Ornamental trees and shrubs: single-petal hawthorn

Hawthorn is a member of the genus Hawthorn of the Pink family. The specific name means “strong”. And for good reason, because the plant really has strong wood. Perhaps this indicates the ability of the single-petal hawthorn variety to longevity. The officially recorded life expectancy of this culture is 200-300 years.

History of breeding

In the natural environment, the hawthorn odnopistil (lat. Crataegus monogyna) grows on the territory of Moldova, Ukraine, in the Carpathians, Crimea, in the North-Western Caucasus, in the Baltic states, in the European part of Our Country. It has been seen in Western Europe. For full-fledged growth, he chooses areas near rivers, dry oak forests, on the edges, less often single-petal hawthorn is found in pine-deciduous forests, on rocky slopes, sandy soils. It can grow singly or in groups of shrubs.

Description of hawthorn

Hawthorn odnopistil belongs to the category of ornamental shrubs and trees. Botanical features of the plant.

1. Height 4-6m, under favorable conditions it is possible even higher.
2. The crown is dense, openwork, symmetrical, 2 m wide.
3. Old shoots are bare, young ones are densely hairy. There are a few spines up to 1 cm long, which are often absent.
4. The bark of the branches is reddish-gray, exfoliating. The trunk is straight.
5. Foliage 2-3 cm long and 1-2,5 cm wide. The shape is ovoid or oval, asymmetrical, with entire lobes. Several teeth are visible at the top of the leaf.
6. Stipules are thin. The petiole is ½ the length of the leaf.
7. In summer, the foliage is leathery, dark green with a glossy sheen. In the autumn season, it is painted in red, orange.
8. The fruits of hawthorn are spherical, red, rarely yellow. Their length is 6-10 cm. Inside the bone is 7×5 mm in size.
9. Inflorescences are large, 10-18 flowers each.
10. .Sepals triangular-lanceolate. Stamens 20, anthers red.
11. The diameter of the flowers is 1-1,5 cm. The petals are white.

Characteristic of the variety

Varieties of hawthorn odnopistil differ in crown shape, leaf color, texture and color of flowers. Among the garden forms, the most common:

• pyramidal – the plant has a shape in the form of a pyramid;
• weeping – a bush with branches lowered down;
• crimson – with single dark red flowers;
• pink weeping – with pink inflorescences loitering down;
• pink – pink flower petals with white stripes;
• white terry – inflorescences of the corresponding color and texture;
• red terry;
• constantly blooming – a shrub that blooms throughout the summer;
• split-leaved – a plant with deeply dissected foliage;
• white-and-white – hawthorn with variegated leaves;
• thornless – shoots are devoid of thorns.

There are also new subspecies of the single-piston hawthorn variety obtained by hybridization. A bright representative is the Rosea Flore Pleno variety with double flowers of dark pink color. No less popular species is the single-piston hawthorn Strikta. The tree has a colonial or oval crown shape. It is used for landscaping in cramped urban environments.

Drought and frost resistance

The hawthorn cultivar easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Able to grow successfully in places with a continental climate. For rooted shrubs, there is no need for shelter in winter. However, young one-year-old shoots may freeze. Hawthorn easily tolerates drought, for a long time it can do without watering.

Yield and fruiting

The flowering period of the hawthorn variety begins in May-June. The fruiting period begins in September. The shrub is characterized by a regular, abundant harvest of fruits. Ripe hawthorn berries have a rich, persistent aroma, which, unfortunately, does not convey the photo. They are edible.

Disease and pest resistance

The single-petal hawthorn variety often serves as the target of attack by harmful insects: aphids, suckers, psyllids, weevils, mites. Especially if it grows near orchards. However, the main enemy that can cause significant harm to the plant is the hawthorn. The shrub can also suffer from fungal diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

Judging by the reviews of amateur gardeners and professionals, the main positive qualities of the single-piston hawthorn variety include:

• ability to tolerate low temperatures;
• grows during dry periods;
• undemanding to the composition of soils;
• good immunity;
• abundant fruiting;
• suitable for creating hedges;
• fruits have medicinal properties;
• gives self-seeding.

Disadvantages of hawthorn:

• has a high shoot-forming ability, which implies frequent cutting of the bush;
• freezing of young shoots is possible.

Features of landing

Hawthorn varieties single-peeled – a non-capricious plant in terms of planting and care. Can grow in any environment. Under properly selected conditions, the shrub gives a moderate annual increase – 25 cm in length and the same in width.

Recommended timing

It is rather difficult to name the exact dates for planting a hawthorn variety single-petal. It all depends on the climatic features of the region. The further south, the landing in the spring is carried out earlier, in the fall – later.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the shrub, that is, it cannot be planted when it is in the process of vegetation. It is advisable to wait until the single-petal hawthorn is getting ready for bed. But in general, an ornamental culture does not require special weather conditions, it is enough that the soil warms up slightly in spring and does not freeze in autumn.

Selecting a suitable site and soil preparation

According to experienced gardeners, it is preferable to place a single hawthorn variety single-petal in partial shade or in areas with diffused lighting. The scorching rays of the sun can cause thermal burns to the leaves. A hedge requires a dense planting, where each plant will compete with its neighbor for light. As a result, the bushes will grow on all sides. In a group planting, hawthorn of the single-pistil variety is planted at a distance of 2-5 m, and in alley plantings – 5-6 m on an open, sunny plantation.

The soil in this context does not matter. Any environment will do, even sandy and rocky ground. However, when planting in obviously scarce soils, fertilizers must be applied to the pit: humus and wood ash at the rate of 0,5 liters per 10 liters of land. Preferred soil acidity pH 7,5-8.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby

Not the best neighborhood of the hawthorn variety will be with fruit trees, due to the negative mutual influence. For this reason, it is not recommended to plant a plant next to cherry plum, apple, pear, cherry, plum, apricot, peach. Possible neighborhood with sloe, wild rose, gester.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Seedlings must first of all be well developed. Their size is chosen depending on the purpose and type of landing. For a two-row hedge, young growth 1-1,5 m high is suitable; for a single-row wall, plants are taken a little higher. It is important that they have an equally developed root system and aerial part. For planting free-standing trees, larger planting material, above 2 m, will be required.

Immediately before the planting procedure, long roots are pruned, broken shoots are removed, side branches and the top are shortened by ½ of the growth length, aligning with the total length of the seedling.

Landing algorithm

When forming a recess and determining the dimensions, the following factor should be taken into account: the hawthorn of the single-pistil variety has a rather powerful, branched root system.

1. First, a pit is prepared with a depth of 70-80 cm.
2. In heavy, poorly water-absorbing soils, a drainage layer is required, consisting of expanded clay, pebbles, crushed stone. The thickness should be 10-15 cm.
3. In addition to nutritional components (humus, manure, charcoal), 40 g of lime is added to the pit. Leave in this state for 7-10 days.
4. A hawthorn sapling is placed in the middle of the recess and sprinkled with earth.
5. The soil is not compacted.
6. Top with warm water.

Aftercare

Single-petal hawthorn does not require serious care measures. You should know only the basic rules for the full development of the tree.

The shrub needs abundant watering during abnormal weather conditions, during a period of prolonged drought. And the rest of the time, it is worth moistening the single-petal hawthorn no more than once a month. In addition to watering, the general condition of the plants will be influenced by feeding, but infrequently. It is enough to fertilize the shrub 2 times a year: in March before the buds appear and in May-June during flowering. In spring, it is preferable to apply a solution of nitrophoska, and in summer – organic fertilizers.

In addition to watering and fertilizing, the single-petal hawthorn variety will need regular pruning. In a well-lit area, the crown has the correct shape. Therefore, only a preventive procedure should be carried out annually, removing dry, broken, unhealthy-looking branches. Remove faded inflorescences. Anti-aging pruning should be performed on bushes that are already more than 6-7 years old. To do this, cut off the old 2-3 branches. New sprouts will appear in this place next year, which will bear fruit. If the single-petal hawthorn bush has a too dense appearance, then the internal branches must be cut out to increase the illumination inside the plant and the yield.

Despite the fact that the hawthorn variety is single-peeled – a winter-hardy plant, at a temperature of 35-40 ° C and especially prolonged frosts, it can freeze. To prevent this from happening, you need to throw the trunk with snow to the maximum height. If there is no snow, then you can wrap it with burlap.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

You can get rid of annoying insects with an insecticide solution, fungicide preparations will help with fungal diseases. However, in order to protect the hawthorn as much as possible from negative consequences, one should resort to regular preventive measures:

• pruning dry branches;
• collection of fallen leaves;
• processing shrubs with folk remedies;
• weed removal;
• loosening of the surface layer.

Application in landscape design

Single-petal hawthorn is used for group and individual plantings. Suitable for arranging hedges of different heights, landscaping home gardens, city parks, alleys. This unpretentious plant is easy to give all sorts of shapes, as it will respond well to a haircut. It is difficult to describe the aesthetic beauty of landscape structures with hawthorn of the single-petal variety, you can only look at the photo, but it’s better to see it with your own eyes.

Conclusion

Hawthorn odnopistil will adorn any garden. Even an inexperienced gardener will be able to cope with this shrub, because he does not need special care. It grows well, blooms and bears fruit in any conditions.

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