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Broadleaf Kalmia is a member of the Kalmia genus, the Heather family. The flower got its name thanks to Peru Kalma, a Finnish scientist and naturalist. Currently, the plant is known for its decorative properties.
Description of Kalmia broadleaf with a photo
Under natural conditions, the shrub reaches a height of 1,5 m, and undersized species – 30 cm. Broad-leaved kalmia has spread throughout the world thanks to breeders who have managed to develop frost-resistant varieties that can be planted in the Leningrad region, Moscow region, Volga region and in other regions where the climate far from tropical.
The evergreen shrub has hard lanceolate leaves. Its central shoots are lignified. A characteristic feature for broad-leaved kalmia is the slow growth of branches, which are first purple in color, and then grayish-brown. You can admire the buds for one month. Most varieties bloom in late spring. They form at the top of the shoots. Externally, the inflorescences are very lush, similar to umbrellas, collected from many small buds. Usually their color is soft pink with a red corolla. At the end of summer, on the shoots, you can see fruit-boxes that ripen by mid-autumn.
Broad-leaved Kalmia, although beautiful, is dangerous: not only shoots, but even pollen are poisonous in it.
Popular varieties
When buying a seedling, it should be borne in mind that although the principles of caring for a crop are similar, you can achieve abundant flowering if you know the characteristics of the variety.
One of the most popular species of Calmia broadleaf is the Elf. In good conditions, the shrub can reach 2 m in height. The leaves are small, leathery, densely dotted with shoots. Flowers are delicate white. The variety is resistant to spotting.
Calmia broad-leaved Elf frost-resistant: withstands temperatures down to -34 ° C
Variety Olympic fire (Olympic Fire) is the opposite of species, pleasing tenderness. This densely leafy evergreen shrub reaches a height of 1,5-1,8 m, richly decorated with dark red and pink buds, up to 2,5 cm in diameter each. Leaves can also be called decorative: plates of a dark green color with wavy edges.
Kalmiya broadleaf Olympic Fire is recognized as one of the most popular, prefers sunny places or partial shade, frost-resistant
All gardeners love exotic flowers with unusual colors. Among the broad-leaved Kalmia, there is such an exotic variety as Kaleidoscope (Kaleidoskop).
The crown diameter reaches 70 cm, and the shrub itself grows up to 100 cm in height. And if the foliage is of the usual green hue, then the buds are purple in color with a white center and border. Calmia is characterized by very abundant flowering, most often in June.
Frost resistance of Kalmia broadleaf Kaleidoskop does not exceed -29 ° C
Planting Kalmia broadleaf in open ground
The plant is capricious in the choice of soil: it does not develop well on sandy and loamy soil. The best option for broad-leaved kalmia is light and fertile land. If there is no suitable soil on the site, then peat, hardwood and river sand can be added to the flower bed. Compost is allowed.
The optimal location of the broad-leaved Kalmia on the site is a semi-shaded, calm place near houses or trees
Landing algorithm:
- In autumn, loosen the flower bed, apply fertilizer and compost.
- In the spring it is good to loosen the soil, dig a hole 40 * 50 cm.
- Lay a drainage layer of gravel or sand at the bottom of the hole.
- Fill the hole 1/3 with earth, add 2 tbsp. l. mineral fertilizers.
- Cover the finished well with a film and leave it for a week so that the necessary microflora multiplies.
- Treat the seedling with a growth stimulator, straighten the roots and place in the pit, placing the neck at the level of the soil.
- Water the shrub abundantly, fill the hole with earth, lightly tamping it down.
- Mulch the trunk circle with peat or needles.
Calmia broadleaf care
If planting a shrub is not so easy because of its pickiness to the soil, then care does not require large financial costs. It is necessary to take into account the peculiarity of the root system: it is shallow and thin, therefore it is sensitive to damage. This obliges the gardener to carefully loosen.
The abundance of flowering depends on the state of the root system: the more developed it is, the more strong shoots the shrub will release.
Watering
Calmia broadleaf tolerates drought well, but reacts negatively to stagnant moisture. Therefore, you need to let the soil dry completely. It is enough to moisten the flower bed once every two weeks, pouring up to 10 liters of water onto the bush per adult plant. If precipitation falls, then the procedure is not carried out at all.
Additional fertilizing
It is necessary to provide the shrub with useful substances at least three times per season since the broad-leaved Kalmia reaches the age of two. The first feeding is required in April, the second in June. Preference should be given to mineral supplements. In the phase of active growth of the shrub under the plant, you can add a little manure dissolved in water.
Wintering
In regions with a warm climate, culture does not need shelter. In the Moscow region and the Leningrad region and other places where the climate is cold, it is necessary to provide protection to the flower. It is recommended to remove the shelter in the spring after the snow melts.
The best protection of Calmia broadleaf from frost is dry foliage, spruce branches or covering material.
Methods of reproduction
In total, there are several ways to increase the number of shrubs on your site: layering, root shoots or cuttings. If there is no chance to purchase seedlings, then seed is available for sale.
Seeds
This method requires patience and time from the gardener. All work with seed should begin in December.
Algorithm of actions:
- Dry the seeds, pour into a closed dry container.
- Fill the container with moss and fertile soil, sprinkle with sand on top.
- Scatter the seeds on the ground, transfer the container to a cool place with good lighting.
- Moisten the soil regularly with a spray bottle.
- In the spring, move the container to a room with high humidity and a temperature of 20-24 °C.
The seeds of Kalmia broadleaf germinate for a long time: at least a month, later the seedling increases in height by 3-5 cm per year
It is most often possible to see the flowering of a shrub only 5-6 years after the start of work, and it is possible to transfer the culture to open ground only for 6-7 years of life.
Cuttings
The shoots are cut in July, in order to be immediately treated with a root formation stimulator and planted in a container with soil mixture. In the container, peat, sand and needles should be distributed in layers in proportions of 3: 1: 1.
Young cuttings need to be grown under film in greenhouse conditions, and when roots appear in 3-4 months, then remove the shelter. Kalmiya broadleaf is ready for transplantation only two years after cuttings.
Diseases and pests
The plant has a strong immune system. But if the soil is regularly waterlogged, then the culture may suffer from fungal diseases. When mold appears, damaged shoots must be cut off, the bush should be treated with fungicides. If the disease has spread throughout the plant, then it is recommended to dig up and destroy the broad-leaved Kalmia. The most effective means of prevention against fungi is moderate watering and garter of overgrown bushes.
Broadleaf Kalmia in the landscape
All varieties can be recognized as highly decorative, so any variety can decorate a yard, garden or flower garden. But when using Calmia broadleaf, you need to take into account that it is a self-sufficient culture, it looks good alone.
Miniature varieties can be placed in the background in rock gardens. Next to them place ferns, heather and wild rosemary marsh. Look good next to the conifer bush.
The main criterion when using Calmia broadleaf in design is the placement of a number of flowers that prefer acidic soil.
Conclusion
Calmia broadleaf is a beautiful evergreen shrub with high decorative properties. The plant is unpretentious in care, but responsive to top dressing and demanding in the ground. All parts of the shrub are poisonous, so it is recommended to place the culture away from garden paths.
Reviews about growing Calmia broadleaf in the Moscow region
