Features of growing stefanandry in the garden

Stefanandra is a perennial flowering shrub originating from Japan. This perennial is widely used in ornamental gardening. The main advantage of the semi-shrub, which turns it into a real highlight of the garden, are winding stems. We invite you to familiarize yourself with common types of stefanandra, as well as learn the rules of planting and caring for this unusual plant.

Botanical description

Stefanander is a squat, spreading grass of the Rosaceae family. The homeland of the plant is considered to be East Asia (Japan and Korea). The annual growth of the grass is insignificant, however, the adult shrub reaches large dimensions: 2-3 meters in height, 2-2.5 in width. Luxurious crown is formed from decorative branches, under its own weight taking an arcuate shape. Young stems - thin, winding, painted brown.Stefanandra foliage is very attractive. Sheets are alternately fixed to the shoots with short cuttings. Leaves - carved, dissected in shape, ovate with teeth on the ends. On leaf blades there are serrate stipules of green color. The color of the foliage itself is bright or light green, and in the fall the grass becomes yellow or orange. Flowers - small (up to 5 mm), bisexual, collected in rare panicles. Petals - pointed, white. The aroma of the green is pleasant, but weakly expressed. The fruit is a small multi-seedling with a dense dry pericarp.

Kinds

The genus consists of four species, of which two species are widely distributed in garden culture: notch leaf and Tanaki. These two species very brightly look in the neighborhood with coniferous trees.

Notched leaf

Stefanander notch leaf can reach 1.5-2 meters in height and 2-2.5 meters in width.The shrub grows and expands rather slowly, reaching its maximum size only after 25-30 years. The crown is reticulated, deeply dissected and has a red-brown color. The leaves are placed on short cuttings. The plant retains a decorative appearance throughout the warm season, and in the fall acquires bright colorful shades. The flowering is rich, the flowering phase begins from the beginning of summer and lasts until August. In the cold winters, Stefanander froze to the level of snow cover, but soon recovers, although to the detriment of flowering.

Gardeners have created a separate, unusually spectacular variety of notched-leaved stefanandry - Crisp. This variety is distinguished by small dimensions and ranks among the dwarf species. The average height of the shrub is 50-60 cm, and width - 2 meters. On the site, Crisp is like a thick pillow. Inclined arcuate and entwined stems create a continuous boom. The stems are often in contact with the surface of the soil, then rooted and form a new green. The leaves are more dissected, have a wavy or folded structure. On the yellowed leaves orange and yellow specks are observed.

Tanaka

Stefanander Tanaka (Tanake) is a plant characterized by large dimensions: 2 meters high and 2.5 meters wide. The leaves are much larger than in other species, capable of reaching 10 centimeters in length. The crowns of the leaves are double-blade, the shape of the leaf plate is heart-shaped, pointed. Bottom veins have a rare pubescence. With the onset of autumn, the foliage is transformed into a purple or burgundy color. The inflorescences are also larger than other varieties, reaching 10 cm in diameter. The size of the bud of a flower is 5 mm. The flowering phase begins a month later than the previous varieties and lasts from July to August.

Where to plant a plant?

Next, we select for stefanandry place on the garden plot.

Light or shade?

Stefanander develops safely in the sunlit places. Planting in the penumbra and even in the shade is also permissible, but in this case the bush will grow slowly, and the inflorescences may not bloom. So that you do not have to transplant the plant, initially choose a good sunny plot of land.

The soil

The soil for planting stefanandry should be fertile, loose, moist. Pick loose sand and peat substrates. Can be planted in loamy or clay mixtures. Mix heavy clay soil with sand and peat. Soil acidity should be neutral or slightly acidic. Be sure to take care of good drainage, for this use pebbles, gravel, broken bricks or large crushed stone.

Planting and Breeding Rules

Stefanander is propagated by seeds and vegetatively (green and semi-woody cuttings).

Seeds

Seeds for growing stefanandra desirable to purchase in specialized markets or in stores. Seeds do not need stratification, they are sown in open ground in May. For this purpose, suitable light and fertile substrate. You can make crushed charcoal. Water the seedlings moderately. Grown up seedlings can thin out. When the sprouts get stronger, carefully transplant them to a permanent place of growth.

Before you start planting young plants in open ground, you need to prepare a place for them:

1. Dig a small hole (50-60 cm in diameter, 60 cm in depth).
2. At the bottom of the pit, place pieces of brick or large crushed stone.
3. Pour a layer of sand (10-15 cm).
4. Add soil (sand and deciduous humus mixed with organic fertilizer).

When the landing site is ready, plant the shrub in the ground, then pour plenty of water.

Cuttings

Grafting is the simplest way to reproduce Stefanandra, which will not cause you additional questions. Cuttings are cut in summer and they take root very easily.

Perform cutting as follows:

1. Cut off one- or two-year-old stems, divide them into cuttings (one edge should be smooth, the second one should be beveled).
2. Within 5-7 hours, keep the cuttings in a special tool - the root stimulator.
3. Then plant the cuttings in containers with soil, deepening them by 3-4 cm.
4. Water the young plants and cover with a film (the film will help to create a greenhouse atmosphere).
5. Ventilate and moisten plants regularly. In such conditions, the roots are more likely to form roots.
6. Replanting stefanander in open ground can only be a year later.The distance between lush bushes should be at least 2-3 meters.

How to care?

Procedures for the care of stefanandra consist in timely watering and high-quality top dressing of the soil, as well as in the planned trimming of the shrub.

How often to water?

Stefanander is a sufficiently moisture-loving plant. With a lack of moisture foliage may turn yellow and wilted. Moisturize the shrub 2-3 times a week. Uncontrolled watering is also harmful, as it can rot the rhizome. The best option is when the soil will dry out between irrigation procedures. In dry and hot weather, enhance watering.

Pruning

In the spring, after the flowering phase, the stefanandre requires sanitary pruning. Removing unsuitable branches helps rejuvenate the bush and form a crown. To the base, remove frozen and dried and old branches. Also try to get rid of thickening shoots, as too lush thickets lose their decorative appearance.

From the lack of sunlight, the stems in the middle of the bush tend to shed their leaves. Therefore, try to control the green growth at the side processes and near the roots.

Top dressing and fertilizer

As for feeding, then Stefanander requires special attention. Fertilizers contribute to the formation of a lush crown. In the spring add nutrients with a nitrogen content. Bring herbal or pometny infusion. They should be prepared in advance: Mix one part of the litter with ten parts of water. Infuse liquid for 8-10 days, and at the end stir. Pour the finished organic mixture at the root of each bush.

You can also use humus. Add the mixture of humus to the area of ​​the circle of the trunk to a small depth (1 bucket of the composition for 1 bush).

In the fall, use mineral supplements and fertilizers.

Disease and Pest Resistance

Stefanander is practically not attacked by pests. In rare cases, the plant may suffer from diseases such as powdery mildew, rust and gray mold. In case of detection of these diseases, immediately treat the bush with special fungicidal preparations. As a preventative measure, provide your plants with the optimal growth conditions described above.

Cultivation and reproduction of stefanandra is a fascinating and not troublesome task.Having planted this spectacular ornamental plant in your garden, for many years you will enjoy its beautiful appearance.