- Ligustrum vulgare – L. japonicum;
- Calluna vulgaris – Erica carnea;
- Hibiscus x hybridus – H. syriacus;
- Salix elaeagnos – Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’;
- Viburnum opulus – V. tinus;
- Caragana arborescens, C. frutex – Laburnum anagyroides;
- Amygdalus nana – A. communis;
- Hippophae rhamnoides – Pyracantha ‘Soleil d’or’;
- Syringa vulgaris – Lagerstroemia indica;
- Cytisus nigricans, syn. C. nigrescens – Genista lydia;
Today we have to find more accurate copies of evergreen and deciduous shrubs for southern and Northern cottages.
Let me remind you that on the left in the collage – representatives of the North, and on the right – exotic southerners.
In a couple will not only close relatives (species of the same genus), but also completely different plants.
Ligustrum vulgare – L. japonicum
The first couple-relatives of the family Oleaceae. For summer residents of the middle lane who know “in person” only Ligustrum vulgare, it seems as there is nothing to confuse it: other Ligustrum is not enough. In the South, where several species are grown, the situation is different: here the difference of the Northern Ligustrum from its evergreen southern sisters will not work, since in warm winters the northerner does not shed leaves.
Ligustrum vulgare is winter-hardy in the middle lane, but can freeze in harsh and snowless winters. Bloom begins early, in 2-3 years. Sweet and sugary aroma of flowers like not everyone. Both grow quickly, tolerate pruning, ideal for hedges.
Calluna vulgaris – Erica carnea
Often, even a specialist is difficult to distinguish these evergreen plants. To clarify helps different flowering times: Calluna vulgaris-from July to October inclusive, Erica carnea-in February-March or April-may.
Calluna vulgaris winter-hardy in the middle lane and even North. It grows well on both wet peat and dry sandy acid soils, but in the South the Heather is hot, and it gives way to Erica and its varieties.
Hibiscus x hybridus – H. syriacus
As good Letnitsa Hibiscus! And it does not matter that the heat-loving syriacus in the middle lane, because it can be successfully replaced by a long-term Hibiscus x hybridus.
Salix elaeagnos – Laurus nobilis ‘Angustifolia’
An interesting pair of deciduous and evergreen shrub, but, unfortunately, the willow will not give Laurel flavor and its leaves can not be used as a seasoning.
Salix elaeagnos-densely branched shrub height of 3 m and a width of 5 m; narrow leaves up to 20 cm silvery green, young-light gray, autumn-yellow. Will be good in landing at a reservoir. Particularly impressive it looks in the spring, during flowering (which occurs before leaves) with the green (male – yellow) inflorescences-catkins 3-6 cm tall Salix elaeagnos winter-hardy enough in the middle lane.
Viburnum opulus – V. tinus
Among Viburnum there is not one pair of doubles, and each of them has its own undeniable advantages.
Viburnum opulus is well known to summer visitors of the middle band. Its leaves in the form of a leaf blade similar to those of Physocarpus opulifolius, but the latter are more corrugated and serrated. But the leaves are similar to the Chinese leaves, which are successfully cultivated in the South.
And during the fruiting period Viburnum opulus will be an excellent pair of Nandina domestica.
Viburnum perfectly fit into the garden design, add a touch of romance during flowering and bright colors in the fall. You want-grow it from seeds, you want-take a seedling.
Caragana arborescens, C. frutex – Laburnum anagyroides
More winter-hardy Caragana of the family Leguminosae / Papilionaceae are very similar to the thermophilic Laburnum.
In addition, Caragana are very hardy, especially with regard to lack of moisture: in hot dry summers, they can shed leaves, making it easier to tolerate its deficiency.
Growing plants from seeds is a fascinating process, and let the flowering have to wait a bit, but the seedlings will be perfectly adapted to local conditions.
Amygdalus nana – A. communis
Before you almond-Bush and almond-tree.
Shrub Amygdalus nana in the middle band of winter-hardy; it is not capricious to the soil. A significant disadvantage-gives a lot of root offspring, so you need to control the growth, and even better – immediately when planting to limit the spread of roots with slate, durable plastic. Trees A. communis more thermophilic. According to the demands for light and heat, they are on a par with grapes and peaches, so in the southern regions they live and bear fruit for a long time.
Hippophae rhamnoides – Pyracantha ‘Soleil d’or’
Pyracantha with yellow fruits forms an excellent pair with Hippophae rhamnoides.
Hippophae rhamnoides-Northern fruit crop: it is winter-hardy in the middle lane. Enough photophilous, drought-resistant, undemanding to soil fertility, but prefers loose, light. Most Pyracantha-semi-evergreen shrubs, partly dropping leaves for the winter; without shelter overwinter in the southern zone of gardening.
Just imagine how your garden will be transformed with one of these plants! You will not get tired to admire the beautiful leaves and bright berries!
Syringa vulgaris – Lagerstroemia indica
Perhaps one of the most well matched couples. Only the flowering time of the latter (in summer) suggests that it is not Syringa vulgaris.
By the way, from Syringa vulgaris obtained delightful hedges, but in a single landing, it will delight the owners of abundant flowering and delightful aroma!
Cytisus nigricans, syn. C. nigrescens – Genista lydia
This is another pair of shrubs with yellow inflorescences from the family Leguminosae / Papilionaceae. In fact, in this family you can find a lot more geographical counterparts.
Cytisus nigricans has a lot of advantages, starting with a compact appearance (it is up to 1-1.5 m high and up to 1 m wide) and ending with frost resistance. Looks great in rockeries. But in the South, perhaps the best choice-Genista lydia: more thermophilic, but less high (up to 60 cm).
And what geographical twins of deciduous shrubs occurred to you? Which of the pairs presented by me seemed to you the most harmonious?