Griselinia

Family. Cornaceae.

Origin. New Zealand.

Description. Griselinia is a large evergreen lush shrub. The leaves are hard, leathery, glossy, green, ovoid, up to 10 cm long, located on short petioles only 1 - 2 cm long. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, yellow-green or red, with 5 petals, collected in racemes, decorative are of no value. The plant is dioecious and bears male and female flowers on separate specimens. There are variegated forms, the leaves of which have white or yellow spots, and young leaf blades are colored more expressively. When the buds are pollinated in the summer months and in the fall, small black berries appear.

Height. Without pruning it can grow up to 1 m quite quickly. Variegated varieties grow slowly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Moderate - warm content at a temperature of 16 - 18 ° C all year round.

Lighting

Prefers well-lit places without direct sun rays, but tolerates partial shade quite well.

Care

A very hardy and unpretentious species. To maintain a compact shape, it is necessary to prune annually in the fall. Griselenia tolerates even strong pruning, so you can easily control its height. Young shoots are often pinched. Variegated varieties are somewhat more demanding of lighting conditions and should also be kept at a higher temperature.

Substrate

Adapts well to any type of soil with good drainage, including very poor, sandy soils.

Feeding

In spring and summer 2 times a month, loves organic matter.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

It is advisable to spray the foliage regularly.

Soil moisture

Water frequently and abundantly in the summer; between waterings, allow the top layer of soil to dry. In winter, water less often. 

Transplant

Young seedlings are replanted annually in spring. Adult specimens can be replanted every 2-3 years, and for large plants the top layer of soil is simply replaced with fresh soil.

Reproduction

Seeds that are sown in the spring. Semi-ripe cuttings about 7 cm long, in July - August. Young plants and crops are kept in a cool place with a temperature of about 18 ° C. Griselinia is easily propagated by any method. 

Pests and diseases

The bush does not like over-watering and stagnant water. In this case, the leaves may turn yellow. Leaf spotting.