It blooms on the hills,” a word popular in the 70s of the last century.

The song denotes one of the places where this shrub of the Heather family grows.

Depending on the species, it is found in different conditions.

But wild rosemary is interesting not so much for its habitat as for its medicinal properties.

Where does wild rosemary grow?

• wild rosemary feels comfortable in swampy forests, swamps and peat bogs,
• wild rosemary(prostrate) - in larch woodlands and chars,
• large-leaved wild rosemary– in mountain coniferous forests and larch trees.

Greenland and bigleaf used by gardeners in decorating plots. But of the many species, only wild rosemary is useful.

It is an evergreen, low-branched shrub with a strong intoxicating aroma. It can reach a height of 20 cm to one meter.

Young shoots are covered with a red edge. The leaf of wild rosemary is leathery, elongated, perennial. The inflorescences with umbrellas attract the eye with their pristine snow-whiteness. The halo of stamens creates the impression of trepidation and ephemerality. Walking through such flower beds is fraught with fumes!

By the end of August, small fruits ripen - oblong, pubescent capsules of glandular color.

The essential oil of marsh rosemary shoots contains palustrol and iceol, as well as arbutin, tannins, and flavonoids.

Medicinal properties

IN folk medicine well known as:

Dangerous properties of wild rosemary

In Russian, “Ledum” comes from the old verb “bagulit” (to poison). The name itself reflects its entire essence - stupefying, tart, suffocating.

The ancient Greeks extracted incense from it and called it “ledon”, in Latin – “ledum” ( Ledum).

Collect raw materials for medicinal purposes all summer: in June - young shoots with inflorescences and leaves; at the end of August - shoots with ripened fruits

The plant must be harvested and dried with great care in a dry, well-ventilated room, at a temperature not exceeding +40 degrees. The balsamic aroma of wild rosemary is very intoxicating, causing headaches and dizziness.

To a certain extent this:

• There are known cases of poisoning from honey collected by bees from wild rosemary plants.
• Infusions can cause both excitement and increased drowsiness. May lead to depression of the central nervous system.
• It is not recommended to take medications with wild rosemary if you are planning to drive.

Any treatment should be carried out only after consultation with a specialist.

Growing wild rosemary

The bright properties of wild rosemary warn against growing it in small front gardens or near apiaries.

However, the essential oils of the plant are a powerful antiseptic and clean the air well.

In nature, wild rosemary likes to grow in the acidic soils of mossy swamps or coniferous swampy forests and on a deep peat cushion.

Vegetative propagation

The most acceptable method of propagation in gardens is vegetative. The bush is divided by root suckers and layering in early spring.

When cuttings, rooting occurs only after a year, so this method is rarely used.

Ledum does not require special care. Swamp wild rosemary may only require heavy watering during severe drought.

The creeping wild rosemary is accustomed to rocky slopes - it doesn’t need anything. In the wild it reproduces well by seeds.

Rhododendron Daurian

Origin

On Far East In Russia and Siberia, wild rosemary includes Daurian.

This amazing guest from the mountainous regions of East Asia and the Caucasus deserves special attention. Belonging to the Vereskov family, it is represented not only different types shrubs, trees, but also indoor plants.

Kinds

Some types of rhododendron ( Fory, Schlippenbach, Azalea pontica) are protected and listed in the Red Book. Some wild varieties have been cultivated as ornamental garden plants.

Many varieties do well in the climate conditions of the North-West.

Main types:

• deciduous,
• evergreen large-leaved species and Finnish varieties.

Providing favorable conditions

When caring, you need to take into account the specific requirements of the plant. Even in early autumn, buds are laid in the thin superficial roots of rhododendron for the next year. It is very important to protect them from possible winter vagaries.

Buy seedlings better in trusted stores. They will help you choose suitable variety and will be introduced to the conditions of detention.

Purchased seedlings are usually found in containers with a light peat substrate, therefore, it is useful to pre-soak the root ball in bacterial preparations.

Plant different varieties rhododendrons better in partial shade or in diffused light. Neighbors with a powerful and extended root system are harmful.

And the desired neighborhood is wild or varietal pine trees. They provide shade in early spring and fertilize. Windy, transplanted or flooded areas are contraindicated for garden rhododendrons.

indoor azalea

Origin

A welcome guest in homes is a beauty. Its bright, colorful flowers warm the soul lush bouquets on frosty winter days. Many myths and legends have shrouded the mysterious beauty since ancient times.

Azalea was popular back in ancient Greece and India. Translated from Greek, “Azalea” means “dry.”

Yes, the leaves of the plant are dry and velvety to the touch; the bush itself is not particularly remarkable. Everything changes immediately when it’s time to bloom. The veil of secrecy falls and a riot of floral luxury begins.

Similarity to rhododendron

For a long time, botanists have questioned the commonality of azalea and rhododendron. In the end, it was agreed that this subgenus takes place in the extensive genus of rhododendrons.

For gardeners, the main difference is only the place of cultivation: large plants outdoors, smaller ones - indoors.

Creating conditions

Outdoor plants are hardier than indoor plants.

They do especially well in warm, foggy autumn with nighttime temperatures around ten degrees. These conditions are as close to family as possible.

Indoor azalea loves the coolness of the loggia. Drafts and bright light are contraindicated for her; she has difficulty getting used to changes and cannot stand her neighbors during flowering. During this period, the capricious beauty can be separated by a partition from other plants. The most difficult thing is to preserve the azalea after flowering.

Landing

Planting seeds takes long time, but gives a guarantee of the uniqueness of the plant.

It is important to choose the right soil or buy ready-made in the store. When assembling the substrate yourself, you will need: coniferous soil, peat and sand. Loose soil will provide the necessary water exchange and acidity.

When purchasing seeds, you should take into account that not all of them will germinate, so it is better to take with a reserve.

Azalea is capricious from the very seeds; it requires a lot of light and care. Seeds planted shallowly in the soil are covered with a transparent film.

Dividing the bush

A simpler method of propagation is to carefully divide one bush into several or by cuttings.

It is important to trim and pinch azaleas in a timely manner. It is necessary to remove weak or overgrown shoots, as well as shoots near flower buds.

With a lot of effort and patience, this beauty will ennoble and decorate the interior of your home with the lush luxury of a chic bouquet.

Perhaps, many people had their first acquaintance with this family in elementary school.

The Scottish ballad by Robert Stevenson fascinated with its picturesque images and dramatic plot.

Greetings, dear friends!

The wild rosemary plant is traditionally associated with a rich, intoxicating and slightly suffocating odor, common in high bogs. Due to its rich biochemical composition, wild rosemary is used in medicine. But it is no less important for landscape design.

About growing wild rosemary in the garden and about its use in ornamental gardening today I will tell you.

Biological characteristics

In modern plant taxonomy, some changes have occurred and wild rosemary is now classified as a genus. But despite this, the culture continues to be called in the old fashioned way.

In nature, wild rosemaries are shrubs with branching, densely pubescent shoots up to 1 meter high. The leaf blades of the plants are dense, leathery, covered with a thick waxy coating on top, and on the underside there is noticeable pubescence. Closer to winter, wild rosemary leaves turn brown and curl into a tube. This phenomenon is protective in nature against excessive transpiration.

In autumn, large flower buds. Thanks to this feature, wild rosemaries begin flowering very early - literally 10-12 days after the snow melts. Ledum flowers are small in size, have light shades of color (white, light yellow, cream) and a strong aroma that attracts pollinating insects. If you spend a long time among wild rosemary plantations, this smell can cause mild dizziness and headache in sensitive people.

Growing wild rosemary

These plants are among the unpretentious. They can be successfully grown on poor sandy or loamy soils. They tolerate it well winter frosts and other extreme abiotic factors.

Some species, for example, wild rosemary, need additional watering in dry weather. But there are species (for example, creeping wild rosemary) that can withstand a lack of water in the soil for a long time.

Agrotechnical care for rosemary is simple and consists of timely weeding, early spring feeding and, if necessary, periodic watering.

After flowering on plants in large quantities capsule fruits are formed. To maintain decorativeness and stop the outflow nutrients on fruiting organs, it is recommended to immediately remove fading flowers.

The plant is propagated by cuttings. This method is not particularly difficult and has no individual differences from.

Application of wild rosemary

All parts of the plant contain significant amounts essential oils, arbutin glycoside, tannins. In this regard, wild rosemary is used quite often in medicinal purposes. But when treating yourself, you must remember that all organs of the plant are poisonous and therefore require careful use.

For gardeners, the main importance of wild rosemaries lies in their high decorative properties. Thanks to modern breeding work, several beautiful and unpretentious varieties. Two varieties, bred from the North American Greenland rosemary, deserve special attention:

Compactum

It has a dense crown of a compact cushion shape. The bushes reach 30-40 cm in height and up to 80 cm in diameter. This variety It has very abundant flowering. The flowers bloom in a delicate light yellow color.

"Helma"

The plant habit of this variety has similar characteristics to the previous one. The differences lie in the color of the flowers; in the wild rosemary “Helma” they are white.

Conducting growing wild rosemary for landscaping the area, pay attention to wild rosemary. For cultivation, only the natural form is used, since this species does not yet have artificially bred varieties. Marsh wild rosemary is somewhat inferior to the previous species and its varieties in terms of flowering intensity, but despite this, it fits perfectly into any landscape. See you later, friends!

There is probably no more fragrant bog plant than wild rosemary It is an evergreen shrub that attracts attention lush flowering and a pronounced heavy, resinous aroma. When handled correctly, wild rosemary has not only decorative value - it benefits the garden and has a healing, antiseptic, and cleansing effect on the human body. In addition, the plant is quite easy to grow without much effort.

Did you know?belongs to the Heather family, its name comes from the old Russian verb “bagulit” - “to poison”, and the adjective “bagulny” derived from it means “poisonous”, “stupefying”, “tart”. People called it that because of its pronounced, strong aroma, which can be asphyxiating if inhaled excessively.

Ledum also has a scientific name - ledum (lat. Lédum), which comes from the Greek “ledon” - this is how the inhabitants of Ancient Greece called incense. There is still no consensus about its genus: Western botanists identify wild rosemary and rhododendron and classify both plants as belonging to the same genus - Rhododendron; and in Russian sources wild rosemary is considered a separate genus. At the same time, each name can be considered correct.

A characteristic feature of wild rosemary is that during flowering it releases substances that, in large doses, can have an adverse effect on humans. The source of the pungent odor is essential oils that contain iceol, a poison that affects the nervous system. The aroma leads to headaches and dizziness, so it is not recommended to bring wild rosemary flowers into the house. Honey collected from flowers (“drunken” honey) is also poisonous, and should not be consumed without boiling.

Types of wild rosemary

Evergreen wild rosemary has up to 10 species, of which the most common is wild rosemary.

This is a cold-resistant shrub that is extremely rarely used because it is poisonous. It grows in swamps, swampy coniferous forests, and also on peat bogs, especially in Western and Eastern Siberia, Southern and Northern Europe, Northeastern China, Northern Mongolia, and North America. This shrub usually grows up to 60 cm in height, but there are also plants reaching 120 cm. The flowering of wild rosemary occurs in May-July, then numerous white flowers bloom at the tips of the shoots. delicate flowers, which form inflorescences.

The fruit of this plant is an oval, five-lobed, multi-seeded capsule. The lush, spectacular flowering of wild rosemary attracts attention to the bush as a ornamental plant, however, its cultivation in the garden is not very common. Cultivation of this species is simple, with proper agricultural technology he lives for a long time in heather gardens.

Did you know? Popular names for bog rosemary include bug grass, swamp hemlock, oregano, gologolovo, swamp stupor, bogovnik, wild rosemary, bugun, swamp canabra, forest rosemary.

Greenland rosemary

This species is widespread throughout the Arctic zone. In Europe, Greenland Ledum extends to the Alps; in North America it reaches the northern states of Ohio, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania. It grows mainly in peat bogs or wet coasts, and sometimes on Alpine rocky slopes. The evergreen shrub reaches a height of 50 cm - 1 m (sometimes even up to 2 m). The leaves of the plant are wrinkled above, covered with white or brownish-red hairs below, and wavy along the edges. The plant has increased cold resistance.

Greenland rosemary blooms from mid-June to the second half of July. Small white flowers, just like those of wild rosemary, form spherical inflorescences and have a bright aroma. In gardening, Greenland rosemary is rare, mainly in the collections of botanical gardens. The seeds of the plant ripen by the end of September.

Did you know? Greenland Ledum has an interesting variety “Compacta” - an evergreen shrub up to 45 cm in height. It has significant decorative value thanks to abundant flowering small cream flowers collected in semicircular inflorescences.

The habitat of large-leaved wild rosemary is the Far East and Eastern Siberia, the Korean Peninsula, Japan. It grows in the undergrowth of mountain coniferous forests, as well as in sphagnum bogs, along the edges of stone placers among thickets of heather bushes. Reaches a height of 50 to 130 cm. It has abundant color, blooms from the second ten days of May to early June. Large-leaved wild rosemary seeds ripen in late August - early September.

Creeping wild rosemary

Creeping wild rosemary, or prostrate wild rosemary, grows in Siberia, the Far East: Kamchatka, Chukotka, Sakhalin, Primorye; in the north North America, on the island of Greenland. A low shrub, reaching 20 - 30 cm in height, which makes it the shortest growing species. It grows in deciduous woodlands, moss swamps, shrub tundra, high-mountain sphagnum bogs, sand hills and rocky outcrops.

The shoots of this species have dense, reddish-rusty hairs. The leaves are long, from 1 to 2.5 cm, linear, very narrow, curled downwards. In late spring - early summer, when wild rosemary blooms, its inflorescences reach 2 cm in diameter - these are the largest flowers of all wild rosemary species. However, the flowering is sparse, not as lush as that of its counterparts.

Choosing a place and soil for wild rosemary

Ledum can take root almost anywhere, but it is better to plant it in the shade, as it does not like sunlight. Lush inflorescences look advantageous against the background of spruces, pines or thujas, so for decorative effect you can plant them next to these plants. Since its homeland is a swamp, the soil for rosemary, especially swamp, should be acidic and loose. To do this, the planting hole is filled with a mixture of high-moor peat (3 parts), sand (1 part) and coniferous soil or tree bark (2 parts). Species such as large-leaved wild rosemary and Greenland rosemary can grow even on poor and sandy soils; for them, the substrate is prepared according to the same principle, but with a predominance of sand.

Planting wild rosemary

When growing wild rosemary, compliance is not required complex rules planting and care, it is unpretentious and cold-resistant. Best time for planting wild rosemary - spring. But if you bought a plant with a closed root system, then planting time does not matter. The bulk of wild rosemary roots are located at a depth of 20 cm, but the depth of the planting hole should be 40-60 cm, since the plant is planted on permanent place for a long time. To the bottom landing pit a layer of 5-8 cm is covered with drainage made of sand and river pebbles. In order not to wait for one specimen to grow well, you can plant several bushes at once in one hole, while maintaining a distance between holes of 60-70 cm. After planting, the bushes need to be mulched.

Caring for wild rosemary in the garden

Despite the fact that rosemary does not need fertile soils, for good growth they still need fertilizer. Therefore, in order to receive beautiful, abundant flowering plant, it needs to be fed. This is done once per season, in the spring. Feed wild rosemary full mineral fertilizer, scatter under the bushes 50-70 g per square meter for adult plants and 30-40 g for young plants. The plant does not need special pruning. To maintain its aesthetic appearance, only dried and broken branches are cut off.

In dry and hot summers, wild rosemary requires watering. Once a week it should be well watered, using about 7-10 liters of water per bush. After watering, the soil around the bush should be carefully loosened and mulched with peat so that the moisture is retained longer.

Important! The soil under wild rosemary should be loosened very carefully to avoid damage to the root system located close to the surface

Methods of propagation of wild rosemary

All types of wild rosemary can be propagated different ways: seed and vegetative (layering, dividing the bush, cuttings).

In autumn, on the long stalks of wild rosemary bushes, you can see arched, hanging boxes that look like small chandeliers. The seeds of wild rosemary ripen in them, with which it reproduces. Seeds should be sown in boxes or pots in early spring, on top of the soil, after mixing them with sand. The soil should be loose and acidic, with an admixture of sand. Then the pots are covered with glass and put in a cool place. Seedlings are watered with rain or settled water, ventilating the pots and wiping the glass daily. Seeds usually germinate in 3-4 weeks and require careful care.

Vegetative methods

The most common way vegetative propagation wild rosemary - layering. Thin shoots are tilted and rooted next to the mother bush. The inclined shoot is partially laid in a hole (at least 20 cm deep), the middle part of the cutting is sprinkled with a mixture of soil and peat, and the top with leaves is tied to a peg. After this, the drainage pit is regularly watered until the middle part takes root.

A fairly common method is dividing the bush. In early spring, carefully divide an adult bush into small seedlings and plant them in. open ground Then the plantings are mulched. It is also possible for wild rosemary to propagate by cuttings, but this method requires some skills. Cuttings are prepared in the summer: semi-lignified shoots are cut 5-7 cm long, the lower leaves are cut off, leaving a few upper ones. For successful rooting of cuttings, they need to be kept for 18-24 hours in a solution of heteroauxin 0.01%, indolylacetic acid (IAA) or succinic acid

0.02%, then rinse and plant in a box. But even after such treatment, rooting of wild rosemary cuttings occurs only the next year in the spring.

The Russian name “Ledum” means intoxicating, poisonous, strong, which accurately characterizes this shrub with a suffocating odor.

The ancient Greeks obtained an aromatic resin from wild rosemary - incense. Name Ledum belongs to the heather family. Botanists assign it to the genus (Rhododendron). In regions with cold and

temperate climate

6 species of wild rosemary grow, and 4 species are registered in Russia.

Ledum

A special feature of the shrub is the strong, intoxicating aroma emitted by the branches and leaves, which contain a high concentration of essential oil. The oil has a toxic effect on the human body, affecting the nervous system. Leads to dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and in some cases to loss of consciousness.

During the flowering period, umbrella-shaped inflorescences on long stalks appear on the edges of last year's branches, formed from five-dimensional flowers of white or whitish-yellow color.

After pollination of bisexual flowers. The fruit begins to form, which after ripening resembles a box with five nests. The fruit splits at the base and small, winged seeds appear.

Common types of wild rosemary

How to land

Ledum is shade-tolerant, unpretentious in care and loves damp areas. Ledum planting is carried out in the spring. In order to immediately get an attractive, bright bush and not wait for one plant to grow, do a group planting of several specimens, placing them at a distance of 50-70 cm.

For the perennial, deep holes are prepared, dug to a depth of 30-40 cm. The bottom of the prepared hole is filled with drainage from a mixture of river pebbles and sand 5-7 cm thick. The soil for the full development of wild rosemary must be acidic. The hole is filled with a composition of 3 measures of peat, 2 measures of coniferous soil and 1 measure of sand. When planting, the root system of wild rosemary is located in a hole at a depth of 20-25 cm. New plantings are mulched.

Certain types of wild rosemary are less demanding on soil composition and grow well on poor sandstones. These include Greenland rosemary and large-leaved wild rosemary. When preparing soil mixtures for them, add more sand.

Caring for wild rosemary

Ledum responds positively to waterlogging, but does not tolerate overdrying and compaction of the soil.

On hot days summer months wild rosemary is watered at least 1-2 times a week at the rate of 5-8 liters of water per bush. It is recommended to periodically carry out light loosening, acting carefully so as not to damage the superficial roots of the shrub. Wet, loose soil is covered with peat or mulch to retain moisture.

Thanks to its repellent, pungent odor, the shrub is resistant to diseases and insect pests.

The required level of acidity in the soil is maintained by watering twice a month with acidified water. Root feeding Complex mineral fertilizer is applied in the spring. Fertilizing is distributed around the bush in April-May. You can sprinkle it with a thin layer of earth or dig it in. For 1 adult bush, 50-70 g/m2 is enough, for young plantings – 30-40 g/m2.

Reproduction of wild rosemary

Under natural conditions, wild rosemary reproduces by seed. U cultural species They carry out cuttings, rooting by layering, dividing the bush and planting new root shoots.

For effective rooting The cuttings are left for a day in a 0.01% heteroauxin solution. They are then washed and placed in a container with a nutrient substrate. During spring cuttings root system It will only grow back next year.

Ledum is endowed with grace and decorative appeal, and in any case will decorate the garden. The shrub is successfully used to form group plantings, such as hedge and in solitaire compositions.

The aroma of the leaves destroys bacteria and drives away blood-sucking insects.

Do not forget that wild rosemary emits toxic substances that cause headaches, so it is not recommended to plant it near residential buildings and near an apiary. The honey from its flowers is called “drunk” and can be eaten only after mandatory boiling.

Medicinal properties

Ledum contains a rich set of useful substances that are actively used in folk medicine. The essential oil of wild rosemary contains iceol, palustrol, and cineole. Tannins, coumarins and resins, and flavonoids were identified in the above-ground part of the plant.

The plant has the following effects:

• Antispasmodic
• Sweatshop
• Expectorant
• Diuretic
• Wound healing
• Calming
• Antiseptic and analgesic

Ledum helps with all types of respiratory diseases, including pneumonia and bronchial asthma. It is prescribed for diseases of the stomach and liver, dysentery, cystitis and urethritis, diabetes and cancer.

Baths and lotions are effective for boils, frostbite, rheumatism, gout, arthritis, bruises and eye diseases. Compresses are applied to wounds for healing. An infusion of wild rosemary shoots helps dilate blood vessels and normalize blood flow. Ledum is used for insomnia and hypertension.

Based on wild rosemary, the production of pharmaceuticals in the form of tablets, infusions, herbal preparations, essential oils, ointments and drops has been launched.

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