Heavenly Inflorescences Of Cyanosis. Varieties

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

Of the species diversity in garden plots, the most common cyanosis is blue or purple, which is named due to the color of the inflorescences. The plant at first glance amazes with its large heavenly bells, collected in lush panicles. Let's take a closer look at the graceful beauty

A bit of history

Polemonium, as the plant is called in the scientific world, is translated from Greek as a quarrel or war. According to legend, in Ancient Greece, a dispute took place between the powerful rulers Phyletair and Polemon, who was the first of them to learn about the healing properties of cyanosis. Therefore, the flower was given such a name.

There is a legend about Jacob's dream. Traveling through the desert, he dreamed of an unusual picture of angels going down and up stairs against the backdrop of a blue sky. The structure, arrangement of leaves, the stem of the polemonium are similar to steps. The flowers themselves symbolize paradise.

Initially, wild species were planted around churches, abbeys, monasteries. In the 16th century, the plant began to be grown in aristocratic circles. Introduced to Europe by Bishop Henry Compton.

Biological features

The herbaceous perennial plant has a creeping, shortened, thick rhizome. Depending on the species, the shoots reach a height of 35 to 150 cm. Smooth, covered with glandular villi on top, hollow inside.

Leaf plates are alternate pinnate, pointed-ovate, concentrated mainly in the lower part of the stem, the upper ones are small, rare. In dry periods, some of the leaves droop, forming a "lush, openwork skirt" at the base of the bush.

Inflorescences are blue, large, outwardly reminiscent of a racemose, elongated panicle. Against the background of the petals, bright yellow stamens look beautiful, in full dissolution protruding beyond the bells. Long bloom from mid-June 46-50 days. At the end of August, small black seeds ripen in capsules.

Preferences

In the wild, it grows in cold and temperate climates in wet meadows, forest edges, clearings, along the banks of water bodies, among shrubs in single bushes or in groups.

Prefers loose, humus-rich soil, sunny or semi-shady places under the canopy of openwork vegetation. Moisture-loving, well tolerates the close occurrence of groundwater. It reacts to drought by wilting of the aboveground part; with a prolonged lack of moisture, it can die.

Winter hardiness is high. Withstands frosts up to - 35 degrees. Requires no additional cover.

Breeding achievements

From the wild species, breeders were able to bring out several varieties of cyanosis blue. Currently, hybrids have been created with blue, purple, white, pinkish inflorescences. Some of them are distinguished by unusual color of leaves, which gives the plants additional decorative effect. The varieties grown in Russia are of foreign origin:

1. "Bambino Blue". Height 75-80 cm. Shoots are slightly bent to the side. Large, dissected bright green lower leaves give the plant a delicacy. Inflorescences are dense raceme, bright blue, large. Resistant to drought, temperature extremes.

2. "Purple Rain Strain". A beautiful, compact bush up to 60 cm tall. The feathery foliage changes color depending on the temperature regime. In early spring, late autumn - a purple hue, in summer it turns green. Inflorescences are bluish lavender.

3. "Brise D Anjou". The height of the plant is 60-70 cm. The dissected leaf plate in the middle is green, along the edges - cream. The buds are pale blue, with yellow stamens, open in July, reminiscent of a delicate cloud. The variety is drought tolerant.

4. "Alba". Powerful shoots reach 85 cm. The leaf plate is dissected, green in color. Inflorescences are collected in white, airy brushes. Blossom in the second half of summer. Drought-resistant, does not require shelter for the winter, loves sunny places.

5. "Snow and Sapphires". The height of the bushes is within 60 cm. The original coloring of the leaf plate (white border on a green background) gives the plant additional decorative effect throughout the season. At the end of June, bluish-purple flowers with a pleasant aroma open.

6. "Stairway to Heaven". A miniature variety up to 40 cm tall. The color of multi-colored leaves is changeable. A creamy border stands out against a green background in summer, in autumn it turns slightly pink. Lavender buds adorn the bush in the first half of summer. Prefers openwork partial shade, moist soils.

This is not a complete list of hybrids created by breeders. The number of new varieties is increasing every year.

We will consider the reproduction of cyanosis blue in the next article.