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Hosta Mediovariegata (wavy) is a unique ornamental plant. With its help, you can plant and decorate a personal plot or complement a flower arrangement. In order for the perennial to grow well, it is necessary to observe a number of conditions and properly care for the plant.
Description of the wavy hosta Mediovaryegata
The variety was bred in Japan in 1930. This fast growing perennial plant belongs to the lily family.
Outwardly, it is a bush of a hemispherical shape. The average height of an adult hosta “Mediovariegata” is 50 cm, the width of the bushes grows up to 60-70 cm.
“Mediovariegata” dark green. During the growing season, the host has a large number of stems and leaves. In the spring, before the onset of hot weather, the color of the shoots is dark green. In summer, with abundant sunlight, “Mediovariegata” brightens up.
The leaves have a raised pointed edge. The surface is white in the center, with a green border on the sides. The length of the sheets is up to 15 cm.
In June, less often at the end of May, the plant blooms. As you can see in the photo of the hosta “Mediovariegata”, a large number of light purple flowers appear on the bushes. They are funnel-shaped and held on long (up to 70 cm) pedicels.
Host “Mediovariegata” is recommended to be grown in a shaded area or in partial shade. The plant is uncomfortable in the sun. Due to the abundant lighting, the evaporation of moisture is accelerated, especially in hot weather. Water deficiency can cause serious damage to the bush, especially during the formation of buds. With a lack of moisture, the tips of the leaves of the hosta darken.
“Mediovariegata” is not sensitive to low temperatures. Therefore, it can be grown in any region. Bush “Mediovariegata” well tolerate frost down to -30 degrees for a long period of time.
Application in landscape design
This variety of hosta is very beautiful. Due to the unique color of the leaves, “Mediovariegata” can be used as an independent decorative element. Bushes are often planted on lawns, near water bodies and fruit trees. The plant will be a good solution for zoning when you want to visually divide the site.
“Mediovariegata” looks good against the background of other hostas. The main thing is that neighboring plants are of the same color.
When disembarking, the hosta is best combined with:
- irises;
- peonies;
- gladiolus;
- phloxes;
- geyher;
- lilies;
- astilbes;
- primroses;
- ferns.
Tall ornamental plants should not be planted too close to the host, otherwise it may become invisible in the overall composition.
Wavy hosta is ideal for growing in rock gardens. There they should be combined with other low perennials or annuals.
Breeding methods
The most effective method is the division of the bush. From the “delenka” you can get a full-fledged healthy plant for the next year, after planting in the ground.
Division way:
- Choose a healthy mother bush from the age of 4 years.
- Dig up the plant.
- Clean roots from soil.
- Separate with a sharp knife or secateurs “delenka” with 3 or more kidneys.
- Lubricate the cut with wet sand.
- Return the mother bush to fertilized soil.
For propagation of the wavy hosta “Mediovariegata” the cutting method is suitable. It allows you not to dig a bush. Hosta can be propagated by seeds, but such a process is time consuming and labor intensive.
Landing algorithm
Garden stores offer seedlings “Mediovariegata”, obtained by dividing. Before buying planting material, it must be carefully examined. There should be no foci of decay, damage and cracks. A prerequisite is the presence of 3 more kidneys.
Wavy ‘Mediovariegata’ grows well in a variety of garden soils. The main condition is a suitable level of humidity and the presence of drainage that prevents fluid stagnation. Best of all, “Mediovariegata” grows in soil containing a lot of humus. The optimal level of acidity is 5-6 pH.
Landing steps:
- At the chosen place, dig a hole 30 cm deep and 40 cm wide.
- Place expanded clay or another drainage layer on the bottom.
- Mix garden soil with a small amount of peat and compost.
- Pour the soil mixture into the hole, leaving 8-10 cm from the surface.
- Place the “delenka” inside.
- Sprinkle it with earth so that the kidneys are at a depth of 3-4 cm.
- Water the plant.
From above, you can sprinkle the landing site with dry crushed compost or tree bark. With their help, premature evaporation of moisture can be prevented.
“Mediovariegatu” is planted in groups of several bushes. For 1 sq. m. should be no more than 6 bushes.
Growing rules
The plant does not need specific care. A minimum set of measures is possible, which is enough for the host to grow well.
The place where the bush is located must be regularly cleaned of weeds. This is done by hand or using a garden tool. Of particular danger are fast-growing weeds with long curly shoots. They can wrap around the host, after which it will take a lot of effort to free the bush.
Since “Mediovariegata” is a moisture-loving plant, regular watering is required. It is carried out taking into account climatic conditions. In the spring, the bushes are watered with settled water 3-4 times a month. In summer, when the weather is hot and there is no precipitation, the frequency is increased up to 2-3 times a week. Each bush requires at least 10 liters of water.
Periodically, “Mediovariegata” needs a sanitary haircut. Withering or discolored leaves, dried shoots are cut from the bushes.
In the spring, the host is fed with organic fertilizers. Use compost, humus, peat, tree bark and bird droppings. Organic top dressing enriches the soil with useful substances over a long period of time. For the winter, such types of fertilizers are not recommended.
Mineral top dressing is also carried out in early spring. To do this, use liquid or granular products containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Re-mineral recharge is carried out in the summer, after flowering, and also in the fall, with the onset of persistent cold weather.
Mulching is done to retain moisture in the soil. This procedure is carried out simultaneously with the loosening of the soil. The processing depth is at least 8 cm. Bark, peat, dry compost and straw are used as mulch. Another option is a mixture of dry leaves, sawdust and hay.
Preparation for winter
In the southern regions, where the temperature rarely drops below -20 °C, preparation for the cold season is not required. In autumn, it is recommended to apply mineral fertilizer and mulch the soil. At the end of October, foliage is removed from the hosta and the stems are cut, leaving basal shoots 3-5 cm long.
If a cold winter is predicted, it is better to cover the plant. For this, spruce spruce branches and pine branches are used. You can cover the bush with dry foliage, sawdust, straw or hay.
Features of preparing hosts for the winter season:
Diseases and pests
Hosts are practically not susceptible to infectious lesions. Bacterial and fungal diseases are rare. The main reason is improper care or the presence of infected plants in the immediate vicinity.
Common diseases:
- root rot;
- phyllossticosis;
- gray rot;
- rust;
- viral lesions.
In the process of treatment, the affected areas of the plant must be removed. The bush, as well as the soil around it, is treated with a fungicide. During the treatment period, watering is temporarily reduced.
The most common pests of “Mediovariegata” are aphids, snails, scoops, slugs and nematodes. They usually appear in dry weather. As a treatment, the host, as well as neighboring plants, are sprayed with insecticides. Preventive treatment is recommended every spring.
Conclusion
Hosta Mediovariegata is a popular ornamental plant. This variety is widely used due to its ease of care, unpretentiousness, resistance to negative factors. “Mediovariegata” can be grown by both experienced and novice flower growers. This hosta is ideal for landscaping areas and creating flower arrangements.