Ledum is an evergreen shrub from the Heather family. The scientific name - ledum (ledum) - brings it closer to incense, since dense leaves also exude an intense woody aroma. The word "Ledum" from the ancient Russian language is translated as stupefying, poisonous, intoxicating. Sometimes the plant is called oregano, hemlock, bagul, and the theologian. Its habitat is quite wide. It affects the Northern Hemisphere, in particular the temperate subarctic zone. Ledum is very often used for medicinal purposes, but can also serve to decorate the garden.
The appearance of the plant
Ledum is a perennial shrub or shrub with a height of 50-120 cm. It is nourished by a branched surface rhizome with short processes. Rigid branched stems do not differ in large diameter. They can be erect, ascending or creeping. Young shoots of olive-green color are covered with rusty pubescence, but over time they become covered with bare dark bark.
Leathery short-leaved foliage persists throughout the year. It has an elongated or lanceolate shape with a relief central vein and edges turned down. The color of the leaves is dark green. In bright light, it becomes brownish brown. Leathery leaves are growing again. From rubbing them, a sharp stupefying smell emanates.
In April-June, dense umbrella blossoms bloom on the shoots of last year. Each flower has a short peduncle. White oval petals form a bell-shaped cup. The number of all flower elements is a multiple of 5. Ledum is pollinated by insects, after which dry seed boxes with 5 sections ripen. Small winged seeds huddle in them.
Attention! All parts of Ledum are poisonous! After contact with the plant, be sure to wash your hands. Even just being near the thickets and breathing in the aroma, you can soon feel dizzy and weak. Although Ledum is a good honey plant, its pollen and honey are poisonous. You can try the product only after prolonged heat treatment and in small quantities.
Types of Ledum
The genus of ledum has only 6 species of plants. Of these, 4 grow in Russia.
Ledum is swamp. A typical representative of the genus, common in temperate climates. It is a dense bush up to 1.2 m high. Raised branched shoots are covered with a rusty short pile. The dark green shiny leaves exude a pleasant smell. In late spring, dense umbrellas or shields bloom with white or light pink small flowers.
Green rosemary. Rigid lodging stems grow up to 90 cm in length. They have a light brown color. On the shoots close to each other, like bright green soft needles, narrow linear leaves are located. On the reverse side of the twisted leaves there is a felt pile. During flowering, small (up to 6 cm wide) umbrellas bloom with white or cream colors. The species perfectly tolerates even severe frosts.
Ledum is large-leaved. The inhabitant of the Far East, Japan and Korea grows 40-80 cm in height. It settles on stony embankments and mountain slopes. Oval foliage is 3-4 cm long and 8-15 mm wide. On the young processes and the back of the leaves there is a thick red pile.
A few years ago, rhododendron was a synonym for ledum. Until now, some gardeners attribute Transbaikal Ledum to this genus, however, in fact, it is only a distant relative and has the scientific name "rhododendron daursky". The plant also represents a highly branched bush 50-200 cm in height. The branches are covered with narrow dense leaves of a dark green color. But the flowers have a rich pink tint. Often, this “rosemary" can be seen in a vase in a bouquet composition.
Breeding methods
Ledum perfectly propagated by seed and vegetative methods. In nature, new plants often appear from seeds. They are collected from ripe small boxes, which themselves crack from bottom to top. From afar, achenes resemble tiny chandeliers. Seeds are harvested in the fall, but sown only in the early spring. To do this, prepare containers with loose garden soil mixed with sand. The soil should be loose and moist, and also have an acid reaction. Seeds are distributed on the surface and only slightly pressed into the soil. The container is covered with a transparent material and put in a cool place. Periodically, the greenhouse is aired and watered. Shoots appear after 25-30 days. The grown seedlings are planted in separate peat pots or in another box with a greater distance so that the roots do not get tangled.
Garden plants are conveniently propagated by layering. To do this, flexible branches are tilted to the soil and fixed in a hole with a depth of 20 cm. The top must be left on the surface. After rooting, the shoot is separated.
A large bush during the spring transplant can be divided into several parts. For this, the plant is completely dug up, freed from the ground and cut into divisions. Places of cuts are treated with crushed charcoal. The roots do not dry out and immediately determine the seedlings in a permanent place.
For cuttings, semi-lignified shoots with 2-3 leaves are cut during the summer. The lower section is treated with growth stimulants and root shoots in pots with loose and nutritious soil. The leaves nearest to the soil are cut off completely or shortened the leaf plate. Rooting and adaptation takes a long period, so seedlings are transferred to open ground only next spring.
Landing and care
Ledum belongs to unpretentious plants, so owners do not cause much trouble. Planting is best done in the spring, although this is not necessary for plants with a closed rhizome. Since the roots are located close to the surface of the earth, they dig a landing hole 40-60 cm deep. River sand or pebbles 5-8 cm thick are poured to the bottom. The soil itself should be sufficiently acidic and loose. It is advisable to plant bushes on moist soils with the addition of needles. If several plants are planted at once, the distance between them is 60-70 cm. After completion of all work, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly. Then the ground near the bushes is mulched with peat.
In the natural environment, rosemary grows near water bodies, so regular watering is of great importance. Irrigation is not necessary only with frequent rainfall. Lighting for plants is not too important. They feel equally good in a sunny place and in partial shade. Even with strong shading, the rosemary will not die, but it may look less decorative and bloom less often.
From time to time, the soil should be loosened and weeds removed. However, do not forget that the roots are located close to the surface, so be careful. Several times during the season (spring and summer), Ledum is fertilized with mineral complexes. In March and October, pruning is carried out. Sprouts that are knocked out of a given shape are shortened, and dry and damaged branches are removed.
Winters are not terrible for Ledum. It tolerates even severe frosts, but in the absence of snow, young growth can freeze to the height of the snow cover. In spring, it is enough to remove the affected branches and their young growth will quickly take their place.
Ledum is resistant to plant diseases. Flooding of the soil does not scare him, but only with regular loosening. Without air access, the fungus can still develop. Very rarely bugs and spider mites settle on shoots. It is easy to get rid of them with the help of insecticides. More often the plant itself repels annoying insects, including from neighbors in the flower bed.
Garden use
A dense crown with narrow dark green leaves and reddish pubescence looks very decorative in the garden. Ledum is suitable for landscaping moist soils, banks of ponds and rivers, rocky embankments, as well as the space under trees. Plants look best in group plantings. Often tape stands are used as hedges or for zoning the site. Ledum can be made up of heather, cranberries, blueberries, rhododendron, gaulteria, stachis and cereals.
Beneficial features
Leaves and flowers of Ledum contain many biologically active substances recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine. Among them:
- essential oils;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- vitamin C;
- gum;
- volatile production.
Since ancient times, the decoction has been used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It was used externally, adding to baths or compresses, and also drank to combat cough, SARS and intestinal infections.
Tea with the addition of rosemary leaves soothes and fights insomnia. The plant copes with diseases such as pneumonia, whooping cough, bronchitis, liver and kidney diseases, gastritis, eczema, boils, chickenpox, cholecystitis. Drugs are also good for women's health. They strengthen muscles and fight sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, in different countries, the "specialization" of Ledum may differ.
They have plants and household purposes. The smell of foliage scares away blood-sucking insects and moths.
Ledum is contraindicated for people suffering from allergies and sensitive to the components of the plant. Since it increases the tone of the uterus, treatment is unacceptable for pregnant women. And of course, the dosage cannot be exceeded, so treatment is best done under the supervision of a doctor.
Signs and superstitions
Ledum grass is shrouded in a large number of legends, and superstitions will be accepted, so many doubt whether it is worth keeping it in the house. Although some are wary of wild rosemary, it is very useful, prevents the spread of pathogenic microbes in the air and heals the body. Of course, if you leave a lot of flowering branches in a small room, the household will have a headache. Hence the omen that rosemary increases nervousness, irritability and brings troubles. But a couple of sprouts will not do much harm. On the contrary, they will clear the atmosphere of negative energy and fill the room with a pleasant unobtrusive aroma.
