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Lilac Banner of Lenin – a variety bred in 1953, the originator of which is L. A. Kolesnikov. The culture was created for breeding in cold climates. This is one of the few representatives of the species for which low temperatures not only do not pose a threat, but also improve the quality of spring flowering.
Description of lilac Banner of Lenin
Variety Znamya Lenina is a deciduous, frost-resistant plant that does not require increased attention from gardeners. Distributed throughout Our Country, climatic conditions do not affect the vegetation of the crop. Due to drought tolerance, lilacs are a frequent visitor to southern household plots. The main distribution of the variety is in areas with a temperate climate.
The plant is used for landscaping city parks and squares, for decorating the territory of personal plots. Lilac of the Znamya Lenina variety is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, grows safely next to any representatives of the flora, so it is often used in landscape design compositions. Lilac Znamya Lenina is a medium-sized compact shrub. Grows up to 3 m in height. The crown is dense, branched, dense, intensely leafy.
External characteristics of the lilac bush Banner of Lenin, shown in the photo:
- The plant is multi-stemmed, the bark of perennial representatives is light brown with a rough surface and longitudinal small furrows. Young shrubs with smooth grey-green bark.
- Shoots end with two large flower buds, they are formed only on last year’s branches. Leaf buds are smaller and oppositely arranged.
- The leaves are simple, opposite, up to 12 cm long, up to 7 cm wide. They are located on long (3 cm) petioles. The leaf plate is smooth, one-piece, with smooth edges. The leaves are heart-shaped, pointed upwards, dense, dark green. The foliage does not change color by autumn, becomes dull, falls green.
- The fruits are in the form of a box with two nests, the seeds are small, equipped with a lionfish, after opening they scatter from the mother bush for several meters. Ripens at the end of September. Seeds after falling on the ground germinate well in spring. They hibernate under snow until favorable conditions.
How the lilac blossoms Banner of Lenin
Common lilac Banner of Lenin belongs to varieties with an average flowering period. In cold climates, the shrub blooms in late May or early June. Due to the relatively late flowering period for the culture, the buds are rarely affected by return frosts. In the South, the flowering period occurs at the end of April.
Wide inflorescences-panicles are formed at the ends of the shoots, as a rule, there are no more than two of them. The shape of the inflorescence is pyramidal, length – 15-20 cm. The flowers are simple, large – 2-2,5 cm, the petals are raised. At the time of blooming, the flowers are painted in a dark red color, when fully opened they become purplish-lilac. Flowering lasts 21 days.
Features of reproduction
The culture is bred generatively and vegetatively. A variety of ordinary lilac forms full-fledged seeds that give plants that fully correspond to the characteristics of the mother bush. Planting material is sown immediately after collection. Stratification is carried out, the seeds are laid out on a damp cloth, then placed in the refrigerator for 2 days. Sow on the site 30 days before the onset of frost. According to reviews, lilac seeds Znamya Lenina sprout together in the spring, but generative breeding is longer than vegetative.
The shrub gives a lot of root shoots, it is separated and planted on the site. This is the fastest and least time-consuming breeding method. Lilacs are propagated by cuttings, they are cut from last year’s shoots in August, placed in a container with soil. In the spring, the cuttings will form roots; at the end of August, you can identify them for a permanent place of growth. The method of propagation by layering is also suitable for the lilac Znamya Lenina. In the spring, they dig a longitudinal trench, bend down the lower branch, and cover it with soil. In the next season, the plant can be transplanted.
Planting and caring for lilacs Banner of Lenin
Lilac of the Znamya Lenina variety is an unpretentious plant, it takes root well on the site, quickly grows, does not require special agricultural technology. Drought-resistant culture grows in open areas and in partial shade, it has enough seasonal rainfall.
Recommended dates
In Central Our Country, shrubs are planted from late August to mid-September. Before the onset of frost, the lilac will take root and overwinter without loss. Late dates are suitable for the South, a plant is planted here from late September to mid-October. If the seedling does not have time to take root, there is a threat that it will not overwinter.
Site selection and preparation of soil
The place for the Znamya Lenina variety is chosen based on the design decision. Lilac can be placed on a slope, flat rocky terrain, in partial shade or in an area open to the sun. The composition of the soil is suitable slightly acidic, neutral, the main condition is that the soil should not be heavy. If the acidity is increased, it is neutralized by means containing alkali. Shrubs will not grow in wetlands.
The pit is prepared a few days before planting lilacs. Deepen taking into account the volume of the root system. On average, the size is 50 * 50 cm, the depth is the distance from the root to the neck plus 20 cm (drainage and nutrient mixture).
How to plant
Before planting lilacs, soddy soil, sand and compost are mixed in equal proportions, about 8-10 kg. Divided into two equal parts. They make a concentrated solution of clay, lower the roots of the planting material into it. Landing algorithm:
- They take a seedling, it should be with foliage and a strong healthy root.
- One part of the prepared soil is poured to the bottom of the pit, a hill is made.
- Lilacs are placed in the center on a hill.
- Distribute the root system along the bottom of the hole.
- Pour the rest of the mixture, compact so that there is no void.
- Then fill up with soil.
- The root neck is left above the surface.
- Then the soil is compacted along the root circle, watered abundantly.
Growing lilac Banner of Lenin
Growing common lilac is a labor-intensive process that does not require material costs. Vegetation of young and adult shrubs takes place independently with minimal intervention from the gardener.
Watering
For an adult plant, watering is carried out in the spring before flowering; throughout the rest of the growing season, the shrub has enough rainfall. If the summer is dry, water the lilac no more than once a month. Young seedlings are watered more often, the soil around the lilac should be moist, constantly loose, without weeds.
Additional fertilizing
From the moment of planting for three years, the shrub is not fed; the seedling has enough nutrients introduced into the planting pit for growth. In subsequent years, organic matter is introduced in the spring: compost, rotted bird droppings. Mineral fertilizers are added to prevent bacterial and fungal infections (1 time in 3 years).
Mulching
Root shelter is necessary for young seedlings in a temperate climate; for adult shrubs, the measure is irrelevant. After planting, dry leaves or sawdust are used as mulch. Needles or straw will do. A prerequisite is that the material must be dry. In the spring, the covering layer is removed. Carry out procedures up to three years of growth.
Trimming
Lilac pruning is carried out in accordance with the functional purpose in the design. If the Znamya Lenina variety is planted as a single planting in a spacious area, health pruning is enough for it. Do it only in the spring:
- cut flower stalks after flowering;
- remove dry fragments;
- several perennial branches are cut out, during the season the lilac will form a replacement;
- get rid of root growth.
It is not recommended to remove flower stalks in the fall, because lilacs may not bloom in spring.
Preparation for winter
Variety Znamya Lenina is one of the frost-resistant representatives of lilac, so the preparatory measures for winter are minimal. A young plant does not need to be completely insulated, it is enough to spud and cover with a layer of mulch. If the shoots freeze during the winter, the shrub will quickly recover. If the summer season was dry, an adult plant is watered with water.
Diseases and pests
Lilac Znamya Lenina is affected by pests along with other varieties of the crop. The plant is parasitized by the lilac moth, the pest is active from May to September. A sign of presence is twisted leaves, inside which there is a cluster of caterpillars. Being in any stage of development, the insect feeds on the juice of the leaves. In the fight against adult moths and caterpillars, Bi-58 or Fozalon are used, a solution is made and the bush is treated. Dig up the root circle, remove the affected leaves. The rose leafhopper is less common; the insect feeds on juice from the lower part of the leaves. Brown or yellow spots appear on the surface. Eliminate the pest “Kemifos” or “Fitoverm”.
Of the infections, powdery mildew is a danger to the lilac Banner of Lenin. It appears as a gray coating on the leaves. Fungal infection spreads quickly, the affected leaves dry and fall off. In the fight against the disease, fungicidal preparations are used, damaged areas are removed. There is a bacterial infection (late blight). In order to prevent the disease from spreading, problem areas are cut off, chloride of lime is introduced into the soil.
Conclusion
Lilac Banner of Lenin – a variety of ordinary lilac, which is common throughout Our Country. The plant is used in garden design, in landscaping city parks. The culture is frost-resistant, tolerates open sunny areas well, does not require special care. A dense, profusely flowering shrub of medium height will decorate any personal plot.
