Lavrovishnya is a medicinal evergreen. Some novice gardeners are sure that this is a hybrid of laurel with cherry. However, this shrub has nothing to do with these plants. And he got his name due to the similarity of his leaves with laurel, and fruits - with cherries. The plant is used as a decorative and fruit crop. Useful berries are used in medicine, winemaking, cooking.
Shrub description
Lavrovishnya is a perennial plant reaching a height of up to 10 m. It belongs to the genus Plum. According to some sources, the birthplace of the bush is America, according to others - the Western Caucasus. Very often, the plant can be found in Asian and European countries, where a temperate climate prevails.
The shrub has a long and branched root system. A characteristic feature of the laurel are dark green glossy leaves.
A very interesting feature is that the leaves on the branches make up the so-called variation series. That is, one part of the leaves is arranged in descending order, and the other part in ascending order. This property is characteristic of some plants and is extremely rare.
The bush begins to bloom in April-May. Flowers are shaped like white candles 20 cm high. What smells like laurel cherry? Gardeners have determined that the shape of the flowers and their aroma are similar to the smell of bird cherry. After flowering, small fruits appear on the shrub. They have a sweet and sour, tart, pleasant taste. The yield of laurel cherry is 120 kg per plant.
However, it should be remembered that the bones, bark and leaves of the shrub are poisonous. They contain poison - amygdalin.
If you pickle the berries of cherry plum in a brine, then in some dishes they can replace olives and olives.
Popular varieties of laurel cherries
In the world there are more than 400 species of shrubs. However, only some of them are grown in central Russia.
| Grade name | Description |
| Medicinal | The most popular species belongs to the genus Plum and is actively used in folk and modern medicine. Outwardly it looks like a small shrub. It reaches a height of no more than 3 m. It has high frost resistance, shade tolerance and productivity. The plant prefers exclusively calcareous, humus-carbonate soils. It has decorative properties, so it is used in landscape design. Easily transfers molding. Fruits have a unique mineral and vitamin composition, so they are often used for medical purposes. |
| Portuguese | This is a large shrub with beautiful, egg-shaped leaves with red veins. This plant begins to bloom in late July. Growing slowly. The fruits are small, dark red in color. |
| Lusitansky | Shrub of medium size, reaches a height of 5 m. For normal growth requires a well-moistened soil. However, if there is an excess of moisture in the soil, then it can die. This species does not tolerate frosts, so it can winter only if there is shelter. This view tolerates pruning. |
| Mount vernon | This is a compact shrub that can easily fit even in a small area. This kind of height reaches no more than 0.5 m, and a width of 1-1.5 m. The leaves have unique decorative properties. Each of them has a serrated edge, and the length does not exceed 8 cm. Laurel cherry prefers fertile soil and a large amount of light. For the winter, this variety should be covered. |
| Rotunfolia | This is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of up to 4 m. The leaves are ovoid in shape, up to 15 cm long. This variety blooms in early May. The flowers are white. The photophilous plant prefers to grow in well-lit areas. |
After studying the most popular species, it becomes clear why laurel medicinal is so popular in Russia. Its unique features can be used not only in landscape design, but also for the healing of the whole organism.
Seed propagation
Growing medicinal laurel cherries is carried out in several ways. One of the most popular is seed propagation. It should be noted that seeds must be planted immediately after collection. When storing such planting material, its germination is reduced by 10 times. To extend seed viability, they are placed in a humid environment.
Stages of germination of planting material:
- The soil is poured into a growing container and the seeds are sown to a depth of 1 cm.
- The container is covered with cling film and refrigerated for 2-3 months.
- Then they take it out and begin to germinate at room temperature.
- The first sprouts are allowed to grow and in the spring they are planted in a permanent place.
It should be noted that the less developed the root system, the better the plant takes root.
Cuttings
The most difficult way to reproduce laurel medicinal is considered to be cuttings. Stages of the laborious method:
- In the second half of June, woody parts of the plant are cut. Then they are divided into parts, not more than 10-12 cm in length.
- It is necessary to prepare the soil in advance and pour it into the container. The optimal ratio for this plant is 1 part humus or peat to 1 part river sand. At the bottom of the containers make a drainage layer of fine gravel or expanded clay.
- Prepared cuttings are planted in containers and placed in a greenhouse. Now the plant needs to provide comfortable conditions. Regular watering strictly on time. And on too hot days, moisten every 2-3 hours.
- After the appearance of the root system, the cuttings are transplanted into large containers. Plants will grow in them for about 1 year. They can be transplanted to a permanent place next fall.
Experts note that the stalk retains all the properties of the parent shrub. And after a year you can get a full plant.
Layering
To multiply laurel cherries in an arc-like manner, it is necessary to pin one branch of a plant to the ground and sprinkle with a small amount of soil. The soil near the lay is well moistened. After the root system has been formed, the plant is cut off and transplanted to another place.
Vertical reproduction requires compliance with the following sequence of actions:
- In late autumn or early spring, the shrub is completely cut, leaving only small parts of the trunks up to 3 cm.
- In the spring, young shoots grow on this place. They should be thinned, leaving only the healthiest and strongest.
- When the shoots reach 20 cm, they are covered with earth and only the tops are left. Water regularly.
- In the autumn period, shoots can be transplanted to a new place.
This method helps to rejuvenate the plant and in a short time to get several large seedlings.
Shrub planting
Having examined the photo and description of laurel cherry, you need to determine where to start growing it. In some gardeners, this plant first grows in special containers in a greenhouse or at home. Then they are transplanted into the open ground.
You should remember a few rules for growing plants:
- Lavrovishnya prefers to grow in well-lit areas or places with diffused light. It does not tolerate direct sunlight.
- It grows well and develops at a temperature of +20 ... + 25 degrees.
- Shrub prefers loose, fertile, not very acidic soil.
- During active growth, the plant needs regular watering. However, it should be remembered that stagnation of water near the root will lead to the death of the bush.
- The lavrovishnya is recommended to be fed once a month during the period from April to September.
Planted in open ground in early spring or late fall. For this, a hole is prepared in advance (0.8 by 0.8 m in size), then fertilizers are applied. When planting laurel cherries, the root neck is not completely buried in the ground.
Plant care
Medicinal bay. Does not require special care. It is enough to provide her with regular cropping. At least 1 time per year.
As fertilizer use special products designed for flowering shrubs.
The plant needs moderate watering. So, in the summer it is enough to water once a week. However, on particularly dry days, additional hydration is carried out.
Useful properties of culture
In addition to the use of laurel cherries in landscape design, it is actively used:
- as a pillow to improve sleep and get rid of insomnia, however, you can sleep on such a pillow for no more than 3 hours;
- in industry, to give dairy products an almond flavor;
- as a natural anti-inflammatory agent;
- in medicine, to obtain a sedative, by distillation of fresh leaves;
- as a cosmetic for strengthening hair follicles and getting rid of baldness.
Many experts do not recommend people to abuse the use of toxic parts of the plant for medicinal purposes. Since their improper use can lead to severe poisoning.
Conclusion
Lavrovishnya is a wonderful plant that will become an adornment of any site, as well as an excellent raw material for the preparation of tinctures, extracts, medicines.