Wawrzynek wilczełyko(Daphne mezereum) is a very original and showy shrub that looks beautiful in early spring, when it blooms, and in summer, when its red fruits ripen. We suggest what thecultivation of laurel wilczełykolooks like and what requirements this plant has. Meet interestingvarieties of laurel , which are worth choosing for your garden, and see how topropagate laurel from seedsHere are the most interesting decorative deciduous shrubs!
Wawrzynek wilczełyko during flowering
Fig. pixabay.com
Wawrzynek wilczełyko is a shrub with seasonal leaves , growing to a height of 1 m, with a spherical shape and quite thick, flexible twigs.The laurel flowers are pink or purple villiThey appear from March to April, even before the leaves unfold, and are gathered 2-3 in angular bunches along last year's twigs.
This shrub blooms profusely and also has a strong fragrance.The fruits of the daffodil ripen in July , are red in color and approx. 1 cm thick.It is worth knowing that the daffodil is a honey plant that attracts useful bees to our gardens.
Wawrzynek is a poisonous plant!
When deciding to grow this shrub, however, we must remember thatlaurel wilczełyko is a poisonous plantThis applies to both shoots, flowers, leaves, and the attractive-looking laurel fruits. Therefore, it should not be planted in places easily accessible to children, e.g.in housing estate greens, at schools, kindergartens, holiday centers.
Poisonous fruit laurel wilczełyko
Fig. depositphotos.com.com
It is very important becausefor a child may be fatal to eat only 1-2 laurel fruitsThe lethal dose for an adult is more, i.e. 10-12 fruits.
The two components of daphnine glycoside and meserein are responsible for the poisonous properties of laurel.Symptoms of dill laurel poisoningare: burning and numbness in the mouth, swelling of the lips, larynx and face, drooling, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing. This is followed by severe abdominal and headaches, intoxication, cramps, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. He eventually dies from cardiac arrest.
Note!
We do not have to eat laurel to feel its poisonous properties, because it also irritates the skin and mucous membranes. The very contact with the plant can cause redness, swelling and blistering of the skin.Therefore, laurel leaves should be avoided by allergy sufferers, and all work on this plant should be carried out in protective gloves.
Wawrzynek wilczełyko - varieties
In ornamental shrub nurseries you can meet the basic species and2 interesting varieties of laurel wilczełyko .
The cultivar daffodil 'Alba'is more compact and dense compared to the basic species. Its white flowers cover the shoots very densely and give off an intense pleasant fragrance spreading around the bush.
The secondinteresting variety is laurel 'Rubra'It is slightly higher than the basic species, it grows up to 1.3 m in height and up to 1 m in width. The flowers of this variety of laurel are darker, pink-purple. It blooms from March to April, but in mild winters it begins to bloom even in February.
Wawrzynek wilczełyko - cultivation
Wawrzynek wilczełyko is a shrub quite demanding in relation to the soil It tolerates various types of soil, but fails on excessively acidic soils. It prefers soils that are constantly moist, calcareous and alkaline.The stand where the laurel is grown should be semi-shaded or shadyAll the laurel varieties are great shade plants.
Note!
Wawrzynek is very sensitive to drought. It sheds leaves during a long-term lack of water. Therefore, the plant should be watered regularly during the bitch season. Ideally, the soil should be moderately moist at all times.
Due to the sensitivity of the laurel to dryness, it is extremely advantageous to add TerraCottem to the ground before planting the shrub. TerraCottem contains a hydrogel whose granules have the ability to accumulate quite a lot of water. When the soil is very wet (e.g. after rain or watering), the hydrogel takes up excess water, and when the soil dries it gives it back.Thanks to thiswawrzynek wilczełyko will have constantly moist soil
Wawrzynek wilczełyko does not like pruning or transplanting , so you should choose a suitable position for it when planting. It will feel good in a sheltered place under the treetops. The daffodil is resistant to frost (frost resistance zone 4). It can be planted in any part of the country without fear of freezing.
Wawrzynek wilczełyko - reproduction
The dillisheva is reproduced from seeds , which should be stratified immediately after harvesting until spring. Stratification is a method of breaking the dormancy of seeds, as a result of which we accelerate the germination process.
For this purpose,laurel seeds are sownin a previously sterilized substrate for pots in which plants are to grow. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of substrate and sprinkle them with water.Then put the pots in string bags, punctured with a pin for better air circulation. Before closing the bags, sprinkle them with water.
Place the closed bags with pots in the refrigerator, constantly controlling the humidity of the substrate, and store them until spring, whenfirst laurel seedlings appear .
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
