Gray spirea grefshaym

Grade "Grefsheim", in fact, read as "Grefsheim", because the name has a German origin, belongs to the category of spring-flowering spiray, as a result, adopted some features of appearance. In particular, these are small white flowers, gathered in umbrellas. When flowering enters the peak stage, the branches descend under the weight of the inflorescences, and the spirea bush itself looks as if covered with a lush snow cap.

Spirea Gray Grefshaym: photos and features of the plant

The main difference between "Grefsheim" and other representatives of spring flowering spiers is dense leaves with a fluffy outer side, having a dusty-green color, as if powdered with ash. For this reason, this spirea is often called sulfur. The height of the bush rarely exceeds 2 m., But in width it is well distributed, if you create suitable conditions for it. However, most gardeners prefer to give a gray spire a sprawling fountain, for which they subject the plant to frequent pruning.

• After planting (if it was carried out through sowing), it is required to wait 2-3 years before the plant releases buds. During this time, the bush will not add much in growth, which may cause questions for novice gardeners, but such a kind of stagnation is a calm before a jump in intensive growth.

The flowering of the Grefshaym variety begins in May or closer to June, usually occurs on shoots formed last year, so it is important that they survive the winter, otherwise there will be almost no flowers. The issue of frost resistance of gray spirea, in fact, is often raised by gardeners in thematic forums: as you can see from the discussions, the bush blooms best if it is completely covered with snow in winter. The lack of a natural “blanket” can lead to a decrease in the flowering abundance, but no more than that — even in the coldest regions of the spirea, Grefshaym tolerates the winter well.

Subtleties of planting and plant care

As already mentioned, the variety "Grefshaym" refers to spring flowering species of spirea, which leads to some features of its planting and further care. In particular, to the establishment of certain dates of sowing and subsequent flowering of the bush.

1. To prevent the biological schedule of the plant from getting lost, it is planted in the fall, but the planting itself is done in the summer, 2-3 months before the bush is transferred to the open ground: this is the period needed for the gray spirea to develop seedlings. If the winter is snowless and cold, until March it is better to hold the bush on the balcony or in any other cool room, since, for all its hardiness, the young spirea of ​​such climatic conditions may not appreciate.
2. Gray Spirea - a connoisseur of sunlight, and even direct rays are not an obstacle to its development, therefore the area where she will sit should be located on a hill or a slope, not shaded. The frequent lack of light usually leads to the fact that the development of the bush practically stops, and it not only does not add in volume, but also blooms with great difficulty.
3. To remove the seedling from the pot, the ground must be moistened - otherwise, damage to the root system may occur. Here it is better not to regret water: the soil should be completely soaked with it, and some gardeners even recommend putting a bush with a clod of soil at the roots in a bucket of water for a few minutes before lowering it into the dug hole.
4. In terms of its chemical composition, the substrate for spirea can be absolutely any sulfur: this plant survives well even in arid stony areas, although it is not very good at loams, which will have to be drained and often loosened to prevent stagnant moisture. Acidity is desirable to reduce as much as possible.
5. The hole for the seedling is prepared large, because after 1-2 years the bush will come into force and add significantly in size, and it is undesirable to replant it. The minimum parameters of the width and depth of the pit are 50 * 50 cm, and for the Grefshaim gray spirea they can be increased to 70 * 70 cm. If a decision is made to transplant, it should be done in the spring, before the leaves appear, and in wet weather.
6. It is noteworthy that gray practically doesn’t need irrigation of spirea: it is enough of abundant moisture that occurs at the time of planting in open ground, and then the only reason that can induce manual irrigation is drought for 14-15 days. Even cuttings, which need to develop the root system, do not need frequent watering.
7. But feeding for spirea - if not a mandatory item, then very important. From the nutritional value of the soil depends on the abundance of flowering and the splendor of the bush, so with the onset of May-June, it is recommended to begin to make the infusion of mullein. However, it can be replaced with peat or humus, which fit into the circumference as a mulching material. The same move will help extend the life of the bush without natural watering.
8. Gray Spirea Grefshaym - a winter-hardy plant, but very reverently related to temperature extremes. For this reason, in regions with a sharply continental climate, one should take care of shelter for the winter: ordinary branches (for the roots) and any dense material for the ground part of the bush can play its role.

Reproduction and pruning features

This shrub, like most of his kind, needs not only the selection of the right place of residence and the creation of comfortable conditions - it also needs molding, without which flowering will not be sufficiently abundant, but the bush itself will hit active growth, having lost all attractiveness. According to this procedure, novice gardeners have a lot of questions, so you should refer to the experience of professionals.

• Since "Grefshaim" refers to spring-flowering varieties, it must remove all old branches. At the same time, they are not shortened, namely, they are cut out under the base, otherwise new shoots will climb in the same place, which leads to deformation of the bush.
• Some gardeners do not touch the old dried brush, because the plant is able to get rid of them, closing the new buds, but this has a negative effect on the flowering splendor.
• "Grefshaim" is a rather difficult variety, and here it is important to stand the line: it is impossible to cut off this spirea every year - it’s enough to carry out this procedure once every 2-3 years. If you want to prune more often (for example, to prevent the bush from growing), work in separate sections, and not throughout the volume.
• The pruning procedure for this variety is done in summer, when flowering is complete. Approximately 1 / 4-1 / 3 part can be removed from the base, if the bush is too large in size, weak shoots are allowed to be removed completely.

As for breeding, the gray Grefshaym spirea can be propagated at once in 3 ways: by simple cuttings, layering and ordinary sowing. The latter method was considered above, but the most practiced is grafting: shoots 10–12 cm long are buried in the ground or peat, where they take root for 1-2 months. This is done in the summer. If you want to propagate a gray spirea with a layer, then you need to bend the branches and hold it on the ground in spring when leaves appear. Here the guarantee of success will be frequent watering, stimulating the appearance of roots.