European spindle is a beautiful ornamental plant!

Beresklet is a genus of deciduous or evergreen shrubs (sometimes - small trees), belongs to the family of birch tree, including up to 200 species. Most of them grow in the south-west of China. In nature, the plant can reach a height of 5-7 meters. In the forests of Russia there are up to 20 of its species. The European spindle tree, growing in Russia (in its European part), and also in the Caucasus, reaches a height of 7 m. This deciduous tree with characteristic cork growths giving the branches a tetrahedral shape. The plant blooms in May-June. In autumn, in September-October, the color of the leaves becomes purple-red, and cross-shaped boxes of fruits, of which orange seeds hang on thin threads, pink or dark red. The spindle is a shade-tolerant plant, but in order to have a bright, beautiful color in autumn, it needs a sunny location.

European spindle grass grows on the fringes, in pine and oak forests, coastal bushes, in shady ravines, along the banks of rivers. It is actively used in the form of ornamental shrubs in parks and gardens, in the greening of industrial premises, corridors. Under artificial conditions, spindle leaves practically never blossom, but the main beauty of these plants is in their crown, which can be formed by the proper pruning.

The spindle is poisonous, nevertheless, it is used in medicine. It has antiparasitic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antihelminthic, laxative, diuretic and expectorant action. The raw materials for the medicine are the branches, seeds, bark and leaves of the plant. Infusion of plant branches is taken with gonorrhea, swelling, chronic constipation, seeds - with cardiovascular insufficiency, leaves - with fungal diseases of the skin. Decoction fruit is used for dry cough, inflammatory diseases of the liver, malaria, edema, and powder of them - with eczema, dermatomycosis, as an antiparasitic and insecticidal agent.

Berezkin the European Are used as a sand-fixing and soil-protective plant. From the bark they receive gutta-percha, baskets are made from young branches. Wood is used to make organ pipes and various crafts. Fruits are used in veterinary medicine: they are insisted on vinegar and treat skin diseases in animals. Fat oil is allowed to produce soap, cake is fed to cattle.

Most types of spindle, including European spindle, are easily propagated by vegetative methods: green cuttings, bush separation, root offspring. Perhaps, also, seed reproduction of the plant, although it is somewhat more complicated.

For growing in apartments, mainly Japanese spindle is used. Care for a simple and does not require special efforts. This plant grows in nature where there is a lot of light, but it does not get hot, therefore it will be better in the room if the temperature does not exceed 25 C in the summer, and in winter it will range from 6-8 C to 12 C, otherwise Can discard the leaves. The humidity of the air for the plant is not of particular importance, but spraying on its condition has a positive effect.

Autumn-winter should be watered moderately and carefully, spring-summer requires more intensive watering, but without excessive overmoistening of the soil. In summer it is desirable to take pots with plants on air. Sprinkle and sprinkle spindles better with standing water. During the growing season, it is necessary to perform a cleansing pruning in order to remove weak and superfluous (thickening) shoots. Pruning can form a very beautiful crown, and the branches from the trimming to use for cuttings. In spring and summer, it is desirable to feed the spindle grass 1 time per 15-20 days. Transplanting of young plants is produced annually, of adult plants - every 2-4 years.

Decorative dignity of Japanese spindle leaves is a lush openwork crown, with tetrahedral branches and numerous golden-variegated or dark-green leaves. In addition to decorative, thanks to numerous leaves, spindle leaves enriches the air in the room, thereby heals it. From the Japanese spindle, you can create a beautiful bonsai or various geometric shapes: pyramids, cones, spheres, cubes, etc.