Content
Ledebura willow in nature grows mainly in the coastal zone of rivers and lakes alone or forms small groups. In Russia, the main distribution area is Karelia, Altai, Tuva. Decorative forms are used in landscape design: pyramidal Kurai and weeping Pendula Snow Globe.
Description of Ledebur willow with photo
All representatives of the species are frost-resistant, ideal for growing in the fourth climate zone.
Willow Ledebura is calm about moisture deficiency, so it feels comfortable in warm regions
Often found in landscape compositions of the Moscow region and the Middle Zone.
Description of the pyramidal and weeping willow Kurai Ledebura:
- It grows in a bush form, less often it has the appearance of a tree. The height of the pyramid is 4-5 m, Pendula Snow Globe is 2.5-3 m.
- The crown is dense, old branches with a smooth surface are light silver closer to white, the stems are a shade darker, thin, long, arched, drooping, with a waxy coating.
- The leaves are narrow, small, alternate in arrangement. The upper part is smoky green, the lower part is light gray.
Ledebura willow is dioecious, the inflorescences are spherical, the males are bright yellow, the females are gray-green. Flowering period - April-May, duration 15 days.
Drooping branches are arranged symmetrically, giving openwork lightness to the crown
Landing rules
Willow Ledebura fully develops in conditions as close as possible to its natural habitat. When choosing a location on a site, this factor is taken into account. Open sunny places are allocated for the plant or planted on southern, south-eastern slopes. The northern side behind tall buildings is not suitable for the Ledebur variety. In the shade, the tree develops poorly, the crown becomes sparse, the leaves are small and pale in color. In such conditions, willow often gets sick and becomes an object of parasitic insects.
Acidity does not play a role in the development of the Ledebur variety. But full vegetation is possible only on aerated, fertile, light loamy or sandy loam soil.
You can select a seedling for a permanent place in early spring, when the soil warms up to +10 0C. Each climate zone has its own timing, approximately March-May. For a frost-resistant plant, autumn is quite suitable. There should be at least two months left before frost for rooting.
Ledebur willow 2-3 years old is recommended for planting. If taken from a nursery, preference is given to specimens with a closed root system or in a container. Such material does not require preparatory measures before placement in the ground. Seedlings grown from cuttings are first disinfected with a solution of manganese or any antifungal agent and the root is placed in “Kornerost” for three hours.
How to plant the Ledebur variety correctly:
- The depth of the hole is oriented according to the volume and height of the earthen ball, taking into account the drainage layer. If the willow is open-rooted, then approximately 50x50 cm.
- The bottom is covered with large pebbles and sand.
- Make a mixture of turf soil (8 kg), compost (5 kg) with the addition of superphosphate (150 g), urea (60 g) and potassium sulfate (50 g). ½ part is sent for drainage. If the root is open, then make a cone-shaped mound.
- Step back 15 cm from the center and drive in a stake.
- If the Ledebur willow is with an earthen lump, immediately place it in a hole and fill the voids with substrate. The exposed root is distributed over the mound. In both cases, they are filled to the top with soil.
- The seedling is tied to a fixing support. Compact the surface and water.
Willow Ledebura is settling in well in its new location. Up to five years of age, it responds calmly to transplantation. After a change of site, mature plants, at best, get sick for a long time, and at worst die. Therefore, an adult seedling is transferred only when absolutely necessary.
Ledebura is an early honey plant; it can be planted near fruit trees that require pollination.
Care instructions
Willow grows on the site for the sole purpose of design. Therefore, it is important how Ledebura looks. To get a highly decorative plant, it is recommended to follow certain care conditions:
- Water the young tree periodically. To prevent the soil from drying out, they focus on precipitation. Mature Ledebur willow is drought-resistant; it needs a large (50 l) volume of water when the buds open and in late autumn, as a moisture-recharging measure.
- In the first three years, the root circle is loosened or covered with mulch; in the future, this condition of care is not relevant.
- Ledebura willow does not need feeding for two years after planting, then they look at the condition of the crown. A weak plant is fertilized at the beginning of the season with a complex mineral product, after the leaves fall with superphosphate.
- Young Ledebur willow requires insulation; it is covered completely in cold climates or the roots are mulched with straw in warmer climates. The trunk of an adult tree is protected from rodents.
Ledebura willow responds well to pruning; the crown can be made pyramidal or spherical and can be easily maintained in the future. It is permissible to grow as a shrub or on a trunk. To prevent the willow from getting sick, I recommend pruning in early spring before sap flow, starting at the age of five. Sanitary cleaning of the vegetative part is carried out as necessary, if there are dry areas.
Reproduction
Willow Ledebura (Kurai) reproduces in a generative way. It forms capsule fruits with small seeds that ripen in mid-June. They are immediately collected and sown in the mother liquor; the seeds are not stored. After two weeks they completely lose the ability to germinate. Willow Ledebura Pendula Snow Globe is not suitable for propagation by seeds, the variety is created artificially, there is no guarantee that the seedling will retain the characteristics of the parent plant.
The fastest and most productive method, which is suitable for any variety, is cuttings. The material is harvested before sap flow from the middle of two-year-old shoots, 25-30 cm long. Immediately placed in a fertile substrate in containers (at the end of autumn they are brought into an unheated room) or a greenhouse. In the latter case, it is well insulated for the winter.Rooted material is determined on the site at the age of 2-3 years.
Willow Ledebura in landscape design
Willow Ledebura is a stress-resistant plant. Culture reacts calmly to urban air pollution. Willow Ledebura is an ideal option for landscaping public gardens, recreation areas, playgrounds, adjacent areas of administrative institutions, and shopping centers. Often used to design landscapes near sanatoriums, holiday homes, and tourist centers. Ledebura willow is suitable for single planting, creating alleys, and decorating the banks of artificial reservoirs.
On a personal plot, varieties are grown in combination with coniferous trees, lawns, rock gardens are decorated, and a rock garden is decorated. Use solo near gazebos or create hedges. Kurai willow will be appropriate in any design composition that matches its style, for example, country (rustic), Moorish, alpine, hi-tech.
Willow Pendula Snow globe in rock garden
Ledebura pyramidalis on the lawn
Conclusion
Ledebura willow is valued for its decorative properties and crown color; it is used for landscaping urban landscapes and garden plots. The plant is frost-resistant and responds calmly to drought. Suitable for growing in any climate zone. Does not require special care, provided that the Ledebur willow is located in a place open to sunlight.
