Contents
One of the varieties of garden jasmine is terry mock orange – one of the most popular ornamental shrubs of the temperate zone. Picturesque long flowering, exquisite fragrant aroma and unpretentiousness have made it a favorite plant for many gardeners.
General description of terry mock orange
In fact, mock orange is not jasmine, but it is popularly called it because of the aroma of fragrant flowers, which is very similar to the fragrance of real jasmine flowers. However, these ornamental plants belong to different families, just as the zones and conditions for growing crops are different.
Garden jasmine or terry mock orange is a deciduous shrub with a height of 1,5 to 3 m, obtained by the French breeder Lemoine by experimenting with common mock orange. An ornamental plant is distinguished by double flowers resembling miniature roses in a half-blown state. There are terry and semi-double varieties of garden jasmine of large-flowered forms and flowers with a small corolla, with a different number of petals, which affects the doubleness.
How terry mock orange blooms
The flowering of the terry mock orange is unforgettably beautiful and long-lasting. Depending on the variety, flowers collected in inflorescences of several pieces have a different degree of doubleness. On average, the flowering of garden jasmine lasts 2 – 3 weeks, starting from mid-late June. Here it is worth saying that terry varieties of mock orange are not able to exude a strong aroma, unlike the inflorescences of ordinary mock orange. Their fragrance is subtle, barely perceptible, light. The mock orange pleases with lush, lush flowering only in sunny places and fertile soils.
Popular varieties of terry mock orange
The most popular and sought-after varieties of terry garden jasmine among gardeners are:
- Virginal – the first variety of terry mock orange obtained by Lemoine more than 100 years ago. A bush up to 3 m in height with large flowers blooms 2 times a year: in summer and autumn. Its aroma is sweet, strong enough, which is uncharacteristic for representatives of the terry type of garden jasmine;
- Garden jasmine Minnesota snowflake. This shrub of the terry mock orange grows up to 2 m in height, is distinguished by dense double snow-white flowers, collected in inflorescences of several pieces;
- Pyramid. This is a tall, up to 3 m, late flowering shrub. Snow-white flowers abundantly cover a powerful bush, exuding a thin, barely perceptible smell;
- Schneeshturm. Terry mock orange bush up to 3 m in height, with drooping shoots, which are abundantly decorated with chic double flowers that emit a refreshing, fruity aroma;
- Ermine mantle. Low, up to 1.8 m in height, a variety with drooping branches, magnificently decorated with creamy white flowers that exude a barely noticeable strawberry aroma;
- Blizzard. This is a tall shrub, completely covered with snow-white inflorescences, from afar resembling large flakes of snow. Under the luxurious “snow cover” almost all the leaves of the terry mock orange are hidden;
- Moonlight. Variety with small pom-pom-flowers that appear in huge numbers and exude a strawberry aroma and glow in the dark.
According to experienced gardeners, in the conditions of the domestic climate, varieties of terry jasmine of selection take root and bloom best of all. These are Blizzard, Yunnat, Moth Ballet and others.
Main characteristics
The main advantage of the terry mock orange is its unpretentiousness – in order for the luxurious beauty of the snow-white flowering of the culture to be, according to the description above and in the photo, there is no need to perform complex agricultural practices. Garden jasmine is a frost-resistant shrub that can withstand frosts up to 22 – 25 degrees, depending on the variety. This type of ornamental shrubs has good immunity and is characterized by resistance to pests and diseases. However, it is important at the same time to carry out agricultural care techniques: remove fallen leaves in a timely manner, prevent waterlogging, provide the plant with the necessary amount of nutrients, which will ensure even greater resistance of the plant to infections.
Methods of reproduction
You can propagate garden jasmine of terry varieties in one of the following ways:
- seeds;
- layering;
- cuttings;
- division of the bush.
Propagation of seeds is quite laborious and requires a long waiting time. Only after 6 – 7 years the plant will be pleased with abundant, lush flowering. For layering, the strongest, strongest processes are chosen, which are fixed in a shallow trench around the bush on the basis of the first kidney. Shoots for rooting are sprinkled with peat and moistened. During the season they are spudded 2 times and looked after in the standard way. With the advent of autumn, young seedlings are separated from the mother bush and planted on separate ridges for growing.
For cuttings in June, cut branches 10 cm long along an oblique line. Planting material is planted in a greenhouse, after keeping them in a root-stimulating solution. Seedling care is standard: moisturizing, airing and hardening after rooting. Strong, healthy seedlings are planted in a permanent place only the next year.
The most effective and less time-consuming method of reproduction is the division of the bush. Previously, a bush of terry mock orange is abundantly watered and carefully dug up. Divide the roots with a sharp knife or garden shears so that each division remains with the root shoots. The division of the bush is performed only for adult plants in the fall – from the end of September to the end of October.
Planting and caring for terry mock orange
In order to grow a decorative, abundantly flowering jasmine bush on the site, it is necessary to choose a bright, sunny place, protected from cold winds and drafts. The mock orange can easily tolerate light shading, but the flowering of the culture, even in partial shade, will be scarce, rare and short-lived. The soil should be fertile, loose. The ideal place is a small hill.
Recommended dates
Young seedlings of terry mock orange are planted in spring or autumn. In early or mid-April, landing is carried out in regions with a temperate climate. In the southern regions, it is advisable to plant garden jasmine in mid-October: before winter, it has time to get stronger and develop a good root system.
Site selection and preparation of soil
The best place for a terry mock orange will be a hill without stagnant water, protected from the north and east. For example, near the southern wall of the house, buildings, fences. Since jasmine does not tolerate waterlogging, it is worth taking care of good drainage from broken bricks or gravel. The soil mixture should consist of leaf humus, compost and sand.
Landing algorithm
Sequencing:
- They dig planting holes 60×60 in size, maintaining a distance between them of 0,8 – 1,5 m. For undersized varieties of terry mock orange, especially when creating hedges, they maintain the minimum specified distance, for tall bushes in group planting – at least 1,5 m.
- A drainage layer of at least 20 cm is laid at the bottom of the pits.
- They pour a little fertile soil and set the seedling vertically, making sure that the root neck does not go deeper than 2-3 cm below the soil level.
- A young mock orange is covered with fertile soil, the soil is compacted.
- Water abundantly and mulch with fallen leaves or humus.
Growing rules
Terry jasmine does not require special care. However, in no case should waterlogging of the soil and stagnation of moisture be allowed. Otherwise, the root system will begin to rot. But it is also not recommended to allow the earth to dry out, since mock orange still belongs to moisture-loving plants. For rapid growth, active development and flowering, as well as successful overwintering, the shrub must be regularly fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. A mandatory method of agricultural technology is the pruning of the mock orange – sanitary and shaping.
Watering Schedule
Watering terry jasmine is carried out with warm, settled water no more than 2 times a week. In rainy summers, watering is reduced to 1 time per week, making sure that the soil in the trunk circle is not too waterlogged. For a single watering of an adult bush, 20 – 30 liters of water are required.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Weeding of the near-stem circle of terry mock orange from weeds is performed as needed. Loosening is carried out 3-4 times per season, followed by mulching with fallen leaves or humus. This measure allows you to protect the soil from drying out and supply the soil with nutrients. Mulching the mock orange must be done in preparation for the winter period: this gives the roots additional heating, as well as after spring pruning.
Top dressing schedule
Top dressing of terry jasmine with mineral and organic compounds is performed only in the 2nd year after planting. The feeding schedule looks like this:
- Annual watering in early spring – slurry diluted with water in a ratio of 10: 1.
- Before flowering – mineral top dressing of 30 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium sulfate and urea, diluted in 10 liters of water, will ensure lush flowering of jasmine. This amount of fertilizer is enough for 2 adult bushes.
- After flowering, the mock orange needs mineral fertilizers, which are applied directly to the soil: 20 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate.
Trimming
Terry mock orange, especially coronal, needs to form a crown. To give it a well-groomed, symmetrical appearance, long branches are cut on the bush in early spring, and weak ones are shortened to the middle. After the germination of young shoots through awakened buds, they are removed without regret. On each stem, 2-3 strong, developed processes are left. In the 3rd year, the mock orange bush takes on a beautiful shape and pleases with abundant, luxurious flowering. Without fail, every year in early spring, sanitary pruning is also carried out, removing old, dry, weak branches and all wilted flowers. Once every 5 – 6 years, a rejuvenating pruning of a shrub is carried out with cutting out almost all branches. Leave only the main trunks 4-5 cm long, the rest are cut off near the base.
Preparation for winter
In the central regions with a temperate climate, the terry mock orange does not require shelter for the winter. If the tops of the shoots suffer from frost, they are removed during sanitary pruning: the plant quickly recovers. Young seedlings that are less than a year old need shelter. It is organized with the help of a light canvas – a special material, burlap – and tied with ropes.
Before the first frosts, the soil of the trunk circle is deeply loosened and mulched with garden compost, humus or manure. In winter, they make sure that the mock orange bushes do not bend under the weight of snow, and if there is a lot of it, then shake off the excess.
Pests and diseases
Mock orange of terry varieties is a plant that is resistant to diseases and pests and has unbending health. Among pests, aphids, weevil, and spider mites are of great danger to jasmine. They are controlled with insecticides. For prevention during spring processing of shrubs, experienced gardeners advise using a solution of laundry soap. At the same time, a piece of laundry soap, ground on a grater, will need 10 liters of warm water. A simple and affordable tool will eliminate the risk of pests and infectious diseases.
Conclusion
Terry mock orange is easy to grow, but its high decorativeness allows it to be widely used in garden landscape design. With the skillful selection of terry varieties, jasmine will delight with its magnificent flowering throughout the season. And, this article and a useful video will help with this.
