2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Endymion (lat. Endymion) - a flowering perennial belonging to the Hyacinth family. The second name of this plant is the Spanish bell.
Description
Endymion is an ephemeroid bulbous perennial, the height of which erect stems can reach from fifteen to forty centimeters.
Endymion leaflets are keeled, linear. And his little white onions reach two centimeters in diameter and almost four centimeters in height.
The bell-shaped flowers of endymion, which are collected in spectacular racemose inflorescences, can be either blue-violet or white, lilac, blue or pink. And the diameter of the flowers usually does not exceed two centimeters. As for their aroma, it is quite sharp, but at the same time very pleasant. The flowering of this plant usually occurs in late May or early June, and its duration ranges from ten to twelve days.
The genus of endymion is very small in number - it includes only two species.
Where grows
The main habitats of endymion are considered to be North-West Africa and South-West Europe. Especially often it can be found in Spain or Portugal.
Usage
In ornamental gardening, Spanish endymion is mainly used, which is sometimes called Prolesky bellflower or Spanish hyacintoides.
Endymion goes well with a variety of spring-flowering shrubs, Chinese irises, paradisees, tulips and late daffodils. And it will look equally good both in a forest garden design in the middle of ferns, and in rock gardens or mass plantings.
Growing and caring
Endymion will grow well in well-lit areas, however, it is quite capable of tolerating slight shading - this handsome man, although photophilous, is at the same time quite shade-tolerant. It is especially good to plant this plant in humus-rich moist soils, in which it will be useful to add a little peat.
In early spring, it will not hurt to feed endymion with full mineral fertilizers (and immediately before planting in the ground, this plant will not refuse to feed with organic matter), in addition, throughout the growing season it must be watered regularly, trying to prevent moisture stagnation. And he overwinters without much difficulty and in the open field, moreover, it is not forbidden to cover it with spruce branches or leaves. In general, endymion does not feel the slightest need for additional insulation and tolerates almost any temperature fluctuations completely painlessly.
In order to avoid self-seeding, it is advisable to remove the fading endymion shoots in a timely manner - the fact is that the specimens obtained from seeds will not be able to boast of the same decorative qualities that are usually characteristic of garden forms.
In order for the endymion to invariably delight with its marvelous abundant flowering, it should be transplanted every three to four years - as a rule, this is done after the leaves of the plant wither.
Endymion is usually propagated in early September by dividing the bulb nests, while it is recommended to plant the bulbs every three to four years. If desired, this plant can be propagated by seeds, however, the seeds must be planted in open ground immediately after they are harvested, because they cannot be stored due to the rapid loss of their properties. But this handsome man will begin to bloom only in the fourth year of life.
If the spring turns out to be wet and cold enough, rust may appear on the leaves of the endymion, but most often this disease manifests itself after the leaves have already begun to turn yellow - if they are promptly removed, the dangerous ailment can be avoided.
