9.Note, Interesting Facts
In people prone to allergic reactions, armeria pollen can trigger an attack.
Early and abundant flowering will attract bees and other beneficial insects to the site - in this case, the bushes will become excellent honey plants.
Peduncles with attractive buds can be cut off as soon as the flowers begin to bloom and placed in a vase of water - cut they will not lose their attractiveness within 7 to 10 days. Also, within 1 - 2 years, the interior will be decorated with dried flowers obtained from this plant.
In order to get dry inflorescences, the peduncles are cut off when about half of the buds are open, then collected in small bunches and tied with twine. The bundles are hung under a canopy or placed in a warm, well-ventilated place. It is worth making sure that the direct rays of the sun do not fall on such beams - the buds in this case can lose color - burn out.
The compact size of the flower allows you to grow it not only in the garden and in the country, but also at home - in ordinary flower pots.
Interestingly, the very name of the flower is associated with its place of growth in nature - it comes from the Celtic phrase "ar" and "mor" - next to the sea. Some botanists believe that the generic name comes from the French language, where the word "armoires" meant a bearded carnation, similar in appearance to our flower.
Sometimes the species armeria over time begins to behave like a weed - they begin to abundantly self-seed and divide. To grow such species, it is worth choosing a site where it will not interfere with other plants or limit planting with a special garden border or dug in slate, and cut off the inflorescences immediately during wilting.
Catnip features
The catnip plant (Nepeta L.) is a member of the Lamiaceae family. This genus includes about 250 different species. In nature, catnip is found in the temperate latitudes of Europe (24 species) and Asia, and therefore it can be found on the territory of Russia. Catnip also grows in tropical mountainous areas in northern Africa. It is also found almost throughout the European part of Russia, in the Caucasus and Siberia. This perennial plant prefers to grow on stony dry soil. The word "Nepeta" directly refers to the city of Nepeta, located in Italy (the former Etruscan state). In this city, catnip grew literally at every step.
Catnip is a perennial plant, but there are also annual species. The height of the bush can vary from 100 to 120 centimeters. Opposite fragrant single leaf plates have a heart-shaped shape, while on the edge they have teeth.
The plant blooms in July. Its whorled inflorescences consist of small white and blue flowers. Bushes with yellow inflorescences are rare. The lower petals grow together to form a bell-shaped or funnel-shaped tube that ends in two lips. At the same time, there are a couple of spots on the upper lip. Each flower has four stamens, two of which are collected in bunches. The lower pair of stamens is slightly shorter than the upper one, however, none of them protrudes from the crown tube. In a flowering plant, flowers are collected in the upper part of the stem in a cone, while they retain their decorative effect until October. At the end of flowering, in place of the inflorescences, fruits are formed, which are nuts.
Mint and catnip are related plants.At the same time, the foliage of these plants smells almost the same. However, catnip emits special active volatile substances, which include a compound called nepetalactone. It is capable of influencing the behavior of cats through the respiratory tract.
Catnip, Catnip. Perennial essential oil plant catnip
Where to plant Astrantia?
She is not too demanding on soil fertility. Any corner of a flower garden with normal garden soil will do. On heavy loams, it is advisable to prepare the planting site more thoroughly. In a pit (up to 40 centimeters in diameter and the same depth), it is advisable to add the same amount of humus (2 parts each) and earth, add 1 part of sand. On sandy slopes, only humus is added. In this case, the plant will certainly please with abundant flowering.
The star can be planted under trees, decorated with a rockery or alpine slide (if there is enough space), a mixborder, placed around the lawn or in its center. It looks good next to boulders, like a bright spot of color against the background of conifers, like the main plant in a mini-garden, arranged in a paving window. As neighbors, you can choose lungwort, ferns, stonecrops, astilbe, bells, loosestrife, hosts.
Secrets of the long blooming of Astrania large
- Try to cut off wilted inflorescences more often - this can cause a second wave of flowering, which is often more abundant than the first.
- Apply the fertilizer once a season - in April. You should not do this further, since all the benefits from fertilizing will go to the leaves and stems, and the flowering will be reduced.
- If you do not want to allow self-seeding, it is necessary to remove the stems soon after flowering, choose those on which there are almost ripe seedlings and hang them in a dark place, substituting a box for crumbling seeds below.
- In relatively warm regions, Astrantia can spend the winter outdoors. Young specimens (up to 2-3 years old) should be covered with spruce branches or dry grass, after cutting off the shoots and mulching the soil.
- Astrantia large is very resistant to diseases and pests. The only enemy is slugs, who love to feast on its beautiful dissected leaves. When they appear, you need to treat the bushes with wood ash or special preparations such as "Thunderstorm".
- There is no need to tie up the bushes - they will be overcrowded anyway.
- In summer drought, it is necessary to water Astrantia once a week, avoiding stagnation of moisture.
Popular species and varieties
Despite the presence of a variety of species, only a few are used in domestic gardening, the photos of which you can see below:
Astrantia major
Popular varieties of Astrantia large:
- Lars is a drought-resistant variety, the bush grows up to 75 cm. The inflorescences are bright pink;
- "Moulen Rouge" (Moulin Rouge) is a popular variety in Russia. The height of the bush reaches 60 cm, the inflorescences are purple-pink, deep purple, sometimes dark cherry or wine with black edging. Winter-hardy plant;
- "Sunning glade Variegated" - pastel pink inflorescences, calm and delicate shades and carved leaves are perfect for decorating a flower bed. The height of the bush reaches 70 cm;
- "Rosensimphonie" - small pink flowers with a purple perianth are characteristic of the variety;
- "Star of Beauty" - white inflorescences with red perianths;
- Ruby Wedding - flowers of a juicy wine shade are extraordinarily beautiful and attractive.
Astrania varieties
Astrantia maxima
Bush up to 70 cm high with flowers of pink shades, reaching a diameter of 4-4.5 cm, the wrapper is red. The leaves are large, tripartite, carved, dark green in color. The flowering period begins in August and lasts until the end of September.
Astrantia minor
Often found in the mountains of Western Europe, it has been cultivated since the 16th century. It is a bush with a height of 90-100 cm, inflorescences-umbrellas of white color with a delicate pink tint. Carved leaves 3 and 7-split.The flowers are small, up to 3 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the end of August.
Astrantia carniolica
The plant is perennial, herbaceous, with separate finger leaves and white fluffy umbrella flowers. It grows up to 70 cm and blooms from May to August.
In addition to the listed species and varieties, in nature there are such species: "Bavarian", "Frosty", "Three-cut", "Biberstein".
How to take care of it properly?
As mentioned earlier, large Astrantia does not cause any difficulties at all in the growing process, as it takes root well on any soil, requiring minimal maintenance. This is an ornamental plant also tolerates dry summer days and low temperatures in winter.
Watering
Zvezdovka practically does not need watering, usually it is moistened by precipitation. During dry hot periods, the plant should be watered no more than once a week. No moisture is required in winter.
After watering, the soil around the plant is loosened and cleared of weeds. A similar procedure should also be performed after rain. In order for moisture to remain in the soil longer, it is necessary to mulch the root zone. For this purpose, humus or peat is suitable.
Top dressing
The frequency of fertilization of the starfish depends on the fertility of the soil in which it is planted. The soil enriched with useful components requires feeding no more than once a season. Depleted soil needs additional feeding, which is carried out in the second half of the summer season.
4.Application in landscape design
Astrantia, in addition to its attractive appearance, has another very pleasant feature. The bushes of this plant are able to develop and form buds in conditions that few flowers will like - for example, in rather dark corners of the garden. Plants can be placed in the near-trunk circles of trees and tall shrubs.
It is advisable to plant high varieties in the center of attention - in a flower bed or in a flower garden. Low-growing plants are planted closer to the edge, as the edging of a flower garden or garden path. when grown in the center of a flower bed, such bushes will simply be lost.
Currently, several variegated flower varieties have been bred, which will remain the main decoration of the garden even after full flowering. The leaves of these plants have longitudinal white or yellow stripes on the leaves.
When grown in the garden, with its long and abundant flowering and floral aroma, Astrantia will attract many beneficial insects to the site - for example, butterflies and bees. Plants are an excellent honey plant.
Often flowering shoots of bushes are used on cut and they decorate the premises for a long time, standing in a vase of water. Cut the stems early in the morning or evening at an acute angle using a garden knife. The use of a secateurs is impractical - it is able to pinch the conducting vessels and the flowers will wither faster.
Since even after flowering, the bracts remain on the plants for a long time, the shoots of Astrantia can also be used as dried flowers. In order for them to decorate the interior for a long time, cut off shoots with half-open flowers and hang them upside down in a warm and ventilated place, away from the sun's rays.
