Photinia is an evergreen tree of Photinia of Rosaceae. The branches are brown and gray; Scales are brown and hairless; The leaves are leathery, and the shape of the leaves is rectangular, obovate or obovate. Petals white, suborbicular; The fruit is red, spherical, and then brownish purple; The seeds are smooth brown oval.
Flowering in April-May; The fruiting period is 10 month. Li Shizhen explained that he was born in a sunny place between rocks, so he was named Heather (South). The efficacy of heather is recorded in the ancient books Bielu, Materia Medica from the Heart and Compendium of Materia Medica.
Photinia is native to the southern slope of Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi, southern Gansu and the provinces south of Huaihe River Basin. I like warm and humid climate, I like light, I have a little tolerance for shade, and I can withstand short-term low temperature of-15℃. The requirements for soil are not strict, and it is better to use fertile, moist, deep soil layer, well-drained and slightly acidic sandy soil.
Heather is often planted in courtyards, roadsides and street intersections, and the crown can be trimmed and shaped. Wood can be used to make wheels and handles of utensils, seeds can be pressed for oil to make soap, roots can be extracted for tannin extract, and fruits can also be used as raw materials for wine making. Dried leaves can be used medicinally.
Matters needing attention in planting heather
Before planting heather, an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer and perlite should be added to the soil. Organic fertilizer can increase soil fertility and promote plant growth, and perlite can increase soil permeability and drainage.
Heather likes humid growing environment, and water evaporates quickly in summer. You can sprinkle water around the heather and be careful not to water it too much, otherwise it will lead to root rot.
During the growth of heather, fertilizer should be applied once every half month, and appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied before flowering to promote the flowering of plants. Pay attention to the concentration of fertilizer should not be too high, and stop fertilization in winter.