The article is devoted to the multifloral lily of the valley (the second name is garden lily of the valley): planting and caring for the plant in the open ground of a personal plot.
Kupena is a multi-colored plant of the Asparagus family, which has medicinal and decorative properties.
Science knows 50 plant species, 3 of which are suitable for growing in the garden.
Description
A characteristic feature of the plant is a crocheted stem with drooping white bell-shaped flowers. The leaves are smooth, oval-shaped with pointed ends. The gnarled stem of the plant reaches 60 cm in height.
The fruits of the kupena are round, blue-black in color, very poisonous to humans - they cause severe vomiting. Due to its poisonous properties, the plant is popularly nicknamed “wolf berry.”
Kupena is distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, in temperate and subtropical climates.
Kinds
Kupena multiflorum
- Kupena multiflorum (Polygonatummultiflorum)- the most famous species of the Kupena genus. The herbaceous plant reaches 60 cm in height, has a smooth stem, oblong leaves on short petioles, and 3-5 white bare flowers. The berries are blue-black, poisonous to humans. Has medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine .
- Kupena fragrant (Polygonatumodoratum)– a plant with bluish-green leaves and white drooping flowers. Reaches 90 cm in height. The flowering period is the month of May.
- Kupena sickle-shaped (Polygonatumfalcatum)- stands out from the genus Kupena with pubescent green leaves, flowers with a greenish tint and black berries. Flowering occurs in late spring.
Care
A distinctive feature of the entire Kupena genus is the ability of the plant to grow in the same place for many years, creating a dense grass cover and without requiring weeding.
Temperature
The plant tolerates frost well without shelter in winter. During particularly dry and hot periods, additional watering is needed.
Watering
The watering regime depends on the type of plant. But the general recommendation for the frequency of watering is to do it during dry periods.
Kupena multicolor is watered moderately and regularly, maintaining stable soil moisture. Broadleaf kupena is not watered often - it tolerates drought well.
Priming
The only requirement for the soil is fertility. To get a juicy, healthy plant, kupena is planted in soil enriched with humus. Loosening the soil during the growth of the plant is not done so as not to damage the rhizome of the plant. Loosening is replaced by mulching.
Fertilizer
Before planting kupena, add ash and (10 g per 1 bush) to the soil.
Fertilizer is applied to the soil only in cases where the plant had to be planted on completely depleted soil. The procedure is performed 2 times per season: at the beginning and at the end of spring. Complex and mineral mixtures are used for fertilizer. Sometimes the plant is additionally fed with manure and compost.
Growing conditions
For planting in open ground, choose a shaded place, and the composition of the soil does not play a special role. In open areas under the scorching sun, the kupena will grow sparingly, but it takes root well under the crowns of trees and shrubs.
The plant is planted in open ground at the end of summer. To do this, the selected area is dug up to a depth of at least 20 cm and weeded from weeds. The soil is fertilized with mineral fertilizers with ash and planting holes are prepared. As drainage, a mixture of crushed stone and sand is poured into the bottom of the holes, filling it with compost.
Reproduction and planting
Vegetative division of rhizomes– the separated part of the rhizome with the stem is deepened into a prepared hole with drainage and compacted with soil. The depth for planting is 8-10 cm. The soil is compacted and thoroughly watered. The growth rate of the seedling is not great due to the poor root survival rate.
Planting part of the rhizome– for this type of propagation, holes are made up to 30 cm deep and organic and mineral fertilizers are added to the soil.
Propagation using seeds– seeds need stratification, otherwise they germinate very poorly. The planted plant blooms only for 3-5 years. This type of reproduction is not effective. Kupena grows in one place for up to 15 years.
Diseases and pests
The plant is resistant to pests and diseases. Snails and sawfly caterpillars appear only during periods of drought.
Use in landscape design
All the decorative value of the kupena lies in the stems and leaves, due to the fact that the flowers do not represent anything remarkable and bloom for no more than a month.
The Variegatum variety is used for decorative purposes. It is cultivated from the Kupena crescent species and is distinguished by leaves with white stripes along the edges. Kupena grows well next to other plants. The “Kupena squat” species is perfect for landscape design - the plants form a dense, uniform carpet up to 90 cm high. But this species does not like the close proximity of other flowers.
Kupena, like most ornamental garden plants, is very poisonous. If there are small children in the house, it may not be worth planting the kupena in the garden.
An unpretentious herbaceous plant, kupena, in addition to its medicinal benefits, also has decorative and aesthetic properties. The temperate climate made the kupena resistant to temperature conditions, diseases and soil conditions. But in order to grow a healthy and succulent plant, follow all the suggested rules for outdoor care.
Watch the following video about the medicinal bath and its properties:
When it comes to flowers, it is very difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, to describe them without special botanical terms so that the interlocutor understands which flower is meant. It's easier to show a photo. However, this is not the case with the purchased one. It is enough to ask your interlocutor to imagine a large lily of the valley. And in fact, kupena comes from the same family and is a typical forest flower, with all the peculiarities of planting, care, growing in open ground and propagation.
Description of the purchase: varieties and varieties
Kupena multicolor belongs to plants of the lily family. Kupena is the owner of a graceful curved stem, on which bright oval green leaves are located in two even rows, and small white flowers bloom in their axils.
There are about 50 species of kupena in nature. Most often you can find 3 of them.
Kupena medicinal
Medicinal purchase. It grows among forests and shady bushes of the northern hemisphere. Does not exceed half a meter in height, blooms in late spring - early summer. The fruits of the medicinal plant have a strong emetic effect.
Kupena fragrant
Fragrant bath. It grows up to 80 cm in height and has bluish-green leaves. The fragrant kupena blooms in mid-May and blooms for 5 weeks. This flower chooses the slopes of low mountains and hills, shady forest thickets and forest clearings as its habitat in nature.
Kupena multiflorum
Kupena multiflorum. This variety is most often planted by gardeners in pots and open ground. Multi-flowered bloom in early summer.
The rhizome of the kupena plant is interesting in its structure. It consists of links, and when last year’s shoot dies, a small area covered with cork remains in its place. In its appearance, it resembles a seal, which gave the coupon its second name, “Solomon’s Seal.” According to legend, King Solomon awarded this flower with his seal for its healing properties. After all, infusions from kupena root are known for their anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects.
Attention. All parts of the product are poisonous.
Planting kupena
Kupena can be planted on any soil, as it is absolutely not demanding. But if you want the plant to look perfect, then it is best to move the cultivation of the kupena into the shade, onto fertile, dense soil. In the sun, the kupena will grow a little worse and look less impressive. When planting in open ground, it is desirable that the groundwater comes close to the surface. Regular watering is needed, but the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Kupena feels best in the shade of trees, forming lush thickets in which even weeds cannot survive.
The plant prefers shady areas
Before planting kupena in open ground, the beds are first prepared. Drainage made of crushed stone or sand is poured into the prepared hole, and compost is added to the soil.
Growing kupena from seeds in garden floriculture is practically never encountered, because pollination of this flower can only occur with the help of long-proboscis bumblebees. Seeds are planted in late autumn, and sprouts appear in the spring, and sometimes even only in the 2nd year. In addition, a plant planted from seeds may lose its maternal characteristics. Such plants begin to bloom only in the 3rd year, and sometimes in the 5th.
Caring for your bath
“Solomon’s Seal” is just a godsend for a garden that you don’t have time to care for.
Kupena does not need care, it grows in the garden as well as in natural conditions
The good thing about growing kupena is that this plant requires virtually no care. It is needed only in dry times; in other periods, rainwater and groundwater will suffice. After watering, to avoid crust formation, the plant bushes are mulched. Flower growers advise avoiding loosening, because the rhizomes of the kupena are fragile and are not located too deep, so they can be damaged. The weeds survive only the first two years, then the kupena grows so that the weeds have no chance of survival. For the winter, the kupena does not need to be covered or dug up - it overwinters well in open ground, and in the spring it will bloom with renewed vigor.
Fertilizer and feeding
If you planted the kupena in fertile soil, then for good development it is enough to apply fertilizer once a year. For this purpose, organic matter (manure or compost) and some mineral fertilizers are added to the soil in the spring. This will be enough for the development and flowering of the kupena.
The crop can be fed with organic fertilizers
Plant propagation
The simplest and most effective way to propagate kupena is division.
The flower can be planted in open ground at any time of the year, but it is best to do this in late summer or early autumn. The planting site must be cleared of weeds and dug to a depth of 25-20 cm. The root of the kupena is geniculate and very fragile, so dividing it is very easy. The cuttings with a bud or stem are planted in the soil to a depth of 8-9 cm. They are placed horizontally.
Young plant
The first couple of years, the growth of the flower will occur slowly, until the root finally takes root, then the kupena will begin to grow intensively. It is recommended to divide the kupena once every 3–4 years, planting the divisions in the same place, otherwise the kupena may crush its neighbors in the garden.
Diseases and pests
Kupena, planting and caring for which does not bring any trouble, is equally pleasing with the almost complete absence of diseases. This flower is also avoided by pests; only sometimes in dry times or in the second half of summer you can find slugs and some caterpillars on its leaves. But this problem is easily solved with the help of Intavir or any other analogues.
Kupena: combination with other plants
Kupena perfectly coexists with other plants that prefer shade and partial shade. She is friends with various types of ferns, hellebores,.
Kupena in combination with dicentra
Advice. If you do not keep the kupena under control by dividing the rhizome every few years, over time it can grow too actively and will oppress and even crowd out its neighbors in the flower garden.
Purchased in landscape design
The perennial dense ornamental thickets that the kupena forms make it a welcome guest in any garden or flower garden. It will perfectly hide empty, unsightly areas of the garden, making them a secluded, cozy corner. It is also good to buy in the shade of trees, which is why it is often used for landscaping the trunks of garden trees. In a rocky garden or rock garden, a squat kupena will come in very handy. Multicolored kupena is often used as a vertical accent among low-growing plants (for example, or,).
In landscape design, kupena differs from many flowers in that even after it fades, its gracefully curved leaves support the composition in a new color.
Purchased in landscape design
Kupena will serve as an excellent background for daylilies, and in plantings it will hide the witheredness of spring bulbs.
Many gardeners advise planting kupena along a hedge of shrubs. As the bushes mature, their lower stems become bare and lose their attractiveness. Tall shoots of kupena will perfectly hide this drawback, growing well in the shade of bushes.
Bought in a flowerbed
Kupena, in addition to all its beauty, also has a lot of useful properties. A decoction of kupena is widely used in the treatment of gastritis and pneumonia, as well as a hemostatic agent. As an external remedy, kupena is often used for bruises, bruises and rheumatic pain. However, remember that you cannot use kupena for medicinal purposes without a doctor’s recommendation. Improper use can lead to poisoning or burns, because kupena is a poisonous plant.
Advice. If there are children on your site, then it is better to plant the kupena in an area where access for children is minimal. Because the poisonous berries of the kupena look very attractive.
If you want to diversify your landscape, but you don’t have time to care for capricious plants, then this purchase is just what you need. Whatever variety of these flowers you choose, it will fit harmoniously into any flower garden. In addition, propagation of kupena will not cause any trouble. And thanks to the amazing ability of kupena to combine with many plants in the garden, you will always have an excellent background for photos. It all depends only on your imagination, inspiration and desire to make yours unique and inimitable.
Properties of the purchased item: video
Kupena multiflora: photo
Kupena is a herbaceous perennial from the Asparagus family. It can be found in the meadows and hillsides of the subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Although miniature flowers similar to ordinary lily of the valley are hidden under the foliage, kupena amazes with the large size of its shoots. Bright growth takes root well in the shade of trees and is indispensable for landscaping a shady area. In addition, kupena is an effective medicine. Legends say that King Solomon himself appreciated its properties and put a seal, which the roots of the plant keep today. Therefore, the purchase is also called “Solomon’s Seal”.
Botanical description
The genus Kupena includes very diverse plants. Their height can vary from 10 cm to 1.5 m. The multi-generated woody root is located mainly horizontally in the upper layers of the soil. Long ribbed stems develop from numerous growing points. They are covered with smooth green or reddish skin. The shoots persist throughout the season and die off in the fall. A rounded mark with a depressed core remains on the root. It resembles the very seal of King Solomon. From such marks one can determine the age of the purchased plant.
Large sessile leaves are alternately located along the entire length of the arched shoot. They have an oval or ovoid leaf blade with a smooth edge and a pointed end. Relief veins are located vertically throughout the sheet. The ends of the leaf blades are often marked with white streaks.
Flowering occurs in May-June and is accompanied by a rich, pleasant aroma. The buds are located in whorls in the leaf axils along the lower edge of the stem. Long white bells with greenish edges hang on flexible peduncles. In July-August, after pollination, juicy, round berries with blue-black skin ripen. Each contains 1-9 small seeds.
Popular types
There are about 50 species in the genus Kupena. In addition to the main species, decorative variegated varieties with beautiful patterns along the veins have been bred. They attract attention even after flowering.
Bought pharmaceutical (medicinal). The plant forms spreading bushes no more than 50 cm high. Large oval leaves are located on the sides of the ribbed stem. Below them, white bells bloom on thin flexible stalks. The flowering period begins at the end of May and lasts 4-5 weeks. After pollination, dark blue berries ripen.
The plant has a thin, green stem that grows vertically 30-60 cm in height. The lower sessile leaves are attached to the stem alternately, and the upper ones are collected in whorls of 4-8 pieces. Lanceolate leaves 7-17 cm long and 1-2.5 cm wide have pointed edges. They are colored light green. In June-July, white elongated flowers bloom on hanging peduncles.
The bush, up to 80 cm high, consists of flexible stems covered with crimson skin. The bluish-green foliage also has crimson veins. White-green flowers bloom in mid-May and last up to 5 weeks.
The variety forms slender thickets up to 1 m high. Large oval leaves are located in the upper half of the stem. In the leaf axils there are whorls of 5-6 whitish buds that hang on thin stalks. Flowering begins in June, and the berries ripen by August.
Reproduction methods
Kupena is propagated using seeds or rhizome segments. In August, you can dig up the root and cut it into several parts so that each section has a growing point. The resulting sections are immediately planted in a new place and watered moderately. The rooting process is usually painless and young shoots will appear in the new season.
Seed propagation is difficult, but allows you to grow several plants at once. Ripe berries are collected and the seeds are freed from the pulp. They need to be sown the same year after a long stratification. Seeds are sown in a shallow container with sandy-peaty soil. For 3-4 months, the crops are stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-5°C. Then the pot is placed in a warm room for 3 months, after which it is returned to the refrigerator for 3-4 months. At the last stage, the seeds begin to germinate. After stratification, the plants are kept at a temperature of +20...+22°C in the light. Seedlings develop slowly, but do not require special care. In spring, the grown kupena can be planted in open ground. Flowering occurs in 3-5 years.
Choosing a place and landing
Kupena develops best in a humid place. It will be a real find for a shady garden. Tall varieties can be planted in a sunny area, but they will not develop as actively. The place for planting must be chosen responsibly, because the kupena will grow on it for 12-15 years. An additional advantage is that weeds almost never settle under its branches.
Before planting, you should dig up the area and add mineral fertilizers, compost and ash to the soil. After this, there is no need for regular feeding. Sand and crushed stone are added to dense, heavy soils. It is important to remember that kupena reacts poorly to stagnation of water in the soil. It needs to be planted where underground waters lie deep. The seedlings are buried 8-15 cm at a distance of 20 cm from each other.
Secrets of care
The good thing about the purchase is that it requires minimal care. If you choose the right place for planting, you will only need periodic watering, however, this is only necessary during prolonged drought. To prevent the formation of a dense crust on the surface of the earth after watering, it is mulched. You should not weed the ground so as not to damage the rhizome. The weeds are simply pulled out.
In autumn, the shoots are almost completely cut off, leaving only stumps up to 5 cm high. Kupena overwinters in the open ground without additional shelter. The plant is resistant even to severe frosts. In the spring, when the snow melts, the roots may suffer from excess moisture in the soil. In the first warm days, lush greenery will appear and grow rapidly.
An adult bush of kupena forms a beautiful green cascade with delicate hanging flowers. It will look spectacular on a green lawn or in a flower garden. When planted under trees, kupena not only hides unsightly soil, but also makes it better quality for the trees themselves.
Even after flowering has finished, curved shoots look very decorative. They make an excellent backdrop for flowering plants such as irises, lilies, tulips, daisies, pansies and asters. Neighbors should be placed next to the kupena, but not under its crown, otherwise they will start to get sick.
Medicinal properties
The rhizome and shoots of kupena contain alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and other active substances. Thanks to them, the plant is used as a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, and enveloping agent. Fresh juice is used externally to remove freckles, treat ulcers and heal wounds. With the help of a decoction they fight stomach ulcers, bronchitis or pneumonia. Alcohol tinctures from the roots are used for headaches, heart failure, osteochondrosis, and gout.
It should be remembered that preparations based on kupena are good only in moderate dosages. Otherwise they turn into poison. Before use, be sure to consult with your doctor.
Almost all decorative summer plants are natives of distant tropics, which means that they are given the warmest, sunny places in the flowerbed. However, in every garden there is a secluded corner where life-giving rays rarely penetrate. A natural question arises: what should be planted in such a plot? When choosing plants for a shady flower garden, be sure to pay attention to the charming representative of the Asparagus family - kupena. In nature, this modest, unpretentious plant lives in birch and coniferous forests of the temperate zone, which means it will not suffer from a lack of light. At the first glance at the kupena, you can easily guess that it is the closest relative of the lily of the valley: the same beautiful leathery leaves and delicate bell-shaped flowers of white or greenish color.
Among the people, the forest enchantress is called differently - wolf grass, magpie eyes, bloodshed, hernia, pure tears, deaf lily of the valley, Solomon's seal. The last name is associated with a legend according to which the ancient Jewish king Solomon marked the healing herb with a magic ring. In the confrontation with his sworn enemy Asmodeus, the biblical ruler lost his wonderful amulet, and the memorable mark on the rhizomes of the kupena remained forever. The beneficial properties of the plant were appreciated not only by the legendary hero. Despite the fact that kupena is extremely poisonous, it has been used to treat many ailments for many centuries. Healing decoctions are prepared from the rhizomes to treat diseases of the respiratory and digestive system, hemorrhoids and radiculitis, and the fresh juice of the leaves is used to treat wounds and dermatitis.
All that remains to be added is that it requires little maintenance and with its help you can easily turn an abandoned corner of the garden into a nice forest clearing.
When to plant
Theoretically, kupena can be grown from seeds, but this process is too long and labor-intensive, and the germination of the material and the viability of the seedlings leave much to be desired. It is much easier to purchase a grown strong seedling for initial planting, and subsequently propagate the plant yourself by dividing the rhizomes.
As for timing, the best time to plant kupena is September. Bushes planted in the spring will also take root, but will take longer to adapt to new conditions and most likely will not bloom this season.
Landing rules
As mentioned above, kupena should be planted in shade or partial shade. It will also grow in the sun, but bushes accustomed to cool weather in an open place will look depressed and pale. The forest guest prefers soil that is well fertilized, neutral or slightly acidic. It is recommended to prepare the area for autumn planting in the spring.
When digging grooves, be guided by the size of the root system of the seedling: the rhizome will need to be laid horizontally, and the sprouts will need to be buried 2–3 cm into the ground. Water the plantings only if the soil in the area is too dry.
From the second year of life, the kupena begins to actively grow, “conquering” space for itself from neighboring plants. Dig up sheets of old slate around the perimeter of the site, and destroy or replant those bushes that still manage to get out of the boundaries of the territory allotted to them. If you allow the kupena to grow spontaneously, then in the near future it will “rule over” even vegetable beds.
Basic care
Like any forest plant, kupena is quite capable of growing and blooming without care, but if you give it a little attention, the bushes will be more lush, and the flowering will be abundant and long-lasting. Activities for caring for plantings are simple:
- In hot weather, water the bushes deeply and often. The soil on the site should always be slightly moist. Don't get carried away! If, as a result of your efforts, the clearing turns into a swamp, then the roots of the kupena will rot.
- The culture responds very gratefully to the addition of organic matter - rotted mullein or mature garden compost. Fertilizing is carried out in early spring or late autumn.
- It is recommended to periodically loosen the soil under the kupena and weed it in a timely manner, since it is wildly growing weeds that most often cause the development of fungal infections.
In addition to seasonal procedures, the bushes must be rejuvenated by division every 5–6 years. Due to the toxicity of the plant, plant the kupena only with gloves and be sure to wash your hands with soap after finishing work.
Diseases and pests
Nature has given the kupena good health, but in unfavorable conditions it can become infected with gray vegetable rot. The plantings will have to be saved with the help of fungicides (Fundazol, Maxim, Tattu).
Among the pests, bushes growing in the shade are attacked by slugs and leaf-eating caterpillars, against which the drugs “Intavir” and “Thunderstorm” are effective, and to discourage gastropods from getting into the flower garden, sprinkle the soil under the plants with ground hot pepper or dry mustard. The worst thing that can happen to a kupena is infection by a nematode. There is no escape from this pest, so damaged bushes should be immediately removed from the area and burned.
Bought in the fall
At the end of the season, the above-ground part of the kupena dies off, and the rhizomes remain overwintering in the ground. The indigenous inhabitant is resistant to cold weather, but in anticipation of a harsh winter with little snow, it would be a good idea to play it safe and mulch the area with a heap of fallen leaves. In the spring, when the snow melts, rake the old leaves and wait for the new greenery to appear. Do not leave the shelter for a long time, otherwise the sprouts will rot.
Popular types
The genus Kupena is represented in nature by more than 50 species, of which about 10 are cultivated. They are conventionally divided into 2 groups. The first includes forms with dense wide leaves and arched shoots, such as:
- Kupena fragrant (medicinal, pharmaceutical) is a plant widespread in middle latitudes, 40–100 cm high, with a straight faceted stem, slightly curved at the top, and large, rigidly pubescent leaves. White-green tubular flowers, exuding a delicious aroma of bitter almonds, bloom in early summer, and after 2-4 weeks, fruits ripen in their place - blue-black berries. In floriculture, variegated forms of fragrant roses are in demand, the leaves of which are decorated with white veins and a light border.
- Kupena multiflora is another popular representative of the genus. Plant 30–80 cm high with elongated, lanceolate, bare leaves. Large (up to 2 cm in length), greenish, odorless flowers, collected in brushes of 2–5 pieces, bloom in May and decorate the garden for 30–40 days. Garden variegated forms of the species, as well as cultivars with pinkish flowers, have proven themselves to be excellent.
- Broadleaf kupena is the most drought-resistant variety of garden kupena. A fast-growing, long-rhizome plant that forms dense clumps up to 50 cm high. Fragrant white flowers delight the eye from late May to mid-June.
- Kupena squat (low) is an ideal species for decorating rockeries. Slow-growing bushes 15–30 cm high with large white-green flowers form nice compact “islands”.
The second group is represented by erect species of kupena with narrow lanceolate leaves:
- Kupena rosea is a rather rare species in cultivation with graceful mauve flowers and bright red berries. The stems of the plant are 40–60 cm high and have an unusual reddish tint. Pink kupena blooms in May-June.
- Kupena whorled is an indigenous inhabitant of the Caucasus. Medium-sized (30–80 cm) plant with tubular white flowers and red fruits. The stems are faceted and strong. Lanceolate leaves reach a length of 15 cm. In garden cultivation, the whorled form with red shoots is in demand.
Sometimes in a variety of sources there is a description of a burning bath, which essentially has nothing in common with baths. This is the name of the ash tree - a plant of the Rutaceae family, which has the ability to light up with colorless fire in extreme heat. There is an explanation for this strange phenomenon: the ash tree secretes highly flammable essential oils, which, when evaporated under the rays of the sun, burst into flames. Unburnt kupena is found extremely rarely, but this is perhaps for the best, since it is extremely dangerous to human health. The plant esters are not only flammable, but also toxic. A slight contact with an amazing stranger leaves deep chemical burns on the skin, which will be extremely difficult to cure.
In the landscape, it is recommended to combine garden roses with the same unpretentious and shade-tolerant plants as she herself: hostas, ferns, hellebore, dicentra, irises, woodruff. The flowers of this modest forest dweller look great in bouquets and last a long time when cut.
But! Don’t forget that kupenas are poisonous, so before planting, explain to younger family members that they should never touch the plant, much less taste the beautiful berries and leaves.
Kupena is part of the Landyshev family. Its appearance is very similar to that of the forest lily of the valley. That is why it is often called garden lily of the valley. Despite its simple appearance, it looks very beautiful in design landscape solutions.
This is a perennial and multi-flowered plant that does not require much time to care.
In contact with
Classmates
Its height can reach 1 meter or more. It all depends on the type of plant and its growing conditions. The root is multi-geniculate. The leaves are mostly green in color and quite wide with characteristic veins. The stem is constantly in a state of inclination towards the ground. The flowers are white, sometimes pink, cream-colored or pale green. One inflorescence can contain up to 5 flowers, resembling a bell in shape. They begin to open from the bottom of the plant.
Garden lily of the valley begins to bloom in May and continues for a month. Then fruits and berries appear. They can be red or blue. In autumn, the upper part of the plant turns yellow and dries out.
Kupena is perfect for growing in garden plots. It does not have a flashy color, but captivates with its grace and sophistication. There are quite a few varieties of this plant in nature, but the following are best suited for decorative design:
- Kupena crescent variegatum. Reaches an average height of 50 cm. The leaves are green with a white framing stripe along the edges. The bottom of the leaves is slightly hairy. The flowers of the plant are white and tubular in shape. The stems are cylindrical, inclined towards the ground. After ripening, the fruits become black in color and resemble berries.
- . It can reach a height of 90 cm. The leaves are green with a bluish tint. They are characterized by an oblong shape, tapering at the base and top. The width of the leaf is approximately 3-4 times less than its length. The white flowers are quite small, bell-shaped, ending in small green teeth. They have a pleasant fragrant smell. Kupena fragrant is very reminiscent of forest lily of the valley.
- . The most famous type of baths. The height of the plant can be from 30 cm to 1 m - depending on the place of growth. The leaves are green, oval in shape. The flowers are white, ending in small greenish teeth. 3 or more pieces hang in the recesses of leaves. The berries are black and blue and poisonous. The stem of kupena multiflorum is smooth.
- Kupena broadleaf. This is the fastest growing plant of all types of kupena. The leaves are ovoid in shape with a pointed upper part. The main color of the flowers is white, with green at the end. The berries are black with a pronounced blue tint. Kupena broadleaf is very resistant to drought.
- Bought low. This is the slowest growing plant of the entire species. It reaches a height of no more than 35 cm. The leaves are oblong, tapering at the base and top, or ovoid in shape. The bottom of the leaves has a soft downy covering. Stems are straight, without bending to the ground. The flowers are white. The fruits are dark blue in color.
- . It reaches a height of 50 cm. The stem is straight and has a red-green color. The leaves are oblong, tapering at the base and top, and bluish in color. Pink flowers. The berries are red.
Application in medicine
Leaves, flowers, berries and roots of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Although this plant has a number of beneficial properties for humans, it should be handled with extreme caution.
In folk medicine, garden lily of the valley is usually used in the following cases:
- back pain,
- rheumatism,
- haemorrhoids,
- colds,
- jaundice,
- diabetes.
In addition, the plant water decoction of dried and crushed roots Kupena is used for acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and as an anthelmintic drug.
A decoction of fresh roots is used in the form of dressings, compresses or lotions if:
- abrasions,
- bruises,
- gout,
- purulent diseases.
Leaf tincture(they must first be dried and crushed) the plants are used for arthritis and as an antipyretic and diuretic. In addition, it may have a positive effect in the case of certain gynecological diseases and jaundice.
Fresh juice from the roots of the plant removes freckles and age spots on the face, but must be used with great caution, because There is a high risk of getting burned.
In Tibetan medicine, it is believed that kupena prolongs life. However, we must not forget that this plant is very poisonous for a person. When using it, you should be extremely careful, because... Long-term use may cause poisoning or burns.
Growing conditions
In Russia, about 17 species of kupena grow in the wild. It mainly occurs:
- in the Far East,
- in Siberia,
- in the Caucasus.
Some types of garden lily of the valley can be found in central and central Russia. Kupena grows in forests with different natural compositions and is also found among bushes. She loves shade or partial shade. It feels great in well-lit places, but in this case the plant turns out to be low.
The most optimal places on a personal plot for bathing will be spaces with shade or partial shade.
The plant is highly resistant to and practically not susceptible to disease. If you maintain the designer landscape in proper order, you don’t have to worry about it. But during drought, the plant can attract snails and slugs, and sometimes some types of caterpillars feast on it. To combat these pests, the following insecticides are effectively used:
- Intavir,
- Storm.
There are folk remedies tested by gardeners that are used to combat harmful insects. For example, the soil under the purchased sprinkle with ground hot pepper, or dry mustard.
Despite the high immunity, the garden lily of the valley may be affected by a nematode. It is impossible to save the plant from it. Infected plants must be immediately pulled out by the roots and then burned.
Watering
Depending on the type, the watering mode is selected. Multi-flowered kupena requires irrigation in small doses, but quite often. It is necessary to ensure that the soil around the plant is moist, but it should not be over-watered.
Kupena crescent variegatum does not require much water and thrives in dry soil. It is necessary to water the lily of the valley only if there is no rain for a long time.
As a rule, after watering the soil needs to be loosened. In this situation, this should not be done, because... The roots of the plant are found close to the surface and there is a high probability of damage. If necessary, mulch the ground. No additional labor-intensive care is required.
Fertilizer
For better plant growth, the soil should be fertilized before planting. manure or compost fertilizers. This should be done once a year, preferably in the spring.
If the growing area is not fertile, then it is recommended to use mineral or complex fertilizers to feed the plant. They must be applied twice a season - at the onset of spring and at the beginning of lily of the valley flowering.
Reproduction
The easiest and most convenient way to propagate kupena is by rhizomes. To do this, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:
- from a bush with a bud it is necessary to separate part of the root,
- bury the resulting part in the ground to a depth of no more than 12 cm,
- lightly compact the soil at the planting site with your hands,
- water well. It is recommended to pre-settle the water.
Garden lilies of the valley can also be propagated by seeds. Planting and care in this case will be a rather labor-intensive process with an unobvious result. Planting material may not germinate, because due to the structure of the flower, not all insects can pollinate them, and without it, growth is impossible. Some species of kupena, for example, broad-leaved ones, are successfully propagated by seeds, because Every year they ripen a huge number of fruits. Planting material - seeds - cannot be stored for a long time, because Over time, it loses its ability to germinate.
Kupena - planting and care in open ground
Many gardeners agree that kupena can be planted in open ground all year round. However, according to experts, it is better to plant at the end of summer. All weeds must be removed from the surface of the planting area. Then dig up the ground well. The digging depth should be at least 20 cm, but not more than 25 cm.
It is recommended to add a little ash to the soil, or mineral fertilizers, no more than 15 grams. bought for a bush. A little sand and crushed stone should be added to the holes prepared for planting, thus creating a drainage layer. Compost mixed with the top layer of soil is placed on top. When planting a plant, you should remember that garden lily of the valley does not tolerate large amounts of moisture. Stagnation of water has a detrimental effect on the viability of the plant; it will not grow in soil in which groundwater is close to the surface. As you can see, planting and caring for garden lilies of the valley in open ground does not take much time.
Wintering the plant
With the onset of the cold period, the upper part of the garden lily of the valley dies. In a temperate climate, the plant's roots can easily overwinter in the ground without additional care. If the kupena has to wait for spring in regions with severe frosts, then it must be covered with sawdust, spruce branches, or maybe peat.
With the onset of spring, after the snow has melted, it is necessary to remove the material with which the bath was covered, thereby freeing up space for the growth of new shoots. The plant should not be left covered for a long time, i.e. it may rot.
Application in landscape design
When creating a landscape design, garden lily of the valley is often used. It fits well into spaces under the canopy of trees and will cover empty and unattractive areas of the garden.
Kupena looks great when combined with low-growing flowers such as:
- some types of asters,
- daisies.
Very often it is planted next to bushes in order to cover naturally exposed and unsightly plant roots.
Designers combine low-growing flowers with other colors when designing a club in the façade of buildings. Lily of the valley, planted in masses, looks beautiful.
Kupena is a shade-loving, unpretentious and at the same time beautiful plant. It looks great in a combination of plants with the same properties as:
- hosta,
- irises,
- ferns,
- woodruff.
Garden lily of the valley flowers are very delicate, airy, beautiful in bouquets and do not fade for a long time when cut. You must always remember that kupena is a poisonous plant. Before breeding it in your garden plot, explain to all family members, especially children, that under no circumstances should you eat not only the bright and beautiful berries, but also the stems and leaves.