Spirea Golden Carpet, Magic Carpet and Green Carpet

Spirea Magic Carpet is the common name for a group of Japanese spireas. Literally translated, magic carpet means a magic carpet. And indeed it is. Spirea of ​​the Carpet group is a low-growing shrub, to which the word “ground cover” is more applicable.

Varieties included in the group “Japanese Magic Carpet Spiraea”:

1. Spiraea japonica Walbuma.

2. Sparkling (Spiraea japonica Sparkling Carpet).

3. Голден (Spiraea japonica Golden Carpet).

4. Green (Spiraea japonica Green Carpet).

5. White (Spiraea japonica White Carpet).

The whole variety of varieties of decorative ground covers should be considered more carefully.

Japanese Spiraea Magic Carpet

Spiraea Magic Carpet is better known as Valbuma. In 2002, it was she who was awarded the special Award of Garden Merit, which is awarded by the English Royal Horticultural Society. The main advantages for which spirea was awarded:

• high decorative qualities;
• ease of cultivation and care;
• resistance to fungal diseases and insect pest attacks.

The value of the shrub lies in the originality of the color of the leaf plates, the bright and abundant flowering period.

Description of Spirea Magic Carpet

The habitus of the plant is due to the dwarf growth of the shrub, not exceeding 50 cm in height, and a dense cushion-shaped crown, spreading in shape, reaching 1 m in diameter. During the year, the shrub is able to add only 20 cm in growth. Magic Carpet shrub has a dense, well-branched root system.

Leaf plate of the simplest lanceolate shape, 4-5 cm long and with a changing color:

• at a younger age, the leaf plate has a red-orange tint;
• at an older age, the leaf plate has a shade of bright yellow;
• by autumn, the color changes to the color of young leaves.

Peduncles are small, with a rich pink tint, in the form of a dense corymb, no more than 5-6 cm in diameter. Valbuma blooms from late June to early September. The shrub is able to bear fruit, the fruits are in the form of small leaflets and ripen from September to October.

Spirea Valbuma is endowed with several more positive qualities:

1. Smoke resistance.
2. Gas resistance.
3. Frost resistance

These characteristic features should be a decisive factor when buying spirea seedlings Magic Carpet by residents of large metropolitan areas and small towns.

Spiraea Japanese Magic Carpet in landscape design

The photo shows how the Magic Carpet spirea perfectly merges into the landscape design of the site. Harmoniously fits into group plantings (photo 2), can decorate the garden as a single plant, especially during the flowering period (photo 3, 4). A good combination can be obtained by planting shrubs in architectural forms near lawns (photo 1).

By planting the Magic Carpet along the garden paths (the distance between the holes is from 30 cm to 50 cm), you can get a wonderful low curb. You can safely use Valbuma when creating rockeries, rock gardens and flower beds.

The only condition for planting and planning the site will be the presence of sunlight. Spiraea Magic Carpet prefers areas with direct sunlight, but also easily copes with a little shading. The sheet plate of Magic Carpet fades in the shade and can completely change color.

Planting and caring for Spirea Magic Carpet

When buying spirea seedlings of the Carpet group, close attention should be paid to the condition of the roots of the plant.

If the seedling was purchased with an ACS (open root system), then it should be carefully examined – the root processes should be moist, without dryness. On flexible shoots, live buds are required. When planting, the root growth is shortened to 23-25 ​​cm.

If the seedling was purchased in a pot with a closed root system, then good watering will be enough before planting to remove it from the container.

Valbuma blooms only in summer, so planting new bushes is best done in early spring before the buds open on the trees. In different regions, this process occurs in different ways, but it is worth focusing on March-April.

The shrub is unpretentious to the soil, but it will be better to develop on fertile, drained, moderately moist soils with a neutral acid reaction. On hot sunny days, it requires good hydration.

Before planting shrubs, it is necessary to dig holes in advance at a distance of 50 cm from one another. In the process of growth, the root shoot grows well, so the width of the planting hole should be 3 times larger than the size of the root shoot. In depth, one spade bayonet will suffice.

Planting holes should be dug 2 days before shrub planting. Then a small layer of crushed stone or brick is poured to the bottom as drainage. The earthen substrate necessary for the normal development and survival of seedlings is prepared in a ratio of 4: 2: 2 from the following components:

• garden soil;
• river sand;
• high-moor peat.

Part of the substrate is poured over the drainage, having previously straightened all the root processes, the seedling is buried in the hole and sprinkled on top with the rest of the substrate.

After planting, the soil is compacted and watered – at least 20 liters of water for one seedling.

Spirea seedling Magic Carpet is very demanding on watering, frequent and plentiful. After 1,5-2 weeks, when the plant takes root, watering is reduced, but the volume is not reduced – 13-16 liters of water for each seedling once every 15 days. After watering, it is necessary to loosen the near-stem circle with the simultaneous removal of all weeds.

Magic Carpet has no special requirements for further care. To stimulate the second flowering, you need to prune wilted inflorescences. The formation of the crown of the shrub is carried out in May of the year following planting. Cut off all dead wood and damaged shoots. Healthy shoots are shortened to the first healthy buds. The rejuvenation of the shrub is carried out 4 years after planting by cutting the shoots from the soil surface no more than 30 cm.

In early spring, it is necessary to mulch the soil under the bush. Mulch includes high-moor peat, compost and crushed pine bark. Before winterizing, the mulch should be embedded in the ground.

Fertilization is necessary in the summer, after planting. For the summer top dressing of the first year of vegetation and the spring top dressing of the second year, you will need a complex fertilizer (NPK 20:20:20). Apply by watering under the root every 3 weeks. Since August, root dressing with potassium-phosphorus fertilizer is necessary (1 time in 2,5 weeks). A good solution would be to foliarly feed Spirea Magic Carpet throughout the summer – 2 times a month.

Spirea Sparkling Carpet

Another representative of the ground cover spireas of the Carpet group is Sparkling Carpet (sparkling carpet), which is the lowest of all the “carpets”.

Description of Spirea Sparkling Carpet

The habitus of the plant fully justifies the name – the growth of the shrub does not exceed 30 cm in height, with a dense, at the same time rounded and flattened crown, elliptical in shape, reaching 40 cm in width. Crown growth by 10 cm takes place within 5 years. The shrub has a small but well developed root system.

The leaf plate is small in size, up to 2 cm long, with barely visible notches along the edges. Color can change throughout the season:

• spring – orange gold color;
• in summer – the color of lemon gold;
• in autumn – a kaleidoscope of fiery red and orange tones.

The flowers are very small, of a rich pink hue, having a thyroid shape, with a size of no more than 3 cm. The “Sparkling Carpet” is able to show its peduncles only from June to July.

Spirea Sparkling Carpet in landscape design

Small bushes of the Japanese spirea Sparkling Carpet are indispensable in creating landscape compositions. Group compacted planting of shrubs will allow you to get a dense and bright carpet. Can be used as a cover for bare trunks of tall shrubs and trees. A good solution would be to create a decorative border with the help of the “sparkling” ground cover of the Carpet group.

Planting and care

The variety easily tolerates short-term shading, but it is better to choose a place with constant sunlight. Although the “sparkling carpet” is not whimsical, it is better to choose a site with loose, fertile and moderately moist soil.

In the spring, in the second year of planting, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of the shoots, shortening them to a height of 18-20 cm from ground level. In summer, pruning of dry inflorescences is carried out – this will preserve the decorative effect of the crown.

Agricultural practices for the dwarf do not differ from Valbuma.

Spirea Japanese Golden Carpet

Another representative of the “carpet” spirits is Golden Carpet. “Golden carpet”, literally translated, means a golden carpet. And this is the most accurate characteristic of the ground cover.

Description of Spirea Golden Carpet

It is necessary to thank Canadian breeders for the appearance of a shrub of this species. The variety of tall spirea “Golden Princess”, taken as a basis, made it possible to develop a short-growing ground cover, which became a reduced copy of the mother plant. Before proceeding to the description of the Golden Carpet spirea, looking at the photo below, you can see some similarities between the two shrubs.

In appearance, the plant looks more like a small tussock, up to 40 cm high and wide, with densely spaced creeping shoots and a huge potential for the emergence of lateral branches from the axils of each internode.

The “golden carpet” does not differ in growth rate. The root system is small, but has the ability to grow rapidly.

The leaf plate has the simplest oval shape, medium-sized. The maximum leaf length is 2 cm, and the width is 1 cm. Looking closely at the branches, you can see how symmetrically the leaves are located on them. Throughout the season, the leaves do not change their color – a bright yellow gold color.

The flowers are very small, pale pink, unsightly in appearance. Collected together, they form a shield, with a total diameter of not more than 3 cm. It blooms for a short time (only 3 days), but all summer – from June to September. Does not produce seeds or fruits. Propagated only by cuttings, layering and division of the bush.

Spirea Golden Carpet in landscape design

Due to its bright color, the use of the “golden dwarf”, the Carpet group, in landscape design becomes simply irreplaceable. Golden bumps also look impressive in single (solitary) plantings, but there is no need to even talk about group compositions. Looks great on rocky alpine hills, flower beds, along curbs.

A prerequisite for planning a landing will be the presence of sunlight. This type of spirea prefers sunny areas, but easily tolerates short shading. In the shade, the leaf plate completely changes color to green.

Planting and caring for Japanese spirea Golden Carpet

Fertile, drained soils with a neutral acid reaction (PH = 7) are suitable for planting Golden Carpet spirea. Even a short-term stagnation of water masses will be fatal for the shrub.

Sanitary pruning should be carried out only in the early spring of next year.

Spirea Green Carpet

One of the rarest spirea varieties of the Carpet group, of excellent shape, created through the efforts of Canadian breeders. In a group planting, this ground cover resembles an air carpet, which directly corresponds to the name – a green carpet.

Description of Spirea Green Carpet

In appearance, the plant looks like a small green tubercle, up to 20 cm high and with a maximum diameter of up to 30-35 cm, rounded. This groundcover (like the Golden Carpet) forms lateral branches from the axils of each node. Green Carpet does not differ in growth rate either – it is able to grow only 10 cm annually. Root shoots are small in size, but capable of growth.

From the photo you can see that the Green Carpet spirea leaf plate has a simple shape. Quite small, no more than 1 cm long and 2 cm wide. A closer look at the leafy branch will allow you to notice the symmetry of the arrangement of the leaves, with an absolutely unchanged color throughout the season – this is a bright color of rich greenery. By autumn, the color of the leaf plate changes to a paler color.

Peduncles are very small and inconspicuous, pink in color with a green tint, in the form of a dense thyroid shell, no larger than 2 cm in size. It blooms for a short time (only 3 days), but with a constant frequency. You can notice a blooming green carpet not only in June, but also in September. Seeds and fruits on this shrub are not formed.

Spirea Green Carpet in landscape design

In landscape design, the Green Carpet shrub plays a huge role, so any landscape design bureau cannot do without this variety of spirea. Canadian and American designers have grown fond of green bush and always use it for golf course designs.

In Our Country, golf courses are not very popular, so this ground cover spirea is planted on rocky alpine hills, along paths and curbs. Spectacularly spirea Green Carpet looks in solitary and group plantings.

Planting and care

Saplings of this variety of spirea are sold only with ZKS (closed root system). When planting, the seedling is transferred from the pot into a prepared hole. The landing site should be sunny or with a short shadow. The soil is only with a neutral acid reaction. The variety is frost-resistant and does not require additional shelter for the winter. Sanitary pruning of branches should be carried out no more than once every 3 years. The rest of the care for Green Carpet is identical to the spirea Valbume. Does not reproduce by seeds.

Spirea White Carpet

Planting a shrub of the White Carpet variety will bring notes of tenderness to the garden. This shrub during flowering resembles an airy white cloud.

Description of Spirea White Carpet

The shrub of the White Carpet variety reaches a height of 50 cm with a diameter of not more than 85 cm. Creeping shoots that can cover the ground with a white carpet (White Carpet is translated from English and means a white carpet).

The leaf plate is small in size, elongated in the shape of an ellipse, up to 3 cm long. The upper surface of the leaf is painted in rich green, while the lower surface has a slightly bluish tint.

Spirea White Carpet blooms in May and lasts until the end of September. Peduncles are collected together and form the shape of a shell shield. The size of the flower itself is very small and reaches no more than 1,5 cm in diameter. Possibility of seed formation.

Spirea White Carpet in landscape design

In landscape design, the White Carpet spirea is more used as a ground cover in group and single plantings. The wide distribution and popularity of White Carpet was achieved by unpretentiousness and minimal maintenance in the landscaping of city squares and front gardens of industrial enterprises.

Planting and care

Excellent White Carpet feels in the sun and slightly shaded areas. There are no strong watering requirements. The only condition for this ground cover will be the absence of stagnant water in the soil.

Sanitary pruning of White Carpet spirea is carried out annually and only in early spring.

Reproduction of spirea

Absolutely all methods of reproduction are suitable for Japanese spireas of the Carpet group:

1. Generative, propagation by seeds.
2. Vegetative, propagation by layering, cuttings and dividing the bush.

Of all the above methods, the most popular, reliable and highly effective are reproduction by layering and dividing the bush. These methods are the fastest and least expensive in terms of time and labor, but all breeding options should be considered in more detail.

Growing a spirea shrub of the Carpet group from seeds is suitable for lovers of experiments.

To plant spirea seeds, you will need a wooden skewer or a toothpick. In the spring, small seeds are laid on the surface of the substrate (preliminary stratification is not needed for planting material). The substrate is prepared from 4 parts of neutralized peat and 1 part of vermiculite. After placement, the seeds must be carefully shed and covered with polyethylene or glass. The container is placed on the western or northern side of the shady garden. After the appearance of the first shoots, the shelter is removed. When the seedlings reach 2 cm in height, it must be dived.

When picking, a long root is pinched 1/3 of the length, after which it is planted in a separate container. Until autumn, pots with small seedlings are in the shade of large trees until autumn. For the winter, pots can be brought into a cool room and planted in a permanent place in the ground in the spring.

Spirea cuttings must be carried out in the autumn months (September or October):

1. The strongest shoots are cut from the spirea bush, which must be cut into pieces.
2. Each part must have at least 5 sheets.
3. The lower leaf plates should be removed all except the petiole, and the rest should be shortened exactly 2 times.
4. The cuttings are placed in a container with a root-forming solution (Kornevin, heteroauxin) for 3 hours.
5. The cuttings are planted in a substrate consisting of 1 part high-moor peat and 2 parts river sand at an angle of 45 °, deepening only 2 cm.
6. Planted cuttings of spirea are shed with a solution of a root former, covered with a transparent container and placed in a shaded place.
7. During rooting, the cuttings must be sprayed and watered.
8. When the first cold weather sets in, the cuttings should be dug into the soil, covered with fallen leaves and covered with a wooden or plastic box.
9. In the spring, spirea cuttings should be grown on a common bed and only in the fall should be transplanted to a permanent place.

To propagate the spirea of ​​the Carpet group by layering, it is necessary to bend the lower shoots to the ground in early spring, fix and sprinkle with earth, leaving only the top of the shoot on the surface. This method is quite applicable to young root shoots. Over the summer, layering develops, and by autumn full-fledged single seedlings are obtained. In autumn, the cuttings are dug up and transplanted to a permanent place.

Reproduction by dividing the spirea shrub is best done from August to September. An indispensable condition after division is cool air or more shade. Spirea shrubs are dug in with a capture of at least 65% of the crown projection, while part of the roots will be cut off.

The root system is well washed under running water. Root layers are well straightened and divided into parts. Each of them should have 3 strong shoots and a sufficient number of roots. Long root branches are shortened, processed with ash and planted in previously prepared recesses. Watering is carried out every day on sunny days or once every 7 days when it is cloudy.

Diseases and pests of Japanese spirea

Japanese spirea shrubs of the Carpet group are more resistant to fungal diseases, but can sometimes be affected by spotted fungus or gray mold spores. Fungicide preparations will help to cope with this problem:

• fundazol;
• Bordeaux mixture;
• colloidal sulfur.

Sometimes decorative ground covers of the “carpet” group of spirea visit troubles in the form of an invasion of insect pests: blue meadowsweet sawfly, spirea aphid, whitefly and spider mite. Insecticide-acaricide spectrum preparations will help to cope with these troubles:

• decis-pro;
• inta-vir;
• Bi-58;
• Fitoverm;
• actophyte;
• kinmix.

Conclusion

Spiraea Magic Carpet is an absolutely unpretentious shrub that can decorate the landscape of any personal plot. Any of the spirea varieties of the Carpet group is capable of blooming already on the shoots of the first year of vegetation, which further enhances the beauty and popularity of these varieties. When choosing a spirea of ​​the Carpet group, it should be remembered that they tolerate winters well and do not freeze out without additional shelter.

There is no doubt when choosing – the minimum care and durability of the plant will make the garden play with a diverse palette of colors.