Content
- 1 What does the soapstone look like and where does it grow?
- 2 Types and varieties of soapwort
- 3 Reproduction methods
- 4 Planting and caring for a soapstone
- 5 Pests and diseases
- 6 Pruning and preparing for winter
- 7 Application in landscape design
- 8 Conclusion
Planting and caring for soapworms outdoors requires minimal effort. This is one of the most unpretentious plants that can be grown in most regions of Russia. Soapy milk is obtained from seeds (in the open field or by seedling), after which it is planted in a permanent place. Only occasionally does the flower need to be watered, as well as loosened the soil.
What does the soapstone look like and where does it grow?
Mylnyanka is a genus of herbaceous plants of the Clove family. It includes annual, biennial and perennial grasses. The genus Mylnyanka is also called Saponaria (Latin Saponaria), which is associated with the word "sapo" - "soap". If you dig up the roots and put them in water, they form a mixture that looks like foam.
According to the description, the soapwort (pictured) is a low or medium-sized plant with highly branched creeping or ascending shoots. Often they are smooth, less often covered with a layer of cannon; the color is green or red-brown. The leaves are lanceolate, opposite, have a pointed tip, taper towards the base.
Soap flowers consist of five petals. They are small, no more than 3 cm in diameter. They are combined into numerous paniculate inflorescences of different colors (depending on the species and variety):
- white;
- cream;
- pink;
- soft lilac;
- purple;
- red.
Saponaria bloom is abundant, long-lasting, can last from June to August
The culture grows in Eurasia, and the Mediterranean countries are considered the main habitat. The soapwort is also found on the territory of Russia in several regions:
- middle band;
- Kuban, North Caucasus;
- Western Siberia.
The plant can be found in open and shady places: among shrubs, in meadows, at the edges of forests, as well as along river banks. Mylnyanka is unpretentious, therefore, its distribution area is quite wide.
Types and varieties of soapwort
There are 15 known saponaria species and several dozen varieties, eaten specifically for growing in the garden. The most popular varieties will help you choose a plant for every taste.
Olivana's Soapy
Saponaria olivana is also called Inspiration. The soapwort is distinguished by attractive flowers of a delicate lilac shade. Grows well in sunny places, in light sandy loam soil. Suitable for growing in the middle lane and in the south - withstands winter frosts down to -29 ° C.
Saponaria Olivana blooms from June to July
Soapy medicinal
Another name for the species is Common Soapy (Saponaria officinalis). It takes root well in the middle lane, in the south and in Western Siberia. It reaches a height of 30–90 cm, while the leaves are very large - up to 12 cm long.
The common soap is prized for its medicinal properties and beautiful pale pink flowers.
The following varieties are especially popular among gardeners: Rosea Plena, Bressingham, Dazzler, Variegata.
Rosea Plena
Soapyanka Rosea Plena is one of the representatives of the Captivity series along with Alba and Rubra. They differ in the color of the flowers:
- Alba's are white;
- Rubr has dark red;
- in the soapwort Rosea Plena (Saponaria officinalis Rosea Plena) - pink, by type - double, i.e. consist of several layers of petals.
Rosea Plena variety is distinguished by attractive flowers and a large bush (up to 100 cm in height)
Soapyanka Bressingham
The Bressingham saponaria variety is represented by small ground cover shrubs (up to 40 cm in height). Gives beautiful inflorescences of a rich pink hue. Feature - long flowering. Numerous flowers create a very pleasant aroma around them.
Bressingham is one of the most attractive soapwort varieties, blooming from June to August.
Dazzler
Dazzler is a variegated plant that produces large, lush blooms in a bright pink hue.
Flowers contrast well against a green background and are visible from anywhere in the flower bed. Blooms from July to August.
Variegata
Variegata is another variegated saponaria. On the leaves of the culture, there are stripes of a salad shade, which alternate with rich green ones.
The variegat variety is decorative not only with flowers, but also with variegated foliage.
Soapy ground cover
Ground cover variety of low-growing saponaria in height does not exceed 30 cm
The leaves are lanceolate, narrow, with a glossy surface. The flowers are pale pink, exude a pleasant aroma. In nature, culture is found in the foothills of the Pyrenees. In Russia, representatives of this species of saponaria can be grown in the middle lane and other regions.
Soapyka Pink Lawn
Mylnyanka Pink lawn is an ornamental perennial plant, a ground cover (height up to 20 cm). Pillows appear on the body of the plant, from which shoots are formed. Leaves are narrow, umbrella-type inflorescences.
Saponaria Pink lawn produces numerous flowers
Soapyanka Pumila
Relatively high (up to 40 cm) saponaria. Forms large pinkish-burgundy inflorescences.
Mylnyanka Pumila blooms from June to August
Perennial soap
Perennial saponaria is a tall plant (up to 100 cm) with dark green oval leaves and light pink flowers, collected in umbellate inflorescences. They give a pleasant aroma. Begins to bloom in the first half of July. In August, forms numerous seed pods, can spread by self-seeding.
Perennial soapwort blooms from July to August
Soapy Basilikolistnaya
This species of saponaria (Saponaria Ocymoides) is also called Moon dust. A low-growing, ground cover plant with creeping shoots up to 20 cm high. The leaves are narrow, oval, rich green, the surface is dull. In appearance, they resemble the foliage of a basilica, hence the corresponding name.
Inflorescences are umbrella-shaped, flowers are star-shaped (5-petaled), numerous. They give a pleasant aroma. Coloring from pink to red. Basilikolistnaya soapwort is distinguished by its high winter hardiness, therefore, even if it freezes in a harsh winter, it is easily restored due to self-seeding of seeds (from fruit-boxes).
Camilla
Low-growing saponaria (up to 15 cm), green foliage, pubescent. The flowers are small, pink in color.
Variety Camilla is used as a ground cover plant
Rubra Compact
Rubra compacta aboutIt has bright pink flowers. The culture is used to decorate alpine slides.
Rubra Compact grows well on stony soils
Slendens
The color of the flowers is not as bright as that of Rubr Compact. Splendens means luxury.
Splendens is prized for its delicate flowers of delicate color
Snow Type
Snow Tip is a beautiful undersized soapwort. Forms many white flowers.
Snow Type is used for planting in rocky areas
Soapy Lemperdzhi
The saponaria species Lempergii came from the Balkan Peninsula.Low-growing plant - up to 40 cm with arched stems. The leaves are lanceolate, dark green, the surface is dull. The flowers are star-shaped, painted in lilac-pink shades, gather in bunches at the tops of the shoots.
Lemperji produces attractive flowers in a pastel lilac shade
Soapyanka Yellow
The saponaria species Lutea is a dwarf species: height 5–12 cm. It produces numerous yellow flowers. They look inconspicuous, but they are able to create a beautiful background.
The flowers of this variety of soapwort are pale yellow in color.
Reproduction methods
Saponaria can be grown at home by getting seedlings from seeds. In the greenhouse, seedlings grow for 2 months, after which they are transplanted into open ground. An adult soapwort can be propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush. In this case, the plants will fully retain the characteristics of the mother bush.
Growing soapwort from seeds
One of the main breeding methods for soapwort Vdohnovenie and other varieties is growing from seeds. The plant can be obtained both by seedlings and by planting seed directly in open ground. In the first case, they are grown at home at room temperature, and after the appearance of leaves - at 5-7 ° C. In the second case, the seeds are planted in the ground in late spring or early summer. In the first planting season, they must be mulched with peat, sawdust or other materials.
Dividing the perennial soapwort bush
Perennial plant species and varieties can be propagated by dividing the bush. You can start the procedure at the end of March or at the beginning of April (before the buds swell), or immediately after the end of flowering. The bush is dug up, shaken off the ground and carefully separated by the root of the soapwort with a sharp knife. Moreover, each new division should have several healthy kidneys. Then they are planted in a permanent place, well watered and mulched.
Cuttings
Another breeding method is with cuttings. They are obtained from the apical shoots in mid-spring, before flowering. Small shoots - 10-15 cm in length. From the bottom completely. remove the leaves, on the top - leave. Then they are planted in wet sand (you can indoors) and put a jar on top, periodically moistened abundantly. As soon as the roots appear, they are immediately transplanted to a permanent place. For the winter, it is advisable to mulch with dry leaves, peat, sawdust, spruce branches.
Planting and caring for a soapstone
Mylnyanka is an undemanding plant that thrives on different soils. Caring for it is simple, so any gardener can handle the cultivation.
Dates for planting soapwort seeds for seedlings and in open ground
Saponaria seeds can be planted directly in the open field or seedlings can be obtained first. If you grow soapworms from seeds in the soil, they can be planted either in mid-May or early October (for Siberia and the North-West - the second half of May or the end of September). Planting seeds for seedlings is carried out only in the spring - in the second half of March.
Saponaria is convenient to grow in cassettes
Soil and seed preparation
The culture easily takes root even on marginal, stony and clay soils. Therefore, it is not necessary to specially prepare the soil for planting. The flower bed is cleaned and dug to a shallow depth. If the soil is too acidic, add 200 g of crushed eggshells or slaked lime per 1 m2... If it is heavy, clayey - 500-800 g of sand or sawdust for the same area.
As for the soil for planting seeds for seedlings, novice growers acquire a universal soil. You can also make the mixture yourself. To do this, take sod land (2 parts) and mix with peat and compost (1 part each). If the soil is clay, add a pinch of white sand. On the eve of planting, it is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, ignited in the oven (150 ° C, 15–20 minutes), or put in the freezer for several days.
Sowing seeds for seedlings and in open ground
To obtain seedlings, saponaria seeds are sown in plastic containers or wooden boxes. Planting instructions:
- The seeds of soapwort are small, so they are simply evenly distributed over the surface with an interval of 2-3 cm.
- Then sprinkle with soil, but do not deepen.
- Moisten liberally from a spray bottle.
- Cover with a film or a transparent lid, put it on the windowsill.
- Further, the room temperature and diffused lighting are maintained, periodically moistened.
- After the first shoots appear (after 15–20 days), the film is removed, and the containers are placed in a cool room with a temperature of + 5–7 ° C.
- When the soapwort gives the first pair of leaves, the seedlings are carefully planted in different pots.
Further, the seedlings of soapwort are grown before transplanting into open ground: they maintain diffused lighting and moderate moisture.
Planting seedlings and subsequent care
Saponaria seedlings are transferred to the ground in mid-May or closer to the end of the month, when the soil warms up to + 10–12 ° C, and the threat of return frosts will be minimal. The plot must be:
- open to the sun, this will provide a bright and abundant flowering;
- moderately moist. Better a small hill, not a lowland.
Saponaria takes root on any soil
During transplantation, they try to preserve the earthen lump as much as possible (the soil is pre-moistened). The interval between plants is 25–30 cm. Further care for the soap dish comes down to a few simple steps:
- Watering only in drought.
- Mulching plantings with peat, humus, sawdust to maintain soil moisture.
- Top dressing only in April. You can apply a complex fertilizer, for example, azofoska.
- Weeding - as needed.
- Loosening - regularly, especially after heavy rains, watering or fertilizing.
Pests and diseases
Saponaria has good immunity and practically does not suffer from diseases. Sometimes it can suffer from spotting, which is associated with excess moisture. In this case, all affected leaves and stems are cut off, and watering is completely stopped.
Of the pests of the soapworm, only the caterpillars of the scoop are threatened. They are collected by hand, after which the plant is treated with an insecticide:
- Fitoverm;
- Nurimet Extra;
- "Practitioner";
- "Phasis" and a friend.
It is better to spray the flower in the evening, in dry and calm weather.
Pruning and preparing for winter
It is enough to cut the saponaria once a season - after the end of flowering (September). At this point, you need to remove all wilted inflorescences, as well as remove the foliage and remove the upper third of the shoots (as a result, they should all become approximately the same length).
Not all varieties of soapwort need a special shelter for the winter. But if the winters in the region are frosty, and there is little snow, the plant is completely sprinkled with dry foliage or sawdust.
Application in landscape design
Saponaria is a classic ground cover. The plant is used to create lush flower carpets next to the path, near garden trees and shrubs, to decorate distant corners of the garden.
Soapyka goes well with different colors:
- aconite;
- phlox;
- sage;
- dahlias.
The plant is ideal for rock gardens and rockeries, as the abundant inflorescences look graceful against a neutral rocky background. Below are some photos for inspiration:
- Mixborder along the road.
- Creeping soapwort hanging from a small height.
- Wall decoration.
- Floral carpet along the fence.
- Soapy woman in the rock garden.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for soapworms in the open field is available to any gardener. It is an undemanding plant that grows even in abandoned areas and at the same time blooms profusely and feels quite normal. A well-lit flower bed without moisture stagnation is suitable for planting.And care comes down only to rare watering, one-time top dressing and periodic loosening of the soil.
