Resin Lush Bloom

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Among the numerous plant species of the Carnation family, there are unpretentious and rustic-looking representatives of the Silena genus on Earth. But their outward simplicity is deceiving. It is worth taking a closer look at them, and the amazing abilities that nature has awarded them will open

Family of Silenus

Herbaceous plant species of numerous genus

Silena (Silene) or in Russian, Smolyovka, possess all the qualities for which we love the representatives of the Clove family so much. Moreover, they have their own attractive abilities.

Firstly, many species have healing properties, one of which is especially in demand in our turbulent times - they are able to calm the agitated nervous system. Smolevka also has a long track record of healing, including the roots and grass of the plant helping to fight one of the monsters of Russian modernity - tuberculosis.

Secondly, according to one of the existing versions, its name, "Smolyovka", the plant received for the resinous substance that covers the stem. Moreover, if at the base the stem is absolutely pure and bare, then the closer to the fragrant flowers, the more resinous it becomes. In such a simple way, the plant protects its flowers, and, therefore, its offspring, from annoying insects, including ants with their "milk cows" - the gluttonous aphid. One ant will stick to the stem and lose its mobility. And other ants, looking at the unfortunate brother, will bypass the Smolyovka bushes. Here is an effective protection of flower beds from prolific aphids.

Thirdly, this plant was created by the Almighty for lovers. It opens its delicate petals at night, exuding a pleasant aroma, from which the head of lovers, walking until the morning, is even more dizzy.

Fourthly, long and abundant flowering will decorate any flower garden.

But, in any good, there is also a grain of unpleasantness. Many perennial species cannot get along with the cold, and therefore Smolyovka lovers have to grow them as annuals.

Varieties

* Primorskaya resinous (Silene maritima) is a creeping plant with dark brown-green leaves and abundant summer blooms. At a height of 20-30 cm, the plant looks like a bright rug, painted with miniature pinkish-white 5-petal carnations.

* Stemless resin (Silene acaulis) - a 5-10 cm high ground cover lush bush adorns the month of May with its bright pink flowers.

* Emotion of Elizabeth (Silene elisabethae) is a taller species, growing up to 25 cm in height. In summer, it is decorated with lilac-pink flowers, the petals of which have a fringed edge.

* Fringed resin (Silene fimbriata) is a relatively tall herb growing up to 60 cm in height. Flowers with white petals.

* Armeria resin (Silene armeria) - an annual up to 25 cm high. It has simple flowers, painted in white, pink or purple-red.

Growing

Unpretentious perennials look good in rock gardens; flower borders are arranged from annuals, and tall species are used in other types of flower beds.

Lovers of the sun can also tolerate partial shade, which is especially important for ground cover species. At temperatures below minus 5 degrees, they refuse to grow, so often perennial plants are grown in culture as annuals.

Smolevka is not capricious to soils, but does not like stagnant water. However, the soil prefers moist, and therefore watering should be regular with well-arranged drainage. In the spring-summer period, watering is combined with fertilizing with complex fertilizer every three to four weeks.

Reproduction

Annual species are propagated by spring sowing seeds directly into open ground, and perennials only by cutting apical shoots in the summer.

Enemies

Smolovok are affected by the same fungal diseases that affect plants of the Clove family. Therefore, they cannot be planted where their relatives were the previous culture.

In addition, they are attacked by nematodes, ticks and butterfly caterpillars.