Contents
Amur lilac is an unpretentious shrub with decorative properties. The plant is drought tolerant and rarely freezes even in harsh winters. When growing Amur lilacs, planting dates are taken into account, the place and soil are prepared. Active growth and flowering provide watering, top dressing and pruning.
General description of the variety
Amur lilac is a deciduous shrub, a representative of the Olive family, the genus Lilac. In nature, it is found on the territory of the Far East, Manchuria, China, Korea. Culture prefers mixed forests in the valleys, sometimes grows on mountain slopes no more than 600 m above sea level. The life span of a shrub is up to 100 years.
An alternative name for the Amur lilac is cracker. This is due to the fact that when burning raw branches, a strong crack is observed. An interesting feature of this combustion is that sparks and coals scatter in different directions for many meters.
The diameter of the crown of the Amur lilac is 2-3 m. The plant has the appearance of a tree or shrub, which reaches a height of 10 m, sometimes grows up to 12-15 m. Its bark is brown or dark gray. Young branches have a reddish tint. Leaves 5-11 cm long, elliptical in shape, outwardly resemble the foliage of common lilac. When blooming, they are distinguished by a purple hue, which gradually changes to dark green. Foliage turns orange or burgundy in autumn.
How the Amur lilac blooms
Amur lilac produces large, broadly paniculate inflorescences. They reach 25 cm in length and 20 cm in girth. Its flowers are small, 5-6 mm in diameter, with a strong aroma, white or cream color. Inflorescences bloom in late June – the first decade of July.
The flowering period of the culture is 2 – 3 weeks. The shrub produces buds at the age of 9 – 12 years.
Amur lilac is resistant to drought and winter frosts. It is well adapted to urban conditions, not sensitive to dust and polluted air.
After flowering, fruits ripen in the form of hard boxes with an elongated shape. Each of them contains nests with winged seeds. They are collected in autumn for further reproduction. In nature, the shrub reproduces by self-sowing.
Amur lilac varieties
Based on the wild form, varieties were obtained that are suitable for planting in a garden plot. One of them is the Amur lilac Sudarushka, which is a powerful multi-stemmed shrub that forms a dense spreading crown. In height, it can reach 10 m. Its leaves are up to 11 cm long, dark green. The flowers are small, white in color, with a honey aroma, collected in large inflorescences up to 25 cm long. The flowering of the culture is plentiful and long, at least 20 days.
How does the Amur lilac reproduce?
Wild lilac is propagated by seeds. First, planting material is stratified for 2 months at a temperature of 2 – 5 ° C. To grow Amur lilacs, containers are prepared from seeds, which are filled with fertile soil. Seedlings are obtained at home. When the seedlings grow up and get stronger, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Varietal varieties are propagated by cuttings. During the flowering period, shoots 15–20 cm long are cut. They are half-cleaned of leaves, and an oblique cut is made in the lower part. The cuttings are rooted at a temperature of +25 ° C and an air humidity of more than 95%.
Planting and caring for the Amur lilac
The development and flowering of the Amur lilac largely depends on compliance with the rules of planting. First, a suitable place is chosen for the shrub. Then they prepare a pit and follow the sequence of work.
Recommended dates
The best time for planting Amur lilac is the period from the second half of July to the first decade of September. If work is carried out in spring or autumn, then the seedling does not take root well. In this case, in the first year, the shrub will not give growth. For planting, choose a cloudy day or evening period.
Site selection and preparation of soil
Amur lilac prefers sunny places, but can also grow in partial shade. Wetlands and lowlands are not suitable for planting. Even a short stagnation of water in the soil leads to root rot.
For Amur lilac, moderately moist, well-drained soil is suitable. The best option is humus fertile soil, neutral or acidified. If the ground on the site is heavy and dense, then a drainage layer must be provided at the bottom of the landing pit. For this purpose, small gravel or broken bricks are used.
A substrate is prepared to increase the fertility of the soil. Mix 15 kg of humus, 200 g of wood ash, 30 g of superphosphate. The components are thoroughly mixed. River sand is added to clay soil, which is characterized by high density.
How to plant
The order of planting Amur lilac:
- They dig a pit measuring 0,5×0,5×0,5 m. On sandy and poor soils, its dimensions are increased to 1x1x1 m.
- A drainage layer 10 cm thick is poured at the bottom.
- Then the prepared substrate is moved into the pit.
- The soil is watered abundantly and left for 1 to 2 weeks to shrink.
- When the soil settles, fertile soil is poured into the pit to form a small hill.
- Examine the plant, cut too long roots. Also remove dry and damaged areas.
- A seedling is placed on top, its roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- Amur lilac is watered abundantly.
- Seedling shoots are shortened by 2-3 buds.
- In the trunk circle, a mulching layer of peat or humus 5 cm thick is made.
Growing Amur lilac
After planting, the Amur lilac provides some care. The plant is fed and watered. Pruning helps to regulate the growth of the shrub and form a crown. In autumn, the plant is prepared for wintering.
Watering Schedule
Amur lilac grows well on moderately moist soils. The shrub is watered as the topsoil dries up. To do this, use water that has settled and warmed up in barrels. It is applied in the morning or evening when there is no direct sunlight.
In summer, water is brought only in severe drought. In order for the shrub to better absorb moisture and nutrients, the soil is loosened after watering. The procedure helps to saturate the soil with oxygen. Pitchforks, rakes and other garden tools are suitable for loosening.
What can be fed
After planting the Amur lilac, only nitrogen fertilizers are applied for the first 2-3 years. During the season, the shrub is fed 2-3 times: when the buds awaken, at the beginning and during flowering. For processing, a solution is prepared consisting of 20 g of urea per 10 liters of water. Lilac watered under the root. Nitrogen substances contribute to the emergence of new shoots and leaves.
From the 4th year after planting lilacs, phosphorus and potassium preparations are added to the feeding scheme. In autumn, a solution is prepared consisting of 40 g of double superphosphate and 30 g of potassium nitrate. Fertilizers are buried in the near-stem circle to a depth of 5 cm.
Universal fertilizer for Amur lilac – wood ash. It contains a complex of nutrients that ensure the development of the shrub. Ashes are applied during irrigation. For a day, 10 g of fertilizer is added to 250 liters of water and the product is left to infuse. Then the Amur lilac is watered in the usual way.
Soil mulching
Mulching the soil prevents evaporation of moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds. Natural mulch becomes a source of nutrients for the shrub. Peat, humus or dry leaves are poured into the trunk circle within a radius of 50 cm. The optimal layer of mulch is 5 cm. This layer is periodically updated during the season.
Trimming rules
Pruning Amur lilac helps form a healthy crown. As a result, the shrub is less sick, has a compact size and blooms profusely. The first two years after landing, it is not cut off. This is not necessary, as the seedling grows slowly.
On the 3rd – 4th year, from 5 to 10 of the strongest shoots are selected from the plant. They are left, and the rest of the growth is cut off. Processing is carried out in early spring, before the start of the growing season. Dry, broken and frozen branches are removed annually.
To make bouquets, cut off up to 2/3 of the flowering shoots of the Amur lilac. To make the branches stand in the water longer, it is recommended to cut them early in the morning. As a result, the shrub begins to form new shoots with flower buds. If necessary, remove diseased and broken branches in the summer.
Preparing the shrub for winter
Amur lilac tolerates even harsh winters well. Young shrubs that are not yet strong enough need shelter. In late autumn, before the soil freezes, the plants are watered abundantly. Wet soil becomes frost protection.
Then the shrub is spudded with earth, peat or humus 10–15 cm thick in the trunk circle. Young plantings are covered with spruce branches or agrofiber. The material is attached to a wooden or iron frame. In the spring, after the snow melts, the shelter is removed.
Application in landscape design
Amur lilac is a great option for decorating city parks, gardens and recreation areas. In culture, the plant has been used since the end of the XNUMXth century. When designing the territory, the flowering period, which falls on a fairly late date, is taken into account. The shrub is suitable for landscaping industrial areas, reservoirs, cities and towns.
Amur lilac is used far beyond the Far East. The shrub tolerates the conditions of central Our Country and colder regions well. The variety is made the central part of the composition or combined with other trees. In the first case, a shrub with white flowers will look spectacular against a green lawn.
The Amur variety grows well and is suitable for creating hedges. If plants of the same variety are planted, then 0,5 m is left between them. If different shrubs are used, then the optimal distance is up to 2 m.
Pests and diseases
Subject to agricultural technology, Amur lilac rarely suffers from diseases and pests. At high humidity, late blight or bacterial rot develops on the shrub. If diseases are detected, the affected shoots are pruned. The shrub is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. The treatment is repeated after 10 days.
The shrub may be attacked by the lilac moth, hawk moth, moth moth. Insecticides Ftalofos or Chlorophos help against pests. The preparations are diluted with water to obtain a concentration of 0,1%. For prevention, they annually dig up the soil in late autumn, pruning is carried out on time, and the bushes are not thickened.
Conclusion
Amur lilac is one of the most unpretentious shrubs for a summer cottage. During the flowering period, the plant has a decorative appearance. During the growing season, it is watered and fed. The Amur variety adapts even to harsh conditions. Due to the decorative properties, the shrub fits well into landscape design. It is used for single plantings, hedges or more complex compositions.
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