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Ahimenes: varieties, description
The achimenes plant belongs to the Gesneriaceae family. It is grown for garden decoration. Abundant and long flowering gives it valuable aesthetic properties.
Description of Achimenes varieties
Perennial achimenes is a dense shrub. Its branches do not reach great length and belong to undersized. The foliage is dense and lush. The leaf plate is thin, colored dark green. Its top layer is covered with wax, which gives the crown of the bush a glossy sheen. The edge of the leaf is serrated and pointed. The straight stem has ramifications. In some varieties, it can be creeping or drooping. The scaly root is located on the surface.
Achimenes has more than 50 varieties
Flowering continues for the entire period of active growth. It begins at the end of spring and ends only before the onset of winter. Flowers have a short lifespan. Abundant flowering on the shrub creates buds that form continuously. Different varieties of achimenes have their own characteristics:
- Ampelous or erect shoots – flexible shoots hang down or creep openwork, straight ones – have a rigid structure and shape;
- Small, medium or large flowers – flower diameter can be from 2 to 5 cm;
- Double, semi-double or smooth flowers – breeders have bred shrubs that have flowers of various structures or combine all varieties. Varieties with exceptionally smooth peduncles have the most abundant flowering;
- Palette of shades – shrub varieties are presented in all colors: white, yellow, pink, red, purple and blue. The color can be either bright and intense, or delicate light.
Breeding has made it possible to obtain a wide variety of varieties. Hybrids come in a variety of sizes, shades, and textures.
The earliest varieties of achimenes
Plant varieties vary in flowering time. Some begin to form buds as early as mid-spring. The earliest varieties include:
- “Kim Blue” is a shrub with flexible shoots and large flowers. Its distinctive feature is a wavy corolla, which is not typical for this plant. The shade of the buds can range from light blue to deep blue.
- “Red Fever” has tough straight shoots with large peduncles. The color tone is bright and rich red. They stand out effectively against the background of the dark crown of the leaves.
For earlier flowering, the plant needs to provide a sufficient amount of daylight. Lighting should be diffused so as not to provoke burns.
Achimenes is prized for its vibrant and long-lasting flowering. It can be grown indoors, in tubs and greenhouses.