Clarkia Is Pretty

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

Clarkia pretty (lat. Clarkia pulchella) - flowering culture; a representative of the Clarkia genus of the Cyprian family. Homeland is the northwest of the United States of America, where plants grow in natural conditions. A highly decorative species that is actively used in ornamental gardening. Available in many varieties.

Characteristics of culture

Clarkia pretty is represented by annual herbaceous plants with erect, highly branched stems, reaching a height of 40-50 cm, and narrow, solid, elongated, arrow-shaped or linear pointed at the ends, narrowed to the base with green leaves.

The flowers are medium, depending on the varietal accessory - simple or double, of the most varied colors (pink, lilac, white, light pink, lavender, raspberry-pink, etc.), differ in the structure of the petals. Each petal is equipped with two slightly curved teeth and three lobes, widely spaced from each other. Flowers are single or collected in axillary inflorescences, located on the tops of the stems.

Unlike other members of the genus, the pretty clarkia (or, as it is also called, the most beautiful) boasts compactness and originality, thanks to the unusual structure of the petals described earlier. The species in question blooms from the first or second decade of July to the end of September. Clarkia pretty is ideal for decorating flower beds, ridges, borders and other types of flower beds. Looks good in group plantings on the lawn and against the background of tall flower crops and ornamental shrubs.

It goes well with annuals and perennials, for example, roses, lilies, cornflower, asters, phlox, etc. Can be used for cutting and making bouquets. It is not forbidden to grow pretty clarke in flowerpots and containers designed to decorate balconies, terraces, patios, porches and gazebos.

Features of growing and care

Clarkia the pretty is an adherent of sunny and warm areas. Providing the plant with this condition, it will delight its owner with abundant flowering and active growth. Growing in a light shade is possible, however, on such sites, clarkia is intensively increasing the green mass, as a result, most of the nutrients are spent on stems and foliage, while few flowers are formed. The culture is quite demanding to soil conditions, it does not accept heavy, strongly acidic, weedy, swampy and dense soils. She needs loose, permeable, moderately moist, slightly acidic, fertilized soils.

Caring for pretty clarkia consists in regular watering, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers at least 1 time in 2 weeks, loosening and weeding. Pinching at a height of 10-12 cm is welcomed. This procedure is necessary to increase tillering and, accordingly, to obtain a large number of flowers. Terry varieties require a support, it is placed closer to the center of the bush. The faded flowers are removed, otherwise the bush will look neglected. Sowing of pretty clarke is carried out in early spring, more precisely in the first decade of May, directly into the ground or into a greenhouse filled with a nutritious and moist substrate.

With the appearance of 2-3 true leaves on the shoots, thinning is carried out. Young plants are transplanted to a permanent place in early June. If the cultivation of pretty clarke is planned in rabatki or flower beds, sowing is carried out in seedling boxes in the second or third decade of March. Clarkia's seeds are very small, it is not recommended to cover them with a thick layer of earth; it is better to use a plate for sowing, with which the seeds are pressed into the soil. After sowing, the soil is abundantly moistened and covered with a film, which is removed with the emergence of seedlings.