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Skumpia Lilla is a new variety that is distinguished by its original non-standard appearance, dwarf growth, unpretentiousness in care. For the first time, the culture was presented by breeders in 2011 at the Dutch exhibition “Plantarium”, where it received a bronze medal. The decorativeness of the plant is actively used to decorate the site at any time of the year, especially since its survival rate is quite high throughout central Our Country.
Description of skumpia Lilla
Skumpia Lilla has other names – smoky tree, yellowberry, wig bush. Under natural conditions, the plant is found in southern and central Europe and is a miniature version of the Royal Purple variety. Unlike the latter, Lilla’s skumpia grows more slowly, but it has much more colors and shades of leaves. In early spring they have a rich wine color. Later, in the summer, the foliage turns purple, and in the fall – yellow, scarlet or orange.
Skumpia Lilla is compact, the bush reaches a height of 1 m, a width of 1,3 m. The annual growth is about 30 – 50 cm. The tree-like shoots of the culture, densely covered with rounded leaves about 7 cm long, are arranged alternately.
The plant produces abundantly openwork inflorescences in the form of panicles during flowering in early summer. Their length is about 30 cm. The fruits are small drupes.
The root of skumpia Lilla is highly branched.
The plant belongs to winter-hardy, drought-resistant crops that can tolerate environmental pollution.
How skumpia Lilla blooms
Skumpia has bisexual, staminate flowers, but more often – sterile, underdeveloped, a few shades of which vary from yellowish to greenish. Flowering begins in June and lasts two months, in the southern regions it can be multiple per season.
During this period, Lilla’s skumpiya looks very impressive. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences-panicles. Most of them fade quickly, while the sterile ones fall off, and in their place a pedicel remains, which, growing, forms long pink threads covered with hairs. Because of them, the plant looks like a cloud or a fluffy wig. At this moment, it’s hard to take your eyes off Lill’s skumpia: she looks so decorative, light and gentle. During the flowering period, the bush has the shape of an umbrella or a ball.
Rules of landing
According to the description, leather skumpia Lilla is a shrub that prefers lit and sun-warmed places. It is unpretentious to the quality of the soil. It may well grow on rocky slopes, it is good to plant it in loamy or sandy loamy soil. Due to the branched root system, the plant is used to strengthen the slopes. With an excess of moisture, it does not develop well. Soil drainage will be needed to correct the situation. Despite the winter hardiness of Lilla skumpii, in the first years after planting, young seedlings are covered for the winter. The best time to plant an ornamental shrub is spring. In this case, he will have time to prepare for the winter and will be able to avoid damage.
Reproduction of the plant is most successfully carried out by layering and root shoots.
Recommended dates
Sumpia Lilla seedlings, especially if they have a closed root system, can be planted at any time of the year, except for winter. A distinctive feature of the shrub is its long growing season. For this reason, the plant may not have time to take root before frost during autumn planting. In spring – there is a possibility of the death of the shrub, since the time of rooting coincides with the peak of the summer heat.
According to reviews, Lilla tannery is best planted in early spring. In this case, when choosing the right place, engraftment will be guaranteed to be successful.
Site selection and preparation of soil
Despite the fact that Lilla skumpia is an unpretentious plant, it is worth carefully choosing a landing site for it. The space should be spacious, sunny, protected from winds and drafts. Slight shading is acceptable.
The shrub is undemanding to soil fertility.
Thanks to the developed root system, it is able to extract nutrients both from great depths and from the surface of the earth by widely spreading its roots over it. Light, alkaline, permeable soil is considered the ideal soil for Lilla skumpia. A high level of moisture is detrimental to the plant. Places where melt or rain water stagnate are not suitable for him. In such conditions, it develops slowly, blooms poorly.
Landing algorithm
After choosing a seedling and a site for planting it, it is necessary to act according to the algorithm:
- The day before disembarkation, remove the skumpia from the container and place it in water.
- Inspect the root system, cut off damaged, dry or diseased roots.
- Treat the cut sites with a fungicide and sprinkle with crushed charcoal.
- Dig a planting hole that is larger than the root system of Lilla’s skumpia.
- Pour 20 liters of water into the pit and wait until it is completely absorbed.
- Pour a mound of soil to the bottom.
- Set the seedling in the center, straighten its roots.
- Fill the hole with earth, carefully compact.
- The root collar should be 2-3 cm above the ground.
- Thoroughly water the planting.
Aftercare
Lilla skumpia is very easy to care for. In the first years after planting, the young plant must be protected from frost. To do this, it is recommended to mulch the root system with compost and cover the branches of the culture. Later winter protection is not required.
The bush develops quickly, grows in diameter and in height. Sometimes the branches of Lilla skumpii partially freeze, so with the advent of spring it is worth doing a sanitary pruning, which stimulates the growth of new branches, thanks to which the bush becomes even more beautiful.
If Lilla’s skumpia is planted on poor soils, then top dressing should be carried out. Watering at first should be regular, later moistening is carried out only during a long drought. The shrub is very resistant to diseases and pests, however, if protection and treatment are necessary, special methods and preparations are used.
Watering
Until the seedlings are fully rooted, watering should be regular and plentiful. Mulching the soil around the shrub allows you to retain moisture longer, get rid of weeds, keep the soil loose, and increase its breathability. Compost, mowed grass, straw, leaves are used as mulch. After full rooting in a year, watering is reduced, since excess moisture is detrimental to the plant: events are carried out only in extreme cases.
Additional fertilizing
Skumpia Lilla does not need special feeding, as it successfully develops on any soil, except for marshy ones. But at the initial stage, to increase the leaf mass, it is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. Organic is suitable for this purpose. In summer, phosphate and potash fertilizers are applied under the plant. It is believed that the use of top dressings on fertile soils can lead to a lack of flowering.
How to trim
Skumpia Lilla does not require frequent pruning. It is considered optimal to carry out the procedure once every two to three years. The best time for this is May, before bud break. During this period, damaged or frozen shoots are removed and a crown is formed. In young plants, annual shoots are shortened by two-thirds, old ones can be removed entirely. With regular pruning, the bush branches well, the leaves increase in size, their color becomes brighter.
It is possible to carry out figured pruning, with the help of which the bushes are given any shape. It must be remembered that Lilla skumpia blooms on last year’s shoots, so you should not completely remove them.
Preparation for winter
Young seedlings of Lilla skumpia require special preparation for winter. First, it is necessary to mulch the trunk circle with the help of rotted compost, peat. The plant itself is tied with spruce branches or non-woven material for the winter. In the adult state, the bushes do not require protection from frost, in the middle lane they successfully overwinter.
Pests and diseases
Skumpiya leather Lilla is characterized by a weak susceptibility to diseases and pests. Due to excess moisture, problems with rotting of the roots can occur, due to which they cease to function. In such cases, the ornamental plant loses its attractive appearance and may die.
The leaf beetle and the psyllid infect the shrub extremely rarely. The beautiful leaves of Lilla skumpia can be attacked by aphids and spider mites. Against them, folk remedies should be used – spraying with a solution of soap or ammonia. Experts recommend the use of insecticides – Chistotsvet, Skora, Fundazol.
In winter, the bark of Lilla skumpia bushes can be damaged by hares or mice. To protect against animals, the bases of the bushes are tied with spruce branches.
Conclusion
Skumpia Lilla is distinguished by its showiness and sophistication. Its exotic appearance amazes gardeners, who, by purchasing plants and planting them on their site, are convinced of the unpretentiousness of the culture, its ability to quickly develop on any soil. The unusual appearance acquired by Lilla skumpia in the second half of summer attracts the interest of everyone who sees her for the first time. In combination with ornamental shrubs, perennial flowers, coniferous and deciduous trees, you can create unique compositions that are distinguished by bright contrasting combinations of foliage, needles and inflorescences.
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