Kerria is a deciduous shrub that is a member of the Rose family. These plant species began their origin in Japan and southwestern China, where they were often found in forests and mountainous areas. Kerria received such a unique name thanks to the chief botanist and famous scientist who worked in the ancient gardens of Ceylon. Today, only one species of this shrub is known - Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica). Its flowering time coincides with one of the main Orthodox holidays - Easter, and the flower's cup is shaped like a rose.
Description of the Kerria shrub
Kerria Japanese is characterized by rapid growth. Its green shoots can reach a height of about 3 m. They resemble twigs that are woven into a kind of cone. The leaves have a similarity in structure to raspberry leaves, grow up to 10 cm, have jagged and pointed ends. In the warm season, they are colored light green; closer to autumn, their color changes to a bright yellow hue. The flowers grow singly and exude a strong aroma, their diameter is about 4.5 cm. The flowering period begins in late spring and lasts until August. Re-blooming is also often seen in the fall. The climate of the middle zone does not allow kerrias to form fruits.
Graceful shoots break easily in a strong gust of wind, as a result of which the best place to plant would be an area near similar flowering shrubs: spirea or Chinese tea. In spring, with the rapid flowering of various types of plants, it will look wonderful next to red phlox, lilac irises and buzulnik.
Planting kerrias in open ground
Measures for planting kerrias in open ground are carried out in spring or autumn, until frost begins. Seedlings grown in pots are allowed to be replanted at any time of the year, except for winter.
The best place to land would be an area sheltered from the wind and sunny. If you plant kerrias in partial shade, the flowering will be less intense. For example, a neighborhood with tall fruit trees would be ideal. Their crown will protect the flowers and leaves of the shrub from burning out.
The soil for cultivation should be chosen moist, fertile and loamy. All forest plants feel great in it. Initially, a hole is dug to a depth of 40 cm, the bottom is fertilized with a mixture of earth with humus and turf. Then it adds 60-80 g of complex mineral fertilizer.
A kerria seedling is placed in the center of the hole, after having straightened its roots, after which the empty space is filled with the rest of the prepared soil. The surface is lightly pressed and watered with water, while the neck of the root should protrude from the ground.
Care for kerrias in the garden
For the plant to look healthy, beautiful and well-groomed, it is necessary to provide it with proper care and timely watering. Growing this shrub outdoors requires regular weeding, loosening and fertilizing the soil, cutting off dead branches and dry flowers.
Watering should be done when the topsoil dries out. Its frequency increases with flowering or too dry weather. Water for irrigation must first be defended and heated in the sun. In an excessively rainy summer, you should carefully monitor the development of kerrias, carry out constant loosening around the bush and remove weeds. She does not like excess moisture.
To ensure the fastest possible growth and abundant flowering, the soil is periodically fertilized. After the plant has completely bloomed, it is fed with mullein infusion or overripe compost, adding wood ash to the fertilizer.
Transfer
The shrub can be safely transplanted to another location. However, it is better to try to carry out this procedure not in winter or late autumn. Spring or mid-October is considered the ideal transplant time. During this period, there are no leaves on the plants.
The bush is carefully dug out of the mail, without violating the integrity of the roots and leaving an earthen lump, then they are moved to a pre-dug depression and the steps are repeated at the first planting. For several weeks, it is necessary to provide abundant watering in order to properly saturate the roots with moisture.
Reproduction methods
Japanese kerria is bred in several ways: by dividing the bush, layering, shoots and cuttings.
Lignified cuttings can be cut in early April, and green cuttings in July. At least one pair of kidneys should form on them. Cuttings are planted in a cold and shaded greenhouse. The emergence of roots is a rather lengthy process. The cuttings are left in a greenhouse for the winter. The next year, at the end of spring, they are transplanted into flowerpots or other containers and transferred to a warm room, and a year later they are transplanted into open ground.
In the fall, shrub propagation by offspring is carried out. To do this, the shoots are separated from him and planted separately. The offspring roots are adapted for quick adaptation. Subject to careful and regular care, they take root well and grow into a full-fledged adult plant.
Kerria propagates quite easily with the help of layering. For this, in early spring, young shoots of the bush are placed in specially dug trenches, which have a depth of no more than 7 cm. After a few weeks, the buds of the cuttings are able to form young shoots. When their height reaches 10-15 cm, these narrow grooves, in which new life was formed, are sprinkled with a layer of earth. In the fall, shoots take root, so they can already be transplanted to another site.
The division of the bush is often carried out in conjunction with a transplant. The dug out plant is carefully freed from the soil and rationally divided into parts, leaving healthy roots and shoots capable of surviving in each of them. They are planted in the same way as when the mother bush was first planted. Then the soil is well moistened.
Trimming
Before buds begin to form on the shoots of the kerria, it is required to organize the pruning of the shrub. To do this, it is necessary to separate healthy, strong branches from damaged and extinct shoots. They are shortened by a quarter. The plant, after correct pruning, looks more compact and attractive and begins to bloom profusely.
When the flowering period ends, the old shoots are completely pruned, and the young shoots are only shortened by a few centimeters to keep the shape of the bush.
Diseases and pests
This flowering plant has good resistance to various diseases and pests. To date, no facts of infection of Japanese kerria with any insects or infections have been found.
Post-flowering care
An area dominated by a warm climate is a favorable environment for the development of shrubs, therefore, it is not necessary to cover it in winter. In areas of the middle belt, frosty winters sometimes occur with the lack of the necessary snow cover. In such conditions, it is required to organize a reliable shelter for him.
Tips for growing kerry in the Moscow region
Activities for planting and caring for kerries in the middle lane areas are carried out in the same way in all regions. However, the cultivation of shrubs in the Moscow region or in the Leningrad region requires special conditions. It is covered from freezing in late autumn in dry weather so that the shoots are slightly pressed to the ground. Styrofoam is pre-laid around the bush. From above, the plant is carefully covered with spruce branches or dry leaves. To prevent the spruce branches from straightening, a kind of frame is installed above the bush. This self-constructed shelter should be well ventilated.
As soon as early spring comes, in dry, cloudy weather, the kerrias are carefully freed from the shelter. First of all, the frame is removed, and then the leaves are removed. To prevent shoots from getting burns from exposure to direct sunlight, they are protected with any covering material. This will save the plant from death. Sometimes in such cases, the burnt shoots can be cut off, only the flowering is likely to be disturbed.
Types and varieties of kerrias
As mentioned earlier, the kerria family has only one species - the Japanese kerria, however, it has a large number of different garden forms:
- Albomarginata - the slowest growing species, which is characterized by asymmetrical leaves. They have a snow-white edging along the edges. This type of kerry is especially popular with many gardeners.
- Variegata can reach a height of up to 60 cm, is characterized by intensive growth. The leaf blades are painted in creamy white spots, the flowers have a yellow tint.
- Argenteo-marginata - a tall plant with yellow flowers and leaves with a thin border.
- Kerria Japanese Aureovariyegata It is a medium-sized shrub with double leaves and complex beautiful buds and is characterized by long flowering, the period of which can reach up to 3 months.
- Kerria Golden Guinea - an elegant slender plant with simple flowers up to 6 cm in diameter.
- Kerria Pleniflora is called shrub, which in the spring is covered with small double flowers, shaped like pompons.
- Kerria albiflora has snow-white small flowers.
