Knotweed is an ornamental shrub. What is a highlander like? Use for decorating garden plots and on the farm

It must be said that gardeners have an ambiguous opinion about knotweed as a herb; some enthusiastically praise it, others scold it to the fullest.

They praise the fact that this herbaceous perennial grows up to 2-2.5 m in height over the summer, forming a powerful bush with bamboo stems almost as thick as the handle of a shovel.

Add beautiful heart-shaped foliage, which turns golden yellow in autumn, and paniculate inflorescences up to 20 cm long, which contain numerous small flowers of a whitish-cream hue, and you get an impressive picture. The flowering of the knotweed is long, very abundant, the crown of the bush at this time looks like a white blanket. A magnificent sight!

Why are highlanders scolded?

For aggressiveness. Or rather, for a great thirst for life. For the uncontrollable spreading of the overgrowth. Over the summer, the mountaineer manages to throw its vigorous shoots several meters outside the bush, so just have time to weed them out. It takes a lot of work to keep him in check. So please note that all knotweeds are good for large areas and gardens.

Highlander changeable

Variable knotweed is another giant, up to 2 m tall, its stem branches strongly in the upper part, where huge

paniculate inflorescences consisting of small white flowers resembling a white cloud. It blooms in early July and remains in bloom until the end of August. This highlander is also unpretentious, overwinters well and grows on any soil.

Variable knotweed is native to East Asia, and this is a sure sign that it will thrive here. It can grow up to 2 m and, unlike the Sakhalin knotweed, it is covered from top to bottom with oblong-lanceolate long leaves, making the bush look voluminously green and quite suitable for creating a high hedge. The stems are straight, hollow and have a powerful root system.

The flowers exude a specific spicy aroma, and after flowering, their fluffy panicles remain no less decorative.

Knotweed viviparous

The viviparous knotweed is a miniature plant, unlike its giant relatives, up to only 50 cm in height. True, the name is strange for a plant; usually this applies to the animal world.

Its homeland is Europe, Asia, North America, where this type of knotweed grows in swampy meadows and forests (that is, a ubiquitous plant).

Erect, hard, knotty stems are decorated with hard green leaves, oblong-lanceolate in shape and up to 10 cm long. Numerous stems, and in an adult plant there are up to 40 or more of them, bear at the ends and in the internodes dense, racemose-like, rather thin inflorescences 10-15 cm long, consisting of small, up to 0.5-0.8 cm in diameter, crimson pink flowers. They are very bright and look very attractive.

Flowering, like all mountaineers, is long-lasting, from June to early September, while the inflorescences do not lose the shape of spikelets and. the beauty of flowers. It is rare to see such a long-flowering plant in gardens, especially towards the end of summer, when many have already faded.

Knotweed viviparous prefers moist, fertile soils that are well fertilized. Perhaps the best place for planting is a semi-shaded place, where the inflorescences show themselves most clearly. It is advisable to plant it in the foreground, near a pond or alpine hill, where it will look graceful and elegant.

The plant propagates by dividing the bush, by root suckers, and takes root well by green cuttings torn off at the heel from the side shoots coming from the internodes, as well as by small bulbs (seeds), which sometimes appear instead of flowers in the inflorescence.

Knotweed is winter-hardy, but can suffer in snowless winters, and to be on the safe side, it is better to cover it with dry material that prevents the rhizome from growing undergrowth.

There is no doubt that the viviparous knotweed is beautiful, but another miniature representative of the family is no less beautiful.

Highlander related

Related knotweed is a herbaceous perennial plant up to only 25 cm high, with evergreen oblong-lanceolate green leaves forming a dense carpet.

Often the word “evergreen” scares gardeners and makes them doubt whether such a plant will live in our climate. We can safely assure you: it will live, there are many examples of this. In our gardens, many plants with evergreen leaves winter well - horizontal cotoneaster, and others.

The flowers of the related knotweed are similar to the flowers of the knotweed viviparous - the same spike-shaped, consisting of small pinkish-red flowers. The spikelets are dense, up to 10 cm long. Flowering is very long, from June to the end of August, that is, for 80-90 days. Knotweed is also decorative after flowering, when the inflorescences and leaves acquire a dark red color. The knotweed curtain is exceptionally good among low perennials. A carpet of leaves and elegant inflorescences go well with medium-sized hostas and.

It is undemanding to soil, but requires well-drained areas. It is drought-resistant, and stagnant groundwater is harmful to it.

Quite winter-hardy, but in snowless winters it is advisable to cover it with coniferous spruce branches.

Most plants with evergreen leaves, including our knotweed, require spring shading from the burning rays of the sun to preserve overwintered leaves. It grows well in a semi-shaded place, but also develops well in the sun.

The related knotweed reproduces in the same way as the viviparous knotweed.

At exhibitions you can find other mountaineers: Virginia, smallhead, Japanese, hybrid. However, they are not as hardy as the species we presented, and require good shelter for the winter, or even special growing conditions.

On a note:

• With a lack of sun, water and nutrients, sparse flower clusters are formed on the stems of Sakhalin buckwheat, and in general the appearance of the plant is much more modest.
• If the spread of knotweed needs to be contained, gardeners dig limiters around the plant to a depth of 30 cm.
• In nature, Sakhalin knotweed grows in the south of Sakhalin, on the Kuril Islands and in Japan. This perennial herbaceous plant that loves cool weather reaches a height of 3 m in particularly favorable growing conditions.
• The rhizome of Sakhalin buckwheat is creeping, which promotes rapid spread and growth. Because of this, the plant is able to quickly take over new areas, so it is necessary to regularly remove excess root growth.
• But this disadvantage turns into an advantage when you need to quickly, beautifully and without special costs plant unsightly areas of land next to city houses.
• The stem of Sakhalin knotweed is strong and branching. The alternate leaves are oval-rounded, on short petioles. The length of thin leaves is 10-30 cm, width up to 25 cm.
• The large heart-shaped leaves of the Sakhalin knotweed have a very pleasant dark green color; this slender, beautiful plant invariably attracts everyone's attention. In the garden, among the usual flowers and shrubs, the knotweed really looks like an exotic plant.
• Small (0.5 cm in diameter) white flowers are collected in a dense paniculate inflorescence. But there are plants with cream and pink flowers.
• This elegant plant blooms for a long time (up to 40 days) and very abundantly, but not intrusively.
• Sakhalin knotweed reproduces by seeds (which is irrelevant for this species), and more often vegetatively - by dividing the rhizome and root suckers.
• With sufficient watering, planted knotweed cuttings take root well and grow quickly. This allows the plant to be used to decorate fences and to create picturesque thickets in natural-style gardens.

A domestic plant with a long and thin rhizome. It can take on an upright appearance if it grows on the shore, and a floating appearance if it grows in water. The last form is more interesting. Its shiny oblong leaves up to 15 cm long lie on the surface, the ends of the stems bend, raising inflorescences up to 4 cm long of bright pink flowers above the water. Blooms in June - August.
Planting and care. It is kept in a container, immersed in water to a depth of 50 cm, as it is actively spreading: you have to make sure that it does not jump out of its container and become entrenched in neighboring ones. Well masks the transition from shore to water and decorates the coastal area.
Application. This species contains tannins in its rhizome and is used in folk medicine. Water infusions and decoctions of leaves in proportions of 1:10 are used to relieve stomach colic, as a mild astringent and diuretic. The herb is brewed to expel kidney stones and drunk for arthritis, gout, and back pain. The rhizome has a more pronounced astringent and hemostatic effect and is prescribed for diarrhea (especially dysentery), colitis, hemorrhoids with the release of “black” blood, etc. The decoction is prepared at the rate of 1 teaspoon of powder from the dry rhizome per 250 ml of boiling water, poured into a thermos for 3 hours or boiled under the lid for 10-12 minutes (daily dose). Take 1/2 cup 4-5 times a day. Uterine bleeding is also well controlled with this decoction, the daily dose is 2 glasses in 4 doses.

1

, or cancerous cervixes, so named for its short, thick, curved rhizome. Long, elongated basal leaves with sharp ends form a dense bunch; flowering stems up to 150 cm in height are seated with sparse small leaves. Inflorescences are light pink, up to 7 cm long. Blooms in May - June. Variety Superbum- with especially large inflorescences.
it is planted on a damp bank, it does not grow aggressively, so there is no need to limit it. It is cut off in the fall. “Crayfish necks” successfully fit into compositions with different plants and are even used as cut flowers.

Pepper Knotweed, or water pepper- annual herbaceous plant. The stems are bare, 20-50(70) cm high, reddish, usually erect, moderately branched from the base, often slightly geniculate. The leaves are alternate, oblong-lanceolate, acute, narrowly wedge-shaped at the base, 3-8 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm wide. The trumpets (stipules fused into a tube) are membranous, reddish, cylindrical, bare on the surface, sometimes with short eyelashes. Fresh leaves have a pungent taste. Flowers are 3-4 mm long with a simple greenish-pinkish perianth. The flowers are collected in thin, loose, drooping, intermittent spike-shaped racemes, reaching 4-6 cm in length. The fruits are ovoid, black or dark brown nuts. Blooms from July to September. This is such an inconspicuous plant that if you pass by, you won’t pay attention. But if you pick it and chew it, you will feel a bitter, hot, peppery taste. It is often mixed with highlander (Polygonum persicaria), which has a large, pink ear, and leaves on a thick reddish stem with black spots that disappear when dried.
Peppermint knotweed is widespread throughout the European part of the Russian Federation and Siberia (except for the Far North), in the Caucasus, and less commonly in Central Asia and the Far East.
Peppermint grass contains flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, phenol carbolic acids, essential oil, sesquiterpene compounds, vitamins C, K, P, carotenoids.
In folk medicine, a decoction of the knotweed herb is taken for malaria, difficulty urinating, rashes of various origins, tumors and bruises, as an astringent, an analgesic, and for uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Freshly harvested water pepper herb is used externally as a substitute for mustard plasters.
Currently, in scientific medicine, infusion and liquid extract of water pepper herb are used as a hemostatic agent, mainly for uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Knotweed (kidney grass)

, or kidney grass- an annual plant with a weakly branched taproot. The stem is straight, sometimes rising at the bottom, 20-80 cm high. The leaves are lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, alternate, 3-10 cm long, almost sessile, long-pointed, glabrous, with a red-brown spot on top. The sockets tightly cover the stem, are appressed, with long cilia along the upper edge. The flowers are collected in terminal spike-shaped racemes up to 2-3 cm long. The perianth is simple, corolla-shaped, pink, less often whitish, 2.5-3 mm long. The fruits are black ovoid nuts about 2 mm in size. Blooms from July to September. Widespread weed. It is found throughout the Russian Federation: in the European part, the Caucasus, southern Siberia, the Far East, and Central Asia. It grows along the banks of water bodies, wetlands, damp meadows and ditches, sometimes forming large thickets.
Polygonum herb contains vitamin K, tannins, essential oil, acetic, butyric and ascorbic acids, flavonoids, mucus, sugars and pectin substances. It increases blood viscosity and coagulability, promotes contraction of the muscles of the uterus and intestines, has a laxative, diuretic and mild anti-inflammatory effect, and constricts blood vessels. In domestic folk medicine, a decoction of the knotweed herb is used for diarrhea, as well as to strengthen the mucous membrane of the gums.
In medical practice, an infusion of the knotweed herb is used as a hemostatic agent for uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding, and as a laxative for atonic and spastic constipation. Knotweed herb is included in preparations used to treat bleeding of various etiologies and gastrointestinal diseases.

Bird's knotweed
Folk names - knotweed, goose grass, woodlice.
Food, fodder, melliferous and medicinal plant.
An annual, bare, low plant (20-40 cm) with a taproot and recumbent or ascending shoots. The stems are branched from the base, dark green, densely leafy. The leaves are small (5-20 mm long), alternate, green or bluish-green, oval, oblong or linear, sessile, with membranous sheaths at the base. The flowers are small, regular, inconspicuous, sitting 2-5 in the axils of the leaves. The perianth is deeply five-parted, greenish, white or pink along the edge; stamens - 8, pistil - 1. Fruit - 3-sided, dotted, tuberculate, black nut. It blooms in May - August, the fruits ripen in July - September. Light-loving plant. It grows near roads, ditches in open weedy places, as a weed in fields and vegetable gardens. Often forms continuous thickets. The above-ground part of the plant contains a significant amount of ascorbic acid, carotene, fiber, organic acids, sugars, tannins and other substances. Young, leafy shoots of knotweed are used to prepare salads, vegetable soups, as well as seasonings for fish and meat dishes. A honey plant with little honey production, although the flowers secrete nectar throughout the summer. It is valued as a good pasture and hay plant with high feeding qualities. It is readily eaten by cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and poultry. Fabric dyes are obtained from the aerial parts of the plant.
The plant is resistant to trampling, grows quickly, and therefore it is used to create lawns at stadiums, airfields and parks.

1

- a ground cover plant with dark pink inflorescences 30 cm high. It blooms from June for three months, it is decorative even after flowering, when the fruits and leaves acquire a dark red color. Prefers shade, but grows well in the sun and is drought-resistant. Used to decorate the coastal zone of reservoirs. A dense green carpet of leaves and elegant inflorescences combine perfectly with astilbes, peonies, barberries, hydrangeas, spirea, filling all the free space. On fertile soils, the related knotweed can grow strongly, suppressing weeds and less hardy species.

, or Sakhalin buckwheat- a plant with a powerful creeping cord-like rhizome. The stems are straight, hollow, strong, up to 3 m high, green or brown. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm long and 20 cm wide, oval-oblong, on short petioles. The flowers are small, whitish-cream, collected in large racemes up to 20 cm in length. It blooms from the second half of August to the end of September. The plant is unpretentious and grows well in a bright or semi-shaded cool place with moist air. Prefers moist, fertile, well-fertilized slightly acidic soils.
During the season they are fed with complex mineral and organic fertilizer. During dry periods, water. In late autumn, the shoots are completely cut off at soil level.
Propagated by division and root suckers. Easily tolerates transplanting with a clod of earth. Rhizomatous mountaineers grow quickly; they can grow in one place for up to 6-10 years or more.
Sakhalin knotweed is planted as an ornamental foliage plant to camouflage outbuildings and create thickets. Goes well with delphinium, meadowsweet, sapling, rudbeckia, and phlox.

3

- a vigorous, semi-evergreen plant whose long, spike-shaped inflorescences can brighten up the end of the garden season. When grown in moist soil, it causes virtually no trouble. The main thing is not to plant it next to fragile plants, which it can easily crowd out. Prefers sunny and semi-shaded areas with moist soil. In cold climates, they need shelter for the winter, especially young plants. Most decorative in summer and autumn. Height and width 0.9-1.2 m.

Knotweed flower is a perennial plant that can be herbaceous, liana-like, or shrubby. It is very easy to grow it at home; it does not have any requirements other than moist soil.

, belongs to the buckwheat family. In total, there are about 300 different types of knotweed in the world, 20 of which can be grown at home.

Depending on the species, the knotweed can be not only herbaceous, but also in the form of a subshrub and even a vine. All mountaineers have common similarities that unite them into one genus.

Description of the Highlander:

• The stems are prostrate, erect, the flowers are small, collected in a panicle or raceme inflorescence.
• The root system of the knotweed is well developed, the rhizome is either creeping or erect.
• The leaves are simple lanceolate-ovate, alternate in arrangement.
• The fruit of the knotweed flower is nutty and contains a large number of seeds.
• Flower colors can be very diverse, ranging from white to red and burgundy. The flowering period lasts from July to August.

In home floriculture, knotweed is very popular. In one composition they can. For example, the amphibious knotweed is used to decorate reservoirs; it is partially submerged in the water, and part of it looks out. Snake knotweed extends along the banks of water bodies.

The plant does not like acidic soils, grows well in shaded areas, and does not need moisture.

These are ideal conditions for the lazy gardener who does not have time to spend a lot of time on the plot, but who wants to decorate his garden. If there was little snow in winter, this may be negative for the mountaineer. After winter, the highlander will have a sloppy appearance, but very soon it will acquire its usual shape.

Liana-shaped mountaineers are used for vertical gardening. Herbaceous and semi-shrub species are planted in borders, rock gardens, etc. The alpine species can be used for solitaire plantings.

In nature, knotweed is found in steppes and mountainous areas in the countries of the Northern Hemisphere, in temperate latitudes. The mountaineer endures winter without shelter, it is unpretentious, its properties resemble a weed, although it is very decorative.

Some types of knotweed are even used in folk medicine.

Gardeners most often use the following types of knotweed:

1. Alpine knotweed is a semi-shrub plant. The maximum height is 1.5 meters, the stems can divide and branch to unlimited sizes. The flowers are white, collected in a panicle. It is most popular among other types of knotweed because it actively develops and blooms profusely. The flowering period begins in July.
2. Knotweed is a related herbaceous plant that covers the ground. The maximum height is no more than 25 cm, the stems rise above the soil. The plant is evergreen, the leaves can be oval or oblong-lanceolate. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence of spikes, themselves very small, red-pink in color. It begins to bloom in May.
3. Sakhalin knotweed, or as it is also called Sakhalin sincha, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is distinguished by straight, strong stems, can grow up to 3 meters in height, the leaves are green with a brown tint. The leaves are large, maximum length 30 cm, maximum width 20 cm. The flowers are small, pastel cream in color, collected in panicles 20 cm long. Begins to bloom in July.
4. Candleweed knotweed is a shrub plant, the stems grow 80-120 cm in height. The leaves are wide and begin to turn yellow by autumn. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence spikelet, begin to bloom in August, the flowering period lasts 2 months.

There is another classification according to which mountaineers are divided into species based on the following characteristics: tall or short.

Among the tall plants, gardeners successfully grow:

1. Eastern knotweed grows up to 2 meters in height, the inflorescences are large. Flowers can be white, red, pink, lilac. The leaves are pointed, after flowering large fruits and nuts remain. The flowering period lasts from August to the end of autumn. Loves moist soil and does not require special care.
2. Japanese knotweed grows in bush form. Its maximum height is 5 meters. The branches are hollow, reminiscent of bamboo stems, and the leaves are oval. The leaf is distinguished by the fact that it has light veins. Begins to bloom at the end of September. In one season, Japanese knotweed can create an entire hedge.

Low growing species:

1. Capitate knotweed is an annual plant that grows quickly and covers the ground. The maximum height is 15 cm, the leaves have red veins and spots. The inflorescences are in the form of cones, small, do not stand out particularly, the flowers are pink.
2. Viviparous knotweed is a perennial plant that grows up to 45 cm. The stems are straight, the leaves are dense and dark in color. Inflorescence spike, pink or red flowers, blooms throughout the season. The roots and flowers are eaten.
3. Knotweed Baljuan - grows in the form of a vine. The length of each shoot reaches 12 meters. The main use of this type of knotweed is vertical gardening. As the plant matures, the stems become woody. The flowers are small, pink in color. The leaves are dark green. The plant needs to be watered regularly; it loves moisture and cool air. The plant can withstand even the coldest winter; the vines freeze, but the roots are preserved and produce new shoots.

Each species is significantly different from the others. Membership in the genus can be determined by the typical inflorescences.

Knotweed is used in folk medicine for a wide range of diseases. The plant is used to treat eye diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and gout.

Main properties of knotweed:

• Bactericidal.
• Astringent.
• Wound healing.

The most healing of all species are alpine knotweed and snakeweed. Snake knotweed (crayfish, vipergrass, calf's tongue) has small flowers and a hollow stem. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence of spikelets and can be red, pink and white.

You can grow snake knotweed in moist soil in a well-lit place. Under natural conditions it grows in meadows and mountainous areas. The maximum plant height is no more than 1 meter. All parts of the plant are used to prepare medicinal recipes: roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds.

The raw materials are harvested in May, then it will have the most healing properties.

Highlander is a strong antiseptic, can stop bleeding and relieve inflammation:

• Snakeweed is indispensable for indigestion, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, problems with the throat, oral cavity, for healing boils and purulent wounds.
• Alpine knotweed (ram, wood sorrel, mountain knotweed) is a weed, although it is grown as a. The bushes are wide and branched, reaching 2 meters in diameter. The roots are large and penetrate deep underground. The flowers are white, collected in a panicle inflorescence. The flowering period begins in mid-summer; it can be found in meadows, steppes and even forests. It spreads quickly and does not require special care.
• Alpine knotweed is used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines, diarrhea, dysentery, and high blood pressure. The stems and leaves of plants contain large amounts of vitamin C, so they are used to treat colds and boost immunity.
• Knotweed (knotweed) grows in urban environments and is not afraid of dust and trampling. The herb is a diuretic and astringent and stops bleeding. Water infusions using knotweed are used for gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea, bladder diseases, tuberculosis, whooping cough, etc.

Knotweed baths fight skin diseases, relieve pain from bruises, and heal wounds.

The fresh herb extract is used as a homeopathic remedy. Despite the fact that knotweed is an aggressive plant, it is very decorative and very useful.

Growing knotweed is not difficult. All types have similar features, however, many of them require special conditions. Knotweed adapts well to cool conditions; it will actively grow and develop in partial shade, in conditions of high air humidity. Knotweed blooms best on fertile, moist soils; the choice should be on fertilized sandy loam or loamy soils, slightly acidic or neutral reactions.

The knotweed itself is similar to a weed, so pests are not afraid of it.

It is resistant to the most common diseases. The related knotweed prefers alkaline or neutral soils. Snake knotweed prefers areas that are close to groundwater. But the splayed mountaineer, on the contrary, loves drier areas, that is, moderately humid ones.

Secrets of plant care:

• During the summer season, plants are provided with moderate watering. Some species require abundant watering if there is no groundwater nearby.
• Highlander is good with fertilizers.
• It can tolerate drought and slight waterlogging, but if it is constantly in damp soil, it will feel unwell.
• Young mountaineers have a hard time withstanding autumn or spring frosts. Therefore, young plants are covered until the onset of summer. If the leaves died during autumn frosts, the stems should be cut off immediately.
• In autumn, the leaves on some species begin to turn yellow; they remain in this state all winter. With the onset of spring, the brown leaves are cut off, and at the end of autumn the entire plant is cut off.
• The first year the young plant requires shelter for the winter. If Japanese, filamentous or small-headed knotweed are grown, then they spend the winter not in open ground, but in greenhouses.

There is one more property of the knotweed, for which some gardeners love it, and some refuse to grow it. We are talking about strong growth, even aggressiveness.

In one season, knotweed shoots can spread far beyond the bush, up to several meters.

Sometimes it's hard to keep the plant within its limits. It needs to be constantly pruned and weeded, or watch as the flower fills most of the garden. The main requirements relate to the choice of soil, lighting and moisture. Everyone can provide them.

There are 4 methods of propagating knotweed:

1. Seeds.
2. Cuttings.
3. By dividing the rhizomes.
4. Dividing the bush.

Not all species can reproduce using all methods. Each type has its own preferences. If the method of dividing the bush is used, then the right time for this is spring or autumn. Cuttings are carried out in spring or summer. Depending on the species, the knotweed is planted at a distance of 20-60 cm from each other. Highlander does not require annual replanting; it can develop in one place for up to 10 years.

Propagation by seeds is suitable for the following species: splayed, serpentine, oriental.

Seeds are stratified and sown in late spring, when the threat of frost has passed. You can sow directly in open ground, or in boxes. The seedlings are transplanted into the ground along with a lump of earth.

Stratification of seeds lasts 2 months, for this they must be at a temperature of +5. Seeds are planted in the soil to a depth of 1 cm.

Cuttings of knotweed:

• Cuttings begin to be prepared in late spring early summer. There must be at least 2 nodes in the process. The cuttings are treated with Kornevin or Heteroauxin.
• The bed is prepared in advance, which should already be warm by this moment.
• Rooting will occur quickly if the soil temperature is several degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. Horse manure is placed at the base of the bed, fertile soil is placed on top, and sand mixed with peat in a 1 to 1 ratio is placed on top.
• The lower node of the cutting is deepened by 1-2 cm. Next, the cutting is covered with polyethylene or lutrasil. This is necessary to maintain the microclimate. For the winter, the plant is dug up and stored at a temperature of no more than 2.

To prevent the knotweed from spreading throughout the entire area, its growth is restrained using a cunning method: limiters are dug in around the plant to a depth of 30 cm.

Gardeners rarely propagate knotweed, because it can quickly spread throughout the area without outside help.

Before choosing a specific type of knotweed for home cultivation, you need to familiarize yourself with all its characteristics in order to ensure proper care. The garden area should be large in case the knotweed begins to grow.

More information can be found in the video.

Aubert's knotweed is a perennial plant that is often grown at home or in a country plot. Some consider it a field grass. This is partly true, but the plant is widely used in landscape design. The main advantage of this flower is that it does not require special care or planting. Aubert's photo of the Highlander demonstrates his simplicity and pleasant sophistication. It is not surprising that this plant has won the hearts of many gardeners.

Description

The homeland of the mountaineer Aubert is considered to be the Far East, Siberia, China and Japan. It grows on rocky slopes, gravel and in mountainous areas. Today there are about 300 varieties of this plant. Among them there are annuals and in nature you can see subshrubs and vines. Aubert's knotweed grows in almost all parts of the world. At the same time, he can feel great both in the meadow and on the bank of the river, in the forest or in the highlands.

Appearance

This plant is distinguished by erect or prostrate stems, which may curl slightly. Aubert's knotweed has simple leaves. If we talk about the flowers, they are quite small, collected in few-flowered curls, although they are often collected in racemes. The fruit is a small nut containing up to 100 seeds.

The height of the perennial plant Aubert's knotweed can reach up to 30-40 cm. Sometimes long hairs can be seen on the grass trunk, and sometimes it remains completely bare - it all depends on the variety of the subspecies. The length of the leaf blades of the flower is about 2.5 centimeters. They are quite sharp and wedge-shaped in shape. Flowers are located at the tops of stems or branches. In this case, the inflorescences practically merge with the vegetative part of the stem. The perianth may be white or pink.

Disadvantages of the Highlander

Gardeners very often criticize the plant for being too aggressive, which manifests itself in the fact that the mountaineer very much “wants to live”, so it spreads across almost the entire suburban area. Sometimes it becomes impossible to control its growth: even if the planting of the Aubert knotweed is kept to a minimum, this does not change the situation.

In just one season, this plant can throw out new shoots several meters beyond the boundaries of 1 bush. This brings a lot of inconvenience, since in this case gardeners have to constantly weed out shoots that spread throughout the entire area. That is why the plant is not recommended to be planted in a small garden. The Highlander loves large spaces so that he has room to roam!

Aubert's Highlander: photo, planting and care

As was said at the very beginning of the article, knotweed does not require special growing conditions. Moreover, this feature applies to all types of plants. The same applies to other characteristics and properties of the flower.

If we talk about the winter hardiness of the Aubert knotweed, it is worth noting that it is perfectly capable of adapting to cold conditions, so it is ideal for growing in harsh climates. Among other things, this plant grows and develops well in partial shade and is not negatively affected by high air humidity.

However, like any other plants, it is best planted in more fertile and moist soils. Loamy soil is considered the best. Just look at the photo of the Aubert knotweed to understand how well it can grow in such fertile soil.

If we talk about oxidation, it is better to choose slightly acidic or neutral soil. Pests do not bother this plant, which looks very much like a huge weed. By the way, this is why it is often called knotweed. This name “clung” to it due to its amazing ability to spread over large territories in a minimum amount of time.

Special Preferences

Aubert's knotweed, planting and caring for which is not particularly difficult, is quite unpretentious. But the plant can be pampered. To do this, it is best to plant it on neutral soil. By the way, this unusual weed loves those areas of the garden in which there is a large presence of groundwater located as close to the surface as possible. The only exception is the splayed knotweed. This subspecies, on the contrary, prefers dry land with moderately moist soil.

Secrets of caring for the Aubert Highlander

When planting, it is worth considering that during the summer it needs to be provided with moderate watering. If the groundwater in the soil is too low, it is recommended to water the plant as often as possible. If necessary, the knotweed can be fertilized, but even without this it will bear fruit perfectly.

Highlander tolerates drought well, but excessive waterlogging makes it feel uncomfortable.

Remember that young plants do not tolerate frost quite well, so they need to be covered for the winter. If severe cold sets in in the fall and the leaves of the knotweed die, then its stems must be cut off immediately. Sometimes the foliage of a plant begins to turn yellow with the arrival of autumn, so upon arrival at a suburban area in the spring, it is worth removing all brown and wilted leaves.

Reproduction methods

By and large, this plant does not need artificial propagation, since it grows well on its own. However, if such a need nevertheless arises, you can use any of four methods: use seeds, cuttings, dividing the rhizome or bush.

Keep in mind that each subspecies has its own preferences. As a rule, seeds should be sown in late spring immediately after frosts have subsided. In this case, the seeds can either be immediately placed in the ground, or they can be pre-germinated in boxes.

If we talk about Aubert's knotweed, this plant prefers cuttings. Let's take a closer look at the features of this procedure.

Cuttings of knotweed

Cuttings can be performed both in spring and summer. Plants must be planted at a distance of 20 to 60 cm from each other. It should be borne in mind that replanting new shoots is often not required. By the way, in one area they can live up to 10 years.

In order to perform the cutting procedure, it is necessary to prepare the source material. Branches with at least two nodes should be used as shoots. Also, the cuttings must be treated with Kornevin.

After this, you need to prepare the bed that needs to be insulated. You need to make sure that the temperature of the earth is slightly higher than the environment. In this case, the rooting of the new plant will occur much faster. In order to organize high-quality insulation, it is necessary to place a little horse manure at the base of the ridge, sprinkle it on top with fertile soil and sand mixed with peat in equal proportions.

Landing is quite simple. The lower node of the prepared cutting must be buried 1-2 cm into the ground, then covered with polyethylene or other material in order to create the necessary microclimate around the plant. For winter, plants must be dug up and stored at a temperature of no more than +2 °C. After this, the finished shoots can be safely planted in the spring.

On a note

As has already been said many times, this plant spreads quite actively throughout the countryside, but there is a special trick that can help you avoid aggressive occupation of fertile territory. To do this, it is necessary to create limiters up to 30 cm deep around the knotweed.

Please note that in conditions of severe drought, or, conversely, high humidity, flower clusters may form on plant stems. In this case, the plant will look a little more modest and graceful in appearance.

If we talk about the root system of the knotweed, it is characterized by increased creeping, so the flower spreads not only above the ground, but also below it. That is why it is necessary to weed not only the upper parts of unwanted shoots, but also thin out their rhizomes. However, this disadvantage can turn into an advantage if you need to quickly green up an unsightly garden plot.

This plant is very popular among landscape designers, as it can be used to quickly create decorative fences and other living fences.

Procurement and storage

As a rule, it is customary to collect highlander from the second ten days of June until the end of autumn. It is advisable to perform this procedure during a period of drought, at the moment when the plant begins to bloom. To do this, it is necessary to separate all excess parts from the knotweed and dry it in the open air. It is recommended to avoid direct sunlight.

It is best to dry the plant in the attic. In this type of room there is enough fresh air, and the sun does not dry it out. If necessary, special drying devices can be used. In this case, the temperature should be set no higher than 45-50 °C. Ready shoots are stored in woven bags or cardboard boxes. This is how highlander retains all its properties for almost two years. After such a long period of storage, it is not recommended to use dried herbs.

Use of knotweed in everyday life

According to reviews, Aubert's knotweed is successfully used as a healthy feed for livestock. This plant has a huge amount of nutrients, so it is used along with clover and alfalfa.

In ancient times, the above-ground parts and roots of plants were used to give fabrics a yellow tint. Today, this unique plant is used in the production of wine or liqueurs. If you are talking about cooking, then young knotweed is suitable for making salads or cooking vitamin soups. In some Central Asian countries, knotweed is used as a filling for pies, and some nationalities use this herb to clean dishes.

Medicinal properties

Polygonum contains a huge amount of tannins, silicic and ascorbic acids, and carotene. Thanks to this, the herb is considered healing. It is used in the treatment of inflammatory processes occurring in the stomach, liver and kidneys.

Also in folk medicine, tincture of knotweed is widely used. It is used to remove stones from urolithiasis. In addition, this plant is actively used in the form of decoctions, powder, tinctures, extracts, etc. Scientists have proven that this unpretentious plant has a lot of useful properties.

Use in folk medicine

Aubert's knotweed is widely used in folk medicine. As a rule, it is used to improve digestion. In this case, the rhizomes of the plant are poured with alcohol in equal proportions and infused.

Knotweed is widely used for ear diseases. In this case, knotweed is used. In addition, it is used for a number of many medical procedures, as it has a huge number of positive properties.

What types of knotweed are often grown in suburban areas?

In addition to Aubert's knotweed, other varieties of grass are also grown in the gardens. Very often you can see a related knotweed in a suburban area. Externally, this plant is characterized by its short stature; as a rule, it spreads slightly along the ground. You can also find double-twisted knotweed, which is also called its homeland, Japan, China and the Himalayas. It is also suitable for growing in harsh climates.

All varieties of this plant are distinguished by their attractive appearance and unique unpretentiousness. They can be successfully used as components of a design composition or as separately planted plants. In addition, Aubert's knotweed vines tolerate pruning very well, so you can give the plant any shape. All procedures for the decorative formation of a grass carpet can be carried out at any time of the year. Highlander is distinguished by its enormous vitality, therefore such procedures do not have a negative impact on it. However, do not forget to promptly limit its growth. Otherwise, in a few years this plant will fill the entire area and crowd out other flowers, so take care of at least minimal care - Aubert's knotweed is very aggressive in growth.

The knotweed plant is quite popular among experienced gardeners. Knotweed is a special plant that has a huge number of subspecies that differ significantly from one another. Knotweed can be found in many parts of the world; there are more than 250 of its subspecies. 20 are used in our country, and they amaze the eye with their decorativeness.

Highbush knotweed is usually planted to green the banks near mini-lakes, ponds, to create beautiful fences and to make silage for livestock. The most relevant of the highest are the following types:

1. 1 Eastern. The annual plant can grow up to 2 m in height and has voluminous paniculate inflorescences. The flowers are bright red, light pink, soft purple or snow-white. The leaves are green, oval-shaped, sharp at the ends. When the plant fades, you can see black nuts. This type of knotweed blooms in the last month of summer until late autumn. It is easy to care for; it loves rich and moist soil. It grows both in forests and steppes, and in home gardens. You can often see it in forest belts, steppe areas and meadows. As a plant for decoration, knotweed is grown in China and Primorye.
2. 2 Sakhalin. A tall perennial with a creeping root system. It grows up to 5 m in height, the branches are not crooked and have good strength. The foliage has an oval shape, length 30 cm, width 25 cm. The flowers are snow-white, the inflorescence is in the form of a panicle. Flowering time is up to 90 days from mid-July. The plant tolerates cold well. Found in Russia and Japan. This subspecies descends slopes and grows in mountainous areas. Gardeners plant it to decorate ancient buildings, near water, to create a fence. Traditional healers add fresh leaves to medicinal dishes. Knotweed is also used as food for cattle. This type of plant grows very quickly, so many gardeners prefer not to grow it.
3. 3 Japanese. A tall shrub grows up to 5 m in height. The branches are hollow, similar to bamboo. The leaves are green, medium-sized, oval-shaped with frequent veins. The flowers are small, soft cream, paniculate inflorescences. The plant blooms in early autumn. This is the fastest growing species, making it possible to quickly create a magnificent fence that will protect the territory of the dacha from prying eyes. Excellent resistance to pruning. The branches can be used to make baskets and other crafts. The plant grows very actively, it is extremely difficult to remove it.

Low-growing species are used to decorate the dacha area, create decorative compositions and as living fences. The most popular of the low-growing plants are Capitate and Related mountaineers.

The first one is not a perennial, it grows very quickly. Reaches a height of up to 150 mm, branches well. The foliage is medium-sized, green with bright red veins and spots. The inflorescences are neat, resemble mini-cones, and consist of whitish flowers with a small inclusion of pink.

The second species was brought from the Himalayas. Grows up to 250 mm. The foliage is elongated and green. The flowers have the appearance of compacted spikelets. The color can be soft pink or deep red. The inflorescences are approximately 120 mm long. This species blooms from early spring until the end of summer. When the flowers fade, the foliage turns red. It grows well in the shade, but can successfully spread in illuminated areas. You can water infrequently, as the plant survives drought normally. If water stagnates, the root system may rot. It has excellent frost resistance, but can freeze if there is no snow mass. The plant is very beautiful, used to decorate summer cottages, and withstands being in the vicinity of perennials. It grows beautifully and decorates the area.

Baljuana bindweed

Baljuan knotweed is a perennial liana that reaches a height of up to 15 m. It is used for landscaping vertical structures on the territory. The flowers of this species of knotweed are small, snow-white, and turn pink when the temperature drops. The leaves are dark green. The stems of an older vine become stiffer.

The Baljuan species prefers cool places. The plant must be watered in a timely manner. If planted in direct sun, the knotweed will stop growing and the foliage will curl and become small.

To give the plant a decorative appearance, the knotweed liana is pruned and shaped. Molding also gives impetus to the appearance of flower stalks. This type of knotweed survives frosts well down to 23 °C. When the vines freeze, the root system quickly recovers, and stable growth is observed in the spring.

Baljuan knotweed grows actively and quite quickly, so it will add beauty to fences, buildings and vertical surfaces.

Use in alternative medicine

In alternative medicine, knotweed is used to treat various pathologies. They treat eyes, gout, and eliminate problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It has a healing, astringent and antimicrobial effect. And this is not all the useful qualities of the mountaineer.

For therapeutic purposes, alpine or snake knotweed is usually used. These perennials have a pipe-like stem and medium-sized flowers. The flowers can be snow-white, soft pinkish, bright crimson, and they are collected in a spike-inflorescence.

Highlander, which was collected in May, will bring maximum benefit. The plant has a strong bactericidal effect, effectively stops the flow of blood and eliminates the inflammatory process. It is used for the treatment of diarrhea, gastrointestinal pathologies, problems with the gallbladder, pathologies of the throat, oral cavity, to eliminate purulent wounds and serious ulcers.

Alpine knotweed is also called taran, or sorrel. The plant resembles a beautiful weed. Dense bushes reach a height of 2 m. The stems of knotweed are branched, especially from above. The root system is strong and creeping. The foliage is green, oblong in shape. At the ends of the branches there are panicles of neat snow-white flowers. This type of plant blooms in mid-summer. In the wild it grows in forest belts, steppe areas and meadows. It does not require special care and grows actively. They are planted on the site in order to decorate old buildings or grow a spectacular fence.

This type of plant is successfully used in unconventional practice for the treatment of diarrhea and high blood pressure. The plant contains a large amount of vitamin C and is used for preventive purposes for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

The abundance of varieties makes the knotweed a unique plant. There are subspecies that have healing qualities, and there are those that are suitable only for decoration, there are valuable plants for livestock feed, and there are also pest weeds that are dangerous to plant in suburban areas.

To avoid getting an undesirable result after planting, when purchasing a plant, you need to become thoroughly familiar with its characteristics.

Variable and viviparous

Variable knotweed grows up to 200 mm in length and has a very branched stem at the top. At the top of the plant there are voluminous panicle inflorescences, which consist of small snow-white flowers, they resemble an air cloud. Blooms in July, blooms until the end of the season.

Variable knotweed is undemanding in care, tolerates winter excellently and grows in any soil. Brought to Russia from eastern Asian countries, so it feels excellent. The plant reaches a height of 2 m and, unlike the Sakhalin knotweed, is completely covered with elongated leaves, which makes the plant look voluminous and is perfect for creating a beautiful fence. The stems are straight, the roots are very strong. The flowers smell spicy, and after they bloom, decorative fluffy inflorescences remain in the form of panicles.

The viviparous knotweed is neat, differs from its tall “relatives” in that it is up to 0.5 m long. Introduced from the European and Asian continents, where this species grows in swamps and forest belts, that is, everywhere. The straight, stiff, gnarled stems are covered in tough green foliage. A huge number of stems have racemose-spikelet refined inflorescences between the nodes, the length of which is up to 150 mm, and they consist of small pink-crimson flowers. They are very juicy and look incredibly beautiful.

The plant, like all mountaineers, blooms for quite a long time, throughout the summer season, while the panicle-inflorescences do not lose their spikelet shape and aesthetic appearance. In garden plots, such a long-flowering plant looks great, especially when all the vegetation has already faded.

The viviparous knotweed loves moisture and saturated soil. It should be planted in a semi-shady place, then the flowers will be very beautiful and bright. It is better to plant it near the water or on an alpine hill; this will add grace and charm to the area.

Aubert's Mountain Loach

There are a great many subspecies of mountaineer. Knotweed bindweed is very similar to vines, reaching lengths of up to 15 m, but only under certain conditions. This variety of highlander does not require scrupulous care and therefore feels great both in the sun and in shady areas. The radical difference is that under the sun's rays it blooms thicker and more beautiful.

The key to good growth and proper growth of bindweed is a sufficient amount of nutrients and moisture. Aubert's knotweed does not tolerate drought; it must be watered systematically. During hot periods and when the soil is poor, this type of knotweed will be attacked by aphids, so the plant must be watered systematically.

Don't forget about mulch. Like all bindweeds, the knotweed liana requires a support on which it will climb - it is necessary to prepare a reliable support, since an adult plant is not easy.

The liana propagates by seeds and cuttings. In summer, knotweed propagates by treetops, and at sub-zero temperatures by lignified cuttings. They can reach 30 cm in length. They must be planted in prepared soil.

Before planting, the seeds should be stratified: kept in a cold place for 60 days, it is better to put them in the freezer. Further, everything will depend on the sowing period: in the spring, you need to sow in beds, and in the autumn, plant seedlings in boxes. The seeds need to be deepened by 10 mm.

To decorate a suburban area, only 2 main types of knotweed are used: Aubert and Baljuan. Baljuan was described above. Auberta is a low-growing bush-shaped species. Shoots can grow up to half a meter. Auberta blooms from mid-summer to October. White flowers are located on top and look like neat buds collected in clusters. Fresh foliage has a soft reddish tint and turns completely green after a while. In winter, the plant may not survive; the loach liana will freeze in severe frosts, but when warm days come, the Highlander will quickly come to life.