2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Zelenchuk (lat. Lamiastrum) - a spectacular herb from the Lamiaceae family.
Description
Zelenchuk is a herbaceous perennial, the height of which ranges from twenty to fifty centimeters. Its vegetative shoots are creeping, and the flowering ones are erect. And the rather large yellow flowers of this plant can boast of a rather bizarre "lipped" structure.
The dark green leaves of zelenchuk, crenate at the edges, are characterized by a broad-ovate shape, in addition, they are all covered with pronounced silvery specks. At the same time, these spots are localized as close as possible to the edges of the leaves, practically without capturing their middle and bottom.
Where grows
It will not be difficult to meet zelenchuk in the forests, from Western Siberia to the central part of Europe. Most often it can be seen under the canopy of a wide variety of trees.
Usage
The main decorative attraction of Zelenchuk is not flowers at all, but its wonderful leaves! In general, all parts of this plant are decorative in their own way.
Zelenchuk has proven himself to be excellent in landscaping and decorating a wide variety of areas - he is equally good at decorating both slopes or alpine slides and the banks of ponds. But it is best to still grow it in places where its excessive growth (and this is an integral characteristic of this plant!) Is blocked by a wide variety of natural barriers. But, filling the entire territory allotted to zelenchuk, he will actively resist such weeds as dandelion or thistle! Zelenchuk is an excellent ground cover plant!
And if you plant a zelenchuk in tall containers, it will fall down very effectively! Moreover, after some time, it will completely cover the container and begin to creep along the ground!
The aerial parts of zelenchuk have found their application in folk medicine - its herb has a pronounced expectorant, sedative and diuretic effect. And at the same time, it has practically no contraindications!
Growing and caring
Zelenchuk does not tolerate direct sunlight, therefore it is recommended to plant it in shaded areas. But in any case, shading should not be too strong, since in this case zelenchuk can lose its incredibly attractive silver color - its most intense color is only in light partial shade or in the sun. And the most suitable soil for growing it is considered to be light and moisture-consuming fertile loam. In this case, the soil should ideally be slightly acidic or neutral.
Zelenchuk does not need too frequent watering, however, excessive drought will not be useful for it either. So this handsome man should be watered regularly anyway! Fertilizing this plant should be superficial, pouring fertilizer directly onto its leaves. At the same time, zelenchuk is fertilized only once or twice a season. It is especially useful to feed it with peat, humus or a complex substrate of sand and leaves - such dressings will contribute to the nutrition of all parts of the plant without exception!
Zelenchuk is propagated mainly by seeds, which should not be embedded in the soil too deeply - as a rule, they are slightly pressed on, leaving them near the soil surface. And the resistance of this plant to low temperatures allows you not to spend additional time and consumables on creating greenhouse conditions for seedlings. As for the moment the first shoots appear, they can usually be seen after forty-five days. By the way, it is quite permissible to propagate this plant by stem cuttings or by dividing bushes.
