Stephanandra incised leaf is a deciduous shrub characterized by medium height (up to 2.5 m), cushion shape and openwork crown. The leaves are pointed, have a pale green color, deeply dissected, wavy along the edge. White flowers are small and fragrant, bloom in mid-summer (June-July).
The lustrous shoots of the bush are sinuous, arc-shaped and lie flat on the ground, rooting very easily with enough moisture.
Stefanander: Description
The attractiveness of small inflorescences and decorative foliage with its special shape and arrangement of leaves create a unique graceful image for the crown of slow-growing Stephanandra, giving it some lightness and throughness. In summer, soft green foliage, heart-shaped at the base, contrasts brightly with reddishshiny shoots, but the peak of the shrub's attractiveness occurs in autumn, when the leaves are painted in lemon, pink and red hues.
Stefanander: Features
Stephanandra incised leaf (photo below) has medium frost resistance and can freeze slightly in harsh winters, but the plant recovers very quickly and easily.
Therefore, for the winter period, it is recommended to cover the base of the plant with peat or a dry leaf, from which the root neck of the bush must be released in the spring.
Stephanandra incised leaf is intended for single plantings, planting in decorative groups and on retaining walls, grows well in the sun, but semi-shaded places protected from penetrating winds are optimal for it. The openwork carpet of the bush, formed by the green crown of the plant, looks harmoniously under the trees with light leaves.
Stefanander is a harmonious component of the natural composition
There are 4 types of plants that are common in Japan and Korea in the wild; in central Russia, stephanandra incised-leaved Crispa is grown. It can be observed in the parks of Belarus, the B altic states and Ukraine.
Stefanander is positioned as an ornamental shrub in America and Western Europe. It is characterized by short stature (up to 0.8 m), a spreading crown, the diameter of which is about 1.5 meters, and deeply dissected small leaves,characterized by a slightly wrinkled surface. Small greenish-white flowers are collected in panicle inflorescences, have a light pleasant aroma, bloom in May-June and bloom for one month. Such a dwarf shrub with graceful ornamental leaves is used as a ground cover ornamental plant and looks harmoniously on the external background of compositions.
Stefanander incised leaf: planting and care
The optimal time for planting Stephanandra is spring. The gap between plants should be from 1.5 to 2 meters. The shrub prefers nutritious, fresh soils; grows very well in sandy loamy drained soil. The optimal composition of the soil mixture: sheet earth, sand and peat compost in a ratio of 2:1:1. If there are heavy clay soils on the site, it is imperative to prepare drainage with a layer of at least 15 cm. A year after planting in early spring (before foliage appears), 15 grams of ammonium nitrate, 10 grams of urea, 1 kg of semi-decomposed mullein should be added to 10 liters of water. An adult plant aged 10-20 years will need 10-12 liters of this solution.
Like any plant, stephanandra incised-leaved crispa needs watering. In the summer, watering is required every other day, spending 2 buckets on each plant. Be sure to weed weeds with simultaneous loosening of the surface layer to a depth of 10 centimeters.
In the area of the trunk circle, mulching should be done with a layer of 5-7 cm, using peat or wood chips as mulch. It determines the persistence in the soilmoisture and protects the shrub from weeds.
To give the crown a decorative look, improve its formation and growth in spring, timely pruning of the shrub is required, relieving it of dried, diseased and old branches.
Stephanandra incised leaf is characterized by high resistance to diseases and various pests. As a preventive measure in April, it is recommended to feed stephanander with complex mineral fertilizers.
Stefanander: breeding
Stephanandra is propagated vegetatively and by seeds that can be planted immediately after harvest without their preliminary stratification (creating the necessary conditions for early germination, similar to natural ones). The shrub is very easy to propagate by summer cuttings, layering and division of the bush, which is done in early spring or early autumn. When propagating by cuttings, it is recommended to use young green shoots, because their survival rate is 90-100%. Stephanandra's natural ability to self-root makes it easy to transplant a plant: just dig up a rooted sprout and transplant it to a permanent place of growth.
Stefanander as an ornamental plant
Stephanandra incised Crispa, the reviews of gardeners about which are positive and cause a desire to acquire such an unusual ornamental plant, is used to create complex decorative compositions and group lawn plantings.
Even in its proud and contrasting loneliness, the bush attracts the interested glances of passers-by. The plant looks impressive against the background of evergreen shrubs and conifers.
