Content
Amur lilac is an unpretentious shrub with decorative properties. The plant is drought-resistant and rarely freezes even in severe winters. When growing Amur lilacs, the planting time is taken into account, the place and soil are prepared. Active growth and flowering are ensured by watering, fertilizing and pruning.
General description of the variety
Amur lilac is a deciduous shrub, a representative of the Olive family, the genus Lilac. It is found naturally in the Far East, Manchuria, China, and Korea. The culture prefers mixed forests in valleys, sometimes growing on mountain slopes no more than 600 m above sea level. The lifespan of the bush is up to 100 years.
An alternative name for Amur lilac is cracker. This is due to the fact that when raw branches burn, a strong cracking sound is observed. An interesting feature of this combustion is that sparks and embers fly in different directions for many meters.
The diameter of the crown of the Amur lilac is 2 - 3 m. The plant has the appearance of a tree or shrub, which reaches a height of 10 m, sometimes growing to 12 - 15 m. Its bark is brown or dark gray. Young branches have a reddish tint. The leaves are 5 - 11 cm long, ellipsoid in shape, externally reminiscent of the foliage of common lilac. When blooming, they are distinguished by a purple hue, which gradually changes to dark green. In autumn the foliage turns orange or burgundy.
How Amur lilac blooms
Amur lilac produces large, wide paniculate inflorescences. They reach 25 cm in length and 20 cm in girth. Its flowers are small, 5 - 6 mm in diameter, with a strong aroma, white or cream color. Inflorescences bloom at the end of June - the first ten days of July.
The flowering period of the crop is 2 - 3 weeks. The shrub produces buds at the age of 9 - 12 years.
Amur lilac is resistant to drought and winter frosts. It is well adapted to urban conditions and is not sensitive to dust and polluted air.
After flowering, the fruits ripen in the form of hard boxes with an elongated shape. Each of them contains nests with winged seeds. They are collected in the fall for further reproduction. In nature, the shrub reproduces by self-sowing.
Varieties of Amur lilac
Based on the wild form, varieties were obtained that are suitable for planting in the garden. One of them is the Amur lilac Sudarushka, which is a powerful multi-stemmed shrub that forms a dense spreading crown. It can reach a height of 10 m. Its leaves are up to 11 cm long and dark green. The flowers are small, white in color, with a honey aroma, collected in large inflorescences up to 25 cm long.The flowering of the crop is abundant and long-lasting, at least 20 days.
How does Amur lilac reproduce?
Wild lilacs are propagated by seeds. First, the planting material is stratified for 2 months at a temperature of 2 - 5 °C. To grow Amur lilac, containers are prepared from seeds and filled with fertile soil. Seedlings are obtained at home. When the seedlings grow up and become stronger, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Varietal varieties are propagated by cuttings. During the flowering period, shoots 15 - 20 cm long are cut off. They are half cleared of leaves, and an oblique cut is made in the lower part. Cuttings are rooted at a temperature of +25 °C and air humidity of more than 95%.
Planting and caring for Amur lilacs
The development and flowering of Amur lilac largely depends on compliance with planting rules. First, a suitable place is chosen for the shrub. Then the pit is prepared and the sequence of work is followed.
Recommended timing
The best time for planting Amur lilac is the period from the second half of July to the first ten days of September. If work is carried out in spring or autumn, the seedling does not take root well. In this case, the bush will not produce growth in the first year. For planting, choose a cloudy day or evening.
Site selection and soil preparation
Amur lilac prefers sunny places, but can also grow in partial shade. Wetlands and lowlands are not suitable for planting. Even short-term stagnation of water in the soil leads to rotting of the roots.
Moderately moist, well-drained soil is suitable for Amur lilac. The best option is humus fertile soil, neutral or acidified.If the soil on the site is heavy and dense, then a drainage layer must be provided at the bottom of the planting hole. For this purpose, small crushed stone or broken bricks are used.
To increase soil fertility, a substrate is prepared. Mix 15 kg of humus, 200 g of wood ash, 30 g of superphosphate. The components are thoroughly mixed. River sand is added to clayey soil, which is highly dense.
How to plant correctly
The order of planting Amur lilac:
- Dig a pit measuring 0.5x0.5x0.5 m. On sandy and poor soils, its dimensions are increased to 1x1x1 m.
- A drainage layer 10 cm thick is poured onto the bottom.
- Then the prepared substrate is moved into the pit.
- The soil is watered abundantly and left for 1 - 2 weeks to shrink.
- When the soil settles, fertile soil is poured into the hole to form a small hill.
- Inspect the plant, cut off too long roots. Dry and damaged areas are also removed.
- A seedling is placed on top, its roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- Amur lilac is watered abundantly.
- The shoots of the seedling are shortened by 2 - 3 buds.
- In the tree trunk circle, make a mulching layer of peat or humus 5 cm thick.
Growing Amur lilac
After planting the Amur lilac, they provide certain care. The plant is fed and watered. Pruning helps regulate the growth of the bush and shape the crown. In autumn, the plant is prepared for wintering.
Watering schedule
Amur lilac develops well in moderately moist soils. The shrub is watered as the top layer of soil dries. To do this, use water that has settled and warmed in barrels. It is applied in the morning or evening, when there is no direct sunlight.
In summer, water is added only during severe drought. In order for the shrub to better absorb moisture and nutrients, the soil is loosened after watering. The procedure helps saturate the soil with oxygen. Forks, rakes and other garden tools are suitable for loosening.
What can you feed?
After planting Amur lilac, only nitrogen fertilizers are applied for the first 2 - 3 years. During the season, the shrub is fed 2-3 times: when the buds awaken, at the beginning and during flowering. For processing, prepare a solution consisting of 20 g of urea per 10 liters of water. Lilacs are watered at the root. Nitrogen substances promote the appearance of new shoots and leaves.
From the 4th year after planting lilacs, phosphorus and potassium preparations are added to the feeding scheme. In the fall, prepare a solution consisting of 40 g of double superphosphate and 30 g of potassium nitrate. Fertilizers are buried in the tree trunk circle to a depth of 5 cm.
A universal fertilizer for Amur lilac is wood ash. It contains a complex of nutrients that ensure the development of the bush. Ash is added during irrigation. During the day, add 250 g of fertilizer to 10 liters of water and leave the product to infuse. Then the Amur lilac is watered in the usual way.
Mulching the soil
Mulching the soil prevents moisture evaporation and inhibits the growth of weeds. Natural mulch becomes a source of nutrients for the bush. Peat, humus or dry leaves are poured into a circle around the trunk within a radius of 50 cm. The optimal layer of mulch is 5 cm. This layer is periodically updated during the season.
Pruning rules
Pruning Amur lilac helps to form a healthy crown.As a result, the shrub is less sick, has a compact size and blooms profusely. The first two years after planting it is not pruned. This is not necessary since the seedling grows slowly.
In the 3rd - 4th year, 5 to 10 of the strongest shoots are selected from the plant. They are left, and the rest of the growth is cut off. Treatment is carried out in early spring, before the start of the growing season. Dry, broken and frozen branches are removed annually.
To make bouquets, cut off up to 2/3 of the flowering shoots of Amur lilac. To keep the branches in water longer, it is recommended to trim them early in the morning. As a result, the shrub begins to form new shoots with flower buds. If necessary, diseased and broken branches are removed in the summer.
Preparing the bush for winter
Amur lilac tolerates even harsh winters well. Young shrubs that are not yet strong enough need shelter. In late autumn, before the soil freezes, the plants are watered abundantly. Moist soil becomes protection against freezing.
Then the shrub is covered with earth, peat or humus 10-15 cm thick in a circle around the trunk. Young plantings are covered with spruce branches or agrofibre. The material is attached to a wooden or iron frame. In the spring, after the snow melts, the shelter is removed.
Application in landscape design
Amur lilac is an excellent option for decorating city parks, gardens and recreation areas. The plant has been used in cultivation since the end of the 19th century. When designing the territory, the flowering period is taken into account, which occurs quite late. The shrub is suitable for landscaping industrial zones, ponds, cities and towns.
Amur lilac is used far beyond the Far East.The shrub tolerates the conditions of central Russia and colder regions well. The variety is made the central part of the composition or combined with other trees. In the first case, a shrub with white flowers will look impressive against the background of a green lawn.
The Amur variety grows well and is suitable for creating a hedge. If plants of the same variety are planted, then leave 0.5 m between them. If different shrubs are used, then the optimal distance is up to 2 m.
Pests and diseases
If agricultural practices are followed, Amur lilac rarely suffers from diseases and pests. At high humidity, late blight or bacterial rot develops on the bush. If diseases are detected, the affected shoots are cut off. The bush is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. The treatment is repeated after 10 days.
The shrub may be attacked by the lilac moth, hawk moth, and moth. Insecticides Phthalofos or Chlorophos help against pests. The drugs are diluted with water to obtain a concentration of 0.1%. For prevention, the soil is dug up annually in late autumn, pruning is carried out on time, and the bushes are not allowed to become dense.
Conclusion
Amur lilac is one of the most unpretentious shrubs for a summer cottage. During the flowering period, the plant has a decorative appearance. During the growing season it is watered and fed. The Amur variety adapts even to harsh conditions. Due to its decorative properties, the shrub fits well into landscape design. It is used for single plantings, hedges or more complex compositions.
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