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Ornamental grapes: planting trees and shrubs
Virginian, or girlish, grapes, like other ornamental shrubs and trees, perform the function of decoration. A distinctive feature of this vine is 100% beauty and no problems for the owner. It grows quickly in any soil, loves the sun, but does not mind the shade either. Does not claim constant attention, does not require complex care.
Advantages and disadvantages of decorative grapes
The five-leaf grape, or parthenocissus, is a climber by nature. With its suction cups, it firmly clings to the slightest roughness, striving upward and covering the entire surface with a carpet of carved leaves. Therefore, he is famous as a wall decorator. Braiding gazebos and verandas, makes them cool green tents. In autumn, its graceful foliage says goodbye to summer with rich crimson and purple hues.
Decorative grapes are picturesque and unpretentious in care
The variety has been cultivated since 1622, it belongs to the grape family, but the berries are inedible. Girlish grapes are successfully bred in Russia because of its many advantages:
- it is winter-hardy, it does not need to be covered for the winter;
- does not need support, finds them himself;
- does not get sick, pests bypass him;
- grows on any soil;
- feels great in the shade, just in the fall the foliage on the shady side does not turn red, but remains green;
- grows up to 3 m / year;
- protects walls from rain;
- suppresses the reproduction of certain pathogens, creates a favorable microclimate;
- decorates and hides what you don’t want to show.
Planted at the fence, it thickly braids it, performing the function of a hedge.
The few disadvantages include the not quite aesthetic appearance of the vine during the rest period. The myths that it can destroy the foundation or damage the walls are not confirmed. To prevent the tiles from collapsing, the grapes must be cut off in time.
Planting decorative grapes
Parthenocissus propagates by seeds, layering, cuttings. The easiest way to grow a new specimen is from a cutting. The survival rate is very high, almost 100%. For cuttings, take a branch as thick as a pencil and cut it into pieces of about 20 cm. Each cuttings should have 4-5 green buds. If you add peat and humus to the soil before planting, the plant will take root faster, but you can do without it.
Plants are planted in early autumn or spring. The stalk is buried in the ground so that there are several buds underground and 2-3 buds on top. Future lianas are watered. Then they are protected from the hot sun and watered regularly.
It is not difficult to propagate grapes and layering. To do this, take a long lash with kidneys and drop it in a sinusoid, fix the lower bends of the lash
The layers are watered regularly, they soon sprout roots. After a year, they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Young plants are watered regularly. Then, if the summer is not dry, the grapes have enough natural moisture. Application of complex fertilizers stimulates the growth of lianas. Ornamental grapes are regularly pruned in the spring – before the buds open and in the fall, when the foliage falls. These simple activities maintain the beauty of the garden and the health of the plant.
Maiden grapes will turn a country house into a medieval castle, and a garden into a riot of colors and greenery.