2021 ᐈ

Description of Argut spirea

Spirea Arguta (spiraea arguta) is an ornamental shrub from the Rosaceae family. To create this hybrid, 2 species were used: Thunberg spirea and multifloral.

The shoots of an adult plant grow up to 2 m; the branches can spread up to 3 m in diameter. The leaf blades are narrow, lanceolate in shape. Sharp serrations are clearly visible on the dark green leaves. The branches of Argut spirea are thin and bend in the form of an arc.

At the end of May and almost until the end of June, meadowsweet bushes are covered with white flowers. Long umbrella-type inflorescences are formed on shoots for 2 years.

Diameter of buds – 8 mm, petals – 5 pcs. Inside each flower there are a large number of stamens, due to which it becomes fluffy. When flowering begins, the leaves are practically invisible, and the branches droop under the weight of the inflorescences. And the whole space is filled with a honey aroma.

The development of the Argut spirea bush is slow; shoots grow by 10-20 cm per year, but regardless of this, the plant must be pruned.

Spiraea Arguta is widely used by landscape designers for single plantings and creating hedges. The shrub can be found not only in garden plots, but also in large parks. The plants look advantageous against the background of conifers.

Comment! The shoots of spirea contain a substance - the glycoside salicin, from which aspirin began to be produced back in 1939.

Outdoor care

Spiraea is unpretentious in care. But to achieve good flowering, you need to adhere to certain rules.

Watering

The roots of the plant are shallow. Therefore, it is sensitive to drought. The bush should be watered regularly, increasing the volume of water during dry periods. On average, in summer it is watered 2 times a month. Spring-flowering crop species are more tolerant to lack of moisture. But young seedlings require regular watering until they are fully grown. After watering, it is better to mulch the soil under the bush to avoid strong evaporation of moisture and prevent the growth of weeds.

Feeding and fertilizer

In order for spirea to develop fully, the soil in which it grows must be rich in nutrients. In early spring, a complex fertilizer containing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus is applied. Once again, the bush can be fed in mid-summer with a solution of mullein with superphosphate.

Weeding and loosening

While the bush is young, weeds should be regularly removed near it so that they do not choke its growth. Also loosen the soil around the plant to allow the roots to breathe normally. To maintain moisture and looseness of the soil, it is mulched with peat, buckwheat husks or seeds.

Trimming

The procedure will be slightly different for spring-flowering and summer-flowering spirea species. This is due to the fact that inflorescences are formed on shoots of different ages.

If the shrub blooms in May-June, then the buds are formed along the entire length of the stems. Therefore, only dry and diseased shoots should be pruned. The procedure is carried out once a year in early spring. Old and weak stems are pruned every 2 years. Branches that are more than 7 years old are removed completely.

In summer-blooming spireas, flowers form at the ends of the shoots. After a year they dry out, and new flowers form on young shoots. Spirea is pruned in the spring before the leaves appear. The stems are shortened to powerful buds. Weak and thin shoots should be removed completely. At the age of over 15 years, it is recommended to replace the bush completely.

Peculiarities

Spiraea arguta is an ornamental hybrid shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. The description of the variety says that it is a combination of two varieties of spirea - multifloral and Thunberg. The shrub reaches a height of 2 meters, and its diameter can reach 3 meters. The leaves of Spiraea argut are quite narrow, have a rich green color and peculiar teeth, due to which it is often called “sharp-serrated”.

The length of the plate is 4 centimeters. The thin branches of the plant naturally form arches.

Flowering occurs from late spring until the last days of June. At this time, snow-white buds, united in umbrella inflorescences, open on the bush. The diameter of one bud is 8 millimeters, and it is formed from 5 petals. The presence of stamens inside helps create the fluffy effect of flowers.

The flowering of Argut spirea is abundant and very beautiful, accompanied by the appearance of a honey smell. New flowers appear on last year's shoots.

The length of the branches increases by only 10-20 centimeters per year, but the shrub still requires regular pruning. The culture is unpretentious and frost-resistant, withstanding temperatures dropping to -40 degrees.

Varieties

Spiraea Vangutta has several decorative forms:

Snow White - white spirea Vangutta;
Pink Ice - young leaves of this variety are decorated with white and pink spots, and the apical inflorescences are cream-colored;
Renaissance - spirea, characterized by high resistance to disease;
Spiraea Wangutta Gold Fontaine is a new plant variety of Polish selection. This is a spreading, slowly growing shrub up to 120 cm high with a crown diameter of about one and a half meters. The white flowers of plants of this variety are collected in corymbose inflorescences.

Planting and caring for Argut spirea

Spirea seedlings can be planted in spring or autumn, before frosts begin. In order for the plant to take root well, choose a cool, preferably cloudy day.

Important! Plants in containers can be planted at any time.

Spiraea grows on any soil, but the shrub develops better if you add leaf or turf soil, peat, and sand to the hole when planting.

Meadowsweet is an unpretentious shrub that does not require special care. But when choosing a location, preference is given to openwork shade. Frost-resistant spirea can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees.

Popular types of shrubs

Willow - grows up to 2 meters in height. Lilac inflorescences resemble spikelets. The leaves are narrow and elongated, like those of a willow. In the wild it is found on the banks of rivers, lakes, and small swamps. The plant is frost-resistant and can be grown in the northern regions of the country. Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Spiraea Thunberga - can be found in valleys and on mountain slopes. The bushes grow up to one and a half meters in height. The dense leaves are narrow, up to 1 cm wide. Umbrella inflorescences bloom in July. The plant is drought-resistant.
Arguta - blooms in spring at the beginning of May. The shrub has the shape of a sphere, the branches are spreading. The crown is branched and dense. Snow-white flowers densely cover the stems. Abundant flowering is completely obscured by small flowers. Blooms for 3 weeks.
Oakleaf meadowsweet - tall bushes stretch up to 2 meters. The lush crown has the appearance of a hemisphere. Flowering occurs in mid-spring. The leaves are similar to oak leaves. White flowers form umbrella inflorescences. In nature it grows in the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan, and can be found on rocky soils.
Gray spirea is a hybrid, has grayish foliage and white double flowers. It blooms in its second year in May and blooms until mid-June. Height up to 180 cm, branches lanceolate.

Preparation of planting material

The survival rate and development of the shrub depend on the quality of planting material. You can use seedlings with open and closed root systems. If young bushes were grown in containers, then they are well watered before planting in order to pull out the seedling along with a lump of earth.

Plants with an open root system are specially prepared:

For a day, soak in a solution of potassium permanganate or any composition that stimulates root development.
If this part of the plant is too long, it is shortened with a sharp tool to 20-25 cm. It is important that the cut is even.
The shoots also need to be shortened for all Argut spirea seedlings, leaving no more than 4-5 living buds for rooting to be successful.
Argut spirea seedlings (as in the photo below) can be grown independently, as the shrub reproduces well, or purchased from nurseries.

How to plant?

Proper selection of a place for a plant and planting taking into account all requirements is the key to obtaining a beautiful and healthy plant

Despite the unpretentiousness of this flower, experienced gardeners recommend paying special attention to its planting. The most favorable time for this event is the beginning of spring or mid-autumn, but if the purchased planting material has a closed root system, then it can be planted throughout the entire growing season

The plant feels most comfortable in well-lit areas that are protected from strong currents of cold air. Experts allow planting in areas with slight shading, but constant exposure to shade can negatively affect the brightness of the inflorescences and the density of the crown. The unpretentious flower feels good in all types of soil, but it is still better if the acidity of the soil is close to neutral. The plant does not do well in wetlands where groundwater is close to the surface.

Before you start planting seedlings, you need to choose them correctly. Experienced gardeners recommend purchasing planting material from specialized nurseries that sell only high-quality products. Most seedlings are sold in small containers. Some manufacturers sell flowers whose root system is covered with a thick layer of clay, which prevents it from drying out. Experts recommend avoiding purchasing bare-rooted plants, which may become unusable and dry out during transportation.

Before planting, the selected area must be thoroughly dug up and cleared of foreign debris. Planting holes must be slightly larger than the root system of seedlings. To prevent horses from rotting, experts recommend placing expanded clay, small pebbles or broken bricks at the bottom of the planting hole. Before removing seedlings from the container, the soil in it must be spilled with water. When removing a flower from a container, you should try to preserve the earthen lump as much as possible. All voids in the hole during planting must be filled with nutritious soil while simultaneously compacting it. It is strictly forbidden to deepen the root collar; its optimal location is at ground level. After planting, all surface greenery must be cut off and the hole should be watered generously with clean, settled water.

Landing rules

After choosing a site for planting single spirea bushes, in combination with other trees or hedges, you need to start preparing. The earth is carefully dug up, weeds and roots are removed.

After this, dig a hole 2 times larger than the root system. For single plantings, 1-2 m are left between spirea bushes. To create a hedge, seedlings are planted at a distance of 70-80 cm.

Planting stages:

The bottom of the dug hole is filled with 10-15 cm of drainage (large pebbles, broken bricks).
The rest of the planting area is filled with fertile, loose soil.
The earth is watered and allowed to go deeper.
A small mound is made in the center of the pit, on which a spirea Argut seedling is placed.
Carefully straighten the roots and cover them with soil so as not to deepen the root collar.
Water the plant, then lightly tug the seedling if it is pulled down during planting.
The root zone is sprinkled with mulch (peat or humus) to retain moisture.

Planting a plant

They begin to grow the plant from seedlings at home in early spring or February. To plant seeds, you need to buy them from a trusted seller or place an order online on the breeders’ website, for example, in the Rusroz nursery, well-known in Russia.

Planting from seeds

Before sowing seeds, you first need to prepare the planting material and soil. It is better to keep the seeds in a disinfecting solution; you can use a regular non-concentrated infusion of potassium permanganate. The substrate can be purchased at the store, but it is not difficult to prepare it yourself; all you need to do is mix turf soil with a small amount of sand and peat.

You need to pour the nutritious soil mixture into a shallow box and lightly moisten it with a spray bottle. Next, plant each seed to a depth of 2-3 cm and water with cool, clean water.

It is best to plant seedlings in open ground after the soil has completely warmed up.

Planting seedlings in open ground

At the end of April or beginning of May, you can transplant the seedlings into the garden. For growing, it is better to choose illuminated areas with sandy loam soil. The flow of groundwater should be as low as possible, so the bush should be planted not in lowlands, but in hilly areas.

Important! The distance between spirea bushes must be left at least 1.5 m, so the bush grows spreading, and if the area is shaded it will not bloom. A hole for planting is dug to a depth of 40-50 cm. Its bottom is covered with a 10-centimeter layer of drainage material; expanded clay chips work well

Then sprinkle with the same layer of substrate or regular soil. Seedlings soaked in water for several days are placed in a hole and covered with earth. The root collar should be left above the soil surface. It is advisable to water each planting with river water.

A hole for planting is dug to a depth of 40-50 cm. Its bottom is covered with a 10-centimeter layer of drainage material; expanded clay chips work well. Then sprinkle with the same layer of substrate or regular soil. Seedlings soaked in water for several days are placed in a hole and covered with earth. The root collar should be left above the soil surface. It is advisable to water each planting with river water.

Watering and fertilizing

Further care for spirea is no different from the measures that are necessary for deciduous shrubs.

After planting, the plants need systematic watering, but there is no need to bring the soil to the state of a swamp. Emerging weeds are removed, as they can cause diseases and pests. For fragile plants, such a neighborhood is dangerous.

If there is no rain, adult shrubs are watered once a week. Each bush will require 1.5 buckets of water. After watering, the soil in the root zone is loosened shallowly so that oxygen reaches the roots, and mulch is added.

How to properly care?

Caring for argut spirea consists of the usual stages inherent in most ornamental shrubs. Irrigation should be regular but moderate to prevent waterlogging of the soil. In the summer heat, plants should be watered once every 3 days, but if the weather is adequate, the frequency can be reduced to once a week. As a rule, about 15 liters of settled water have to be spent on one shrub, after which mulching and loosening of the surface must be carried out. If weeds appear near the spirea, it is recommended to weed them immediately, since their presence contributes either to the spread of insects or to contamination of the crop.

For shrubs, timely pruning is extremely important, the main task of which is to form the crown. In addition to the aesthetic effect, this procedure also contributes to the emergence of new strong shoots, which next year will be covered with snow-white buds. Be sure to remove most of the young branches that grew during the summer to avoid thickening. All pruning is divided into several varieties: sanitary, shaping, stimulating and rejuvenating.

Sanitary pruning begins in the second year of development of spirea argut. During this process, dried shoots that are carriers of pathogenic spores and insects are eliminated. Shoots that have deteriorated during the winter cold are also pruned. Therefore, sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring, while the buds of the plant have not yet opened. Additionally, damaged shoots will need to be removed throughout the summer.

Formative pruning should be done either in spring or autumn, and its main purpose is to create a beautiful shape for the crown of the shrub. In addition, we must not forget about the rejuvenation of bushes, which is necessary for spireas that have reached 15 years of age. This pruning is carried out a couple of days before winter frosts and consists of cutting off the branches directly to the root. When talking about caring for argut, one cannot fail to mention the application of fertilizers. The optimal composition is a mixture of organic substances, for example, compost, as well as mineral complexes. The thickness of the compost should vary from 5 to 7 centimeters, and 30 g of urea and 100 g of Kemira are suitable as mineral fertilizers.

Pruning Argut spirea

Spiraea sharp-toothed or Arguta must be pruned in order to properly form the crown of the bush. This procedure will benefit the meadowsweet, since the plant will then produce new powerful shoots, on which a large number of snow-white inflorescences will form next year.

In addition, pruning will give Arguta a decorative appearance, since you can create any shape for a deciduous shrub.

You also need to cut out some of the young shoots, of which many grow over the summer. If you leave them, the bush will look sloppy, and heavily thickened plantings suffer from diseases and pests.

Spirea pruning is carried out for different purposes, it can be:

sanitary;
stimulating;
formative;
rejuvenating.

Sanitary pruning

Drying of meadowsweet shoots begins in the 2nd year. They should not be left on the bush, as spores of diseases and pests can overwinter on them. Branches that did not survive the frosty winter must also be pruned. The sanitary procedure is carried out early in the spring, before the buds open.

Damaged shoots are also trimmed during the growing season.

Stimulating haircut

This type of shrub pruning is carried out in early spring, when the spirea is 3-4 years old. When pruning, weak shoots and branches are removed, the spirea begins to branch better, which promotes abundant flowering. The bush itself will become healthier and more attractive.

Formative pruning

You can form the crown of a bush in spring or autumn. With this pruning you can get bushes with the desired crown shape.

Depending on the age and condition of the bush, shaping haircuts can be done in different ways: moderately or strongly.

Bush rejuvenation

Old bushes that have been growing on the site for more than 15 years need rejuvenation. So that spirea does not lose its attractiveness and continues to delight with snow-white clusters of fluffy flowers, it needs to be pruned. Haircuts are performed 14-21 days before frost, so that the wounds have time to heal and do not freeze in winter.

Attention! In this case, the shoots are cut off at the root. The plant will give new growth in the spring.

Planting a spirea seedling

Planting spirea and caring for it in the future largely depends on the type of plant. Thus, summer-flowering species are planted exclusively in early spring, while specimens belonging to the spring-flowering group can be rooted at any time of the year.

When planting in the spring, the main thing is not to miss the moment and carry out the procedure before the buds begin to bloom. Often, when purchasing a seedling, you may notice that the roots are slightly dry; in this case, the plant should be placed in a container with water for 3.5 hours and only then planted in open ground. Next, the roots of the seedling are placed in the prepared hole, carefully straightened, sprinkled with soil up to the root collar and the soil is compacted. Then the bush is watered abundantly with water, using at least 20 liters. When growing spirea, it is recommended to mulch the soil with a thin layer of wood chips, peat or humus. This will maintain soil moisture for a long time and prevent the appearance of weeds.

The technology for planting seedlings in the fall is not much different from that described above. The planting pit is prepared in a similar way several days before the procedure. There is no point in delaying planting; the meadowsweet should have time to take root before the onset of frost. It is quite difficult to determine the exact dates; winter comes to each region at different times, but the gardener must focus on leaf fall. It is believed that the most favorable time is a few days before the last leaves fall.

Preparing for winter

Adult plants do not need special shelter, since, according to the description, Arguta shoots can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees. But the roots are located close to the surface and need protection. In autumn, compost or humus is applied under the bushes in a layer of at least 30 cm.

Young meadowsweet bushes up to 4 years of age need to be specially prepared for wintering. The root zone is sprinkled with mulch. The branches, while there is no frost, are compressed and tied with twine. Burlap or any non-woven material is pulled over the top.

Features of growing in the Moscow region

In the spring, varieties that bloom in summer are planted, and in the fall, late-blooming varieties are planted.

Before purchasing, you need to inspect the seedlings. The branches should be flexible with fresh buds. Before planting, the seedling must be placed in water so that the root system is not overdried.

Abundant flowering in spirea is possible only in a well-lit area. The bushes need a spacious place, as the root system grows quickly.

The depth of the planting hole should be one third greater than the length of the plant roots.

It is better to plant seedlings on a cloudy day.

The drainage layer is made 15 cm. Leaf nutrient soil, a little peat and sand (2:1:1) are added to the hole. The mixture is mixed with soil, spirea seedlings are placed in a hole, sprinkled with soil, compacted and watered abundantly. The gap between plants is 50 cm, between rows 30-40 cm.

In hedges the distance is 70-100 cm, in group compositions 1-1.5 meters.

Tips for caring for a bush

To ensure that the flowering is abundant and the arguta does not lose its decorative beauty, it is worth using a few simple recommendations for caring for the plant.

Relation to temperature

Arguta can withstand summer heat and winter frost quite well. Even 40-degree frost will not be destructive for the plant. It is enough to cover it with foliage, as well as follow the basic principles of pruning, watering and fertilizing the soil, and carry out these manipulations in a timely manner in accordance with the temperature regime.

Soil and fertilizers

Arguta does not require frequent application of fertilizers to the soil. If nutrients were added during planting in sufficient quantities, then this volume will be enough for 1 year. Additionally, you need to apply fertilizer only after cutting off all the shoots almost to the root. To give the spirea strength, prepare a nutritious mixture of organic matter (50-70 cm thick) and mineral fertilizers (for example, “Kemiry”).

Watering and humidity

Spiraea needs to be watered systematically, but soil moisture should be moderate, this is especially important with mulched soil. During the summer heat or during a drought, watering is performed 1 time/3 days, and in normal weather and moderate precipitation - 1 time/1 week. Typically, approximately 15 liters of water are used at a time to moisten 1 bush. At the end of watering, the soil is mulched to prevent the formation of a crust on the soil surface.

Transplanting a plant

It is advisable to move the plant to a new location in spring or autumn. A sunny area with no draft is suitable for the culture. It is important to avoid low or wet areas.

Spiraea requires fertile soil; it must be acidic or slightly alkaline. Seedlings without noticeable defects are allowed to be replanted. In this case, it is recommended to treat the bush with fungicides.

To carry out a transplant you should do the following:

place a drainage layer in the recess;
fill the substrate;
straighten the roots and place the plant in the hole;
Cover the hole with soil and compact it.

Important! It is recommended to do the deepening in advance. This will allow the soil to settle and become evenly moistened.

Proper care is the key to beauty and abundant flowering

Spirea is quite undemanding in care. For good lush flowering and normal growth, the shrub needs a lot of sunlight, fertile soil and watering. Sheltering spirea for the winter is not always required, only in northern regions with a harsh cold climate and for young plants planted in the fall.

Spiraea planted in spring should be well watered, especially in the southern regions, in the Kuban, where spring and summer can be quite hot

In summer, pay special attention to watering, make sure that the soil in the tree trunk does not turn into an earthen crust, this is important for recently planted spirea plants

The tree trunk space can be mulched with peat to create an optimal microclimate and retain moisture. Instead of peat, you can use humus, which will retain moisture and be a good fertilizer that nourishes the spirea.

Spirea needs to be fertilized only when necessary; the shrub grows well without fertilizing. Typically, food is given in early spring using mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen. In the fall, only phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied so that the plant gains strength for wintering. Nitrogen fertilizers and mullein should not be applied starting from August, so as not to cause the growth of young shoots. When caring for spirea, many gardeners prune not only to give it an aesthetic appearance, but also for the purpose of sanitation, removing weakened, dry, broken branches. Although the plant is rarely affected by pests or more, sanitary measures once a year are necessary. Spirea pruning is carried out in autumn or spring. It is advisable to trim mature powerful bushes in the autumn so that the flowering in the spring is more abundant. Young seedlings, as a rule, do not need to be pruned in winter; it is better to do this in the spring, when it is clear that the plant has overwintered (frozen shoots are removed).

Reproduction of spirea is quite easy; it can be propagated by cuttings, layering or seeds (with the exception of hybrid varieties). If you decide to grow spirea from seeds, then take regular varieties (not hybrids). You will need a container, box, or other container in which the peat is placed and well moistened. The seeds are sown, covered with film, and planted in a warm place. When the seedlings grow a little, pick them. Plant in open ground when the threat of frost has passed, mulch and monitor watering. Spiraea grown from seeds will begin to bloom no earlier than after 2-3 years.

Spiraea can be propagated by cuttings that are green or lignified. Cuttings are carried out in June. Take a good pruning shears with a sharp blade and cut off the young shoots at the base (in the root zone). You can leave the leaves and scratch the bark with pruning shears, so the formation of roots will begin faster. The cuttings are buried in the ground until the leaves begin to grow, and be sure to water them.

Reproduction by layering is carried out in the spring with the appearance of the first leaves. A healthy young and flexible shoot you like is bent to the ground, secured with iron brackets and covered with earth, and watered regularly. Dividing the spirea bush should be done with a sharp shovel in early spring, carefully cutting off the necessary part, which then needs to be transplanted to a new place.

Reproduction

Spiraea Arguta reproduces well by layering and cuttings. It is not recommended to cultivate it from seeds, since seedlings obtained from a hybrid will not be able to reproduce the maternal characteristics.

Important! It is most convenient to root spirea cuttings in containers - this will make planting easier.

Cuttings

The process of preparing cuttings:

After flowering is completed, the central part of the stem (the upper and lower third cannot be taken) is cut into cuttings that have 3-4 buds (the optimal size is 10 cm).
Carefully remove the lower leaves to avoid evaporation of excess moisture.
The bottom of the cutting is scratched with a sharp blade along the circumference down from the lower bud - this technique promotes better root formation. And to enhance this process, before planting, it is advisable to dust the base of the cutting with a stimulator such as “Kornevin” (you can also place them in any root-stimulating solution for 12 hours);
The cuttings are planted at an angle of 45º by 2 cm in a nutritious loose substrate - it is better to purchase it in a store.
The nursery must be covered (film, agrofibre, cut-off or plastic bottles) for 2-3 weeks to preserve natural moisture.

By layering

This is an easier rooting method. It is suitable for those who need only a few seedlings.

Did you know? Since ancient times, spirea has been used in Rus' to make ramrods and whips.

The method is as follows:

In early spring, you need to bend the lower branches to the ground and secure them with a bracket.
Then the place of fastening is sprinkled with a mound of earth and mulched.
During the season, the bush with layerings must be watered periodically.
In the spring of next year, the cuttings are dug up and transplanted to the planned location.

Reproduction methods

Each gardener chooses for himself the most convenient method of growing birch-leaf spirea.

Cuttings

You can cut shrubs in autumn. During the procedure, branches that grow vertically upward, are young, and have already become lignified are cut. After this, only the apical leaves are left and the branch is placed in the solution for root formation. The cuttings are planted in containers with moistened sand with a slight slope. In the fall, they are buried in the ground and covered until spring planting.

By layering

An easy way for beginning gardeners is to obtain cuttings. The lower healthy shoots of the bush need to be dug into the soil under the mother plant in prepared shallow holes, and, securely fastened, constantly moisten the trunk circle of the adult bush.

Along with this, other agricultural work can be carried out, but with caution, trying not to damage the process of root formation in the future seedling. For the winter, the ground is mulched, covered with protective materials, and the shoots with roots are separated in the spring, at which time they are planted in open ground

Dividing the bush

This way you can get cuttings from plants aged 3-4 years. In the fall, water the ground under the spirea well, dig in a circle, remove the bush and divide it into several parts with a sharp tool. Each must have an intact trunk and strong roots. Shrubs can be planted in the soil, but in the winter they will have to be carefully covered to prevent freezing.

The seed method is not very popular because it takes a lot of effort and time.

High quality seeds are very important, otherwise they may not germinate. Seedlings are sown in the spring, having previously carried out antifungal treatment and stratification.

In greenhouse conditions, the seeds germinate and are then planted. It is better to move young plants to greenhouses for the winter and plant them in a permanent place next spring.

Diseases and pests

Spiraea arguta has good immunity against diseases and, in general, suffers more from pests - timely feeding, watering and spraying the bushes with water in dry summer time will prevent many diseases.

So:

Rose leaf roller - appears when the average air temperature reaches 13 °C. The caterpillars gather several leaves into a tube and gnaw them out. Treatment: a mixture of 0.7% Bitoxibacillin with 0.03% Pirimor.
Aphids - form entire colonies that suck the juices from the leaves, young shoots and peduncles of spirea. It is especially harmful from June to August. Treatment: at the beginning of the growing season in April, use granulated “Pyrimor” - 5% of the drug is applied to the soil to a depth of 2-5 cm, at the rate of 15 g/m2.
Rosaceae miner - appears on the upper side of the leaves at the end of June until the second half of July.
Spider mites - female mites overwinter under fallen leaves; in May they move to the underside of young leaves, weave webs and lay eggs. During the season, the spider mite produces 8-10 generations. There can be up to 300 individuals on one leaf. The affected leaves have whitish panicle-spots on the upper side. Leaves turn yellow prematurely, dry out and fall off. The main damage from ticks occurs in July - August, especially in dry summers. Treatment: to get rid of mites and miners, treat spirea with a 0.2% solution of Phosfamide, Acrex, Keltan or 0.3% solution of Karbofos.

Watch and care for your white bride, and she will delight you with her lush blooms every spring!

Description and photo

A shrub with spreading branches has lush, abundant flowering. Due to its inherent beauty, meadowsweet is used in landscaping summer cottages; ornamental bushes can create hedges in the garden and near the facades of houses.

The peculiarity of the plant is its endurance and ease of care.

There are approximately 100 species of spirea.

The height of deciduous shrubs ranges from 20 cm to 2 meters. The roots are fibrous. Stems are erect or creeping, spreading or recumbent. The leaves are alternate, rounded and lanceolate. Small flowers are collected in numerous inflorescences. The color depends on the plant variety: they are white, pink, cream, lilac and crimson. They look like cherry or red rowan flowers.

Spiraea coexists perfectly with spruce, juniper and thuja.

Varieties of spirea, varieties and hybrids

Spiraea (lat. Spiraea) includes up to 100 species, each of which has its own name. It is rare, but you can hear or read another name - meadowsweet, the origins of which stretch from ancient Rus'. Varieties of spirea are very diverse in shape, color and even leaf shape. The shrub is a perennial plant, so every year you can see how the spirea grows and becomes more lush.

Spiraea is unpretentious in care; sometimes, due to weather conditions due to lack of light and heat, it grows with fewer flowers, but invariably remains beautiful. There are spring-blooming and summer-blooming spirea. In spring flowers, the flowers are predominantly white, formed on the shoots of the second year; in the month of May the bush becomes strewn with beautiful inflorescences:

oakleaf spirea is a weeping bush, can grow up to two meters and blooms earlier than other varieties, after May 10-15. The bush is completely covered with flowers,
Spiraea Arguta (sharp-toothed) begins to bloom in the last days of May. The shrub has narrow leaves, drooping branches, grows up to 1.5-2 m tall,
Spiraea gray (ashy), often called the bride. It is distinguished by its splendor, pubescent leaves of a grayish-green hue, the flowers are small and white. The abundance and splendor of flowers is simply mesmerizing.

A fairly large number of shrubs belong to the spring-flowering species, among which the Nippon spirea stands out. It is a small shrub (up to 1 m), spherical in shape, blooms closer to June. Another representative of the spirea Vangutta is a vigorous plant (2.3-2.5 m) with long flexible shoots and bluish green leaves. Flowering begins in the second half of June. Summer spirea has mostly pink flowers and blooms in June or July, depending on the characteristics of the variety.

This group includes Japanese spirea, which has many subspecies and varieties. The most common and famous are Nana, Little Princess, Darts Red, Shirobana, and others.

White-flowered spirea is one of the representatives of the summer-flowering species, characterized by white flowers with a pronounced pleasant aroma, 0.6-0.7 m in height. Billard's spirea is a hybrid, very frost-resistant. The leaves are wide, the flowers are a delicate pink shade, bloom in July and bloom for quite a long time. Spirea Boumalda, which belongs to hybrids, is quite well known. The bushes have a height of 0.6-1.2 m, depending on the planted variety. Winter hardiness is average, sometimes requiring additional shelter (when grown in the northern regions, the Urals and Siberia).

Agricultural technology for planting spirea

When is the best time to plant spirea? Spirea can be planted in spring and autumn. In the spring, only summer-blooming plants are planted, provided that the leaves on the seedlings have not yet blossomed. The roots of the plant should not be dry; carefully inspect the spirea when purchasing. The shoots should be flexible with good buds. If the roots have been dried, place the spirea in water with the addition of any root formation stimulator (Kornesil, Kornevin, Heteroauxin, Zircon, etc.).

Where should I plant spirea? Choose a sunny, illuminated area with fertile soil. Please note that the bush grows over time and forms root shoots, so do not plant near tall, large trees. The best neighbors for spirea will be juniper, thuja, and small spruce. Proper planting of spirea requires the presence of a planting hole, which is dug a couple of days before planting the bush. Drainage made of pebbles, crushed bricks, and other materials is placed at the bottom in a layer of 15-20 cm. For heavy clay soils, it is necessary to add turf, leaf soil (2 parts) and peat chips (1 part). The depth of the hole is dug depending on the size of the spirea root system, usually 2.5-3 times greater.

The seedling is installed vertically, covered with fertile soil, without deepening the root collar, which should be slightly above the surface of the earth or at level. It is better to plant shrubs in cloudy gloomy weather or in the evening. Watering the spirea after planting is mandatory; pour one or two buckets of water under the bush so that the roots are sufficiently moistened.

In autumn you can plant spring-flowering and summer-flowering spirea. It is worth noting that spirea propagation is carried out in the fall, by dividing the bush. It is necessary to take into account the timing of planting spirea in the autumn, which has a fairly wide range, depending on the growing region.

Plants are planted before the leaves begin to fall, with the condition that the plant is completely rooted before the arrival of frost. Typically, in central Russia, spirea is planted in September-October, weather permitting. In the Urals and Siberia, work must be completed before October.

How to water correctly?

Spiraea is a drought-resistant plant, but in extreme heat and in the absence of rain for a long time it needs to be watered. This is especially true for recently planted bushes. For an adult plant, the watering norm is 1.5 buckets per bush. For low-growing species and varieties, one bucket is enough. It is enough to water once every 2 weeks, thoroughly soaking the root layer.

You can choose the following power plan:

in spring, nitrogen mineral or organic fertilizer; for early flowering varieties, additional fertilizing with a complete mineral fertilizer with microelements is needed;
in June, plants are fed with complete mineral fertilizer;
at the end of August, fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium salts is needed so that the spirea is better prepared for winter.

All fertilizers can be applied both in dry and liquid form, combining them with watering. The next day, the soil around the plant needs to be loosened.

How to care

Caring for the planted shrub will include:

watering;
pest protection;
fertilizing;
removal of weeds in the root zone.

Do not forget that the bush needs to be watered regularly. Also, most garden plants will need pruning at the end of winter.

Important! Read more about your plants to know exactly when and what care they need.

Watering

Drip irrigation systems are considered the most efficient irrigation methods. If you live in a dry, hot climate where droughts occur frequently, you will not be able to grow water-loving spirea without additional irrigation. Perennials must be watered regularly during the first year after planting. Do this 2-3 times a week, depending on how quickly the soil dries out.

Irrigation features:

on well-drained soil you need to add 1 bucket of water under each bush;
on the sandy - 2 buckets of water;
poorly drained, clay soils require less frequent watering;
short-term rain must be supplemented with irrigation;
If it rained heavily, then there is no need to water for another 2 weeks after it.

Did you know? Spiraea seeds have medicinal properties. They are used to make tea for diarrhea.

Top dressing

Just as some drought-tolerant plants may not require water during drought, mature spirea bushes growing in favorable soils may require little or no fertilizer.

Fertilizing is not a cure for disease or food for the plant. It supplies the ingredients needed for photosynthesis and growth. If the bush blooms profusely and is covered with lush foliage, then most likely it does not need to be fertilized.

If it looks stunted and produces very few new shoots, then a number of measures need to be taken:

test the soil for acidity (pH) and nutrient content;
Depending on the results, add nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

For flowering shrubs, it is recommended to apply fertilizer with the following composition: 16-4-8, 12-6-6. The numbers indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the solution. Soluble liquid fertilizers are applied once every 2 weeks along with irrigation water if yellowing of the leaves or slow development of the bush is observed.

Important! Complex fertilizers are applied from late August to September. At this time, the roots most effectively consume nutrients from the soil.

After flowering

After flowering, it is advisable to remove faded flower stalks. Especially if flowering occurs at the tips of the branches. In the future, until the end of the growing season, the plant can only be watered. In the fall, the garden is prepared for winter. To do this, remove fallen leaves and apply fertilizer.

Video: Care for spirea after flowering

Trimming

Most ornamental bushes are pruned when planted. It is believed that this will stimulate the growth of new branches. Every year, mandatory pruning of shrubs is carried out at the end of winter. Remove dead wood and trim off faded shoots.

Other types of pruning depend on how exactly the bush blooms. Many varieties can bloom a second time after light pruning, while others, such as Spirea Japonica, bloom once along the entire length of the shoot. It is better for them to remove some of the faded shoots to ensure the establishment of new ones.

Trim the spirea to create a spherical shape. First, tie the branches together with a rope and form the top of the bush. Then remove the tourniquet, inspect the sides and adjust, removing branches that are too out of shape.

After trimming

Varieties that bloom in summer lay flowers at the ends of the shoots. Therefore, they undergo annual shortening of the faded part. In the spring, the tips are cut back immediately after the plant has finished flowering to ensure the formation of buds for the next season. In summer, you can thin out heavily thickened areas of the bush.

In the fall, overgrown bushes and those whose lower part was poorly leafed are pruned. Reduce each shoot to 20–30 cm above ground level. In the spring, such spirea will produce new strong shoots capable of active flowering.

Preparing for winter

In late autumn it is necessary to water the bush intensively. This ensures that the soil remains properly moist and spring growth is established. Weeds and fallen leaves are removed from the garden. Fungi and pests can overwinter on them, so they must be removed.

Important! In areas with heavy snowfall, you can cut a circle of foam around the diameter of the root zone and cover it. This will help protect the roots.

Spiraea needs protection from sharp winter temperatures, frosts, thaws and dry winds.

Best disembarkation time

Late-flowering spireas are best planted in the spring, when the ground thaws and air temperatures reach positive temperatures. Autumn planting (in Siberia - September) is preferable for species that bloom in spring.

Selecting a location

In sunny, non-flooded areas, the spirea will bloom for a long time and the inflorescences will be bright. Partial shade is acceptable for it, but planting in an area with close groundwater can be disastrous.

Soil and pit preparation

Low soil fertility will not significantly inhibit growth. Loose, breathable, fertile soil is optimal. Before boarding:

Prepare a hole that is 1/3 larger in size than the earthen ball enclosing the roots.
Leave for several weeks for the ground to settle.
A drainage layer (15–20 cm) is placed on the bottom.

Douglas spirea, planting

Spiraea Douglasii is a summer-blooming species, so it is planted in its permanent habitat in early spring. At the time of planting, the soil in the selected area must thaw well so that planting takes place without inconvenience. However, you can plant spirea in the fall, until the sap flow stops and the leaves drop.

Douglas spirea, preparation of seedlings and site

Douglas spirea is distinguished by its increased heat-loving nature and the ability to grow without transplantation for about 15 years

It is important to take these plant features into account when choosing a planting location.

It is advisable to avoid areas with high water levels. The root system of spirea is fibrous, so it easily rots in conditions of increased dampness.
Spiraea prefers sunny areas, although it can easily withstand several hours a day in modest shade. However, all-day shading and dampness are unacceptable for this shrub.
It is better to choose fertile soil for spirea; its structure should be loose and very well drained. The soil should be either neutral or slightly acidic. Therefore, the presence of groundwater will certainly lead to the death of the plant. Lowlands with an abundance of moisture and a lack of light are absolutely not suitable for planting spirea.
Planting material is inspected before planting. Only those seedlings that have well-developed rhizomes without damaged areas are selected. Before planting, the spirea root system is immersed in a solution of potassium permanganate for several hours, then in a solution of a rhizome growth stimulator.

Rules for planting Douglas spirea

Spiraea, which will be grown as a hedge, is planted using the trench method. Trenches are dug 50-60 cm deep, the width of the trenches is made 15 cm wider than the diameter of the rhizome.

If spirea is planted as an addition to the overall landscape design, dig a hole measuring 50x50 cm, maintaining a distance between bushes of at least 60 cm.

Planting spirea is carried out as follows:

A drainage ball, for example, pebbles or fine gravel, is placed at the bottom of the prepared recess.
Then pour a ball of prepared soil (part of compost + part of fertile soil).
The spirea rhizome is placed in the middle of the hole, the roots are carefully straightened, and covered with soil. The root collar is left 3 cm above the ground.
The soil is compacted, abundantly moistened, and mulched.

The most famous varieties and varieties of Japanese spirea

The following varieties of spirea are often found in Europe and eastern countries:

Golden Princess is a dwarf shrub with bright pink flowers up to 50 cm high. It received its name because of the bright yellow color of the leaves, changing the brightness of their shade throughout the year.
Little Princess - impresses with its compactness and beauty, the maximum plant height is 80 cm. The flowers are light pink, the foliage has an elliptical shape and a dark green color.
Gold flame - bushes are quite large, up to 1 m high. In spring, their leaves are orange-red in color, in summer they are bright yellow, turning into copper-orange tones with the arrival of autumn. Adapts well to urban conditions.
Shirobana are spreading bushes of a round shape, reaching 80 cm in height and 1 m in diameter. On brown stems, caps of inflorescences of three shades are densely located - from white to red.
Crispa - plants of small height (up to 60 cm) with dark pink flowers and carved leaves. In spring the leaves are red or pink, then turn green, and in autumn they turn various shades of crimson, purple and orange. Flowering begins in July on last year's shoots and continues until September.
Anthony Waterer - the height of the bush does not exceed 80 cm, it grows well in width. When emerging from the buds, the leaves have a crimson hue, the flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences, bright pink or red, and bloom in mid-summer.

Application in landscape design

Designers who decorate garden plots love spirea for its versatility. The plant combines with most garden crops - flowers, trees and shrubs:

bushes of different heights are suitable for planting hedges and creating mixborders;
spirea can be combined with conifers such as pine, juniper, thuja and spruce;
a beautiful combination can be obtained by planting a shrub next to lilac, viburnum, and different types of honeysuckle;
Spiraea looks original against the background of spreading branches of a weeping willow;
Rock gardens can be decorated with low varieties of flowering meadowsweet, and a rocky garden will be pleasantly enlivened by its large lush inflorescences.

For an overview of Billard's spirea, see the following video.

Application of Spiraea arguta

Florists use decorative bushes to decorate their summer cottage. Let's look at the most popular solutions.

border decoration

Dense, low bushes are ideal for this purpose, with which you can effectively decorate paths in the garden. You can use more than one variety of Spirea, but alternate several at once.

Rock garden or rock garden

It is advisable to decorate them with low-growing Spiraea bushes; in some cases, a combination with other crops, for example, spruce trees, would be appropriate. This will allow for better contrast.

Larger plants are planted at the top of the hill, emphasizing the dynamics of the height difference.

Single landing

To plant plants on a site individually, you need varieties of Spiraea whose bush height is at least 80 cm. Such plants are most often planted near a pond, playground or gazebo.

Creating a hedge

This can be done using certain varieties of plants, the height of which is at least 75-85 cm. A hedge is excellent for separating a certain area of a site.

Landscape design element

You can plant single Spiraea around the territory of your site, thereby decorating it, or plant a group of several varieties of ornamental plants in a certain place. The appearance of your garden will depend not only on the method of using Japanese Spiraea, but also on the selected varieties of this plant. Therefore, even at the planning stage, it is necessary to decide on the choice of variety or type.

Reproduction of spirea

Spiraea propagates by seeds and vegetatively: by dividing the bush, layering and cuttings.

Growing spirea from seeds

Not all types and varieties of spirea are propagated by seeds, but only those that form full-fledged seed material, for example, Japanese, Nippon and oak-leaved spirea. Browned but not yet opened seed pods are cut off, ripened indoors in a cardboard box, and after two weeks the ripened seeds are poured out of them. Sowing is done in the spring in a shallow box filled with a mixture of 4 parts peat and one part vermiculite. The seeds spread on the surface are not covered, but sprayed with a spray bottle, after which they are covered with film or glass and placed under diffused light. From the moment the sprouts begin to appear, the covering is removed, and the seedlings, along with the box, are taken out into the garden. As soon as the seedlings reach a height of 2 cm, they are planted in separate containers, shortening the roots that are too long by a third, and in the second half of August the seedlings are placed in the school bed. Young plants are planted in a permanent place next spring.

Reproduction of spirea by cuttings

This is the most effective way to propagate spirea with a high survival rate of 70%. Spiraea is cut from both spring and early summer, most often using plant residues from pruning. The length of cuttings with at least four internodes and an oblique lower cut should be 10-15 cm. The lower pair of leaves is removed and the rest are shortened by half. Before planting, the cuttings are kept for half a day in a solution of a growth stimulant - Epin or Zircon, after which the lower cut is powdered with Kornevin. The cuttings are planted in a container with damp sand, after which they are sprayed and covered with a transparent cap. As soon as new leaves begin to appear on the cuttings, the film is removed from them, the container is taken out into the fresh air and placed in the shade. Caring for cuttings consists of regular spraying and watering the soil. With the onset of cold weather, the container is placed in a frost-free cellar or dug in in the garden, covered with burlap or dry leaves on top, and with the arrival of warmth, the cuttings are planted in a permanent place.

Reproduction of spirea by layering

It is easy to propagate spirea by layering. To do this, you need to bend a low-growing branch or young shoot to the ground, fix it in this position and sprinkle it with earth. Caring for the cuttings involves regular watering and fertilizing. Keep in mind: if you completely cover the cuttings with soil, it will produce numerous shoots, and if you leave the tip of the shoot above the surface, then in the spring it will form a developed single plant.

Reproduction of spirea by dividing the bush

It makes sense to propagate spirea by dividing the rhizome only when replanting the bush. A plant that has reached three to four years of age can be divided throughout the season. Please note that the survival rate of the cuttings improves if the weather is cool and cloudy for 7-10 days after transplantation.

The bush is dug up, cutting off the roots that extend too far to the sides. The root system is placed in a container with water for an hour and a half to remove the soil. Using a sharp sterile knife or pruning shears, divide the bush into several parts so that each of them remains with a root lobe and 2-3 developed shoots. The sections are sprinkled with crushed coal, after which the sections are planted in pre-prepared planting holes. After planting, the surface is compacted, watered and mulched with humus or dry peat.

Care during growth

Spiraea is an unpretentious plant and tolerates drought and cold well. But in order for it to please with abundant flowering, it is necessary to follow some recommendations for caring for the bushes:

make sure there is enough light for the plants;
water regularly, especially in hot weather;
mulch the soil to retain moisture;
weeding and loosening the soil;
feed the bushes twice a season: in spring and summer with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, with the addition of potassium and mineral supplements;
in the spring, prune old branches to powerful buds, cut off thin stems completely;
remove dry and weak branches;
in the fourth year of life, cut the entire bush at a height of 30 cm from the ground.

Diseases and pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and blue sawflies cause a lot of trouble for meadowsweet. To combat harmful insects, the following drugs are used: Fitoverm, Decis pro.