Viburnum ciconia (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a genus of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family. These are deciduous fast-growing unpretentious shrubs of North American origin. They are popularly known under the name "meadowsweet" or "guelder-rose spirea".
The most prominent representative of this genus is Diablo or Purple. The height of an adult bush can reach 4 m and the same width. The bark on such an instance is peeling off interestingly. Its branches are slightly drooping. Planted in a sunny place, it attracts attention with the color of the leaves, fully justifying its second name. The color of the foliage changes to bronze by autumn. Its leaves are medium-sized (up to 6 cm in length), three-lobed, slightly corrugated, with denticles along the edges.
Within 3 weeks, beginning in mid-June, Diablo's bubbly blooms. The photo shows his small flowers, collected in corymbose inflorescences with a diameter of about 5 cm. The buds are pink in color, and the opened flowers are white with red long fluffy stamens. The fruits are bloated, prefabricated, at first they have a reddish color, and later turn brown.
Bubble-leaf Diabloodor (sometimes the name of this variety is spelled out in the literature) is an unpretentious plant. It grows well on any soil with a neutral reaction; it prefers sunny places. In partial shade, the foliage loses
original coloring, turning green. These bushes do not tolerate waterlogging at all, therefore it is impossible to plant them in places of accumulation of melt water. In hot summers, they need watering and feeding is desirable.
This plant is frost-resistant, but in very cold winters the ends of shoots can freeze. Trimming does not spoil it at all, moreover, it is quickly restored and becomes more branched. The bubble Diablo perfectly tolerates the wind and gas contamination of modern megacities. It is practically not affected by diseases, pests do not show much interest in it.
In one place, the diabetic vesicle can live up to 40 years. It propagates by dividing the bush, rooting cuttings and seeds. In the latter case, one should not forget that not all maternal qualities will be transferred to young plants. Some part will be with purple foliage, and the rest with green. It is advisable to plant seeds before winter; during spring sowing, monthly stratification in the refrigerator will be required.
The simplest and most painless (for the bush) method of propagation is with green cuttings cut in the second half of summer. For a greater percentage of survival, it is desirable to treat them with
a root stimulant, and when planting, cover them with a jar. Young plants in the first winter should be insulated with a layer of foliage or peat. In the spring they need to be planted in a permanent place.
Diablo bubble looks good on the background of the lawn both in a single copy and in a group planting. It is great for free growing hedges, as well as for regularly pruned, which support a certain shape. The plant is decorative at any time of the year, but most during fruiting.
The bubble of Diablo combines unpretentiousness and high decorative qualities, which is why it is so in demand among gardeners.