Blood red hawthorn: planting and care (photo)

Description of hawthorn unicornus

Hawthorn monopistillate belongs to the category of ornamental shrubs and trees. Botanical features of the plant.

Height 4-6m, under favorable conditions perhaps higher.
The crown is dense, openwork, symmetrical, 2 m wide.
Old shoots are bare, young shoots are densely hairy. There are a few spines up to 1 cm long, which are often absent.
The bark of the branches is reddish-gray and peels off. The trunk is straight.
Foliage is 2-3 cm long and 1-2.5 cm wide. The shape is ovoid or oval, asymmetrical, with entire lobes. Several teeth are visible at the top of the leaf.
Stipules are thin. The petiole is ½ the length of the leaf.
In summer, the foliage is leathery, dark green with a glossy sheen. In the autumn season it is colored red and orange.
The fruits of hawthorn monopistillate are spherical, red, less often yellow. Their length is 6-10 cm. Inside there is a bone measuring 7x5 mm.
The inflorescences are large, 10-18 flowers each.
.Sepals are triangular-lanceolate in shape. There are 20 stamens, red anthers.
The diameter of the flowers is 1-1.5 cm. The petals are white.

Attention! Almost all single-stone varieties are mistakenly classified as hawthorn unipistilus.

Chemical composition

As mentioned earlier, blood-red hawthorn can be used not only as a decorative element, but also as a medicinal product. The beneficial macro- and microelements contained in it have a beneficial effect on the body. For example:

Caffeic, chlorogenic and oleanolic acids.
Vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene.
Tannins.
Magnesium, potassium, calcium.
Copper, zinc, chromium, iodine, iron.
Hyperoside, vitexin, quercetin.
Carotene, essential oils.

Characteristics of the variety

Hawthorn varieties differ in crown shape, leaf color, texture and color of flowers. Among garden forms, the most common are:

pyramidal - the plant has the shape of a pyramid;
weeping - a bush with branches drooping downwards;
crimson - with single dark red flowers;
pink weeping - with pink inflorescences hanging down;
pink – pink flower petals with white stripes;
white terry - inflorescences of the corresponding color and texture;
red terry;
constantly blooming - a shrub that blooms throughout the summer;
split-leaved - a plant with deeply dissected foliage;
white-variegated – hawthorn with variegated leaves;
thornless – shoots are devoid of thorns.

There are also new subspecies of monopistillate hawthorn obtained by hybridization. A striking representative is the variety “Rosea Flore Pleno” with double flowers of dark pink color. An equally popular species is Stricta hawthorn. The tree has a colonial or oval crown shape. Used for landscaping in cramped urban environments.

Drought and frost resistance

The single-pistillate hawthorn variety easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature and air humidity. Able to grow successfully in places with a continental climate. For established shrubs there is no need for shelter in winter. However, young annual growth can freeze. Hawthorn easily tolerates drought and can survive without watering for a long time.

Productivity and fruiting

The flowering period of the monopistillate hawthorn variety begins in May-June. The fruiting period begins in September. The shrub is characterized by a regular, abundant harvest of fruits. Ripe hawthorn berries have a rich, persistent aroma, which, unfortunately, is not conveyed by the photo. They are edible.

Attention! Hawthorn monopistillate is an excellent honey plant.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The single-pistillate hawthorn variety often serves as a target for attack by harmful insects: aphids, copperheads, psyllids, weevils, and mites. Especially if it grows near orchards. However, the main enemy, which can cause significant harm to the plant, is hawthorn. The shrub can also suffer from fungal diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

Judging by the reviews of amateur and professional gardeners, the main positive qualities of the monopistillate hawthorn variety include:

ability to withstand low temperatures;
grows in dry periods;
undemanding to soil composition;
good immunity;
abundant fruiting;
suitable for creating hedges;
the fruits have medicinal properties;
gives self-seeding.

Disadvantages of hawthorn:

has a high shoot-forming ability, which means frequent trimming of the bush;
frosting of young shoots is possible.

Medicinal properties of fruits and flowers

But, despite the high decorative qualities of the plant, many gardeners grow it for its medicinal fruits.
The medicinal properties of the fruits of this tree are undeniable, and many preparations for the winter can be made from the berries. Hawthorn fruits have a strong vasodilating effect, normalize heart rate, and normalize cerebral circulation. The flowers of the plant help normalize blood clotting and prevent the appearance of plaques on blood vessels. Infusions and decoctions of shrub fruits also help with problems with the digestive tract. The fruits of the plant help with all forms of gastritis, relieve bloating, and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. A decoction of hawthorn berries has an antioxidant effect and also helps with poisoning and pain in the gastrointestinal tract. The fruits and flowers of this medicinal plant are also actively used in cosmetology, in particular for the preparation of medicinal masks and lotions. Thanks to the active substances, berry-based preparations relieve swelling and tone the skin. If you have space in your garden, be sure to plant this tree. This plant will decorate your garden, and you will be able to harvest a generous harvest of medicinal fruits every year. For all its unpretentiousness, this shrub will become the highlight of your garden.

Landing Features

Hawthorn of the single-pistillate variety is a non-capricious plant in terms of planting and care. Can grow in any environment. Under properly selected conditions, the shrub gives moderate annual growth - 25 cm in length and the same in width.

Attention! Decorative durability 35-40 years.

Recommended timing

It is quite difficult to name the exact planting dates of the single-pistillate hawthorn variety. It all depends on the climatic characteristics of the region. The further south you go, the earlier the planting is carried out in the spring, and later in the fall.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the shrub, that is, it cannot be planted when it is in the growing season. It is advisable to wait until the hawthorn is preparing for bed. In general, decorative crops do not require special weather conditions; it is enough that the soil warms up slightly in the spring and does not freeze in the fall.

Selecting a suitable location and preparing the soil

According to experienced gardeners, it is preferable to place a single hawthorn of the single-pistillate variety in partial shade or in areas with diffuse lighting. The scorching rays of the sun can cause thermal burns to the leaves. A hedge requires dense planting, where each plant will compete with its neighbor for light. As a result, the bushes will begin to grow on all sides. In group plantings, single-pistillate hawthorn is planted at a distance of 2-5 m, and in alley plantings - 5-6 m on an open, sunny plantation.

Soil in this context does not matter. Any environment will do, even sandy and rocky soils. However, when planting in obviously poor soils, fertilizers must be added to the hole: humus and wood ash at the rate of 0.5 liters per 10 liters of soil. The preferred soil acidity is pH 7.5-8.

Attention! Hawthorn monopistillate is sensitive to soil salinity.

What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?

It is not the best combination of hawthorn of the single-pistillate variety with fruit trees, due to the negative mutual influence. For this reason, it is not recommended to plant the plant next to cherry plum, apple, pear, cherry, plum, apricot, and peach. Possible proximity to thorns, rose hips, and geranium.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Seedlings must first be well developed. Their size is chosen depending on the purpose and type of planting. For a two-row fence, young growth 1-1.5 m high is suitable; for a single-row wall, plants are taken a little higher. It is important that they have an equally developed root system and above-ground part. To plant free-standing trees, you will need larger planting material, above 2 m.

Immediately before the planting procedure, the long roots of the hawthorn monopistillate are trimmed, broken shoots are removed, the side branches and the top are shortened by ½ the length of the growth, aligning with the total length of the seedling.

Landing algorithm

When forming a recess and determining its dimensions, the following factor should be taken into account: the single-pistillate hawthorn has a fairly powerful, branched root system.

First, prepare a pit 70-80 cm deep.
In heavy soils that do not absorb water well, a drainage layer consisting of expanded clay, pebbles, and crushed stone is required. Provide a thickness of 10-15 cm.
In addition to nutritional components (humus, manure, charcoal), 40 g of lime are added to the pit. Leave in this state for 7-10 days.
A hawthorn seedling is placed in the middle of the recess and sprinkled with earth.
The soil is not compacted.
Warm water is poured over the top.

Indications

VSD

For vegetative-vascular dystonia, the following decoction is suitable. In a small container, mix 20 grams of dried hawthorn flowers and the same amount of valerian root, add 10 grams of periwinkle and 30 grams of mistletoe. Place in a water bath and cook for 10 minutes. Upon completion of the process, the balm is filtered and becomes suitable for use. It has been proven that by taking this decoction for 4 months, complete restoration of hormonal levels is possible.

Angina pectoris

2 tablespoons of dried flowers are poured with boiling water, covered with a lid for 5–7 minutes, after which the liquid is filtered and consumed 3 times a day, 2 tablespoons, half an hour before meals.

For obesity

The use of boyarka improves metabolism, which allows you not only to speed up the process of losing weight, but also to maintain good shape. To prepare the decoction, mix rose hips and boyarka fruits in a 1:1 ratio, then boil for 10 minutes. Take 50 milliliters after meals.

High blood pressure

To prepare the decoction you will need:

40 grams of hawthorn flowers;
20 grams of calendula;
20 grams of clover;
20 grams of peppermint.

All ingredients are poured with 250 grams of boiling water and left for 3 hours, then filtered and consumed 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

Aftercare

Hawthorn monopistillate does not require serious care. You only need to know the basic rules for the full development of the tree.

The shrub needs abundant watering during abnormal weather conditions, during periods of prolonged drought. And the rest of the time, it is worth moisturizing hawthorn monopistillate no more than once a month. In addition to watering, fertilizing will also affect the general condition of the plant, but not often. It is enough to fertilize the shrub 2 times a year: in March before the buds appear and in May-June during flowering. In the spring, it is preferable to apply a solution of nitrophoska, and in the summer - organic fertilizers.

In addition to watering and fertilizing, the single-pistillate hawthorn variety will need regular pruning. In a well-lit area, the crown has the correct shape. Therefore, only a preventive procedure should be carried out annually, removing dry, broken, unhealthy-looking branches. Remove faded inflorescences. Anti-aging pruning should be performed on bushes that are already more than 6-7 years old. To do this, cut off the old 2-3 branches. New shoots will appear in this place next year and will bear fruit. If the hawthorn bush has a too dense appearance, then the internal branches need to be cut out to increase the light inside the plant and the yield.

Despite the fact that the single-pistillate hawthorn is a winter-hardy plant, it can freeze at temperatures of 35-40 °C and particularly long frosts. To prevent this from happening, you need to cover the trunk with snow to the maximum height. If there is no snow, then you can wrap it in burlap.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

You can get rid of annoying insects using an insecticide solution; fungicide preparations will help with fungal diseases. However, in order to maximally protect hawthorn from negative consequences, you should resort to regular preventive measures:

pruning dry branches;
collecting fallen leaves;
treatment of shrubs with folk remedies;
weed removal;
loosening the surface layer.

Attention! Chemicals are dangerous to human health, so do not neglect personal protective equipment when processing hawthorn.