Snowflowers are called an attractive ornamental plant by Russian gardeners. The Germans, French, British nicknamed him a snowy tree. But at home this plant is called fringed. But in fact, the shrub tree is called Chionanthus (Hionanthus).
Eastern regions of North America are considered the birthplace of this plant. In the wild, it can be found in the subtropics, tropics, some species grow in latitudes with a temperate climate of East Asia. The shrub can be either deciduous or evergreen. Everything directly depends on the region of its growth.
In Russia, the plant appeared at the end of the XIX century. He was brought from Europe. Today, the Virginia snowflake is an excellent decoration for southern botanical gardens and parks.
Description of Chionanthus
Snowflake belongs to the family of Olives. Today, about 147 species of this plant are known. Evergreens of botany combined into a separate species - Linociera. But deciduous representatives are divided into 2 subspecies:
Bushy plants reach 2.5-3 m in length.
The large decorative leaflets of a simple form, with the opposite arrangement, give this unique decorative look to this plant . Their length is from 8 to 20 cm. The shape is oblong, regular. In the autumn, the leaves acquire an attractive bright yellow hue.
Plants are dioecious, that is, there are female and male representatives. Therefore, gardeners who want to receive fruits must necessarily plant several plants at the same time. Single-seeded drupe fruits are formed on female trees.
In the southern regions, Chionanthus virginicus blooms in the second half of May, and in the middle lane - in mid-June. Inflorescences are in the form of cirrus panicles, pinkish, white or pale in color. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks.
An attractive appearance is given to the plant by flowers that exude a light pleasant aroma. White narrow petals reach 3 cm in length. They resemble ribbons that twist a little. And with a little wind, the petals sway, becoming like silky hair. Flowers form openwork inflorescences that reach 25 cm in length.
Variety of chionanthus
As mentioned above, the genus of chionanthus is divided into two main species that can grow in moderate climatic conditions. These species are great for growing in Russia:
- Chionanthus virginicus (Virginia).
- Snowflake blunt.
Hionanthus blunt mainly grows in China. This is a small tree or shrub that reaches 6 m in height. When cultivated, this plant does not exceed 2.5 m. White flowers are located in inflorescences 9-10 cm long. In structure they resemble a brush. Flowers are characterized by a pronounced pleasant aroma.
This plant feels great in places protected from the wind.
Growing snowflakes in the middle lane, for the winter it is necessary to cover the plant.
Blunt chionanthus is grown only in the southern parts of Russia. In terms of its decorative characteristics, it is inferior to the Wingir snowflake. Often grows up to 2 m in height.
Gardeners love this shrub for its pleasant aroma.
In the first years of growth, this plant often freezes the tops of twigs. For this reason, the plant may not bloom the following year. This is due to the low winter hardiness of the plant, so it must be covered for the winter. Over time, a blunted snowflake acclimates and its resistance to frost increases significantly.
Snowflake Virgin
Where does the flower grow? In the wild, Virginia snowflake grows in North America. His home can be called riverbanks in the states of Texas, Florida, Virginia. As already mentioned, this tree is often called fringed here.
This is a tall shrub that consists of a large number of trunks. Also, a Virginia snowflake may look like a small tree. In the wild, it reaches 7-10 m. When grown in gardens, the plant reaches 3 m in height.
This plant attracts everyone with its pleasant, weak aroma and elegant ribbon-shaped flowers. All of them are collected in attractive inflorescences, the length of which can be from 20 to 30 cm. The period of plentiful flowering falls at the end of spring - the beginning of summer.
Russian gardeners prefer this particular type of snowflake. It is characterized by good frost resistance, tolerates calm winter frosts to -34 0 C.
This shrub was especially widespread in the southern parts of the country, but many gardeners claim that it also grows well in the middle lane. With proper care, the annual growth of shoots is 15 cm.
Hionanthus virginsky or snow flakes on the territory of our state does not grow more than 3 m in length. Its crown reaches 1.5 m in volume. The leaves of this plant are decorative, large, dense, have a dark green color.
Shrub blooms once a year with oblong tubular inflorescences of a white or yellowish hue. Due to the interesting shape of the petals and abundant flowering, hionanthus got its second name. The photo of the Virginia snowflake during flowering is striking in its beauty. It seems that the tree is covered in snow in the middle of summer.
Often in one inflorescence there are about 4 flowers. Each of them has a pleasant but weak aroma. Flowering is almost always plentiful. In the southern regions, it begins a little earlier - at the end of May.
The fruits of the Virginia snowflake ripen in autumn (early October). Visually, they resemble olives. Fruits are formed on female plants, have a blue or dark blue hue.
Features of reproduction and cultivation
On the territory of Russia, Virginia snowflake is considered quite common. Planting, care, reproduction, growth characteristics - everything must be taken into account in order to get a lush tree with voluminous, large, bright inflorescences.
This exotic plant requires special care. You should also properly approach the propagation of snow flakes. For example, the main propagation method is seeds. But they germinate long and hard. Before the first shoots, 1-2 seasons can pass. This process can be accelerated by stratification of seeds.
Also, this plant can reproduce with the help of layering. To do this, just dig a new shoot into the moist, fluffy earth. It must be ensured that this place is always buried in the ground and moistened. If everything goes as it should, then in a year you will be able to separate the new seedling with the root system from the mother plant.
Some gardeners believe that the snowflower can be propagated by green stalks. But this method is ineffective.
The description indicates that chionanthus can withstand frosts to -15 0 C. But when growing this plant, it should be remembered that adults can tolerate severe Russian winters well. But young seedlings need additional warming during frost. This is especially true for the root system.
Some gardeners claim that it is possible to vaccinate a snowflower with other plants. But the implementation of this procedure requires extensive experience in this area. After all, culture is moody enough. In nurseries, grafted imported seedlings are often found. But domestic experts do not recommend acquiring such plants. After all, almost everyone cannot adapt to the cold Russian winters, even if good shelter is used. But you can try to grow a hybrid in the southern regions of Russia.
Selection of planting material
Gardeners recommend buying seedlings only in nurseries. Indeed, for our country, such a plant still belongs to the category of exotic. For this reason, only some gardeners possess all the skills for growing it.
The disadvantage of buying a seedling in a nursery is foreign planting material. But in this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the country from which this seedling arrived. It is desirable that its climatic conditions maximally coincide with domestic ones. In another case, you can simply throw money away.
When choosing a seedling, carefully inspect it externally. It must be healthy, without damage to the root system or crown. Ideally, an earthen lump should be on the root system. This ensures the viability of the plant.
Snowflake seeds should also have an attractive appearance, without damage. Preference is best given to seeds harvested last year. It is desirable that the plant from which the seeds were collected also grows in regions with close climatic conditions to local ones. The winter hardiness of the Virginia snowflake directly depends on this.
Rules for choosing a place to land
Hionanthus in the wild habitat grows on river banks, small slides or mounds, where groundwater is located quite close. This shrub grows well on stony, sandy, fertile soils.
Snowflakes are best planted in humus-rich soils; loam is ideal. The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic, moderately moist.
The landing site must be chosen so that it is protected from the winds, but well lit by the sun. An ideal region for this plant will be a place with a long and warm summer.
In temperate latitudes, the bush often wakes up later - in May. Flowering occurs only in June.
Care Features
Remember that the plant is very fond of moisture, so it needs regular and frequent watering. Be careful during periods of extreme heat and drought. The plant is difficult to tolerate such periods. With insufficient watering, it can completely die.
Like any other plant, the snowflake responds well to the introduction of organic fertilizers into the soil. But if the planting occurred in a fertile, good soil, the tree can spend a long time without feeding.
Experienced gardeners often recommend weeding the earth around the trunk of the plant and loosening it after each watering.
The plant does not need pruning and crown formation.
Conclusion
There are several types of Hionanthus. An undeniable advantage is the attractive appearance of inflorescences and winter hardiness of the virginian snowflower. Reviews of gardeners say that this plant looks attractive on lawns in both single and group plantings. The distance between the trees should be about 2-3 m.
Ideal neighbors for the snowflake will be spirea. Shade decorative trees can dwarf coniferous shrubs. These trees will be an excellent decoration of your garden.