2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Alpine toadflax (Latin Linaria alpina) - perennial herb; a flowering representative of the Flax genus of the Plantain family. Typical habitats in nature are mountain slopes, rocks, coastal slopes, stony placers, meadows. It is found mainly in the Mediterranean countries - Spain, France, Italy, etc. It is actively used by gardeners and flower growers for the purpose of decorating personal backyard plots. It is famous for its high decorative properties.
Characteristics of culture
Alpine toadflax is represented by perennial plants, endowed with creeping stems, which are formed in large numbers. They are characterized by bluish shoots with a gray undertone and fleshy foliage of the same color. Due to the peculiarities of the structure, toadflax is excellent for the formation of lush carpets. It can also be safely used as an ampelous plant. Its shoots will hang beautifully over the pot, and the inflorescences will delight with bright colors. Flowers, by the way, the culture forms purple, small, up to 2 cm in length. It is the color that distinguishes the Alpine toadflax from other representatives of the genus. On the lip of the flower, there is always a playful spot of orange color.
The species in question cannot be attributed to whimsical cultures. It tolerates long drought and cold weather well, but to achieve vigorous growth and abundant flowering, it is imperative to provide plants with plenty of sunlight and rocky, fertile soil with a neutral pH level. Do not plant plants in areas with heavy clay, damp, waterlogged, saline, highly acidic soil. There they will not reveal their true beauty, they will be stunted, and be very sick, which can lead to death. Also, Alpine toadflax will not tolerate community with strongly darkened areas, maximum light shadow with diffused light.
Growing features
Alpine toadflax is most often propagated by sowing seeds in seedling boxes or directly into open ground (in warm regions). In the first case, sowing is carried out in mid - late April. The soil is used nutritious, well-moisturized, loose, light. Since the seeds of the culture are small, they are not sealed, but only scattered over the soil surface, slightly sprinkled with earth and well watered from a spray bottle. After a maximum of two weeks, shoots appear, but the first flowers delight in a couple of months. By the way, in order to sow flaxseed as evenly as possible, it is recommended to mix the seeds with sand before sowing.
Seedlings are transplanted into open ground in the first decade of June. The optimum distance between plants is 20-25 cm. Toadflax will grow quickly and cover the bald spots, forming a beautiful purple carpet. It is worth noting that toadflax can also be propagated by dividing the bush. True, this manipulation is carried out only with well-grown bushes. They are dug up, divided into several parts (usually 2-5) and immediately planted in pre-prepared and fertilized pits. It is not forbidden to propagate the plant by cuttings. This method is the most difficult and rarely used in practice.
Culture care
Alpine toadflax is not a demanding crop. It requires manipulations that are standard for most plants. It is natural watering as needed, at the beginning of growth, removing weeds by hand, loosening the soil. Feeding should not be avoided. During the season, it is enough to carry out one top dressing in early spring. It is recommended to use rotted organic matter, for example, compost and complex mineral fertilizers. For the winter, it is better to cut perennial bushes under the root and cover with a layer of fallen dry leaves. It will protect the alpine toadflax from frost.
Recommended:
Alpine Cuff
Alpine cuff is one of the plants of the family called Rosaceae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Alchimilla alpina L. As for the name of the alpine cuff family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Rosaceae Juss. Alpine cuff description The alpine cuff is a perennial herb, the height of which will fluctuate between five and eighteen centimeters.
Common Toadflax
Common toadflax is included in the number of plants of the family called norichnikovye, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Linaria vulgaris Mill. As for the name of the common toadflax family itself, in Latin it will be:
Toadflax
Toadflax can be both a perennial and an annual plant. This plant is especially valuable due to its amazingly beautiful decorative flowering. In total, there are about one hundred and fifty different species of this plant in the genus. However, the greatest interest of gardeners is the Moroccan, Alpine and common toadflax.
Alpine Rezuha
Alpine rezuha (lat.Arabis alpina) - a perennial flowering evergreen plant growing in mountainous regions, belonging to the genus Rezuha (Latin Arabis) of the Cabbage family (Latin Brassicaceae). The spreading plant quickly forms solid cushions of rosettes of curvy basal leaves, which in spring are covered with a dense carpet of small 4-petal flowers of white or pink color.
Japanese Toadflax
Japanese toadflax (Latin Linaria japonica) - herbaceous perennial; a representative of the genus Flaxen of the Plantain family. Previously, the genus was reckoned to the Norichnikov family. In nature, the species is common in the Land of the Rising Sun (as the name suggests), as well as in the Kuriles, Korea, China and the Russian Federation (in the Primorsky Territory and Sakhalin).
