Spirea Goldflame: description, features of cultivation

A typical representative of the Rosaceae family is a beautifully flowering shrub called Spirea Goldflame. Gardeners loved this unpretentious plant for its luxurious appearance and long flowering. Originally from Japan and China, today it is grown in many regions of Russia and can decorate any landscape.

Description

This species of spiraea is a low shrub (from 60 to 80 cm) with a diameter of one meter, which has unusual leaves. They have the ability to change their color throughout the season. At first they have a bronze-golden or orange color, then turn yellow, and at the time of flowering they acquire a greenish shade. Such leaves remain until September. When the flowering period ends, they again become bright orange. The length of the elongated, elliptical leaves is 5-8 cm.

From June to the end of August the bush is covered with small pink flowers collected in shields. Spirea Goldflame is the record holder for the duration of flowering among all representatives of this species. The fragrant caps of flowers give the plant a very spectacular appearance. It grows slowly - for a year it increases in size by no more than 10 cm.

Place for planting

Spirea Goldflame, the description of which is given above, loves light, so it is preferable to plant it on sunny areas. In the shade, the leaves of the bush become green. The plant itself is unpretentious. But if he creates good conditions for growth and development, then he will be able to maximize his decorative properties. Therefore, it is best to plant the spiraea on fertile, moderately moist, with a good drainage layer. A brighter, almost purple color of the leaves occurs in shrubs growing on acidic soils. When choosing a site where spiraea will be located, it should be taken into account that a radical growth will appear next to it. Therefore, the area occupied by the plant will be larger.

Landing

Even a beginning gardener is able to grow such a plant as spirea Goldflame. Planting and caring for this plant is not difficult. Acquiring seedlings, you need to carefully look at the roots - they should not be over-dried. If the shoots are flexible, with well-developed buds, hence the plant is healthy.

The landing pit is dug out in advance - about 3-4 days. Its size should be one third larger than the volume of the roots of the plant. For the drainage layer, a broken brick is suitable, which is poured over a layer of at least 20 cm. The soil mixture is prepared from turf ground, humus, peat and sand (in a ratio of 3: 2: 1: 1, respectively). Accurately spreading the roots, the seedling is placed in a planting pit and sprinkled on the root collar with the prepared earth mixture. After this, the plant needs to be thoroughly watered, mulched and small grooves in the soil near the trunk to hold water. Landing is recommended in rainy or cloudy weather.

How to care for spiraea

Japanese spiraea (the photo can be found in this article) does not require too much attention of the gardener. Like most garden crops, it is important for it to ensure timely watering and feeding. In the drought period it is recommended to pour a bucket of water on each bush 2 times a month. The younger the plant, the more water it needs. The soil near the trunk should be maintained in a loose state, in time removing the emerging weeds. It is very useful to mulch. For this, peat, compost or crushed bark of trees can be used.

As a fertilizer for spiraea is very effective "Kemira-wagon". It is applied at the rate of 100 g per 1 m² for plants planted in spring. Then twice during the summer, liquid feeding is carried out. The first time - after pruning, using complex mineral fertilizers, the second time - in July infusion of mullein (from 1 to 3 liters per bush). You can add to it superphosphate (10 g per bucket).

Trimming

This culture is growing very fast. To reduce its size a little, and also to increase tillering, pruning spiraea is carried out. At the same time, old, weak or broken shoots and those that were frozen during the winter are removed. Shorten them very little - until the large kidneys. More bold pruning is done to rejuvenate the bush. Remove almost all the shoots, leaving only a stump. Such pruning spiraea serves as a powerful impetus for the active development of young growth. Forming the bush, it is also removed in such a way that only 5-6 strongest and strong shoots remain. The more severed the plant, the more magnificent and beautiful the bush grows.

Reproduction

In different ways (seeds, cuttings, division of a bush) Goldfleet spirea can multiply. The description of each of them should be considered in detail.

Seeds are sown in early spring in containers filled with soil mixture. When the seedlings are slightly strengthened (approximately in June or July), they can be planted in the open ground. In order for the roots to develop better, the main one is plucked. When multiplying by seeds, varietal characteristics are not preserved.

For planting Japanese spiraea with the help of cuttings, they are harvested in July, cut from annual shoots in such a way that each had 5-6 leaves. Then, for 12 hours, put in a solution of "Epin", treated with "Kornevin" and only then placed in a substrate for rooting. The container with the planting material should be covered with a film. Three times a day, it is slightly opened and the cuttings are sprayed with water. In autumn they are planted on a bed, because by that time roots are already formed. Falling asleep with dry foliage, cover the top with a box. In spring, cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.

Reproduction by bush division is performed in autumn, before spirea Goldflame begins to fold leaves. The plant, which has reached the age of three, is completely excavated, the roots washed thoroughly, and with the help of a pruner they are divided into 3 or 4 parts. At the same time on each delenka should be a good root lobe and at least 2-3 strong shoots. The bush is placed in a prepared landing pit, straightening the roots, and sprinkled with an earth mixture. After planting, plants need good watering.

Preparation for wintering

Adult plants are hardy enough and do not require shelter for the winter. Minor frost damage to spiraea is not terrible, because it is very quickly restored by the formation of new shoots. But the young bush must be protected from cold, especially in the first year of life.

Before the onset of the first frost, the soil around the plant needs to be thoroughly loosened by pouring a hillock out of the garden land 20 cm high. You can use decomposed compost or peat to mulch the stump. Then the branches of the plant are tied up and, laying sackcloth on them or throwing dry leaves, they bend to the ground. To fix them in this position, you can use metal staples. After that, the bush is covered with a heater. This function can also be performed by snow, if it falls out in sufficient quantity.

Diseases and pests

Practically not subject to disease Japanese spiraea. The photos posted in this article show how a healthy plant usually looks. But insect pests sometimes attack him. The most dangerous is a spider mite, as a result of which the leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall off. If the first signs (the appearance of a web and small holes on leaves and inflorescences) are found, emergency measures must be taken. To combat the spider mite, the effective proven means are "Phosphamide" or "Carbophos".

Often the plant overcomes aphids, causing major harm to young inflorescences. You can destroy it using "Pirimor". This tool helps simultaneously cope with many other pests, such as a miner, a rosinized tortillum, etc.

Spirea in landscape design

For the design of the garden plot, this plant is simply irreplaceable due to its amazing ability to preserve the decorative appearance throughout the season - from early spring to late autumn. Spirea Goldflame in landscape design can be used as the main element and as an addition to the composition. It looks great in a small garden, and in a chic country estate.

In group plantings, this plant is planted along with lilac, chubushnik, primula, lilies of the valley, curbs, etc. It looks pretty close to lavender, carrot and barberry. Goldfleet spirea also stands out very nicely against the background of a green carpet of ground- covering perennials.

A hedge, alpine hills, complex flower beds - this plant is used everywhere. A great advantage is the low cost of planting material and the possibility of giving the bush the desired shape.

Japanese spiraea does not require much attention and special care, and a magnificent, spreading bush will delight everyone with its elegant appearance throughout the summer.