2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Alyssum rocky (lat. Alyssum saxatile) - one of the brightest flowering representatives of the genus Alyssum, belonging to the numerous Cruciferous family. In nature, it is found almost everywhere. It is used to decorate garden paths, borders, rockeries, rock gardens and other types of flower beds that require filling with undersized and dwarf specimens. And by the way, rock alyssum belongs to those.
Characteristics of culture
Rock Alyssum is represented by perennial herbaceous densely branched plants with a height of no more than 20-25 cm. As it grows, the plant forms very beautiful compact spherical bushes. The stems of the species under consideration are branched, crowned with elongated, less often obovate foliage, covered with gray felt and collected in rosettes, and quite abundant. The flowers of the rock alyssum are small, in fact, like other representatives of the genus, they have a yellow color and are collected in lush short racemose inflorescences.
Flowering is observed in late spring, lasts about 1-1.5 months, which largely depends on the care and climatic conditions observed in the region. Often rock alyssum blooms a second time, usually at the end of summer. Flowering is quite abundant, although in the absence of proper care the plants do not please with lush inflorescences, but on the other hand, this species cannot be called whimsical, it requires minimal care, which does not take much time. For this characteristic and abundant flowering, Alyssum rocky is loved by flower growers and gardeners all over the world.
Like the sea alyssum, the species in question has many forms and varieties, differing in growth, the shape of the bushes and the color of the flowers, but each of them is worthy of attention. For example, form f. plenum is famous for its low plants, over which dense clusters develop, bearing double golden flowers.
Form f is no less attractive. citrinum. It is also characterized by short stature, but its flowers are lemon-colored. This is an unusually bright representative that will outshine any undersized flower culture with its beauty. Another form f. procumbens has gained popularity for its compact shrubs with double brown-yellow flowers. Form f is not inferior to it. compactum, its flowers are yellow.
Features of cultivation
Alyssum is propagated by seed method. Sowing is carried out either before winter or in spring. However, the former is preferred. Before sowing, the area for alissum is carefully treated and saturated with useful substances, that is, feeding is carried out with organic (rotted compost) and mineral fertilizers. Also, the amount of calcium is important for plants, if the soil is poor in this element, it should be added in the optimal amount (it is recommended to check the exact number on the package, as a rule, such information is indicated on it).
Alyssum's seeds are small, respectively, they do not need deep planting. It is enough to scatter them over the soil surface and water abundantly, but very carefully. Seedlings of the culture in question appear amicably, usually after 7-10 days, but under the condition of a temperature equal to 16-18C. As they grow, regular and moderate watering is carried out, and a couple of weeks after the emergence of shoots, the ridges are freed from weeds, they, by the way, pose a threat to young alissum.
At the same time, thinning is carried out, leaving a distance of 12-15 cm between the plants. Flowering with proper care and favorable climatic conditions occurs about 2 months after sowing, therefore most gardeners and florists grow alissums through seedlings, in this case, sowing is carried out in March.
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