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Spirea is a flowering, ornamental shrub that is used to decorate a personal plot. There are a large number of varieties and species that differ in the color of flowers and leaves, crown size and flowering time. To keep the site in bloom from early spring to late autumn, gardeners plant different varieties of spirea. Spiraea Niponna is an early flowering shrub with fragrant snow-white flowers that appear in late May.
Description of the Nipponian spirea
Nipponian spirea came to our country from Japan, from the island of Shikoku. The plant is a medium-sized shrub, reaching a height of up to 2 m. The spreading crown is formed by flexible, curved shoots. The oval leaf plate reaches a length of 1 to 4 cm. The dark olive color of the foliage smoothly turns into a green tint, and changes to red in autumn.
In one place, Nipponian spirea can grow up to 30 years, the annual growth is 20-30 cm, both in width and in height.
In early summer, the bush is covered with snow-white, large, corymbose inflorescences with small fragrant flowers. Flowering is intense and abundant, lasting about 2 months.
Nipponian spirea in landscape design
Due to its unpretentiousness, cold resistance and ease of care, Nipponian spirea has found wide application in landscape design. It goes well with conifers, looks beautiful near water bodies. In urban landscape design, the plant is planted:
- near children’s and sports grounds;
- in the park area;
- near residential buildings;
- to create a green hedge;
- for single and group landings.
In early summer, the plant attracts the eye with the beauty of lush, snow-white flowering, which is noticeable from a long distance. On household plots, spirea is planted in rock gardens and complex flower beds, along garden paths, next to nondescript buildings.
And also the shrub harmoniously looks against the background of blooming lilacs, with other types of spirea, near tall bulbous plants. Since spirea is an excellent honey plant, it is often planted next to an apiary or near single hives.
Nipponian spirea varieties
Nipponian spirea has 2 decorative forms:
- round-leaved – a powerful bush with ovate leaves and large snow-white inflorescences;
- angustifolia – shrub with narrow leaves and small, numerous flowers.
The following flowering species are popular in Our Country.
Spireya nipponskaya Snowmound
The most beautiful species, reaching a height of up to 2 m. Nipponian spiraea (spiraea nipponica Snowmound) is a spring-flowering shrub with a spreading crown, which is formed by numerous, vertically growing shoots and arched branches.
Dark emerald, ovoid leaves reach a length of up to 4 cm. Lush, snow-white inflorescences are collected from small fragrant flowers.
Planting and caring for the Nippon Snowmound spirea are simple, the main thing is to follow simple rules:
- For lush and abundant flowering, the plant is planted in a sunny place.
- The distance between landings should be at least half a meter.
- Watering is moderate.
- The soil is mulched with straw or sawdust.
Nipponian Snowmound Spiraea is a frost-resistant, deciduous shrub that can winter at temperatures down to -30 degrees.
Spireya nipponskaya Junebride
Nippon Spiraea JuneBride is an ornamental, spherical shrub that reaches a height and width of up to one and a half meters. In mid-May, the plant forms pink buds, from which snow-white inflorescences appear. Dark olive leaves retain their color until late autumn. The species is winter-hardy, withstands temperatures down to -25 degrees.
It is used for group and single plantings, as borders and green hedges, for decorating complex flower beds and rock gardens.
Spireya nipponskaya HalvardSilver
Nipponian Spiraea Halwardsilver is a low-growing, densely leafy shrub. An adult plant reaches 1 m in height and 1,5 m in width. The oval leaves are dark green, changing color in late August to copper red.
Snow-white flowering occurs in June and lasts up to 25 days. Due to the rich aroma, the species attracts butterflies and pollinating insects.
Spiraea Nipponica Silver grows well in nutritious, moist soil in a lightly shaded or sunny position.
Spirea nipponskaya GelvesRainbow
Nipponian Spirea GerlvesRainbow is a flowering, slow growing shrub. Annual growth is 10–15 cm. Dark brown shoots are covered with small orange-green leaves, among which snow-white inflorescences are visible.
Although the species is frost-resistant, without shelter there is a possibility of freezing of young shoots, which, after pruning, quickly recover.
Spiraea Nipponian Rainbow is photophilous, has immunity to diseases and insect pests.
Planting and caring for nipponian spirea
According to reviews, Nipponian spirea is an unpretentious shrub that even a novice gardener can grow. If you make a minimum of effort and maximum care, the shrub will show itself in all its beauty a year after planting.
Preparation of planting material and site
It is better to buy a seedling of Nipponian spirea with a clod of earth or in a container. When buying, pay attention to the state of the root system. If the roots have sprouted through the drainage holes, then the plant is old and the survival rate will be low.
If a seedling with an open root system, the roots should be:
- flexible and wet;
- without signs of rot and damage;
- it is best that they are covered with clay mash.
Before planting, the dried and broken roots are cut off from the seedling. The plant is kept for 1-2 hours in water and proceed to planting.
Rules of landing
Nipponian spirea is planted in autumn or spring, in cloudy weather. For planting a seedling, choose a well-lit place or light partial shade. The soil should be moist, nutritious, well-drained. Due to its unpretentiousness, spirea can also grow on poor soil in urban environments.
Before planting, the selected place is dug up on a spade bayonet, sand and peat are added in equal proportions. Make a planting hole, slightly larger than the root system. A 15 cm layer of drainage is laid at the bottom, a layer of earth. The plant’s roots are straightened and placed on nutrient soil. The seedling is covered with earth, tamping each layer to avoid the appearance of an air cushion.
The planted plant is watered abundantly and mulched with straw or sawdust. Plant care is simple, it consists in watering, top dressing and timely pruning.
Watering and top dressing
The plant has a fibrous root system, which is located closer to the soil surface, so watering should be regular. In dry, hot weather, irrigation is carried out 2-3 times a month. For each bush use up to 15 liters of warm water. After watering, the earth is loosened and mulched.
For abundant flowering, the bush is fed 3 times per season:
- spring – nitrogenous fertilizers;
- in summer – organic;
- in autumn – phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or wood ash.
Nippon spirea pruning
To enhance flowering, the shrub must be cut regularly. Pruning rules:
- Since the Nipponian spirea produces inflorescences along the entire length of the shoots, pruning is carried out on faded branches by ½ of the length.
- In the spring, before sap flow, frozen branches are removed, in the fall – old, weak shoots and excess shoots.
- Once every 2 years, weakly flowering shoots are cut out, and once every 10 years, the shrub is rejuvenated, completely getting rid of old shoots.
Preparation for winter
Although the plant is frost-resistant, it must be prepared for the cold. To do this, the plant is watered abundantly, fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and covered. For shelter, you can use non-woven material, dry straw or foliage with a layer of at least 25 cm.
Reproduction
Nipponian spirea can be propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- bends;
- division of the bush.
Propagation by seeds is a difficult and lengthy process that may not bring the long-awaited result.
Reproduction by offshoots gives a good survival rate. To do this, a strong lower shoot is placed in a prepared trench, fixed with a bracket and covered with earth so that the top remains above the ground. Next, the soil is watered and mulched. The next year, after the branch develops a powerful root system, it is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Dividing a bush is an easy way to reproduce, which even a novice gardener can handle. The plant is dug up and divided into small parts, which are transplanted to the chosen place.
Cuttings are the most popular way to propagate Nipponian spirea. To propagate a bush by cuttings, you must follow simple rules:
- annual, green cuttings 10–15 cm long are cut;
- the lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are shortened by ½ length;
- planting material is planted in moistened sand at an acute angle;
- the container is covered with a plastic bottle and cleaned in a warm, well-lit room;
- with the onset of cold weather, the pot can be taken out to the balcony or left in the garden, covering it with double polyethylene or dry foliage;
- in the spring, after the soil warms up, the stalk can be safely planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Nipponian spirea has good immunity to diseases and insect pests. But, like any other plant, without proper care, it can suffer from pests.
Spider mite. Appears in hot, dry summers. You can detect the pest by white spots and thin cobwebs on the leaves, which turn yellow, dry out and fall off without treatment. To get rid of the insect, the bush is treated with “Fusalon”, “Phosfamide”, “Metaphos”.
Goose of the blue meadowsweet sawfly. The insect eats unopened buds, young foliage and shoots. Without treatment, the caterpillar can destroy the plant. To get rid of the use of the drug “Decis”.
Conclusion
Nipponian Spirea is an early flowering, perennial shrub with snow-white flowers. Due to its unpretentiousness, the plant can be grown in the backyard and in city parks. If you follow the simple rules of care, the spirea will show its magnificence during the first summer month.