Prickly shrub with red leaves. Mahonia - evergreen beauty

Evergreen shrub with decorative spiny leaves that change color throughout the year; lush inflorescences of yellow fragrant flowers and brushes of blue edible sour berries. Has healing abilities.

Rod Magonia

A few dozens evergreen shrubs or small trees united in the genus Mahonia (Mahonia) of the Barberry family. Despite common features, various decorative forms and the species may be erect, spreading, or nearly creeping.

Large leaves with a spiny edge are often pinnate, but there are also compound ones that have three or more independent leaflets. Green color leaves in autumn likes to acquire purple hues, attracting lovers of the exotic.

The apical inflorescences-panicles or brushes are collected from yellow fragrant flowers that turn into beautiful clusters of blue sour berries that have the ability to lower blood pressure.

Varieties

Mahonia holly(Mahonia aquifolium) - a tree that gives birth to abundant shoots around its base, is the most common species of mahonia. Its pinnate leaves with a wavy serrated edge armed each tooth with a sharp thorn. In summer, the leaves are dark green with a glossy sheen, and in autumn they turn red, acquiring a purple hue. In early spring, the tree blooms inflorescences-brushes collected from intensely yellow fragrant flowers. Decorative brushes of blue-black berries complete the beauty of the bush.

Lots of output different types and varieties that differ in leaf color and plant shape. For example, the Apollo variety is a creeping dwarf plant. The leaves of the plant variety "Emerald" do not change their green color even in winter period, and varieties "Dark Purple" - in winter and in early spring acquire a purple-red color.

Magonia japonica(Mahonia japonica) - lemon-yellow fragrant flowers bloom on drooping long inflorescences-brushes in winter. The dark green leaves are composed of leaflets.

Mahonia Beala (Bila)(Mahonia bealei) - erect and shorter than those of the Japanese mahonia, branches with flowers that also differ from the previous species.

Mahonia Fortune(Mahonia fortunei) - erect branches covered with complex leaves of linear lanceolate leaflets. In winter, the bush is crowned with erect inflorescences-brushes, collected from bright yellow flowers.

Magonia lomarifolia(Mahonia lomariifolia) is a thermophilic plant grown only in mild climates. Among other species, it stands out large sizes bush. Complex long leaves there are 15-19 paired toothed leaflets with sharp spines on the teeth. Intense yellow flowers appear in the world in winter.

cultivation

Magonia prefers to grow in open ground. It is planted singly and in groups, arranging a living thorny fence from the bushes. A dwarf creeping variety is used as a ground cover, pinching shoots in April to stimulate growth. In a cold climate, early spring is suitable for planting, in a mild climate - the first months of autumn.

Soil requirements vary from species to species. If the holly mahonia is unpretentious, then other species love fertile, well-drained soil.

Depending on the type of mahonia, it can be winter-hardy or not. Grows in sun or partial shade, or only in full sun. Drought tolerant, does not tolerate stagnant water.

May be affected by fungal diseases.

reproduction

Magonia is propagated by seeds, semi-lignified cuttings, rooting shoots.

In August, seeds of ground cover species are sown in special soil, planting seedlings in open ground after 1-2 years. Other species are propagated by cuttings, and holly mahonia - by rooting layering.

Mahonia aquifolia

Mahonia holly is an evergreen plant that grows in western parts North America. The shrub grows up to one and a half meters and has leathery large leaves. The leaves are pinnate and consist of several spiny-toothed leaflets. In the process of blooming, they have a reddish tint, dark green in summer, and golden-bronze in autumn, especially if the plant grows on sunny areas. Magonia flowers are yellow and grow collected in inflorescences, which are located at the ends of the shoots. Magonia blooms in early May and continues to bloom throughout the month. Sometimes re-blooms in October. The plant bears fruits of an oblong-elliptical shape with berries that have a dark blue bloom. The berries are edible and have a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The berries ripen in early August and give the plant a very unusual view. Magonia holly is a cross-pollinated plant. A single bush does not have fruits, so mahonia is usually planted at least in pairs. The yield of the plant depends on successful pollination. If all conditions have been created for pollination, then mahonia will delight you with its fruits. But the main purpose of mahonia is its decorative effect.

Magonia bushes give abundant root offspring, with the help of which beautiful thickets are formed near the bush. The plant tolerates shade well, and in sunny areas forms beautiful and dense bushes. Grows well in soil rich in humus, tolerates urban conditions and pruning.

AT middle lane There is conflicting information about the winter hardiness of mahonia in Russia. And not by chance. natural environment Mahonia grows in North America, and the plants grow in an area stretching from north to south. Those species that grow along the southern mountain ranges of the mainland in Russia do not withstand the winter cold and most often freeze slightly. And plants that grow in the northern part have satisfactory winter-hardy characteristics. These facts were confirmed by specialists from the main botanical garden. However, in plants growing in the north and south, there are practically no external differences. To this must be added the fact that the resistance of a plant depends on its age. Young magonia bushes freeze much more often than bushes that are three or more years old. Therefore, when planting low-hardy forms, they must be covered for the first two winters. For winter shelter spruce branches or fallen leaves are used, preferably oak. A film or non-woven material must be laid on top of the shelter.

mahonia has decorative look throughout the year, but especially beautiful spring, when most plants have not yet had leaves, and in mahonia, against the background of last year's leaves, young shiny leaves with a reddish tint are already beginning to look out. Yellow plentiful inflorescences during the flowering period look very beautiful along with shiny leaves. And with abundant fruiting, the mahonia bush looks very impressive. Magonia bushes look equally good in both single and group plantings. Usually gardeners plant it in the foreground or next to rocky hills. Magonia can also be planted in borders or low hedges. The plant has been used as an ornamental since the 19th century.

Magonia decorative has several types:

— mahonia nut-leaved (f. juglandifolia). Its leaves consist of seven leaflets, smaller than those of the main form. The species also has a red petiole of a compound leaf.

mahonia graceful (f. Gracilis) - with long leaves.
mahonia golden (f. aurea) - with golden leaves
motley mahonia(f. variegata) - variegated leaves.

The variety "Apollo" is most popular in Europe. It was bred to Dutch gardeners in 1973. The plant grows up to 1 meter and has the same crown diameter. The leaves of this variety are complex and grow up to 30 cm in length. They consist of 5 or 7 leaflets with sharp teeth. In summer, the leaves of the plant have a dark green color, and in August they acquire a bronze hue. Blooms in May. The flowers are up to 0.8 cm in diameter, bright yellow in color and have a pleasant smell. The berries are bluish-black in color and ripen in August.

The variety "Atropurpurea" was also bred in Holland, only already in 1915. The height of the bush and the diameter of the crown is 0.6 m. The leaves grow up to 25 cm long and have a dark green color. The flowers reach a diameter of 0.8 cm, have a yellow color. The flowers are fragrant and bloom in May. The fruits of this variety of mahonia are small and painted in a bluish-black color. The berries ripen in August.

Among the varieties there is a hybrid of holly magonia and common barberry. This shrub is evergreen and grows up to one meter in height. The leaves of this species are ovate-oblong in shape. They grow up to seven centimeters in length. The leaves themselves are hard, serrated, and rounded at the base. The plant looks like a barberry in shape simple leaves, and with mahonia it is united by the absence of thorns on the shoots and the next arrangement of leaves.

Magonia is planted in open sunny areas. The plant can easily withstand light shade. Plant growth is slow.
The plant prefers fertile loose soil. The soil mixture should consist of humus, soddy soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. On compacted soil, mahonia bushes grow worse. On dry soil, the plant is more often damaged by frost. If mahonia is planted on a heavy or clay soil, then she needs a drainage layer of 25 centimeters.

When planting mahonia, it is necessary to take into account the distance between the bushes. In dense soil, the distance should be 1 meter, and in loose soil - 2 meters. The plant can be transplanted at any age. Mahonia does not tolerate transplantation, which is done late autumn. Planting depth should be 50 cm. root collar must

be at ground level.

Holly mahonia - care

Magonia is needed regular feeding which is produced twice a season. The first dressing is done in early spring, preferably before flowering. For top dressing, keira is used - wagon or nitro - ammophoska in a proportion of 120 gr. for 1 square meter. Magonia grows well in moist soil. During normal seasonal rainfall, watering is not required. However, in dry summers, the bushes are watered once every two weeks. Each bush consumes 10 liters of water. If the soil is dense, shallow loosening is performed. After spring planting, mulching is not at all necessary, but in the fall, it is advisable to cover the mahonia bushes with dry leaves or spruce branches.
Magonia bushes are generally not tall, and therefore they are not usually pruned. And in order for the bushes to be thick, they are simply trimmed almost immediately after flowering is completed. In extreme cases, cropping can be transferred to autumn period. But it must be remembered that flowers are formed on the shoots of last year, so they are cut off by no more than half, otherwise flowering can be artificially slowed down. Magonia bushes tolerate rejuvenating pruning easily and recover very quickly. If damaged, the bush can form a dense growth at the base of the bush.

Diseases

Magonia is usually damaged by spotting. To prevent this disease, plant bushes are sprayed with preparations containing copper. For example, 200 gr. green soap and 20 gr. blue vitriol diluted in 10 liters of water. Also, the plant can be treated with polycarbacin, cineb or Bordeaux liquid. Also, the plant is susceptible to a disease called "powdery mildew." From this disease, mahonia bushes are sprayed throughout the summer, every 10 days with the following drugs: topsin-M, fundazol and or caratan. Magonia is also prone to rust. To avoid rust, mahonia is sprayed with cineb or any preparations containing sulfur. One of the main reasons for the limited planting of mahonia bushes is that this plant, like the barberry, is an intermediate carrier of rust fungi, which mainly affect cereals. But at present, experience shows that such a role of mahonia and barberry bushes is clearly exaggerated.

reproduction

Magonia breeds seed way, vaccinations and layering. Best time for seed propagation it's autumn, right after they're harvested. You can also sow the seeds in the fall, after keeping the seeds at a temperature of 0 to +5 degrees. At first, shoots of mahonia must be shaded. The first flowering of seedlings occurs on

fourth year of life. Such shrubs usually do not have root shoots. Mahonia can also be propagated by green cuttings, but at the same time observing the conditions of artificial fog. In addition to this condition for cuttings, it is necessary to use young plants. Cuttings of old plants practically do not take root.

Magonia is an ornamental plant and always attracts Special attention florists. It is often used to create winter bouquets. For long-term preservation of the branches, they are usually covered with hairspray.

Mahonia looks beautiful among stones or planted in groups on lawns or near the walls of houses. It looks especially beautiful against the background of trees, in borders. The plant is often planted as a hedge. Mahonia is also a great backdrop for others ornamental plants. Highly successful combination is a combination of mahonia with roses. It is very often planted in rose gardens, as it emphasizes the beauty of roses with its dark green leaves. Mahonia is also planted between the bushes, and then it becomes a beautiful frame for the entire rose garden. Magonia bushes look very impressive with Japanese quince and primroses. Magonia has abundant root growth, which forms low thickets, and therefore this plant is often grown as a ground cover. Despite the fact that mahonia is a photophilous plant, it tolerates shading well, therefore an evergreen layer is often formed from the plant, which is covered with a transparent canopy of trees.