Forgarden owners who like shrubs shaped with shears, difficult times have come. In thedangerthere is boxwood - a plant that perfectly toleratescuts forming , has been subjected to such treatments for a long time. He is threatened by a fungus that has become very active in recent years.
Fortunately, there areshrubsthat can successfully replaceboxwood . Of the coniferous shrubs, the Taxus yew is perfect for pruning. It grows slowly, wellbranchesand hassmall ,delicate needlesFrom a distance, the formed specimen impresses with its smooth, uniformcolor coatingCis isconifer unique , because it handles pruning as well asboxwoodand sprouts new shoots even on older, thick branches.
Boxwood shoot dieback
In some years, especially after long rainy periods, box trees are attacked by the shoot dieback disease caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium. First, dark brown spots and dark stripes appear on the leaves of the affected shrub. Infected leaves fall off within a few days.
The slowly growing varieties of 'Suffruticosa' and 'Blauer Heinz' are the most vulnerable to fungal attack. Spraying with fungicides is ineffective. Infected shoots should be cut and carefully removed fallen leaves. The danger of infection increases when the leaves are wet for more than 5 hours. The mushroom does not like temperatures above 33 ° C.So let's hope that this year's hot summer has slowed down its expansion.
Pruning shootsis necessary for Chamaecyparis and Thuja, as neglected specimens, growing for several years without forming pruning, may never regain the old onesglamorous silhouettesNicely trimmed cypresses and thorns will decorate our gardens for many years, if we do not forget to useshearsandsecateurs
If not boxwood, maybe a privet?
Privet has manyspeciesandvarietiesthat can be cut. The least attractive is our nativeprivet commonLigustrum vulgare, which sheds most of its leaves in winter, while its cultivar Ligustrum vulgare 'Atrovirens' usually loses old leaves only in spring, whennew shootsThis feature makes the shrub eagerly used as aplant hedgeand ongreen carvings Californian privet (oval) Ligustrum ovalifolium has quite large leaves, larger than a common privet, so it is very difficult to give its specimensdelicate contours
The yellow-leaved form of 'Aureum' can be the pride of the garden, as the colorful leaves at least partially obscure the gaps in the silhouette of the shrub formed. Native to Southwest Chinaspherical privetLigustrum delavayanum is often sold as a potted plant as this delicate species is more sensitive to freezing than itsEuropean relativeThe shrub grows quite slowly, branches quite strongly and has the smallest leaves ofall species ligustraIt is therefore a plant perfect for pruning. Carefully, skillfully and sensitively shaped green balls on tall trunks will certainly be a beautiful decoration of the terrace,squaresorpaths
Silhouettes of other shrubs, perfect for shaping
Cis: variety of shapes
Yew Taxus grows slowly but has a dense habit. Among the coniferous shrubs it stands out due to its exceptional cutting strength. Even thick branches sprout new shoots when shortened. Therefore, yew specimens can be given any form: from huge figures to expensive bonsai
Cypress: lots of colors
Cypress species and varieties are characterized by a variety of colors, enriching their decorative qualities. The needles-scales of the bushes can be yellow, gray-blue or green. Remember that bare lignified branches will not sprout new shoots when cut hard
Euonymus: some roundness
The numerous varieties of the climbing euonymus fortunei are mostly evergreen plants, have decorative leaves and easily climb almost any support. Carefully pruningeuonymuscan take the shape of a small spherical bush
 "width=545 loading=lazy |
|
Przinanie Trzmielina (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
Privet: great opportunities
At first glance, privet is not much different from boxwood. A strong, vital shrub keeps most of its leaves in not too frosty winters. It is distinguished by remarkable resistance to cutting shoots. It is perfect for carefully formed hedges, tall trees with spherical crowns, as well as for larger green sculptures
Dry trees: small figures
Always greendrywoodshiny Lonicera nitida has a compact growth and is great for shaping into small figures. The foliage is shaped differently compared to boxwood. Tiny leaves grow on the shoot in symmetrically arranged pairs
