Stefanandra notched leaf - deciduous shrub, characterized by medium height (up to 2.5 m), pillow-shaped and openwork crown. The leaves are pointed, have a pale green color, are deeply dissected, wavy along the edge. White flowers are small and fragrant, bloom in mid-summer (June-July).
Shiny shoots of the bush are twisty, have an arcuate shape and lie on the ground, very easily rooted with sufficient moisture.
Stefanandra: Description
The attractiveness of small inflorescences and decorative foliage with its special shape and arrangement of leaves create a unique elegant image for the crown of slowly growing stephanander, giving it some airiness and throughput. In the summer, the soft green foliage, heart-shaped at the base, contrasts brightly with reddish shiny shoots, however, the peak of the attractiveness of the shrub occurs in autumn, when the leaves are painted in lemon, pink and red shades.
Stefanandra: Features
Stefanandra incisorifolia (photo below) has medium frost resistance and can freeze in severe winters, however, the plant is very quickly and easily restored.
Therefore, in winter, it is recommended to cover the base of the plant with peat or a dry leaf, from which the root neck of the bush should be freed in the spring.
Stefanandra incised is intended for single plantings, planting in decorative groups and on retaining walls, grows well in the sun, but half-shaded places protected from piercing winds are optimal for it. The openwork shrub carpet, formed by the green crown of the plant, under the trees with light leaves, harmoniously looks.
Stefanandra - a harmonious component of the natural composition
There are 4 species of plants that are common in Japan and Korea in the wild; in central Russia, stefanander the incised leaf Crispa is grown. It can be observed in the parks of Belarus, the Baltic states and Ukraine.
In America and Western Europe, stefanander is positioned as an ornamental shrub. It is characterized by short stature (up to 0.8 m), a sprawling crown, whose diameter is about 1.5 meters, and deeply dissected small leaves, characterized by a slightly wrinkled surface. Small greenish-white flowers are collected in panicle inflorescences, have a light pleasant aroma, bloom in May-June and bloom for one month. Such a dwarf shrub with elegant ornamental leaves is used as a groundcover decorative plant and looks harmoniously on the external background of the compositions.
Stefanandra notched leaf: planting and care
The best time for planting stefanander is spring. The gap between plants should be between 1.5 and 2 meters. Shrub prefers nutritious, fresh soil; grows very well in sandy, drained soil. The optimal composition of the soil mixture: sheet soil, sand and peat compost in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. If there are heavy clay soils on the site, it is imperative to prepare the drainage with a layer of at least 15 cm. One year after planting in the early spring (before foliage) 15 grams of ammonium nitrate, 10 grams of urea, 1 kg of half-decomposed mullein should be added to 10 liters of water. An adult plant aged 10-20 years will need 10-12 liters of such a solution.
Like any plant, stefanandra incised leaf crisp needs watering. In the summer, watering is required every other day, spending 2 buckets for each plant. Be sure to weed weeds while loosening the surface layer to a depth of 10 centimeters.
In the area of the trunk circle, mulching should be carried out with a layer of 5-7 cm, using peat or wood chips as mulch. It determines the preservation of moisture in the soil and protects the shrub from weeds.
To give the crown a decorative look, improve its formation and growth in the spring, timely cutting of the bush is required , saving it from dried, sick and old branches.
Stefanandra notched leaf is characterized by high resistance to diseases and various pests. As a prophylaxis in April, it is recommended to feed stefanander with complex mineral fertilizers.
Stefanandra: breeding
Stefanander is propagated by the vegetative method and seeds that can be planted immediately after harvest without their preliminary stratification (creating the necessary conditions for early germination, similar to natural ones). Very easily, the bush propagates by summer cuttings, layering and dividing the bush, which is produced in early spring or early autumn. When propagating by cuttings, it is recommended to use young green shoots, because their survival rate is 90-100%. Stefanander’s natural ability to self-root makes plant transplantation easier: just dig a rooted sprout and transplant it to a permanent place of growth.
Stefanandra as an ornamental plant
Stefanandra the incised leaf Crispa, the reviews of gardeners about which are positive and cause a desire to acquire such an unusual decorative plant, is used to create complex decorative compositions and group lawn plantings.
Even in its proud and so contrasting solitude, the bush attracts the interested glances of passers-by. The plant looks spectacular against the background of evergreen shrubs and conifers.