Karyopteris (nutwing): photo and description of the shrub, variety, winter hardiness

Photos and descriptions of the karyopteris bush indicate that this is a unique plant that can transform any area. The flower retains its decorative properties for a long time, and the blue buds will attract attention until frost.

Photo and description of the karyopteris shrub

Karyopteris is a shrub with blue flowers, part of the Lamiaceae family. It is also known as nutcracker.

The plant is native to East Asia, but is distributed throughout the world.

It is a massive shrub that actively grows in width and height. It has a spherical shape. The height of karyopteris reaches 1.5-2 m, and its width can grow to 1-1.5 m. Despite its size, the shrub looks quite neat.

The plant is formed from upright, rather rigid shoots with pointed ends. There is light fluff along their entire length. The erect, long leaves are green-gray. Below they turn into a whitish tint. At the same time, they emit a faint aroma of lavender.

Hairy inflorescences form from the buds. They densely cover the entire length of the shoots. The flowers have all shades of blue. They have an unobtrusive pleasant smell with spruce notes. After flowering, small nuts containing seeds are formed.

When flowering, the bush attracts butterflies and bees

Frost resistance of Karyopteris

Karyopteris is included in winter hardiness zones 5-6. It can withstand temperatures down to -20-25 ^OC. However, the frost resistance of some varieties is at the level of -15 ^OWITH.

Attention! Karyopteris flowers fall off after the first frost.

When does Karyopteris bloom?

Flowers begin to bloom in mid-August. This period continues until frost.

Types and varieties of karyopteris

There are about 15 varieties of Karyopteris. Only three are cultivated and popular. They have different shapes, shades of foliage and flowers.

Karyopteris clandonensis

This is a hybrid variety that appeared due to the crossing of several varieties. It is a lush shrub reaching a height of 1 m. The ovoid leaves are colored in a rich green hue. There is a light fluff on the entire surface. The flowers are colored in blue and purple shades. The shrub has good frost resistance. The flowering period occurs at the end of July or beginning of November.

Karyopteris clandonensis is one of the most popular varieties

Gray-haired

It is a small shrub, reaching a height of 50-80 cm. It has long shoots, colored green with a yellowish tint. There are small notches along the edges of the leaf plate. The spherical inflorescences begin to bloom at the end of August. Thanks to its compact size, the bush fits perfectly into various flower arrangements. When grown in pots, they can decorate verandas and balconies.

The variety tolerates temporary drought well

Spread

Not the most popular variety to grow. It is a massive shrub reaching a height of 1.3 m. It begins to bloom in August. It bears hundreds of small flowers of a light blue hue. They exude a pleasant sweet aroma. The flowers hang upside down, with long curls of stamens and pistils protruding from them. This variety grows well in sunny areas.

The variety copes well with low temperatures

Where is the best place to plant karyopteris?

The bushes grow well in warm climates. For planting them, it is recommended to choose sunny areas protected from the wind. Karyopteris does not grow well in shaded areas. It is recommended to plant it near walls and fences.

The plant does not make serious demands on the composition of the soil. However, the shrub feels best in moderately fertile, loose and well-drained soil. In overly moist soil, the roots of the plant begin to rot, which leads to its death. Karyopteris also does not tolerate drought well.

Attention! In very fertile soil, the bush will grow more strongly, but fewer flowers will form on it.

Planting Karyopteris

The best time to plant karyopteris in open ground is spring. The exact timing depends on weather conditions in a particular region.It is important that at the time of planting the possibility of return frosts disappears.

In the open ground

The process of planting karyopteris in open ground consists of the following steps:

Dig up the ground. The planting hole should be approximately 80x80 cm. Twice the size of the root ball.
Place a layer of drainage on the bottom. Pebbles and gravel are well suited for these purposes.
Place the prepared shrub in the center of the planting hole. Cover the planting with soil mixed with compost. Around

Water the plantings with plenty of water. It is recommended to mulch the area around the bush. This way the moisture will remain longer and the weeds will grow slower.

When planting in groups, you need to leave a distance of about 50-100 cm between plants.

In a pot

Low-growing varieties of Karyopteris can be planted in pots. They are suitable for decorating terraces and balconies. For planting you need to prepare a large pot. Its dimensions must be at least 40x40 cm so that the root system feels good.

A drainage layer needs to be laid at the bottom. It is recommended to use moderately fertile soil for planting. In the summer, karyopteris in pots should be watered frequently, while avoiding stagnation of moisture in the soil.

Once every two years, the crop should be transplanted into new containers.

Karyopteris care

Caring for and growing karyopteris is not particularly difficult. In order for the bush to grow well and delight you with abundant flowering, you need to follow a few simple recommendations.

Watering and fertilizing

The shrub does not tolerate excessive moisture in the soil. Young plants should be watered only during dry periods. Karyopteris has enough moisture, which it receives from the rains. Mature shrubs tolerate temporary drought well.

If karyopteris is planted in good fertile soil, then there is no need to fertilize it. Otherwise, it is recommended to fertilize in the second year after planting. In spring it is necessary to use nitrogen fertilizers. Then fertilize every month until mid-summer. During these periods, it is recommended to use complex and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Attention! The soil should have time to dry out between waterings.

Trimming

The main pruning of karyopteris occurs in the spring. During this period, it is necessary to get rid of all the branches that have frozen and dried out during the winter. The remaining shoots must be shortened to 12 cm. Pruning in the autumn includes getting rid of faded branches. Approximately once every five years, the bushes require anti-aging pruning. All shoots must be shortened to 5 cm.

Attention! The formation of buds occurs only on young shoots.

Wintering

When growing karyopteris in regions with cold climates, the bushes need to be covered for the winter. To do this, after pruning, the base must be covered with fallen leaves or sawdust. The top can be additionally covered with burlap.

When growing karyopteris in pots for the winter, they need to be moved to rooms with an air temperature of no more than +10 ^OC. Plants need to be watered with a small amount of water once a month.

Diseases and pests

Karyopteris is a shrub characterized by good immunity to pests and diseases. It is extremely rarely attacked by insects. Sometimes horse flies can attack bushes. To get rid of them, you should spray them with insecticides and dig up the tree trunk in the fall.

A plant can only become sick due to excessive moisture in the soil. This leads to rotting of the root system and death of leaves. In this case, the plant needs to be dug up.Treat healthy parts with fungicidal preparations and transplant to a new location.

How to propagate karyopteris variegated shrub

Karyopteris is a shrub with blue flowers that is easy to propagate at home. There are two ways to obtain new plants: cuttings, using layering.

In the first case, in the spring you need to cut small shoots of 10-15 cm each. Plant them in pots or open ground. The cuttings should be covered with a jar or bottle, ventilated periodically and watered as needed. After roots and leaves appear, they should be transplanted to a permanent location.

In the spring, you can propagate Karyopteris using layering. To do this, a strong shoot must be bent to the ground and secured. It is worth caring for like the main bush. After a year, it needs to be carefully dug up and planted in a permanent place.

Photo of karyopteris in landscape design

According to reviews, karyopteris is valued in the Moscow region and other cities of Russia. It is used to create perennial flower beds, alpine slides, and mixborders.

The culture complements plants with a similar flowering period well

Pairs well with evergreen shrubs.

Karyopteris complements flowers in white, yellow and burgundy shades well

The shrub can be used for single plantings. When planted nearby, several plants will form a beautiful hedge. Karyopteris is suitable for creating bouquets. For this you can use both fresh and dried branches.

Karyopteris bouquets last a long time in a vase, maintaining freshness

Conclusion

Photos and descriptions of the karyopteris shrub indicate that the plant can be planted in almost any weather conditions.It is not difficult to care for, so even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation.

Reviews about karyopteris

Tatyana Lykova, Stavropol

A very spectacular flower. There are no difficulties with care, but it attracts all neighbors with the abundance of blue buds. It survives the winter well, I cover it lightly. There are, of course, frozen shoots. I cut them off. It is worth noting that after winter it quickly recovers and grows.

Valeria Lukyanova, Tula

Karyopteris is a hardy shrub that is perfect for our climate conditions. If you choose the right place when planting, then there will be no difficulties with growing. Easy to care for. You just need to periodically water, fertilize, prune and, if necessary, cover for the winter.

Karyopteris (nutwing): photos of flowers, planting and care in open ground, reviews