2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Asphodeline (lat. Asphodeline) - a small genus of herbaceous plants of the Ksantorreeceae family. Representatives of the genus in appearance have similarities with plants of the genus Asphodelus (Latin Asphodelus), therefore they have similar names. The genus includes 20 species that are widespread in the Caucasus, Crimea and some countries of the Mediterranean coast. In Russia, asphodeline is grown to a limited extent, because it puts forward special requirements for the climate.
Characteristics of culture
Asphodelin is represented by annuals, biennials and perennials 30-80 cm high, endowed with a large cylindrical rhizome, from which roots with bulges extend. The foliage is basal, linear or subulate, very juicy, fleshy, green or with a bluish tint, carries a membranous stalk-enclosing sheath at the base. In frequent cases, the leaves are covered with short hairs over the entire surface.
The flowers in the culture under consideration are white, pink, yellow or orange, collected in lush spike-shaped inflorescences. Also in culture you can find specimens with single flowers. The perianth lobes are bent, lanceolate, narrow, and have a pronounced longitudinal vein. The fruits are represented by leathery capsules, which contain six triangular black seeds.
Common types
As already mentioned, the genus under consideration includes only 20 species, according to other sources - only 15. Of these, Asphodeline liburnica (lat. Asphodeline liburnica) won the special love of gardeners and florists. In nature, it can be captured in European countries. The representative is perennial, crowned with bluish triangular foliage, located mainly in the lower part of the stem, and yellow flowers collected in a racemose inflorescence no more than 20-23 cm long. The species is not winter-hardy, dies when the temperature drops to -16C. For this reason, the cultivation of the species in Central Russia is difficult.
Asphodeline yellow (Latin Asphodeline lutea) is also often seen in European and Russian gardens. By the way, in nature, the species is found on rocky areas and even rocks, respectively, it can and should be used when decorating alpine slides, rockeries and rocky gardens. In height, the representative of the genus does not exceed half a meter. It is characterized by subulate pubescent foliage 10-12 cm long and yellow flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, collected in lush racemose inflorescences. Compared with the previous representative of the genus Asphodeline yellow, it boasts winter-hardy properties.
Another common species is Crimean asphodeline (lat. Asphodeline taurica). It is also suitable for decorating rocky gardens due to its natural habitat. The representative reaches a height of 50-60 cm, it is characterized by white chalky flowers, which are crowned with filmy silver bracts. The flowers, in turn, are collected in lush brushes up to 25-30 cm long. Crimean Asphodelina is famous for its high decorative properties. Due to the silvery bracts, the plant looks very attractive and expressive.
Growing features
Representatives of the genus are quite whimsical plants. It is recommended to plant them in sunny and very warm areas. Protection from cold northerly winds is encouraged. It is not recommended to plant asphodeline in the shade or in lowlands with stagnant precipitation, in such areas it will be very painful, bloom poorly, and there is a high probability of sudden death.
Also, the culture is demanding on soil conditions. Consideration should be given to well-fertilized, drained, moderately moist, light, sandy soils with a neutral pH reaction. In no case should you allocate areas with heavy, damp, strongly acidic, swampy, saline and poor soils under asphodeline. On them, plants will not please with active growth and abundant flowering.
