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Potentilla Abbotswood or Kuril tea (also five-leafed) is a compact ornamental five-leafed variety that is perfect for solitary lawn plantings and group compositions with coniferous crops. The culture grows equally well both in the conditions of central Our Country and in the Northern regions, but it also feels good in the south of the country. The life expectancy of a shrub is 25-30 years.
Description of the Abbotswood shrub cinquefoil
Cinquefoil shrub (Potentilla fruticosa Abbotswood) is a low shrub with a rounded crown, which, when properly molded, acquires a spherical shape. The height of the plant is on average 1 m, the diameter of the crown is 1-1,2 m. The first years of life, the Potentilla shrub grows very quickly, however, then, as it approaches the top point of growth, development slows down. The annual growth of young bushes reaches 15-20 cm in height and the same in width.
The Abbotswood variety blooms in June, forming small white flowers with a diameter of about 2-3 cm, in total flowering lasts until October. The leaves of the shrub are lanceolate, ovate in shape. Their length reaches 3 cm. The color of the leaf plate of Abbotswood cinquefoil is light green with a yellowish tint.
Potentilla shrub Abbotswood is a fairly hardy variety – the variety safely tolerates long periods of drought and can withstand temperatures as low as -40 ° C in winter. The advantages of the shrub also include resistance to many diseases. In particular, the Abbotswood variety is not affected by powdery mildew.
Potentilla has an average requirement for illumination. Abbotswood plantings are photophilous, but at the same time they develop well in partial shade.
Abbotswood cinquefoil is used in landscape design to create dense, low-growing hedges and to tamp high hedges from other horticultural crops from below. The shrub goes well with conifers and looks favorably in rocky gardens. Solitary plantings are no less popular.
How does Abbotswood Potentilla reproduce?
The description for Abbotswood Potentilla indicates that the plant can be propagated independently only vegetatively. The seed breeding method is used only with professional equipment.
The main methods of propagation of Kuril tea include:
- breeding by divisions;
- cuttings propagation (use green cuttings);
- the formation of layers.
Potentilla reproduction by layering is considered the simplest; this method does not require much effort and significant time costs from the gardener.
Reproduction by divisions
By dividing the bush, the cinquefoil is propagated as follows:
- In autumn or spring, it is necessary to dig the plant to expose the root system.
- With the help of a shovel or an ax, a part with roots is separated from the bush. The mother bush is sprinkled with earth, covering the rhizome.
- The delenka is cut to 20-30 cm, while it is important to leave 2-3 buds.
- Then the fragment is planted in a pre-prepared hole. It is watered and mulched with dry needles or sawdust.
In autumn, by dividing the bush, cinquefoil can be propagated only in warm regions. The separated fragment blooms on average 2-3 years after planting, the flowering Abbotswood cinquefoil bush is shown in the photo below.
Green cuttings
Cuttings are a fairly simple way to get a large amount of planting material. Carry out the procedure as follows:
- Starting from the end of June, cuttings can be harvested. The deadline is the last day of July. For reproduction, young shoots of the current year are selected, while the leaves do not need to be cut from them. Branches are cut to about 15 cm.
- Sections are lowered into a root formation stimulator for an hour.
- Then the planting material is buried in the substrate, almost completely in separate containers with soil, about 3 cm should rise above the surface. The container for cuttings should have holes on the bottom. The bottom of the containers should be covered with drainage.
- After that, containers or pots with cuttings are removed in a dark place. Over the next 2 weeks, the planting material is regularly moistened.
- On the 15th day, the plants should get stronger. They can be left indoors for the winter or planted outdoors, however, the second option is only possible when breeding the Abbotswood variety in a region with a mild climate.
Reproduction by layers
In order to form layering, it is necessary to choose a healthy shoot, located close to the ground, and bend it down. The place in contact with the ground is dug in and pressed down with a heavy object from above so that the branch does not unbend. Already by the next season, the pinned shoot can be separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a new place.
Planting and caring for Potentilla Abbotswood
Preparations for planting shrubs begin in advance. Planting holes for seedlings must be dug at least 2 weeks before planting Potentilla. Planting dates depend on local climatic conditions – Abbotswood seedlings can only be planted when the soil has thawed. In the south, shrubby cinquefoil is planted at the end of summer.
Recommended dates
Potentilla shrub variety Abbotswood can be planted both in spring in April and in autumn, no later than September. In mid-latitude conditions, it is better to land in the spring. Planted in autumn in a harsh climate may not have time to take root before the onset of cold weather.
Site selection and preparation of soil
A plant of this variety prefers loose fertile soils – in a plot with compacted soil, the shrub does not develop well. When grown on poor soil, the flowering of Abbotswood cinquefoil is not so abundant, and the flowers themselves become smaller and have little in common with the flowers in the photo below – their petals narrow, and the core loses its yellow color saturation.
The plant is insensitive to drafts, so you can plant it in open areas, especially since Potentilla loves the sun. The advantages of Abbotswood include resistance to air pollution, which allows it to be planted along roadsides and in the city.
Not the best option would be to plant a plant on heavy clay soils – Potentilla does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Requirements for the composition of the soil in the variety are moderate. Potentilla Abbotswood prefers drained acidic soils, but grows well in slightly alkaline areas.
How to plant
Potentilla is planted in the following sequence:
- First you need to prepare a planting hole with a depth of about 60 cm. The width of the hole depends on the size of the root system of the seedling. For group plantings, the distance between adjacent holes should be at least 1 m. If you plan to create a hedge or border, this gap is reduced to 50 cm.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom of the landing pit – a layer of broken clay shards, pieces of brick or pebbles about 15 cm thick.
- From above, the drainage is sprinkled with a mixture of the top layer of garden soil, humus and sand, which are taken in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. Additionally, the soil mixture is diluted with a complex mineral fertilizer (100 g is enough).
- After that, a Potentilla seedling is installed on the soil mixture. The root neck of the plant, when deepened, should be at ground level or rise above it by 2-3 cm, but no more.
- The area near the trunk circle is moderately watered and mulched with sawdust, needles or dry grass with leaves.
Growing rules
Potentilla shrub Abbotswood is distinguished by excellent frost resistance – in extreme cases, in especially harsh winters, the very ends of the branches can freeze at the plant. With age, the resistance of the shrub to low temperatures increases. Timely top dressing with mineral compounds helps to improve this indicator. Cover for the winter only young bushes.
Caring for the culture of the Abbotswood variety is simple. Cut it rarely, frequent watering the plant is not required.
Watering
Water Abbotswood cinquefoil sparingly. In the absence of rain, watering is carried out 2-3 times a week, but this only applies to young seedlings. After a month, watering is stopped, the plant receives a sufficient amount of moisture from precipitation. Adult cinquefoil bushes in hot summers are watered 2-3 times per season, one bucket per plant is enough.
Additional fertilizing
The full development of Abbotswood cinquefoil is possible only when planted in fertile soil. Additionally, it is necessary to feed the shrub to stimulate its flowering and strengthen it before wintering. The recommended frequency of fertilization is 1-2 times per season. In March, mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil – about 50-60 g of the full composition. Before flowering, Potentilla can be fed with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers according to the dosage indicated on the package.
Loosening, mulching
The mulching layer created during planting in the area around the trunk must be maintained throughout the season. Any material can be used:
- sawdust;
- peat;
- dry foliage;
- straw;
- needles, etc.
Loosening is carried out if the topsoil is compacted after heavy rainfall.
Pruning, bush formation
Mandatory annual pruning of Potentilla shrub is not needed, however, in order to give the crown a more spherical appearance, you can shorten the shoots that stand out from the total mass. In general, Abbotswood bushes are pruned every 3 years, cutting off about 10 cm. Anti-aging pruning can be done even less often, with a frequency of 5 years. The shoots are shortened for this purpose by a third; the Potentilla shrub does not like cardinal pruning.
Pests and diseases
Abbotswood Kuril tea is rarely affected by pests, and therefore does not need additional protection. The plant is also sick infrequently, but sometimes, if the bush develops in adverse conditions, the cinquefoil may suffer from rust. This disease is provoked by increased soil moisture as a result of stagnant water, damp air and close proximity to diseased pines. Abbotswood cinquefoil is treated by spraying with preparations that contain copper.
The following have worked well:
- “Topaz”;
- “Strobe”;
- “Vectra”;
- Bordeaux liquid.
Conclusion
Potentilla Abbotswood is a great addition to any garden. The plant withstands shearing well and harmoniously combines with many crops: perennials, coniferous shrubs and creeping species. In landscape design, the variety is usually used to create dense borders and undersized hedges, which look especially advantageous against the background of dark conifers. Solitary plantings of the Abbotswood cinquefoil look no less impressive. The culture of this variety has gained popularity among gardeners for the relative ease of molding and care in general.
You can learn more about the features of growing Potentilla in Our Country from the video below:
