2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
In ancient Egypt, mentions of irises are found in excavations dating back to the 15th century BC. More than 2 millennia have been cultivated in culture. Unpretentious plants are loved by gardeners all over the world. Fascinated by the beauty and unusual shape of the flower, the people composed legends about it
A bit of history
The name of the flower is translated from Greek as "rainbow". The goddess Iris, the messenger of Hetera and Zeus, descended to Earth after the rain along an iridescent multi-colored arc, delivering messages from the Great rulers. A wonderful plant got its name in her honor, thanks to the efforts of Hippocrates. Later Karl Linnaeus left the name unchanged.
According to another legend, Prometheus gave the heavenly fire to people. In honor of this event, a rainbow of seven colors flashed on Earth. Even at midnight hours, it burned continuously, illuminating all living things, giving people hope for better times.
As the sun rose, the divine light continued to flow from her. In places of contact with the soil under an iridescent arc, unusually beautiful iris flowers appeared.
Reproduction, planting
"Siberians" reproduce by summer residents by dividing adult plants. At the age of 5 years, in early spring or at the end of August, the overgrown bushes are completely dug up. With a sharp knife, cut into small pieces, adhering to the formed "fans". 2-3 sprouts are left in each lobe.
Young specimens are seated in sunny areas with a distance of 30-40 cm from each other, according to a previously developed scheme. Dig holes 5-10 cm deep, spill water. The roots are straightened, directing them straight down.
The root collar is slightly buried with earth, the soil is compacted around the bushes with your hands. Mulch on top with peat or humus.
Breeders use the seed method exclusively to obtain new hybrids.
Care
At first, newly transplanted plants are often watered. Later, during a prolonged drought. Weeds are removed at an early stage of development so as not to disturb the root system of cultivated specimens.
Mulching with sawdust, peat helps to retain precious moisture, eliminates soil compaction, additional loosening of the surface layer. Complex mineral fertilizers "Zdraven" or "Kemiru" are applied in the form of solutions in early spring after the snow melts (a tablespoon in a bucket of liquid).
For the winter, the leaves do not disappear, they come out green from under the snow. Old side plates die off gradually. A new xiphoid arrow forms from the center.
Use in the garden
Tall specimens look great in the center of the flower bed or in the background of the composition, undersized ones form dense curtains along the edge of the mixborder. With age, the decorativeness of irises increases due to the laying of more buds.
Plants planted along the reservoir organically fit into the natural landscape. The narrow leaves of the ancient representatives are combined with coastal vegetation (reeds, sedges, cattail, daylilies). Reflection in water enhances the beauty of irises.
Curtains, selected according to the color range of varieties, diversify the soft green of the lawn. After removing the dried buds, the narrow leaves, directed upward, do not lose their decorative effect throughout the season. They protect the composition of irises from the grass with a border tape.
Planted between openwork bushes of peonies and garden bearded tall representatives of this group, "Siberians" soften the transition from bright saturated shades to delicate pastel tones. The blue-blue range of irises is perfectly combined with daylilies of the yellow-red-orange palette.
They are used in bouquets with field specimens (chamomiles, cornflowers, cereals). They are not inferior in sophistication to other noble colors.
Having met the wonderful representatives, you can always pick up worthy specimens of the Siberian collection for your garden. With minimal care, they will delight caring owners with abundant flowering, a rainbow of colors.
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