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If we had to make a rating of the most popular shrubs in landscape design, then, undoubtedly, Japanese spirea would take one of the leading positions. And there is nothing surprising here, because this plant is an example of decorativeness, unpretentiousness and versatility. One of the representatives of the genus, Japanese spirea Frobeli, has firmly taken its place both in modern garden catalogs and in the hearts of true connoisseurs of ornamental crops.
Description of Japanese spirea Frobeli
Japanese spirea Froebelii (Spiraea japonica Froebelii) is a compact decorative deciduous and at the same time beautifully flowering shrub. When blooming, the young leaves have a purple tint, which changes to dark green by early summer. In mid-July, the Frobeli variety, like all Japanese spirea, blooms with dense corymbose inflorescences.
Spiraea Frobeli is distinguished by its large size and rich dark pink color.The flowering period is long - until mid-September, but even in autumn the decorative effect is not reduced due to the leaves acquiring a bronze-red color.
The height of the Japanese Frobeli spirea is up to 120 cm, the width of the bush in diameter is approximately the same. Thus, Frobeli spirea has a spherical shape, which, for greater effectiveness, is recommended to be emphasized by annual pruning.
Spiraea japonica Frobeli in landscape design
All Japanese spirea easily fit into the appearance of the garden, thanks to their compact shape, spectacular appearance, flexibility in shaping and variety of varieties. Most often, designers suggest using them as low trimmed borders, as part of tree and shrub compositions, in rocky gardens, in formal flower beds, and much less often in solitaire plantings.
Spiraea Japanese Frobeli will not remain unnoticed in any role, thanks to the spectacular spring-autumn color of the foliage and magnificent summer raspberry-pink flowering. The neat shape of the bush is maintained by a uniform growth of no more than 8-10 cm per year. The Japanese spirea Frobeli looks like a win-win in the vicinity of coniferous crops, barberries, cinquefoils, hostas and other species and varieties of spirea.
Planting and caring for Japanese Frobeli spirea
When purchasing Japanese spirea seedlings in nurseries and garden centers, you should give preference to plants in containers (PCS), because they take root faster and better in a new place. If buds are found on the purchased shrub, they must be removed so as not to weaken such a young Japanese spirea Frobeli, as in the photo below. Planting and caring for shrubs should be done in stages.
Preparation of planting site and seedlings
Spiraea is an unpretentious shrub that easily tolerates insufficiently fertile soils and poor lighting. Japanese spirea Frobeli will grow and even bloom well with only 3-4 hours of direct sun per day. But, nevertheless, she will prefer a lighter area and it is there that she will show her best qualities.
Japanese spirea will not tolerate stagnation of water, so it should not be planted in natural depressions or on heavy clay soils. If there is no choice, then it is necessary to make a drainage layer of broken brick or crushed stone in the planting pit, or place Frobeli spirea on embankments, retaining walls and other artificial elevations.
Plants with ACS are planted in early spring (before buds open) or autumn (before the end of leaf fall). Japanese spirea Frobeli can be planted in a container at any stage of the active growing season. A hole for a plant up to 40 cm deep is prepared a week or more before the expected planting date. A few hours before, the seedling is kept in a solution of Kornevin or another root formation stimulator. Japanese spirea plants with ZKS are generously shed with the same preparation before planting.
Landing rules
If necessary, drainage is laid at the bottom of the hole in a layer of about 10 cm, and then filled with prepared soil, consisting of 50% fertile soil and a mixture of peat and sand taken in equal parts. The soil is moistened abundantly and the bush is planted so that its root collar is not below the surface layer or is 2-3 cm above it. The soil is well compacted around the trunk and poured again from a watering can so that the soil settles.
Watering and fertilizing
Japanese spirea does not require moisture, but in the year of planting it requires more careful attention than in all subsequent years.The frequency of watering depends on the weather and the presence of mulch in the tree trunk circle. Mineral fertilizers are used for fertilizing: at the beginning of the growing season - nitrogen fertilizers, starting from the formation of buds - phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. At the end of August or at the beginning of September, you can spray with potassium monophosphate, which will help you spend the first winter safely.
Trimming
All summer-flowering spirea, which includes the Frobeli variety, require annual early spring pruning. Even before the leaves bloom, when the spirea begins to awaken after winter sleep, sanitary pruning is carried out, cutting out all weak and thin branches. Last year's growth is shortened to well-developed buds. Mature shrubs, starting from 4-5 years of age, are pruned more radically - at a height of 30-40 cm from the soil surface. This formation stimulates the active growth of strong shoots that will bloom well this season.
The video shows how often to cut spirea:
Preparing for winter
The winter hardiness of Japanese Frobeli spirea is declared by the originator of the variety at a level of -25 °C, i.e. this plant is suitable for cultivation in USDA zone 4. Therefore, only young, recently planted specimens need special preparation for winter. The soil surface in the tree trunk circle is mulched with dry compost or covered with geotextiles. This is done after stable frosts have established, usually at the end of October or early November. If strong winter winds prevail in the region, then it is necessary to provide support for the young bush.
Reproduction
The seed method for the Japanese Frobeli spirea is immediately eliminated, since seedlings from hybrid varieties do not retain their maternal properties and do not have decorative value.
Of the vegetative methods, the most acceptable are:
- Green cuttings.
- Winter cuttings.
- Reproduction by layering.
- Division.
Green cuttings
Reproduction by this method is carried out in the summer, simultaneously with the beginning of flowering. Choose a strong vertical shoot and cut it into cuttings, each of which bears 4-5 leaves. The lower cut under the bud is made oblique, the upper cut is made straight. Leaves on cuttings are cut in half to reduce moisture evaporation. The two bottom sheets are completely removed.
For 3-5 hours, spirea cuttings are kept in a growth stimulator - Zircon, HB-101, Ecosil and others, or simply in water. But after this, the lower cut is dusted with Kornevin powder, and then immediately planted in moistened sand or vermiculite, buried by 2-3 cm. The cuttings are placed in a box at an angle of 30-45 °. A film is pulled over the top (over metal-plastic arcs) and left in a shaded place until rooting. Cuttings need daily spraying with clean water from the finest spray bottle to maintain a stable humidity level.
Winter cuttings
Lignified cuttings are cut in September-October, removing any remaining leaves from them if they have not yet flown off. Prepare the bed by filling it with sand and humus for digging. The cuttings, soaked in water for 2-3 hours, are buried in moist soil at an angle of 5-6 cm. The bed is mulched with fallen leaves, and can be additionally covered with non-fabric or a vegetable box. Rooting usually occurs in the spring, when it gets warmer and there is enough moisture in the soil.By autumn, the rooted bushes of Japanese spirea will already give a small increase.
Reproduction by layering
This is a reliable way to get a small number of young plants. To carry it out, several lower horizontal shoots are selected and placed in prepared shallow furrows around the queen cell. The branches are pinned to the soil in 1-2 places using metal brackets or bent electrodes. Cover with earth, leaving the top of the shoot on the surface, which is tied vertically to a small peg. The soil in this place is constantly moistened, or even better, mulched with a layer of peat or mowed grass. You can separate the young Frobeli spirea a year later, next spring, and immediately plant it in a permanent place.
Division
This method of propagation is not often used, because it is more suitable for young plants, which are easier to dig up without damage. The roots of the spirea are washed so that it can be seen how best to cut the bush into pieces. On each division it is necessary to leave at least 2-3 strong shoots. For the operation, pruners or a sharp knife are used, fresh sections are treated with brilliant green or charcoal powder. Roots that are too long must be shortened, and then the cuttings must be planted in prepared holes.
Diseases and pests
Spiraea Japanese Frobeli is rarely affected by diseases, and possible yellowing and drying of the leaves are most often the result of improper care or attack by pests. The most likely fungal disease is verticillium wilt, in which leaves begin to dry out and turn yellow, starting from the lower branches. Quick help in the form of spraying with a copper-containing preparation provided by spirea will stop the spread of pathogenic infection.
Spiraea japonica Frobeli belongs to the Rosaceae family, and therefore is affected by pests common to all its representatives, such as the roseate leaf roller and the leaf miner, or leaf miner. They are combated using available insecticides, and the affected leaves should be immediately removed from the bushes and destroyed.
In addition, aphids and spider mites can cause the greatest harm to spirea. In the fight against aphids, the drug Biotlin has proven itself well, and spider mites can be destroyed with the help of various acaricides such as Fitoverm, Kleschevit and other products containing the active ingredient aversectin.
Reviews of Japanese spirea Frobeli
Conclusion
Japanese spirea Frobeli is a universal plant for any type of garden. It will fit perfectly into the natural style and find a place for itself in geometrically smooth, trimmed borders. She will have enough space on 3 acres, but the luxurious bush will not be lost in the park area. And the undemanding nature of this variety of Japanese spirea is a pleasant bonus for every gardener and landscape designer.
