Weigel Maksimovich

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Weigela Maximovich (lat. Weigela maximowiczii) - ornamental shrub; species of the Weigela genus of the Honeysuckle family. Homeland is Japan. Unlike other members of the genus, it cannot boast of abundant flowering. Suitable for growing in central Russia. It is rarely used in landscaping.

Characteristics of culture

Veigela Maksimovich is a flowering deciduous shrub up to 1.5 m high with a spreading crown. Leaves are green, pubescent, oblong-ovate or ovate, whole, simple, pointed at the apex, sessile, up to 8 cm long. The flowers are medium-sized, pale yellow, funnel-bell-shaped, up to 3.5 cm long, formed on short shoots in a small quantity. The fruit is a nondescript box containing winged seeds.

Weigela Maksimovich blooms in the third decade of May - early June for 2-3 weeks, depending on climatic conditions and care. The fruits ripen in October, but this happens extremely rarely in central Russia. The foliage in the autumn changes color to ocher shades. In winter, shrubs leave with leaves, which provide additional protection from frost. This property plays an important role for plants, because weigela Maksimovich does not differ in increased frost resistance.

Care

Veigela Maksimovich is hygrophilous, she needs regular moderate watering. One adult plant needs about 8-10 liters. In order for the plants to retain moisture in the soil for a longer period, mulching can be carried out. To ensure flowering and active growth of shoots, it is important to systematically apply mineral fertilizers under the bushes. The first top dressing is carried out in early spring, scattering fertilizers directly over the melting snow (complex mineral fertilizers); the second - during budding (potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, you can also add organic matter); the third - in September (complex mineral fertilizers).

Weigel Maksimovich does not do without pruning. Sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring (before bud break), this procedure involves the removal of damaged and frostbitten shoots. In June - July, immediately after flowering, they begin formative pruning. Old unproductive branches are cut out from shrubs, and faded shoots are shortened by 1/3 part. The pruning procedure most often leads to the fact that the plants do not set seeds, but the likelihood of re-flowering is high. Once every 2-3 years, thickening shoots are cut, although thickening can be avoided by pinching annual green shoots. It should be noted that weigela Maksimovich will not tolerate pruning in the autumn, as this may affect wintering.

Pest control

With proper care and favorable growing conditions, weigela is rarely affected by pests and diseases. They greatly weaken the plant and reduce its winter-hardy properties. In order to prevent these unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive spraying with Bordeaux liquid or 3% Topsin. The second agent is slightly toxic, but when diluted in water, it is absolutely safe for plants. Pests can be easily dealt with using folk remedies, for example, infusions and decoctions of garlic, wormwood, tobacco or hot pepper. They are effective both as a prophylaxis and in the first stage of the lesion. With a massive defeat, more serious measures are needed.

Shelter for the winter

Compared to other species, weigel Maksimovich is more winter-hardy, but in the middle lane it needs shelter, in the Far East and southern regions it can do without it. When starting to insulate shrubs, you should not specially knock down the foliage from the plants. At an early age, the shrubs are insulated with spruce branches, and the foot is mulched with peat or fallen leaves with a layer of 20 cm. It should be noted that the branches of the weigela are very fragile, and it is impossible to bend the shrub to the soil surface, otherwise fractures cannot be avoided. To prevent the snow from breaking the shoots with its weight, a metal or wire frame is installed over the bushes, on top of which the spunbond is fixed, and the voids are filled with dry foliage. During thaws, the snow accumulated on the frame is removed; this is one of the prerequisites for successful wintering.