Lyonia
Lyonia (lat. Lyonia) is a genus of beautifully flowering ornamental shrubs of the Heather family. The genus includes 35 species, growing mainly in the USA, Mexico, the Himalayas,
East Asia and the Antilles. Most species are demanding in terms of growing conditions, although some of them are able to grow even in marshy soils.
Common types and their characteristics
*Lionia privet (lat. Lyonia ligustrina) — the species is represented by deciduous shrubs up to 4 m high. The leaves are pointed, equipped with inconspicuous scales or specks on the underside. The flowers are small, white or cream, bell-shaped, collected in drooping inflorescences. Flowering is abundant and lasts 35-40 days. Lyonia privet is used extremely rarely in landscaping. It can be grown in wetlands.
*Oval-leaved Lyonia (lat. Lyonia ovalifolia) — the species is represented by deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or trees up to 4 m high. The branches are reddish. The leaves are leathery, dark green, oval, oval-elliptic or oblong-oval, up to 15 cm long, pubescent on the underside. The flowers are ovoid, white, collected in racemes. Lionia ovalifolia blooms in July-September (depending on the climate).
*Rusty Lyonia (lat. Lyonia ferruginea) — the species is represented by wide, dense evergreen shrubs or low-growing trees. The leaves are green, oval, obovate or elliptical, up to 9 cm long. The flowers are funnel-shaped, white, collected in drooping bunches.
*Truncated Lyonia (lat. Lyonia truncata) — the species is represented by evergreen dense shrubs up to 7 m high. The bark is gray-brown, furrowed. The leaves are pointed, oval, elliptical or obovate, round at the base, sometimes wedge-shaped, entire, less often jagged, up to 5 cm long. The flowers are five-petaled, white or pink, collected in bunch-shaped inflorescences of 2-15 pieces.
Growing conditions
Lyonia, unlike many beautiful flowering shrubs, prefers semi-shaded areas. The soils are loamy or sandy loam, moderately moist, neutral. Drainage is encouraged. Some species tolerate marshy soils. Compacted, highly acidic and saline soils are undesirable. On acidic soils, planting is possible only with preliminary liming. Under optimal conditions, plants bloom profusely and actively develop.
Reproduction
Lyonias reproduce by seeds, layering, cuttings and division of rhizomes. The most effective and simplest method of propagation is by layering. In this case, the lower shoots are bent to the soil, placed in grooves, pinned with wooden staples and sprinkled with earth. It is important to provide the established cuttings with regular and abundant watering. If there is a lack of moisture, the rooting of layering will take longer. The cuttings are separated using a shovel for the next year, then transplanted to a permanent place.
The seed method is also acceptable, but it is very labor-intensive and takes a lot of time and effort. Seeds are sown in boxes, but not embedded in the soil, but scattered over its surface in a thin layer and pressed with glass. As soon as the seeds hatch, they are planted in containers with fertile soil, thoroughly mixed with peat (in equal proportions). Entries appear within a month, sometimes earlier. The room temperature should not be lower than 18C, but not higher than 25C. Seedlings are planted in open ground only after 2 years.
There is no need to be afraid of cuttings. The rooting rate with this method of propagation is also high. Cuttings are taken at the end of summer from the tops of healthy semi-lignified shoots, then they are planted in nutritious soil consisting of peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1. If all conditions and rules are met, the cuttings take root quickly, but they are planted in the ground only after a year. Before planting, plants are provided with systematic moisture and fertilizing with a urea solution. You can also use microfertilizers.
Care
For the normal development of lyonia, watering, feeding, and pruning are important. Weeding and loosening are also useful, especially for young specimens. Fertilizing is carried out with the onset of warm weather; repeated application of fertilizers can be done before flowering.
Sanitary and formative pruning is carried out before the sap begins to flow. Thickening branches can be removed in the fall. For the winter, the tree trunk area is mulched. Peat can be used as mulch. It is advisable to cover young plants with spruce branches. The shelter is removed in April, but this time frame largely depends on the climate of the region.
