2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Caucasian honeysuckle (lat. Lonicera caucasica) - a representative of the genus Honeysuckle of the Honeysuckle family. In nature, it grows in mountain forests and shrubs in the Caucasus. Depending on the growing conditions, it can take on a different form.
Characteristics of culture
Caucasian honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub up to 3 m high with a compact crown and branches covered with gray bark. The root is strong, the main roots are located close to the soil surface. Leaves are simple, entire, lanceolate, glabrous, opposite, narrowed to the base, sometimes pointed, up to 10 cm long. The flowers are medium-sized, pink-violet or purple, paired, have an original fan-shaped corolla. Fruits are black, spherical, fused in pairs. Caucasian honeysuckle blooms in May - June for 2 weeks, the fruits ripen in late August - early September.
Growing conditions
Caucasian honeysuckle is favorable to well-lit and semi-shaded areas. In the dense shade, the plants either do not bloom at all, or bloom weakly. Shrubs develop well under the canopy of trees. Soils can be any, however, loose, drained, light, moderately moist, fertile substrates are preferred. Caucasian honeysuckle feels flawed on dry, waterlogged, strongly acidic, damp and poor soils. Unsuitable for planting lowlands with stagnant cold air, as well as places where a large amount of melt water accumulates in spring.
Planting seedlings
The flower buds of Caucasian honeysuckle bloom quite early, therefore, it is advisable to plant seedlings in late August - early September; in the southern regions, planting can be postponed to early October. Spring planting is only possible in regions with warm winters. The main condition for spring planting is to carry out the procedure before bud break. Planting pits are prepared in the spring; high-quality drainage is formed at the bottom of the pit. For these purposes, broken brick, crushed stone, gravel or pebbles are suitable. Drainage layer at least 5-7 cm.
The depth of the planting pit is 40 cm, provided that the drainage is laid - 60 cm. The soil taken out of the pit is mixed with peat and sand, taken in a ratio of 3: 1: 1. It is also desirable to add humus (8-10 kg), potassium salt (30-40 g) and superphosphate (150-200 g) to the soil mixture. Part of the removed soil is not mixed with fertilizers, it is poured to the very top. After planting, the soil in the near-trunk zone is abundantly moistened; for a 2-year-old seedling, 10 liters of water is enough. Important: the distance between plants should be at least 1.5-2 m.
Care
Caucasian honeysuckle is undemanding to care, like any other plant, it needs care. Namely, in weeding, loosening, watering, fertilizing, pruning and preventive treatments against pests and diseases. The more careful the care, the more abundant the flowering will be. Full mineral fertilization is applied in early spring and after flowering, and wood ash is applied in autumn for digging. With weak growth, plants are fed with superphosphate, urea and potassium chloride, diluted in water.
Watering the honeysuckle should be moderate, 3-4 times per season will be enough. In hot summer, the number of waterings is increased to 5-6. To protect yourself from weeding, you can mulch the near-trunk zone. It is best to use organic material as mulch. Formative and sanitary pruning is carried out in spring or autumn (after leaf fall). Rejuvenating pruning is encouraged, it is carried out once every 3-4 years. Old bushes can be cut to a stump, they will recover in just 3-4 years.
Application
Caucasian honeysuckle is widely used in landscape design. It is good both in single and group plantings, as well as in hedges and tree-shrub compositions. The ideal allies of the Caucasian honeysuckle are: common hazel, tree caragana, single-footed hawthorn, spreading plum, Iberis, buzulnik, large-leaved brunner, amsonia.
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