Irga - small deciduous tree or shrub that spread throughout the world from temperate regions of the planet’s northern hemisphere. Its fruits were well known and often used as food by the Indians of North America, as well as by the first settlers who arrived in the New World. Irga berry served as a seasoning for dishes made from venison and bison meat.

Residents of Europe learned what irga is in the 16th century. Wine was prepared from its fruits, which tasted like Cahors. 300 years later the plant began to be grown in industrial scale. This was done in Canada and the USA.

Since then, the plant has spread to many regions. globe. There are 25 species. They grow in the countries of young and central Europe, Asia, and North America. Many varieties have qualities such as winter hardiness, thanks to which they can be grown even in the Far North. In Russia, wild serviceberry is found in the Caucasus Mountains and the Crimean Peninsula. And as a garden crop, it is grown in Siberia and the Urals. You can see it in European Russia.

The fruits are eaten fresh, dried, or boiled. In terms of their value, they are comparable to currants.

Botanical description of serviceberry

Irga, or currant, is a deciduous shrub or tree belonging to the rose family. The name of this plant comes from Mongolian languages ​​and means “shrub with very hard wood.”

The common serviceberry has round or oval leaves with a serrated edge, located on long petioles. Their color changes depending on the time of year: when blooming, they acquire a brownish-green hue, in summer they become bluish-green, and in autumn they become crimson and golden. Buds and leaves appear on the bush in the second half of April.

Corinka blooms abundantly, begins in late April - early May and lasts for two weeks. The flowers are white or cream-colored and form corymbose inflorescences. The berries are round, about 1 - 1.5 centimeters in diameter, and when ripe are dark red, almost black. Ripen at the end of July. Their flesh is sweet and juicy.

The shoots of the plant are erect and thin. They grow until the end of July and during the season add up to 100 cm in length, forming a wide, round or funnel-shaped crown of the bush. The roots are well developed, going 30–100 centimeters deep, sometimes 200 cm. Their radius is approximately 2 times larger than the span of the crown. The height of trees can reach 4–6 meters.

Saskatoon grows quickly, so that full productivity of the plant occurs at the age of 8 - 10 years and continues for 20 - 30 years. Then its average yield is 10 - 14 kilograms of berries per bush. The lifespan of a shrub or tree is 60–70 years.

The distinctive properties of currant are its winter hardiness and drought resistance, undemandingness to soil composition, and the ability to grow in slightly darkened conditions. In the northern regions, this plant is almost the only one among all its fruit “relatives”.

Among gardeners, the most preferred for cultivation are Canadian, round-leaved, spicate, and profusely flowering. In addition, the plant is considered decorative. It is used for single and group plantings, in hedges.

Chemical composition of berries

The main value of the plant for humans lies in its berries. They taste slightly sour, slightly tart. The astringent properties of the fruits are due to the tannins they contain. The sourness is a consequence of the content of organic acids, mainly malic. The common irga is rich in fructose and glucose, ascorbic acid, provitamin A and vitamin B2, includes iodine, sterols, flavanols, carotene.

The fruits of this shrub, which should not be confused with poisonous ones wild berries, is a source of useful nutrients. In percentage terms, berries consist of:

• 40% - ascorbic acid;
• 12% - sugars (glucose, fructose);
• 1% — organic acids;
• 0.5% - tannins.

In addition, the composition contains compounds:

• Pectins - normalize intestinal function, remove toxins, improve appetite.
• Phytosterols – have anti-sclerotic properties, reduce the fragility of blood vessels and strengthen them.
• Bioflavonoids – help maintain normal blood sugar levels, protect against hypertension and coronary heart disease, and prevent the formation of blood clots.

Useful and medicinal properties of irgi

Among the many varieties, the Canadian shadberry is considered the most suitable for consumption; its berries are the largest and juiciest. But the benefits of serviceberry and round-leaved serviceberry are higher.

• Saskatoon plant - good remedy to maintain health of cardio-vascular system. It contains antioxidants that help prevent strokes and heart attacks, vitamin P, which strengthens vascular walls, and phytosterols, which reduce the risk of thrombosis. Using tinctures of the plant's flowers, you can lower blood pressure.
• Serviceberry berry is used in the treatment of diseases gastrointestinal tract. Its pulp contains a special enzyme that blocks pain during inflammation. An infusion of serviceberry bark has a similar effect.

• Thanks to cinnamon, you can remove toxins and reduce cholesterol in the blood. By eating fruits, a person receives pectins, which help the liver get rid of toxic compounds and normalize the functioning of the urinary system. And the acids contained in irgi regulate cholesterol.
• All parts of the plant include polyphenolic compounds that slow down the aging process. Therefore, irga can be considered a berry of youth and health.

Contraindications to eating berries

No matter how valuable shadberry is for health, benefits and harms are combined in any product. And Corinka is no exception. Its use is contraindicated in:

1. diabetes mellitus - due to high level carbohydrates in the berry, which is dangerous if the blood glucose level is exceeded;
2. reduced blood pressure - due to the fact that the common shadberry contains substances that reduce blood pressure;
3. poor blood clotting - due to the presence of compounds in the berry that thin the blood;
4. tendency to skin rashes and other manifestations of allergies:
5. obesity.

Children can eat no more than 50 grams of berries per day due to the risk of allergies.

In addition, currant has a calming effect on humans. Therefore, it is not recommended to abuse tinctures, juices, and teas based on irge, otherwise it can lead to deterioration of attention, drowsiness, and chronic fatigue.

Like all medicinal plants, irga can bring benefits to a person, and maybe with misuse harm your health. Therefore, when eating irgi, you must follow a reasonable dosage. And then fresh berries, fruit drinks, tinctures, preserves, and marmalade will delight you with their taste and benefits.

Corinka – unpretentious shrub, in the garden, especially during flowering, it serves as decoration, and in the summer it produces a tasty and healthy harvest.

Irga is a berry bush, but it is not found in every garden. Planting and caring for irga is not particularly difficult, but requires compliance certain rules. The article discusses the features of planting and growing shrubs, as well as methods of its propagation.

Spreading

Irga has become most popular in Europe and North America. Only in Canada last years Breeders have developed many new varieties of serviceberry. They have not yet appeared on the territory of Russia, but there are several varieties that are considered the most suitable not only in terms of berries, but also as an ornamental crop.

Kinds

There are about 25 species of serviceberry in nature, but only a few varieties are grown, and not all of them produce high-quality berries. Often shrubs are planted solely to decorate a garden or personal plot.

The shrub reaches a height of about three meters. It is characterized by a wide crown forming thin branches. Initially they gray, but as the plants mature, they turn brown. The pinkish-white buds bloom for 10 days. At this time, the bush has an unusual appearance.

The species of serviceberry is capable of growing for 15 years, taking root in one place. The advantages include endurance, resistance to cold, drought and winds. Fruiting occurs 4 years after planting in open ground.

Ornamental plant - grows as a bush or small tree. In spring, white or pale pink flowers appear on the serviceberry. The advantages of this species include increased resistance to pests and diseases, and resistance to frost. The plant can even withstand frosts at temperatures of -50 degrees, for which it is especially valued by residents of the north of Russia.

The berries are small, weighing about 5-8 g. As they ripen, the peel changes from a pale green shade to crimson, then to dark blue or black. The plant has a well-developed, superficial root system. The height of the tree does not exceed five meters. The leaves are matte, ovoid, green in color. The taste of the fruit is good, sweetish, but cloying.

The blood-red shadberry is a shrub whose height reaches no more than three meters. Its fruits ripen late and have a flattened shape.

The berries have a mediocre taste and are not eaten by birds, due to the minimal seed content. The berries weigh no more than 8 g. The pulp of the fruit is light, like the juice. One bush produces up to 5 kg of berries.

This is a six-meter shrub or tree up to 10-12 meters high. When the leaves bloom, there are many, which gives the plant splendor, making it silvery. The plant is especially decorative during flowering, completely covered with clusters of white flowers. There are few fruits, but they are tasty and large, containing a lot of acids and sugars.

This species is characterized by good winter hardiness, but in severe winters it can freeze. Planting is carried out in spring or before winter. Effective way propagation is considered to be cuttings. The plant is easy to care for, it practically does not need watering and can be easily trimmed.

IN middle lane The bush grows in height, reaching 2-4 meters. At the end of May, white flowers form on it, then small berries are formed, the weight of which does not exceed 2 g. The brush can contain up to 14 berries. The harvest ripens quickly and is harvested several times. The berries have an excellent taste and contain acids and sugars in equal proportions.

Alder serviceberry is a moisture-loving plant. It is found on the banks of rivers, streams, and on wet slopes, but will not grow in swampy areas. The plant is recommended to be planted in spring or autumn. Two methods of propagation are used - from seeds and cuttings. Irga needs regular watering. Tolerates winter. Fruiting occurs 5 years after planting.

Irga Lamarca – decorative look, cultivated in gardens and parks of Europe. It is rare in Russia, although the variety is considered very resistant to cold and pleases with its appearance throughout the season. Grows in oak and birch forests with acidic soils, also on peat bogs.

The size of the shrub is tall, the leaves, fruits and flowers are large. The leaves are 4-9 cm long, oval in shape and copper-purple in color, both in spring and autumn. The flowers are collected in a drooping raceme. The berries are dark blue. From one bush you get from 5 to 7 kg of berries.

Selection of location and soil

Irga is a fruit-bearing berry bush; it requires indirect Sun rays. The best harvest is harvested from plants planted on sandy loam soddy-podzolic and loamy fertile soils.

The plant is not afraid of shaded areas and lack of moisture, due to which it is permissible to plant it in the area along the fence. Irgu is also planted in the same way as others berry bushes, such as gooseberries or currants.

In spring autumn period seedlings are inserted 8 cm deeper than they grew previously. This is necessary for the growth of more root shoots. Many gardeners choose the most convenient method for them - planting irgi as a hedge. This is how the area is transformed.

Landing

For planting it is recommended to give preference frost-resistant species and varieties characterized by high yields of tasty berries. If irga is an ornamental plant, the yield in this case does not matter at all. The age of the seedlings should come first. It is believed that one- and two-year-old plants take root faster.

When choosing a seedling, gardeners pay attention to a healthy root system: there should be no signs of drying out or rot. It is equally important to inspect the trunk of the seedling so that it is well developed and there is no damage to the bark.

Nurseries offer seedlings with a closed root system, grown in large containers. It is better to choose them for planting. Such a plant will not have to waste time restoring the root system damaged during transplantation; it will take root faster and begin to grow. Container seedlings have no restrictions on planting time - planting is allowed throughout the entire growing season.

Irga is a long-lived plant, so the place for it is carefully selected, taking into account the size, as well as the requirements for growing conditions.

The choice of location is based on the following rules:

1. The area should be well lit - this will contribute to good yield.
2. The soil acidity value should not exceed 6.5-7.
3. Planting of irgi is done on soils with low groundwater levels.
4. The mechanical composition of the soil should be light (sandy loam or loose loam with a high humus content).

All weeds are removed from the selected area. It is better if the soil was kept under “black” fallow during the previous season. It is optimal to sow it with legumes - they improve fertility. Before digging for each square meter add up to 10 kilos of rotted compost or humus, 40 grams of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

Irga planted in the ground in early spring or late autumn. At spring planting make sure that the buds do not swell. At autumn planting the tree should already have shed its leaves, but there will still be 3 weeks left before frost - this is the time required for rooting. Each seedling needs an area of ​​up to 4 squares, so the distance between them should be about two meters. When forming a hedge, seedlings are planted at a distance of up to a meter from each other.

Procedure for planting a seedling:

1. Dig a hole measuring 60x60, throwing the top fertile layer into a separate pile.
2. For a hedge, dig a trench measuring 40x30 cm.
3. Mix upper layer with a bucket of humus, adding 200 g of potassium salt or 1 kg of ash, as well as 300 g of superphosphate.
4. Pour a mound of the prepared mixture onto the bottom of the hole.
5. Install the seedling, carefully straightening its roots. If there are damages, they are removed.
6. Cover the root system with soil so that the root collar remains slightly above the level of the hole.
7. Pour a bucket of water under the bush and mulch the soil with humus.

The video below will serve as an example of planting irgi:

If damage to the root system is noticed during planting, it is necessary to shorten the trunk of the seedling, cutting it off by 4-5 buds.

Features of cultivation

There are some requirements regarding plant care. The growth and development of plants, as well as productivity, depend on their implementation.

Watering

Serviceberry bushes take root well after planting and do not need special care. The plants grow and bear fruit, but with regular and abundant watering, the number of fruits will become noticeably greater. Moist soil better protects the roots and allows the bush to always be healthy and strong.

Top dressing

When the tree is 4-5 years old, annually 300 g of superphosphate, 200 g of potash fertilizer without chlorine, several buckets of humus. Be sure to retreat 20-30 cm from the root collar. From spring to mid-summer, shadberry is fed with liquid organic matter - 5 liters of a 10% solution of chicken manure for each bush.

It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizers at night after heavy watering or rain, and scatter dry fertilizers throughout trunk circle, retreating 30 cm from the bush, embedding them in the soil, and then watering the area. As you grow, the amount of fertilizer increases.

Trimming

Although the shadberry tolerates pruning without complications, this procedure is carried out only when necessary. To do this less often, follow some recommendations:

• plant the plant in a well-lit area so that the sun’s rays penetrate into the very thick of the bush;
• trim only low varieties of irgi, since tall bushes cannot be trimmed when fully grown even when using a ladder;
• pruning is done 1-2 years after planting the bush;
• the procedure is carried out in early spring before sap flow begins.

The first years of growth of the serviceberry leave only a few of the strongest zero shoots from the root shoots, the rest are removed. When the shrub has enough trunks, the two oldest are removed annually, and the same number is left in return from the root growth - this contributes to the annual rejuvenation of the plant without reducing productivity.

In young plants, all vertical shoots are shortened by a quarter of last year's growth. In other years, the side branches are pruned to stimulate the crown to grow wider, otherwise in the future it will be difficult to remove ripe berries from the branches that have grown upward. It is not necessary to treat cuts on annual shoots, but on adult branches it is necessary to treat them with garden varnish (but not in cold weather).

In addition to pruning to form the crown, a sanitary procedure is also carried out. To do this, remove broken, dry shoots that thicken the plant, that is, branches growing inside the bush. Be sure to fight root growth. To rejuvenate an old bush, it is pruned, as they say, “to the stump.”

Irga in autumn

In the autumn, after the end of fruiting, they carry out sanitary and thinning pruning of the serviceberry, if necessary, apply fertilizers, digging up the area and getting rid of fallen leaves. These are all procedures that are carried out for a plant at the end of the growing season. Irga overwinters without shelter, which is facilitated by increased resistance to frost.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate shadberry. These include cuttings, grafting, growing from seeds, and dividing the bush. Irgu is also propagated by layering. Each method has its own characteristics and negative aspects.

Cuttings

Propagation by green cuttings of serviceberry is carried out successfully and with virtually no difficulties. The effectiveness of the method lies in the possibility of rooting 95% of cut shoots. Green cuttings are cut during intensive growth of shoots - this is the period from the end of June to July 10. Cuttings are cut from the top of 5-6 year old branches. The length of the cuttings must be at least 12-15 cm. They are removed lower leaves, leaving only two pairs of upper leaves.

Next, you need to process the lower cut of the cuttings in a root former and plant them obliquely at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Plant the cuttings in greenhouses where correct mode humidity – at the level of 70-80%. The cuttings take root in 3-4 weeks. After this, the films are removed so that the plant grows in the open air. Regularly water the plants and apply fertilizer. In the spring next year plants are replanted.

Graft

On the first or second summer month From 5-year-old shrubs, cuttings are taken from the top of 5-6 year-old branches. The length of the cuttings should be no more than 15 cm. The lower leaves are removed from them, leaving a few upper ones. Place the cuttings in a root former for 12 hours, then rinse the roots in clean water. The plant is ready to be planted in clean soil in a cool greenhouse. This is done at an angle at a distance of 4 cm. Sprinkle the soil on top with a 10 cm thick layer of sand. It is better that the cuttings are 20 cm below the greenhouse ceiling.

After planting the cuttings, water them carefully. The optimal temperature in the greenhouse is set at 25 degrees. To do this, sometimes remove the top of the greenhouse and ventilate the cuttings. It is important to keep the soil moist. After rooting the cuttings, the film is removed during the day, and after complete strengthening, the plants are no longer covered.

After 20-25 days, the cuttings will have a strong root system, which will allow them to be transplanted into a temporary bed, where they are fertilized with manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1:8. Caring for cuttings is the same as caring for adult plants. The following autumn, the plants are transplanted to a permanent site.

Reproduction by layering

This method requires taking well-developed branches of a one- or two-year-old plant. It is advisable to do layering in early spring. The soil is furrowed near the bush, where the cuttings are laid. The laid shoots are secured with metal brackets, and the tops of the shoots are made shorter. After green shoots grow from the buds of the allotted branches (to a height of 10-12 cm), sprinkle them with soil to half the height, repeat the procedure after 3 weeks. In the fall, transplant to a permanent place.

Growing from seeds

This method is considered the best for reproduction. But its disadvantage is the duration of the procedure. Seeds are bought in specialized stores or collected independently from ripe berries. Seeds should not be dried, mixed with sand or stored in a cold room before sowing. If you prepare the seeds in advance, germination will be quick. They are placed between cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide and wrapped in plastic film. Store this way for 4 months.

In spring, seeds are sown under film at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Shoots will appear in 14-20 days. It is allowed to sow seeds in beds prepared in advance in the fall. So after sowing in open ground, the seeds will sprout in the spring.

Dividing the bush

This method is used only in extremely rare cases, if there is a need to transplant a bush from one area to another. The best time For the procedure, early spring is considered, before the buds swell, or autumn, a month before frost.

The bush is removed from the ground and trimmed. After removing the old branches and carefully shaking off the soil from the roots, divide the rhizome into several parts. Sometimes an ax is used. Each part is checked - it must have a healthy above-ground part, consisting of at least two shoots, and a well-developed root system. It is recommended to remove old roots and trim the rest. Next, parts of the bush are planted in prepared holes.

Diseases, pests and prevention

Irga is a plant that is characterized by good health. But sometimes shrubs are exposed to certain diseases and pests:

Irga prevents the development and formation of thrombosis, has an anti-sclerotic effect

Several years ago, I discovered a wonderful plant, irgu. I liked its flowering and decided to plant it for myself. Imagine my surprise when the berries began to ripen - they were bluish blue and tart in taste.

When the fruits appear and ripen, the tree has a palette of multi-colored berries of all shades - from pink-violet-burgundy to lilac, depending on the degree of ripeness. Their collection takes place in several stages, and fresh berries can be picked for a very long time, throughout the warm season.

It is very important to know and remember that irga has an anti-sclerotic effect. In addition, it reduces blood clotting, and what is most interesting and unique, prevents the development and formation of thrombosis

Irga is a name given to a short tree or fruit bush, belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Apple subfamily. Irga is a perennial plant; this tree-like bush can grow up to five meters in height and be about two meters in diameter. A game - unpretentious plant, it is distinguished by excellent winter hardiness. However, for full growth and development, this plant needs excellent lighting.

The wild serviceberry grows in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The cultivated plant can be found in garden farms in Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Urals. Moreover, shadberry can be grown as decorative bush in parks, and as a honey plant - in gardens. The serviceberry blooms in April and May. Due to the structure and shape of the clusters of cream or white flowers, the game is often confused with bird cherry.

Just like bird cherry in the spring, it is literally strewn with abundantly covering the crown small flowers. IN spring period year, the shoots of the serviceberry are drooping. The leaves of this plant are whole, round, jagged at the edges, and closer to autumn they become dark red. The wood of the serviceberry is strong, gray in color and with red veins.

Despite the fact that the types of serviceberry have very minor differences from each other, the most common cultivated species are considered to be the round-leaved serviceberry, the common serviceberry, the Canadian serviceberry and the spicate serviceberry.

Description of the irgi fruit

The shape of serviceberry fruits is very similar to small apple fruits, the diameter of which is usually about 10 mm, the only difference is that at the top of the serviceberry fruit, which is often simply called currant, there are sepals. The currant fruits ripen every year, at the end of summer, but this does not happen evenly, so the harvest is harvested gradually as the serviceberry ripens.

For full flowering and ripening of the fruits of the shadberry, high light is required. The round fruits are usually purple-red and dark blue, on thin skin there is a whitish waxy coating. The core of the serviceberry fruit is distinguished by its juiciness, pleasant distinct aroma and sweetness.

Benefits of serviceberry

Perfectly tolerating the cold Russian winters, the unpretentious and healthy serviceberry tree is valued by gardeners; its juicy fruits, apples, are to the taste of both adults and children, and even birds, from which the serviceberry must be additionally protected. The rich healing composition of serviceberry berries and the possibility of their processing make serviceberry an invaluable product during periods of seasonal vitamin deficiencies.

Irga is consumed both fresh and in the form of jam, jam, jelly, juice, compote, marshmallow, marmalade, jelly. This berry is dried, and fruit wine and liqueurs are also prepared from it. The juice squeezed from serviceberry has very low acidity, so it goes well with sour red currant berries. Interestingly, before extracting juice from the serviceberry, the berries are first dried under the sun to increase their sugar content and improve the aroma.

Valuable composition of serviceberry fruits

The sweetness of serviceberry is due to the fact that its fruits contain a lot of sugar, which is determined to be more than 10%. Of the organic acids, serviceberry contains almost only malic acid, vitamins C and P, provitamin A, and B vitamins (especially vitamin B2). The fruit contains tannins, coumarins, sterols, flavanols (P-active compounds, natural antioxidants), as well as valuable microelements: cobalt, copper and lead.

In the practice of traditional healers, not only the fruits, but also the leaves, as well as the bark of the serviceberry, have found their use.

Medicinal properties of irgi

Irga is rightfully considered an excellent multivitamin preparation. Moreover, elements with a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect were found in its fruits. Consumption of shadberry helps reduce blood clotting ability, also preventing the development of thrombosis in blood vessels. With the help of serviceberry fruits, not only atherosclerosis is treated, but also other vascular and heart diseases, and beta-sitosterone found in serviceberry fruits is a cholesterol antagonist.

Using shadberry as food, you can not only strengthen your immune system, but also normalize the process of falling asleep and staying asleep. Moreover, the juice from these berries has been used for a long time traditional healers as an enveloping and astringent drug. In addition, the bark and leaves, which also contain a high content of tannins, have astringent characteristics. These parts of the plant are used in a ratio of one part of plant material to ten parts of water.

The ability of serviceberry to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and increase their elasticity is due to the content of vitamins C and P in these fruits. This property of serviceberry helps prevent the development of myocardial infarction, as well as varicose veins, which is especially important for older people. Both the juice and the fruits of the serviceberry are recommended for consumption both by people with heart and vascular problems, and by those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, especially if they are caused by digestive disorders.

Serviceberry juice is also used externally, it is used to gargle during the treatment of sore throat, and is also used to get rid of purulent wounds. Freshly picked shadberry has an excellent calming effect and has a beneficial effect on the activity of the central nervous system, therefore it is useful for restless sleep and insomnia, especially because it can be consumed by both adults and children.

Tincture of irgi flowers has a beneficial effect on the heart and lowers blood pressure.

The use of irgi in cooking

The fruits of the serviceberry, having a sweet taste, are used in cooking both fresh and dried and cooked thermally. Interestingly, dried shadberry is often compared to blueberries and used similarly to this berry.

To prepare juice from shadberry, Due to the very low acidity of these fruits, it is combined with fairly sour currant juice of white and red varieties. Pre-dried berries are initially crushed, then the juice is squeezed out of them, combined with currant juice and, after pasteurization (at a temperature not exceeding 80°C), poured into glass containers.

To get aromatic and tasty jam from serviceberry, The washed berries should first be blanched (no more than 2 minutes), then combined with the prepared sugar syrup and boiled. After eight hours, the jam should be boiled again, adding one gram of citric acid per kilogram of berries at the end of cooking. Sugar is calculated as follows: take half a kilo of sugar per kilogram of shadberry.

To make puree from serviceberry, Ripe fruits are blanched in boiling water for no more than 2 minutes, the water is filtered out and the shadberry is passed through a meat grinder (you can grind it through a sieve). Then the berries are combined with sugar in a 1:1 ratio. When mixing the fruits with sugar, you need to ensure that all the sugar dissolves. You can transfer the puree into a glass container after about six hours. This product should be stored in a cool place.

Harvesting serviceberry for future use

Healthy serviceberry berries are becoming increasingly popular in Russia; they are used to prepare desserts, they are dried and dried, thermally processed and frozen, and used as a filling for pies. Dried shadberry is called “northern raisin”.

It is difficult for the ignorant to prepare juice from serviceberry on their own, since it is practically not squeezed out of fresh berries. However, by laying the serviceberry fruits in a layer of about five centimeters, in about a week (maximum 10 days) it will be possible to squeeze out almost 70% of the valuable juice from the fruits. This process is called drying of serviceberry berries.

You also need to take into account that the taste of shadberry is fresh and sweet, due to the low content of organic acids in the fruit, so it is advisable to combine the game with other sour fruits, or add it during processing citric acid.

Irga is not only a good honey plant and a beautiful fruit tree, it is also a popular ornamental plant and is used for making hedges.

Infusions and decoctions from the first inflorescences are taken for hypertensive painful conditions, and for diseases of heart failure - this is one of the best folk antihypertensive and cardiotonic remedies from Mother Nature.

IN modern world, all over the planet, serviceberry is widely used as a food product. The fruits are eaten in any form - dried, dried, frozen. They make jam, compotes and fruit drinks. Dried berries are familiar to consumers under the name “cinnamon”; in the literature you can find the name as “northern raisins”.

Considering that serviceberry has a reduced content of all organic acids, when making jam it is recommended to add more acidic fruits to serviceberry.

For example, compote of serviceberry with apple, currants (black or red), raspberries. The general proportions for preparing 1 liter of drink are 700g serviceberry and 300g currants. The washed berries are placed in jars and filled with syrup (1 liter of water: 400-500 g of sugar).

Jam.

The berries are sorted and blanched for 2-3 minutes; pour into prepared 60% sugar syrup and bring to a boil over low heat. Let it brew overnight. They finish cooking. When ready, it is recommended to add citric acid (1 g: 1 l).

Natural juice from serviceberry.

It is advisable to keep the berries in a dry room for 5-6 days. Squeeze out the juice, mixing it with sugar (per 1 liter: 300 g of sugar), heat until completely dissolved, pour into containers, and roll up the lids.

However, you should always remember that irga has an excellent calming effect. It can be taken in any form at night for a calm and healthy sleep. Accordingly, it is not advisable, after taking compote or jam from serviceberry, to drive or engage in active activities, breaking and disturbing the internal mood of the body.

This plant has several names. It all depends on what corner of the globe it grows. In North America it is called Canadian loquat. In Europe it is willow berry or rock pear. In Russia, this representative of the flora is called sea buckthorn, sparrow berry, currant and wine berry. But everyone knows another name - irga. It is not very popular among gardeners. But those who grow it know about it positive properties. The benefits and harms of shadberry will be the main topic of this article.

History of the plant

Where did this tree come to us from? It began to be grown in England, and soon in Holland. How this berry got into Russia is unknown. In the 18th century, people learned about it in North America. There she gained great popularity. Serviceberry berries were mixed with lemon and rhubarb and served with wild meat. This mixture improved the taste of the dish. Irga was used to make jams and preserves.

The popularity of the tree increased so much that in the 19th century it began to be grown on special plantations. Even today, serviceberry gives in these countries good harvest and is used to decorate gardens and lawns. It is grown in Asia Minor and even in North Africa. In Russia, the berry began to be used everywhere in the 19th century. It was sold at the market under the guise of grapes. And only Michurin began to propagate this plant, thereby promoting its spread.

What is irga

This plant belongs to the Rosaceae family. It can be classified as both trees and shrubs. Its leaves have a round or slightly oval shape. Their color is dark green at the top and lighter at the bottom. In autumn the foliage turns dark red and then falls off. The benefits and harms of shadberry are known to many gardeners. But some people use it as decoration. garden plot. This plant has small light-colored flowers, which are collected in brushes. They are odorless and located at the ends of the shoots.

Serviceberry fruits

The serviceberry berry, the benefits and harms of which will be described below, has small sizes. It can be compared to small apples. The diameter of the fruit is no more than 10 millimeters. There are sepals at the base of the berries. The plant bears fruit every year in late summer. But the ripening of the berries occurs unevenly over a period of time, so the harvest is harvested in parts.

In order for the berries to be fully ripe, it is necessary good lighting. The fruits are dark, purple or blue in color. Like some varieties of plums, the skin has a bluish coating. The pulp of the berries is sweet, aromatic and juicy. Irga, whose health benefits and harms have long been studied, will not only decorate the garden, but will also produce a good harvest with proper care.

Types of serviceberry

There are quite a lot of varieties of this plant known in the world, about 25. Only a few of them are cultivated in Russia. It should be noted that berries of all types are healthy, tasty and suitable for consumption. All varieties are winter-hardy and unpretentious. Therefore, the benefits and harms of irgi should be known to every gardener. The most common species found in our country is the common or round-leaved serviceberry. The height of this tree reaches 2.5 meters.

It has a fairly spreading crown and beautiful oval leaves. In spring, the irga blooms and forms white inflorescences with long petals. The berries of this species are black with a slightly bluish tinge. The Canadian serviceberry can reach a height of 6 meters. Large sweet berries grow on it. Very often this variety is used to decorate the site, since all year round Canadian serviceberry very beautiful. The spicate species is a tree up to 5 meters tall, which is often used to build hedges. And finally, the alder serviceberry, which, compared to its fellows, is small in height, up to 2-4 meters. After the formation of beautiful white inflorescences, juicy black berries appear. Distinctive feature This species is able to grow and produce crops even in the shade.

Berry composition

The benefits and harms of shadberry are of interest to many gardeners. But first, let's look at its composition. What good does this berry contain? Firstly, this is a huge amount of microelements needed by the body.

In the berry you can find copper, iron, cobalt, vitamins B and C, beta-carotene, fiber, pectin, coloring and tannins, anthocyanins, organic acids, flavonols, catechins and many other useful substances. All of them help the body fight many diseases. And since irga has antioxidant properties, it is one of the best means to prevent cancer.

What are the benefits of berries?

The serviceberry berry, the benefits and harms of which must be studied before consumption, does not contain proteins or fats. Its calorie content is only 45 kcal. Therefore, its use does not harm the figure and is possible even with strict diet. How is irga useful? Firstly, this is one of the best helpers to strengthen the immune system. Irga treats stomach disorders and gastritis. Berries and tinctures are removed nervous tension and improve sleep.

Tinctures also have an anti-inflammatory effect and effectively help with sore throats, even purulent ones. Also, products prepared from the berries and leaves of this plant perfectly heal wounds and stop bleeding. Looking at the composition, we can say with confidence what effect the berry has. Irga, the benefits and harms, the recipes for which are described in this article, contains carotene, which increases the body's resistance to various infections, thins the blood and improves allergies. An infusion of plant flowers reduces blood pressure and improves the condition of blood vessels.

Contraindications

Before using any product, you should study it. Irga, the vitamins, benefits and harms of which are described here, is not recommended for people with low blood pressure. It can be consumed, but in moderate doses (a handful of berries). There are no more contraindications, but you should always remember that you need to know when to stop in everything. Eat these healing berries for your health by carefully studying their composition. Irga, the benefits and harms, photos and recipes for which you will find here, will protect the body from many ailments or help cope with them.

Preparation of fruits

Prepare healing infusions Can be made from either fresh or dried berries. Therefore, prepare fruits for future use by drying them in the shade. An infusion of berries is prepared as follows. Pour one tablespoon of raw material into a glass of boiling water. Then you need to leave this mixture for 30 minutes and then drink it. This remedy is excellent for stomach and intestinal disorders.

You can pour two large spoons of berries 1.5 cups cold water, leave for 8 hours, and then bring this mixture to a boil (do not boil). Next, infuse the product for another 2 hours. After this, it is taken 100 milliliters twice a day before meals (30 minutes before). This infusion improves vision and improves the functioning of the digestive system.

Preparation of bark, leaves and flowers

What is irga, benefits and harms, recipes for preparing healing tinctures - this information is simply necessary for correct application gifts of the plant. After all, you can eat not only the fruits, but also the leaves, bark and flowers. Flower tincture is an excellent remedy for reducing blood pressure and treatment of heart failure. They are harvested in May, during the flowering period. To prepare a healthy decoction, you need to take a handful of dried or fresh flowers and pour 500 milliliters of boiling water over them. Let the mixture sit for about 2 hours and strain. The decoction should be taken two large spoons three times a day. An infusion of the leaves has an astringent effect and is therefore effective in cases of diarrhea.

Pour one large spoon with a glass of boiling water and take half a glass of the decoction three times a day. A decoction of the bark is good for sore throats, burns and stomach diseases. Pour a small spoonful of crushed bark into a glass of boiling water. Place the mixture on the fire and boil for about 25 minutes. Then we use it for its intended purpose. It is better to harvest the bark in the fall, leaves and flowers - in May, and berries - at the time of ripening. All raw materials must be well dried. It must be stored in a dry place.

Breeding serviceberry

If you are attracted to the irga, the benefits and harms, photos and recipes of which are presented in the article, then plant it on your site. This unpretentious plant does not require special conditions breeding. It easily tolerates frost, drought and prolonged rains. The only condition for almost all types of serviceberry is the presence of light and sun. This will provide you with juicy and well-ripened berries. The plant can be propagated by cuttings or grafting. Plant trees 2 meters apart as they grow well. You can make a beautiful and useful hedge from serviceberry. In autumn it is necessary to shape the crown by pruning. Birds love to feast on these delicious berries and eat them completely from above.

Gardeners usually pay a lot of attention to various ornamental plants requiring a lot of care. However, less demanding crops, such as the serviceberry tree, are abandoned and located in an inconspicuous corner of the site.

In many countries, the plant is grown as an ornamental plant; it has bright and beautiful flowering. In autumn the leaves turn red and yellow. When berries appear on the serviceberry, birds fly into the garden. In addition, the berries are very tasty and children love them very much.

Types of shrubs

The shrub serviceberry has about 20 varieties. Mostly they all grow in North America. In nature, they can grow in the most unexpected places, climbing to a height of about 2 km. Sometimes they can be found even in the tundra zone, where conditions are quite harsh.

Our most common crop is the round-leaved serviceberry. She came to us from Crimea and the Caucasus. Very often, shadberry can be found on the edges of forests and near small groups of trees. She “spreads” in this way thanks to the birds who love her very much.

Properties of serviceberry

Serviceberry berries do not contain sugar. As they ripen, the content of various vitamin groups and microelements increases. They are astringent and have a slightly sour taste.

These properties are due to tannins and a large number acid, most of which is malic acid.

Jam, wine, and jam are made from the fruits of the serviceberry. They can be dried, canned and juiced.

They choke best a week after harvest. The game is often used mixed with other fruits.

Thanks to its rich composition, irga has such beneficial properties as:

• Relieving inflammation;
• Helps with colds;
• Prevents the formation of blood clots;
• Has an antibacterial effect.

As a rule, we don’t really care about having such a plant on the site. It can often appear on its own. Its seeds are well spread by birds.

At the same time, it is quite popular among Western gardeners because it has a bright, attractive appearance. The blooming irga is very beautiful in the spring, in the summer during fruiting and in the fall when the leaves fall.

Many garden compositions are created around serviceberry. So, if you don’t have similar ideas yet, you can get them from your “colleagues” on various photos serviceberry

Growing a plant

In general, you won’t have to think about how to plant shadberry in any special way. This culture is quite unpretentious. It can grow in a variety of soil types and can withstand severe frosts.

Certainly, the best option it will need well-moistened, fertile soil. The serviceberry will have no special complaints about its placement on the territory. Like other shrubs, it loves sunlight, but not very intense. It can be planted along a fence or house, where shade predominates most of the time.

Planting irgi is done using standard methods for shrubs. It is best for this to be a one-year or two-year-old serviceberry seedling. It needs to be planted at a depth greater than it grew before - 5-10 cm will be enough. This will allow the formation of strong root shoots.

Typically, bushes are planted in a checkerboard pattern, at a distance of up to 2 meters from each other. To plant, you will need to dig deep furrows so that the roots “sit” comfortably in it.

The easiest way to propagate irgi is by dividing the bush when replanting. In addition, you can plant it using green cuttings(in summer).

There is also the option of planting berry seeds, but it must be from the same year's harvest. After planting, for example, a bush, landing hole you need to water generously with 8-10 liters of water and mulch the soil with the same soil or peat.

No special care is required for the bush. You can sometimes prune along with the trees. To do this, you need to remove old trunks and keep them strong, you also need to get rid of diseased or damaged shoots.

Irga bears fruit every year. If there are several bushes on the site, the harvest can be quite large. It is harvested in July in several batches, since the berries ripen unevenly.

You can store them fresh for a couple of days at room temperature. If you plan to store them longer, it is better to place them in the refrigerator.

Photo of serviceberry