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Spiraea Japanese Genpei is optimal for those who want to diversify their garden plot. Even among its relatives, this shrub takes pride of place. Its cost is low, its decorative properties last all winter, and the plant requires minimal care.
Description of Japanese spirea Genpei
The Japanese spirea variety Genpei is a summer-flowering, beautiful shrub. Plant height is 0.8 m, crown width is 1.2 m. The shoots are tomentose. The length of the branches is up to 2 m, the color is red-brown. The annual growth is 15 cm. The leaves are oval, jagged, and reach 2 cm in length. The foliage color is dark green.
Spiraea Genpei is distinguished by its extraordinary tricolor flowering.
The flowers are rich white, pale pink and lilac-red, collected in one flat, corymbose inflorescence. The bud blooming period occurs in July and lasts until September. Spiraea Genpei is disease resistant. Prefers sunny areas, but can grow in partial shade. High frost resistance. Belongs to climate zone 4. Adapts well to urban conditions.
Spiraea Genpei in landscape design
Japanese spirea Genpei is the undisputed leader in decorative and street art among other varieties. This plant is planted everywhere in China and Japan. Low-growing shrubs are used to create hedges or borders. Spiraea Genpei can be found in a similar design in all photos with landscape design. And if you use the plant to completely fill the space, for example, plant it on slopes instead of lawns, it will be interesting and unusual.
The Japanese spirea Genpei is in demand for landscape design of parks and squares. The shrub looks beautiful in alpine hills, ridges, rockeries and other flower arrangements.
Planting and caring for spirea Genpei
Despite the fact that this type of spirea is not demanding and does not require special conditions, it is important to take into account the main nuances.
Preparation of planting material and site
Any gardener wants the Japanese spirea Genpei to bloom and smell fragrant. To do this, you need to plant it in sunny areas. The light-loving nature of the plant must be taken into account, since in partial shade the possibility of lush flowering will decrease.
It is also worth paying attention to the nutritional value of the soil. Weakened, depleted soils will negatively affect the decorative properties of the shrub. It is preferable to plant Japanese spirea Genpei in light, loose, fertile soil.
But the composition doesn't matter. To balance the substrate, peat, turf or leaf soil, and sand are usually added. Lands with poor drainage capacity should be drained to prevent moisture stagnation. Excess liquid in the area can cause rotting of the root system.
In addition to the site, credit should be given to the correct choice of planting material. After all, the further survival of the Genpei spirea depends on this. Criteria for selecting seedlings:
- wet roots, without visible damage;
- flexible shoots;
- presence of kidneys;
- absence of rot and other symptoms of fungal infections.
It is difficult to determine the variety of a seedling by its appearance, so it is better to buy young plants at certified points of sale of gardening materials. It is especially not recommended to buy planting material of the Japanese spirea Genpei on the Internet, since the seedling is visible only in the photo and not in person.
A couple of days before planting, the root system and shoots are trimmed to 3-5 cm, and dry, damaged areas are removed. And then leave for 2-3 hours in a container with water. Immediately before the procedure, the roots are treated with a clay mash.
Landing rules
Planting in the ground should be planned for spring or autumn. The weather on the day of planting should be cloudy or rainy. The recess needs to stand for 4-5 days. Its size is calculated from the volume of the root system with a reserve of 1/3 for further development. The approximate depth is 0.5 m. When choosing a location, it is worth considering that Genpei spirea has abundant root growth. When all the preparatory work is completed, it’s time to start planting:
- a drainage layer of broken bricks is placed in the pit;
- 20-30 g of complex fertilizer for Japanese spirea Genpei;
- carefully place the roots of the seedling in the recess;
- the root collar should be on the surface of the soil;
- sprinkle with soil;
- water abundantly;
- After absorbing moisture, mulch the tree trunk circle with peat.
When planting spirea in groups, the distance should be kept at 0.6-0.7 m. For hedges, the distance in rows is 0.4-0.5 m, between rows - 0.3-0.4 m.
Watering and fertilizing
The root system of the Japanese spirea Genpei is located close to the surface of the earth, so it is acutely aware of the lack of moisture. Lack of water adversely affects growth rates and flowering. At the same time, watering should be moderate. During dry periods, it is enough to moisten the bush twice a month. A volume of water of 10 liters is enough for one plant.
Spiraea Genpei responds well to fertilization. It is preferable to feed with mineral and organic fertilizers. It is worth fertilizing at least 3 times a year. At the beginning of the growing season, preparations with nitrogen are used; the rest of the time, potassium-phosphorus preparations can be used.
Trimming
Japanese spirea Genpei requires annual pruning. The first stage involves the sanitary removal of dry, diseased shoots in the spring. It is advisable to do this before new foliage appears. A dry branch should be removed until it reaches a living bud. If the shoot is underdeveloped or stunted, it is cut off completely.
The second stage is the formation of the crown. It implies giving a beautiful appearance and correct shape to the bush. The flowering of Japanese spirea Genpei also depends on this procedure. The more shoots you remove, the stronger and younger the shrub will look.
After four years of age, the plant needs rejuvenating pruning.The bush is cut completely, leaving 30 cm from the ground. Each pruning procedure should end with fertilizing: a solution of manure with superphosphate - 10 g of a mineral preparation is needed for 10 liters of the mixture.
Preparing for winter
It would be a pity if, despite following all the recommendations regarding planting and caring for the Japanese spirea Genpei, it dies from frost. Therefore, wintering the plant should be taken seriously. Even with high rates of frost resistance, it does not hurt to cover the shrub with dry leaves or grass, after bending the shoots to the surface of the ground. Because frosty but snowless winters often occur.
Reproduction
Japanese spirea Genpei reproduces in the following ways:
- dividing the bush;
- layering;
- cuttings.
The last method is the most effective and efficient. The number of copies is chosen independently. First of all, you should choose a one-year-old, healthy shoot. Divide into parts so that each has at least 6 leaves. Remove the greens and treat the lower cut with a root stimulant solution. Then plant it in damp sand and send it to a dark place.
Spray the cuttings with water three times a day. In late autumn, plant in the garden bed and cover with dry leaves. In the spring, after the buds appear, they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Through layering, young plants also quickly take root. The reproduction process in this way occurs in the spring. A couple of side shoots are bent and secured to the ground. The top must be sprinkled with earth and watered.When the sprout takes root and grows, the branch can be disconnected from the mother plant.
Dividing the bush can be done in spring and autumn. If the procedure is scheduled for the warm period of the year, then you should have time to complete everything before the first leaves appear. The advantage of this method is the rapid development of daughter plants. Disadvantage - you can damage the root system. If this happens, it is better to disinfect the wound with a fungicide solution.
Diseases and pests
Japanese spirea Genpei often suffers from insect attacks. The main pest is the spider mite. It can change the appearance of a shrub beyond recognition. All foliage becomes holey, turns yellow and dies ahead of time. Blooming flowers and buds also fall off. The parasite activates its work during hot periods. It is necessary to combat the pest when the first symptoms are detected. Because the more advanced the condition, the more difficult it will be to restore it. Among insecticides, Karbofos and Akrex have proven themselves well.
Aphids feed on the sap of the Japanese spirea Genpei. It damages leaves, eats flower stalks, and sucks nutrients from the plant. Self-produced or chemical products will help you cope with the uninvited guest. Aphids are afraid of the drug Pirimor.
Conclusion
Spiraea japonica Genpei is a modest shrub in terms of care requirements. It grows well in central Russia, thanks to its high frost resistance and drought resistance. Spiraea Genpei can decorate a garden plot for a long period, since the life expectancy of the shrub is 15 years.
