Irga surprise 2 description. Varietal variety of irgi. Irgi seedlings on sale
As you know, they don’t argue about tastes, some like sweeter fruits, others sour, some prefer the flesh to be bright, attractive, while others like the average amount of anthocyanins or their complete absence. But some average taste characteristics, using which we can say that some fruits are tasty, while others are not, are still there.
Let's first consider the types of irgi, and then its varieties for these very taste characteristics. Why did we decide to touch on species?
Because it is still not so easy to get pure-grade planting material of shadberry in our country, while species are most often propagated by simple sowing of seeds and freely sold in nurseries.
Varieties, as you know, can only be propagated vegetatively, which is not so easy to do with irga. Its cuttings do not take root well enough, and grafting on mountain ash, although it helps to obtain a full-fledged planting material, still leads to certain difficulties associated with a decrease in the productive age of plants and the presence of a large number of root shoots, which annually, or even several times a year must be removed.
In culture, 4 species are common - shadberry, blood-red, Canadian and alder-leaved. The fruits of the spiky shadberry ripen first, then the Canadian shadberry comes up, a little later the alder-leaved, the last to please us is the blood-red shadberry.
With this in mind, you can create a kind of fresh produce conveyor by planting all four species in your garden plot and enjoy the fruits plucked from the twig for a long time, because, alas, it will not work to keep them in their original form - the fruits lie no more than a couple of days. But is it worth planting all these species on your site, given the taste of their fruits?
Let's figure it out, and at the same time we will analyze the taste characteristics of those varieties that were obtained using these species, because only the name of the varieties without reference to the "parent" is unlikely to tell you anything.
Irga spiky
So, the irga is spiked.
Its fruits are the smallest among these species, 0.5 g - this is already considered quite good for her. But it’s not about the mass, the taste of the fruits of the irgi spiky is more than mediocre, although there is quite a lot of sugar in them. The not very outstanding taste of the fruit also contributed to the fact that not a single variety was bred using shadberry. In VNIIS them. I.V. Michurin (Michurinsk), employees of the department of berry crops received several selected forms from free pollination of Canadian shadberry, but the very first tasting assessment showed that they were never destined to become varieties.
Irga blood red
The next in line is the blood-red irga. As we have already said, its fruits ripen the latest. They have an unusual shape - they are slightly flattened, like blueberries, and an interesting feature - they are never eaten by birds. Why would it? It turns out that the fruits contain a small amount of seeds, which many birds eat, and have a very mediocre taste. In this case, it cannot even be called sugary-sweet, it is simply no. The fruits are dense, like rubber, the pulp contains almost light juice, and when eating ripe fruits, it seems as if you are chewing a completely unripe berry, but, alas, it will never get better. But from the fruits of the blood-red shadberry, quite a lot of juice is obtained, because there is little pectin in the fruits and the juice does not “curl”, like in other types of shadberry. When other juices, such as apple juice, are added to the juice, a multivitamin drink that is very interesting in terms of taste characteristics is obtained.
Irga blood-red is more productive in varieties, with its participation such masterpieces as Holland and Success. The first grade is English, its fruits have a mass of about 0.7 g and do not have a pleasant taste (it, like the species, is mediocre).
But the second variety in our small list - Success - is not without reason translated from English as "success", its fruits have a mass of about 0.8 g and they taste much more pleasant than the fruits of the species. Their taste is estimated by tasters at 4.6 points, which is not bad, but it can be described as sweet and sour and quite pleasant, refreshing, even reminiscent of the taste of cherries to some.
Irga canadian
Let's move on to the Canadian Irga. This species forms the largest fruits of the four we have named, however, its brush is very loose and there may be only a few fruitlets in it. They are simply swept away by birds even before the berries are fully ripe, at which they turn from brown-red to dark blue.
These berries are considered one of the best in terms of taste characteristics, their taste is almost perfectly balanced, both sweetness and acidity are clearly felt in it, and everything would be fine if not for one drawback - this type of shadberry has a rather weak winter hardiness and even in Central Russia can freeze quite a bit. But Canadian breeders are not at all embarrassed by this fact, and using the Canadian shadberry, almost the largest number of varieties have been obtained. It makes no sense to name them all and list the taste characteristics of fruits for the simple reason that it is almost impossible to get them, but those that are most widespread and easily accessible should be.
I want to start with a wonderful, if not magnificent, honey-wood varieties. It is not for nothing that the word “hani” is present in its name, which means “honey”. The fruits can really be called honey, they are tasty, sweet, but at the same time not cloying, like the shadberry, but harmonious, pleasant. Lovers of "sour" will like the fruits of the variety parkhill for those who want to chew the pulp, feeling its density and pleasant taste, the variety is suitable pembina who love large fruits that are pleasant to collect and which are suitable for dessert and for all types of processing, we can recommend planting the most common variety in Russia on your site Gathering. Well, for those who prefer the traditional sweet taste of irgi fruits, coupled with their very good mass, we advise you to stop at the variety Tradition.
Irga alder-leaved
And finally, the real leader both in terms of the taste characteristics of the fruits, and in the number of varieties obtained with her participation, is the alder-leaved irga. The fruits of this species are large (average weight 1 g), tasty, they most clearly feel the harmony of acid and sugar, as well as the pleasant honey aroma of shadberry.
The fruits are juicy (however, due to the huge amount of pectin, juice from them can only be obtained by slightly drying during the day in an open place) and have a high content of anthocyanins, thanks to which the juice can be used as a natural and safe food coloring.
Of course, the varieties obtained from the alder-leaved shadberry cannot be ignored, and I would like to put in the first place the first Russian variety of VNIIS them. I.V. Michurin, which has already been transferred to the GSI and whose name will appear in the State Register very soon, - Starlight Night. The variety is named so because of the color of the berries - they are dark, almost black, with tiny dots resembling stars in the night sky. The variety will delight both with tasty fruits with a harmonious content of acid and sugar, and their chic mass (1.8-2 g), and a large number of fruits in the brush (up to 14 pieces), and their ripening closer in time, thanks to which the crop can be harvested maximum two times.
But one should not forget about the good old, well-proven varieties either. The best of them in terms of fruit taste are Altaglow, which produces fruits with a very attractive aroma, and Forestburg, the fruits of which contain just an insane amount of sugars - up to 11 mg%, as well as mendan- with fruits that have unusually juicy pulp, and of course, Smokey- the most common Canadian variety, the fruits of which are ideal for making delicious wine.
So, we hope that from this huge list you will choose the type or variety that you like, and do not forget that even one tree can be placed on the site, because the self-fertility of the irgi is close to 100%, so the pollinating varieties are completely Not needed.
Types of irgi - photo
Useful properties of irgi
Irga is an underestimated culture
For areas with a harsh climate, the irga has no equal in endurance. It withstands colds down to -50°C, and the flowers do not care about spring frosts down to -7°C. Durable, lives up to 70 years. It is practically not damaged by diseases and pests, tolerates drought well, grows well and bears fruit in partial shade.
Irga is self-fertile, high-yielding, starts fruiting early. Already at the age of four, the shadberry bush will delight you with a considerable number of berries, and by the age of 10, the harvest increases to 10-15 kg per bush. The fruits ripen gradually (from mid-July to early August), which is very convenient for fresh consumption. They are not only tasty, but also healing. In a word, the culture is wonderful in every sense, but underestimated by gardeners.
soil and place
Irga is undemanding to soils. Feels good on both sandy and heavy loams. Humidity loves moderate, since a powerful root system, going 2 m deep, regularly supplies the above-ground part with water. That is why in the lowlands, in areas with a close occurrence of groundwater, it develops and bears fruit poorly.
A permanent place for irgi can be anything, even uncomfortable, somewhere near the fence or behind outbuildings. For the speedy growth of new shoots, when planting, the seedling is deepened by 5-7 cm compared to the previous position. The soil is watered, mulched, and the shoots are cut, leaving 4-5 buds.
Shaping and feeding
Irgu can be (formed both in the form of a bush and as a separate tree. The first option is more often chosen. In the first 2-3 years, all strong shoots are left, in the subsequent years, 2-3 are added, the rest are cut out. The formed bush should have 10-15 branches of different ages.
If the planting pit was filled in accordance with all the rules, then the first years can be dispensed with without additional fertilization. But starting from the 5-6th year, when the harvest becomes tangible, it is recommended to alternate organic and mineral fertilizers. In the first year, 2-3 buckets of humus are applied for each plant, the next - 100 g of superphosphate, 50 g of ammonium nitrate and 30 g of potash fertilizers.
Treats and medicine
Irgi fruits contain sugar (up to 12%), pectins, fiber, dyes and tannins, organic acids, vitamins C and group B, beta-carotene, and minerals. As a result, they have a wide range of medicinal properties.
Fresh berries help adults with insomnia, and children with restless sleep, having a calming effect on the nervous system. Juice can gargle with sore throat and use it in the treatment of purulent wounds. For rinsing the mouth with stomatitis and periodontal disease, a decoction of fruits is used. And an infusion of them thins the blood and improves heart function, prevents the formation of blood clots.
Berries can be used to prevent and treat liver and kidney diseases, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Strengthening the walls of blood vessels, they help reduce "bad" cholesterol, reduce the likelihood of a heart attack.
The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of the juice help in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and colitis. It relieves pain and reduces inflammation, so it can rightfully be considered a diet drink.
But not only berries are used for medicinal purposes. Healing and flowers, and leaves, and even the bark. The berries are harvested as they ripen, the flowers - in May, and the bark - in the fall, after the foliage has fallen.
Irga in the home first aid kit
For medicinal purposes, infusions and decoctions are prepared from fruits and other parts of the plant. The methods are very different.
So, with disorders of the stomach and intestines, take an infusion prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried berries is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 30 minutes and drunk as vitamin tea.
But an infusion of irgi flowers is used for heart failure and hypertension. It is said to work as well as drugs. A handful of flowers is poured into 500 ml of boiling water, insisted for 2 hours, then filtered and drunk 2-3 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day.
With pancreatitis, accompanied by diarrhea, an infusion is prepared from leaves with astringent properties: 1 tbsp. spoon in a glass of boiling water (brewed like tea). Drink 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
: Growing shadberry - nostalgia for...: Growing shadberry - planting and...
In culture, species are most often grown, and not varieties of shadberry, because they are the most common and freely sold in nurseries. As for the varieties, it is mostly Canadian ones that are common. In the State Register of the Russian Federation, only one variety of shadberry is currently listed, but there are already more than three dozen of them in the world. Each variety has its own characteristics associated with care, placement on the site, and the use of fruits.
Types of irgi
Of the types of irgi, two are most suitable for cultivation in culture:
- irga alder-leaved,
All types and varieties of shadberry can be grown on almost any type of soil, with the exception of areas with very close standing groundwater (less than a meter) or those areas where melt and rain water stagnates for a long time.
Read more about planting and caring for irga in the articles:
Irga alder-leaved
Irga alder-leaved is an ideal version of a plant intended for obtaining fruits and for decorating a garden.
Distinctive features:
- highest winter hardiness
- drought tolerance,
- does not get sick
- not damaged by pests.
Blooming shadberry alder-leaved
Irga alder-leaved blooms very beautifully, usually in mid-May. Its shoots almost completely cover the inflorescences with snow-white flowers, the petals of which crumble at the end of flowering, resembling falling snowflakes. Depending on the onset of spring, the timing of flowering may vary.
Photo: flowering shadberry
Fruiting shadberry alder-leaved
The fruits of shadberry alder-leaved ripen simultaneously with currants. The berries are dark purple, almost black, with a very bright, coloring juice that contains a large amount of pectin, which causes the juice to gel quickly. The taste of the fruit is pleasant, fully ripe they are sweet with a slight sourness.
The fruits also contain seeds, but unlike the same currant, where they are very clearly felt when consuming fruits fresh, in alder-leaved shadberry they are almost invisible.
The benefits of alder-leaved irgi
The seeds of shadberry contain amygdalin, which is good for the heart. Therefore, you should not spit them out - it is better to chew and eat, especially since they are very soft.
Irga canadian
Irga Canadian is more suitable for decorating the garden. Plants are low, about 3-3.5 meters, have curving shoots and light green leaves elongated by a boat. This species blooms less effectively, due to the fact that the brushes are loose, and it forms fewer fruits, but they are larger, about 0.7-0.8 g compared to 0.5-0.6 g for shadberry.
Fruit shadberry canadian slightly more interesting in taste, they contain more acid, so their taste is considered more harmonious. The fruits ripen 3-5 days earlier than those of the alder-leaved shadberry.
Of the minuses of this species, only one can be named - birds are very fond of fruits, so if you decide to have a Canadian irgu on your site, then you will need to think about protection from birds.
Irgi varieties
As for the varieties, now it is relatively easy to get only three:
- mendan - Canadian, reminiscent of alder-leaved irga only having larger fruits, weighing up to 0.9 g,
- Slate - in fact, this is an improved Canadian irga - the brushes are denser, the berries are large, weighing up to 1.1 grams,
- Starlight Night - obtained from the alder-leaved shadberry, its fruits are more palatable and reach a maximum weight of 2 g.
Irgi variety Starry night
The first Russian was included in the State Register in 2016.
Main differences:
- resistance to pests and diseases,
- increased fruit transportability due to denser skin,
- balanced taste,
- the ability of the fruits in the brush to ripen almost simultaneously.
Cultivation of irgi variety Starry night
Irgu can be placed literally anywhere on the site, but we advise you to land them on the north side. Due to the fact that plant varieties Starlight Night are fairly sprawling shrubs, they are able to protect more heat-loving crops from the cold north wind, hold snow on the site and contribute to its accumulation.
For the first 5-6 years, the variety does not need practically any care, it is enough just to irrigate if the weather is excessively dry and remove weeds in the bite zone, although the latter will rather prevent you from harvesting fruits than fully develop the plant. At about the sixth year, it is necessary to thin out the crown - remove the shoots that thicken it, as well as thin and broken ones.
Due to the fact that the fruits of the variety Starlight Night ripen in close time, you can get by with two fees.
Irgi variety Mendan
One of the most common cultivars of shadberry.
Distinctive features:
- large fruit,
- winter hardiness,
- drought tolerance,
- resistance to pests and diseases,
- restrained growth.
Adult plants of 8-9 years old are stretched no more than three meters, which allows you to harvest the entire crop with a slight elevation.
Due to its relative compactness, mendan can be placed closer to other cultures. Given that the crown of this variety resembles a candle and is not sprawling, plants can be planted both on the north side of the site and on the south.
Of the minuses "Medana" can be called an extended period of fruit ripening. From the beginning of the ripening of the first fruits to the full ripening of all the berries in the brush, it sometimes takes up to a week, so in order to remove the entire crop, several collections will need to be carried out.
Variety irgi Slate
Variety Slate also quite widespread. This variety was obtained from shadberry canadian , and therefore it is more suitable for decorating the site than for growing for the sake of fruits. Many people like its light green foliage, light shoots and rather bizarre flowers, collected in loose inflorescences and having long petals.
Irgu "Slate" it is better to plant on the south side of the site, he prefers a well-lit place and is afraid of severe frost. Planting should begin in the spring, before bud break. In early May, it is advisable to feed - 1.5 matchboxes of nitroammophoska under a bush, after loosening the soil. The fruits of the variety, quite large and tasty, need to be harvested before they are pecked by birds, so you should not wait for the berries to fully ripen in the brush.
Irga Smokey
The category of less common varieties in our country includes a cultivar Smokey . The fruits are large, tasty and very fragrant. Considering the spreading of the bush, the variety should be planted at a distance of at least three meters from other plants, often cut the shoots that thicken the crown and water, because this variety is poorly resistant to drought.
Irga Northline
One of the leaders in winter hardiness is the irgi variety Northline can be placed in an area open to all winds. The fruits of the variety are very sweet (up to 13% sugar) and quite large (just over 1 g). The variety is good because it has slender shoots and restrained growth, and therefore is very convenient for harvesting. Often the fruits are harvested by mechanized methods. Northline suitable for those who have summer cottages far from home - it does not need to be watered often, and thanks to friendly ripening and dense skin, the fruits can be harvested in one go and easily brought home.
Irga Honeywood
Real sweet tooth will like a variety with a honey name Honeywood . The fruits are cloyingly sweet, rarely used for processing, they are mainly consumed fresh as a tasty and healthy dessert. The variety is winter-hardy and drought-resistant, grows on any type of soil and does well even without top dressing, the main thing is that there is enough moisture in the soil. They affect the variety of brushes, they can have up to 10-15 large fruits of dark blue color, aligned in shape.
Irga Altaglow
In the event that the collection of irgi fruits is not included in your plans at all, and you just want to decorate your site, the variety will be the most successful acquisition. Altaglow With amazing fruits of white color.
In autumn "Altaglow" It strikes with the magnificence of foliage: it becomes bright crimson and hangs without falling off until the first serious frosts, when everything around is already gray and dull. The undoubted advantages include the weak formation of root shoots and the slow thickening of the crown, which reduces work with the plant to a minimum.
New varieties of irgi
Of the new products that will be problematic to get, you can name such cultivars as:
- Cumulus ,
- Ballerina ,
- Princess Diana.
The flowers of these varieties from a distance look like miniature roses, and the fruits look like small apples.
New variety of irgi Rabin Hall
Fans of exotic plants will certainly like the cultivar Rabin Hall , in addition to high productivity and large-fruitedness, it has very interesting flowers with pink petals. The variety, like other foreign novelties, perfectly suits our conditions, it can be planted both in spring and autumn, but when planting in a hole, be sure to make drainage from pebbles, expanded clay or broken bricks, because new varieties do not tolerate stagnant water.
In the wild, more than two dozen species of irgi grow - a winter-hardy shrub with tasty and healthy berries. Thanks to breeders, today there are many cultivars of shadberry, devoid of the shortcomings of their wild ancestors - almost all popular varieties are large-fruited and do not form abundant root shoots.
Types of irgi
Unlike other cultivated plants, irgu is more often distinguished by species, and not by varieties. In nurseries, it is the types of shadberry that are most often sold, which are known today, according to various estimates, about 25. Each species can have one or more varieties. More than others, for cultural cultivation, two types of shadberry are suitable - alder-leaved and Canadian. Before moving on to varieties, consider the most popular types of irgi.
Irgi fruits can provoke allergies and lower blood pressure. Overeating berries causes a sedative effect, worsens the reaction.
This type of shadberry is ideal both for obtaining fruits and for decorating home gardens. Alder-leaved irga is a large spreading shrub that needs regular moisture - this is the main condition for its successful growth and fruiting. The bushes reach a height of 4 m. The leaves are rich green, oval.
The shrub will bloom in May. Snow-white flowers do not smell, fading, they fall like snowflakes. Ripening, the berries acquire a dark purple, almost black color. The coloring juice of berries, due to the high content of pectin, has gelling properties. Berries taste sweet, with a slight sourness. Seeds in fruits are small, almost not felt when eaten.
The seeds of the alder-leaved shadberry contain amygdalin, a substance useful for cardiac activity. It is recommended to eat them, chewing them thoroughly.
Advantages of alder-leaved irgi:
- A tall shrub is very decorative at any time - it blooms beautifully, it is good during the fruiting period, even dropping foliage, it looks great.
- Large berries. Fruit diameter - 15 mm.
- High winter hardiness, resistance to drought, immunity to diseases and pests.
Peculiarities:
- planting a plant - in spring or late autumn;
- the best way to plant - shoots or cuttings;
- exactingness to the quality of the soil and its moisture content;
- grows well in urban environments;
- peak harvest - in the 5th year after planting;
- winter hardiness is high, but freezing of the tips of the branches is possible during severe frosts.
Alder-leaved irga is a long-lived plant. The shrub lives for more than 60 years, becoming more and more like a tree over the years.
Canadian
This type of irgi is the "progenitor" of most combs and hybrids. The Canadian Irga is so beautiful that it is often used only for decorative purposes. Homeland - North America. The height of the shrub is 3-3.5 m. But this is not the limit; in nature, the Canadian irga grows up to 15-18 m. The shoots are bent, the leaves are light green, oblong with carved teeth. Flowering is not as spectacular as that of the alder-leaved irgi, but its flowers are larger. The crown is large, rounded.
Flowers are yellowish white. Flowering lasts a week and a half. The fruits of the Canadian shadberry, ripening at the end of July, are better in taste than other species - they have more acid, and the taste is more harmonious. Berries are spherical. Color - dark purple, with a scarlet tint. Ripening time - early August. Harvest - 5-6 kg per bush.
Advantages of the Canadian irgi:
- high frost resistance and resistance to winds;
- does not require regular watering;
Peculiarities:
- birds like fruits - it is necessary to organize protection from their invasion;
- yield increases are achieved by spring pruning of stepchildren;
- it is necessary to remove or transplant excess shoots of the root system;
- the plant reproduces well by cuttings and poorly by seeds;
- undemanding to soils - grows on saline and alkaline soils;
- seedlings are planted in pits with a drainage system, through which watering is subsequently carried out.
If the Canadian irga is planted solely for the sake of decorativeness, there is no need to remove shoots growing from the roots - new shrubs will soon grow from them.
This is the most decorative look. It was previously believed that Lamarck's irga is a mutation of the Canadian species. Today, botanists have identified it as an independent species. It differs from other varieties in especially large fruits and leaves, as well as in the abundance of flowering. Originally Irga Lamarck from North America. Its main function is landscaping and decorative. We rarely see this species.
The height of the shrub is up to 5 m. The crown is spreading. The leaves are narrow, toothed. The flowers are white or slightly yellowish, odorless. The berries are juicy and sweet, blue-violet. Harvest from a bush - 6-7 kg.
Benefits of Irgi Lamarck:
- frost resistance - up to minus 35 ° C;
- fruiting on any soil, except marshy;
- high drought resistance;
- diseases and pests are extremely rarely affected;
- excellent honey plant - Lamarck's irgu is often grown near apiaries.
Peculiarities:
- annually the length of the shoots increases by 25 cm;
- over time, the lower parts of the branches are exposed;
- the color of the leaves during blooming and in autumn is copper-red;
- ripened fruits hang for a long time, not crumbling until the very frost;
- birds like to peck fruits - scaring is necessary;
- propagated by cuttings, grafting or seeds;
- stepchildren are harvested every 4-5 months - to increase productivity.
Oval-leaved (round-leaved)
Oval-leaved or round-leaved irga has spread widely throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. She comes from the south - the Crimea and the Caucasus. Thanks to the transfer of seeds by birds, this shrub has mastered even Western Siberia. The height of the plant is 2.5-3 m. The crown is spreading, the foxes are ovoid, the edges are serrate. In autumn, dark green foliage turns scarlet and crimson - the bushes become incredibly beautiful.
The flowers are white, collected in large inflorescences. Due to their recurved petals, the shrub has a "fluffy" appearance. Spherical or pear-shaped fruits are small - the size of peas, diameter - 8 mm. The color of the skin is purple-black, and the flesh is raspberry. Sweet berries have a honey-cinnamon flavor.
Advantages of oval-leaved (round-leaved) shadberry:
- berries, although not particularly tasty, are useful and perfectly stored in any form;
- high cold resistance - no special preparation for winter is required;
- return spring frosts are not terrible;
- grows on any soil;
Peculiarities:
- prefers sunny areas;
- actively forms root shoots;
- despite good immunity, high humidity provokes gray rot.
spiky
This is a relatively low ornamental shrub with a dense and wide crown. It reaches a height of 4-5 m, but usually, forming a crown, it is cut to 2-2.5 m.
The foliage is covered with felt down, whitish or silvery. The shrub is magnificent in autumn - thanks to the yellow, red and orange foliage, it looks like a blazing fire. Flowers are white or pale pink. The diameter of the berries is 9-10 mm. Ripening - the first decade of August. The color of the fruit is almost black, with a red tint. Sweet but mediocre taste.
Benefits of spiked shadberry:
- drought resistance;
- undemanding to the soil;
- does not need fertilizers;
- circumcision of stepchildren is not required;
- when planted in a row serves as an excellent hedge.
Peculiarities:
- fruits with a fresh taste, but they are actively pecked by birds;
- often affected by leafworm caterpillar;
- thanks to pruning, the bush is given any shape.
Spiked shadberry is often used as a stock, as well as to strengthen soils prone to erosion.
Smooth
A popular shrub with gardeners. The main difference between the bushes is purple leaves. The plant can look like a bush or like a tree, depending on the method of pruning. The height of the shrub is 5-10 m. The shoots are thin, almost bare. The leaves are oval-elongated, serrated.
The flowers are white, with a pleasant aroma. The berries are spherical, 10 mm in diameter. The color of the fruit is dark blue, with a bluish bloom.
Advantages:
- excellent taste of berries;
- regular watering is not required;
- tolerates strong winds, cold, does not require shelter for the winter.
Peculiarities:
- when disembarking, drainage must be organized;
- problematic propagated by cuttings, preferably - grafting on mountain ash or another variety of shadberry.
Low
The species is distributed in North America. Grows in deciduous forests. The shrub is low, up to 1.2 m high, it has a dense crown and many shoots.
The flowers are snow-white, up to 1 cm in diameter. The berries are black, edible. Leaves pointed, serrated.
Advantages:
- winter hardiness;
- very beautiful in autumn.
Peculiarities:
- when propagating by cuttings, there are difficulties;
- outwardly similar to spiked shadberry;
- prefers sunny areas.
Medium growing shrub with bright green leaves. Native to North America. Its height does not exceed 3 m, width - 1 m. The trunk is short and branched. The leaves are rounded. Productivity - 5 kg per bush.
Ripening is later. Flowers large, white. The berries are bluish-black, rounded or slightly flattened. Fruit diameter - 10 mm.
Advantages: good material for selection.
Peculiarities:
- leaves turn bright orange in autumn;
- Birds don't like fruits, they don't eat them.
profusely blooming
The birthplace of this decorative, low shrub is up to 2.5 m, North America. Today the plant is adapted to most of Russia. The branches are erect, they form an oblong-oval crown. The leaves are rounded, light green. Fruiting begins in the 4th year after planting.
The profusely flowering irga is similar to the alder-leaved one, but its flowers have wider petals, so the flowering bush looks very decorative - it looks like it is fluffy. The flowers are white, collected in small racemes. Bloom in May. Fruiting begins in July. The berries are dark purple to black. The pulp is juicy, sweet and sour taste. The diameter of the berries is 10-13 mm. Excellent honey plant.
Advantages:
- drought resistance;
- high immunity;
- grows on any soil;
- tolerates soil salinity well;
- dust and gas resistant - the plant grows well in urban conditions.
Peculiarities:
- prefers sunny areas;
- life span - 20-30 years;
- propagated by seeds and cuttings;
- rooting of cuttings - 50%;
- used to create barriers that protect areas from dust.
Asian
The plant is common in Asian countries. It is a small shrub or tree growing up to 12 m high. The branches are sparse. The leaves are oval, serrated.
Late variety. Flowers are white. Berries - sweet, black.
Advantages:
- decorative;
- winter hardiness.
Features: fruits ripen at the end of August, at the beginning of September.
A tree growing up to 5-12 m in height, maximum - 20 m. Trunk diameter - 15 cm, maximum - 40 cm. The crown is broadly ovoid. The leaves are elliptical in shape, elongated, pubescent from the inside.
Flowers are medium sized, white. 4-10 pieces in each brush. Red-purple berries look like small apples. Foliage turns red-yellow in autumn.
Advantages:
- decorative;
- endurance and unpretentiousness;
- undemanding to the ground;
Peculiarities:
- light-loving;
- tolerates a haircut safely;
- used to decorate gardens and patios.
Pleasant
Shrub 2-2.5 m high, with a rounded crown - its diameter reaches 1.5 m.
Late flowering - early summer. The ripening of dark blue berries is the second decade of August.
Advantages: successfully grows in shading conditions.
Features: fast growth of young saplings.
Irgi varieties
So far, only one variety of shadberry has been included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. In total, there are over 30 varieties in the world. Each of them belongs to one of the types of irgi, has its own requirements for placement and cultivation, differs in yield and fruit taste.
Starlight Night
A new variety from Russian breeders, obtained by pollination of alder shadberry. It was entered into the State Register in 2016. These are bushes or small trees up to 3 m high. The harvest taken from a 5-year-old plant is 4-5 kg. The variety is mid-season - the berries ripen in early July.
The berries are dark blue, almost black. When the fruits ripen, small whitish specks appear on the skin. The fruits are large, weighing about 2 g. In one brush - 10-15 berries. The sugar content is 13%. Taste rating on a 5-point scale - 4.8. Harvesting is mass or in 2 stages.
Peculiarities:
- the taste of the fruit is better than that of the alder-leaved shadberry, as they contain more organic acids;
- restrained growth and a small amount of basal shoots;
- fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for processing;
- in autumn, the foliage turns yellow-orange - the plant looks extremely decorative;
- the shrub prefers light, but tolerates shading well;
- responsiveness to moderate moisture;
- frost and drought resistance;
- high immunity to diseases.
Mandan
Irga Mandan (Amelanchier Mandan) is a compact shrub that grows up to 2 m high. The crown is in the form of a candle. The variety is obtained by selection from the Canadian species of shadberry. Fruiting occurs 3-4 years after planting in the ground.
The berries are large, sweet, in clusters of 10-12 pieces. The weight of the berries is up to 0.9 g. The pulp is unusually juicy. Ripening is not massive - the fruits ripen gradually. Refers to varieties with an average ripening period.
Peculiarities:
- large-fruitedness;
- resistance to moisture deficiency;
- winter hardiness - up to minus 40 ° C;
- moderate growth;
- self-fertility;
- can bear fruit for 30 or more years;
- immunity to disease.
Slate
Slate is the most popular variety of Canadian shadberry. More used to decorate plots than to get berries. The height of the bushes is 1.5-2 m. The crown is dense.
Early ripe variety with black, juicy berries. Fruiting begins in June. The fruits are large, with high sugar content, excellent taste and aroma. Fruit diameter - 15 mm.
Peculiarities:
- dense green leaves turn bright orange in autumn;
- withstands frosts down to minus 35°C;
- landing is preferable on the south side of the site;
- seedlings are planted in the spring, until the buds have blossomed;
- the plant is not affected by American powdery mildew;
- fruits are harvested immediately upon ripening - until they are eaten by birds.
Smokey
Variety of Canadian selection, obtained from the same species of shadberry. In Russia, Smokey is not particularly known and widespread. The shrub is vigorous, at first vertical, then sprawling. It bears fruit 3-4 years after planting. Productivity - 7.5 kg per bush.
The variety is mid-ripening - the ripening of berries begins at the end of July. The berries are large, up to 14-16 mm in diameter. They have a rich aroma. Color dark blue to black. The skin is covered with a wax coating. The shape is spherical. Berries are tasty fresh, good for processing. The fruits contain many small seeds.
Peculiarities:
- planted no closer than 3 m from plants of other species;
- often cut out shoots that thicken the crown;
- regularly watered - the variety does not tolerate drought;
- so that the ripening fruits are not pecked by birds, they organize protection;
- high winter hardiness;
- gives a lot of root shoots;
- excellent immunity.
Honeywood
Honeywood is a product of Canadian selection. As a variety, the plant was entered into the registry of Canada in 1973. The bushes are straight when young, and as they grow, the shoots bend and hang down. The maximum height is 5 m, width is 4 m. The plant lives for about half a century. It bears fruit already 2-3 years after planting.
Belongs to late-ripening varieties, the berries ripen in early August. Flowering begins later than other varieties of Canadian shadberry, so the flowers are less likely to hit spring frosts. Fruits are blue-black, 16-18 mm in diameter, rounded or slightly flattened. There is a wax coating on the skin. Berries are collected in brushes of 10-15 pieces.
Peculiarities:
- a small amount of overgrowth;
- the fruits are sugary-sweet, they are rarely processed, they are usually used as a delicious dessert;
- high winter hardiness and drought resistance;
- grows on any soil, does not need top dressing;
- demanding on humidity.
Forestburg
Forestburg is a variety representing the Canadian shadberry. Breeding work was carried out in Canada - in the homeland of the plant. Bushes vigorous, spreading. Fruits in 3-4 years of planting.
The berries ripen at the end of July. Flowering - in May. The berries are spherical, large, 13-16 mm in diameter. Color - dark blue, to black, there is a wax coating. The pulp is juicy, tasty. The fruits grow in clusters - 8-10 pieces each. Ripening is friendly. The purpose of berries is universal.
Peculiarities:
- moderate number of root shoots;
- birds like to eat fruits;
- decorative bush - it is beautiful in flowering, with fruits, in autumn attire;
- consistently high yields every year;
- high immunity.
Krasnoyarsk
Late-ripening variety of Russian selection. Fruit and ornamental shrub up to 3.5 cm high. Up to 10 kg of fruits are harvested from one bush.
The berries ripen in July, they are large - 10-15 mm in diameter. The skin is purple, the flesh is juicy and fragrant. The mass of one berry is from 1 to 4 g. The taste is sour, the riper the berries, the better their taste.
Peculiarities:
- prefers sunny areas;
- self-fertility;
- bears fruit for 30 or more years;
- universal purpose of fruits;
- landing in spring or late autumn;
- care is minimal, the formation of a bush without human intervention;
- reproduction by root offspring;
- high winter hardiness - withstands frosts over -40 ° C;
- between plants the interval is from 3 m.
Martin
This productive variety was bred by Canadian breeders. "Martin" belongs to the Canadian species of shadberry and is very popular in North America. The bushes are low, multi-stemmed. It bears fruit 3-4 years after planting, and the peak yield is 6-8 years.
Early variety, ripening in June. The berries are large, spherical, dark blue, up to 18 mm in diameter - comparable in size to cherries. Very tasty fruits.
Peculiarities:
- withstands frosts down to -40°С;
- friendly maturation;
- berries must be protected from birds;
- fruits, having ripened, do not crumble;
- do not require careful pruning;
- not afraid of aphids and mites, but can be affected by powdery mildew.
Pearson
The variety belongs to the round-leaved irga. Bred by Canadian breeders. Vigorous, multi-stemmed bushes with a large number of root shoots. Fruits in 3-4 years of planting.
Ripening - at the end of July. The berries are large, round, the size of a cherry. In diameter - 16-18 mm. The fruits are dark blue, almost black, with a waxy coating. Excellent taste - the pulp is juicy and fragrant. Berries are good for any purpose - delicious fresh, suitable for processing.
Peculiarities:
- protection of berries from birds is necessary;
- stable high yield;
- friendly maturation;
- high winter hardiness;
- immunity to disease.
Nelson
This wild plant, discovered in 1974, was named after its discoverer. The variety was entered into the register in 1992. The height of compact shrubs is up to 1.5 m. The maximum height is 4.5 m.
The fruits are spherical, large - up to 13 mm in diameter. When ripe, they turn blue-black. The fruit contains several seeds. Berries grow in clusters of 10-12 pieces.
Peculiarities:
- fruits ripen unevenly;
- large-fruitedness;
- high winter hardiness.
Northline
An early ripe variety from Canadian breeders. This variety belongs to the alder-leaved species. Bushes erect, medium height, up to 4 m high. Fruiting in the 3rd year after planting seedlings. Productivity - up to 10 kg per plant.
Pear-shaped berries grow in clusters of 10-12 pieces. The fruits are large, up to 16 mm in diameter. Ripens in June. Fruit weight - 0.9-1.4 g.
Peculiarities:
- friendly maturation;
- unpretentiousness to soils;
- grows well in the sun and in partial shade;
- excellent honey plant;
- withstands frosts down to -25°С;
- not afraid of the winds;
- does not need regular watering;
- good transportability.
pembina
Low-growing, perennial shrub of Canadian selection and species of the same name. Bushes are decorative, grow up to 3.5 m in height.
Ripening - in mid-July. The diameter of the berries is 14-18 mm. The bluish-colored fruits, fleshy and juicy, have a sugary-sweet taste. At first, the berries are reddish, ripening, they become blue-black.
Peculiarities:
- a few root shoots;
- extremely winter-hardy plant - withstands frosts down to -40-50 ° C;
- suitable for organizing windbreaks;
- well propagated by cuttings;
- from the berries they make wine to taste reminiscent of Cahors.
Altaglow
The variety is obtained from the alder-leaved shadberry. Spectacular shrub looks great at any time of the year. Planted to decorate the site and to obtain fruits. The height of the shrub is 6-8 m. The crown is pyramidal-elongated.
The fruits, unlike other varieties of shadberry, are not blue, but creamy white. Berries have excellent taste and aroma.
Peculiarities:
- in autumn, the foliage becomes crimson and does not fall until frost - the plant looks especially decorative;
- slight formation of root shoots;
- the crown slowly thickens - does not require much care.
Thyssen
Another variety of Canadian selection. Refers to the alder-leaved species. Bushes multi-stemmed, vigorous, up to 5 m in height. The crown is rounded, with time - wide-rounded. Fruiting - 3-4 years after planting.
The fruits are spherical, blue-black, very large, 18 mm in diameter. Ripening - from the end of July. The berries are delicious - they are eaten fresh and put into processing.
Peculiarities:
- moderate number of root shoots;
- protection from birds is required;
- the ripening period is extended in time;
- high immunity to diseases;
- loves sunny and semi-shaded areas;
- may be affected by return frosts during the flowering period;
- the variety is very durable - it bears fruit for 70 years or more.
JB30
A tree-like shrub with a wide and compact crown - up to 6 m. Height - 5-6 m. 20 kg are collected from one plant.
The fruits taste like wild shadberry, but much larger, their diameter is 15-17 mm. Ripe fruits turn dark blue. They are very tasty, although they have a low sugar content.
Peculiarities:
- prefers sunny places, but grows well in the shade;
- requires moderate moisture;
- winter hardiness is high;
- fruits are versatile.
Vir-17
Vigorous shrub with a compressed crown, densely leafy. Fruiting - for 3-4 years. Flowering - the second half of May.
Fruit ripening - late July - early August. The berries are large, 15-16 mm in diameter. In terms of fruit size, it competes with the large-fruited variety Smokey. The berries are round-oval, dark blue. When ripe, the fruits become almost black. The pulp is juicy and fragrant, sweet.
Peculiarities:
- protection from birds is required;
- stable yield and high immunity to diseases.
Prince William
The height of the shrub is up to 3 m. It is used for landscaping homestead landscapes. If you do not apply formative pruning, the plant becomes a multi-stemmed bush. A lot of root shoots are formed. The foliage is plentiful. The plant lives, bearing fruit, for about 40 years.
The plant blooms profusely. The flowers are snow-white, large, up to 2 cm in diameter. Fruits 12-13 mm, spherical, red-purple, sweet in taste.
Peculiarities:
- grows in the sun and on the shaded side;
- prefers moderate humidity;
- at high humidity, powdery mildew is observed;
- frost resistance - up to minus 34 ° C;
- in spring the leaves are reddish, in summer they are green and shiny, and in autumn they are yellow, red, orange.
"Prince William" safely endures difficult weather conditions that destroy other varieties of shadberry - intense heat with high humidity.
Other varieties
Sturgeon. Variety of Canadian shadberry. Selection novelty. Multi-stemmed, medium-sized shrubs 2.5-3 m high. Berries, large and sweet, located on long racemes. Differs in stable fruiting.
Linnes. Weak, compact shrub of the Canadian shadberry. The average plant height is 1.8 m. The fruits are large, sweet, pleasantly smelling. The bush is photophilous, but tolerates shading well. This is an early, winter-hardy variety, not demanding to care for.
Surprise. Large-fruited shadberry of Canadian selection. Instead of the original, lost name, the variety was called "Surprise". The height of the shrub is up to 3 m. The berries are round, dark purple. The fruits, covered with a bluish bloom, look great against the background of the leaves. Winter hardiness - up to minus 35 ° C.
Helvetia. Dwarf plant. Reaches a height of 1.2 m by the age of 10. The plant blooms with white flowers. The berries are delicious. Leaves are beautifully painted in bright colors in autumn.
Bluff. New Canadian selection. Fruits reach 11 mm in diameter. The berries are tasty, with a moderately tart, balanced taste. The variety is medium-yielding, ideal for processing - the fruits have small seeds, they retain their taste and aroma.
Buffalo. Medium-yielding variety with dark blue fruits. The size of the berries is 11 mm in diameter. Sweet and sour fruits have a balanced taste and pleasant aroma.
Success. Medium-yielding variety with quite tasty berries. Fruit size - 11 mm in diameter. Immunity to fungal diseases.
Regent. Low shrub - up to 1.5 m. Berries size - 13 mm. Tender and sweet. The variety is medium-yielding, decorative. It belongs to the most winter-hardy varieties. Able to withstand frosts down to minus 45°C. This is a small plant with a flattened crown, if necessary, you can cover for the winter.
Lee #3. Bush of medium size - height up to 3 m. The plant is compact, and during fruiting - sprawling. Little growth is formed. Berries with a diameter of 16 mm, oval-round, dark blue.
Traditional. This tree-like shrub, reaching a height of 8-10 m, blooms early and abundantly. Crown width - 4.5 m. The plant has a pronounced trunk and beautiful branching. The fruits are dark blue. The variety is high yielding. The foliage is gray-green in summer and red-orange in autumn.
Gypsy girl. Variety with increased immunity to various diseases. The plant is tall, multi-stemmed. Flowering - in May. The berries are large, blue, with blackness. The taste is fresh, the pulp is fragrant. The variety is high-yielding, decorative, unpretentious to soils, does not need special care, is a generous honey plant. It tolerates temperature changes well, does not need winter shelter.
Bluesun. Medium-sized plant, reaching a height of 2.5 m by the age of 5. Blooms profusely. Berries weigh 1.1 g. Dark blue spherical fruits have juicy, tasty pulp. Pros - winter hardiness, precocity.
Ballerina. Tall, winter-hardy plant up to 8 m high. Ripening - in early July. The fruits are large, red, pleasant to the taste. The variety is responsive to fertile soils, needs regular watering. It tolerates dry periods well, but does not give a good harvest without abundant watering and top dressing.
Variety Criteria Table
- a useful and beautiful plant. When choosing a variety for your site, evaluate the proposed options according to key characteristics, and compare them with the goals for which you are going to plant irgu on the site. Table 1 - types of shadberry and varieties obtained from them as a result of breeding.
Table 1
Comparison of several popular varieties of shadberry according to evaluation criteria is in Table 2.
table 2
| Criteria | |||||||
| shrub form | Crown width, m | Height, m | Ripening terms | yield | Berry size (diameter), mm | ||
| Smokey | vertically growing | medium | high-yielding | sweet, soft | |||
| pembina | vertically growing | medium | fruitful | full, sharp | |||
| Northline | vertically growing | medium | high-yielding | full, sweet | |||
| Thyssen | sprawling | early | high-yielding | sharp, juicy | |||
| Honeywood | vertically growing | late | productive, especially at a young age | full, sharp | |||
Irga Canadian is a very decorative and abundantly fruiting shrub. Its berries are not only tasty, but also very healthy. The plant is valued by gardeners for its general unpretentiousness, high productivity, immunity to many common diseases and pests.
Description of Canadian irgi
Irga is a deciduous tree-like shrub from the rose family. In nature, it is mainly distributed in North America. There, without any care, it grows like a weed, including on the roadsides, as well as on the edges of forests, mountain slopes. In Russia, some varieties are found in the Crimea, the Caucasus. The period of productive life of the shrub is quite long, at least 45–50 years. At the same time, it is characterized by rapid growth and precocity. The first harvest is taken already 3–4 years after landing in a permanent place, by 8–10 years, the irga reaches the maximum possible indicators. On average, you can count on 20-25 kg of berries from a bush. They ripen in the first half of July.
The first crop of shadberry is harvested already 3–4 years after planting in a permanent place.
Since the temperate climate is ideal for shadberry, it is intended by nature for cultivation in most of Russia. High frost resistance allows her to winter without special shelter, not only in the Moscow region, but also in the North-West region. As practice shows, the plant survives and bears fruit even in the forest-tundra, tundra.
Irga Canadian, cultivated by gardeners since the 17th century, is known by many different names. At home (in Canada), it is called a word borrowed from the language of the Aboriginal Indians - "Saskatoon". Other nicknames are “northern grapes”, “wine berry” (irga is widely used for home winemaking), “shady shrub”, “children's”, “healthy” or “June berry”, “cinnamon” (due to its resemblance to small black grapes) .
The average height of an adult plant reaches 2–7 m. At the same time, he can have 20-25 trunks. The shoots are long, with a smooth bark, slightly drooping under their own weight. Young branches cast reddish or brick, then gradually turn brown. The crown is spreading, in the form of an ellipse or umbrella.
The leaves are not too large (up to 10 cm in length), ovoid, soft to the touch. The surface of the leaf is rough on both sides, pubescent with a short soft “pile”, due to which it seems to be covered with silvery hoarfrost. Young, freshly blossomed leaves are painted olive with a brown undertone, in summer they are characterized by a bluish-gray or pinkish tint, and by autumn they acquire a very effective crimson hue interspersed with crimson-crimson, dark purple and orange-gold. The edges are cut with small "teeth".
The leaves of the canadian shadberry change color during the season
The root system of the irgi is well developed, but superficial. Most of the roots are located at a distance of 40–50 cm from the surface of the earth, some go 90–100 cm deep. But in diameter they grow up to 2–2.5 m.
It is extremely difficult to uproot the irgu completely, even if you specifically set yourself such a goal.
In autumn, the Canadian irga looks very impressive.
Flowering occurs in the last decade of April or the first days of May. It lasts 12-15 days. The shrub at this time looks very impressive.
Irga is a good honey plant, attracting bees and other insects to the site. Its name in Latin (Amelanchier) means "to bring honey."
Flowers rarely suffer from spring frosts, they can withstand a short drop in temperature to -5ºС. The buds are collected in beautifully falling brushes of 5-12 pieces. Almost everyone is a future berry. Petals are snow-white or vanilla-cream.
Canadian shadberry flowers attract many pollinating insects to the site
The fruits of the irgi are rounded, in the shape of an almost regular ball. Ripe berries are colored inky purple with a bluish bloom, a little underripe - dark blue, unripe - pink. The crop does not ripen at the same time, so on the bush you can see the fruits of all three shades at once. Of all the types of irgi, it is the Canadian one that has the best taste. The pleasant sweetness is due to the high content of sugars and the low content of fruit acids.
The crop of Canadian shadberry ripens gradually, over several weeks.
Irgi berries are suitable for home canning, but apples, red or black currants are added to jams, compotes, jams to give a slight sourness. Irgi juice is very useful for the heart and blood vessels. But it will not be possible to squeeze it out of freshly picked fruits. Berries should be allowed to lie in a dry, dark place for 5-6 days. If you leave it there for 1.5–2 months, the irga will turn into something similar to raisins.
Irga, alone or together with other berries and fruits, is widely used in home canning
Varieties popular with gardeners
Most of the varieties grown in garden plots are bred in Canada, but Russian breeders also have their own achievements. The most popular are the following varieties:
- Pembina. The bush is almost spherical, 4.5–5 m in diameter, very decorative at any time of the year. It is distinguished by the reluctant formation of root shoots, which is, in principle, atypical for shadberry. Berry diameter - 1.4–1.5 cm;
- Smokey. One of the most popular varieties, almost a standard. At home, it is grown on an industrial scale. Differs in high immunity. It grows up to 4–4.5 m. The shoots are clearly drooping, the crown is in the shape of an umbrella. It blooms only in the last decade of May, when the probability of return spring frosts is already minimal. The average diameter of the fruit is about 1.5 cm. The berries are very sweet, juicy, without astringency. Productivity is high - more than 25 kg from an adult plant;
- Northline. The bush consists of at least 25 trunks, upright shoots. The height is about 4 m, the crown diameter is 5.5–6 m. The average diameter of the berries is 1.6–1.7 cm, unlike most other varieties, they ripen at the same time. Their shape is not round, but rather ovoid. Fruits can be harvested not only manually, but also mechanically. The formation of root shoots is very plentiful. For the highest possible yield, a pollinator variety is needed;
- Sturgeon. Spreading shrub, 2.5–3 m high. It is distinguished by high productivity and excellent fruit taste. Berry brushes are very long, resembling grapes;
- Thiessen. It grows up to 5 m in height, the crown is wide, sprawling. The plant blooms early, the crop ripens at the end of June. The berries are large, 1.7–1.8 cm in diameter, sweet, with a slight sourness. The pulp is very juicy. Fruiting stretches over several weeks. Frost resistance up to -30ºС;
- Martin. One of the clones of the Thiessen variety. A compact shrub up to 3 m high and 3–3.5 m in diameter. The average fruit diameter is 1.5 cm or more. The yield is not too high, the formation of root shoots is moderate. Fruiting is friendly. The variety has a high immunity against diseases, rarely affected by pests. The berries ripen 1.5–2 months after flowering;
- Sleith. One of the earliest varieties, the berries are almost black. They differ in excellent taste and aroma. The average fruit diameter is 1.2–1.4 cm. Fruiting is friendly. Winter hardiness at -32ºС;
- mandam. A variety of medium ripening, a low shrub, up to 3 m. It bears fruit stably. Berries with a diameter of more than 1.5 cm, no sour taste;
- ballerina. Shrub tall (6 m or more), shoots strongly drooping. The berries are juicy and very sweet, hints of almonds are guessed in the aroma. It tolerates adverse environmental conditions well, grows and bears fruit even in the city;
- Nelson. An almost spherical shrub with a diameter of about 4.5 m. The berries are not too large, 1.2–1.3 cm. The pulp is very juicy, with a tart aftertaste and slight sourness. The variety has a genetically built-in immunity to rust, blooms 7–10 days later than most varieties of shadberry, respectively, falls under return frosts less often;
- honeywood. The height of the bush is about 5 m, the diameter of the crown is 3.5–4 m. The first crop is harvested already 2–3 years after planting. The berries are dark blue, turning purple as they ripen. They can be both spherical and slightly flattened. The average diameter of the fruit is about 2 cm. The brushes are long (each with 9–15 berries), reminiscent of grapes. The pulp is very fragrant, with a slight tart aftertaste. Few basal shoots, flowering later. Fruiting stretches for 2-3 weeks;
- JB-30. Crown with a diameter of 5.5-6 cm, the height of the bush is about the same. Berries taste almost indistinguishable from wild shadberry, but much larger - about 1.7 cm in diameter. Perfectly ripe fruits are painted in dark blue, the yield is about 20 kg per bush;
- Bluff. One of the latest achievements of Canadian breeders, among amateur gardeners, it is still not widely distributed. The berries are not too large (1–1.2 cm in diameter), but they are ideal for processing due to the fact that their seeds are very small. The taste is pleasant, slightly tart;
- Prince William. The bush is compact, with a diameter of no more than 2.5 m. The variety is highly cold-resistant and decorative. In autumn, orange-scarlet leaves stay on the plant until the first frost. The average diameter of a berry is 1.2 cm;
- Pierson. Canadian variety. The plant is powerful, multi-stemmed. Differs in intensive formation of basal shoots. The average fruit diameter is 1.8 cm or more. The taste qualities are excellent. It blooms late, the harvest ripens in early August;
- forestbourgh. A bush about 4 m high, at first erect shoots gradually droop. Basal shoots are not formed too much. Berries with a diameter of 1.4–1.6 cm, collected in dense brushes of 8–13 pieces. The fruits ripen together. Winter hardiness up to -40ºС, the variety is also resistant to drought. Immunity against diseases and pests is high;
- Krasnoyarsk. Russian variety of late ripening. The bush is not very tall, 3.5–4 m. The berries ripen in the last decade of July or early August. It depends on how warm and sunny the summer is. Differs in winter hardiness at the level of -40ºС and more. Fruits are 1.8–2 cm in diameter, the taste is pleasant, sweet and sour.
Photo gallery: Canadian shadberry varieties popular with gardeners
Irga Pembina practically does not need to form a bush Irga Smoky at home - one of the most popular varieties grown on an industrial scale Irga Northline can be harvested mechanically Irga Sturgeon - a fairly compact shrub, suitable even for small garden plots Irga Thiessen due to early flowering can to be hit by return spring frosts Irga Sleith is one of the first to ripen The harvest of Mandam shadberry is little affected by the weather during the summer Irga Ballerina - a very tall shrub Bluff - a relatively new cultivar of shadberry 
Irga Martin - a clone of the second generation of the Thiessen variety Irga Nelson is protected by the creators from rust damage 
Irga Honeywood - a large-fruited variety Berries of Irga JB-30 are almost indistinguishable in taste from wild Irga Irga Prince William - a compact and very decorative bush Irga Pierson - a powerful, sprawling plant Irga Forestbourgh is valued for one-time fruit ripening and very high winter hardiness Irga Krasnoyarskaya - successful achievement of Russian breeders
There is a Lamarck shadberry, which is often characterized as one of the Canadian shadberry varieties. But in fact, this is a separate type of plant. Irga Lamarck is most often used in landscape design, a flowering plant looks very beautiful.
Irga Lamarka is widely used in landscape design
It differs from the Canadian one in a larger size of flowers, profusion of flowering and a copper-red tint of young leaves. Irga Lamarka also bears fruit, but her berries are small (up to 1 cm in diameter), and the yield is not too high - 5–7 kg per adult plant.
planting procedure
Irga - . This also applies to the choice of planting site and soil quality. It tolerates shade well, does not suffer from cold northern winds, therefore hedges are often formed from tall shrubs along the perimeter of the site, thus protecting other plantings. Next to the irga, you can place other berry bushes - raspberries, gooseberries, currants. In an open place, the culture also grows well, but it does not like direct sunlight.
Canadian Irga will easily endure penumbra, the bright sun for her is not the best option
Irgu is planted both in spring and autumn. It depends on the climate in a particular region. If it is moderate, then spring is more suitable. Over the summer, the plant will definitely have time to adapt to new living conditions. In areas with a subtropical climate, landing can be planned for September and even for the first half of October, being sure that at least 2–2.5 months are left before the first frosts.
Seedlings bought in the fall can be stored until next spring without compromising quality. They are planted in a container filled with wet sawdust or a mixture of peat and sand, which is removed in a dark place with a temperature slightly above 0ºС. There are other ways - to dig the seedlings in the garden, placing them at an angle, and then pour a high snowdrift on top, or simply wrap them in several layers of breathable covering material and throw them with snow.
Canadian shadberry seedlings are most often purchased in the fall, at this time there is more choice.
A pit for irgi is prepared in advance, at least a few weeks before the planned landing. About 50 cm deep and 60–65 cm in diameter are sufficient. From fertilizers, humus (15–20 l), simple superphosphate (200–250 g), and potassium sulfate (70–80 g) are added to the upper layer of fertile soil.
Coarse river sand (about 10 liters) and a layer of drainage at the bottom will help to make the soil looser.
A deep landing pit for irgi is not needed
With the simultaneous planting of several plants, at least 2–3 m are left between them. If it is planned to form a hedge, the irgu is planted in a checkerboard pattern with an interval of 50–70 cm. A sufficient area for feeding an adult plant is 6–10 m².
Irga does not impose special requirements on the quality of the soil, however, the ideal option for it is light, but fertile loamy or sandy loamy soil. If the soil is very poor, the shrub in search of food will begin to grow very actively in breadth, forming a huge amount of basal growth, which is almost impossible to eradicate. The acid-base balance for the shadberry does not matter, but it does not treat acidic soil very well. If groundwater lies closer than 2–2.5 m from the surface, it is advisable to find another site, otherwise the roots may begin to rot.
When planting irgi, the root neck should be deepened by 5–7 cm, and the seedling itself should be tilted at an angle of approximately 40–45º. This contributes to the active formation of adventitious roots. The tree must be watered abundantly (10–15 l). Then the soil in the trunk circle is mulched. The shoots of the seedling are cut, shortening by about a third. Each should have 5-6 growth buds.
Video: landing irgi
culture care
Care consists in keeping the near-stem circle clean, periodically loosening the soil, fertilizing and watering. The need for shelter for the winter depends on the varietal qualities of a particular variety.
Watering
Frequent and plentiful watering of the irge is not needed. The plant has a developed root system, so it may well do with natural precipitation. The exception is very hot and dry weather. In this case, the Canadian irgu is watered every 7–12 days, spending 20–30 liters per adult plant. The preferred method is sprinkling. It allows you to wash off the dust from the leaves of the shrub at the same time as watering.
If there is a technical possibility, the irgu is watered by sprinkling, simulating natural precipitation.
The optimal time for the procedure is early morning or late evening. If the bright sun shines, the drops of water remaining on the leaves can play the role of lenses, the shrub will get sunburn.
Fertilization
If all the necessary fertilizers were applied to the planting pit, in the first 3–4 years of being in the open field, the Canadian irga can do without additional dressings. Then, every spring, 15–20 g of any nitrogen-containing fertilizer is distributed in the near-stem circle during the first loosening (you can prepare a solution by diluting the same amount in 10 liters of water). At the end of September, the plant is fed with phosphorus and potassium so that it can properly prepare for winter. To do this, use simple superphosphate and potassium sulfate (20–25 g each) or complex preparations (AVA, Autumn). A natural alternative is wood ash (about 0.5 l).
Wood ash is a natural source of potassium and phosphorus
Irga gratefully responds to any fertilizers, especially organic ones, by increasing the growth rate and increasing yields. Starting from the moment when flowering ends, it is advisable to water it once every 3-4 weeks with infusions of nettle leaves, dandelion, fresh cow dung or bird droppings. The nutrient solution is not applied directly under the roots, it is better to make several annular grooves, stepping back from the trunk about 0.5 m. About half an hour after feeding, the bush is watered abundantly so as not to burn the roots. When moisture is absorbed, the soil is gently loosened.
12-15 days after flowering, foliar top dressing using trace elements can be carried out. In 10 liters of water, dissolve 1-2 g of copper sulfate, zinc sulfate and boric acid.
pruning
Irga is distinguished by its growth rate, therefore it needs periodic pruning. But you should not abuse this, the culture does not tolerate the procedure too well.
Most often it is formed as a multi-stemmed bush. This configuration is provided by nature itself, it only needs to be tweaked a little. To do this, during the first 4–5 years after planting in the ground near Canadian shadberry, all shoots are cut to the point of growth, leaving only 2–3 of the most powerful and developed. An adult shrub, therefore, should consist of 15–20 branches of different ages.
The productive life of the Canadian shadberry is long, so it needs rejuvenating pruning about once every 10–12 years. The signal for this is a sharp decrease in the growth rate of shrubs - no more than 10 cm per year. In this case, it is imperative to get rid of all no longer fruitful, weak, deformed, elongated shoots. All other branches are shortened to 2–2.5 m. There is another option for rejuvenation - every year, completely cut off the two oldest shoots.
A radical way to trim the Canadian irgi is to leave only stumps from the shoots
If the cut diameter is more than 0.5 cm, it must be disinfected with a 2% solution of copper sulfate and carefully covered with garden pitch.
In the Canadian irgi, growing in a hedge, all available shoots are shortened by 10–15 cm annually. This stimulates the shrub to more intensive branching.
Sanitary pruning is carried out every spring. It is needed to get rid of broken, dried, frozen branches during the winter. They also remove those that grow down and deep into the crown, thickening it, breaking the neat outlines of the shrub.
Preparing for winter
Irga Canadian - frost-resistant culture. Therefore, in regions with a subtropical climate, she definitely does not need shelter for the winter. There you can limit yourself to cleaning the trunk circle from debris and updating the mulch layer.
But in the European part of Russia, for example, in the Moscow region, the situation is different. There, winters are both quite warm, snowy, and abnormally cold, with a minimum amount of precipitation. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and protect young seedlings by covering them with suitable-sized boxes stuffed with hay, sawdust, and shavings. Adult specimens at the base of the shoots are covered with a layer of peat or humus about 25 cm high. As soon as the snow falls, a high snowdrift is built at the roots.
Common diseases and pests
Irga Canadian by nature has a high immunity, therefore, it rarely suffers from pathogenic fungi and pests. The main threat to crops is birds. The only way to reliably protect berries from them is a fine-mesh net thrown over a bush. But this is not always possible due to the size of the plant. All other methods (scarecrows, shiny ribbons, rattles) give only a short-term effect, for 2-3 days, no more. Birds quickly realize that these objects are not able to cause them any harm.
The net is the only reliable way to protect the shadberry crop from birds
But still occasionally, if the summer is very cold and rainy, the following diseases can develop:
- tuberculosis. Leaves and young shoots acquire an unnatural red-purple hue, dry quickly and wither. Small reddish-pink "warts" may appear on the branches. All branches, even slightly affected, are cut and burned. The shrub is sprayed twice with an interval of 7–12 days with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture or copper sulphate;
- gray rot. On the shoots at the base and in the places where the leaf petioles are attached, “weeping” black-brown spots spread on the fruits, gradually covered with a fluffy light gray coating with small black blotches. Most often, the cause is abundant watering, so it is immediately stopped. Shrub and soil in the trunk circle are dusted with sifted wood ash, crushed chalk, colloidal sulfur;
- leaf spot. The spots can be of various shades, from almost white to dark brown. It depends on the specific type of fungus causing the disease. For the fight, any copper-containing preparations are used (Topaz, Skor, Horus). Usually, if the problem is noticed at an early stage, 2-3 treatments with an interval of 5-7 days are enough.
Photo gallery: Canadian diseases affecting Irga
Tuberculosis is easy to recognize by the unnatural red tint of the shoots. The development of gray rot is most often facilitated by improper care of the shadberry Symptoms of spotting are very different depending on which fungus causes the disease
The most common pests of irgi are usually not able to cause significant damage to the shrub. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be fought.
- seed-bearing Adults lay eggs in fruit ovaries. The hatched larvae eat the seeds from the berries and pupate in them. Damaged fruits shrivel and fall off. For prevention, the plant is sprayed immediately after flowering with Karbofos, if suspicious symptoms are found, they are treated with Karate, Actellik or Fufanon;
- moth moth. Caterpillars feed on plant tissues, eating narrow passages in the leaves. Damaged leaves turn yellow and fall off. After harvesting, for the prevention of irgu, they are sprayed with Lepidocide or Bitoxibacillin. Also, Kinmiks, Mospilan, Konfidor-Maxi are used to combat motley;
- leaflet. Most often, the pest manifests itself in early summer. Adults lay eggs in leaves, folding them into a tube. 3-5 days before flowering, the bush is sprayed with a solution of Nexion or tincture of wormwood, tobacco chips. They fight with adults with the help of Alatar, Bitox, Binom.
Photo gallery: pests dangerous for crops
Fruits infected with larvae of the seed-eater fall from the bush much earlier than the term Caterpillars of the pestry moth feed on leaf tissues.
