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The Colorata bird cherry is becoming more famous among amateur gardeners and landscape designers for its beautiful outfit of purple leaves and pink flowers gathered in lush tassels. A novice amateur gardener who knows the basics of agricultural technology can also take care of a tree.
Breeding history of the variety
Bird cherry is a type of deciduous low trees belonging to the Pink family of the Plum genus. The common bird cherry of the Colorata variety was developed in Sweden. The variety has already gained popularity among Russian gardeners due to its decorativeness, unpretentiousness in any climatic region and active growth at a young age.
Description of bird cherry Colorata
For the spectacular appearance of the rounded crown with purple foliage, the Colorata bird cherry is referred to as decorative varieties. It is especially beautiful in spring, when pink inflorescences hang in clusters on the branches. Description of the bird cherry variety Colorata and a photo with a picture of a tree will help you understand how best to use it in garden plantings.
Botanical description of bird cherry:
- grows in height from 5 to 6 m;
- the crown of an adult plant reaches a diameter of 5 m;
- lateral branches are strongly sagging;
- the bark and shoots are brownish-purple in color;
- leaves are simple, alternate, longitudinal (up to 10 cm long). During spring growth, they have a purple color with a red tint, which is why Colorat's bird cherry is called red-leaved, in summer, green is added to their color, and in autumn they acquire a red-yellow appearance;
- flowers are small, with pink petals, collected in large clusters, bloom in May, have a specific almond aroma;
- drupe fruits of spherical shape, dense black color with shine, edible, tasty, astringent, ripen in late July - early August;
- the root system is located in the upper layer of the soil, it is highly branched, letting in offspring at a distance of up to 10 m.
The plant is useful for growing in a garden or at a summer cottage. It releases large amounts of volatile phytoncides that kill pathogens and repel insects such as flies, midges, ticks and mosquitoes.
Bird cherry varieties Colorata partially self-fertile plant. For better pollination and fruiting, it is recommended to have plants of other varieties of this culture with the same flowering time in the garden area.
It should be borne in mind that for the full development of the root system and the successful growth of the Colorat bird cherry, a site of at least 5-6 m in diameter is needed.
Characteristics of the variety
The bird cherry of the Kolorata variety is considered one of the best honey plants. It produces a lot of pollen and nectar. The soil on which the tree grows becomes more fertile due to fallen leaves, which reduce the acidity of the soil.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Bird cherry varieties Kolorata tolerates cold well and is considered a frost-resistant plant with a winter hardiness zone - 4. In this zone, the air temperature in winter can drop to -350FROM.
Bird cherry can be called moisture-loving. She feels great during short-term waterlogging.Also, this plant is considered drought tolerant. The amount of watering depends on the climatic and territorial zone. You just need to make sure that the ground is not dry.
Productivity and fruiting
Starting from 5-6 years of age, with the necessary care, the tree of the Colorata variety gives an annual, bountiful harvest. The main crop is formed on the increments of the previous year. The fruits begin to ripen in July. Berry picking takes place until September.
Drupes of bird cherry are juicy, sweet (up to 5% sugar), strongly astringent, since they contain a lot of tannins. The average yield of the Kolorata variety is 7-9 kg per tree. The berries are not baked in the sun and do not crumble for a long time.
Scope of the fruit
The berries of the bird cherry variety Colorata are edible, black in color with shine, as in the photo above. They reach a size of 7-8 mm in diameter. They have a sweet astringent taste. They are consumed raw, dried, used for making baked goods, preserves, jam, compotes, both bird cherry, and in composition with other berries. Very tasty liqueurs, liqueurs, wine and soft drinks are prepared from bird cherry.
The beneficial properties of various parts (leaves, berries, bark) of bird cherry have long been known, which are widely used in medicine.
Fresh berries of the Colorata variety can be stored for up to a month in a cool place and are well transported. To do this, they should be placed in a box or box, alternating layers of berries with leaves.
Disease and pest resistance
Bird cherry varieties Colorata are susceptible to fungal diseases and attack by insect pests, in particular bird cherry moth. Therefore, regular preventive treatment of the plant is necessary, especially in the spring season and before fruiting.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Colorata variety has a number of advantages that can advantageously distinguish it from other inhabitants of the infield. Here are some of the pros:
- unpretentious care;
- spectacular appearance;
- pleasant scent of flowers;
- high drought and frost resistance;
- edible, healthy and tasty fruits.
Culture also has some disadvantages that a gardener should be aware of. There are few of them:
- susceptible to attack by insect pests, which is why it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive measures;
- takes up a lot of space, which should be taken into account when planting and not planted in a small area.
Planting and caring for the bird cherry Colorata
The planting time for Colorata bird cherry depends on the territorial zone. The tree is planted in spring before bud formation and in autumn before frost. In the central and southern parts of Russia, it is better to do this in the spring - the plant has time to strengthen the roots before the active movement of the juices begins. In the northern regions, it is recommended to plant the tree in the fall.
It is advisable to choose a place for planting with good sunlight. Bird cherry varieties Colorata can grow in partial shade, but the lack of sunlight will lead to the fact that the flowering will not be plentiful, and the foliage will lose its purple hue and become more green in color.
Bird cherry is known for its unpretentious care and can grow on any soil. For the safe growth of bird cherry varieties Colorata, it is better to plant it on loamy soil with a neutral reaction, without close groundwater.
The soil must be prepared in advance:
- for autumn planting - 2-3 weeks;
- in the spring - in the fall.
Sequence of preparation:
- Dig up the site.
- Make a planting hole large enough to freely position the roots. Approximate size - 40x50 cm.
- Put a part of the prepared fertile mixture of manure, sand and earth on the bottom of the pit.
- Leave to infuse until planting.
Planting of seedlings is carried out according to the usual agrotechnical rules:
- Seedlings with an open root system are soaked in a stimulating solution for 3-4 days, the roots with an earthen lump can be left unsoaked, and after planting, water abundantly with water.
- Set in a pit, straightening the roots well.
- Fill in the rest of the fertile mixture so that the root collar is 1-2 cm above the ground.
- The earth is tamped in the near-trunk circle, watered and mulched.
It is recommended to prune the crown immediately after planting and remove the lateral branches, leaving the 4 most developed shoots. It is advisable to carry out such a pruning procedure every year.
Further care for the Colorata bird cherry consists of the usual procedures necessary for the life of the plant:
- watering;
- sanitary and thinning pruning;
- fertilization;
- loosening the soil and mulching.
Bird cherry does not require special shelter for the winter. Mulching the trunk circle with sawdust or peat will be sufficient to shelter the roots from severe frosts.
Bird cherry Colorata in landscape design
Due to the color of the leaves, which changes from spring to autumn, and the beautiful abundant spring flowering, the Colorata bird cherry varieties are widely used in landscape design, creating beautiful tree and shrub compositions with other plants. It is used to decorate parks, squares, lawns. Trees on the banks of reservoirs and against the background of coniferous plantations look spectacular.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
To preserve the decorative appearance of the Colorata variety, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive measures to prevent fungal diseases, such as:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- cytosporosis;
- clasterosporium disease.
Spring spraying of trees with soapy water or ash, timely sanitary pruning will help prevent disease.
The fragrant floral scent of bird cherry attracts many different insects:
- bird cherry moth;
- gypsy moth;
- weevil beetle;
- bedbugs.
The most effective way to get rid of insect pests is to treat Colorata trees with special chemicals, tobacco or nightshade infusion. You can hang traps on a tree trunk.
Conclusion
Bird cherry Colorata can delight those who plant it to decorate the garden plot, and those who wish to taste its delicious fruits. This tree does not require much maintenance. You could even say that it grows by itself. The main wish when planting is to allocate enough space for the root system and a lush openwork crown.
