Japanese honeysuckle: description of varieties and properties
Japanese honeysuckle is a creeping shrub that is mainly planted to decorate the exterior of the house. Aesthetic creepers look very interesting on any architectural objects, and they are also able to hide building defects from prying eyes. It is possible to grow on the veranda, terrace, in the open air.
Peculiarities
In nature, the culture grows in East Asia, Japan, Korea, southeast China and Taiwan. Belongs to the genus of semi-evergreen vines. In our country, it is mainly planted in winter gardens. He loves warmth and therefore is more suitable for development in room conditions.
It is characterized by fairly rapid growth (can reach 7.5 m in height) and many layering. Light green leaves have an oval shape with a delicate pile. Flowering occurs in June-July, but you should not wait for flowers every year. The inflorescences are strongly fragrant white flowers with a reddish tinge. Sometimes there are light yellow flowers with a purple tint. The diameter is usually 3-4 cm.
From July to autumn, red berries appear in place of the flowers, but they are often unsuitable for food, some are even considered poisonous. The plant is grown both for design purposes and for the preparation of medicines.
Kinds
Consider the most popular varieties.
"Aureoreticulata"
This variety has very colorful leaves, and it is this property that makes it a very original decoration for balconies and terraces.The leaves have a yellow pattern on a green surface, for which the variety is sometimes called golden-mesh.
The plant requires fertile soil, a lot of light and heat. It tolerates winter well in warm areas and temperate climates.
When planting crops in cool regions, care must be taken to cover the plant.
Blooms once. In height reaches 4 meters.
The flowers are white in color, but withering acquire a honey hue, they are distinguished by a fragrant aroma. The fruits are black and inedible.
Grade Benefits:
- perfectly fulfills its aesthetic functions;
- pleasantly fragrant;
- under cover it can withstand the winter even in cold areas.
"Red wold"
It is a fast growing broad shrub. Shoots are brownish in color. Each year, the growth reaches 60 cm. The leaves have a yellowish pattern, which is clearly expressed in the bright sun.
The plant has bright red flowers, flowering begins in May. This variety has edible berries that taste bittersweet. The variety is sensitive to drought, so it requires regular watering. It is also necessary to remove dry shoots in a timely manner.
Grade Benefits:
- frost resistance, loves cool areas;
- allows you to hide wall defects on objects;
- not particularly picky about the soil.
"Purpurea"
It is characterized by abundant and long flowering. The flowers first bloom white, then change color to yellow. The berries are black, unsuitable for consumption. In height, the plant rises along the support up to 4 meters, grows by 2 meters per year. He likes the sun or partial shade, as well as fertile drained soils.
Advantages:
- vigorous, spreading bush;
- frost resistance;
- universal application on any object.
"Halls Prolific"
Has an early flowering period. Grows profusely. The flowers are white over time, change color to yellow, have a fragrant aroma. Growth can reach 5 meters, annual growth - 1-2 meters.
When growing, one should take into account the poor tolerance of harsh climatic conditions.
Advantages:
- can be used as a groundcover;
- well suited for masking large coatings;
- long flowering period - from June to October;
- Tolerates almost any soil and partial shade.
"Variegated"
One of the rarest varieties. It can grow over 10 meters high. The leaves are distinguished by an aesthetic cream frame.
The fruits are dark purple, inedible. The flowers are milky in color and fragrant. Culture does not like stagnant moisture.
Advantages:
- beautiful appearance;
- the variety is undemanding to difficult planting and growing conditions;
- can be planted as a groundcover.
Medicinal properties
Despite the specific taste of the fruit, Japanese honeysuckle is still often used as a medicine. Vitamins and elements contained in the composition of the fruit are able to cope with many problems that accompany various ailments. Useful properties of the plant:
- berries can increase the secretion of gastric juice and the digestive capacity of the stomach;
- have anti-inflammatory properties;
- have a diuretic effect;
- help to cope with the symptoms of hypertension;
- help with gastrointestinal upset;
- are a good remedy for anemia.
In addition to the above qualities, Japanese honeysuckle berries can alleviate the symptoms of gastritis, colitis, migraine. To do this, it is recommended to use the fruits as follows:
- 50 g of berries pour 500 ml of boiling water (you can use dried fruits);
- wrap and insist for 2-3 hours;
- take three times a day, 100 ml half an hour before meals.
It is also known that in Japan, an extract is obtained from the flowers of the culture, which is subsequently used as the main ingredient in anti-wrinkle cosmetics.
You will learn more about the beneficial properties of honeysuckle by watching the following video.
Tips
All varieties need special care when growing. Experienced gardeners give the following general guidelines for caring for Japanese honeysuckle:
- if the vines have become strong and heavy, a support or trellis is needed;
- with the advent of winter, a wooden flooring should be laid on the ground, the vines removed, wrapped and pressed to the ground;
- annually in the fall it is required to place straw mulch around the root;
- every spring it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of old branches;
- the plant needs to be fed every 2-3 weeks, the most successful option is mullein, diluted in water 1/8.