Gilia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Gilia (lat. Gilia) - flowering culture; a genus of unpretentious plants of the Sinyukhovye family. In nature, representatives of the genus are found in South and North America. Currently, 100 species have been identified, among them there are both perennial and annual specimens. The genus got its name in honor of the Spanish scientist and botanist F. Gilly. All members of the genus are distinguished by high decorative properties, they can boast of abundant flowering lasting 45-60 days.

Characteristics of culture

Gilia is represented by annual or perennial herbaceous or semi-shrub plants grown for the purpose of decorating summer cottages and backyards. Includes a number of species that are actively used by European gardeners to create alpine slides, rockeries and other rocky flower beds. In Russia, culture is found infrequently, mainly in the gardens of amateur flower growers, and I must say, completely in vain, because gilia, due to the beauty of their carved leaves and rich capitate inflorescences, look very attractive and unusual.

Common types

* Hilia capitate is represented by perennial herbaceous plants up to 80 cm high with openwork foliage and blue, blue, purple silt white flowers, collected in capitate inflorescences that form on high peduncles. The species is distinguished by long flowering, which occurs in early - mid-July. Suitable for decorating ridges and other flower beds, as well as for growing in containers and vases to decorate a terrace, balcony, porch or patio.

* Twisted hilia is represented by small plants with lignified stems bearing beautiful lacy leaves and small white flowers. The species blooms profusely, usually from the beginning of June to the first or second decade of September.

* Large-flowered hilia is represented by low-growing plants no more than 30 cm in height with small white or pale pink flowers, collected in corymbose inflorescences. Unlike other common representatives of the genus, it is grown by sowing seeds in the ground. Abundant flowering, long-lasting, occurs in the first or second decade of June. Looks good in rock gardens, rockeries, borders, as well as in flowerpots and garden containers.

* Hilia beautiful is represented by perennial herbaceous plants with small tubular white or blue flowers. Differs in abundant and long flowering, which runs from mid-June to frost.

* Hilia yarrow is represented by annual plants no more than 50 cm in height with pink, white, blue or purple flowers, collected in capitate inflorescences. Flowering is observed in June - July, as a rule, abundant, but short-lived. Looks great in flower beds, ridges, rock gardens and flowerpots.

* Hilia tricolor is represented by annual plants up to 50 cm high with bell-shaped lilac-blue flowers, equipped with a purple speck in the center and collected in small loose racemose inflorescences. Flowering occurs 65-70 days after sowing and lasts about two months. The species is ideal for decorating rock gardens and other rocky flower beds, suitable for growing in flowerpots.

* Hilia red is represented by plants about 100 cm high with tubular red flowers, collected in dense lush capitate inflorescences. Flowering later, comes in early to mid-August. Tall plant, used in mixborders, suitable for cutting.

Growing features

Sowing gili is carried out in containers in March-April or in open ground in May (depending on the type and timing of flowering). Seedlings appear together, 2-2, 5 weeks after sowing. Diving of gili seedlings is carried out in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, when diving of young plants into a flower garden, a distance of 20 cm is observed. Sowing of gili seeds before winter is not prohibited. In this case, the crops are covered with a layer of dry fallen leaves or other organic material.

Hiliya can be attributed to cold-resistant crops, they easily tolerate spring frosts. The culture is undemanding to soil conditions, although it will not put up with waterlogged soils and damp lowlands. Plants thrive on neutral, light, loose, moderately moist, weed-free soils. Does not need special care.

For active growth and abundant flowering of helium, regular watering, loosening, weeding and dressing is sufficient, which is carried out at least once every two weeks. Complex mineral fertilizers are used for dressing. Also, when planting a crop, organic matter is introduced into the soil, for example, rotted manure or compost. Hiliya is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Vegetative propagation involves cutting cuttings, which is carried out in early spring, at the moment when the shoots start to grow, but before the formation of peduncles.