Virgin bird cherry, planting and care, what are the benefits, recipes for preparations
The homeland of Virginia bird cherry is the southern states of North America. Ornamental shrubs from the Plum genus are popular with domestic gardeners due to their unforgettable beauty during the flowering period.
We invite you to get to know each other better with planting and care rules for virginian bird cherry, learn all the secrets of its cultivation.
Content:
- Description of the plant
- Bird cherry virginia: plant varieties
- Virgin bird cherry: planting
- Bird cherry virginia: care
- Reproduction of virgin bird cherry
- Diseases and pests, how to fight them
- Virgin bird cherry: recipes for preparations
Description of the plant
The American guest can look like a multi-stemmed bush or small tree up to 5 meters high. The specific form of Virginia bird cherry is determined by the planting method and care features.
The trunk of an adult shrub has a gray-violet color. The leaves of the bush are oval-shaped with small teeth. The length of the leaves varies from 3 to 10 cm.
During the flowering period, the bush is strewn with lush tassels with small white inflorescences. Virgin bird cherry does not emit a smell, which is important for allergy sufferers.
You can admire the delicate inflorescences for 2 weeks.
Flowering of this variety begins 10-14 days later than local varieties. This allows the plant to avoid damage to the inflorescences that may occur due to spring frosts. This factor, in turn, affects the high yield of the bush.
The fruits ripen in late summer and early autumn. Ripe berries can be of different shades: from light red to dark purple. The color of the fruit is influenced by the climatic features of the growing region.
The berries of the American guest have a restrained tart taste, but unlike ordinary bird cherry, these fruits have greater sweetness and slight sourness. In terms of taste, Virginia bird cherry is superior to its relative.
If you do not harvest, the fruits can hang on the branches for a very long time. In many areas there are shrubs whose fruits remain until winter.
About the healing properties of the plant - in the video:
Bird cherry virginia: plant varieties
Two varieties are most popular among gardeners.
| Schubert | An adult shrub is distinguished by its unusually beautiful leaf color. As Schubert's foliage ages, it takes on a purple tone. The fruits of this bird cherry variety are almost black in color. During the flowering and fruiting period, such a plant is a wonderful decoration for any garden, square or park. Alleys and group compositions are formed from shrubs of the Schubert variety. For planting, it is preferable to choose slightly shaded areas |
| Canada Red | The peculiarity of this variety is its conical crown and red-violet foliage color. The dark red fruits appear black in certain lighting. This plant looks very elegant. Canada Red is widely used for decorative design of parks and squares. The height of the bush can reach 5 meters. Canada Red is unpretentious and frost-resistant |
Virgin bird cherry: planting
Planting of any seedlings is planned for spring or autumn, and Virginia bird cherry is no exception.Fortunately for amateur gardeners, this is a fairly unpretentious shrub. However, if possible, it should be planted in open space.
Judging by the reviews of gardeners, Virginia bird cherry feels good in the shade. However, if you compare the quality of flowers and fruits, the absolute advantage will be on the side of plants planted in open areas.
For cross-pollination, it is recommended to plant several seedlings. The distance between them should be about 5 meters.
The most suitable soil is loam. If possible, it is necessary to ensure planting in soil with a slightly acidic or neutral environment. To ensure the viability of the bush, groundwater must be located at a distance of at least 1.5 m from the surface.
For planting, you need a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the seedling.
If possible, mineral and organic fertilizers should be used. Place them strictly according to the instructions. Excess organic matter negatively affects the condition and appearance of the bush.
After planting, the plant is watered abundantly and the soil around is mulched. The entire growing season requires additional watering. An adult tree is watered only if the summer is too hot.
The final stage of planting is trimming the top. The purpose of the procedure is to mark the point of formation of skeletal branches. Typically this height is 50-70 cm, although this issue can be left to the discretion of the gardener.
Bird cherry virginia: care
A young plant needs constant care. Freshly planted shrubs are watered, weeds are pulled out, and the soil is loosened.
An important point is timely sanitary pruning. Sick and damaged branches must be removed. To avoid excessive thickening, the crown must be thinned out periodically.Anti-aging pruning is also carried out periodically.
If you plan to grow an ornamental plant, you need to do formative pruning.
For Virginia bird cherry, it is better to do standard pruning - a free form does not look so decorative. The sections are treated with whitewash or garden varnish.
Fallen leaves in the fall do not need to be removed. By rotting, it has a beneficial effect on the soil composition. The winter period does not require any shelter - the Virginia variety is a frost-resistant species.
Reproduction of virgin bird cherry
Reproduction of ornamental shrubs is possible in several ways:
- cuttings;
- root cuttings;
- shoot;
- graft;
- seeds.
To maximize the transfer of maternal qualities, vegetative methods are chosen. When planting seeds, the properties of the mother plant are not fully inherited. In addition, a shrub grown from a seed begins to bear fruit only in the 7th year of life.
Plants propagated vegetatively bear fruit in the 3rd year after planting. The seeds are planted at a depth of 5-6 cm. However, it should be noted that this method of propagation may be ineffective.
Diseases and pests, how to deal with them
Most often, tree leaves are affected by marsupial fungus. Symptoms of the disease are characteristic spots on leaves and fruits. If possible, the affected parts of the bush should be removed immediately.
The sooner this is done, the greater the chance that the main part of the plant is not infected. The neglected form requires maximum removal of branches. This is a big nuisance for gardeners who have been trying for several years to give the tree the desired shape.
In addition to the marsupial fungus, the plant suffers from the invasion of aphids, weevils, silkworms, and moths.You can fight them with tobacco infusion or soap solution.
Treatment is carried out in early spring and then repeated after the plant has flowered.
To improve the quality of flowering, experts recommend spraying with Sherpa or Decis - these are synthetic substances that provide long-term protection against insects.
The preparations have contact, residual and repellent effects on a wide range of pests. Treatment is carried out before flowering.
Virgin bird cherry: recipes for preparations
Virginskaya bird cherry is widely used in folk medicine. The amygdalin it contains has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. The fruits of the bush also contain glucose, tannins and organic acids.
Berries are a source of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the body's defenses. It is recommended to drink tea from the leaves of bird cherry to relieve nervous tension and stabilize the emotional background.
The astringent properties of the berries are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including infectious ones. To get the effect, just pour one tablespoon of berries with 200 g of water and boil the composition for 20 minutes. Then the liquid is filtered, cooled and taken three times a day, half a glass at a time.
It is contraindicated for pregnant women in any form. Traditional medicine must be used under the supervision of a doctor and combined with traditional methods of treatment.
In addition to medicine, the fruits are used in cooking. I use the berries as a filling for baked goods, make compotes, jelly, make tincture and homemade wine. Flour made from fruits is best known for its taste and nutritional qualities.
To prepare it you need to do the following:
- Remove the stalks;
- Wash the berries thoroughly and dry completely in the open air;
- Place the fruits in the oven or dehydrator and dry at 50 degrees;
- Grind the dried berries in a coffee grinder or meat grinder.
- This flour can be used for dietary baking or as a filling for pies.
Virginia bird cherry is a godsend for amateur gardeners and professional landscape designers. In addition to its decorative functions, the plant has a number of healing qualities. Decoctions of bark, leaves and fruits are widely used in folk and traditional medicine.
However, it is important to consider that only high-quality fruits should be consumed. Wilted and spoiled berries contain toxins that can cause food poisoning.
Watch a video about making jam:
Comments
From a distance, its blossoms are somewhat reminiscent of the blossoms of the wild, small apple tree that we ate as children in kindergarten. So I still remember this beautiful flowering from those times. I have never tried bird cherry.
A huge bird cherry tree grows right in front of my window. And recently it has bloomed in full bloom. It was so beautiful! And the smell! Awesome. I make the filling for loaves from bird cherry berries. I just pass them through a meat grinder three times.