Irga is a common ornamental shrub, the most well-known varieties of which are Canadian irga, common, round-leaved and spiky. Irga Canadian is considered the best representative of the family.
Canadian Irga: species description and popular varieties
Irga canadian - deciduous multi-stemmed plant of the Rosaceae family (Rosaceae). The height of the shrub ranges from 3 to 8 meters. The tree has strongly branched roots, placed close to the ground surface. The young bush has an elongated loose crown, the shape of which expands with time and becomes umbrella-shaped. Only 40 years later the tree will reach 6 m in height and 7-8 m in width.
The leaf of the plant is petiolate, elliptical or oblong-ovoid, pointed at the end, pointed at the edge. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green in color, the reverse side is pale green. In the blooming phase, the leaf takes on a copper-red hue, and in the fall it becomes orange-yellow or red. 
Numerous flowers are collected in rare vertical clusters, placed along the entire length of the shoots. The flowers are bisexual, five-petalled (star-shaped), odorless, white or cream-colored. The period of flowering culture falls on April and May. Fruits ripen unevenly in early July.
Small berries have a rounded shape, resembling a small apple. The skin of the berries is very tender, and the flesh is sweet and juicy. The color of the berries is reddish purple or bluish black.
Habitat - North America, the peninsula of Crimea, the Caucasus. 
On the basis of the Canadian shadberry many varieties were created. Consider the most popular ones.
- "Slate" - early culture with large black berries. Fruits with high sugar content have a great aroma, taste and juiciness.
- "Mandam" - Mid-season shrub, reaching up to 3 meters in height. The plant gives a big crop even in adverse years. Fruits are large, sour.
- "Ballerina" - deciduous tall (up to 6 m) tree. Long branches with age hang down to the ground. The fruits are juicy and sweet. The variety grows well in urban environments. In the berries do not accumulate harmful components from gassy air.
- "Krasnoyarsk" - late-ripening variety, the berries of which are ready to be harvested in the middle of summer. The fruits are especially large, sweet and sour. The variety brings a great harvest and is adapted for cultivation in the harsh climatic conditions of the Central Belt and the North-West. The plant shows excellent winter hardiness.
Did you know? Any variety of irgi is suitable for eating. In addition, they are used both in fresh and in canned form. Juices, compotes, jelly, jam, jam, jelly and marshmallow are made from the fruits. Irgu is sometimes called northern grapes or wine grapes. This is due to the fact that the berries of this plant produces a tasty and aromatic wine.
Landing features
Irga Canadian fruits annually. The plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil, can withstand strong shading and flooding. There are no special preferences for the terrain either.
Lighting for growing
When choosing a site for planting Canadian snow leopards, it is important to consider lighting. For a tree it is better to choose a well-lit area, which is a guarantee of normal growth and fertility of irgi. On shaded areas, the yield of shrubs is much less.
Soil requirements
In search of nutrients, the roots of the Canadian shadberry grow wildly, releasing root growth to the surface. Therefore, the plant is best grown in sandy soils and fertile loams. The ideal soil mixture: turf ground (2 parts), sand (1 part), peat (1 part). 
Irga grows equally well on soils with different acidity.
How to plant canadian irgu
Consider the basic rules of preparing Canadian ergi for planting. The main key to a good result in the growth of shrubs is the correct choice of planting time and planting pit.
Landing dates
It is advisable to plant a canadian irgi in open ground in autumn or early spring. Most gardeners prefer the autumn period. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a place for planting from the spring.
Important! If you do not have the opportunity to plant seedlings immediately after purchase, temporarily prikopite them anywhere in the garden plot. The main thing is that the place was rather dark. Such a measure is necessary so that the seedlings are not lost.
Landing pit preparation
The tree is usually planted in a small landing pit with drainage. Dig a groove with sides of 6 cm and a depth of 5 cm. The landing site must be cleared of weeds, dug up and kept under steam. 7-8 days before planting, lay a small layer of potash and phosphate fertilizers on the bottom of the landing pit, or add a mixture of humus (bucket), phosphate (500 g) and a little lime. Stir and tamp the mixture thoroughly. After a while the soil is again digged. 
Landing pattern
The technology of planting a bush will not cause difficulties even for a novice gardener. The process of planting is not significantly different from the landing of any other fruit culture.
Tree planting scheme:
- The prepared soil mixture is transferred to the planting pit.
- In the center of the pit form a cone, at the top of which establish a sapling. The roots of the seedling spread on the slopes of the cone.
- Then the pit is covered with the rest of the soil.
- Landing plentifully irrigate 10-15 liters of water. Over time, the soil in the area will shed a little, so the soil will need to be trimmed.
- To ensure optimal growth conditions of the tree, the soil around the irgi needs to be mulched. For this purpose, use dry land, peat or dried humus.
Important! If it is planned to plant several trees on the site, it is preferable to do this in a staggered manner with a distance of at least 50 cm between them.
Plant Care Basics
Irga Canadian unpretentious care. Shrub resistant to frost, drought, wind and waterlogging. This culture does not require regular watering and feeding. Only in the third year after planting, every six months the soil begins to be fed: long-acting nitrogen fertilizers are introduced in the spring, and phosphate-potassium fertilizers in the autumn.
Do not forget about organic fertilizers (manure, sawdust, bird droppings, green manure, tree bark). They contain nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and other plant nutrients, as well as organic matter, which has a positive effect on soil properties.
Before winter, when the movement of nutrients along the trunk of a tree slows down, irguu can be cut off, leave only 15 cm from the ground, and the rest is cut off.
Breeding
Canadian shadberry propagation is propagated by cuttings, seeds, and root suckers. The most successful method is reproduction by cuttings.
- Reproduction by seeds. Seeds are washed several times with cold water until only high-quality dishes remain on the bottom. They are sown at the beginning of autumn, 2 g per 1 meter of the plot. Sown seeds will germinate next spring or a year later.
- Reproduction of root suckers. To begin with, seedlings with well developed roots are selected. Plants are dug up with roots. Reproduction is carried out by tearing off the siblings from the maternal root. Planting seedlings must be strictly vertically.
- Irrigation cuttings are held in summer. After cutting the seedlings are planted in a greenhouse, watered abundantly and covered with polyethylene. In conditions of sufficient air humidity, after 20 days they will take root. Rooted seedlings for the next year can be transplanted into open soil.
Pests and diseases
Canadian irga is rarely affected by diseases and pests. Of the pests, the most often occurs is the leaf-shaker and the fruit cap moth. Treating Karbofos, Fufanon or Aktellik helps in the fight against these pests. However, usually the pests do not cause particular harm to the shrub.
Did you know? In the fruits of the Canadian shadberry concentrated an impressive amount of useful substances that have a positive effect in various diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Berries have a tonic effect, reduce high pressure, help with sclerosis, lead to normal cholesterol levels.
There are also a number of diseases affecting the horticultural plant: tuberculosis, moniliosis, gray rot, and necri necrosis of the cortex. To prevent these diseases, it is enough to spray trees with antifungal agents and insecticides in early spring.To control pests use such insecticides: "Calypso", "Aktara", "Kemifos", "Enzio", "Decis", "Vertimek", "Fastak".
Summing up, we note that not everywhere has this culture received due attention. However, once seeing this shrub in bloom and having tasted its tasty and healthy fruits, you will certainly wish to plant it in your garden.
