Schisanthus - A Magical Combination Of Colors

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

Feathery thin leaves and flowers, similar to bright butterflies, crouched for a minute to take a break from the summer whirlwind, are loved and in demand by gardeners. Particularly good are variegated rabatki decorated with schizanthus, or small compositional groups of two or three ornamental plants

Biennial used as an annual

Schizanthus (Schizanthus) is a biennial plant, grown in culture as an annual plant, decorating with a motley blanket of rabat and flower beds. Schizanthus is often grown in flower pots, decorating dwellings, balconies, verandas and garden gazebos.

Its thin feathery leaves resemble the leaves of a mysterious fern, and the stems are covered with glandular villi that protect the plant from pests.

During the flowering period, which lasts from the beginning of summer and takes a couple of autumn months, the plant is covered with a thick carpet of flowers with an unusual shape and motley bright color. The flowers of some species are very similar to orchid flowers, only they are softer and smaller than the latter. When they are in friendly flocks on the inflorescence, it seems that bright butterflies have gathered from all around to decorate your garden.

Varieties

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Schizanthus pinnate (Schizanthus pinnatus) - This species is most often found in our gardens. The original species, which grows to a height of 40 to 70 cm, has graceful small flowers. Varieties with larger flower sizes have been developed. The variety of the palette with which nature has painted these delicate flowers, with the shape and combination of colors similar to orchid flowers, is fascinating. But something in the flowers remained from their relatives in the Solanovye family (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes). Elastic peduncles, like the legendary Atlanteans, hold on their "shoulders" for a long time dense caps of monochromatic or variegated flowers, painted in white, pink, lilac, red tones, additionally painted with purple, yellow … spots, stripes, specks.

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Graham Schisanthus (Schizanthus grahami) - a sixty-centimeter bush is grown in culture less often than the previous type of schizanthus. From the beginning of summer to autumn, delicate flowers bloom, painted in yellow, pink or lilac colors.

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Schisanthus Vizeton (Schizanthus x wisetonensis) - from the two previous species, a compact schizanthus Vizeton was bred, growing up to half a meter. Prolonged flowering (from early summer to October) pleases with amazing bright crimson, salmon, pink orchid flowers.

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Schizanthus blunted (Schizanthus retusus) is a tall species (up to 80 cm high), characterized by deeply divided leaves and axillary inflorescences, clusters of flowers, the lower lip of which is divided into three parts. Varieties with abundantly flowering compact undersized bushes have been bred.

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Schizanthus alpestris (Schizanthus alpestris) - grows in the wild in an exotic country, Chile. The flowers are light purple, with dark spots.

Growing

Schizanthus will not cause much trouble to anyone who decides to give him shelter at his summer cottage. It feels great outdoors, sitting in flower pots or containers, as well as outdoors, giving flower beds a bright and delicate variegation of flowers. It is grown for cut flowers, and also as a houseplant.

Being a native of warm regions, the schizanthus does not like freezing temperatures and chooses places that are sunny (without direct sunlight) or partial shade. In winter, it can withstand temperatures not lower than plus 10 degrees. The optimum temperature for the life of an indoor schizanthus is plus 15 degrees, with periodic ventilation of the room occupied by the plant.

Schizanthus is very hygrophilous, and therefore needs regular watering and good drainage, which protects against insidious stagnation of water.

Soils for abundant flowering need fertile, friable, rich in humus. When late spring frosts no longer threaten the ground, the seedlings are planted in open ground.

To make the plant always happy, withered flowers and yellowed leaves should be removed in a timely manner.

Reproduction

Having met the New Year, a schizanthus lover takes out seeds, containers filled with fertile soil, and sows seeds in January. The grown seedlings are planted in personal cups so that at the end of May or the beginning of June they can be easily planted in open ground.

Enemies

Most often, schizanthus is affected by fungal diseases, therefore moisture and soil drainage requires special attention.

Note:

Thanks to Irina Mikhalkova (nickname "1r1ne") for permission to display her photographs. Their place of stay is here: