Contents
Alyssum rocky is a ground cover plant that attracts with abundant flowering and honey aroma. Below are the planting and care of rocky alissum, photos and the main varieties.
General characteristics
Alyssum rocky – perennial, reaching 30 cm in height. It grows in the form of hemispherical bushes 40 cm in size. The stems are strongly branched, at the base they become limp.
The leaves are elongated, pubescent, gray. The flowers are small, bright yellow, bloom in inflorescences. The flowers have a strong honey aroma that attracts bees and other pollinators.
The flower consists of 4 sepals and petals arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Pollination occurs with the help of insects. In autumn, the plant produces fruits in the form of pods filled with seeds.
In nature, rocky alissum is found in Europe and southern Siberia. Flowering begins in spring and lasts for 40 days. At the end of summer, re-formation of inflorescences is possible.
The flower has been known since the XNUMXth century. Its composition is not fully understood, but the seeds contain organic acids and oils. The leaves and inflorescences of the plant have a diuretic and laxative effect.
The plant is used to decorate single and multi-flowered flower beds, borders. Ideal for decorating alpine slides. The flower tolerates cold snaps down to -15 ° C, but is demanding on good lighting.
Main grades
For planting in a summer cottage, various varieties of rocky alissum are used. All varieties are resistant to adverse weather conditions and bloom profusely.
golden wave
Alyssum of the Golden Wave variety is a highly branched perennial plant, reaching a height of 25 cm. The size of the bushes is 30-40 cm. The flowers are small, saturated yellow.
The plant is propagated by seeds, cuttings and by dividing the bush. When grown from seeds of rocky alyssum Golden Wave, abundant flowering begins in May.
After planting, flowering begins in the second year. A distance of 30 cm is maintained between plants. The variety is unpretentious, grows on soils of any composition.
gold placer
Alyssum rocky Golden placer is a brightly flowering perennial, after planting it grows rapidly and covers the plantings with a carpet. The plant forms many shoots.
Against the background of gray-green foliage, yellow small flowers appear, collected in inflorescences. Plant height 20 cm, flowering from early May to June. Alyssum rocky Gold placer prefers light drained soils, resistant to frost and drought.
Inca gold
Alyssum Gold of the Incas is a ground cover perennial. Forms a dense bush up to 15 cm high. Shoots grow rapidly and cover the ground. Branched shoots, gray-green leaves.
Small yellow flowers are collected in inflorescences up to 5 cm in size. The flower has a pronounced honey aroma.
Alyssum yellow
Alyssum yellow – undersized perennial shrub, reaches a height of 10-20 cm. The shoots of the plant are ascending and recumbent, the leaves are pubescent.
Inflorescences are bright yellow with a honey aroma. Prefers light and dry places. Definitely needs summer pruning.
Photo of rocky alissum during planting and care:
alyssum golden
Strongly branched perennial, forming bushes up to 25 cm high. It grows on light soils, neutral or slightly alkaline. The plant tolerates dampness, reacts positively to the application of organic fertilizers.
Flowering begins at the end of May and lasts 1,5 months. The flowers are small, bright yellow, collected in inflorescences. Secondary flowering is possible at the end of August and until the end of September.
Landing
When propagated by seeds, alyssum seedlings are first obtained, which are planted in the ground. It is allowed to plant seeds immediately in a permanent place. It is important to choose a lighted area for the flower and prepare the soil.
Site Selection
Alyssum is an unpretentious plant, but its development and abundant flowering occurs with the right choice of a place for planting.
Primary requirements:
- constant illumination by the sun, in the southern regions – partial shade;
- fertile light soil;
- presence of drainage.
The flower grows well on slabs and stones warmed by the sun. Heavy clay soil is fertilized with coarse river sand. Be sure to add humus.
Cultivation from seeds
In cold regions, alyssum is grown from seeds in seedlings. For this, light soil with a low lime content is prepared at home. Seeds of the plant are purchased at the store or harvested in the fall after flowering.
The soil is steamed in a water bath for disinfection and poured into boxes. Flower seeds are laid out on the surface and covered with a thin layer of earth. Landings are watered, covered with glass or film.
Young plants provide certain conditions:
- temperature from 10 to 15°C;
- regular ventilation of the room;
- the introduction of moisture.
Alyssum seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks. When the seedlings have the first leaf, they are fed with a complex flower fertilizer.
When 2-3 leaves appear, the seedlings swoop down in separate containers. If weather conditions allow, you can do without picking and immediately move the plant to the ground.
When planting, take into account that the flower grows rapidly. Leave 40 cm between plants. Alyssum seedlings are placed in planting holes without deepening. The roots are sprinkled with earth and carry out abundant watering.
When grown in a seedless way, the seeds are planted in early May. Planting material is deepened by 1,5 cm and watered. When shoots appear, they need to be thinned out. When planted in spring, flowering will begin later.
Growing from seeds of alyssum rocky Golden Wave and other varieties is possible by planting before winter. In November, the seeds are planted in the ground, during the winter they will undergo natural stratification. After the snow melts, strong shoots will appear, and the plant will bloom in May.
Vegetative reproduction
Alyssum rock is propagated vegetatively. In summer, shoots are cut, which are rooted in fertile soil. Cuttings are planted in a greenhouse or conservatory, protected from drafts and cold snaps. When the plant takes root, it is planted in a permanent place. Between seedlings leave 30 cm.
Alyssum is rarely propagated by dividing the bush. In order for the plant to take root, you need to divide the bush before April. To do this, dig up an old bush and cut it into pieces. The resulting planting material is planted in a permanent place and watered abundantly.
Care
Alyssum is cared for by watering, loosening the soil and eliminating weeds. Top dressing helps to stimulate the formation of new shoots. The plant is pruned to preserve its decorative appearance.
Watering
Alyssum rock needs regular watering. In drought, with a lack of moisture, the plant sheds buds and inflorescences. Abundant watering is effective if the soil has good water permeability. Stagnation of moisture provokes rotting of the roots and death of the plant.
The plant is watered with warm water, settled in barrels. It is better to apply moisture in the morning or in the evening so that it has time to soak in before direct sunlight appears. Sprinkler irrigation is used for irrigation. Under the pressure of water, the roots of the plant are exposed.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve its water permeability. Be sure to weed the weeds that interfere with the development of the flower. To maintain soil moisture after planting alyssum, mulching with peat or straw is performed.
Additional fertilizing
When grown on fertile soils, alyssum is fed once at the beginning of the season. Use any flower or nitrogen fertilizer. Due to nitrogen, an active build-up of the green mass of the plant occurs.
For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. urea. Plantings are watered with the resulting solution. Before flowering alyssum, complex fertilizer is applied.
Up to 4 top dressings are allowed per season. Between treatments of plants make a gap of 2 weeks.
Trimming
Timely pruning of alyssum ensures its continuous flowering. In the spring, last year’s flowers, frozen and weak shoots are eliminated.
In summer, after flowering, the flower is re-pruned. All shoots are shortened by 5 cm. This treatment stimulates the re-formation of inflorescences. After pruning, the plant takes on a well-groomed appearance.
Diseases and pests
The most dangerous pest for the flower is the cruciferous flea. To remove it, prepare a solution consisting of 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and 10 liters of water. Processing is subjected only to adult bushes.
Caterpillars are dangerous for a flower. Against these pests, an infusion based on pharmacy chamomile and tobacco is used. To make the solution stick to the leaves better, a little crushed soap is added to it.
The disease also affects the root system. To combat the disease, fungicides Ordan, Kuproksat or copper oxychloride are used.
Alyssum is prone to powdery mildew, which appears as a white or grayish powder-like coating. The disease spreads the mycelium of the fungus, penetrating into the cells of the plant.
The infection covers the lower leaves of the plant and gradually moves to the upper part of the flower. To get rid of powdery mildew, a solution of Bordeaux liquid or Topaz preparation is prepared.
Preparation for winter
Rocky alyssum does not tolerate severe cold snaps in winter. To protect against frost in autumn, the plant is covered with dry leaves. Additionally, a snow pile is poured onto the flower in winter. Under such shelter, the alyssum will endure the cold and keep the leaves green.
In winter, it is not recommended to cut the flower. It is enough to carry out preventive removal of shoots after flowering is completed.
Conclusion
Alyssum rocky is a winning option for decorating a summer cottage. The flower is unpretentious, easily propagated by seeds and cuttings. The plant is provided with minimal care, including watering and periodic feeding. Under the right growing conditions, alyssum blooms for a long time and is not subject to diseases.
