Content
Krasivokrudnik is a shrub with very beautiful purple berries. It is not very winter hardy, however, it can be grown in central Russia. Basic planting rules and care recommendations are described in this article.
Description and photo of the beautiful fruit
The beautiful fruit belongs to perennial plants from the Lamiaceae family. This is a fairly tall shrub that can reach a height of 1.5 to 3.5 m (depending on the specific variety, climatic conditions and care conditions). The name is associated with very beautiful fruits of a bright purple hue. Since the plant is called callicarpa in Latin, you can sometimes find the corresponding Russian name callicarpa.
The leaves of the beautiful carp are arranged oppositely. They reach from 5 to 12 cm in length and have pointed tips.They have an elongated, elliptical shape, the color is light green in spring, and by the second half of summer they become more saturated in color. In autumn they turn yellow and take on a crimson color, making the beautiful fruit plant look especially beautiful.
The root system of the beautiful fruit plant is well developed. Its underground layers are thick and powerful. They branch little, but are able to penetrate to depth and absorb water along with nutrients. Therefore, the beautiful fruit plant is drought-resistant, which makes it easier to care for.
The bush blooms early, beginning in mid-spring and ending in the second half of July. The color of the flowers is white, light pink, and purple. They emit aroma and attract beneficial insects.
The plant's berries appear in September
In September, the fruits of the plant are formed in a rich purple color. These are round, juicy berries that are eaten by birds and wild animals. They are edible, but have a strong astringent effect. The berries are both sweet and bitter. It is not recommended to consume it raw in large quantities. However, in some countries, for example in the USA, jam is made from such berries.
Varieties
The genus of beautiful fruit includes about 170 species. Moreover, only some of them are cultivated. Several varieties are suitable for cultivation in Russia - the most popular are described below.
Bodinier's beautiful fruit or Bodinier's beautiful fruit
The Bodiniera variety (Callicarpa bodinieri) is very often grown in gardens as a cultivated plant. Comes from China. It has fairly high winter hardiness. Without shelter it can withstand up to -25 degrees.The flowering is lush, so the plant remains decorative throughout the season.
Bodiniere's beautiful fruit produces lilac-colored berries
American beautyberry
The photo of this ornamental shrub, Callicarpa americana, shows that its berries have a lighter purple hue than other varieties. The shrub grows in the southeastern United States and bears delicious fruits from which jam is made. It is distinguished by very long branches that usually droop. Rarely grown in Russia due to low winter hardiness.
American variety produces beautiful leaves and berries
Japanese beautyberry
Japanese (Callicarpa japonica) is one of the most popular varieties, represented by shrubs of small height up to 1.5 m. It is especially beautiful in the fall during the formation of berries, as well as in October, when the leaves turn golden with a purple tint.
The plant decorates the garden with bright fruits that look beautiful against the background of light greenery.
Whitening beautiful fruit
The whitening variety (Callicarpa Candicant) produces fairly tall bushes up to 2.5-3 m. It has good winter hardiness and tolerates drought and other adverse weather conditions. Produces interesting blue flowers and purple berries in late summer.
The name of the plant is associated with the atypical color of the leaves
Two-forked krasnocarp
Double-forked redberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a species native to Japan. Reaches a height of 1-1.5 m. It blooms in mid-spring, and the buds open within 2-3 months. Various colors:
- pale pink;
- lavender;
- white.
At the end of summer, the plant begins to form fruits that have a bright purple color.They mainly appear in September and remain until the first frost, serving as food for birds. It is important to note that this variety reproduces by cross-pollination. Therefore, planting at least two bushes next door is required.
The two-forked variety produces beautiful purple fruits.
Planting beautiful fruit in open ground
Krasivoplodnik is a shrub that can be grown in the Moscow region and neighboring regions. Moreover, it is worth planning planting only in the spring - the second half of April or the beginning of May, when there will be no return frosts. When choosing a location, you should proceed from the following requirements:
- good lighting (preferably without the slightest shadow, so that fruiting occurs abundantly);
- absence of stagnant water (lowlands are not suitable);
- loose and fertile soil if possible;
- lack of strong winds, especially from the north.
The beautiful fruit plant is generally unpretentious, but for abundant fruiting it is better to prepare the soil in advance. It is dug up and organic or mineral fertilizer is applied. If the soil is dense, you should cover it with sawdust or vermiculite or sand.
The beautiful fruit is usually planted in groups. The instructions are quite simple:
- Dig several holes at intervals of 1-2 m. The depth should be such that the roots are located freely.
- Place a layer of small stones 10-15 cm on the bottom.
- Fill in fertile soil.
- Place a seedling of the beautiful fruit plant in the center and straighten the roots.
- Sprinkle with soil so that the root collar goes just below the surface.
- Water with settled water and after a few days mulch with sawdust, straw or other material.
Caring for beautiful fruit in open ground
The plant is resistant to drought, not too severe winter frosts and most diseases and pests.The beautiful fruit does not need special care, although for abundant fruiting it should be watered regularly and fed occasionally. The basic rules of agricultural technology are described below.
Watering
Water the plant once a week, especially if the seedling is young. Adult shrubs can be given water 2 times a month, but if there is a drought, it is better weekly. The liquid should be warm and settled.
Feeding
If the soil is fertile, it is not necessary to fertilize the plant. But during the flowering period, it is advisable to give complex fertilizer or organic matter, for example, liquid potassium humate.
Feed the beautiful fruit plant enough times per season.
Trimming
Pruning is not necessary. But in order for the crown of the beautiful fruit to be correctly formed, in the first years it is advisable to outline the general outline and regularly trim it. As a rule, work is planned for early spring. Remove diseased, dry branches, as well as shoots that grow inward and thicken the crown.
Transfer
It is not necessary to replant the plant, but if such a need arises, it is better to start work in October, when the leaves begin to fall. Shrubs are dug up, watered well in advance to preserve the earthen lump. Some plant roots will have to be cut off and sprinkled with wood ash. Then they are transplanted to a new place and covered for the winter.
Wintering
Young plants of the beautiful fruit are not characterized by high winter hardiness.Therefore, with the onset of the first frost, they must be mulched and covered, for example, with burlap or dense agrofibre. Mature shrubs no longer need to be covered - just sprinkle the tree trunk circle with dry leaves, peat or straw.
Diseases and pests
The plant rarely suffers from diseases or pests. However, sometimes the bush can be affected by fungal infections. This is usually due to overwatering, rainy and warm summers. For prevention, it is necessary to give water in moderation. If signs of disease appear (powdery plaque or spots on the leaves), carry out a total treatment of the beautiful fruit with fungicides:
- "Tattu";
- "Ordan";
- "Maksim";
- "Profit".
The plant is also quite resistant to insects. But if an invasion of aphids, spider mites and other pests occurs, it is worth doing 1-2 sprayings with insecticides:
- "Karbofos";
- "Fitoverm";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Karate".
The beautiful fruit is resistant to infections and pests
Reproduction methods
The plant is propagated in two main ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
In the first case, ripe fruits are collected, the pulp is removed, the grains are washed and dried. Store in a dry, cool place. In March, seedlings are sown, for example, in a 2:1 mixture of turf soil and sand. Water, cover with film, and ventilate regularly. It takes a very long time for beautiful fruit seedlings to appear – this often takes up to three months. The first year they are grown at home, and in May of the next season they are transferred to open ground.
There is another method of propagation - cuttings. It is suitable for adult beautiful fruit plants. At the beginning of summer, young shoots 10-12 cm long are cut and then proceed as follows:
- Make an oblique cut and remove the leaves.
- Place overnight in a solution of “Heteroauxin” or another growth stimulator.
- Planted in fertile soil and covered with a jar.
- Water and ventilate regularly.
- In the fall, they are transplanted to a permanent place and covered for the winter.
Conclusion
Krasivokrudnik is an unpretentious shrub with interesting leaves and berries. Decorative throughout the season, especially in September. Needs shelter for the winter, as well as rare watering and fertilizing.
Reviews on growing beautiful fruit
