The Center Is Beautiful

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

Dicentra beautiful (lat. Dicentra formosa) - a representative of the Dicentra genus, which belongs to the Poppy family. Another name for the plant is a beautiful heart. The homeland of the species is considered to be North America. Typical growing areas are coastal zones, damp shady and humid forests, as well as areas with intensely moist soils.

Characteristics of culture

The beautiful dicentra is represented by perennial herbaceous plants up to 40 cm high, topped with a petiole, complex, palmate foliage, which is additionally divided into small lobes of green color. The flowers are small, not exceeding 1.5-2 cm in diameter, pink or purple, collected in long inflorescences, which bear 10-15 flowers.

The flowering of the beautiful dicenter is always abundant, long-lasting. As a rule, it begins in the third decade of May and ends with the onset of autumn frosts, although this aspect largely depends on proper care and climatic conditions. Fruits in the form of oblong bolls, contain a small amount of black shiny seeds, which are actively self-seeded and carried by ants over long distances.

Dicenter beautiful is used in breeding. To date, breeders have managed to obtain a huge number of interesting forms, varieties and mixtures of varieties. Nowadays, you can find varieties on the shelves, the flowers of which can be rich pink, yellow, white-yellow and white. Also on sale are varieties whose flowers are endowed with two types of petals - snow-white (located below) and delicate pink (located above).

Breeding features

The beautiful dicenter is propagated by seed and vegetative methods. The second is the most relevant among gardeners, since it is less laborious. Sowing is best done before winter, right after collecting the seeds under a shelter, which will protect the seeds from freezing. Vegetative methods, for example, dividing a bush or grafting are carried out in early spring (dates in different regions differ depending on the climate, but usually manipulations are carried out in the third decade of April - first decade of May) or in autumn (September - early October).

For the first time, the bush is subjected to division after 3-5 years, but in general the plants can develop normally and bloom profusely in one place (subject to good care and feeding) for over 7-8 years, after the bushes noticeably thin out and become less decorative. It is worth noting that the root system of the beautiful dicenter is rather fragile, respectively, when digging and dividing with the rhizome, you need to be extremely careful. Each full-fledged division must contain at least 3 shoots. The planting of the parcels is carried out immediately to a permanent place, previously well fertilized.

Landing features

The main thing that determines the activity of growth and the abundance of flowering is the location. The dicentra is beautiful by its nature, it is a moisture and shade-loving culture, however, cultivated species are in awe of diffused light. They can and should be sown near trees and large shrubs with a thin crown that allows the sun's rays to pass through. This approach will provide a rich and distinctive bloom that will simply overshadow its beauty.

But it is better to avoid open sunny areas, because plants have a negative attitude to direct rays - they need frequent watering and have a pale color. Drainage is also important, especially if the soils are heavy enough. Soils, in turn, are preferred moderately moist, loose, nutritious, the presence of lime is encouraged.