Irga (Cotoneaster)is a shrub that is very eagerly planted in gardens. The popularity of irgi is supported by its easy cultivation and numerous decorative qualities, in some species it is also visible in winter. Irga can be a ground cover plant, hedge plant, planted in flower beds and in rock gardens. See whatcultivating irgilooks like in the garden and choose the best species andvarieties of irgif.webpor your garden.
Irga - Cotoneaster
Irga - species and varieties
Under the nameirga (Cotoneaster)plants are classified from the genus belonging to the rich and diverse family of rose family.There are over 60 species of irgi in the world (mainly in Europe, Asia and Africa). These are mostly undemanding plants, growing on rocky, poor soils.
In Poland, there are 3 species of irgi in the wild :
Cotoneaster(Cotoneaster integerrimus) - also known as Cotoneaster integerrimus, a plant that grows wild in Asia and Europe, in Poland, mainly in the south of the country. Creates loose, highly branched shrubs up to 1.5 m high. Single leaves, ovate-round, with knotty underneath. Small, slightly pink flowers. Fruit are small, spherical, red or purple-red.Cotoneaster(Cotoneaster nebrodensis - a plant very similar to the Cotoneaster nebrodensis, but with a smaller area of occurrence (in Poland only in the Tatra Mountains). , and in the case of the common cotoneaster - no. Irga kutnerowata also grows larger (2-3 m in height) and much more often is found in garden cultivation.
Irga kutnerowata - Cotoneaster nebrodensis
Fig. Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Black cotoneaster(Cotoneaster niger) - a wide shrub up to 5m in height. Dark gray shoots, young hairy. Single, ovate-round leaves, up to 5 cm long. Dull on the outside, whitish and kinky under the spot. Small, pinkish flowers. The species is best recognized by its black round fruit.
Many other species are cultivated in gardens due to the high decorative nature of these plants, which are especially valuable decorations in the autumn and winter period.Irgi are usually shrubs with a small form of growth , rarely in the form of small trees. Depending on the species, they can be grown as hedges, cover crops, or as single plants. They are also suitable for growing in pots and boxes.
The most popular irgi grown in gardens:
Irga horizontal(Cotoneaster horizontalis) - probably the most popular type of Irga. A plant with a creeping habit, excellent for rock gardens and small lawns. Often recommended as a ground cover plant. It is distinguished by a carpet-shaped form of growth, decorative red fruit and pink and white flowers. The fruit lasts a long time after the leaves have flowered and fallen. Thanks to this, they can be a valuable food for birds in the winter.
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Fig. Cillas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The horizontal Irga usually reaches a height of 50 cm and grows strongly in width, even up to 2 m in width. The advantage of this species is high frost resistance (plant frost resistance zone 5B) and tolerance to air pollution in cities. It is therefore not surprising that the plant often appears in municipal gardens.
In garden cultivation, there is also a variety of this species -horizontal cotoneaster 'Wilsonii' , which is much higher ( 1 to 2 m tall) and has slightly larger leaves.
Irga Dammera(Cotoneaster dammeri) - a species of cotoneaster dammeri that grows up to 50 cm in height and grows mainly to the sides. It has larger leaves than the horizontal irga, which are evergreen, shiny and have an elliptical shape. The flowers are white in color. Round, red fruit. They are an ornament from the end of summer until winter, remaining on the bush for a very long time. This species is suitable for planting rockeries, slopes and as a ground cover plant. Unfortunately, this evergreen form of irgi has weaker frost resistance than species with seasonal leaves and in colder regions of Poland it may freeze during cold winters (frost resistance zone 6B). It is recommended to cover it for the winter, especially in places exposed to cold winds.
Irga Dammera - Cotoneaster dammeri
Photo. pixabay.com
FortunatelyDammer's garden irgi varietiesare more resistant to frost.
It is worth paying attention tovery low variety of Dammer 'Major' irgi , which has twigs lying on the ground and is only 10 to 50 cm tall.In order for it to cover the ground tightly, 2 pieces are planted per 1m². The plant is very tolerant to sunlight and can grow in fully sunny and completely shaded places. It also tolerates urban conditions and air pollution well. Dark green leaves. It blooms white from May to June. Frost resistance zone 6A, so it does not require any covering.
Irga Dammera 'Mooncreeper'- will also spread, growing 10-20 cm tall and up to 80 cm wide. This variety of Dammera irgi also tolerates any light conditions. Leaves are small, leathery. White and small flowers, and carmine fruits ripen from September to October. The frost resistance is identical to that of the 'Major' variety.
Shiny Irga(Cotoneaster lucidus) - is a much taller shrub, reaching up to 2, and sometimes even 3 m in height. The leaves are large (up to 7 cm long), shiny, dark green, with a discoloration in the fall. The tiny pink flowers can be admired from May to June.Black, spherical fruit, 8-11 mm in diameter. Glossy Irga is suitable for creating hedges and dense natural partitions. Glossy Irga grows well in sun and partial shade and is fully frost-resistant. It grows well in cities.
These are, of course, only some species and varieties of irgi that are worth planting in the garden. The choice of these plants is very large. If you are looking for a variety of irgi other than those described above, I recommend that you take an interest in such varieties as:creeping cotoneaster 'Queen of Carpets'(Cotoneaster procumbens), which won the AGM award RHS in Great Britain in 2012 or Green to Life, awarded in 2005 at the Polish fair,cotoneaster 'Ursynów'
Evergreen cotoneastervarieties of willowleaf cotoneaster(Cotoneaster salicifolius) 'Parkteppich' and 'Repens'. Both are low creeping plants that tolerate all types of soil and tolerate both sun and partial shade. The leaves are lanceolate, resembling willow leaves.
Swedish cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty' - grafted form on the trunk
Fig. © PradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Also noteworthy arevarieties of the Swedish Cotoneastes(Cotoneastes suecicus), such as the Cotoneastes suecicus, such as the Swedish Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty', which has bright evergreen leaves and bright red fruit that remain on the shrub until to spring, orSwedish Cotoneaster 'Juliette'about dark green leaves with white edges, which change color in shades of pink and red in autumn.
Avoidsmall-leaved cotoneaster(Cotoneaster microphyllus) from a distance, although it is pretty, but hardly frost-resistant and basically unsuitable for growing in our climate. It can be planted only in the northwest, in the warmest regions of Poland (frost resistance zone 7A).
Irga - cultivation in the garden
Evergreen Irgican be grown in sunny and semi-shaded positions.On the other hand,irgi shedding their leaves for winter , require fully sunny positions. Although some garden varieties tolerate partial shade, they bloom and bear fruit most profusely in the sun, which undoubtedly affects their decorative qualities. It is important thatthe cultivation site of irgi is dry , because irgi do not tolerate excess moisture.
The soil requirements of irgi are not too highThese plants they do well in light and permeable soils, preferably neutral or alkaline. Species found naturally in Poland may develop on rocky slopes, scree or in rock crevices.Common cotoneaster and knottype prefer calcareous substratesThese plants do not require fertilization and special care.
Fruits and autumn discoloration of irgi leaves
Fig. pixabay.com
Irga - cut
Irgi generally do not require regular trimming If you want to reduce the size of overgrown plants, it is best to do so in early spring, strongly pruning the exuberant specimens down to the old wood.
Trim evergreen irgi in spring , from March to April to stimulate shrub for more intensive growth. We mainly cut out dead fragments of shoots and possibly thin out too thickened young shoots.Irg species losing their leaves for the winter, it is better to prune in summer , after flowering.Remember to always trim the Irgi twigs above the bud. It is worth leaving a few buds on each trimmed shoot, from which young growths will develop.
Irga - reproduction
Irgi propagationis done by non-woody cuttings (good method for leaf-shedding species) and semi-woody cuttings with a heel (evergreen species). In the second half of autumn, you can also make lay-ups. The latter methodreproduces very well, for example, the cotoneaster Dammera 'Major' , whose shoots lying on the ground self-root over time.
