Content
Brunner is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Borage family. The genus consists of three species, two of which grow on the territory of Russia. Large-leaved brunner Jack Frost (Jack Frost) is found only in the North Caucasus and the Middle Belt, the second species grows in Siberia.
Description
Perennial herb brunner Jack Frost forms a dense compact bush. The culture does not grow to the sides, the aboveground mass consists mainly of leaves, only thin peduncles appear in the center during budding.
Jack Frost has good frost resistance and strong immunity
Characteristic of Jack Frost culture:
- The plant is undersized, reaches a height of 30-50 cm, the diameter of the crown of an adult Brunner is 60 cm. The bush does not disintegrate, the central part empties with age, this is a sign that it needs to be divided and planted.
- Jack Frost species is prized for the shape and color of the leaves. They are large, heart-shaped, 20-25 cm long. The lower part is gray with a green tint, rough and densely pubescent with small, thin bristles.
- The upper part of the leaf plate is reticulate, with dark green veins and a border along a smooth edge.
- The leaves are attached on long stalks. In early July, the formation of the aboveground mass ends and until late autumn large bright leaves retain their color.
- The central stem is short, thick, pubescent. On the upper part, thin peduncles are formed, which end in corymbose inflorescences protruding in the upper part above the crown level.
- The flowers are dark blue or light blue, with a white core, five-petal, small. Their diameter is 0.5-0.7 cm. Outwardly, the flowers resemble forget-me-nots. Flowering begins in May, continues until June, if the inflorescences are cut, the cycle resumes in August.
- The root system is pivotal, weakly branched, the root is long, growing parallel to the soil surface.
For full-fledged vegetation, the Brunner needs partial shade and moist soil. The culture feels comfortable under the crown of large-sized trees and on the north side of the building. In an open area, burns may appear on the leaves, with a lack of moisture, the crown loses its turgor, which is why Brunner's Jack Frost loses its attractiveness.
Growing from seeds
The seedlings of Brunners Jack Frost are harvested in mid-July (after ripening). The terms are conditional: in the south, the culture fades earlier, in temperate climates later. After collecting the seeds, they are treated with an antifungal agent and placed in a refrigerator for 2 days for hardening. You can sow directly into the ground:
- Furrows are made with a depth of 2 cm.
- Spread the seeds at a distance of 5 cm.
- Cover with compost and watered.
Seedlings appear in 10 days. When the seedlings have risen by about 8 cm, they are transferred to a permanent place. For the winter they cover with mulch and cover with snow.
On one site of Brunner, Jack Frost can grow for more than 7 years. After planting, the plant will enter reproductive age only in the fourth year. The method is unproductive and lengthy. It is better to grow seedlings, in this case the culture will bloom for 2-3 years.
Brunner cultivation technology at home:
- Soil mixed with compost is collected in containers.
- The seeds are stratified, disinfected and treated with a growth stimulant.
- Sowing is carried out in the same way as in an open area.
- Seedlings are grown at a temperature of +16 0C, the soil is kept moist.
- When sprouts appear, fertilize with nitrogen fertilizers.
The material is sown immediately after collection, the containers are left on the site until the temperature drops, to about +50 C, then brought into the room. By spring, the seedlings will be ready for planting.
How and when to plant in open ground
Planting time depends on the material. If Brunner Jack Frost is bred with seedlings, work begins in the spring, after the temperature is set to + 15-17 0C, therefore, the timing in each climatic zone is different. In the case of division of the mother bush - after flowering, approximately in July, August.
Brunner Jack Frost Landing Sequence:
- The allotted area is dug up, weeds are removed.
- A mixture of peat and compost is made, complex fertilizers are added.
- The deepening is made according to the size of the root so that the vegetative buds are above ground level.
- Part of the mixture is poured onto the bottom of the pit.
- Brunner is placed and covered with the rest of the substrate.
The plant is hygrophilous, therefore, after watering, the root circle is covered with mulch. If planting is carried out by dividing the bush, a few leaves are left for photosynthesis, the rest are cut off so that the plant spends its main nutrition on root formation.
The planting material obtained by dividing the bush will bloom next year
Care
The agricultural technology of Brunner Jack Frost consists in carrying out the following activities:
- Watering is carried out constantly. For this culture, it is better if the soil is waterlogged. This species will not grow in a sunny, dry area. If the brunner is located near a reservoir, it is watered less often, focusing on precipitation.
- Weeding is required, but loosening is carried out shallow so as not to damage the root.
- Mulching is also included in the maintenance conditions, the material protects the root from overheating, retains soil moisture and prevents the formation of compaction on the surface. If there is mulch, then there is no need for loosening.
- Top dressing is applied in spring, nitrogen is used for this. At the time of budding, the plant needs potassium-phosphorus compositions. After flowering, it is advisable to feed with organic matter.
An oversupply of fertilizers for Brunner is undesirable, because the culture intensively increases the green mass, but the leaves lose their decorative effect, they are painted in a monochromatic grayish color.
Diseases and pests
Jack Frost grows naturally in forest clearings or along the banks of water bodies. The plant is characterized by strong immunity; when grown in the garden, it practically does not get sick. If the bush is constantly in the shade, powdery mildew may appear on the leaves. Antifungal drugs are used for treatment.
Of the pests for the variety, aphids and whitefly butterflies are dangerous, but only if they are massively distributed in the area. To get rid of insects, plants are sprayed with insecticides.
Pruning
Brunner's Jack Frost does not shed the leaves on his own. After frost, they remain on the bush, but lose their decorative effect. In spring, they also do not fall off and interfere with the growth of the young crown. Therefore, before wintering, the plant is cut off completely, left about 5-10 cm above the ground.
Preparing for winter
After trimming the aerial part, the plant is abundantly watered and fed with phosphate fertilizers. The root circle is covered with compost. Straw is placed on top, this is important for regions where winter temperatures drop below -23 0C. In the south, the plant needs no shelter.
Reproduction
Generative reproduction is practiced in nurseries for the mass cultivation of seedlings. On the site, the division of the mother plant is more often used. After 4 years of growth, this event can be done with any bush. It is dug up and divided into parts so that each has 1-2 buds.
Can be propagated by Brunner Jack Frost by root shoots. Separate a part from the top and cut into fragments so that each of them has root threads. This method is less productive, it is rarely used. Brunner can be propagated by cuttings, but no more than 30% of the entire material takes root.The plant propagates by self-sowing, seedlings are also used for transplanting to another site.
Photo in landscape design
Because of its bright leaves, Brunner Jack Frost is widely used in landscape design as an ornamental plant. The shade-loving plant is compatible with all crops.
With a mass planting of brunners, curbs are created, alpine slides are made, the culture is included in mixborders with flowering plants
Brunner is grown solo in flower beds or ridges
Large-leaved culture looks great in a flowerbed with flowering plants and dwarf junipers
Jack Frost variety harmoniously combines with monochromatic hosts
Conclusion
Brunner's Jack Frost is a herbaceous perennial plant with variegated leaves and blue flowers. The culture received the main distribution in the North Caucasus. Ornamental seedlings are used in landscape design to create borders and mixborders. The Jack Frost species is characterized by simple agricultural techniques. It is a shade-loving, stress-resistant variety that reproduces by division and seeds.
Testimonials
Brunner's Jack Frost grows along the banks of an artificial reservoir. The site is open, but the high humidity protects the bushes from sunburn. Plant care is minimal. For the winter, I cut off the aboveground part and mulch. Even in cold winters, the root is not damaged. In the spring, Brunner grows quickly and retains its decorative effect until the end of the season.
