Content
Skumpia Lilla is a new variety, distinguished by its original non-standard appearance, dwarf growth, and ease of care. The culture was first presented by breeders in 2011 at the Dutch Plantarium exhibition, where it received a bronze medal. Decorative plants are actively used to decorate a site at any time of the year, especially since its survival rate is quite high throughout central Russia.
Description of scumpia Lilla
Skumpia Lilla also goes by other names - smoky tree, yellowberry, wig bush. Under natural conditions, the plant is found in Southern and Central Europe and is a miniature version of the Royal Purple variety. Unlike the latter, Lilla mackerel grows more slowly, but it has many more colors and shades of leaves. In early spring they have a rich wine color. Later in the summer, the foliage turns purple, and in the fall it turns yellow, scarlet or orange.
Skumpia Lilla is compact, the bush reaches 1 m in height and 1.3 m in width. The annual growth is about 30 - 50 cm.Tree-like shoots of the crop, densely covered with rounded leaves about 7 cm long, are arranged alternately.
The plant produces profusely delicate panicle-shaped inflorescences during flowering in early summer. Their length is about 30 cm. The fruits are small drupes.
The root of Mackerel Lilla is highly branched.
The plant is a winter-hardy, drought-resistant crop that can tolerate environmental pollution.
How Mackerel Lilla blooms
Mackerel has bisexual, staminate flowers, but more often they are sterile, underdeveloped, the few shades of which vary from yellowish to greenish. Flowering begins in June and lasts two months; in the southern regions it can be multiple times per season.
During this period, Lilla skumpia looks very impressive. Small flowers are collected in panicle inflorescences. Most of them fade quickly, while the sterile ones fall off, and in their place a peduncle remains, which, growing, forms long pink threads covered with hairs. Because of them, the plant looks like a cloud or a fluffy wig. At this moment, it is difficult to take your eyes off the scumpia Lilla: it looks so decorative, light and gentle. During the flowering period, the bush has the shape of an umbrella or a ball.
Landing rules
According to the description, Lilla tannerum is a shrub that prefers places illuminated and warmed by the sun. It is unpretentious to the quality of the soil. It can easily grow on rocky slopes; it is good to plant it in loamy or sandy loam soil. Thanks to its branched root system, the plant is used to strengthen slopes. If there is excess moisture, it does not develop well. To correct the situation, soil drainage will be needed.Despite the winter hardiness of Lilla mackerel, in the first years after planting, young seedlings are covered for the winter. The best time to plant ornamental shrubs is spring. In this case, he will have time to prepare for winter and will be able to avoid damage.
Plant propagation is most successfully carried out by layering and root shoots.
Recommended timing
Mackerel Lilla seedlings, especially if they have a closed root system, can be planted at any time of the year, except winter. A distinctive feature of the shrub is its long growing season. For this reason, the plant may not have time to take root before frost during autumn planting. In spring, there is a possibility of death of the shrub, since the time of rooting coincides with the peak of summer heat.
According to reviews, it is best to plant leather lilla in early spring. In this case, if you choose the right place, the establishment will be guaranteed to be successful.
Site selection and soil preparation
Despite the fact that Mackerel Lilla is an unpretentious plant, you should carefully choose a planting site for it. The space should be spacious, sunny, protected from winds and drafts. Slight shading of the area is acceptable.
The shrub is undemanding to soil fertility.
Thanks to its developed root system, it is able to extract nutrients both from great depths and from the surface of the earth by spreading its roots widely across it. The ideal soil for lilla mackerel is considered to be light, alkaline, permeable soil. High moisture levels are detrimental to the plant. Places where melt or rainwater stagnates are not suitable for it.In such conditions it develops slowly and blooms poorly.
Landing algorithm
After choosing a seedling and a site for planting it, you need to follow the algorithm:
- A day before planting, remove the mackerel from the container and place it in water.
- Inspect the root system, cut off damaged, dry or diseased roots.
- Treat the cut areas with fungicide and sprinkle with crushed charcoal.
- Dig a planting hole, the size of which exceeds the volume of the root system of Lilla mackerel.
- Pour 20 liters of water into the hole and wait until it is completely absorbed.
- Place a mound of soil at the bottom.
- Place the seedling in the center and straighten its roots.
- Fill the hole with soil and compact thoroughly.
- The root collar should be located 2 - 3 cm above the soil.
- Water the planting thoroughly.
Aftercare
Caring for the lilla mackerel is very simple. In the first years after planting, the young plant must be protected from frost. To do this, it is recommended to mulch the root system with compost and cover the branches of the crop. Later winter protection is not required.
The bush develops quickly, growing in diameter and height. Sometimes the branches of Lilla mackerel are partially frozen, so with the arrival of spring it is worth carrying out sanitary pruning, which stimulates the growth of new branches, thanks to which the bush becomes even more beautiful.
If Mackerel Lilla is planted on poor soils, then fertilizing should be done. Watering at first should be regular; later, watering is carried out only during a long drought.The shrub is very resistant to diseases and pests, however, if protection and treatment are necessary, special methods and preparations are used.
Watering
Until the seedlings are completely rooted, watering should be regular and abundant. Mulching the soil around the bush allows you to retain moisture longer, get rid of weeds, keep the soil loose, and increase its breathability. Compost, grass clippings, straw, and leaves are used as mulch. After complete rooting, a year later, watering is reduced, since excess moisture is detrimental to the plant: measures are carried out only in extreme cases.
Top dressing
Skumpia Lilla does not require special fertilizing, since it develops successfully on any soil except wetlands. But at the initial stage, to increase the leaf mass, it is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. Organic is suitable for this purpose. In summer, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied to the plant. It is believed that the use of fertilizers on fertile soils can lead to a lack of flowering.
How to trim
Skumpia Lilla does not require frequent pruning. It is considered optimal to carry out the procedure once every two to three years. The best time for this is May, before the buds open. During this period, damaged or frozen shoots are removed and a crown is formed. In young plants, annual shoots are shortened by two-thirds, old ones can be removed entirely. With regular pruning, the bush branches well, the leaves increase in size, and their color becomes brighter.
It is possible to carry out figured pruning, with the help of which the bushes are given any shape. It is necessary to remember that Lilla mackerel blooms on last year’s shoots, so you should not remove them completely.
Preparing for winter
Young seedlings of Lilla mackerel require special preparation for winter. First, you need to mulch the tree trunk circle with rotted compost and peat. The plant itself is tied with spruce branches or non-woven material for the winter. In adulthood, the bushes do not require protection from frost; in the middle zone they successfully overwinter.
Pests and diseases
Mackerel Lilla is characterized by low susceptibility to diseases and pests. Excess moisture can cause problems with roots rotting, causing them to stop functioning. In such cases, the ornamental plant loses its attractive appearance and may die.
The leaf beetle and psyllid attack shrubs extremely rarely. The beautiful leaves of Mackerel Lilla can be attacked by aphids and spider mites. Folk remedies should be used against them - spraying with a solution of soap or ammonia. Experts recommend the use of insecticides - Chistotsvet, Skor, Fundazol.
In winter, the bark of Lilla mackerel bushes can be damaged by hares or mice. To protect against animals, the bases of the bushes are tied with spruce branches.
Conclusion
Skumpia Lilla is spectacular and elegant. Its exotic appearance amazes gardeners, who, by purchasing plants and planting them on their plot, are convinced of the unpretentiousness of the crop and its ability to quickly develop on any soil. The unusual appearance acquired by Lilla mackerel in the second half of summer attracts the interest of everyone who sees it for the first time.In combination with ornamental shrubs, perennial flowers, coniferous and deciduous trees, you can create unique compositions characterized by bright contrasting combinations of foliage, pine needles and inflorescences.
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