2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Antennaria (Latin Antennaria) - a small genus of perennial herbaceous and semi-shrub plants belonging to the family Astrovye, or Compositae. South America is considered to be the homeland. In nature, the genus is distributed mainly in the homeland, as well as in some European countries and in Russia. Includes over a hundred species. Another name is cat's paw.
Characteristics of culture
Antennaria is represented by perennial white-tomentose grasses and half-shrubs up to 50 cm high with creeping shoots, basal foliage and inflorescences-baskets, inherent in all representatives of the Astrov family. The inflorescences reach a diameter of no more than 1 cm. The inflorescences, in turn, are collected in round shields or small heads. The fruit is represented by a smooth achene with a bristly tuft.
Antennaria is a hardy plant, characterized by high resistance to cold weather, pests and diseases. It is not afraid of mountainous regions, it develops actively in mountainous areas, the same can be said about flowering. Outwardly, the antennae looks very attractive, it will overshadow many representatives of the flower world with its beauty and conquer florists with its unpretentiousness to growing conditions and care.
Among the species used in horticulture, one can note
alpine antennae (lat. Antennaria alpina) … It is represented by low-growing perennials, strewn with small bluish foliage, above which rise white inflorescences, equipped with brown bracts. Inflorescences up to 5 pieces are collected in medium-sized clusters. In the process of growth, plants form dense carpets, however, this aspect largely depends on the location. And sunny, rocky areas are best for the culture.
Another equally attractive representative of the genus is
Antennaria plantaginifolia (Latin Antennaria plantaginifolia) … It is characterized by large perennial plants reaching a height of 35-40 cm. The foliage of the species under consideration is oval, wide enough, outwardly very similar to plantain leaves, hence the name of the species. Flowers, in turn, are larger than those of other species of the genus Antennaria.
The subtleties of growing
As already mentioned, antennae does not belong to the category of whimsical plants. However, it feels best on poor soils with a slightly acidic pH reaction. It is better not to plant it on fertile soils, otherwise the plants will lag behind in growth, stretch out, in addition, flowering will not please with abundance, and may not please at all. All species grow and thin out rather quickly, respectively, lose their decorative effect. To eliminate this drawback, it is necessary to regularly divide the bush - at least once every 3 years.
Caring for the antenna is reduced to standard procedures. She tolerates bad weather conditions easily. Shelter for the cat's paw is not required for the winter, although in snowless winters it is better to cover it with a layer of fallen leaves. The main thing is to provide the culture with a sufficient amount of sunlight, the shadow destroys it, and even insignificant. Watering should be regular, but the plants will tolerate a short drought calmly.
Representatives of the Antennaria genus are extremely rarely affected by pests and diseases. As a rule, the pests are nematodes, aphids and spider mites. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plants and soil in a timely manner, otherwise death cannot be avoided.
Antenaria can be combined with many flower crops, including purslane, dorotheanthus, tenacious, etc. Cereals will also make up a harmonious tandem. The peculiarity of antennae also lies in the fact that it is suitable for creating winter bouquets and in alternative medicine as a wound-healing agent.
