2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Lyonia (Latin Lyonia) - a genus of flowering ornamental shrubs of the Heather family. The genus includes 35 species, which grow mainly in the USA, Mexico, the Himalayas, East Asia and the Antilles. Most species are demanding on growing conditions, although some of them are able to develop even on swampy soils.
Common types and their characteristics
* Privet Lyonia (lat. Lyonia ligustrina) - the species is represented by deciduous shrubs up to 4 m high. The leaves are pointed, on the underside they are equipped with inconspicuous scales or specks. The flowers are medium-sized, white or cream, bell-shaped, collected in drooping inflorescences. Abundant flowering, lasts 35-40 days. In gardening, privet lyony is used extremely rarely. It can be grown in wetlands.
* Lyonia ovalifolia (Latin Lyonia ovalifolia) - the species is represented by deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or trees up to 4 m high. The branches are reddish. Leaves are leathery, dark green, oval, oval-elliptical or oblong-oval, up to 15 cm long, pubescent on the underside. The flowers are ovoid, white, collected in racemose inflorescences. Oval-leaved lyonia blooms in July-September (depending on the climate).
* Lyonia rusty (Latin Lyonia ferruginea) - the species is represented by wide dense evergreen shrubs or low-growing trees. Leaves are green, oval, obovate or elliptical, up to 9 cm long. Flowers are funnel-shaped, white, collected in drooping bunches.
* Truncated Lyonia (Latin Lyonia truncata) - the species is represented by evergreen dense shrubs up to 7 m high. The bark is gray-brown, furrowed. Leaves are pointed, oval, elliptical or obovate, round at the base, sometimes wedge-shaped, whole, less often toothed, up to 5 cm long. Flowers are five-petal, white or pink, collected in bundle-shaped inflorescences of 2-15 pieces.
Growing conditions
Lyonia, unlike many flowering shrubs, prefers semi-shaded areas. Loamy or sandy loam soils, moderately moist, neutral. Drainage is welcome. Some species accept swampy soils. Compacted, highly acidic and saline soils are undesirable. On acidic soils, planting is possible only with preliminary liming. Under optimal conditions, the plants bloom profusely and develop actively.
Reproduction
Lyonias reproduce by seeds, layering, cuttings and division of rhizomes. The most effective and simplest method of propagation is layering. In this case, the lower shoots are bent to the soil, laid in the grooves, pinned with wooden staples and sprinkled with earth. It is important to provide the laid layers with regular and abundant watering. With a lack of moisture, the rooting of the cuttings will be delayed for a longer period. Layers are separated with a shovel for the next year, then transplanted to a permanent place.
The seed method is also acceptable, but it is very laborious and takes a lot of time and effort. The seeds are sown in boxes, but not embedded in the soil, but scattered over its surface in a thin layer and pressed with glass. As soon as the seeds hatch, they are planted in containers with fertile soil, thoroughly mixed with peat (in equal proportions). Entrances appear in a month, sometimes earlier. The room temperature should be at least 18C, but not higher than 25C. Seedlings are planted in open ground only after 2 years.
Do not be afraid of cuttings either. The percentage of rooting with this method of reproduction is also high. Cuttings are cut at the end of summer from the tops of healthy semi-freshened shoots, then they are planted in a nutritious soil consisting of peat and sand in a ratio of 3: 1. Subject to all conditions and rules, the cuttings take root quickly, but they are planted in the ground only after a year. Before planting, the plants are systematically moistened and fed with a urea solution. You can also use micronutrient fertilizers.
Care
Watering, feeding, and pruning are important for the normal development of Lyonium. Weeding and loosening are also useful, especially for young specimens. Top dressing is carried out with the onset of warmth, re-fertilization can be done before flowering.
Sanitary and formative pruning is performed before the start of sap flow. Thickening branches can be removed in the fall. For the winter, the near-trunk zone is mulched. Peat can be used as mulch. It is advisable to cover young plants with spruce branches. The shelter is removed in April, but these terms are more dependent on the climate of the region.
