Stefanandra

Stephanandra is a genus of low deciduous shrubs from the Rosaceae family. Their homeland is Korea and Japan. All of them are able to emphasize the sophistication and poetry of the landscape, because they have spectacular leaves and bloom profusely.

In the genus there are species with both straight shoots and recumbent. The maximum height of plants is 2 m, but most often these are shrubs up to 1 m high, because in severe winters they freeze at the level of snow cover. But they quickly recover. The leaves are small, dissected in shape, rich green, by autumn they acquire bright shades of orange, pink and golden.

Small graceful flowers of white or cream color are collected in panicles. The stamens form a circle, which gave the name to the plant – “male wreath”. Flowering is abundant and long. The aroma is subtle, barely perceptible.

Types of stephanandra

In nature, there are 4 types of stefanander (1), but in our country only 2 types are used in landscape design.

Stephanandra incised leaf (Stephanandra incisa). Shrub up to 0,5 m. Shoots can reach 2 m, but they are thin, flexible and lodging. Grows slowly. Decorative all season.

In spring, the plant is covered with small maple-like, strongly cut bright green leaves, flowering begins in June and lasts a month. Numerous white flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences. By autumn, the leaves turn bright orange-red.

This species has a Crispa variety with a more compact bush size (height up to 0,6 m and diameter up to 1,8 m), shaped like a tussock, which is used in landscape design as a ground cover plant. It has greenish-white flowers, bright orange leaves in autumn (2).

In addition, there is a hybrid Green Gold / Oro Verde up to 1 m high, with larger leaves and cream flowers.

Stephanandra Tanaki, or tanake (Stephanandra tanakae). A relatively tall shrub, in favorable years it reaches 2 m in height and up to 4 m in width. The leaves are large, up to 10 cm long, maple-like in shape. Small white flowers are collected in large inflorescences. Flowering begins in the second half of July and lasts about 1 month. In autumn, the bright green foliage takes on burgundy reds and yellows.

This species has low frost resistance, shoots freeze at the level of snow cover. Therefore, for the winter, it is recommended to bend the branches to the ground and cover them with spruce branches. However, after freezing, you can carry out sanitary pruning, feed the plant and new shoots will begin to grow quickly.

Stephanandra Care

Stephanandra is unpretentious, practically not damaged by diseases and pests. But when choosing a landing site, you need to take into account that the plant does not tolerate drafts and cold winds.

Ground

Light fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acid reaction is best suited for planting a plant. Heavy soils require baking powder (peat and sand). In any areas of the pit, it is imperative to pour drainage.

Lighting

Stefanander shows decorative qualities in well-lit areas. It develops slowly in the shade and usually does not bloom. However, it should be borne in mind that the plant needs protection from cold winds and drafts. When planting in groups, the distance between plants should be 1,5 – 2 m (2).

Watering

The plant requires regular watering, withering when the soil dries. During a long drought, stephanander needs not only to be watered almost every day, but also to spray the crown with water in the early morning or after sunset.

fertilizers

Stephanandra responds well to organic fertilizers, especially bird droppings and horse manure. Compost (1 bucket), superphosphate (3-4 tablespoons), potassium sulfate (4-5 teaspoons), wood ash (1 liter jar) are added to the planting pits.

Feeding

In early spring, plants are fed with a complex mineral fertilizer such as Spring, mulched with humus. For top dressing at the beginning of flowering, infusions of chicken manure (1:10) are used. In early autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is applied to the trunk circles.

Trimming

In the spring, before the buds swell, sanitary and formative pruning is carried out. First of all, branches damaged by frost, disease and snow are cut out. Then – shoots that thicken the crown so that the plant can be evenly illuminated by the sun and look well-groomed.

After flowering, the oldest branches are removed, which leads to the rejuvenation of the shrub.

Shelter for the winter

Stephanandra withstands frosts down to -25 ° C, but at such temperatures the shoots above the level of the snow cover freeze over. Therefore, on the eve of winter, it is recommended to bend tall plants to the ground and pin the shoots. You need to do this in warm weather, while they are flexible. Plants can be covered with spruce branches or dry branches.

Stephanandra reproduction

Stephanandra is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. In Stephanandra incised, often the shoots lying on the ground take root on their own.

Seeds. During seed propagation, seeds (do not soak and do not stratify!) are sown directly into the ground in May, watered regularly, seedlings are thinned out and weeds are removed.

The grown plants are either planted in a school for growing, or in a permanent place.

Cuttings. For propagation, cuttings 10–15 cm long are taken. They are cut from 1–2-year-old shoots, the lower oblique cut is dusted with a root formation stimulator and planted in a cuttings with light, moist soil. The cuttings are watered and covered with a film. Regularly ventilate and spray with clean water. Rooting occurs quickly, but landing on a permanent place is carried out only after 1 year.

Layers. For propagation by layering, a flexible one-year-old shoot is chosen, cuts are made on it in those places that will be underground. The stem is tilted to the surface of the earth, either completely or partially, leaving only the top, and placed in a shallow ditch. Fix with brackets and fall asleep with moist light soil. With regular moistening, after 1 – 1,5 months, new roots grow and shoot growth begins. Layers in autumn or spring are cut off from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place or in a school for growing.

Stephanandra’s diseases

Stephanandra is resistant to diseases, however, in cool and humid summers, the plant can settle mučnistaâ rosa or rust.

For prevention, plants are sprayed every spring with Bordeaux liquid (3).

Stephanandra pests

Damage by pests in central Our Country is not observed.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about growing Stephanandra agronomist Oleg Ispolatov – he answered the most popular questions of summer residents.

Sources of

1. Stephanandra // The Plant List http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=stephanandra
2. Aksenov E., Aksenova N. Ornamental gardening for amateurs and professionals. Trees and shrubs // M.: AST-Press, 2001
3. State catalog of pesticides and agrochemicals approved for use on the territory of the Federation as of July 6, 2021 // Ministry of Agriculture of the Federation https://mcx.gov.ru/ministry/departments/departament-rastenievodstva-mekhanizatsii-khimizatsii- i-zashchity-rasteniy/industry-information/info-gosudarstvennaya-usluga-po-gosudarstvennoy-registratsii-pestitsidov-i-agrokhimikatov/