2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Clethra (lat. Clethra) - a genus of trees and shrubs of the Kletrov family. In nature, plants can be found near forest streams or swamps. Nowadays it is cultivated everywhere. Some species are distinguished by increased decorative properties.
Characteristics of culture
Cletra are evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees with hairy-pubescent shoots. The leaves are whole, with serrated edges, arranged alternately. The flowers are medium-sized, white, collected in paniculate or racemose inflorescences. The fruit is a capsule. The unripe fruit is vertical, elongated, while the ripe fruit is oval or round. The root system is branched, superficial, with several strong main roots and many branches.
Growing conditions
Kletra prefers well-moistened, sandy-humus, acidic soils with high-quality drainage. A strong squally wind is negative, plants need protection in the form of tall trees or shrubs. The culture of neutral soils does not accept. The location is preferably semi-shaded, especially in the afternoon. The cage cannot boast of winter hardiness, it needs shelter for the winter.
Reproduction
The cage is propagated by seeds, shoots and green cuttings. However, it is problematic for inexperienced gardeners to propagate plants, especially for the inhabitants of the Urals, Siberia and the Primorsky Territory. The fact is that the seeds of the cage do not have time to ripen, and the cuttings have a low rooting rate, even when treated with stimulants.
In the southern regions, seeds are sown in open ground without prior preparation. The seeding depth is 0.2 cm. Seedlings appear in 1-3 months. When grafting, the planting material is cut in July-August. The optimum cutting length is 7-10 cm.
Care
Kletra has a negative attitude towards drought, so watering is one of the most important care procedures. The culture needs regular sanitary pruning, which consists in removing sick, broken and frozen shoots. Pruning the shoots is also necessary, otherwise the plants will fill large areas. Young plants need shelter. Adult specimens can withstand frosts down to -30C. With the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to mulch the near-trunk zone with peat or dry fallen leaves.
Application
Kletra is very popular in ornamental gardening. It is simply irreplaceable in swampy areas, as well as in shady areas. It gets along in alliance with azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias and other ornamental shrubs. The only drawback of the culture is the late appearance of foliage, as a rule, the first leaves open at the end of May. Kletra is ideal for autogenous, its rich yellow foliage in the autumn looks harmoniously on withered areas.
