Callicarpa

The genus Callicarpa includes more than 140 deciduous species of shrubs and small trees ranging from tender to resistant, grown primarily for ornamental berries. The opposite leaves are toothed, and in autumn they often turn yellow and pinkish in color. The flowers are small tubular, collected in panicles in the axils of the leaves. Fruits-rounded berries, colored from purple to lilac with a metallic tint, ripen in autumn. The plant's name comes from ancient Greek and means "beautiful fruit". Callicarpa Bodinieri is widely distributed; only the botanical variety of Callicarpa Bodinieri Giraldii (C. b. giraldii) is grown - a species with a height of 1.8 m. It is characterized by long pubescent branches with oval-lanceolate wrinkled light green leaves, which turn yellow and pinkish in autumn. In July, lilac-pink flowers bloom. In their place, round purple or purple-purple berries are formed. The variety 'Izobilie' with very plentiful fruiting is widespread. Callicarpa dichotoma (C. dichotoma) is a stable species up to 1.5 m high, oval in shape with a large-toothed edge of leaves and pink flowers appearing in July, in place of which fruits of intense lilac color are formed. Callicarpa whitish (C. candicans) is a shrubby species up to 3 m high. The flowers are lilac-blue, blooming in summer, and purple berries form in their place. Callicarpa japonica (C. japonica) grows up to 1.5 m. It has oval-lanceolate pointed leaves that turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are pink and bloom in August. The fruits are purple and lilac-purple berries. Reddish callicarpa (C. rubella) is not a very stable species, up to 3 m tall. Leaves are ovate-oblong or lanceolate; small flowers of intense pink color, blooming in July; round glossy purplish-red berries are kept on the plant for a long time.

The genus Callicarpa includes more than 140 deciduous species of shrubs and small trees ranging from tender to resistant, grown primarily for ornamental berries. The opposite leaves are toothed, and in autumn they often turn yellow and pinkish in color. The flowers are small tubular, collected in panicles in the axils of the leaves. Fruits-rounded berries, colored from purple to lilac with a metallic tint, ripen in autumn. The plant's name comes from ancient Greek and means "beautiful fruit".

Callicarpa Bodinieri is widely distributed; only the botanical variety of Callicarpa Bodinieri Giraldii (C. b. giraldii) is grown - a species with a height of 1.8 m. It is characterized by long pubescent branches with oval-lanceolate wrinkled light green leaves, which turn yellow and pinkish in autumn. In July, lilac-pink flowers bloom. In their place, round purple or purple-purple berries are formed. The variety 'Izobilie' with very plentiful fruiting is widespread.

Callicarpa dichotoma (C. dichotoma) is a stable species up to 1.5 m high, oval in shape with a large-toothed edge of leaves and pink flowers appearing in July, in place of which fruits of intense lilac color are formed.

Callicarpa whitish (C. candicans) is a shrubby species up to 3 m high. The flowers are lilac-blue, blooming in summer, and purple berries form in their place.

Callicarpa japonica (C. japonica) grows up to 1.5 m. It has oval-lanceolate pointed leaves that turn yellow in autumn. The flowers are pink and bloom in August. The fruits are purple and lilac-purple berries.

Reddish callicarpa (C. rubella) is not a very stable species, up to 3 m tall. Leaves are ovate-oblong or lanceolate; small flowers of intense pink color, blooming in July; round glossy purplish-red berries are kept on the plant for a long time.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Callicarpa are grown in the open ground. They are finally planted in the ground in the spring. They are not very attractive to the soil. It is recommended to feed young plants with organic fertilizers at the rate of 7-8 kg /m2. Since flowers and fruits are formed on the shoots of the current year, in late winter and early spring, last year's branches are cut off, leaving 10-15 cm from the soil surface.

Plants of the genus Callicarpa are grown in the open ground. They are finally planted in the ground in the spring. They are not very attractive to the soil. It is recommended to feed young plants with organic fertilizers at the rate of 7-8 kg /m2. Since flowers and fruits are formed on the shoots of the current year, in late winter and early spring, last year's branches are cut off, leaving 10-15 cm from the soil surface.

Location

It requires a very sunny, wind-protected place.

Temperature

The species is thermophilic and resistant to high temperatures. With the exception of callicarpa whitish and callicarpa reddish (can only be grown in mild climates), plants are also resistant to low air temperature, if the soil surface is covered around. In any case, frost often damages the callicarpa, affecting new shoots at the base.

Watering

It is required for young plants immediately after planting in the ground and during periods of prolonged drought.

Reproduction

Callicarpas are usually propagated by cuttings. In June-July, semi-woody cuttings 10 cm long are planted in a mixture of peat and sand at a temperature of 16-18 °C. After the formation of roots, the seedlings are transplanted into pots one at a time, in the same ground. Add 500 g of rotted manure to a bucket of soil. They are left to winter indoors and finally planted next spring.

Diseases

Various fungi in too humid environments cause leaf spotting. This can be prevented by treatment with zinc-containing fungicides. Other fungi can trigger the appearance of growths on the stems, which dry out from this. Trim the affected parts of the plants and burn them.

Acquisition

Callicarpa is easily found in specialized nurseries and gardening centers. Choose well-formed and absolutely healthy plants.