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Planting and caring for the loosestrife is classic, not distinguished by complex agricultural techniques. This representative of the flora is a beautiful herbaceous perennial of the Derbennikov family. The name of the plant comes from the Greek word "lytron", which means "clotted, shed blood." It is common on all continents except desert and tropical regions. In its natural habitat, ornamental culture grows in swamps, in coastal areas of rivers, in flooded rice fields, flood meadows.
On hot summer days, drops of water form on the leaves of the loosestrife. According to one beautiful legend, transparent dewdrops are the tears of the Virgin Mary about her son. In fact, this phenomenon has a scientific explanation: as a result of the work of special stomata located on the back of the leaves, excess accumulated moisture is removed from the plant.
The people call the loosestrife "swamp candles", "God's grass", "podberezhnik", "grandfather's grass", "upland reed", "plakun-root", "plakun-grass"
Description of the loosestrife
The various types of loosestrife have common characteristics:
- creeping root system, superficial, woody;
- stems are straight, elastic, dense, tetrahedral;
- stem height up to 1.5 m;
- leaf plates lanceolate, petiolate, with a pointed apex, with stomata on the back side;
- the color of the leaves is bright green or dark green;
- leaf length up to 10 cm;
- inflorescences whorled or spike-shaped;
- inflorescence length up to 50 cm;
- the shape of the flowers is star-shaped, six-petaled;
- flower diameter up to 1 cm;
- the color of the flower petals is pink, bright crimson, lilac, violet;
- fruits are rounded, elongated capsules.
Description of the loosestrife and photos of plants allow us to draw conclusions about the degree of decorativeness of the garden culture.
The height of some bushes of plakun-grass reaches 1.8-1.9 m
When and how the loosestrife blooms
Blossoming of loosestrife (plakun-grass) begins in June and lasts until late August or early September.
Buds are densely located on spike-shaped inflorescences. From June, small flowers begin to bloom one by one, gradually coloring tall peduncles. Budding continues until September inclusive. The loosestrife blooms most abundantly on moist soils.
Podberezhnik is an excellent honey plant, sweet nectar has a transparent, amber color, pleasant, tart taste, incomparable honey aroma
Types and varieties of loosestrife with photo
Common loosestrife is characterized by the presence of more than 30 species with many varieties. Among their wide variety in landscape design, willow and rod-shaped are most successfully used.
Willow
The willow loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a herbaceous perennial, which is characterized by the following specific features:
- woody root, thick;
- stem straight, tetrahedral, branched;
- stem height up to 1 m;
- the number of shoots on one bush up to 50 pieces;
- leaves are narrow, lanceolate, collected in 3 pieces in one whorl or opposite;
- the color of the leaves is dark green;
- inflorescences are racemose, dense with small flowers, collected by whorls;
- flower diameter up to 1.5 cm;
- color of inflorescences various shades of pink.
The willow-leaved species is used in the design of the local area along with other ornamental plants.
In the line of willow varieties, such attractive specimens can be distinguished.
- The Brighton variety of loosestrife is characterized by a pink-purple tone of the inflorescences.
The abundant flowering of the willow variety of plakun-grass Brighton pleases the eye all summer, from June to September
- Roberte's loosestrife variety is distinguished by the coral shade of the inflorescences. The variety is rather undersized, the height of the stems and shoots reaches 60 cm.
The Roberts variety is deservedly considered one of the most attractive of the line of willow beetles due to the unusual, rare shade of petals
- Roseum Superbum can be recognized by the bright pink color of the inflorescences.
Roseum Superboom is a delightful decorative variety that looks perfect both in single plantings and next to other garden plants.
- The variety of loosestrife pink Pearl (Pink pearl) is a tall culture, which is characterized by a height of shoots up to 1.2 m, pearl-pink color of inflorescences.
Tall bushes of the Pink Pearl variety are ideal for zoning a garden plot
- The Rocket variety of loosestrife is a tall plant, the height of the stems of which reaches 1.5 m, the color of the flowers is burgundy.
The maroon inflorescences of the willow variety Raketa noticeably rise above other representatives of the flora world
- Feuerkerze is a richly blooming, medium-sized crop, which is characterized by a height of shoots up to 80 cm, a pink-red shade of inflorescences.
Medium-sized variety of plakun-grass Feuerkerts blooms for 2 months
- The Stikflamme variety of loosestrife is a spectacular representative of the species, which is characterized by large flowers of a bright purple hue.
Large-flowered Sticflamme looks good in single plantings
- The variety of loosestrife Blush (Blush) is a classic representative of the species, with a pink tint of numerous flowers.
Light pink coloring of plakun-grass petals Blush is in perfect harmony with various stylistic directions of landscape design
- Gypsy blood (Zigeunerblut) is characterized by a bright red color of inflorescences.
The willow variety Zigeunerblut is characterized by large bright red flowers
Rod-shaped
Rod-shaped loosestrife in the garden (Lythrum virgatum) is represented by a diverse range of varieties, which are characterized by common characteristics:
- compact size of the bush;
- shoot height up to 1.2 cm;
- erect, branched shoots;
- leaves are lanceolate, elongated;
- the color of the leaves is dark green;
- inflorescences racemose;
- inflorescence color - various shades of purple, dark pink.
The most popular representatives of the rod-shaped species:
- The Helen variety of loosestrife is distinguished by the purple-pink color of large inflorescences.
The height of the bushes of a low-growing variety of helen rod-shaped beetle up to 50 cm
- The rose Queen variety of loosestrife is characterized by a deep pink tone of individual flowers.
The Rose Queen variety is characterized by a height of shoots with peduncles up to 70 cm
- The variety of rod-shaped loosestrife Modern Pink blooms with bright, lilac-pink buds.
Modern Pink - a tall variety, the height of the shoots reaches 1 m
- The variety of loosestrife rod-shaped Dropmore Purple is distinguished by a light pink shade of inflorescences.
Dropmore Purple is a large-flowered rod-like cultivar great for single plantings.
- The modern Gleam variety of loosestrife can be recognized by the rich purple color of the inflorescences.
The stuffed racemose buds of the Modern Gleam rod are elegantly combined with other flowering plants in the garden
Loose deer in landscape design
Among landscape decorators, the perennial loot flower is very popular due to its frost resistance, unpretentiousness of the culture to weather conditions and conditions of detention. A tall ornamental plant has:
- beautiful, bright foliage;
- spectacular appearance and shape of inflorescences;
- great colors;
- long flowering.
In the photo - a loosestrife in landscape design:
Various ornamental varieties of perennial podberezhnik look exquisitely and picturesquely on the coastline of artificial or natural reservoirs
The decorative loosestrife is in good harmony with other moisture-loving "neighbors": marsh gladioli, irises, astilbe, gunners, as well as phlox, lilies near artificial reservoirs or on a picturesque floodplain.
The loosestrife gets along well with brightly blooming peonies, phloxes, lilies, and decorative garden carnations.
Along with other tall crops, plakun grass can form an elegant hedge-style composition
Plakun grass - a beautiful accent on a prefab flower garden
When placing a crop in a garden bed, it should be borne in mind that the perennial root system suppresses weaker plants.
How can you propagate a loosestrife
Perennial loosestrife can be propagated in the following ways:
- seed;
- vegetative (dividing the bush, cuttings).
Loose seeds are propagated by seedling, by direct sowing in open ground (suitable for southern regions with a mild climate) or self-sowing.
The vegetative method of dividing the bush is used in autumn or spring. A healthy, mature plant is chosen to divide the bush. 2-3 plots are made from the bush with the obligatory presence of a growth point. Transplanting a loosestrife in the fall by dividing the rhizome is the most optimal option, which allows young plants to grow stronger in the winter.
Since the division of the stiff root system is fraught with some difficulties, the method of cuttings is considered the simplest vegetative propagation method. Root cuttings are chosen with a growth point. Cut off shoots are placed in a nutrient soil and covered with glass or foil to create a greenhouse effect. After the development of the root system, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place. Propagation of loosestrife by cuttings allows you to fully preserve the varietal characteristics of plants.
To ensure the rooting of plots or seedlings of plakun-grass, abundant watering should be provided before final engraftment in a new place.
Growing seedlings of loosestrife from seeds
Planting loosestrife seeds for seedlings is done at home. Seed material is placed in disinfected containers with treated soil mixture in March. The soil is chosen nutritious, loose. Algorithm for sowing seeds for seedlings:
- seeds are distributed over the surface of the earth at a distance of up to 2 cm from each other;
- do not deepen;
- crops are leveled with a palm and watered with a spray bottle;
- the container is covered with glass or plastic wrap.
To germinate loosestrife seedlings, the crops are placed in a cool place and grown at temperatures up to + 18 ⁰С. When three leaves appear, the sprouts dive.
Before moving to open ground, the seedlings are hardened for 2 weeks.
Planting and caring for a loosestrife in the open field
Planting and caring for a bobber in the open field is distinguished by a classic approach. The grown seedlings are transferred to a "permanent residence", taking into account the main preferences of the culture to the composition of the soil.
Recommended timing
Fortified seedlings of perennial loosestrife grown from seeds at home are transplanted into open ground in May. The optimal transfer period is the establishment of a stable warm temperature of air and soil.
Plakun grass sprouts are transferred to the ground when the threat of night spring frosts is over
Site selection and preparation
To place a decorative perennial in the open ground, select areas of the garden near water bodies.Well-lit or slightly shaded corners of the garden are suitable for plakun-grass.
Most preferred for horticultural soil:
- wet;
- well drained;
- sour;
- with a high humus content.
Some landscape designers plant the culture in a pond to a depth of 30 cm.
With strong shading, the plant will not please with abundant flowering.
Next to what you can plant a loosestrife
The loosestrife has a powerful, well-developed root system. When placing perennial bushes of any variety in the garden, it should be borne in mind that it can suppress plants with less developed roots.
Tansy, lilies, phloxes, peonies can be called ideal “neighbors” for a flower garden for plakun-grass.
Landing algorithm
Algorithm for planting loosestrife seedlings in open ground:
- the formation of landing holes;
- application of organic fertilizers;
- moving seedlings to planting holes;
- abundant watering.
Seedling placement scheme - at least 40 cm apart
Watering and feeding schedule
Gardeners who decide to start a podberezhnik on a garden plot should remember that the culture is exceptional moisture-loving. The plant needs frequent watering:
- at least once a week;
- at least 2-3 times a week when hot weather is established.
For lush flowering, the loosestrife needs enough nutritious soil. Top dressing is done as follows:
- You can mulch the soil around the loosestrife bushes with peat, compost, or humus. This technique will allow you not only to maintain a sufficient level of natural moisture after watering, but also to achieve a high content of nutrients.
- Fertilizers with a low nitrogen content or any formulation for garden flowering crops can be fed to loosestrife bushes in June-July.
- In spring, mineral complex fertilizers, sulfate nitrophosphate can be added to the soil.
Before planting the culture, a small amount of compost or humus can be added to each well
Weeding, loosening, mulching
After watering, loosening of the soil, removal of weeds is recommended.
Mulching with cut grass, peat, straw, allows you to effectively retain moisture around the bushes.
Plump grass bushes will bloom more abundantly if moisture is carefully preserved after watering with mulching.
Pruning
Pruning of decorative loosestrife bushes is carried out in the spring. Lateral shoots are subject to removal, which create an obstacle to fruitful formation.
Wintering
Garden beetle is a frost-resistant culture. For most regions of central Russia, the loosestrife does not need shelter.
In the fall, to ensure a more comfortable wintering, all stems and shoots are cut at the root.
In areas with more severe conditions, the stems are not completely cut to the root. The bushes are covered with dry foliage, sawdust.
Shoot residues help trap snow, which effectively protects the root system from severe frost
Transfer
Once every 6-7 years, the beard bushes need transplantation and renewal. Manipulations are performed in early spring or autumn. Adult mother bushes are completely dug out of the ground. Using a sharp garden tool, the root system is divided into 2-3 parts.
Each plot must be strong enough to contain viable growth points, developed roots and healthy shoots. Places of cuts are sprinkled with wood ash.
The landing hole is formed in advance. Its size should correspond to the actual size of the plot.
The wells are fertilized with organic fertilizers (compost, manure, humus).
The plots are moved into holes, covered with earth and pressed well.
Seedlings are abundantly watered and mulched with peat or organic matter.
The transplanted plots bloom the next year, after rooting
Pests and diseases
Ornamental podberezhnik has a strong immunity to pathogens and pests. Experienced growers note rare cases of aphid lesion of the loosestrife bushes in close proximity to roses.
The insect sucks out juices, which negatively affects the abundance of flowering and decorative appearance.
Affected plants are treated with insecticides
Conclusion
Planting and caring for a loosestrife is simple and affordable for most gardeners and landscape decorators. The majestic candles of the inflorescences of the decorative podberezhnik will fill the garden with rich shades of pink, purple, burgundy, while observing the simple requirements of agricultural technology.
