Arunkus is a herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family, which in the summer turns into a lush bush with beautiful snow-white inflorescences. Among gardeners, the names goat beard or volzhanka are also popular.
Description
This is a large perennial herb, capable of growing a large green mass in one season. Because of this, in plantings it is perceived as a monumental shrub. It is widespread throughout the temperate climate of the Northern Hemisphere. The root system of Aruncus is superficial, highly branched. Over the years, the roots become stiff and grow strongly to the sides. Skeletal branches do not die off by winter, but they shed leaves. A flowering plant can reach a height of 1-1.5 m, although the first years give a slight increase. The maximum width of the bush is 1.2 m. The stems are erect, strong. The foliage is bright green, carved, attached to the stems on long stalks along the entire length.
On the tops of the branches are long peduncles (30-60 cm). Branched-shaped inflorescences are densely covered with small white or creamy sitting flowers. On one plant, male and female flowers are found. The first ones are more magnificent and thicker, the second ones are located less often and have an openwork edge. The size of one flower is only 3 mm, due to the prominent perianth, it has a greenish tint. The flowering period is in June and early July. At this time, the garden is filled with strong tart aromas that attract insects. In early autumn, the fruits of a leaflet with dusty seeds form.
Varieties
In the gardens of our country more often than others Aruncus dioecious, also called ordinary. It grows in deciduous forests and prefers shaded, damp places. In height, the perennial grows by 2 m, it has wide, erect, strongly leafy stems. The diameter of the sprawling bush can exceed 120 cm. Small openwork leaflets are attached in pairs to a long petiole, resembling fern leaves. The branched panicle of the inflorescence reaches a length of 50 cm. The flowers are dioecious, male and female buds are located on different peduncles. Flowering occurs in June-July. In September, the seeds ripen.
The species has a highly decorative Knayfee variety. It features bright green finely divided foliage. Petioles are long, drooping. The height of the bush does not exceed 60 cm.
Arunkus Asian with the same high growth, it has coarser and darker leaves. Flowers are collected in complex snow-white panicles, the height of each does not exceed 35 cm. Attracts lush and denser spikelets of inflorescences. Flowering occurs in June, and seed ripening ends in early September. The plant is resistant to frost and grows in the northern regions.
Breeders have developed the Fontana variety, which is less than 55 cm high and has large drooping panicles of flowers. The plant loves moist shaded places and looks good off the coast of water bodies. It blooms in June and July.
Arunkus Kamchatka found in the Kuril and Aleutian islands, Sakhalin, Kamchatka and Alaska. It grows in meadows among forbs near sea coasts or mountain slopes, climbs on rocks or rocky mounds. Dioecious perennial 30-150 cm high with thick stiff roots. Leaves are dark green, twice dissected, pinnate. Leaf plates are attached in pairs to a long stalk. The inflorescence panicle is compact, slightly branched, 20 cm high. Flowering occurs in July and August, seed ripening ends in late September. The species has an alpine subspecies, it is only 30 cm high.
Arunkus American distributed from the Far East to North America. Perennial thickets reach a height of 80-110 cm. They are distinguished by a powerful root system, which annually lengthens by 5-8 cm. The plant gives lateral shoots and actively grows in breadth.
Arunkus Etuzifolius or parsley leaves is compact. Its spherical bushes grow 25 cm in height. Inflorescences are long (up to 60 cm), snow-white, branched. They resemble resilient palmate stars. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts more than a month. Ripening seeds have a reddish color, which increases the decorativeness of the plant. It has finely cut openwork foliage of bright green color.
The species has a decorative hybrid "Perfection". Its maximum size does not exceed 30 cm. Leaflets are large, carved, bright green in color. The inflorescences are snow-white during the flowering period and bright red when the seeds ripen.
Seed propagation
Volzhanka is well propagated by seeds, but the process of setting and collecting them is difficult. Since the flowers are dioecious, not all ovaries will be pollinated. The smallest leaflets contain dusty seeds. The inflorescence is carefully cut into a paper bag, where it is stored until dry, and then it is torn out. Planting is done in early spring in large boxes. In southern areas, you can sow immediately in the open ground in the winter. When two pairs of leaves appear in the seedlings, they are dived and planted so that the distance is 10-15 cm. After a year, young plants are transplanted to a permanent place at a sufficient distance from each other.
All transplants should be completed within the first two years, since in the future the rhizome grows and grows stiff. Flowering is expected at the age of 3-4 years.
Vegetative propagation
With vegetative propagation, flowering occurs much faster. Rhizomes are divided in the early spring, before the sap flow begins. To do this, part of the roots is dug up and separated from the uterine plant. As the roots become stiff, a sharp knife or ax is useful. In the divide, 1-2 kidneys and filiform roots should be visible. The place of the cut is sprinkled with ash, sulfur or crushed coal and immediately instilled in a new place so as not to overdry. Flowering is possible in the first year after transplantation.
Care Rules
Arunkus is a shade-tolerant plant, in the bright sun the leaves dry quickly, and it slows down in growth. It is undemanding to soils, but needs regular moistening. Abundant and regular watering is required. It responds well to organic dressing during the growing season and flowering. After the death of the ground part of the fertilizer is not applied.
Withered inflorescences are pruned, and in the fall they remove the green crown, leaving no more than 5 cm of branches. It is recommended to mulch the soil with peat and rotted leaves for the winter.
Volzhanka is unpretentious, easily tolerates severe frosts and mechanical damage. Not afraid of common diseases, but can suffer from aphids, ticks and caterpillars. A decoction of burdock or insecticides (Actellik, Intavir and others) help cope with pests.
Use in landscape design
Arunkus is completely self-sufficient, it is used as a tapeworm on the lawns. Dwarf plants are suitable for the design of borders, along the shores of reservoirs and the adjoining territory.
These monumental plants are used in group plantings with coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. Arunkus fades early in the flowerbed, and bright annuals look spectacular against the backdrop of bright greenery.
Cut live inflorescences are little preserved, but are suitable for drying and decorating dry compositions.
