Heiranthus: features of the flower and its cultivation
Today, there are many different flowering plants that gardeners grow in their gardens. One of them is Cheiranthus. It is famous for its beautiful flowers that emit a magical scent. This plant is also called lacfiol. It blooms with racemose inflorescences. The flowers are either simple or double-coated. Sometimes they can reach up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter. But what are the features of this plant? How to grow it on your site?
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Description of the plant
Heiranthus is annual a plant that pleases its owners with beautiful flowers. But you can also find biennial species. They grow as a bush that can grow up to one meter in height. Many gardeners grow varieties that do not reach large sizes.
After some time, the plant blooms, and its flowers can be double-covered, collected in inflorescences. But you can also find regular flowering. Stems are erect, branched. Their surface is covered with bifid hairs. Near the very base the stem becomes woody. The flowers are painted in different colors. They are:
- Yellow
- Pink
- Orange
When the plant blooms, it emits a pleasant aroma. The flowers have an original shape and a yellowish tint, which is why Cheiranthus is often called yellow gillyflower. The appearance of inflorescences begins in early July.The flowering is quite abundant, the smell is often compared to the aroma of lilac. This is an amazing plant that today many gardeners use for decorations their gardens. But it’s worth knowing how to grow cheiranthus correctly so that it pleases with its appearance and flowering.
Features of growing cheiranthus
In order for the plant to develop normally and later be covered with abundant flowers, it is worth paying due attention to its care. Heiranthus requires certain growing conditions. He loves warmth. It is recommended to choose areas for planting that are well lit by the sun. In winter, Cheiranthus can survive down to -18 degrees.
Therefore, in cold regions it is grown as an annual plant. Although for the winter it can be moved to a greenhouse or pot. The main thing is to create the necessary conditions for it to develop normally. In order for the plant to develop normally, you should adhere to the following rules:
- To grow a flower, you should choose loamy and well-drained soil. Only on such soil can the plant develop.
- It is necessary to systematically loosen the soil.
If regularly feed Heiranthus, he will thank his owner with good growth and stable flowering. During planting, organic fertilizers must be applied. When the plant is actively growing, then mineral fertilizers are added to the soil. Only this must be done several times a month before flowering. Heiranthus needs moderate watering. It should be watered when the top layer of soil dries out.
The plant does not like too much moisture. It can even continue its development during a short drought. To make the bush lush and beautiful, the tops are pinched.But experienced gardeners advise not to carry out such activities too often.
Video about the cheiranthus flower:
To ensure that the appearance of the cheiranthus is always beautiful and the flowering is long, it is recommended to promptly eliminate inflorescences that have already faded. It is worth remembering that cheiranthus can suffer from all the pests that attack the cruciferous family. In rare cases, it suffers from powdery mildew.
Plant propagation
To propagate Cheiranthus they use seeds. They are sown in March to grow seedlings. The seeds are small. For planting, loose and nutritious soil is used. Seeds are placed in it, which are then covered with a small layer of soil. After this, you should carefully water the seed using a spray bottle.
In order for the seeds to germinate, you should cover them with film or glass. Pots or boxes are placed in a bright place. The temperature should be about 18 degrees. When the seedlings sprout, then it’s worth diving. Plants are placed in open ground at the end of spring.
There should be about a quarter meter between each seedling. Heiranthus is able to survive low temperatures down to 18 degrees. In regions with warm winters, plants may not be covered. But harsh weather can destroy seedlings. If the temperature drops significantly in winter, then it is recommended to transplant the plants into pots for overwintering. In greenhouse conditions, cheiranthus will survive the cold well.
Flowers will appear in the spring. When the autumn cold just sets in, it is worth moving the cheiranthus to a greenhouse and replanting it in pots.
But you should not forget about regular watering, and systematically add water to the trays. If yellowed foliage appears, then it must be carefully removed.When the winter cold has passed and spring has arrived, then you can move the plants into open ground. Do not forget about the proper distance between the bushes. You can not plant heiranthus in the garden at all, but simply grow it in pots, decorating balconies or loggias.
Application of Heiranthus
When the shoots appear, another 2-4 months will pass and the plant will be covered with beautiful and fragrant inflorescences. Do not forget about pinching for abundant flowering. With the help of such a plant you can decorate balconies or courtyards of summer cottages. In addition, heiranthus will fill the area around itself with a pleasant smell.
This plant is often used for group landings near curbs. Heiranthus looks great with poppies, violets and tulips. The plant is often cut and then used for living bouquets. So, Cheiranthus is a unique aromatic plant. Having provided the necessary conditions, it will delight you with flowering.
