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The exotic shrub of David's buddley has long been loved by many plant breeders due to its unusual appearance and variety of colors. This beautiful plant has more than 120 varieties, among which everyone can choose a variety to their liking. Among them, the Border Beauty buddleya stands out, which will be discussed below.
Breeding history of the variety
Buddley of David Border Beauty was first bred in the city of Wageningen back in 1962. She owes her appearance to the Dutch breeder Henry Schiforst, however, it is not possible at the moment to determine for certain which varieties were used to breed Border Beauty. Despite the fact that this type of shrub is not listed in the State Register of the Russian Federation, it has won great love among all plant lovers.
Description of buddley
Buddley of David Border Beauty is a lush deciduous shrub, the height of which is almost 1.5 - 2 m. This variety of Buddley David tends to grow in width, reaching up to 2 m in diameter. The leaves of the plant are not very large and have an oblong shape. The surface of the sheet plate is matte, saturated dark green. The lower part of the leaf has a white edge. But most of all, Border Beauty buddley attracts attention with its tubular fragrant flowers that resemble tiny forget-me-nots.
The whole genus of buddleya amazes the imagination with a variety of color palette, as well as a wide range of shapes and sizes of flowers. Border Beauty stands out against the background of other representatives of the David buddleya species with a deep lilac-pink shade of flowers, each of which has a bright yellow core, as can be seen in the photo. The delicate color and characteristic shape of the inflorescences contributed to the fact that in Russian-speaking countries Border Beauty was dubbed "autumn lilac".
Large cone-shaped inflorescences up to 35 cm long have a slightly curved shape. When the cultivar is in bloom, they hang effectively from the bush, spreading a thick honey scent. It is the smell that makes the Border Beauty buddleya a real magnet for honey bees and butterflies, who enjoy the nectar of the plant with pleasure, simultaneously pollinating it. Thanks to this interesting feature, the variety received the romantic name "butterfly bush" in English, which was artistically translated in Russia as "butterfly bush"
The variety is distinguished by abundant flowering, which lasts from June to August, and in some regions the plant is pleasing to the eye even until mid-September. Moreover, Border Beauty blooms every year upon reaching the age of 2-3 years, becoming even more magnificent after spring pruning.
Since David's Buddlea Border Beauty is a thermophilic variety, regions with mild winters and warm, humid summers will be most suitable for it. In such a climate, the plant will be able to fully demonstrate its beauty, surprising its neighbors with a riot of colors and enchanting aroma.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
However, David's Buddley Border Beauty has gained popularity among gardeners not only because of its attractive appearance. This variety is often chosen due to its unpretentious care and rapid growth. In addition, it has a fairly high frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to -29 ° C, which corresponds to the fifth climate zone according to the USDA.This zone includes, among other things, most of the territory of Russia, which is why the Border Beauty variety becomes quite accessible for growing in most summer cottages in the middle lane.
The subtropical origin of this Davidlea David variety allows the plant to feel quite comfortable in warmer climates, but it is worth remembering that Border Beauty does not tolerate a dry climate, so it is especially important to monitor soil moisture when growing it in arid regions.
Disease and pest resistance
Another advantage of Border Beauty, as well as of the buddley David genus in general, is its high resistance to various diseases. With proper care of plants of this variety, the risk of disease will be minimized. According to the reviews of experienced gardeners who have been breeding culture for several years, David Border Beauty's buddley can live for decades without being exposed to any ailments.
In addition, this variety is very resistant to attacks from various pests, and therefore does not require any additional treatment from parasites when grown.
Reproduction methods
Reproduction of the Border Beauty variety is carried out in two ways:
- seeds;
- by cuttings.
The buddley planting material is prepared in late March - early April. It is better to use purchased seeds for breeding, since raw materials collected on their own, even in the hands of experienced plant breeders, have a small chance of germinating.
- Seeds are sown in boxes with soil and watered without sprinkling.
- The container is covered with glass or plastic wrap and placed in a lighted place.
- 2 times a day for 30 minutes. an impromptu greenhouse is removed for ventilation. The temperature should be maintained at +20 - 30 ° С.
- With the emergence of seedlings at 3-4 weeks, the seedlings are thinned out.
- After 2 weeks, a young buddleya of David is dived into pots of peat.
- At the end of May, they are planted in open ground.
Cuttings are best harvested during spring pruning. They should be no longer than 15 - 20 cm. Prepared raw materials are placed in a greenhouse or in a planting container indoors at a temperature of 18 - 20 ° C.
Planting and caring for David Border Beauty buddley
Having decided to grow the Border Beauty buddley of David on your personal plot, you should take care of choosing a suitable place for planting. By and large, planting recommendations for this variety do not differ from those inherent in other varieties of buddleya.
The plant prefers unshaded, well-lit places where there are no drafts. The Border Beauty variety is rather picky about the composition of the soil and can grow with equal success on chalk, loamy and clay soils. In terms of acidity, a soil with a neutral pH indicator (from 5 to 7 pH), slightly acidic or slightly alkaline, is suitable for it. Regardless of the type, the soil should be well-drained and regularly moistened.
Border Beauty seedlings are placed in open ground in late April - early May, after the soil is thoroughly warmed up. Before that, the seedlings of David's buddley are abundantly watered and dived, and the cuttings are soaked in root solution for 10 - 18 hours.
Plants are planted as follows:
- Prepare a planting pit 40x40 cm in size at a distance of 2 - 2.5 m from other plantings.
- Drainage is poured onto the bottom of the pit so that it forms a layer of 10 - 15 cm.
- A layer of earth fertilized with ash solution or compost is poured over the drainage.
- The planting material of David's buddley is placed in the ground and sprinkled with earth, then the plant is watered abundantly.
- At the end of planting, the Border Beauty buddleya is mulched with peat or straw.
Follow-up care
Buddleya David, and, in particular, its Border Beauty variety, is an undemanding plant, and therefore it will be quite within the power of novice growers to care for it.By and large, it boils down to regular watering, which in arid regions is carried out somewhat more often than usual, tillage and top dressing.
Feeding buddley is carried out at least 3 times a year: in the spring - with the appearance of buds, and also in the summer - during the budding period. At the same time, both organic matter and mineral fertilizers are used.
Mulching should not be neglected either. This procedure, carried out immediately after planting the buddlea of David, will ensure optimal heat and water exchange in the roots, due to which the variety will quickly take root in a new place. Subsequent mulching is carried out immediately before wintering of the Border Beauty variety.
After each watering, approximately once every two weeks, the soil around the buddley bush is loosened to improve the oxygen supply to the roots.
However, when growing the David Border Beauty buddley, the most attention should be paid to pruning, since this variety has the peculiarity of growing strongly. The plant is pruned according to the following scheme:
- In March-April, immediately after planting in open ground, the main branches of David's buddley are shortened in half to give the bush the opportunity to grow.
- In the second year of growing buddley, last year's branches are cut to the length of young shoots. The fresh growth itself is also shortened by 1 - 2 buds. In subsequent years, pruning is repeated, if desired, leaving young shoots at the bottom of the bush.
- Flowers of Border Beauty buddley, as a rule, do not need pruning, but fading inflorescences can be removed to maintain an aesthetic appearance and more lush flowering.
Preparing for winter
The correct preparation of the Border Beauty variety for the winter depends on how successfully the buddleya will survive the cold, so it must be treated with full responsibility.
The last watering of David's buddley is usually carried out in mid-October. Before the very beginning of frost, it is not worth watering the bush, but if the autumn is dry, you can moisten the plant's trunk circle.
The Border Beauty buddley variety does not need additional feeding for the winter, the amount of fertilizer that was applied before flowering will be enough.
Pruning a bush during this period is carried out under a stump, since in this form it is easier for it to endure frosts. But even in a shortened state, this variety of David's buddley needs to be covered. For this, snow, dry foliage or spruce branches are suitable. A frame shelter made of metal covered with polyethylene will also help from a sharp change in temperature.
Disease and pest control
Although David Border Beauty's buddleya is characterized by enviable disease resistance, insufficient care can lead to the appearance of diseases and pests:
- Lack of moisture provokes the reproduction of spider mites, which leaves a characteristic white cobweb on the leaf plates of the buddlea. To eliminate it, you will need to get rid of all affected plants. Healthy buddleys need to be treated with insecticides, for example, Ethisso.
- Garlic will help to cope with the attack of aphids. David's buddle can be treated with a solution based on it, or garlic can be planted next to a bush along with other herbs that repel pests.
- High humidity will lead to the development of gray rot buddleia in the bush. To prevent the disease, you should not overmoisten the soil and arrange watering in the evening.
Application of buddleya in landscape design
The fascinating appearance of David's buddley and the abundance of varieties, each of which has a unique shade of inflorescences, make this plant very popular among landscape designers around the world. Lush, spectacular Border Beauty shrubs are a wonderful decoration of gardens both in themselves and in an ensemble with shorter plants: roses, other varieties of buddley, etc. In addition, they very organically fit into the design of parks, alpine slides and hedges.
Conclusion
Having studied the features that characterize the Border Beauty buddley, it can be noted that caring for this variety is in many ways similar to that of other varieties of David's buddley and does not require excessive effort. Competent care will prevent possible ailments of the plant and preserve its health and beauty for a long time.
