2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Lespedeza - a genus of herbaceous plants, semi-shrubs and shrubs of the legume family. The genus has about 50 species. Plants are naturally found in North America, Southeast and East Asia, and other temperate and tropical regions.
Characteristics of culture
Representatives of the genus have hanging or creeping shoots, often covered with soft hairs over the entire surface. Leaves are opposite, pinnate. Flowers are medium-sized, zygomorphic, five-membered, collected in racemose inflorescences. Some of the flowers hang from the stems, which, as a rule, end in small leaves. The calyx is bell-shaped, five-petal, the petals are fused at the base. The corolla is of the moth type. The fruit is a one-seeded pod that does not crack when ripe.
Of the existing representatives of the genus, only three species have been introduced into the culture, the most common of which is Lespedeza bicolor. This species was introduced to Russia by the famous botanist K. I. Maksimovich back in 1856. Today, Lespedetsa two-colored grows mainly in the Far East, Transbaikalia, as well as in Korea, Mongolia and China.
Growing conditions
Lespedeza is a light-loving plant, tolerates light shading. The culture is undemanding to soil conditions, but it grows best on well-drained, moderately moist soils. It has a negative attitude towards poor soils, it accepts a lack of moisture.
On rich soils, Lespedets looks more than attractive, blooms actively, and even annual shoots bloom under optimal growing conditions. In general, the culture is cold-resistant, but in severe winters it freezes to the soil surface. With the onset of warmth, the plants quickly recover and give numerous shoots.
Reproduction and planting
Lespedets are propagated by seeds, root suckers and cuttings, the latter are formed in huge quantities. Cutting is also not prohibited, but it is ineffective. Lespedets plant seedlings in spring, in autumn it is undesirable. A third of the planting hole is filled with fertile soil, previously mixed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
Strongly acidic soils are preliminarily limed. Potash fertilizers are especially important because they promote better wintering of still immature plants. After planting, the plants are abundantly watered and mulched with pebbles or gravel, in the absence of such, dry soil is used as mulch.
Care
The main procedures for the care of the Lespedets are weeding and loosening of the near-trunk zone, watering during dry periods and regular feeding. Fulfilling all these requirements, the plants will be thanked in return with bright and abundant flowering and a healthy look. Watering in the first year after planting should be frequent (as the soil dries up in the near-trunk circle), then the plants are watered only in drought. Lespedets are fed in the spring with organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and in the fall - with mineral fertilizers.
For the winter, the soil in the near-trunk zone is mulched with inert materials, for example, fine gravel, pebbles or carbonate rocks. Wood chips, peat and bark are not recommended as they acidify the soil during decomposition. To retain moisture for a longer period, the soil is also mulched. Lespedets tolerates pruning without any problems, therefore, shaping and sanitary pruning are not prohibited. Representatives of the genus are not affected by pests and diseases, therefore they do not need preventive treatments.
Application
Lespedeza looks harmoniously in single and group plantings in gardens, squares and forest parks. Plants are also planted as a hedge. Lespedeza has unique healing properties; aerial parts of the plant are used for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. Infusions from Lespedetsa are useful for raising immunity. In addition, the culture boasts anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and diuretic properties.
