Shepherdia (Shepherdia) is a perennial berry shrub from the Lokhovye family. Grows in North America. The plant belongs to the Lokhovye family. In addition to the scientific term, they often use definitions such as "buffalo berry" or "soap berry". The external botanical description of the culture is in many ways similar to sea buckthorn bushes, however, Shepherdia berries are considered more useful and have a pleasant taste. Caring for a perennial is straightforward. Gardeners appreciate the plant for its bountiful harvest and attractive decorative appearance. Subject to all the recommendations and tips for care, the shrub will decorate the site for decades and bear fruit abundantly.
Description of the plant
Shepherdia bushes reach lengths from 3 to 7 m. The pedigree of the species consists of evergreen and deciduous representatives. The yellow-gray branches grow widely and are covered with long thorns. In adult perennial shrubs, the shoots are tightly intertwined and lean towards the soil surface under the weight of the fruit. Due to this, an impassable thorny hedge of dense branches is formed. On the branches there are bright green leaves of a lanceolate or ovoid shape. The arrangement of the foliage is opposite. The leaves are dense to the touch and hold on short petioles. The size of the plates does not exceed 7 cm. On the surface of the foliage, a silver fleecy bloom is applied, consisting of small scales.
In March, tiny flowers bloom in the axillary part, which gather in inflorescences-spikelets. The bushes begin to bloom before the first leaves appear. Inflorescences sit on pedicels and tightly surround the shoot. Shepherdia belongs to the group of dioecious cultures. This means that there are plants that are capable of producing only male or female flowers. For successful fruiting, it is required to plant at least one male bush on the site in order to pollinate 7-10 female specimens. The last ones open their heads much earlier. Flowers are pollinated by insects. Then small round berries ripen.
Red drupes contain small white specks on the skin. The taste of the pulp is sweet with a slight sourness. The berries are tart, so they are usually not consumed raw, but are used to prepare various preparations: jams, jellies or compotes. The fruits are kept on the bushes until the very frost. Cold, on the other hand, adds sweetness to the berries. A flat achene is hidden in the pulp. Shepherdia begins to bloom and bear fruit only at two or three years of age from the moment of planting. When the drupes are finally ripe, the berries are shaken off the branches. It doesn't take long to harvest. With proper care with the patronage of one shrub, it is possible to collect about 15 kg of drupes.
Popular types of Shepherdia with photos
There are only three species in the shepherdia genus.
Shepherdia silver (Shepherdia argentea)
The plant has its name due to the whitish pubescence that covers young branches and leaves from different sides.Silver Shepherdia bushes reach six meters in height. Shoots bloom in April. Male specimens have small spike-shaped inflorescences. The buds on the female bushes are located separately. Red or orange berries are expected to ripen closer to autumn. The most common variety of this species is considered to be Goldeneye, which is characterized by bright yellow drupes.
Shepherdia canadensis (Shepherdia canadensis)
It grows in the form of a lush, spreading tree covered with a layer of brown bark. At the top, the leaves are smooth, saturated green. Below the foliage contains a silvery bloom of small yellow scales. The opening of the buds occurs in the middle of spring. The color of the flowers is yellow with a green tint. In early September, red elongated drupes ripen. Their length ranges from 4-8 cm.
Shepherdia rotundifolia
This type of shrub is quite tall with dense intertwined branches that tend to grow far beyond the trunk circle. The color of the foliage is presented in a dark green palette. Leathery plates with many growths of thick warts. The culture is prone to abundant flowering and produces a good harvest. When the berries are fully ripe, the branches are lowered to the ground. As for the areola, the plant is found only in North America.
Growing Shepherdia
Shepherdia is grown by seed, cuttings or root cuttings.
Sowing seeds
Seed material is sent to the ground before the arrival of autumn frosts. The depth of planting seeds in the soil should not exceed 3 cm. In winter, the crops are covered with snow. In April, green shoots appear above the surface of the soil. During the season, the seedlings will grow by about 10-15 cm. Then they can be transplanted to a new place. The bushes bear fruit in 4-6 years after they are in the open field.
Cuttings
The use of this method makes it possible to determine which plant will eventually turn out: female or male. Several green cuttings are cut off with a length of 8-12 cm, which have retained 2-3 buds. For a day, the cuttings are soaked in Kornevin's solution and placed in a wet mixture of peat and sand. The twigs are immersed in the ground no deeper than 3-4 cm. By September, the cuttings will develop roots and get stronger, then they are transferred to a permanent place.
Root division
Every year the roots of Shepherdia give birth to babies. In the spring, outwardly healthy, strong bushes are separated from the mother plant and planted separately. It is better to plan a Shepherdia transplant in September.
Outdoor Shepherdia Care
Caring for shepherdia is simple, the shrub quickly adapts to its habitat. Perennial grows on any substrate, but heavy soils should be diluted with sand or gravel to increase drainage properties. Growing crops in open, sunny areas will provide abundant fruiting. The berries will be much sweeter and tastier.
Shepherdia is frost-resistant and does not need shelter before wintering. Shrubs treat drafts and drought calmly, but waterlogging of the soil has a detrimental effect on the plant. Rain moisture is usually sufficient to nourish the roots. If there is dry hot weather for a long time, the bushes are watered. Lack of moisture will affect the maturation of the drupes.
In order for the plant to develop normally, they do not forget to weed and loosen the area regularly. Then the root zone will receive the required amount of oxygen. Weeds are removed with care so as not to damage the shepherdia roots that lie close to the surface. Shrubs are pruned from time to time. The branches need to be shaped periodically. Perennial garden species grow no more than 2 meters in length. Harvesting from such undersized bushes and trees is not difficult.
Useful properties of Shepherdia
Shepherdia berries contain a large number of useful substances: ascorbic acid, pectin, vitamins, organic acids and tannins.
Ripe drupes of Shepherdia help to strengthen the immune system, stabilize blood pressure and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The fruits are allowed to be eaten raw or canned. Jams, preserves, compotes from the berries of this shrub can be consumed without restrictions. Health problems occur only in people who are prone to allergic rashes.
