Content
Bird cherry Colorata is becoming increasingly famous among amateur gardeners and landscape designers for its beautiful array of purple leaves and pink flowers, collected in lush clusters. A novice amateur gardener who knows the basics of agricultural technology can also care for a tree.
History of variety selection
Bird cherry is a type of deciduous low tree belonging to the Rosaceae family of the Plum genus. The bird cherry variety Colorata was developed in Sweden. The variety has already gained popularity among Russian gardeners due to its decorative properties, unpretentiousness in any climatic region and active growth at a young age.
Description of Colorata bird cherry
Due to the spectacular appearance of the rounded crown with purple foliage, Colorata bird cherry is classified as an ornamental variety. It is especially beautiful in spring, when pink inflorescences hang in clusters on the branches.A description of the Colorata bird cherry variety and a photo of the tree will help you understand how best to use it in garden plantings.
Botanical description of bird cherry:
- grows in height from 5 to 6 m;
- the crown of an adult plant reaches a diameter of 5 m;
- lateral branches are located with strong sagging;
- the bark and shoots are brownish-violet in color;
- leaves are simple, alternate, longitudinal in shape (up to 10 cm long). During spring growth they have a purple color with a red tint, which is why Colorata bird cherry is called red-leafed, in summer green is added to their color, and in autumn they take on a red-yellow appearance;
- the flowers are small, with pink petals, collected in large clusters, bloom in May, and have a specific almond aroma;
- fruits are drupes, spherical in shape, thick black with a shine, edible, tasty, astringent, ripen in late July - early August;
- The root system is located in the upper layer of soil, highly branched, and sends out shoots at a distance of up to 10 m.
The plant is useful for growing in the garden or on a summer cottage. It releases volatile phytoncides in large quantities, which destroy pathogens and repel insects such as flies, midges, ticks and mosquitoes.
Bird cherry variety Colorata is a partially self-fertile plant. For better pollination and fruiting, it is recommended to have plants of other varieties of this crop with the same flowering time in the garden plot.
It must be borne in mind that for the full development of the root system and successful growth, the Colorata bird cherry needs an area of at least 5-6 m in diameter.
Characteristics of the variety
Bird cherry variety Colorata is considered one of the best honey plants. It provides a lot of pollen and nectar. The soil on which the tree grows becomes more fertile due to fallen leaves, which reduce the acidity of the soil.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Bird cherry variety Colorata tolerates cold well and is considered a frost-resistant plant with a winter hardiness zone of 4. In this zone, the air temperature in winter can drop to -350WITH.
Bird cherry can be called moisture-loving. She feels great during short-term waterlogging. This plant is also considered drought-resistant. The amount of watering depends on the climatic and territorial zone. You just need to make sure that the soil is not dry.
Productivity and fruiting
Starting from 5-6 years of life, with the necessary care, the Colorata tree produces an annual, abundant harvest. The main harvest is formed from last year's growth. The fruits begin to ripen in July. Berry picking occurs until September.
Bird cherry drupes are juicy, sweet (up to 5% sugar), highly astringent, as they contain a lot of tannins. The average yield of the Colorata variety is 7-9 kg per tree. The berries do not bake in the sun and do not fall off for a long time.
Area of application of fruits
Bird cherry berries of the Colorata variety are edible, black in color with a shine, as in the photo above. Reach a size of 7-8 mm in diameter. They have a sweet astringent taste. They are consumed raw, dried, used for making baked goods, preserves, jam, compotes, both bird cherry and in combination with other berries. Very tasty liqueurs, tinctures, wine and soft drinks are prepared from bird cherry.
The beneficial properties of various parts (leaves, berries, bark) of bird cherry, which are widely used in medicine, have long been known.
Fresh berries of the Colorata variety can be stored for up to a month in a cool place and are well transported. To do this, they should be placed in a box or box, alternating layers of berries with leaves.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Bird cherry variety Colorata is susceptible to fungal diseases and attacks by insect pests, in particular bird cherry moths. Therefore, regular preventive treatment of the plant is necessary, especially in the spring and before fruiting.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Colorata variety has a number of advantages that can distinguish it advantageously from other inhabitants of the garden plot. Here are some of the advantages:
- ease of care;
- spectacular appearance;
- pleasant aroma of flowers;
- high drought and frost resistance;
- edible, healthy and tasty fruits.
The culture also has some disadvantages that a gardener should be aware of. There are few of them:
- susceptible to attack by insect pests, which is why it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive measures;
- takes up a lot of space, which should be taken into account when planting and not planted in a small area.
Planting and caring for Colorata bird cherry
The time for planting bird cherry variety Colorata depends on the territorial zone. The tree is planted in the spring before buds begin to form and in the fall before the onset of frost. In the central and southern parts of Russia, it is better to do this in the spring - the plant has time to strengthen the roots before the active movement of juices begins. In the Northern regions, it is recommended to plant a tree in the fall.
It is advisable to choose a planting site with good sunlight.Bird cherry variety Colorata can grow in partial shade, but the lack of sunlight will lead to the fact that flowering will not be abundant, and the foliage will lose its purple hue and become greener.
Bird cherry is known for its ease of care and can grow in any soil. For the successful growth of bird cherry of the Colorata variety, it is better to plant it on loamy soil with a neutral reaction, without close groundwater.
The soil must be prepared in advance:
- for autumn planting - 2-3 weeks;
- in spring - autumn.
Sequence of preparation:
- Dig up the area.
- Make a planting hole large enough to freely accommodate the roots. Approximate size – 40x50 cm.
- Place part of the prepared fertile mixture of manure, sand and soil on the bottom of the hole.
- Leave to steep until planting.
Planting of seedlings is carried out according to the usual agrotechnical rules:
- Seedlings with an open root system are soaked in a stimulating solution for 3-4 days; the roots with an earthen lump do not need to be soaked, but after planting, water generously with water.
- Place in the hole, straightening the roots well.
- Cover with the rest of the fertile mixture so that the root collar is 1-2 cm above the ground.
- Compact the soil in the tree trunk circle, water and mulch.
To form the crown, it is recommended to trim it immediately after planting and remove the side branches, leaving the 4 most developed shoots. It is advisable to carry out this pruning procedure every year.
Further care for bird cherry variety Colorata consists of the usual procedures necessary for the life of the plant:
- watering;
- sanitary and thinning pruning;
- fertilization;
- loosening the soil and mulching.
Bird cherry does not require special shelter for the winter.Mulching the tree trunk with sawdust or peat will be enough to protect the roots from severe frosts.
Bird cherry Colorata in landscape design
Thanks to the color of the leaves, which changes from spring to autumn, and the beautiful abundant spring flowering, the Colorata bird cherry variety is widely used in landscape design, creating beautiful tree and shrub compositions with other plants. It decorates parks, squares, and lawns. Trees look impressive on the banks of reservoirs and against the background of coniferous plantings.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
To preserve the decorative appearance of Colorata variety plants, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive measures to prevent fungal diseases, such as:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- cytosporosis;
- Clusterosporiosis.
Spring spraying of trees with soap solution or ash, timely sanitary pruning will help prevent the occurrence of the disease.
The fragrant floral aroma of bird cherry attracts many different insects:
- bird cherry moth;
- gypsy moth;
- weevil;
- bedbugs
The most effective way to get rid of insect pests is to treat Colorata trees with special chemicals, tobacco or nightshade infusion. You can hang traps on a tree trunk.
Conclusion
Bird cherry Colorata can please those who plant it to decorate the garden plot, and those who want to try its delicious fruits. This tree does not require special care. You could even say that it grows on its own.The main wish when planting is to allocate enough space for the root system and lush openwork crown.
