A typical representative of the Rosaceae family is a beautifully flowering shrub called Goldflame Spirea. Gardeners fell in love with this unpretentious plant for its luxurious appearance and long flowering. Originally from Japan and China, today it is grown in many regions of Russia and is able to decorate any landscape.
Description
This type of spirea is a low shrub (60 to 80 cm) with a diameter of one meter, which has an unusual color of leaves. They have the ability to change their color throughout the season. Initially, they have a bronze-golden or orange color, then they turn yellow, and by the time of flowering they acquire a greenish tint. These leaves remain until September. When the flowering period ends, they again turn bright orange. The length of the oblong, elliptical shape of the leaves is 5–8 cm.
From June to the end of August, the bush is covered with small pink flowers collected in shields. Spirea Goldflame is a champion in the flowering time among all representatives of this species. Exhausting aromas of flower caps give the plant a very spectacular look. It grows slowly - in a year it grows in size by no more than 10 cm.
Landing place
Spirea Goldflame, the description of which is given above, loves the light, therefore it is preferable to plant it in sunny areas. In the shade, the leaves of the shrub turn green. The plant itself is unpretentious. But if he creates good conditions for growth and development, then he will be able to maximize show his decorative properties. Therefore, it is best to plant spirea in places of fertile, moderately moist, with a good drainage layer. A brighter, almost purple color of leaves occurs in bushes growing on acidic soils. When choosing a site where the spirea will be located, it should be noted that basal shoots will appear nearby. Therefore, the area occupied by the plant will be greater.
Landing
Even a novice gardener can grow a plant such as Goldflame spirea. Planting and caring for this plant is not difficult. When purchasing seedlings, you need to carefully look at the roots - they should not be overdried. If the shoots are flexible, with well-developed buds, therefore, the plant is healthy.
A landing hole is dug up in advance - in about 3-4 days. Its size should be one third more than the volume of the roots of the plant. Broken brick is suitable for the drainage layer, which is poured with a layer of at least 20 cm. The soil mixture is prepared from turf soil, humus, peat and sand (in a ratio of 3: 2: 1: 1, respectively). Gently spreading the roots, the seedling is placed in the planting hole and sprinkled on the root neck with the prepared earthen mixture. After this, the plant needs to be properly watered, mulched and made small recesses in the soil near the trunk to retain water. Landing is recommended in rainy or cloudy weather.
How to care for spirea
Japanese spirea (photo can be found in this article) does not require too much gardener attention. Like most garden crops, it is important for her to ensure timely watering and top dressing. In the dry period, it is recommended to pour a bucket of water on each bush 2 times a month. The younger the plant, the more water it needs. The soil near the trunk must be maintained in a loose state, in time removing the emerging weeds. It is very useful to mulch. Peat, compost or shredded bark of trees can be used for this.
As a fertilizer for spirea, Kemira Universal is very effective. It is used at the rate of 100 g per 1 m² for plants planted in spring. Then twice during the summer spend liquid top dressing. The first time - after pruning, using complex mineral fertilizers, the second time - in July, infusion of mullein (from 1 to 3 liters per bush). You can add superphosphate to it (10 g per bucket).
Pruning
This culture is growing very fast. To slightly reduce its size, as well as increase tillering, spiraea is trimmed. This removes old, weak or broken shoots and those that were frostbitten during the winter. Shorten them quite a bit - to large kidneys. A bolder pruning is done to rejuvenate the bush. Almost all shoots are removed, leaving only a stump. Such pruning of spirea serves as a powerful impetus for the active development of young shoots. Forming a bush, it is also removed in such a way that only 5-6 of the strongest and strong shoots remain. The stronger the plant is pruned, the more magnificent and beautiful the bush grows.
Breeding
In many different ways (seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush) Goldfire spirea can multiply. The description of each of them is worth considering in detail.
Seeds are sown in early spring in containers filled with soil mixture. When the seedlings get a little stronger (around June or July), they can be planted in open ground. In order for the roots to develop better, pinch the main one. When propagated by seeds, varietal characters are not preserved.
To plant Japanese spirea using cuttings, they are harvested in July, cutting from annual shoots in such a way that each has 5-6 leaves. Then for 12 hours they are placed in the Epina solution, treated with Kornevin and only after that they are placed in the substrate for rooting. The container with planting material needs to be covered with a film. Three times a day it is opened and sprayed with cuttings of water. In the autumn they are planted on a bed, because by this time roots are already forming. Having fallen asleep with dry leaves, cover with a box from above. In spring, cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.
Reproduction by dividing the bush is performed in the fall, before the spiraea Goldflame begins to take off the leaves. A plant that has reached the age of three is completely dug up, the roots are thoroughly washed, and using a secateurs they are divided into 3 or 4 parts. At the same time, each root piece should have a good root lobe and at least 2-3 strong shoots. The bush is placed in a prepared planting hole, spreading the roots, and sprinkled with an earthen mixture. After planting, plants need good watering.
Preparing for the winter
Adult plants are quite hardy and do not require shelter for the winter. Small frost damages with spirea are not terrible, because it is very quickly restored due to the formation of new shoots. But the young bush has to be protected from the cold, especially in the first year of life.
Before the onset of the first frosts, the soil around the plant must be well loosened by pouring a mound of garden soil 20 cm high into the center. To mulch the trunk circle, decomposed compost or peat can be used. Then the branches of the plant are connected and, laying a burlap under them or scattering dry foliage, they are bent to the ground. You can fix them in this position using metal brackets. After that, the bush is covered with a heater. Snow can also perform this function if it falls in sufficient quantities.
Diseases and Pests
Japanese spirea is practically not susceptible to diseases. The photos posted in this article show how a healthy plant usually looks. But insect pests sometimes attack him. The most dangerous is the spider mite, as a result of which the leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall. If the first signs are found (the appearance of a web and small holes on the leaves and inflorescences), emergency measures must be taken. For the control of spider mites effective proven agents are Fosfamide or Karbofos.
Often a plant overcomes aphids, causing major harm to young inflorescences. You can destroy it using Pirimore. This tool helps to simultaneously cope with many other pests, such as a miner, a rosette, etc.
Spiraea in landscape design
To design a garden plot, this plant is simply indispensable due to its amazing ability to maintain a decorative look throughout the season - from early spring to late autumn. Spirea Goldflame in landscape design can be used as the main element and as an addition to the composition. She looks great in a small garden, and in a chic suburban estate.
In group plantings, this plant is planted along with lilac, mock orange, primrose, lilies of the valley, border summers, etc. It looks quite impressive next to lavender, cinquefoil and barberries. It also stands out very beautifully against the background of a green carpet from the ground cover perennials of the goldfish spirea.
Hedgerow, alpine hills, complex flower beds - this plant is used everywhere. A big advantage is the low cost of planting material and the ability to give the bush the desired shape.
Japanese Spirea does not require much attention and special care, and a lush, sprawling bush will delight everyone with its elegant appearance throughout the whole summer.