The heady smell of jasmine in central Russia has not surprised anyone for a long time. But this capricious plant cannot grow in our cold weather - it freezes, and there is not enough sun for full flowering and development of the plant.
There will be craftsmen who will boast of classic jasmine in our conditions, but in most gardens it is not it that pleases the eye and sense of smell, but the much less whimsical shrub, the mock orange coronata, which grows calmly in Europe.
The genus and its representatives
Olga Nikitina
The genus Chubushnik (Philadelphus) belongs to the hydrangea family and has about 50 species native to Western Europe, eastern Asia and North America.
These are deciduous shrubs, mainly with an oval crown and straight shoots, branching only in the upper part. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, opposite, light green, lemon yellow in autumn or remain green until they fall. They bloom after complete foliation; at this time, white or creamy-white fragrant, less often odorless, flowers appear at the ends of the shoots, collected in racemose inflorescences. The fruit is a capsule with small seeds.
The plant has very hard wood, and its hollow shoots were used to make smoking pipes, which explains its name.
Mock oranges grow successfully and bloom profusely in well-lit areas and in partial shade. True, they are considered shade-tolerant shrubs, since under natural conditions they are found in the undergrowth of broad-leaved and coniferous-deciduous forests.
Most species and varieties of mock orange prefer fertile soils with sufficient moisture. They tolerate temporary drought well; after watering, the turgor of the leaves is quickly restored. The only thing they cannot come to terms with is saline soils.
This breed is propagated by seeds (most often species mock oranges, with flowering occurring after 5–8 years) and vegetatively (by root suckers, layering, cuttings, dividing bushes). To preserve decorative characteristics, especially valuable varieties are propagated by summer (semi-lignified) cuttings, which are cut during or before flowering. Then they are planted on special beds or in cold greenhouses for rooting.
When planting mock oranges, you need to adhere to the following parameters: in group plantings, the distance between plants should be 0.5-1.5 m, and in a single-row hedge - 0.5 m. To avoid rotting of the root collar, it should not be deepened by more than 2-3 cm.
The best soil mixture for growing these shrubs is a soil mixture consisting of leaf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 3:2:1; the optimal soil acidity is pH 6.5–7.5.
As a rule, all mock oranges have a great shoot-forming ability, so the bushes become very dense over the years, which weakens flowering. Experts recommend periodically thinning out old bushes (for this, the weakest and oldest shoots are cut to the ground), as well as promptly removing faded inflorescences. This rejuvenation of the crown leads to strong growth of new shoots and more abundant flowering.
In addition to pruning, care also includes watering and fertilizing (mineral and organic fertilizers). Slurry (1:10) is used as organic fertilizer at the rate of one bucket per bush once a year. Mineral fertilizers (15 g of urea and potassium sulfate, 30 g of superphosphate) are diluted in 10 liters of water and applied to one or two plants in the third year after planting. Mock orange is demanding of moisture; in June–July, two or three buckets of water should be poured into the tree trunk circle per 1 m2. Young plants require more frequent and abundant watering during dry periods.
During the summer, it is recommended to loosen the soil to a depth of 4–8 cm, while simultaneously removing weeds.
Mock oranges are highly decorative and very resistant shrubs; thanks to their abundant and exquisite flowering, they are very popular in landscaping, be it a city park or a summer cottage. Their species and varietal diversity allows you to create wonderful fragrant compositions that bloom for two months.
Most species and varieties of mock orange prefer fertile soils with sufficient moisture. They tolerate temporary drought well, but cannot tolerate saline soils.
The most common and most winter-hardy species is the crown (Ph. coronarius), up to 3 m high, with a rounded-ovoid crown. Its homeland is the south of Western Europe, in culture it is distributed almost everywhere from Arkhangelsk to the southern borders of the former Union and in Western Siberia.
Very similar to the previous species is the pale , or common (Ph. pallidus), naturally growing in the same region as the previous species. A shrub up to 3 m high, with a dense, oval crown, blooms quite early - in the first ten days of June. But the earliest and longest flowering (up to 25 days) in the conditions of the Moscow region is demonstrated by the Schrenki member (Ph. schrenkii), its flowers bloom at the end of May. Distributed in the forests of China and Korea, as well as in the Amur basin. It has hairy shoots and pubescent pedicels. The flowers have a strong aroma that intensifies in the evening.
The small-leaved variety is also characterized by early flowering . This low shrub (up to 1.5 m) with small, graceful leaves is valued for its delicate pineapple aroma. Originally from North America, very popular in culture, it was used by the French breeder Lemoine to breed low-growing varieties.
Gordon's mock orange (Ph. gordonianus) is one of the tallest species, can reach a height of up to 5 m, also a representative of the North American flora. Valued for its annual very abundant flowering, although its flowers have a weak aroma.
Leviza mock orange (Ph. Lewisii) is attractive with its spherical crown and spectacular flowering. Flowers up to 5 cm in diameter are collected in large racemes. Naturally grows in the forests of North America - from British Columbia to California.
In the mixed forests of the Far East, thin-leaved tea (Ph. tenuifolius) is found. A shrub up to 2.5 m high, white, slightly fragrant, pure white flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences of 3–7 pieces.
Widely used in culture is Caucasian tea (Ph. caucasicus), which naturally grows in the forests of the Caucasus and reaches a height of up to 3 m. The leaves are bright green, creamy, highly fragrant flowers are collected in short dense racemes located at the ends of the shoots. Fast-growing, frost-resistant, undemanding shrub.
One of the most fragrant and abundantly flowering species is considered to be the Lemoine tea (Ph. x lemoinei), which is a hybrid of the common black leaf and the small-leaved black leaf. This shrub, up to 3 m high, has large, up to 4 cm, white, highly fragrant flowers, collected in racemose inflorescences. It has many varieties that are widely used in green building.
Chic, spreading bushes up to 5 m high are formed by the grey-headed plant (Ph. incanus). It received this name for its densely pubescent buds and the underside of the leaves. Simple pure white fragrant flowers are collected in gracefully curved loose racemes.
The very showy Ch. grandiflorus (Ph. grandiflorus) grows naturally in eastern North America. During flowering, it is decorated with large white, up to 5 cm, odorless flowers. Widely used in landscaping in southern and central Russia.
Flowering time depending on the species and variety is from late May to early August.
Common mock orange Shrenk's mock orange Common mock orange Lemoine's mock orange Lemoine's mock orange Leviza's mock orange
Care
Garden jasmine is replanted in spring. To do this, you need to prepare the soil by digging a hole in it, the size of which should correspond to the volume of the root system of the shrub. The plant is transplanted into this hole, and the rules are similar to those that apply to planting such a shrub in the spring.
Watering
The plant especially needs moisture in the spring, before the flowering period, but most often at this time the soil receives moisture naturally. In case of a dry spring, moderate watering will be necessary. Mock orange should not be allowed to grow in constantly wet soil. It does not grow well in places where groundwater flows or in places where there is a constant supply of moisture. An adult plant tolerates Russian frosts and temperatures of +30...+40 degrees in the summer.
Freshly planted plants need abundant watering - 25-30 liters at a time. During periods of drought, water every other day; during rainy periods, once a week is enough.
Leaves are a good indicator of soil moisture. If there is a lack of moisture, they droop.
Fertilizers
To a greater extent, mock orange needs feeding during the period of its active growth, that is, in early spring, when it best absorbs nutrients. In the first year and only once, preferably towards the end of spring, 1 bucket of infusion consisting of water and slurry in a ratio of 10:1 must be added under the jasmine bush. In subsequent years, garden jasmine is fed exclusively with mineral fertilizers containing urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Ash from an old fire is a good fertilizer for jasmine.
Mock orange diseases
Ella Sokolova, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences
Mock orange is one of the most disease-resistant woody plants. It contains a very small number of pathogens of various origins, mainly fungal, compared to other breeds. Diseases of leaves, trunks and branches with a high level of damage lead to a decrease in the decorative value of the shrub.
Leaf diseases
Powdery mildew (caused by the fungus Phyllactinia guttata). In July, a white cobwebby coating of mycelium (mycelium) with sporulation appears on the underside of the leaves. The spores re-infect young leaves until the end of summer. Over time, the plaque disappears or remains in the form of round spots. By the end of July, fruiting bodies of the fungus are formed on the mycelium, noticeable in the form of scattered small black dots. They persist in winter on fallen, infected leaves. In the spring, spores ripen in them, which produce primary infection of the leaves.
Brown spot (caused by the fungus Phyllosticta coronata). In the second half of summer, separate, rarely merging light brown spots with a white border appear on both sides of the leaves. On the upper side of the spots, sporulation of the fungus forms in the form of small scattered brown dots.
Gray spot (caused by the fungus Ascochyta philadelphi). In July, large round ash-gray spots form on the upper side of the leaves. Sporulation of the fungus develops on the spots, looking like small brown dots located in concentric circles.
Blackish olive spot (caused by the fungus Phyllosticta vulgaris). In early July, round spots appear on both sides of the leaves, initially blackish-olive, later brown with a black border. On the upper side of the spots, sporulation of the fungus forms in the form of small black dotted tubercles.
By the end of July, fruiting bodies of the fungus are formed on the mycelium, noticeable in the form of scattered small black dots. They persist in winter on fallen, infected leaves.
Diseases of trunks and branches
Tubercular (nectria) necrosis (caused by the fungus Tubercularia vulgaris). The cortex and vascular system are affected. In the thickness of the dying and dead bark, mycelium formations are formed - stromas protruding from cracks in the bark in the form of pink, pinkish-red, brick-red, often darkening to dark brown, rounded pads with a diameter of 1-3 mm. Fungal spores develop on the stroma, which infect the shoots during the growing season.
Diplodia necrosis (caused by the fungus Diplodia philadelphi). Local or circular necrosis with reddish-brown bark forms on trunks and branches. In the thickness of the affected bark, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of numerous scattered black tubercles protruding from cracks in the bark.
Hendersonia necrosis (caused by the fungus Hendersonia coronaria). The bark in the affected areas darkens, but is clearly distinguished from the healthy one. In the thickness of the cortex, sporulation of the pathogen is formed in the form of numerous small brown scattered or crowded tubercles protruding from breaks in the periderm.
Microdiplodia necrosis (caused by the fungus Microdiplodia microsporella). The affected bark becomes red-brown in color. In the thickness of the bark, sporulation of the fungus develops in the form of small black crowded tubercles protruding from cracks in the periderm.
Bacterial necrosis (caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae). In spring, brown, moist necrotic areas in the form of spots form on young shoots. The affected bark and phloem rot. In the spring and autumn, spots of dead bast spread to the outer layers of wood, which, like the bark, turns brown and dies. Individual necrotic spots often merge, ringing the branches and causing their death. Watery, translucent spots of irregular shape appear on the leaves of the affected shoots, which darken over time, dry out and fall out.
To protect mock orange from diseases, a set of measures is carried out:
- systematic surveillance of the emergence and spread of diseases during the growing season, when signs of infectious diseases clearly appear;
- selection for planting of plants that do not have signs of disease on the shoots (change in bark color, sporulation, humidity);
- timely pruning of affected shoots with their immediate removal and destruction;
- destruction of fallen leaves or autumn spraying to eliminate sources of infection of powdery mildew and spotting.
Winter care
An adult garden jasmine does not need special care in winter; it does not need to be covered. Young specimens should be covered for the winter with a layer of peat or pine needles. It is useful to cover the place where the root system is located with leaf humus. After heavy snowfalls and at the end of winter, it is necessary to free the crown of the bush from the snow cap.
Before the first snow appears in the fall, the root system is insulated with a layer of compost or humus at least five centimeters thick. You can add some phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, they will increase frost resistance. A coconut felt spread on the ground would be a good “blanket” for the roots.
Plants that have not yet reached their full size are covered with snow as it appears. Many varieties lose in frosts that part of the branches that rises above the snowdrifts. This is not critical.
Preparing for winter
In order for the plant not to die in winter, it must be properly prepared for this difficult period. To do this, you need to perform a few very simple manipulations:
- It should be remembered that adult specimens are more frost-resistant than young ones. Therefore, it is quite possible not to prepare adult plants for the winter period. However, those jasmines that are still quite young need this procedure.
- When the bush fades, it should be wrapped in material specially designed for this. You can also use regular straw for this purpose.
- To prevent jasmine roots from being damaged during the winter cold, in the autumn you need to dig up the soil around the trunk and do not forget to add compost to it.
- If desired, this shrub can be transplanted to a new place in the spring.
Mock orange pests
Tamara Galasyeva, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences
Only four types of pests are known on various types of mock orange, the occurrence and harmfulness of which varies greatly. All of them are polyphages that damage other types of woody and even herbaceous plants, and feed on leaves and non-lignified shoots.
Sucking insects and mites
Sucking pests suck out juices from leaves and thin shoots. On mock orange trees, you can most often find the beet or bean aphid - Aphis fabae, sometimes incorrectly called the jasmine aphid - Aphis philadelphi. Aphids are broadly ovoid, 1.8–2.5 mm long, brown, black or greenish with a slightly noticeable waxy coating. In spring and early summer, aphids live and feed on mock orange and other shrubs (euonymus and viburnum), on which two or three generations are raised. In the second half of summer, they move to herbaceous plants (beets, poppy, beans, sunflowers, potatoes and many others) where up to 10 generations of aphids develop. In the fall (September), they again fly to the mock orange (the primary host) and lay eggs at the base of the buds. Due to damage, mock orange leaves curl, petioles and shoots become bent.
When aphids multiply massively, the leaves of the bush become covered with honeydew (sticky sugary secretions of aphids), on which sooty fungi develop, which reduces the decorativeness of the plants.
In some years, colonies of the common spider mite Tetranychus turkestanica can suck the juices from the leaves and non-lignified shoots of mock orange trees. Damaged leaves on the shoot become covered with a thin web and gradually turn yellow. Mite colonies multiply on the underside of leaves, under the web. The insects are very small, 0.5–0.6 mm long, colorless or light green. The defeat of mock orange is observed in the second half of summer, at the end of July - August. An increase in air temperature at this time is favorable for tick reproduction and contributes to the development of a large number of generations (up to 10). Before wintering, the color of the females changes to red. Only females hibernate. under fallen leaves and other plant debris, as well as in bark cracks and other secluded places.
An increase in air temperature at this time is favorable for the reproduction of spider mites.
Leaf-eating insects
The larvae and adults of the beetles gnaw holes of various shapes in the leaves or eat them completely, sometimes leaving only the veins intact.
Mock orange leaves are sometimes eaten from the edges by weevils of the genus Phyllobius. They are small, 5–7 mm long, the surface of the body is almost completely covered with light green scales with a metallic tint. Beetles actively feed on leaves and many other tree species in spring and early summer. The larvae of these weevils live in the soil and gnaw the roots of various types of herbal plants.
Very rarely, in the southern regions of the country, mock orange leaves are eaten by deadhead hawk moth caterpillars (Acherontia atrops). The larvae (caterpillars) of this species of hawkmoth are naked, lemon-yellow in color, with blue oblique stripes converging on the back at an acute angle. The caterpillar's body is covered with sticky black and blue dots. At the end of the body on the dorsal side, like most hawkmoths, there is a horn in the shape of the letter “C”. The caterpillars of this hawkmoth also feed on the leaves of herbaceous plants of the nightshade family: belladonna (belladonna), wolfberry, oak, poppy, etc. The hawkmoth received its name because of the pattern of scales and hairs on the back of the butterfly, reminiscent of a skull.
Due to damage by aphids, mock orange shoots become bent, leaves curl, and when the pest multiplies massively, they become covered with honeydew, on which sooty fungi develop.
Growing
Mock orange needs moist soil and does not tolerate drying out of the soil. In dry weather, the shrub needs regular, frequent watering. The soil around the bush is periodically loosened to improve the penetration of water and air to the roots. However, the plant does not take root in places with high humidity and swampy areas.
Chubushnik is characterized by high winter hardiness. Some varieties can withstand frosts down to -25°C. Less winter-hardy varieties freeze at -15°C. However, even a plant damaged by frost, with proper care, quickly recovers and produces new shoots. Frozen branches must be pruned in spring. In autumn, the bush is tied up so that the branches do not break off under the weight of the fallen snow.
Mock orange in landscaping
Olga Nikitina
Everyone who is even slightly interested in gardening knows the exquisite aroma of mock orange. In addition, this plant is known for its numerous species and garden hybrids that can charm even the most discerning connoisseurs.
Usage
Very often, mock orange is called garden jasmine for the rich aroma of white flowers, similar to the smell of blooming tropical jasmine.
Mock oranges are widely used in urban landscaping; they tolerate smoke, dust and air pollution well. In parks and squares they can be seen in single and group plantings, as well as in hedges. Small species are used in borders and mixborders. Dwarf varieties are suitable for rockeries and slides. Mock orange can play an important and even leading role in creating white gardens, which is facilitated by the variety of crown shapes, color and texture of leaves, sizes and shades of inflorescences.
Other beautiful flowering shrubs, such as spirea, rose hips, weigels, and lilacs, are suitable as partners for mock oranges. Interesting and spectacular compositions are obtained with pink-flowered apple trees blooming in May and early flowering species and varieties of mock orange. And the yellow-leaved variety of Ch. coronata ' Aure a' will be a bright accent in a joint planting with green-leaved mock oranges and an excellent companion to flowering lilac bushes.
The species and varietal diversity of mock oranges makes it possible to create an exquisite aromatic collection from these wonderful plants, taking into account the timing of their flowering. The first to bloom at the end of May is Schrenk's tea; the Caucasian tea , the pale leaf , the crown flower , and the small-leaved tree begin to bloom . Flowering of late-flowering species begins in late June - early July and ends in early August. These include the Magdalene part , the large-flowered part , the odorless part , the Lemoine part , and the fluffy part . If you add their varieties to the list of mock orange species, you will get a wonderful collection of fragrant, beautifully flowering shrubs.
When we talk about lilacs, we definitely remember Leonid Alekseevich Kolesnikov (not to be confused with A.I. Kolesnikov, a dendrologist, author of the famous textbook “Decorative Dendrology”), who created a huge number of unique varieties that have received worldwide recognition. But the greatest expert on chubushniks was Nikolai Kuzmich Vekhov. A well-known Soviet scientist, breeder and dendrologist, he headed the Lipetsk Experimental Breeding Station for thirty years and is the author of winter-hardy varieties of mock orange. His famous monograph Jasmines, published in 1952, is still very popular.
Russia can be proud of its domestic varieties, the best of which are considered to be mock orange varieties selected by N.K. Vekhova. He obtained abundantly flowering and, most importantly, winter-hardy varieties by seed from varietal Lemoine. As a result of hybridization and subsequent selection, Vekhov created numerous varieties, such as 'Snow Avalanche', 'Moonlight', 'Ballet Moths', 'Pompon', 'Akademik Komarov', 'Airborne Landing', 'Arctic' and many others.
Mock oranges tolerate smoke, dust and air pollution well.
Types and varieties
Among the abundantly flowering varieties of mock oranges of the Vekhovo selection, there are non-flowering low-growing varieties - 'Gnome' and 'Dwarf'. The breeder recommended using them as “green buttons” that “fasten” the lawn to the ground, as well as for creating low borders that require almost no mowing.
Many types of mock orange and their varieties are quite winter-hardy and feel great in central Russia. Currently, Russian garden centers offer a variety of planting material for these shrubs. But you need to be extremely careful when choosing one or another variety, especially of foreign origin.
It is no secret that in severe winters, even winter-hardy species and varieties freeze to the level of snow cover. But since these plants have a powerful root system, the frostbitten bush quickly recovers after pruning the damaged shoots. It’s worse for less winter-hardy species and varieties, because their root system can also freeze.
Along with black tea, black tea is used in landscaping , but its varieties are of particular interest:
' Flore Plena ' – with luxurious double flowers.
' Grandiflora ' – with flowers up to 5 cm in diameter.
' Salicifolia ' – with original narrow lanceolate leaves, similar to willow.
' Pumila ' is a shrub up to 50 cm high.
In landscape design, hybrids of the famous French breeder Lemoine are especially popular. Among them are many varieties that have proven themselves well in the conditions of central Russia:
' Alabastrite ' is an upright growing shrub up to 2 m high. Large, up to 5.5 cm in diameter, semi-double snow-white flowers are collected in inflorescences of 7–9 pieces.
' Dame Blanche ' is a shrub 1 m high and a crown diameter of 1.5 m; during flowering it is decorated with white fragrant flowers. Dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn.
' Erectus ' is a spreading shrub with a crown height and diameter of up to 2 m. Simple white flowers have a strong, pleasant scent. For planting it requires places well protected from the wind.
' Mont Blanc ' is a shrub up to 1.8 m high with rather large leaves. Graceful semi-double pure white flowers have a strong aroma.
Very impressive and original varieties of Lemoine with two-colored flowers: ' Belle Etoile ' , ' Bicolore ' , ' Beauclerk ' . They have fairly large white flowers (up to 5.5 cm in diameter) with a pink-purple center and long yellow stamens. Unfortunately, these exquisite varieties are not very frost-resistant, and they can only be recommended for cultivation in the southern regions.
The North American species , odorless , reaches a height of 3 m, is distinguished by green shoots and large leaves up to 7 cm long. Its variety ' Grandiflorus ' , 4 m high with large, up to 6 cm in diameter, white flowers, but, unfortunately, odorless. This variety has a long flowering period - up to 30 days.
Russia can be proud of its domestic varieties, the best of which are considered to be mock orange varieties selected by N.K. Vekhova.
Notes
- For the convention of indicating the class of dicotyledons as a superior taxon for the group of plants described in this article, see the section “APG Systems” of the article “Dicotyledons”.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5
[herba.msu.ru/shipunov/school/books/der_i_kust_sssr1954_3.djvu Trees and shrubs of the USSR. Wild, cultivated and promising for introduction.] / Ed. volumes S. Ya. Sokolov. - M.-L.: Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1954. - T. III. Angiosperms. Family Trochodendronaceae - Rosaceae. — 872 p. — 3000 copies. - ↑ 12345678910
[flower.onego.ru/kustar/philad_v.html Mock orange, or jasmine]. Encyclopedia of ornamental garden plants. Retrieved April 10, 2015. - [flower.onego.ru/kustar/philad_c.html Mock orange in the botanical garden of St. Petersburg]. Encyclopedia of ornamental garden plants. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
Plant propagation methods
The simplest and most productive methods of propagating mock orange are vegetative methods.
Cuttings
The procedure is carried out in the summer, when:
- Cuttings 12-15 cm long are cut from green shoots.
- The cuttings are buried in a sand-peat mixture in a slightly shaded area, where they take root.
- The plantings are watered and mulched for the winter.
- Next autumn, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place of growth.
Reproduction by layering
Another simple method in which a low-growing shoot is selected and buried in a pre-prepared ditch. The cuttings are watered throughout the spring-summer period, and in the fall they are separated from the mother bush and planted in the garden.
