2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Small inflorescences of diascea are striking in bright colors. Outwardly, they look like small shells that have opened towards the sun. In the midst of flowering, the leaves are practically invisible. How to create a unique masterpiece in your country house?
Botanical features
A perennial plant in the wild nature of South Africa, in Central Russia it is used as an annual crop. A bright representative of the Norichnikov family is distinguished by long flowering from June to frost.
As they grow, erect stems turn into a creeping version. When planted in pots, they descend in a cascade, forming a dense spherical bush. The opposite, sessile, dark green toothed leaves are glossy. In summer, they are practically invisible due to the profusely blooming tubular inflorescences.
The lower petals are like delicate sponges, the upper ones are equipped with spurs. Pastel colors of petals predominate: pink, white, apricot. Hybrid varieties of the latest generation are brighter - red, purple, lilac. They are collected in clusters at the tops of the shoots.
The superficial root system does not tolerate the harsh wintering conditions, it is preserved in countries with a mild climate.
Landscape use
Floor pots, flowerpots, hanging planters are the ideal place to place the diascea. Filling in the spaces between tall perennials, miniature bushes are great for tricky mixborders.
Located between the stones of the rock garden, the plants cover the soil with densely spaced shoots. Drawing up carpet designs from different colors, decorating the borders along the paths, is a favorite technique of designers.
Diascea is perfect for growing on balconies, terraces, gazebos, verandas. Ampel bushes are perfectly combined along the edge of the pots with upright options for other plant species. Bright coleus leaves and small diascea inflorescences are an ideal pair for a large flowerpot.
Against the background of a mowed lawn, small buds look like soaring "butterflies" over a green, soft cover. A bright spot is created among the lush grass.
It looks equally impressive in solitary plantings in groups of several plants, in combined flower beds, among other species.
Culture requirements
The natural habitat of the diascea is the eastern slopes of the Dragon Mountains of southern Africa. It is dominated by poor soils, abundant rainfall, and a warm climate throughout the year.
Therefore, plants prefer light, loose soils with good water permeability to a slightly acidic reaction of the environment. But they can grow on any previously cultivated soil. On clay, sand is added to loosen it. A humus substrate is mixed into the sandy loam.
Watering is moderate, as the top layer of the earth dries up. The best temperature during the growing season is 22-25 degrees. Withstands short cold snaps up to 10 degrees, slowing down its growth.
Loves sunny, sheltered from the wind places, on the south side of the house. They tolerate light partial shade. Under the dense crown of trees, the stems are extended, flowering is reduced to a minimum.
Varieties
There are no varieties registered in the State Register. Diascea bearded is on sale. Depending on the color of the buds, several types of Queen are distinguished: pink, salmon, apricot, - Western selection with an invariable yellow spot at the base of the throat.
Currently, domestic forms have been developed:
• Basya is distinguished by velvety, bright pink, drooping inflorescences with a diameter of 2 cm.
• Brilliant - hybrid F1, a mixture of pastel shades of three colors, characterized by good branching, without additional pinching of the shoots. In the southern regions, it tolerates warm winters well, continuing its flowering. Maximum height 30cm.
As a result of crossing the heart-shaped and bearded forms, the Ruby Field hybrid was obtained, which has bright pink inflorescences with a darker spot inside. Its purpose is universal. Can grow in pots, flower beds. Blooms profusely throughout the season.
We will consider the care and reproduction of diascea in the next article.
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