Japanese Grujecznik(Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is a deciduous tree commonly known as a gingerbread tree due to the spicy scent of its leaves in autumn. However, Grujecznik is attractive throughout the growing season, changing the color of its leaves from pink, through bluish-green, to yellow. See whatJapanese Grujecznik cultivation looks like , find out if you needGrujecznik cuttingand whatGrujecznik varietiesis worth planting in the garden.
Japanese Grujecznik - Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Photo. Chhe, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
What does Japanese grujecznik look like?
Japanese Grujecznik is a deciduous tree with a tendency to form many trunks, with a wide, conical, dense crown and numerous thin shoots. It grows up to a height of 15 m.Grujecznik leaves have a heart-shaped shapeand they are the biggest ornament of the tree. They look very impressive in spring, when brown-red leaves develop. During the summer, they decorate the surroundings with a he althy, blue-green color, and in autumn they change their color to a magnificent yellow or salmon color.During the fall, the leaves have a pleasant spicy smell , which draws attention to the plant.
Japanese grouse flowers can be admired from March to Mayand they may appear even before the leaves develop. However, they do not constitute a special decoration. Grujecznik is a dioecious plant. Both male and female flowers grow in bunches from the groin of the buds. The fruit is a light green fluff up to 2 cm long.There are brown seeds inside the fruit.
Leaves and flowers of Japanese grouse
Fig. I.Sáček, senior, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Japanese Grujecznik - varieties
Japanese Grujecznik is one of the most beautifully discolored deciduous trees. In ornamental tree nurseries you can find grouse in several varieties.
3 most interesting varieties of Japanese grouse :
Japanese Grujecznik 'Pendulum'- a variety of Grujecznik with a picturesque weeping habit with shoots delicately hanging down to the ground. This variety grows up to 5 m in height and a similar width. It will look beautiful on the shores of a water reservoir or on an exposed discount.
Japanese Grujecznik 'Amazing Grace'- a variety very similar to the Japanese Grujecznik 'Pendulum', with a slightly wider crown and a tendency to create a cascading habit
Japanese Grujecznik 'Rotfuchs'- a narrow columnar variety, only 1m wide and about 4m high. It will find a place even in small gardens. This interesting variety of Japanese grouse, apart from an interesting habit, is also characterized by a variable color of leaves, pink in spring, burgundy with a silver glow in the summer, and warm colors in autumn.
Japanese Grujecznik - cultivation
Growing Japanese grouse is relatively easyThis tree is resistant to low temperatures, although in the first years of cultivation it is good to protect it with an agrotextile hood for the winter. Older specimens can winter without any covering throughout the country (plant frost resistance zone 5B).
Grujecznik requires fertile, fresh, humus and moist soils . It grows well in partial shade, in sheltered places, even in very humid places.
However, we must remember thatJapanese Grujecznik does not tolerate drought badly If it grows in an unsuitable position, too sunny and dry, it will grow poorly, and will lose its leaves in early summer and die quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to add TerraCottem to the soil when planting. It contains a hydrogel that absorbs water during watering or after rain, and gives it back when the soil dries. This makes it easier to maintain proper soil moisture.
Grujecznik leaves begin to discolor in autumn
Fig. Dinkum, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Japanese Grujecznik looks bestplanted on the lawn as a solitaire. It also looks nice near water reservoirs, planted in a quiet place in the garden. I recommend Japanese Grujecznik in particular to large home gardens, where it will display its qualities in all its glory.
The propagation of Japanese Grujecznikis done from seeds or woody cuttings.
Japanese Grujecznik - cutting
Japanese Grujecznik is usually not pruned.This tree grows slowly, spontaneously showing a natural balance when creating branches and forming a habit. Does not require x-ray cutting. You should only remember to systematically remove dry, damaged or deformed branches.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
