Content
Stephanandra incisa Crispa is a deciduous graceful shrub that is highly decorative. In nature, the culture is found in the subtropics of Japan and Korea. Incised-leaved stephanandra is a member of the Rosaceae family. The plant is becoming more and more popular every year as an element of landscape design, since it looks original throughout the season and does not require the gardener’s increased attention.
Stefanandra Crispa belongs to the category of ground cover shrubs
Description of stephanandra incisifolia
This plant is a low-growing perennial. The height of incised-leaved stephanandra does not exceed 50 cm, but it is characterized by a spreading, cushion-shaped dense crown, the growth diameter of which is 1.5 m.The shoots are arched, red-brown in color, intertwined with each other; when they come into contact with the ground, they are able to take root, which allows Stephanandra Crispa incised leaves to grow and develop new areas.
The perennial leaves are three-lobed with sharp-toothed edges. They are located alternately on the shoots. The shade of the plates is light green. They are smooth on top, and pubescent along the veins on the reverse side. With the arrival of autumn, the color of the blades of the cut-leaved shrub becomes yellow-brown with orange highlights.
The root system of the perennial is well developed, fibrous type. It grows in breadth, and most of its shoots are located at a depth of 20-30 cm in the soil.
The flowers of Stephanandra Crispa incised foliage are small, simple, up to 5 mm in diameter. They consist of five rounded petals of a greenish-white hue. The flowers of the plant are collected in panicles, which are formed from the axils of the leaves along the entire length of the shoots. The stamens are arranged in a circle.
The flowering period of the incised-leaved shrub begins in early June and lasts 2-3 weeks, the lifespan of the plant is 30 years
Advantages and disadvantages
This shrub has many advantages, which explains the growth of its popularity among landscape designers and amateur gardeners. However, incised-leaved stephanandra also has certain disadvantages that are worth paying attention to when choosing it.
The flowers of the plant exude a pleasant aroma
Main advantages:
- highly decorative;
- unpretentiousness;
- increased life potential;
- goes well with other cultures;
- low susceptibility to diseases and pests.
Flaws:
- needs good lighting;
- places increased demands on the soil;
- slow growth rate;
- average frost resistance.
Planting stephanandra incisifolia
For this perennial, it is recommended to choose sunny, open areas, protected from drafts. It is allowed to plant Stephanandra incised-leaved Crispa near hedges and buildings, if they do not create a dense shadow for it. The perennial prefers loose, nutritious soil. Therefore, neutral loams and sandy-peaty soils are ideal for it.
When choosing a site, it is worth considering that the plant does not tolerate stagnation of moisture at the roots and their drying out.
Two weeks before planting stephanandra, it is necessary to prepare a hole 60 cm deep and 50 cm wide. It is recommended to pour drainage into the bottom with a layer of 10 cm, and fill the rest of the space with nutritious soil mixture. It should consist of turf, sand, humus, peat in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. You also need to add 40 g of superphosphate, 25 g of potassium sulfide to the hole and thoroughly mix the fertilizers with the soil.
When planting, a seedling of incised-leaved stephanandra Crispa must be placed in the center, carefully straighten its roots, sprinkle them with substrate and carefully fill the voids. It is important that the root collar of the plant is located at soil level. At the end of the procedure, water the perennial abundantly, compact and mulch the soil at its base.
The plant is not suitable for the northern regions of the country
Caring for stephanandra incisifolia
The culture is unpretentious. But for its full development, it is important to follow simple rules of care. Therefore, it is worth studying them in advance so that problems do not arise later.
Watering
Incised-leaved stephanandra needs regular dosed watering. To do this, you can use settled water at a temperature of +18-20 °C. It is recommended to water at the root 2-3 times a week. During periods of prolonged drought, it is necessary to moisten the soil in the root circle of the bush 1-2 times a day, that is, immediately when the top layer of soil dries out. It is also recommended to periodically spray the crown with a spray bottle in the morning or evening.
After each watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil at the base of stephanandra incisifolia. This will provide air access to the roots and eliminate the possibility of moisture stagnation, which this perennial does not like so much.
Top dressing
Stefanandra incisifolia responds well to feeding. In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, it needs nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which allows it to grow a beautiful lush crown. Therefore, during this period it is recommended to feed the perennial with urea or ammonium nitrate at the rate of 30-50 g per plant. The granules need to be scattered in the root circle and then incorporated into the soil.
It is recommended to carry out the second feeding in June. For it you can use chicken manure 1:15 or mullein 1:10. And the third time you need to fertilize the stephanandra Crisp plant at the end of August, using potassium monophosphate at the rate of 7 g per 10 liters of water, which will allow the bush to get stronger before winter.
Trimming
This plant requires periodic sanitary pruning. It must be carried out in the spring before the active growing season begins. The purpose of the procedure is to clean the stephanandra crown from broken, damaged and shriveled branches, which reduce the decorative value of the crop.
It is also recommended to thicken branches that do not allow light to pass through, which can cause bare branches inside the bush.
Wintering
Stefanandra Crispa is characterized by an average level of frost resistance. The incised-leaved shrub can withstand temperatures down to -25 °C. However, in severe frosts, its shoots can freeze significantly to the level of snow. Therefore, it is recommended to insulate the perennial for the winter.
In late autumn, the shoots of the bush must be bent to the ground, covered with spruce branches and secured so that the shelter is not blown away by the wind. Also, the root circle of the plant should be additionally insulated with a layer of humus, 5-7 cm thick.
Stefanandra Crispa propagates well from cuttings
Diseases and pests
This shrub has high natural immunity, therefore it is resistant to diseases and pests. However, inappropriate care may cause its weakening.
Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend not to ignore early spring treatment of plants with copper-containing preparations. This will avoid damage to the incised-leaved shrub by powdery mildew, rust and gray mold even in the most unfavorable seasons for the crop.
Stefanandra incisifolia in landscape design
This perennial is highly valued as an element of landscape design.
It looks original as a tapeworm, and also goes well with conifers, chrysanthemums, peonies, and anemones
Stefanandra Crispa incisifolia can be planted on flat areas and slopes.Its crown perfectly masks irregularities and fences. The bush can be used to mark turns on long paths in a garden or park. It can be an excellent decoration for a rock garden, alpine slide, and the plant will look original near a small pond.
The perennial tolerates polluted air well
Conclusion
Stefanandra incisifolia Crispa belongs to the category of plants that can look original throughout the season and at the same time can fit into any landscape design. However, the disadvantage of perennials is their slow growth. It takes quite a long time for it to fill the allotted space. It is important that water does not stagnate on the site during prolonged rains and snow melting. Otherwise, the perennial will not be able to fully develop.
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