2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
At night, among the many flowers, the most fragrant is the nocturnal (hesperis of the Matrona). Due to its property of exuding aroma at a certain time of the day, it is called a night violet. Small inflorescences collected in loose clusters against the background of other vegetation do not attract much attention during the day
A bit of history
In the wild, it lives in Central Asia, Europe, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. Of the 30 known species, 11 different representatives are found on the territory of Russia.
As a cultivated plant, nocturnal has been used in Europe since the 16th century. Marie Antoinette - Queen of France loved to walk in the garden among the blooming hesperis. In the 17th century, travelers brought it to the American continent. Thanks to its good survival rate, he conquered the wild nature of new territories.
It appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 18th century. People of the upper class could afford such a luxury. Wealthy landowners and nobles decorated the gardens of their estates with marvelous flowers. We planted them for cutting in greenhouses.
At the present time, interest in nocturnal is renewed. A variety of color mixes are available in stores.
External structure
Hesperis Matrona, grown as a biennial crop. Belongs to the cruciferous family. Tall stems reach one meter, slightly pubescent, the upper part is strongly branched.
Leaves are elongated-lanceolate with a pointed end. The lower ones are petiolar, the upper ones are sessile. Short villi give the green plates a slight blueness.
Flowers with four petals in lilac-pink tones, with yellow stamens, up to 2 cm in diameter, are collected in openwork brushes. In recent years, breeders have bred varieties with white inflorescences, double forms. They bloom from May to August in the second year of life, emitting a marvelous, delicate aroma, which intensifies in cloudy weather, in the evening hours.
The fruit is a classic pod with two valves. Seeds are brownish, slightly elongated. They remain viable for 2 years.
Preferences
It grows well on fertile, loose soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction of the environment. Dry, acidic soil leads to a decrease in the intensity, duration of flowering, over time the plants lag behind in growth, the inflorescences become smaller.
Loves light, open places, openwork partial shade. It prefers to grow under a canopy on a sunny side.
In dry periods, it requires regular watering, without waterlogging. Negatively refers to the close occurrence of groundwater, spring waterlogging, being affected by root rot.
Hibernates without shelter under high snow cover. In the absence of such, it requires a little insulation with non-woven material through the arcs.
Landscape design
It is planted in curtains, several plants in a group. Looks good in the background in complex compositions, being the backdrop for undersized neighbors: Winky's aquilegia, astilba, dwarf phlox, goldenrod, Gaillardia, rudbeckia, cosmea.
Acts as a tapeworm in the massif among the lawn. Planted in a recreation area near the benches, it allows you to enjoy the unique aroma with violet notes in the evening hours. Looks great against the backdrop of greenery of tall shrubs: lilac, spiria, deytion, hydrangea, turf.
A low-growing white variety of anemone, no more than 50 cm high Nana Candidissima or double Purpurea Plena with purple inflorescences, is planted in rabatkas. The latter form reproduces only by dividing the bush. He is a rare guest in the gardens.
In the front garden it looks great in the middle tier among tall plants: black cohosh, buzulnik, eremurus, delphinium. They make beautiful compositions of night violets along the fence, paths.
Used by florists for making bouquets. Has the properties to stand for a long time in the cut without loss of decorative qualities.
We will consider the methods of breeding and caring for the Matron's hesperis in the next article.
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