Content
Virgin bird cherry is an ornamental crop recommended for growing in personal plots; it looks great both as a single plant and in group planting. In landscape design it is used for landscaping and decoration of alleys, squares, and park areas.
History of selection
The homeland of Virginia bird cherry is North America, the state of Virginia, where its name comes from. In the wild, the crop grows in the forest-steppe zone along the banks of rivers on soft, fertile soils. Loves sunny, spacious places.
In Russia, this decorative shrub variety is popular in the southern regions and central zone, and is less common in the Far East and Siberia.
Mention of Virginia bird cherry as a crop growing in the Crimea and Central Asia dates back to 1724.It was officially recognized as an ornamental shrub in 1937, when the first garden specimens were grown from 4 seeds of wild Virginia varieties in the State Botanical Garden (GBS). Already in 1950, a red-leaved variety of Schubert bird cherry with delicate pink flowers and dark, purple leaves was cultivated.
In the photo you can see what the Virginia bird cherry variety Schubert looks like during the period of active flowering.
Description of Virginia bird cherry
Virgin bird cherry (red, red-leaved, lat. Prunus virginiana) is an ornamental multi-stemmed bush or tree, up to 5 - 7 m high with a wide, spreading crown. Classified as a garden ornamental plant of the genus Plum.
The bark of young plants is dark brown, while that of adults is grayish, sometimes with dark purple streaks. The buds are cone-shaped, 3–5 mm long, yellowish to dark brown in color.
The leaves are dense, glossy, jagged along the edges. The outer side is a rich green color, the inner side is slightly lighter. By autumn the foliage turns burgundy.
Pure white flowers of 15–30 pieces are collected in tassels-inflorescences up to 15 cm long. The flowering period begins in May–June and lasts on average up to 2 weeks. Virginia bird cherry flowers are odorless.
The fruits are large, reach 1 cm in diameter, and have a slightly astringent, sour taste. The color ranges from dark red to burgundy-black, which is why Virginia bird cherry varieties are often called red. The berries ripen at the end of summer. Ripe fruits do not fall off the branches in winter, drying out slightly, but maintaining color and shape until next spring.
Breeders have developed several subspecies of the plant, differing in the type of crown, the shade of leaves and flowers, and the presence of fruits. The most common varieties of Virginia bird cherry:
- Schubert (Schubert);
- Canada ed (Canada red).
Description of Virginia bird cherry Schubert
The Virginia bird cherry variety Schubert (Prunus virginiana "Shubert") is characterized by a wide crown, purple leaf color and resistance to pests. Excellent for decorating alleys, edges, and bush groups.
The plant is unpretentious, shade-tolerant, and tolerates pruning, decorative pruning, and replanting well.
Description of the Schubert bird cherry variety:
- tree height – up to 10 m, on average 5 – 6 m;
- crown diameter – up to 5 m; shape – pyramidal;
- the bark is dark brown in color, dissected with small cracks;
- young leaves are green, by mid-summer they become red-burgundy, purple; the leaf plate is dense, glossy;
- flowers are pale pink, bloom in the first ten days of May;
- bird cherry fruits of the Schubert variety are spherical, first red, then dark burgundy, closer to black, shade, fleshy; ripen towards the end of summer;
- the variety grows well in the shade or in diffused light, but prefers free, sunny space;
- Bird cherry is unpretentious to the ground; The greatest decorative effect is achieved when planted in moist, nutritious soil.
In the photo you can see the fruits of the Schubert bird cherry, collected in a brush.
Bird cherry Canada red (Canada red)
Virgin bird cherry variety Canada red is one of the most sought-after and popular ornamental multi-stemmed shrubs. Its height does not exceed 5 m, which allows planting even in small summer cottages.
The young spring crown is green, but by the beginning of summer it acquires a purple hue.
The period of active flowering occurs at the end of spring. Snow-white small flowers, practically odorless, are collected in tassels. The fruits are glossy, dark burgundy in color.
In terms of its characteristics, appearance, and description, Canada red bird cherry is similar to the Schubert variety. Photos of trees and fruits are almost identical:
- Variety Schubert.
- Canada ed.
The peculiarity of the Canada red variety is its increased frost resistance, which allows it to be cultivated in northern latitudes, the Far East, and steppe regions with low winter temperatures.
The variety can grow in shaded areas with any type of soil, but sun and well-moistened, fertile soil are preferable.
Main characteristics
Red-leaved Virginia bird cherry, regardless of the variety, is a fast-growing, frost-resistant, unpretentious shrub with lush, beautiful flowering and tart, fleshy berries.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Varieties of red Virginia bird cherry have high rates of drought and frost resistance, largely due to the fact that they are not susceptible to infections and diseases. They maintain the integrity of the leaf and bark well.
Bird cherry is most vulnerable to drought during the period of active flowering. During fruiting, the heat resistance of the variety increases.
At air temperatures reaching +30 – 35 oC, and with insufficient moisture, the plant begins to gradually shed its leaves, and burns appear on them - whitish, brown or black spots.
The least favorable conditions for the variety are observed during the dry period from July to early August. During this period, gardeners are advised to pay increased attention to sufficient soil moisture.
Virgin varieties are characterized by increased frost resistance. Bird cherry safely tolerates frosts down to –35 oC.
Productivity and fruiting
With proper care and favorable weather conditions, experienced gardeners remove up to 6–8 kg of fruit from one developed bush of Virginia bird cherry. On average, the variety produces about 2–4 kg of berries per season.
Good fruiting rates are due to late flowering - at the end of spring, when the likelihood of return spring frosts is minimal. The late ripening of the variety's berries at the end of summer gives them, compared to bird cherry, a sweeter, softer taste with moderate astringency and sourness.
Virgin varieties are characterized by active growth - up to half a meter per year. A young plant begins to bear fruit annually in the 4th year, if it was formed from a root shoot. A bush formed from green cuttings bears fruit in the 3rd year. On a plant grown from seeds, berries will appear no earlier than 5 years after planting.
The fruits of Virginia bird cherry are dense, elastic, and tolerate transportation well.If the harvest is not removed from the tree on time, the berries will dry out slightly, but will not fall off and will remain on the branches until the next flowering.
Area of application of fruits
Red bird cherry is rich in vitamin C, due to which it is widely used in therapeutic and preventive nutrition, as well as in cooking.
The fruits are frozen, dried, ground, canned, and consumed fresh. Bird cherry is good for making fruit drinks, compotes, jelly, decoctions and tinctures, and as a filling for baked goods.
In home medicine, berries speed up metabolism, normalize digestion, reduce sugar levels, and help fight colds.
Resistance to diseases and pests
High resistance to diseases and pests has made Virginia bird cherry varieties one of the most popular not only among amateur gardeners, but also among landscape designers. Red bird cherry is planted everywhere in urban park areas, squares, and alleys.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Gardeners who have planted Virginia bird cherry on their plots note certain advantages and disadvantages of its cultivation.
In addition to the high drought and frost resistance of the variety, other advantages can be noted:
- ease of care;
- undemanding to soil composition;
- beautiful dense crown, lush flowering;
- ease of reproduction;
- pest resistance;
- fast growth.
In addition, the variety easily tolerates pruning and allows you to form any type of crown.
The variety also has disadvantages:
- due to its rapid growth, the plant requires frequent pruning and uprooting of root shoots;
- carrion produces lush shoots in the spring, which also requires some thinning.
There are undoubtedly more advantages. Virgin bird cherry is an excellent choice for landscaping and beautifying the local area.
Planting and caring for Virginia bird cherry
Virginia bird cherry seedlings are planted in sunny areas in spring or autumn at a distance of 5 m from each other.
The varieties are undemanding to the composition of the soil. Ideal conditions for growth are created on loamy soils with a neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline environment. It is desirable for groundwater to lie no deeper than 1.5 m from the surface.
Landing algorithm:
- In the area chosen for planting, dig a hole 40–50 cm deep.
- Add drainage to the bottom: a layer of sand and peat.
- Pour in 300 g of superphosphate, cover with a layer of dug up soil so as not to burn the roots of the plant.
- Moisten the soil.
- Place the seedling in the hole and carefully straighten the roots.
- Cover tightly with soil and moisten.
- Mulch the tree trunk circle. Straw or sawdust is ideal for this.
At the final stage, the tops of the seedlings can be trimmed at a height of about 50–70 cm to form the skeletal frame of the future tree. But this procedure is not mandatory; it is carried out at the request of the gardener.
Aftercare
Regular care of Virginia bird cherry includes one-time watering in extreme heat, crown formation, removal of young shoots, and fertilizing.
An adult, strong tree does not need frequent watering. The developed root system ensures uninterrupted nutrition even in dry times. Generous soil moisture may be required when fruits ripen at high average daily temperatures and complete absence of precipitation.
Caring for the root hole of young bird cherry consists of regular removal weed, mulching, loosening.
A grown tree is less demanding. The gardener's only task is to dig up young shoots sprouting from the roots of the mother tree or from fallen seeds.
For abundant flowering, fertilize the bird cherry tree: in the fall - manure or wood ash, in the spring - liquid mineral supplements.
Virginia bird cherry does not require special preparation for the winter period. The high frost resistance of the variety allows the tree not to be covered.
Pruning virgin bird cherry
The first pruning of a Virginia bird cherry seedling is carried out immediately after planting, if the tree has reached a height of 60 - 80 cm. It is shortened to about half a meter in order to establish strong lower branches. Further pruning is carried out annually; it can be decorative (to form the crown) or sanitary.
Formative pruning is carried out in early spring once a year, before sap flow begins. To create a decorative look, the tree trunk is shortened by 50 cm, forming skeletal branches. The shoots that grow inward and also thicken the crown are removed.
Sanitary pruning is carried out not only in the spring, but throughout the year: damaged, rotten, pest-infested shoots are cut off, and the cut is treated with garden varnish or regular whitewash.
Methods of propagation of Virginia bird cherry
Gardeners do not have any difficulties with the propagation of Virginia bird cherry. A young tree can be obtained from a seed, root shoots, or green cuttings.
Propagation by seeds is an ineffective method that requires a lot of time. Such bird cherry will bloom no earlier than 5 - 7 years after planting. In addition, some varietal characteristics of the mother tree may be lost.
A more reliable and popular method of propagation is by green cuttings. For seedlings, cut strong young shoots that have finished growing, remove the leaves, leaving only the top 2. After soaking the cuttings (any growth stimulant is used for this), they are transferred to nutrient soil and watered well. In autumn, the shoots are planted in a permanent place.
Bird cherry grafting gives good results. The variety begins to bear fruit already in the 3rd year, retaining all the specific features and characteristics.
Diseases and pests
Most often, the variety is susceptible to infection by bird cherry moth, marsupial fungus, and suffers from Fusarium drying out. Less commonly, aphids, weevils, and silkworms may invade. Treating the plant with insecticides in early spring - before flowering and in early summer - after, as well as timely pruning, helps to avoid extensive damage to the bark and leaves.
Advanced cases require immediate measures: damaged shoots are completely removed, the tree is treated with chemicals.
Traditional methods also help to repel insects: spraying with a soap solution or tobacco infusion. But they relate more to preventive measures.
Conclusion
Virginia red bird cherry is an unpretentious plant that decorates green spaces from mid-spring to late winter. Resistance to frost, drought and pests makes the variety beloved and desirable in garden plots, city parks and public gardens.
