Jeffersonia

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

Jeffersonia is one of the early flowering and perennial plants. Such a plant is especially valuable due to its decorative effect, such decorativeness will remain throughout the entire growing season of Jeffersonia.

In this genus, there are only two species of this plant, which bear the following names: Jeffersonia two-leaved and Jeffersonia doubtful. The name of the latter species is explained by the fact that scientists attributed this plant to the barberry family, but this belief was very doubtful. In height, this plant reaches about twenty to fifty centimeters. Under favorable conditions, this plant grows rather densely, nevertheless, such growth occurs extremely slowly. The leaves of this plant are especially decorative: for the entire growing season, the leaves will change their color. In diameter, the flowers reach the order of two to three centimeters, as for the color, the flowers can be both white and blue, and pale purple. Jeffersonia bloom begins in the month of April and lasts only for two to three weeks.

Care and cultivation of Jeffersonia

To plant Jeffersonia, you will need to choose a shaded place; in sunny areas, such a plant will not feel very good. For this plant, loose, fertile, well-drained and moderately moist soils are preferred.

The introduction of dressings has a very positive effect on the development of the plant itself, and dressing also has a great effect on the flowering and development of this bush. Both humus and peat and compost can act as fertilizers. As for organic fertilizers, they should be applied from spring to autumn in small quantities as mulch.

Watering the plant should be fairly moderate, the soil should be only slightly moist for a favorable cultivation of Jeffersonia. However, it should be noted that drying out of the soil can have an extremely detrimental effect on the development of this plant. It is noteworthy that in one place a plant without transplanting can grow for even more than fifteen years. It is important to remember that the plant will retain all its decorative effect throughout this time.

In the winter period of time, this plant does not need additional shelter, however, if there is no snow in winter, then it will be necessary to mulch the plantings with compost or peat.

Breeding Jeffersonia

It is noteworthy that most often the plant is propagated by dividing the bush. The division of mature bushes should be performed in September: the plant should be divided into several parts, but no more than five. At the same time, on each such division there should be at least several renewal buds. Such delenki will need to be planted directly to a permanent place. Before planting, care should be taken to have good drainage. After the plant has been planted, it should be watered fairly abundantly.

It is permissible to propagate the plant with seeds, however, such seedlings will develop rather slowly. You will need to select exclusively freshly harvested seeds: sowing seeds should be carried out immediately after they are harvested, this usually happens in July-August. Seeds should be sown in open ground in shaded areas. Such crops will also need to be watered regularly, but moisture stagnation should not be allowed. In the event that you propagate the plant by means of seeds, then the flowering of Jeffersonia will begin already two to three years after sowing.

Jeffersonia looks great in rocky gardens and shady flower beds. In rocky gardens, plants should be planted in the shade between rocks and boulders. Jeffersonia looks great next to periwinkle, liverwort, rejuvenated and other low-growing plants.