2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Calicant (lat. Calycanthus) - a genus of flowering ornamental shrubs of the Calicantovye family. Other names are Calicantus or Cupflower. The genus contains only 4 species. Plants are most common in North American countries.
Characteristics of culture
Calicant is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub, the aerial parts of which have a pleasant and persistent aroma. The leaves are large, entire, elliptical or oval, pubescent, with a rough surface, opposite. With age, the foliage becomes glossy, pubescence prevails on the lower side. The flowers are medium-sized (up to 5-7 cm in diameter), reddish-brown, less often cream, sit on short axillary shoots. The perianth consists of narrow, uniformly colored leaves. The fruit is cynorodium up to 7 cm long, outwardly similar to rose hips. The seeds are small, brown.
Shrubs are distinguished by an elegant loose crown. Calicant blooms profusely and for a long time, usually in early summer. In Russia, Calicant is grown only on personal household plots, and mainly in the southern regions, since the culture does not tolerate severe frosts, which the middle zone of Russia is famous for. In the Moscow region and St. Petersburg, in the winter season, plants can exist only under a good and high-quality shelter, otherwise they freeze out right down to the roots.
Growing conditions
For abundant flowering and normal growth, the Calicant needs intensely lit, protected from piercing winds. In countries with hot climates, cultivation in semi-shaded areas is possible. The soils should be fertile, loose, light, well aerated, moderately moist and neutral.
In general, Calicantas are unpretentious, they can grow on other types of soils, but abundant flowering can be achieved only on the above. Calicantas develop very slowly, but if all growing conditions are met, growth is accelerated.
Reproduction, planting and soil preparation
Calicantes are propagated by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. The most effective way is propagation by cuttings. Cuttings are cut in the spring, before planting they are treated with a 0.25% solution of indole-butyric acid. With good care, plants grown from cuttings bloom for 4-5 years, sometimes earlier. The material is planted singly or in groups. The distance between plants should be about 1.5-2 m. Calicantas should not be planted too close, otherwise they will not be able to fully express their individuality.
The site for calicantas is prepared in advance. Before planting seedlings and other material, the soil is enriched with humus. To accelerate growth and root formation, the soil must be regularly moistened, but in moderation. 1/3 of the planting pits are filled with fertile soil mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers, but the root system of a young plant should not come into contact with organic matter, since it can damage, or rather burn the root system. It is impossible to use fresh manure; it is better to opt for rotted humus or compost. Drainage is required when planting Calicant in heavy soils. Too acidic soils are preliminarily limed with dolomite flour or lime known to all.
Care
Calicants need annual preventive and healing pruning, which consists in removing dry and damaged branches. For the winter, the plants are covered with non-woven material, for example, spruce branches, and the soil in the trunk circle is mulched with an abundant layer of dry fallen leaves or peat. Young plants with the onset of cold weather bend to the soil surface. The shelter is removed no earlier than the fifteenth of April.
Application
Calicants are valued for their graceful crown, unusually beautiful color and pleasant rich aroma that will fill the entire garden and conquer even the most fastidious gardener with honey tints. Calicants look harmoniously in group plantings, especially close to recreation areas, terraces and paths. The culture is combined with other flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials such as catnip, lavender, silver wormwood and other plants that exude rich and deep aromas.
