Content
- 1 Botanical description
- 2 Types and varieties
- 3 Application in landscape design
- 4 Reproduction methods
- 5 Growing a dodecateon from seeds
- 6 Landing dodecateon
- 7 Follow-up care
- 8 Pests and diseases
- 9 Conclusion
Planting and caring for dodecateon outdoors, due to its simplicity, is available to both experienced and novice gardeners. The plant can be easily propagated by dividing the bush or grown from seeds that can be sown directly into open ground. The original shape of the flower and the high peduncle make it possible to use the culture to decorate the garden. The leaves are used in folk medicine.
Botanical description
Dodecatheon is a genus of perennial plants from the Primulaceae Vent family. The name literally means "divine dozen". It is probably associated with the twelve flowers that make up the inflorescence. In practice, another name is also common - dryakvennik, as well as goose color.
From the description and photo of the dodecateon, it can be seen that this is a rather exotic and at the same time "modest" plant. Peduncle, depending on the species, reaches 10-50 cm in height. The stem is long, dark red. At its top are flowers of an unusual shape, which provide the attractiveness of the dodecateon.
Leaves only form in the root zone, leaving the stem completely bare, which makes it even more interesting. The shape of the plate is broadly oval, sometimes elliptical, in length from 1 to 3 cm. The color is light green - against this background, bright inflorescences look especially beautiful.
Features of flowering dodecateon
The flower of the dodecateon has an unusual shape, resembles a cyclamen. Consists of 4-5 petals of different colors:
- snow-white;
- yellow;
- purple pink;
- crimson.
The type of inflorescences is umbrella-shaped, the diameter is small - only 3 cm. They attract attention with an unusual structure: the petals are turned back, and the stamens and pistil, on the contrary, lean towards the foreground. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts more than a month. In August, keg-shaped fruits begin to form. They contain many small seeds. Therefore, you need to collect them carefully.
Types and varieties
There are more than 30 different species in the Dodecateon family. Among them, only some varieties are grown in culture, specially bred for different climatic conditions. The most common varieties with photos and descriptions will help you choose a culture for any region.
Alpine (Dodecatheon alpinum)
An interesting species, found mainly in the mountains. The flowers are pale lilac, with white bases, and the core is rich yellow. Stems are small in height - up to 30 cm.
Alpine dodecateon blooms for 1.5-2 months - from June to August
Toothed (Dodecatheon dentatum)
Perennial species with pure white flowers. Distributed in the northwest of the United States, it takes root well in most Russian regions. It produces beautiful inflorescences and numerous leaves of a light green color.
Toothed dodecateon is suitable for creating ground cover plantings
Dodecatheon Jeffrey
The species is distinguished by light green large leaves and pink flowers located on dark red erect peduncles. The plant is quite tall - up to 50 cm.
Dodecateon Jeffrey especially loves moist soil, so it is better to plant it on the shores of water bodies
Dodecatheon Clevelandii
Gives 5-6 powerful peduncles up to 60 cm high. Flowers of attractive pink color with a lilac shade. Their diameter is about 2.5 cm.
Cleveland dodecateon occurs on the west coast of North America
Medium (Dodecatheon meadia)
The species is common in the east of the United States and Canada. Prefers dry, sunny places, which is important to consider when planting in the garden
Medium dodecateon has peduncles up to 50 cm long
The culture forms very large leaves. Their length is about 30 cm.
Small-flowered (Dodecateon low flowered)
This species produces only 8-10 flowers, while most other varieties form 15 to 20 flowers. Leaves are oval, with a glossy surface, decorative.
Little-flowered dodecateon gives pink-lilac inflorescences in May-June
Sprawling (Dodecatheon patulum)
A low-growing plant with crimson flowers. Popular with gardeners because of the bright inflorescences that appear in early summer.
The crimson flowers of the sprawling dodecateon are harmoniously combined with light green leaves
Virginia (Dodecatheon Virginia)
A snow-white variety that grows up to 50 cm in height. Each bush produces 15–20 attractive inflorescences. Sometimes they have a pale pink tint.
Virginia dodecateon gives flowers from late May to the second half of June
Samson (Dodecatheon Samson)
A medium-sized perennial up to 45 cm high. Forms flowers up to 3 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is pale pink, closer to lilac. Flowers appear from May to June.
The flowering of the Samson dodecateon begins only in the second or third year after planting.
Sacred (Dodecatheon sanctarum)
A very hardy plant. It perfectly tolerates frost and temperature changes during the warm season.
Sacred dodecateon can be grown in regions with cold winters
Aphrodite (Dodecatheon Aphrodite)
Dodecateon Aphrodite is a shrub of medium height (40-60 cm). The flowers are purple in color, with a yellow core. In inflorescences of 10–20 buds. To grow the beautiful dodecateon Aphrodite (pictured), you must follow the rules of planting and care. The main requirement is a well-moistened and light soil.
Variety Aphrodite is suitable for garden decoration, looks good when cut
Queen Victoria
Dodecateon Queen Victoria is a very spectacular plant up to 30 cm high. The flowers are delicate lilac and pink-purple. Appear from the end of May to the second half of June.
Dodecateon Queen Victoria looks good in single landings
Angel of heart
Low-growing variety (20-25 cm). Gives flowers a rich lilac color. Their diameter reaches 3 cm. Decorates shady places, fits well into flower beds, rockeries. Often planted on hills and on the coast of water bodies.
Dodecateon flowering Angel of the heart begins 2-3 years after planting
Hermit (Dodecatheon insulare)
Decorative thanks to the wavy leaves and petals of lilac or pale pink color. Height up to 45 cm, lush bloom.
The pink inflorescences of the Hermit dodecateon look nice against the background of light green leaves
Alba (Dodecatheon alba)
Variety with attractive white flowers on high peduncles (50 cm). The plant is unpretentious, any florist can grow it.
Snow-white Alba inflorescences go well with rich greens
Red Wings
Dodecateon Red Wings is a short shrub (up to 20 cm) with bright purple inflorescences. Looks great in compositions. Dodecateon red wings are also used in single landings.
Red Wings is one of the most beautiful varieties that bloom in June
Application in landscape design
Dodecateon is a peculiar plant that always attracts attention. It is often placed in single plantings, forming a flowerbed of several plants of the same or different species. The flower can also be used in compositions. Some interesting photo ideas:
- Dodecateon on a rocky flower bed.
- Decoration in the recreation area next to the gazebo, bench.
- Landing on the background of the lawn.
- Decoration of a nondescript place in the garden.
- Landing option against the background of stones.
Reproduction methods
Different types and varieties of dodecateon can be propagated:
- By dividing the bush.
- Seeds.
The first way is the easiest. To do this, choose an adult dodecateon bush (3-4 years and older), dig it out at the end of October or at the beginning of April. Divided into several parts, so that each of them has several healthy shoots and roots. They are transplanted to a new place, watered and mulched.
Growing a dodecateon from seeds is also easy enough. They can be planted directly in open ground or in a seedling container.
In favorable conditions, the plant reproduces by self-sowing. Therefore, if the fruits and seeds are not removed in time, the flower can capture excess space, displacing neighboring plants.
Growing a dodecateon from seeds
Dodecateon seeds can be purchased from the store or harvested by yourself. They should be handled with particular care as they are very small and can easily crumble.
Direct sowing in the ground
The most common way of dodecateon propagation is by direct sowing of seeds. The plant is unpretentious, so there is no special need for growing seedlings. The optimal planting time is September (before winter). Spring disembarkation is also allowed. But in this case, the seeds of the dodecateon need to be stratified: they are collected from the capsules by hand, carefully put into bags made of natural fabric and stored in the refrigerator. Then they are sown at the end of April or at the beginning of May on a flower bed.
In both cases, the algorithm of actions is the same:
- Prepare the site: clean, dig, fertilize and level.
- Place the prepared garden soil in a box and place it on the flower bed.
- Deepen the seeds by 1 cm (the distance between adjacent ones is at least 5–7 cm).
- Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, periodically moisten with a spray bottle.
- The first leaves of the dodecateon die off within two weeks. This is normal, so do not be afraid that the seedling has died.
- Ventilate periodically, remove the film completely after the appearance of leaves for the second time.
- Saplings dive to a permanent place.
- For the winter, they are covered with leaf litter.
Growing seedlings
In the case of growing dodecateon seedlings, sowing begins at the end of February or in the first decade of March. The soil is compiled in advance - it must be fertilized and loose. For example, you can mix turf (surface) soil with peat and humus in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. If the soil is clayey, some sand should be repaired.
Then the earth is placed in boxes where the seeds of the dodecateon are planted. After that, cover with foil and grow in the same way as when planting in open ground. They dive after the appearance of new leaves (for the second time). After 1.5 weeks after transplantation, a complex mineral fertilizer is given. All this time, they continue to monitor soil moisture.
Diving of dodecateon seedlings is carried out after the secondary appearance of leaves
Landing dodecateon
The dodecateon is transplanted to the flower bed at the beginning of May. There are no special requirements for the place - it can be either sunny or shady. The soil should be moderately moist (lowlands with moisture stagnation are undesirable). The holes are prepared in advance at a distance of 10 cm. The depth corresponds to the roots of the plant - up to 10-15 cm. If the soil is not very fertile, when digging in autumn or early spring, add 3-5 kg of humus per 1 m2... If the soil is clayey, close up to 800 g of sawdust per 1 m2.
Before transplanting, you need to water well both the hole and the dodecateon seedling itself in order to preserve the earthen lump to the maximum. Plants are carefully transferred to a new place, buried and spread with mulch - straw, sawdust, humus or peat.
Dodecateon is planted in open ground in early May
Follow-up care
Caring for a dodecateon plant is quite simple. In order for the flowering to be lush, first of all, you need to organize good watering. In a drought, water is given 2 times a week. If precipitation is heavy, then additional moisture is not needed. To prevent the soil from drying out too quickly, a layer of mulch is spread on the surface.
The flower is fertilized 2 times per season - in spring (April or May) and in autumn (September). It is recommended to lay humus or peat on the surface - such a layer not only serves as a fertilizer, but plays the role of mulch. Instead of organic matter, you can use a complex mineral fertilizer - it is diluted with water and the dodecateon is watered once (at the beginning of flowering).
Wintering
In the fall, the flower continues to be moistened. All peduncles are removed (this can be done in the summer). You do not need to trim the foliage. A week before the onset of frost, the plant can be covered with dry leaves, peat or other organic matter. In early spring, the layer is removed so that the plant does not overwhelm.
Pests and diseases
Planting and caring for a dodecateon flower includes protection from disease. The plant has very good immunity. But with excessive watering, it can suffer from rot. If the leaves die off, spots appear on them, you should stop moistening the soil. And if spots appear on the surface, it is necessary to treat the plant with fungicides:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- "Topaz";
- "Ordan";
- "Maksim";
- "Speed";
- Fundazol.
From insects, ants attack the flower. Slugs can often be found in the flowerbed. To combat them, a nut or eggshell is poured around the planting. You can also make a "walkway" from wood ash.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for the dodecateon in the open field is carried out according to standard rules. It is an unpretentious plant that only requires regular watering. Periodically, the soil needs to be loosened and weeds removed, and you can feed it 1-2 times per season. The original shape of the flowers, combined with undemanding care, make the dodecateon one of the best early flowering crops.
