Do you think it is possible to see snow caps in a green flowering garden? The answer will be positive if there is an action on your site. Action is a heat-loving shrub that has a variety of decorative garden forms. This plant is very popular from the Hortensian family in Holland. Action and its name was received in the 19th century in honor of A. Dayts, the mayor of Amsterdam. Garden grades of action do not exceed two meters in height. There are also species a little above the meter. In the way the action blossoms, the main feature of this deciduous shrub is. Inflorescences of snow-white, pink, lilac flowers (and with smooth, and with double petals) appear immediately after the flowering of the lilac. The flowers of action do not have a smell, but it blooms so richly that the bushes resemble drifts. Flowering continues almost to the end of June. Some gardeners are puzzled why the action on their plot does not blossom, and the reason is banal. Just the plant was frozen in winter. Since the action lays flower buds only on perennial wood, then again you will see flowers only after 2-3 years.
Action - Reproduction
The action multiplies:
- seeds;
- layering;
- root offspring;
- cuttings.
Seed is sown in the spring, pressing them tightly to the soil in the sowing boxes. Seedlings appear within three weeks. The seedlings are dived. It should be remembered that the action is afraid of low temperatures, so all work should be done in cover. Action, grown from seeds, begins to bloom in the third year of life.
But the most common method of breeding the action is reproduction by cuttings. Perfectly take root green cuttings, which are harvested in early July. Cuttings are well rooted at an air temperature of at least 15 degrees, especially if an artificial mist is created for them.
Action - planting and care
When choosing a place for planting an action on a permanent place, one must take into account that it is a light-loving shrub that is resistant to drought. The soil must be nutritious, not acidic and not waterlogged. If the soil on your site does not meet the requirements, then it should be improved by adding humus, sand, slaked lime, wood ash .
If you have already prepared the soil and selected the sort of action you need, you can start planting bushes by digging up pit holes. The depth of the pits should be approximately 40-50 cm and a layer of sand on the bottom (drainage) of not less than 10 cm. Pits should be arranged in rows, respecting the distance between them not less than 2 meters, and between plants in the row - not less than 2.5 meters.
Think about how to plant an action on your site. Perhaps you will choose a single landing, or even create a hedge from the action.
How to care for the action?
The main thing that the gardeners want to achieve when planting the action is a lush and abundant flowering. To do this, care should be taken as follows:
- Timely weeding;
- loosening of the soil;
- moderate watering;
- pruning;
- top dressing with humus and mineral fertilizers;
- shelter for the winter.
Watering the action should be 2-3 times a month in the heat, at the rest of the time as the soil dries up. Loosening to produce after rains. Very responsive action on top dressing with humus (bucket floor per bush), superphosphate - 20 g under a bush, and wood ash (200 g under a bush). If there are lingering rains in your area in autumn, cover the soil around the action with waterproof material.
Be sure to cover the action bushes for the winter. After the first nocturnal frosts, the bushes should be bent and fixed in a
Crop Action
Since the action is a bush, caring for it necessarily involves pruning. Pruning should be carried out annually, immediately after flowering and last feeding. With the help of pruning form a bush, removing far protruding branches. The old 4-5-year old branches are carved into a ring or a small stump.
Action is a great choice for decorating your garden.