2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Heart-leaved pontederia is an amazingly beautiful coastal plant that prefers to grow in shallow water. This beauty grows in very spectacular compact thickets and is excellent for decorating the shores of a wide variety of reservoirs. In nature, pontederia cordifolia is found from the temperate zones of North America to tropical regions. And it got its name in honor of J. Pontedera - the famous Italian botanist of the 18th century
Getting to know the plant
Pontederia cordialis represents the family of the same name Pontederia. The height of this perennial is capable of reaching sixty centimeters. Its horizontal root system is quite massive. The rhizomes of this plant are branched and very thick, endowed with characteristic air cavities.
The shiny leaves located above the water have a lanceolate or ovoid shape and are equipped with an arrow-shaped or heart-shaped base. The formation of such leaves with long petioles is observed on the stems in large numbers. The length of the leaf blades is 10 - 25 cm, and their width is about 18 cm.
Peduncles of pontederia cordifolia are also formed in large numbers. This beauty blooms with blue or blue-violet flowers. Its two-lipped flowers are collected in bizarre inflorescences-ears. The upper lips of the flowers are whole, and the lower ones are three-lobed. Stamens with pistils in wonderful flowers of a delicate bluish hue. The flowering of Pontederia cordifolia starts in mid-June and ends closer to the beginning of October. Moreover, the peak of the decorativeness of this beauty covers the entire flowering period.
The egg-shaped fruits of pontederia cordifolia are equipped with longitudinal spiny ribs.
There are many varieties of pontederia, and they differ mainly in the color of their flowers.
How to grow
Pontederia cordifolia grows well in well-lit open areas, in carefully fertilized soil. However, in partial shade, it will also develop quite well.
Reproduction of this spectacular plant occurs either in late spring by dividing the rhizomes, or by seeds sown in waterlogged soil. As for the division of rhizomes, they can begin to rot if you try to divide them during dormancy. This plant is planted to a depth of about eight centimeters below the water level. Often it is planted in the ground placed in large enough containers.
Heart-leaved pontederia is a rather whimsical plant that requires special agricultural techniques. When the soil freezes, this moisture-loving beauty often dies. And since it is not able to survive the winter in our latitudes, in the cold season it should be stored indoors - either in a cellar in damp sand, or in a greenhouse.
Pontederia cordialis grows quite well, but it does not differ in aggressiveness. Moreover, it is a kind of natural filter capable of purifying water from all kinds of contaminants.
This plant with long petioles will look especially advantageous in compositions with rather low decorative leafy plants. Also, when choosing neighbors for pontederia cordifolia, it should be borne in mind that its flowers bloom a little later compared to the vast majority of marsh inhabitants. This beauty will feel great in the company of hauttuinia, the very decorative, colorful and bright leaves of which will form a luxurious lower tier for the heart-leaved pontederia. The white-flowered and the original forms of this plant also harmonize well with each other. As for the size of reservoirs, they can be absolutely any for growing pontederia cordifolia.
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