The tree shrike doesn't have the best reputation. With the right care, it can be a real asset to your garden.
The name round-leaved tree shrike (Celastrus orbiculatus) does not make you think of a distinctive garden plant and in fact it does not enjoy the best reputation among hobby gardeners. The climbing plant is considered the "constrictor" among the plants. Small trees are literally crushed by the round-leaved tree shrike. But if you choose the right location and come to terms with the peculiarities of the plant, you can enjoy a climbing plant that can cause admiration all year round with its pretty autumn colors and orange berries.
Origin of the Round-leaved Tree Shrike
The distribution area of the round-leaved tree shrike is in Asia. The plant is native to China, Korea, Mongolia and Japan. Natural deposits can also be found on the island of Sakhalin in eastern Russia. The round-leaved tree shrike was planted in the USA and New Zealand and was able to spread over large areas. The natural occurrences extend to mixed forests and forest edges. The round-leaved tree shrike has been known in Europe since the late 18th century. The climbing plant was first described by Carl Peter von Thunberg, a Swedish botanist and naturalist.
Special features of the round-leaved tree shrike
The creeper prefers to climb the trunks of larger tree species. If the round-leaved tree shrike does not find a suitable climbing opportunity, the twining shoots run along the ground. With ideal site conditions and existing climbing aids, the plant can easily climb up to ten meters in height.
The climbing plant exerts enormous pressure on its trellis. This can literally strangle weaker trees. Crushed downpipes are also not uncommon. For large trees, the round-leaved tree shrike is usually not a major problem.
The round-leaved tree shrike has attractive orange fruit shoots. The infructescence of the climbing plant decorates the wintry garden or can be processed into pretty autumnal arrangementsbecome.
| Round-leaved tree shrike (Celastrus orbiculatus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 30 - 150 cm a year |
| Growth: | 800 - 1,200 cm |
| Growth: | 400 - 800 cm |
| Root system: | Shallow roots |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | moderate |
Find a suitable location for the round-leaved tree shrike
Most climbing plants like to keep their "head" in the sun, but prefer shade on their "feet". The round-leaved tree shrike is no exception. The hardy plants do well on the east or west facades of buildings.
The plants are ideal for greening facades. The picture appears particularly decorative when the tree shrike is planted together with the wisteria. While the wisteria knows how to impress with its attractive flowers in spring and early summer, the round-leaved tree shrike shows its charms in autumn.
The plants can also be used to green stable pavilions and pergolas. These should be firmly anchored in the ground and made of steel if possible. As a ground cover, the tree shrike will spread over large areas, making it less than ideal in small gardens. In park-like gardens with old trees, however, the climbing plant is a welcome companion as a surface greener.
Suitable plant neighbors in the autumn garden are asters, grasses or sedum plants.
Selecting the ideal substrate for the round-leaved tree shrike
The plants are not very demanding on the substrate. A humus-rich and slightly moist garden soil is ideal. Heavy soils get less of the climbing plant. Here it makes sense to loosen the substrate with sand.
Calcy substrates are less well accepted. If the soil is too nutrient-rich, it can quickly happen that the round-leaved tree shrike starts to proliferate and the growth can hardly be controlled.
Planting the Tree Shrike
Since the round-leaved tree shrike is usually sold in pots, it can be planted all year round.
The most important thing when planting is a suitable climbing aid. If the plant is to climb the house wall, special rope systems are available. These are attached a few centimeters from the wall of the house and keep the climber at a distanceWall.
Gutters and downspouts should be kept away from the vine. Large trees can serve as a natural climbing aid. However, smaller trees with thin bark usually cannot withstand the climbing plant.
Planting the tree shrike - step by step
1. Select location2. Prepare soil
3. Attach climbing aid
4. Dig plant hole
5. Water root ball6. Insert the plant
7. Fill up the substrate
8. Press the soil
9. Water the plant
Tip: If you want to enjoy the attractive infructescence, plant a male and a female plant.
What to look out for when attaching the climbing aid
The round-leaved tree shrike has a wild and aggressive growth habit. This can lead to considerable damage to facades or plants. Appropriate climbing aids are commercially available. The cable systems can be used for targeted house greening and ensure constant parallel guidance.
Sturdy rope systems that are not crushed by the round-leaved tree shrike are important. If you have a stable pergola, you can pull the plant up on it and continue to climb the crossbeams. In addition to the climbing aid, young plants should be given additional support with a grid or stake.
What should be considered when caring for the round-leaved tree shrike?
The plants do not require much maintenance. Watering should be done regularly. The soil should not dry out completely. It is beneficial to mulch the soil to ensure the fine roots receive adequate moisture.
Tip: The round-leaved tree shrike does not need to be fertilized. The plant grows luxuriantly and quickly anyway.
Pruning the Tree Shrike
Pruning actions can be performed at any time. This can curb growth upwards. The development of ground-level creepers should also be kept under control.
You can guide the shoots vertically upwards or remove them. This is necessary because the shoots quickly form their own roots and the plant spreads quickly and uncontrollably in the garden.
Propagating the Tree Shrike
Propagation is possible by sowing, but ultimately not very profitable. Offshoots or sticks can be easily obtained and guarantee faster propagation success. The flowering starts earlierand the sex of the climbing plant is also known from the start.
→ Sticks
Sticks are cut in the fall when the plant has lost its foliage. The sticks are then simply stuck into the ground and should have formed roots in spring and sprout fresh.
→ Offshoot
Propagation by offshoots can be carried out all year round. The ideal time is autumn. A shoot that has already lost its foliage is guided flat on the ground and fixed with hooks to ensure contact with the ground. A year later, new roots will have formed in several places.
The rooted sections can be dug up separately and separated from the mother plant. In this way, new plants can be obtained that can be transplanted separately.
Diseases and pests of the round-leaved tree shrike
The round-leaved tree shrike is rarely visited by diseases or pests. Occasionally an infestation with powdery mildew or vine weevil is observed.
Overwintering the tree shrike
The robust plant does not need any protection in winter. The tree shrike can tolerate temperatures down to - 28 degrees. If the plant has lost its leaves, it hardly needs to be watered. The infructescences are left on the branches and are pretty eye-catchers in the dreary conservatory.