2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
My acquaintance with Liatrix began 25 years ago. In the store, I was attracted by a pack of seeds of an unusual fluffy lilac flower. The germination rate was low, but I managed to get the first 3 seedlings. Later, the seedlings of the white version were discharged with ready-made tubers. How is Liatrice different from other brethren?
Structural features
All parts of the plant amaze with their unusual structure:
1.
Roots … The main part is represented by a thickening in the form of a flat, wide "pill" resembling a gloxinia or gladiolus tuber. Over time, it grows up to 10-15 cm in diameter, forming daughter rosettes. It is located almost at ground level. On the lower side there is a thick "beard" of small, long, thin roots, which deliver nutrients to the plant from the depths.
2.
Stems … Thick erect shoots 50 cm high emerge from the buds located on the upper part of the tuber in early May. Densely covered with small successive leaves. The lower leaf plates are long, narrow, collected in basal rosettes of deep green color, shiny on the outside.
3.
Inflorescences. Tubular fluffy, shirokokolokolchatye, collected first in baskets under a common outer shell of 5-10 pieces, then in an inflorescence ear 25-30 cm long. Purple varieties are more common. They are more hardy, winter well in the Middle lane without shelter. White-flowered specimens are less resistant. The flowering of spikelets is interesting. The buds bloom from mid-July to autumn from top to bottom, reminiscent of chic fluffy candles.
4.
Seeds … Ripen in September-October. Sitting tightly on peduncles until frost. The structure of the hemicarps looks like a shuttlecock. In the center is a dense grayish-brown elongated ribbed grain. On the reverse side, fluffy awns are attached to it, helping the seeds to scatter with the help of the wind.
The combination of all external signs makes liatris an attractive flower for garden decoration.
Preferences
Feels great in sunny glades, in openwork partial shade. Loves loose fertile slightly acidic soils in dry areas. Heavy clay soil is loosened with a sand-peat mixture with the addition of compost.
The close location of groundwater can cause rotting of the root system. It resists drought well due to the accumulation of moisture in the tubers. Hibernates without shelter in the middle lane under a cover of snow.
Landing
A week before planting, they prepare the earth by digging it onto the bayonet of a shovel, choosing the malicious roots of the weeds. If necessary, add humus, sand, scattering ash on acidic soils.
Small depressions are made, setting the distance between adjacent seedlings to 25-30 cm. Water is poured. The tuber is laid superficially, slightly submerging the "tablet". The kidneys do not fall asleep with earth.
Care
Liatris is not a demanding plant to care for. Timely weed removal helps the bushes to develop a good vegetative mass over the summer. Watering is rare. During prolonged drought 2-3 times a month.
In early spring, the plants are fed with a complex fertilizer Agricola, at the beginning of flowering - "Zdraven". To retain moisture, the root zone is mulched with peat or sawdust.
After flowering, the arrows are cut off, leaving 5-10 cm from the ground. Until the end of the season, decorativeness is preserved due to juicy, shiny leaves. In the spring, dry residues from the peduncle are removed, making room for new shoots.
Place in the flower garden
Liatris are placed in groups at the foot or top of alpine hills, rockeries, mixborders. Low-growing varieties are suitable for rocky gardens. Looks great against the background of the lawn, next to hydrangea, phlox, undersized spireas, irises, rudbeckia, Gaillardia, coreopsis. It appears as a bright spot against the background of wide leaves of hosta, fern, bergenia.
In a bouquet cut costs 1, 5-2 weeks. Used in winter compositions. Dried inflorescences in full dissolution do not lose their beauty for several years.
Reproduction, useful properties of liatris will be considered in the next article.
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