Iberis

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

Iberis also known under this name as stennik. This plant is a perennial plant, but sometimes you can also find annual species of Iberis. Such a plant will look great when creating alpine slides, and when creating rockeries.

The plant has a very pleasant aroma. It is noteworthy that this plant is quite unpretentious to care for. In addition to all its other advantages, Iberis is also distinguished by quite abundant flowering.

Perennial species of Iberis should include: bitter, umbrella and feathery Iberis. The height of the bitter Iberis can reach about thirty centimeters, the flowers of this plant are painted in white and red tones. As for the umbrella Iberis, its height will be about fifty centimeters. The flowers of this type of plant are painted in red, lilac and pink tones. The feathery Iberis in height will be about twenty centimeters, and the flowers of this plant are painted in white tones.

The perennial species of Iberis include evergreen and Gibraltar Iberis. Evergreen Iberis is about forty centimeters high, and the flowers of the plant are painted in white tones. Iberis of Gibraltar reaches a height of thirty centimeters, and its flowers will be a delicate purple hue.

Care and cultivation of Iberis

Iberis is a rather undemanding plant to care for, however, special growing rules will be required. Iberis is recommended to be planted both in sunny and slightly shaded areas. This plant is not particularly demanding on soils, but loamy soils are the best option. It is worth noting that moist and acidic soils are highly undesirable for growing this plant. Iberis should not be watered very often, and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers should be done either in the spring period of time, or at the very beginning of autumn. In order to prolong the flowering of Iberis, experts recommend timely removing those inflorescences that have already bloomed. After the end of the flowering of the plant, the bushes should be pruned by one third of their length. At the same time, it is also recommended to introduce organic fertilizers into the soil, which can be compost. It is noteworthy that a plant can grow even for more than five years in one place without transplants. As for the winter period of time, the planting will need to be covered with spruce branches or fallen leaves.

Reproduction of Iberis

As for the reproduction of the plant, this can happen with the help of seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. Regardless of the type of Iberis, sowing seeds should be carried out in March or April. Seeds should be sown in boxes containing loose soil. Already in the month of May or before winter, it is permissible to plant seeds in open ground. It is recommended to germinate Iberis seeds at a temperature of eighteen to twenty-two degrees Celsius. After the first shoots of the plant appear, the Iberis will need to be thinned out. In open ground, such seedlings should be planted at a distance of about fifteen to twenty degrees. It is noteworthy that the plant can produce quite abundant self-seeding.

For cuttings, you should use the tops of the shoots, which formed after the flowering period of the plant has ended. The length of such cuttings should be about five to seven centimeters. Cuttings of several pieces should be rooted several pieces in a container. Before planting, the lower leaves of the Iberis should be removed, and the bottom of the cutting should be treated with a rooting stimulator. After planting, it is necessary to water the cuttings, cover the containers with films and put in a well-lit place.