after the foliage has fallen, a bush is dug out, excess soil is removed from the roots and washed with water. Then the rhizome is cut into 3 equal parts, each of which should have a well-developed root system with 4 long shoots. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult for the seedling to take root in a new place.
Seed method
The planting material of the Macrophyll spirea takes root well and emerges. In the spring, the seeds are planted in a container with a peat-earthen mixture. Around June, seedlings are planted in open ground, after pinching the main root. This is done in order to stimulate rapid growth in the plant. The photo shows a spire of Macrophyllus planted in the ground, which in 3-4 years will delight with flowering with proper care.
Diseases and pests
The shrub is ill infrequently. It is also unusual for spireas to be attacked by harmful insects. However, under unfavorable conditions, damage to health is caused by leaf rollers, aphids, spider mites.
The females of the latter hibernate in a heap of fallen leaves, and with the arrival of heat they move to the plant. They live on the underside of the leaf. As a result, the spirea Macrophyll turns yellow and dries ahead of time. The drugs will help to cope effectively: Akrex (0.2%) and Karbofos (0.2%).
The leafworm caterpillar appears at the end of May. Gnaw out all the green tissue on the leaves. Aphids feed on plant sap. Pirimor (0.1%) completely destroys these parasites.
You can prevent pests from appearing on the site by carrying out regular preventive work:
- loosening the soil;
- collection of dry foliage;
- pruning;
- weeding weeds.
Conclusion
A photo and description of Macrophyll's spirea will allow you to find out the ornamental shrub in more detail: planting features, basic care recommendations. And the beauty of flowering will push florist designers to create new compositions.
