Features of growing crops
It is believed that the name "armeria" is taken from the Celtic language. The word "ar" in this dialect means "near" or "together", "mоr" is the sea. There is another theory according to which the name of the flower came from a variety of French carnation, similar in appearance. The plant really resembles it a little, but in general it is an independent culture, which has about 90 species.
Delicate armeria fits perfectly into the landscape, it is unpretentious and aesthetic in appearance
According to the classification, this is a low perennial herb of the Pig family. By the nature of its growth, it forms beautiful thickets. Height varies from 15 to 60 cm, depending on the species. The stem is usually erect, but sometimes it is slightly lowered. The leaves form a rosette and resemble dark green grass. They are collected in so-called "pillows", which, like flowers, are very attractive. Inflorescences are pink (most often), red, white or purple. They are connected in the form of a characteristic ball. Flowering occurs throughout the summer season.
The plant tolerates drought well, but under natural conditions it grows well where there is a lot of sunlight. Therefore, when caring for him, you should not choose shaded places for planting.
Application in landscape design
In the design of a garden plot, this flower is used very often. It looks equally good both in single plantings and in combination with other crops:
- the neighborhood with alliums looks elegant, the inflorescences of which also have a spherical shape;
- Armeria goes well with phlox and Turkish carnations;
- ground cover crops (creeping thyme, Carpathian bellflower) complement the uniqueness of the flower very favorably.
To decorate a rockacaria (rocky garden), a few copies of the plant are enough. On alpine hills, it is better to plant it from the eastern slope.
Armeria will look great with garden plants, you just need to choose the right neighbors for it
How best to grow
Armeria is unpretentious and takes root equally well both in the open field and in a tub. It is believed that the soil cultivation method is more suitable for her, since she loves light and space, and easily tolerates winter.
The soil for the plant should be slightly sour; for this it is advisable to use special preparations.
In the open field, you don't have to worry about reproduction and the appearance of new shoots: the flower regenerates itself with the help of seeds. However, for the aesthetics of the plant bed, certain care is needed.
Bloom
Under favorable weather conditions, the plant begins to bloom in May. The peak of flowering occurs in June - early July, but this process continues successfully throughout the season, right up to October.
What is the danger
Aphids can threaten the plant, so that this does not happen, take preventive measures. Early in the spring, treat your army with "Intavir" or "Kinmiks", "Karbofos".
Sometimes spots may appear on the leaves, the flower withers and stops blooming. In this case, you can apply a fungicide for spraying.
When the plant is in a state of winter dormancy, it is prone to rot due to waterlogging or low acidity of the soil. By eliminating these reasons, you will maintain the health of your army until spring.
If there is no armeria in the collection of your flowers yet, and you decided to breed it at home, then it’s time to familiarize yourself with the rules for the reproduction of this flower.
Armeria: growing from seed
- Most gardeners choose to grow armeria on their own from seeds. This process is quite laborious and complex, but following the rules, you will cope with it. Armeria should be grown either in late winter or early spring. It is recommended to put the seeds in the refrigerator for a week before sowing. It is not necessary to do this, but this way they germinate better. After such "freezing", soak the seeds in warm water for no more than 8 hours. The seeds are planted in special containers (mostly made of wood or plastic). Place the seed containers in a dry and warm place. You can also bypass the planting in them and plant the seeds immediately in the greenhouse (the temperature should be at least 13 degrees).
- When the seedlings grow up, create a semblance of a greenhouse effect with gauze or film. Prepared sprouts can be planted in suitable soil in the country. The first flowering of the seaside armeria will begin in the 2nd year after planting. Armeria will begin to bloom in May, and flowering can last up to 3 weeks. If the seed is planted before winter, they do not need to be processed. Sprinkle them with 5 mm of soil, and then be sure to moisten the ground.
- In addition to seeds, the reproduction of seaside armeria can be carried out by dividing a bush or cuttings. If you decide to share the bushes, take a close look at them. Be sure to remove the rotten parts, transplant only healthy parts. The division can be carried out in spring and autumn. The bushes are placed in the water, and after the sprouts appear, they are planted in the ground as soon as possible. For planting, it is better to divide the bushes into several parts - this makes them easier and faster to root.
- Cuttings are carried out in the summer. For him, healthy and best plants are selected, from which they cut small outlets for subsequent rooting. When grafting, the seaside armeria are planted in groups at a distance of about 35 - 40 cm from each other. The flower should not be buried, otherwise it will not germinate. In the prepared area, a hole is simply pulled out, cuttings are planted, sprinkled and compacted with earth, watered.
Perennial breeding methods
Once planted, the bush will grow for many years, delighting with its beauty. But if you set a goal to propagate this plant, you can achieve this in three different ways.
- Seed method.
- Cuttings.
- Division of the bush.
Armeria seeds
Seed reproduction
Growing armeria from seeds can be done by seedlings or directly sown seeds in open ground. The seedless method consists in sowing seeds into the soil in late autumn (in this case, the seeds will be stratified in a natural way) or in early March. To grow seedlings, you need to sow seeds in the greenhouse in February-March.
The plant reproduces well on its own when ripe seeds are blown away by the wind.
In any case (when preparing seedlings or when sowing directly to a permanent place), do not plant the seeds too deeply, sprinkle the seeds on top with a layer of soil 0.5 cm.The seeds have a high germination capacity.
To increase germination and achieve the simultaneous emergence of plantings, place the seeds in the refrigerator for a while, and immediately before sowing, leave them in warm water for several hours.
After stratification
It is recommended to keep containers with seedlings in a warm, well-lit place. After the sprouts are strong enough, and a pair of true leaves have formed on them, you need to make a dive into the greenhouse and grow there until the seedlings are completely formed into small bushes.
As soon as the leaves in the greenhouse are strong enough and the night temperature is confidently above freezing, start planting the seedlings in a permanent place. Choose the warmest area with good sunshine. The soil should be humid, with a sufficient degree of oxidation, and, most importantly, light.
The best option is to plant Armeria in rocky or sandy soil.If it is calcified, be sure to change its composition before planting the plant. To neutralize lime, add ammonium nitrate to the soil before digging or pour a significant amount of acetic acid into the soil.
Landing features
10-15 days before planting, loosen the soil and add organic fertilizers to it. If armeria is to become a saline plant, prepare planting holes, the distance between which should be 30-40 cm.
The same distance should be from other cultures. Install a young seedling so that the roots are not too deep, and all the leaves are located above ground level.
Sprinkle soil over the holes, compact the soil and water liberally. If you strive for a dense soil cover, the distance between the seedlings should be 15-20 cm, plant them not in holes, not trenches. In the first weeks, watering should be quite frequent (the soil should not dry out).
As a rule, the first flowering with a seed planting method occurs only a year later.
@yewchan, Flickr
Cuttings
It is allowed to use this common method in warm weather. To propagate armeria by cuttings, take root outlets and sprinkle them with earth. When the soil is well warmed up, there is no need to cover the cuttings with anything.
Another common method of planting Armeria is cuttings.
Dividing the bush
The bush must be at least 3 years old. Dig out the bush, divide it into the required number of parts
Please note that the roots must be intact. The distance between the resulting bushes should not be divided more than 20 cm
With any method of reproduction, flowering begins only in the second year. But when planting by cuttings or dividing a bush in early spring, several flowers may appear already at the end of summer.
Choosing the place and time of boarding
Armeria, a photo of which can often be found on the Internet, is quite easy to grow, the main thing is to accurately follow the recommendations from specialists. First of all, such tips relate to the choice of the place and time of planting the plant.
Armeria in the wild grows mainly near water, but at the same time does not like its stagnation
Therefore, when choosing a place, it is better to pay attention to the slopes or hills. At the same time, one more feature of this plant must be taken into account - poor tolerance to exposure to direct sunlight.
It is best to plant Armeria in partial shade so that there is enough sun, but without direct ultraviolet radiation.
If we talk about the quality of the soil, then the flower is picky. The plant grows well on infertile, and even rocky ground. That is why landscape designers often use Armeria to decorate alpine slides.
It is important that the soil is slightly acidic. To find out this parameter, you can use a special set, which is sold in any store for gardeners and gardeners
If you wish get a powerful and beautiful plant, you still have to take care of the quality of the soil. The best option for growing Armeria would be the following composition:
- Two pieces of sod land;
- Two pieces of sandy soil;
- For loosening, it is worth adding sawdust, chopped straw or hay, rotted needles.
The last component, in addition to increasing the physical characteristics of the soil, will add natural fertilizers to it.
Variety selection
Alpine army. This variety is found naturally among the meadow vegetation of European countries. It reaches 30 cm, the diameter of the inflorescence is about 3 cm. Color: red, pink, white.
Wonderful armeria. The flower has a diameter of 5 cm, the flowering period lasts almost six months. The leaves remain green even in winter. Varietal colors: white, bright red or light pink. The stem is dense, directed upwards.
Ordinary, garden. High grade, grows up to 60 cm. Leaves 1 cm wide, more than 10 cm long. Flowers are painted in pink shades.
Velvich is a large individual, with leaves 10 cm long, almost 5 cm wide. The plant height is up to 35 cm. The size of the flower bowl is small (up to 2 cm). This variety blooms long and abundantly pink colors. The soil for it should be selected with calcium content.
The seaside armeria are low, grow near the sea, on stones. Purple flowers cover the plant in May and for more than two months delight you with their fragile appearance. Re-flowering may occur in the fall. There are pink and red bud colors, as well as with different shades.
Pseudo-army, otherwise beautiful. Tall specimen (about 40 cm), with evergreen leaves and white, red or pink flowers. It blooms in early summer and continues to bloom until autumn.
Features of care and cultivation
Planting and caring for an army even for amateur gardeners does not form difficulties. However, certain rules must be followed.
Lighting and location
Armeria is a photophilous plant, and the place to plant it should be sunny and well lit. Choose open, lighted areas of the garden. It is also advisable to worry about protection from drafts and strong gusts of wind in advance.
The flower looks great on rocky areas, terraces and curbs, in synthesis with other perennial grasses or groups of creeping plants.
Watering and loosening
Watering should be moderate. If the weather is slushy, then the precipitation itself is sufficient. If summers are dry and sultry, it is recommended to water more often. Sprinkler irrigation is a flawless option. The next watering should be carried out only when the soil is dry.
After each watering, the place near the bushes must be loosened so that the flow of oxygen is guaranteed to the roots. Weeds must be removed during this process.
Top dressing
It is desirable to carry out it every 1-1.5 months. Mineral fertilizers of a complex type, which are intended for flowering crops, are better suited. The product should be diluted in a certain concentration, which is written on the package, in water for irrigation.
It is thanks to this that the leaves will have a juicy green tint, and the flowering will be abundant. If the plant is planted on peat soil, then the need for feeding is low, since the plant receives all the necessary components from the soil.
The soil
Pick up sandy or stony soil for armeria. If there are no such on the site, then from a mixture of river sand, greenhouse and sod land, create a layer of soil about 20 centimeters thick.
The earth should be neutral or weak acidity. Such a culture does not like limestone compositions; lime can destroy a young plant. To neutralize the effect of lime, add ammonium nitrate to the soil or pour it with an acetic acid solution.
Pruning
It is important to carry out the planned pruning of the plant on time. The operation is performed after the flowers have faded
Use a pruning shears to cut long stalks. Doing so will help the plant to bloom again in the same season.
Winter care
Armerias are easily adaptable to winter weather. If winter is expected to be snowy without long periods of warming, flowers do not need to be prepared in a special way. Even in the winter season, Armeria retains its green appeal. Exceptionally soddy armeria must be wrapped in plant materials or dried peat for winter. Cover the flowers with spruce branches on top.
Diseases and pests
Armeria is not afraid of pests or diseases. Only the wrong landing and caring for it can give the aphid the ability to spoil it. Therefore, planting a plant in acidic soil is not desirable, it will be weak and vulnerable there. To avoid the attack of these insects, it is necessary to treat Armeria by completely cutting off the plant.
Also, in order for everything to be fine in the future, it is necessary to carry out preventive work in early spring. Armeria also has a leaf disease.Improper care can make the leaves mottled. For a flower, such a disease is fraught with serious consequences. It can retard plant growth and even stop it. In this regard, it is worthwhile to immediately start treating the plant with fungicides.
Flower planting methods
Armeria can be planted both with the help of seeds and using seedlings.
Seedlings at home
When planting seeds for seedlings, it is advisable to adhere to the following rules:
- a week before planting, it is advisable to remove the seeds in the refrigerator, and soak them in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for 8 hours before sowing;
- optimal sowing time: end of February - beginning of March;
- the seed does not need to be applied deep into the soil, just cover it with earth;
- until shoots appear, keep the bowls with the material in the brightest and warmest place;
- dive after the appearance of the first 2 leaves.
Even the seedlings of this flower look beautiful. In just a few weeks, she is destined to become a bright "beacon" in the flowerbed
Planting seedlings in the ground is advisable after the complete cessation of frosts, in different regions this period occurs at different times. Here, too, its own order of actions is defined:
- a sunny area is selected for the garden;
- the soil should be slightly stony and acidic; to raise its acidity, you can water the garden with a weak solution of acetic acid;
- before planting, the earth is dug up and organic matter is introduced;
- planting holes are located 30 cm apart;
Seedlings should not be planted too deep, in this case they will inevitably die. For some time after planting, the seedlings should be watered abundantly so that they take root well. But you don't need to fill the garden bed either, the plants may start to rot.
Planting armeria seeds: instructions on video
Armeria seeds can be sown outdoors in spring and autumn. Autumn sowing is usually carried out in the second half of October, and spring sowing, depending on the warming of the soil. As a rule, plants planted in open ground with seeds only start flowering for 2 years.
Large selection of varieties
Armeria has been cultivated for quite some time, and during this time, breeders have bred many varieties. Despite its general similarity, both in appearance and in characteristics, each variety has its own differences. Let's list the most popular varieties:
- Alpine is the most common type of flower. The height of the bush reaches 30 centimeters. Light pink flowers bloom from June to late summer;
- Velchiva is a taller flower that will give you beauty longer and more abundant than all other varieties. But such a variety has one feature, in order for it to grow well, a large amount of calcium must be present in the soil;
- Primorskaya is also a widespread variety. The height of the bush reaches 20 centimeters. The flowers of Primorsky Armeria themselves can be lilac-pink, dark red and other shades. This plant has one of the longest flowering times. Primorskaya Armeria will delight you with its flowers for 70 days;
- Soddy is the most demanding variety for planting and care. This Armeria is more sensitive to frost and direct sunlight. But at the same time, its flowers of pink and red are considered the most beautiful among specialists.
There are several dozen more varieties of Armeria, each with its own characteristics. You can drop several options at once in order to choose the one that suits you the most.
Armeria care in the garden
Armeria looks great next to low Christmas trees
During growth and flowering
This garden culture does not require special attention. Before flowering, it is recommended to fertilize with a complex mineral fertilizer. Then it is advisable to repeat the procedure every 2 weeks.
If the season is rainy, the crop may not require any additional moisture at all.And in a drought, regular watering is especially important, but you should not fill the garden bed, it should not be constantly damp.
After 5 years, it is recommended to change the planting site and divide the overgrown bushes. In the future, this operation is prescribed to be carried out once every 3 years.
The established Armeria reproduces by self-sowing, so there is no need to collect seeds
If you want the flowering to last for a long time, the faded stems should be cut off.
If the planting site is chosen correctly, the soil is acidic to the required degree, these plants rarely get sick. But if, nevertheless, rot or fungus affects the culture, the problem is solved radically by complete circumcision.
After flowering
After the flowering period has completely passed, you need to take care of the collection of seeds. If you want to use them in your own area, do not worry: the plant reproduces well by self-sowing.
If you need to transplant the plant or transfer it to someone else, tie them up with gauze before shedding, and then calmly take as much as you need.
Preparing for winter
Although this garden culture is very fond of warmth and light, it also tolerates winter calmly, remaining an evergreen culture. True, before frost, it is advisable to support it by covering it with spruce branches or non-woven material.
Possible problems
Armeria is resistant to disease, so caring for it is limited to timely watering
All types of this culture are very resistant to both diseases and temperature extremes. But sometimes there are removable difficulties:
- the plant begins to dry out due to insufficient watering or too hard soil;
- excessive watering leads to root rot, and the plant dies;
- if the bush is not periodically planted, it loses its decorative appearance, the growth of the herbal part increases, and, on the contrary, there are fewer flowers;
- aphid is a common pest; if found, the plant should be cut off completely.
Armeria: planting and breeding
Seed propagation of armeria occurs both by seedling and non-seedling methods. In open ground, seeds of armeria are sown at the end of autumn (so that they undergo natural stratification over the winter) or in spring, at the beginning of March. For ready-made seedlings in greenhouses, seeds of armeria are sown at the end of February or the beginning of March. In addition, Armeria reproduces well by self-seeding. Wherever you sow seeds of armeria - directly into the ground or into a container for seedlings - they are sealed shallowly, sprinkling on top with a layer of earth of half a centimeter. The germination rates of Armeria seeds are high.
Seedling
Sow seeds into the prepared soil, poured into shallow containers, to a depth of 2 centimeters.
Place containers in a warm, light place and wait for shoots. After the seedlings rise and they have two real leaves, they must be cut into separate pots or into a greenhouse and grown.
Sowing seeds directly into the ground is allowed in the spring, but it does not give good germination even from prepared and treated seeds.
The grown, matured seedlings can be planted in the personal plot as soon as the threat of spring frosts has passed. First you need to decide on the choice of a place in the garden where your perennial will rise. It should be with soil full of sand and stones. Warm and not shaded. An alpine slide or a flower bed near a reservoir is perfect.
Add organic matter to the soil a few days before planting. If you, as a landscape designer, have decided that the armeria will grow in a group and cover the ground with a carpet, you need to plant the plants in a checkered order with a step of 15–20 centimeters. To do this, you can divide the planting site with lines, and plant seedlings at their intersection. If the plants are to be shaded, they are planted one at a time at a distance of up to 40 centimeters.
When planting an armeria, the root collar must not be buried. Near the seedlings, it is necessary to compact the earth and water them.For the next three weeks, remember to water the "beginners", not allowing the soil to dry out completely.
Sowing in the ground
Residents of areas with severe winters can afford to do without seedlings by planting seeds directly in open ground in the fall. Seeds are similarly stratified in natural conditions.
The principles of planting in the ground are the same as in the seedling method. However, in the spring it is necessary to carefully carry out the first weeding, so as not to pull out the armeria, the sprouts of which are easily confused with weeds.
Dividing the bush
Divide the bushes of a plant that is 3 years old. The procedure is carried out immediately after winter or with the arrival of autumn at the end of the flowering stage. The dug out bushes are divided into shares, the sections are treated with activated carbon. Landing in the open field is done in 15 or 20 centimeters increments. The harsh beauty of the rock plants conquers. Armeria in your garden will certainly take its deserved place.
It can revive stone slides, decorate a rabatka, path or alley. It is often used in combination with creeping plants. If you prefer mountain landscapes or sea cliffs, then this romantic flower is for you. The variegation and severity of inflorescences, luscious green leaves - all this can give a refined charm to your decorative park.
Cuttings
When propagating armeria by cuttings, it is necessary to select and cut small rosettes from the plants. They need to be planted in the ground. To do this, dig a shallow hole, attach a stalk, sprinkle with earth, slightly compact the earth and water.
Cuttings should not be planted too deeply or they will not germinate. The gap between the bushes should be about 25 - 30 centimeters. Cuttings can be planted throughout the summer season.
