Mimulus or lipstick

Mister Dachnik recommends: Mimulus in the landscape

Since mimulus are hygrophilous, they are often grown as plants for reservoirs. They are used to decorate the shores of lakes, ponds, bays, etc.

Indoors (for example, in summer cottages or on loggias), the flower looks harmoniously with lobelia and verbena. And if you plant it in tandem with matthiola, then they will exude an incomparable aroma. The lipstick is planted with the following herbaceous plants for open ground:

On the alpine slides, it is combined with:

• wild dill;
• ivy;
• stone rose;
• buttercups;
• garden viola.

Even an inexperienced amateur gardener can grow Mimulus. This does not require certain skills and a lot of free time. If all the care recommendations are followed, the lipstick will decorate the garden from early summer to late autumn. It will perfectly fit and ennoble any landscape design.

Mimulus (lipstick) is a flowering plant of the Frim family. In nature, it is found in all regions with a temperate climate, except Europe. Under natural conditions, the lipstick is a perennial, but in open field grown as an annual plant. Florists who decide to decorate their plot with these beautiful flowers should familiarize themselves with when to plant mimulus when growing from seeds and how to care for them in the future.

Application in landscape design

Mimulus is good for decorating small flower beds and flower beds. Often used as a container plant in garden and balcony tubs or hanging planters... Due to its moisture-loving nature, mimulus is popular among owners of garden ponds - it is used to decorate the banks in flooded areas.

Mimulus on the shore of the reservoir

In balcony drawers, mimulus goes well with lobelia and verbena. And by planting it in a Matthiola tub, you will get a flower garden with an incomparable aroma. In the open field, mimulus, as a representative of shade-tolerant plants, goes well with decorative leafy hosts, flowering astilbe and rush. In the rock garden it looks beautiful with saxifrage, periwinkle, young, buttercups and viola.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Lipstick seedlings can be purchased at gardening stores or grown on their own. If you want to grow Mimulus seedlings from seeds, you need to follow the instructions below.

• You can collect planting material after the flower has bloomed, when the box fruits are fully ripe. Also, seeds can be purchased at the store.
• It is necessary to plant seeds no later than the first half of April, however, some varieties with an early flowering period can be sown as early as late February.
• For planting mimulus seeds at home, it is better to choose a nutritious, neutral or slightly acidic soil (up to 5.8 acidity levels). A universal soil for garden plants is also suitable here, but you will need to add humus, peat and sand to it. Ideally, the substrate for planting sponge seeds should include turf, leafy soil, peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 1: 3.
• For planting seeds, it is best to use wooden or polymer boxes, but always with holes to drain moisture. Small plastic cups or ceramic pots are also good options.
• First, high-quality drainage from gravel or broken bricks is placed in the containers, then the soil is carefully placed, which is loosened and moistened with a sprayer.
• Lipstick seeds are very small, so you need to handle them with a toothpick. Try to distribute the planting material evenly over the container, keeping a minimum distance of 2-3 cm between the seeds. It is not necessary to deepen the seeds much; it is enough to press them down a little.

Further seed care also includes a number of specific activities.

After planting the seeds, the soil in the containers is again sprayed with a spray gun, then the containers are installed in a warm place (with a temperature of at least 18 degrees) and covered with foil or glass.
It is very important to control the frequency of watering, to prevent the soil from drying out or waterlogging. In some cases, mold appears under the film on the ground - this is a sign that it is sometimes necessary to air the container.
As soon as the first sprouts of the spongy appear, the seedlings are set in a cooler room with good lighting.

Ideally, the temperature should not drop below 10 degrees, humidity should not be more than 80%.
If there is not enough lighting in the room or it is regularly cloudy outside, special lamps are installed above the seedlings.
Approximately 7-8 days after the emergence of sprouts, the soil in the containers is fertilized with complex fertilizing with nitrogen and potassium. The next feeding is carried out with an interval of 10-12 days.
As soon as the sprouts have 3 healthy petals, they are transplanted into separate containers - peat pots or paper cups with a volume of at least 150 ml are best suited here. Up to 3-4 seedlings can be placed in each such container.

Mimulus care

Planting and caring for Mimulus in the open field is not difficult if you observe the necessary growing conditions for it.

Since this plant is a groundcover, it quickly covers the area allotted for it with a solid green carpet with bright attractive flowers. For successful growth and development, this plant needs good watering. In hot weather, Mimulus is watered daily.

For more lush flowering, fertilizing is necessary. To prevent the bushes from overgrowing and becoming loose, nitrogen fertilizers are avoided. You can alternate the application of organic and mineral fertilizers. Top dressing is given once every two weeks.

Careful weeding is carried out without loosening, so as not to damage the roots close to the soil surface.

The subtleties of flower care

• Priming. It is good if there is slightly acidic humus loam on the flower bed (to make the soil better, it must be dug up with peat).
• Lighting. Mimulus feels equally well both in well-lit areas and in partial shade.
• Watering. The hotter it is outside, the more often you need to reach for the watering can / hose. Make sure that the soil in the flower bed is slightly moistened all the time.
• Nutrition. Even if there is peat in the ground, you can buy a complex mineral fertilizer. For the lipstick, it is bred every 2 weeks and applied after watering. Norm: 15 g of powder per bucket of water.
• Diseases. Mimulus is afraid of gray mold, powdery mildew and black leg. All of these diseases arise from overflow. Therefore, it is better to water the flowerbed with a hose, it will help irrigate the ground evenly and without frills. Also, from time to time (especially after prolonged rains), the planting can be treated with a preventive solution of fungicides.
• Pests. Flowers are afraid of insects (whiteflies, aphids), as well as snails and slugs. So that the last ones do not start up on the flower bed, it should be mulched with sawdust (this will help to save moisture, and will not give life to the weeds). Well, insecticides will help against insects!

Reproduction of the mimulus sponge by dividing the bush

Perennials can be easily divided when the bush has grown well. To do this, dig in the plant, carefully remove it from the ground along with the lump and cut it into 2-3 parts with a sharp knife. If desired, you can get more divisions, leaving at least 2-3 buds of growth per bush. The resulting new seedlings are planted in pre-prepared holes, maintaining the same planting level. Water abundantly.

The moisture should be monitored by regularly watering the plants until they are fully rooted. However, in the future, the Mimulus are very fond of it when the soil remains moist.

Pests and diseases of mimulus

Very rarely, mimulus is damaged by pests.Sometimes you can find aphids, which are easy to deal with by treating the plants with some kind of insecticide. The whitefly may be even less common. In open ground conditions, this pest does not bring tangible harm.

Of the diseases, powdery mildew occurs in cold and rainy weather. For the prevention of this disease, treatment with Topaz is done in early June. In hot weather, there is a risk of developing gray rot. But this disease is rare.

The use of mimulus in landscape design

This shade-tolerant plant can be combined with balsams, astilbe. Use as a border for large buzulniks, cimicifugi, rogers. All of these plants prefer shady areas of the garden.

Mimulus can also be used as a bright spot of color against a green lawn. As a moisture-loving plant, it is used for bordering water bodies.

Due to the creeping shape of the stems, it is suitable for decorating balconies located on the north side. Can be grown in flowerpots near tree crowns. When growing mimulus in containers, one should not forget about good watering.

Growing and planting rules of Gaillardia

Gaillardia (Gaillardia) is a winter-hardy herbaceous annual and perennial belonging to the Astrov family. Experts count about 25 varieties of this plant. In their natural environment, Gaillardia grows in the territory of North and South America.

The flower got its unusual name in honor of the French patron and honorary member of the Academy of Sciences Gaillard de Charentono. The plant is actively used not only to decorate summer cottages in the open field, but also in landscape design in combination with other plants.

Description and varieties

Florists widely use both annual and perennial varieties of Gaillardia. The most common among annual plants is beautiful Gaillardia, which forms a sprawling bush with tall thin peduncles.

Gaillardia flowers are yellowish at the tips and pink or purple-reddish at the base. There are several varieties of beautiful annual Gaillardia: painted and Lorenza. Painted has large double inflorescences with various colors (rich red, reddish-yellow).

Lorenz's inflorescences are in the form of a ball and consist of yellowish or yellowish-red flowers.

The Gaillardia spinous flower is also quite popular with flower lovers. It has straight stems, and reaches a height of no more than 80 cm. Perennial spinous Gaillardia has flowers of a yellowish-purple hue. The flowering period is in June.

Florists also prefer to grow hybrid Gaillardia, which was obtained by crossing beautiful Gaillardia with other varieties of this plant. The shoots of this species reach a height of 75 cm. The flowering period is in the summer months.

Common varieties

Among the most common varieties of perennial and annual Gaillardia, the following are worth highlighting:

1. Burgundy (Burgunder) is a hybrid Gaillardia variety. Gaillardia Burgundy has monophonic inflorescences with rich wine-colored flowers. The bush of Gaillardia Burgundy is low, its stems grow no more than 0.5 m.
2. Arizona San is a hybrid variety of Gaillardia, which is a dwarf shrub. The variety was bred for outdoor cultivation and for decorating borders. Has reddish-orange inflorescences.
3. Arizona apricot is a variety of perennial spinous Gaillardia. A short shrub that can reach approximately 0.3 m in height. Inflorescences in Gaillardia Arizona apricot are of apricot shade. The flowering period occurs in July and lasts until the onset of cold weather.
4. Carnelian is a tall shrub with large orange flowers. The stems reach a length of about 0.75 m.
5. Krasava is a plant with elongated stems and large inflorescences. The color of the inflorescences ranges from reddish-red to rich orange and yellow.

Types and varieties

Today, gardeners have managed to breed about 150 independent varieties of mimulus, but only 2 types are usually used to decorate garden plots: red and yellow lipstick. You should familiarize yourself with the external characteristics of these species in more detail.

Red

This type of lipstick is also called purple - such flowers have drooping stems with rich red or purple buds and ovoid leaves with bulging veins. This is a fairly tall plant with long pedicels. Among Russian gardeners, the following varieties of red lipstick are most often grown: "Auranticus", "Cardinal", "Rose Queen" and "Red Dragon".

Yellow

This variety came to Russia from Chile. Such flowers have high pubescent shoots up to 60 cm in height. Characteristic differences of the species: bright yellow buds with a yellowish fluff, as well as a special form of leaves with teeth at the edges.

Other

There are also less common varieties of mimulus.

Orange is a fairly tall plant with emerald, shiny foliage and pale orange buds. It is considered perennial, but it is recommended to store it indoors during the winter.

Types and varieties of mimulus

The genus includes about 150 varieties. However, only a few are cultivated.

Orange

The foliage is emerald, glossy. The flowers are orange or coral pinkish. The stems need a support stick, otherwise they will begin to bend and creep. Can overwinter in a room with a low temperature.

Pomegranate

It grows in southern California and on the Mexican border with the states. Iridescent petals, burgundy shades with an orange-colored heart.

Yellow

Originally from Chile. Shoots are vertical, branching, slightly pubescent, reaching 0.6 m. There are teeth on the edges of the leaf plates. Sun buds are collected in apical or axillary inflorescences. In Russian gardens, this variety is not often found.

Mottled

Initially, it grew only in the western regions of the North. America, eventually spread to the northern and eastern parts, New. Zealand, to some European areas.

It grows up to 0.8 m. Stems are straight, branching. Lemon flowers with burgundy specks in the middle.

The most famous variety is Richard Bish. It is a variegated form with grayish-malachite plates with pearl edging along the perimeter.

Red (purple)

The stems are pubescent, branching immediately from the base. Red or purple lipstick has ovoid leaves with teeth and protruding veins. Scarlet buds are located on elongated pedicels in the axils of greenery. The following varieties are planted in Russia:

Copper red

Stems are bare, slightly erect. The buds are located on shortened axillary pedicels. At the beginning of flowering, copper-colored or reddish. Over time, they acquire a golden canary color. Common varieties:

Primrose

Consists of thin shoots reaching 15 cm. Greens are ovoid or oblong. Lemon flowers grow on developed pedicels. The only variety that can winter outdoors.

Musky

Herbaceous plant with pile on shoots and foliage. Produces mucus and exudes a musky scent. Spreading shoots or erect-erect, up to 30 cm. Leaves are oval. Canary buds, up to 25 mm in circumference.

Branching stems, rounded leaf plates. The flowers of the open mimulus are small, pale lilac.

Tiger

It also has other names: leopard, hybrid, large-flowered, maximus. This species includes all varieties obtained by crossing mimulus yellow and speckled. Tiger lip grows no more than 25 cm. Multi-colored buds. This is a very popular variety among flower growers.The following varieties are especially popular:

Description

The name of the plant in translation means a magician, an artist. Apparently, this is due to the spotty, highly variable color of the flowers. In their shape, they resemble the muzzle of a monkey, therefore, in their homeland, they are called monkey flowers. In our country, mimulus are known as lipsticks.

These herbaceous perennials or annuals grow in the humid, swampy areas of western North America. Some species are found in New Zealand, Australia, East Asia, Chile. They bloom from April to July, experiencing drought at rest. With the onset of the rainy season, the lips come to life again.

On average, the mimulus reach a height of 10 to 60 cm. Some members of the genus are semi-shrubs that grow up to two meters. Broad-lanceolate, opposite leaves with sharp notches grow on their creeping or erect stems. Loose racemose inflorescences consist of original flowers of various colors. The corolla is tubular at the base and divides into two lips. The lower three-lumen lip is protruding forward, and the upper one consists of two lobes. The fruit of the lipstick is a bipartite seed capsule.

Growing mimulus from seeds

Sowing seeds is done in two ways: in early spring in seedling containers or in May-June in open ground. For container planting, prepare loose, acidic flowering plant substrate.

Sowing small seeds is extremely inconvenient, so they are mixed with coarse sand, and then sown. For the convenience of gardeners, many manufacturers of planting material produce small mulus seeds in the form of granules. After sowing, cover the top of the container with glass or transparent film to prevent the soil from drying out. All subsequent watering is carried out using a spray.

Mimulus sprouts

At a temperature of 18-23 degrees, the first shoots appear in 8-14 days. After the friendly seedlings dissolve the first cotyledon, move the containers with seedlings to a cooler room and reduce watering, since in warm conditions the plants are often too stretched. Especially watch out for soil moisture, as waterlogged soil will provoke decay of fragile shoots or the formation of a "black leg".

Attention! At a temperature of 10-15 degrees, the soil with seedlings should not be too wet. After the first true leaf appears on the seedlings, mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium should be applied with water for irrigation

As a rule, specimens grown in seedlings bloom in mid-May.

After the first true leaf appears on the seedlings, mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium should be applied with water for irrigation. As a rule, specimens grown in seedlings bloom in mid-May.

Feed the crop regularly, and you will see the first flowers at the end of spring

It is also possible to plant seeds directly in open ground at the end of May or in June. But these plants, as a rule, bloom only towards the end of summer or autumn.

How to take care of it properly?

Gubastik, regardless of its variety and variety, can hardly be called a picky plant to care for. In general, all caring for this flower comes down to regular watering and feeding - these procedures directly affect the abundance and color saturation of mimulus buds.

Watering

Regular watering and a consistently high level of humidity are the key to a beautiful, strong and healthy mimulus. Ideally, this plant should be watered daily, especially during the summer season. Keep in mind that the near-stem circle near the plant should always be slightly moistened - for this, a layer of mulch is usually organized near the lipstick. Despite the fact that Mimulus is very fond of moisture, you should not overdo it with the amount of water for 1 watering. Excessive moisture can lead to rotting of the roots, the formation of a fungus on the lipstick bush, as well as the appearance of snails and slugs - the main pests of this flower.

For watering mimulus, lukewarm, but settled water should be used. Watering itself is done in the morning or evening. From the sun's rays, moisture in the root circle near the flower will quickly dry out and can burn its leaves. The lack of moisture in the roots of the plant will be indicated by the general sluggish appearance of the bush and the absence of flowering, the excess amount of moisture can be guessed by the small holes on sheet plates.

Top dressing

Regular feeding is mandatory to strengthen the immunity of the lipstick and the saturation of the color of its buds. Usually, it is mineral fertilizers with potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen that are chosen for these plants. The very first feeding is carried out already 3 weeks after planting a young plant in open ground. After that, top dressing should be carried out at least 1 time per month.

Usually, a solution of 15 ml of a mineral preparation and 10 liters of water is used to feed Mimulus. You should not overdo it with the percentage of nitrogen in fertilizers - it will lead to the formation of a large number of shoots and greenery, increase the height of the plant, but reduce the number of inflorescences. Additional feeding of the lipstick is recommended during periods of active growth, after pruning, and also if the plant is sick.

Loosening and mulching

Professional gardeners recommend loosening the mimulus in the near-stem circle after each watering - this is necessary so that the moisture is absorbed into the soil faster and reaches the roots. In addition, loosening allows you to remove weeds that can interfere with flower growth. You should not overdo it with the depth and thoroughness of loosening - the lipstick has a superficial root growth that is easy to damage. As for mulching, it is carried out not only to retain moisture near the roots of the plant, but also blocks the growth of weeds, and also provides passive fertilization of the soil after each watering.

Depending on the variety of sponges, the following materials can act as mulch: needles, fallen leaves, humus, peat, straw and sawdust. The layer of mulch is selected based on the type of soil on the site - for loam it should be no more than 2-3 cm, on sandy loam soils - up to 6 cm.Try to lay out the layer of mulch so as not to touch the trunk of the plant.

Wintering

Some gardeners grow the lipstick as a perennial, but wintering the plant in outdoor conditions is impossible - everything is explained by the warm homeland of this flower and its inability to lingering frosts. Already in the fall, after the end of the flowering period of the mimulus, its bush is cut shortly, then dug out together with an earthen lump and transplanted into a small container. It is best to store a container with a flower on a windowsill or put it on a loggia.

Landing in open ground

Usually Mimulus is planted in open ground in the form of strong seedlings with several leaves or transplanted from pots purchased in gardening stores. However, in the southern warm regions, it is allowed to plant a sponge on the site and in the form of seeds.

Optimal timing

The best time for planting mimulus seedlings in the ground can be considered the end of May or the beginning of June - during these months the ground will already warm up enough, but still saturated with enough moisture for the plant to take root.

The timing of planting also depends on the region where the lipstick will be planted: for the southern regions with a warm spring, the mimulus is planted at the end of April, but in the northern territories, such as the Urals or Siberia, the landing is shifted to the second half of June. In any case, you need to ensure that the external temperature during disembarkation does not dropped below 15 degrees.

Instructions

Brief instructions for planting mimulus in the form of seedlings and seeds look like this:

• the ideal time for planting Mimulus seedlings is mid-May or early days of June;
• healthy and strong plants from 6 weeks old are selected for seedlings;
• before planting the plants, the soil is prepared - the lipstick feels best on fertile, loose and light soils with humus and peat;
• when choosing a place, focus on areas in partial shade so that the sun hits the plants only in the morning and evening, but not at noon (direct sunlight can burn the plant, make its leaves sluggish and reduce the color saturation of the buds);
• it is not recommended to plant these flowering plants next to shrubs or trees with superficial root shoots - near them the lipstick will regularly lack moisture and vitamins from the soil;
• seedlings are placed in shallow (up to 10 cm), but wide holes with a small distance between specimens of 15-20 cm, over time, mimulus bushes can grow and interfere with each other.

Mimulus seeds are rarely planted in open ground - most of the planting material is destroyed and loses varietal qualities. In addition, when planting seeds at the same time as when planting seedlings, the flowering of such flowers will begin much later - in the fall or at the end of summer.

It is better to plant seeds in early June at an external temperature of at least 15 degrees. During planting, they are evenly distributed over the site and placed in the soil at a shallow depth, then covered with a dense film. Once most of the seedlings have emerged, they will need to be thinned out a little.

When and how it blooms

Mimulus flowers have different flowering periods, depending on the variety and cultivar. An additional difference is the shape and color of the buds themselves.

Blooming buds of mimulus

The types of flowers can be very diverse, because each variety is completely individual. And there are more than 15 of them. The shape can be spongy - 4 buds are located up, and the fifth down. Sometimes the flowers are more like lilies. Here the variety of forms is also great.

Additional Information! The flowering period usually lasts from mid-May to late June. The second stage lasts from mid-August to the end of September. But some varieties bloom from May to July without stopping the formation of buds.

During the flowering period, you need to carefully monitor watering, since the active growing season requires additional irrigation. In the first and second periods of flowering, top dressing can be reduced to 1 per month. dry leaves, twigs and buds must be removed immediately.

When and how it blooms

The splendor of flowering depends on proper flower care.

• Types of flowers. Depending on the variety, they can be monochromatic or spotted, combining several shades.
• Flower shapes. All petals have it wrong.
• Flowering period - 2 times per season: in spring and autumn.

Mimulus has a lush bloom

Changes in care during and after flowering

Mimulus, planting and caring for which is quite simple, needs more frequent watering during lush flowering. Top dressing will help prolong flowering.

When the mimulus fades, it has a period of calm, then you can slightly reduce the frequency of watering and not use fertilizers.

Immediately after the first flowering, the plant must be completely cut off. During the summer, before the next flowering, new shoots will appear again.

Important! You need to regularly cut off dried or drooping branches of a flower so that they do not spoil the appearance of the bush.

Seed collection

When the fruit is ripe, it will burst into 2 pieces, from which the seeds can be extracted.Grains should be harvested only from those flowers that are distinguished by abundant flowering and juicy dense foliage.

Preparing for winter

Before the onset of cold weather, the flower must be dug out of the garden and transplanted into a pot. A few days after the transplant, when the mimulus comes to its senses, it must be cut shortly. It is necessary to keep it all winter in a warm room.

Diseases and pests

Gubastik is a hardy and healthy plant that is rarely affected by diseases and insects. However, with immature shoots, problems may arise:

Types of mimulus with names and photos

Ornamental plants with unusual flowers fell in love with flower growers all over the world, and it is not surprising: they are rather unpretentious, do not require special care and maintenance, Mimuluses take root quite well in the area allotted to them, harmoniously fitting into any garden design.

Many species with their own distinctive features will delight the eye with their unique variety, so believe me, there is plenty to choose from. Let's show the most popular types.

Tiger lip Mimulus tigrinus

Mimulus tiger Mimulus tigrinus photo

It is a hybrid form with pronounced decorative features: a characteristic spotting of a red-brown color against a yellow or white background. The plant is only 25 cm tall. A bright and unpretentious perennial. Blooms in June-July.

Pomegranate lip Mimulus puniceus

Mimulus pomegranate Mimulus puniceus photo

The special appeal of the pomegranate mimulus is not only in the rich color of bright flowers and dark green leaves. Their very shape with somewhat elongated, oblong petals and leaves is also surprising. The homeland of the plant is California and Mexico.

Mimulus luteus yellow lipstick

Mimulus yellow Mimulus luteus

Originally from the South American country of Chile. In the wild, a perennial, we grow up as an annual because of its poor winter hardiness. High enough, up to 60 cm.

Speckled lip Mimulus guttatus

Mimulus speckled Mimulus guttatus photo

You can admire the rich yellow flowers of an unusual shape, only slightly touched by orange-red specks, located on the lower petals closer to the pharynx. Native to Alaska, the perennial grows as much as 80-90 cm in height. It grows in shallow water, on the banks of water bodies, in shady and humid places.

Lips purple or red Mimulus cardinalis

Mimulus purple or red Mimulus cardinalis photo

A perennial with a branchy pubescent stem, however, in our conditions, it is grown as an annual. Compact bushes do not grow higher than 40-60 cm.

Copper red lip Mimulus cupreus

Mimulus copper-red Mimulus cupreus cultivar red emperor red emperor photo

A perennial ground cover at home, with a height of only 12-15 cm, dies under the conditions of our winter, therefore it is grown as an annual through seedlings. The charm of the species is in its large flowers of bright scarlet with a copper hue.