Argyrantemum: summer-long bloom
Every gardener dreams of getting a plant whose flowers will delight the eye not for a few days or even weeks, but to bloom throughout almost the entire warm season. Argyrantemum or silver flower can easily be classified as such plants.
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Description of the plant
Argyrantemum is a perennial flowering plant, separated from the genus Chrysanthemums into the independent genus Argyrantemum, Asteraceae family. In its homeland, the Canary Islands, silverflower grows in a humid and warm climate. In cooler conditions it can be grown as an annual or as a potted plant.
They are called silver flower and chrysanthemum daisy and Parisian daisy.
This is due to the fact that in appearance they are white, yellow or pink flowers argyranthemums are similar to chamomile or daisy flowers. Their centers are collected from tubular flowers, most often yellow, and along the edges there are white, pink, yellow flowers of the reed type.
The plant has straight stems, the height of which varies from 0.4 m to 1 m. The strongly feathery leaves have a green-silver or dark green color with a bluish bloom. Argyrantemum leaves are collected in a basal rosette. In general, the plant is a spherical bush.
In total there are about 20 species of this plant, in addition there are many varieties and hybrids.
Popular varieties of argyrantemum
In the wild, silverflower flowers have a typical “chamomile” color.The center of the flowers is yellow, and the outer petals are white. But breeders have obtained varieties and hybrids of argyrantemum with flowers of different colors.
The most popular varieties of chrysanthemum daisy today among gardeners are:
- Flamingo - the variety is in demand thanks to abundant and unusually long flowering. The first buds open at the very beginning of summer, when the bush is covered with pink flowers. The period of intense flowering continues until the October frosts. The height of the bush is 40 - 50 cm. It is used as a border and flower bed plant.
- Sunshine Silver is a variety with very bright yellow flowers, the edge petals are lighter than the dark yellow centers. Bushes up to 60 cm high. Stems are straight, flowering is abundant and long-lasting. Great for mono plantings and mixborders.
- Daizy Crazy Summersond Rose, long flowering, from June to September, light pink flowers, up to 5 cm in diameter. The plant can be grown in the garden and containers for decorating loggias, terraces, and courtyards.
- Angelic White, snow-white flowers open in the second half of June, continuous flowering lasts for more than two months. Can be formed as a standard plant.
Standard form
Having even little floriculture skills, you can form a Parisian chamomile as standard tree.
To do this, in September, cut stem cuttings from the bush and plant them in a container with moist soil. Wait for the roots to appear and plant in separate pots. As it grows, remove all side shoots. Install a direct support and tie the seedling, and after lignification, transplant it into a large pot.
When the desired height is reached, pinch off the top.In the future, form a spherical crown by limiting the growth of lateral shoots.
In summer, the standard form of argyrantemum will decorate any courtyard - patio, and in winter it will look good in a living room.
Growing Argyranthemum
In the wild, Argyrantemum grows in the warm maritime climate of the Canary Islands. Low forms are grown as indoor plant, purchasing either rooted young cuttings or already flowering specimens.
In open ground it is grown as an annual, through preliminary sowing of seedlings. Chrysanthemum daisy seeds are sown in March. Planting in open ground can begin in the second half of May.
The place for planting argyrantemum should be well illuminated by sunlight, partial shade is also possible. The flower feels good on light soils without stagnant water. Watering is moderate; for bright, abundant and long-lasting flowering, it is important not to overfeed the plants. When grown in soil rich in organic matter, the green mass of leaves increases, and the number of flowers decreases.
In order for new buds to actively form, flowers that have already bloomed must be promptly removed from the plant.
In the open ground the plant does not overwinter, but if it is transplanted into a container and brought indoors, it will survive the winter. During the cold season, it is important to maintain argyrantemum at temperatures no higher than +15 and moderate watering. Considering that the plant is not yet very common in garden culture, the method of preserving it in winter is very important.
The daisy chrysanthemum looks beautiful in standard form.Such a plant can be purchased already formed, or you can try to grow it yourself.
Video about the peculiarities of growing representatives of the chrysanthemum genus:
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