2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Erythronium (lat. Erythronium) - a flowering shade-tolerant perennial from the Liliaceae family. The second name is kandyk.
Description
Erythronium is a typical ephemeroid plant, equipped with relatively low peduncles (as a rule, their height ranges from ten to twenty centimeters and rarely exceeds them), each of which is crowned with a single drooping flower. And this handsome man usually blooms in the spring - almost all varieties of erythronium are early spring plants, the aerial shoots of which die off at the very beginning of summer.
In total, the genus of erythronium includes about twenty-five species.
Where grows
Most often, erythronium can be found in the subtropical and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere - this handsome man grows especially well in moist and cool light forests, as well as on forest edges and in alpine meadows. By the way, there is the most erythronium in North America!
Usage
More than half of the varieties of erythronium are quite actively and very successfully used in culture - this plant is very willingly planted in parks and natural-style gardens. Especially popular among gardeners are hybrid erythronium, European erythronium (or, as it is also called, a dog's tooth), Siberian erythronium and Caucasian erythronium.
Erythronium is excellent for planting in rockeries, in addition, it will look great in mixed flower beds or heather hills located in the shade of trees. No less often, erythronium is planted on lawns (mainly in groups), as well as in curbs, rock gardens, mixborders, rabat beds and flower beds. Early flowering corms and bulbs are considered the best partner plants for him.
Growing and caring
It is recommended to plant erythronium in semi-shady cool areas, ideally under the spreading crowns of various deciduous trees. It is best, if possible, to place it either in a semi-shady corner of the orchard, or on the north side of the house or hedge, making sure that the rainwater flowing from the roof of the house does not flood the beautiful plant. It is not necessary to place erythronium in those places of the garden, where snow is dropped during the course of clearing areas or paths in winter. As for the soils, the most preferable in this case will be moist and fairly light peaty soils, characterized by an acid reaction and not subject to spring stagnation of moisture. By the way, erythronium grows superbly without transplants in the same place for four to six years! And it also boasts excellent winter hardiness, that is, it can easily overwinter without shelter!
In leaving, erythronium is very unpretentious, accordingly, it does not require any special care. From time to time it needs to be watered, trying in every possible way to prevent water stagnation, which can lead to the development of a number of diseases. And the soil must be periodically loosened, at the same time freeing it from weeds. And when growing erythronium, mulching will not be superfluous!
Erythronium usually reproduces at the end of July or in August by dividing the bulbous nests. It is important to take into account that the bulbs extracted from the soil can be stored in the open air for no longer than a day. And some varieties of this plant (as a rule, those that do not tend to grow) reproduce exclusively by sowing freshly harvested seeds directly into the ground.
As for the risk of being affected by various diseases or pests, in this regard, erythronium is very stable and does not cause any particular concern.
