Alpine Bean

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

Alpine bean (lat. Laburnum alpinum) - flowering shrub; a representative of the Bobovnik genus of the Legume family. Another name is alpine golden rain. The native land of the plant is the mountainous regions of southern Europe. It is actively used in landscaping parks and gardens in European countries, as well as in Russia. In central Russia, it is rarely cultivated, since it does not differ in frost resistance, like its closest relative, the anagirolist bean.

Characteristics of culture

Alpine bean - deciduous shrub or bushy tree up to 10 m high. When growing crops in central Russia, plants do not exceed 2-3 m. Leaves are compound, trifoliate, light green, petiolate, alternate. The flowers are medium-sized, light yellow, up to 2 cm in diameter, collected in hanging narrow clusters up to 35-40 cm long. The alpine bean blooms in May, however, unlike the anagiroli bean, flowering occurs a couple of weeks later. Flowering lasts about two weeks. In the central and central regions of Russia, flowering is irregular.

The species is relatively winter-hardy; in severe winters, annual shoots freeze slightly. In the middle lane, plants up to 3-4 years old should be covered with non-woven material (in several layers), and the soil in the near-stem zone should be mulched with compost or dry fallen leaves. The growth rate of the Alpine bean is average, the growing season lasts from May to the second decade of October. The species reproduces by seeds and vegetatively. When propagated by cuttings, rooting rate reaches 60-63%. Alpine bean, like its closest relative, is supportive of sunny areas protected from cold northerly winds. Soils are desirable drained, calcareous, rich, loose, moderately moist.

The considered species is drought-resistant, needs watering only during a long absence of precipitation. You can protect the root system from dryness with the help of mulch, it will not only get rid of weeds, but also retain moisture in the soil for a longer period. Alpine Bobovnik is smoke and gas resistant, therefore it is adapted to urban conditions, which is an undoubted advantage. It is often used in urban areas. The undoubted advantage of the considered beanberry species is the fact that the shrubs do not need shearing and formative pruning; annual removal of broken, damaged and frozen shoots is sufficient. The bean branches are fragile and cannot withstand a thick layer of snow; it must be shaken off periodically.

Subtleties of reproduction and planting

As mentioned, alpine bean is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Rooted green cuttings, cuttings and layering can serve as planting material. With proper care and favorable growing conditions, plants obtained from such material bloom for 3-4 years, with the seed method - for 7-9 years. You can also get a flowering shrub from seedlings purchased from specialized nurseries. When buying, it is important to pay attention to the condition of the seedling, it must be strong and healthy, and its roots must not be exposed. It is better to purchase seedlings on which leaves have just begun to bloom, such material will quickly take root in a new place.

Planting seedlings is preferable in early spring. The planting hole should be twice the size of the earthy clod that envelops the roots. The soil taken out of the pit is mixed with compost. Before planting, the earthen lump is watered abundantly, then the seedling is placed in a hole and covered with the prepared mixture. Then the ground is rammed, a watering circle is formed, watered and a layer of mulch is applied. By the way, it is advisable to drive a support stick into the hole, to which the seedling is tied. In the future, you need to provide plants with careful care. For the winter, the shrubs are wrapped in non-woven material, and the soil in the near-trunk zone is mulched with a thick layer of compost.

The culture is very rarely affected by diseases. The same applies to pests, which is associated with the toxicity of all parts of the plant. Among the diseases, powdery mildew can be noted. As a rule, the disease is a consequence of humid and warm weather. It is not difficult to recognize the disease: a powdery gray bloom appears on the leaves, and on both sides of the leaf blade. When the first signs are found, it is necessary to treat the plants with biological fungicides. Otherwise, caring for a legume is similar to caring for other ornamental shrubs and trees.