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Planting and caring for loosestrife are classic, they do not differ in complex agricultural technology. This representative of the flora is a beautiful herbaceous perennial of the Derbennikov family. The name of the plant comes from the Greek word “lytron”, which means “coagulated, spilled blood.” It is distributed on all continents, except for desert and tropical regions. In its natural habitat, an ornamental culture grows in swamps, in coastal regions of rivers, in flooded rice fields, and water meadows.
On hot summer days, drops of water form on the leaves of the loosestrife. According to one beautiful legend, transparent dewdrops are the tears of the Virgin Mary for her son. In fact, this phenomenon has a scientific explanation: as a result of the work of special stomata located on the back of the leaves, excess accumulated moisture is removed from the plant.
Among the people, loosestrife is called “candles of swamps”, “God’s grass”, “podberezhnik”, “grandfather’s grass”, “upland reed”, “plakun-root”, “plakun-grass”
Description of the loosestrife
Various types of loosestrife differ in common characteristics:
- the root system is creeping, superficial, woody;
- stems are straight, elastic, dense, tetrahedral;
- stem height up to 1,5 m;
- leaf blades are lanceolate, without petiole, with a pointed tip, with stomata on the back;
- leaf color is bright green or dark green;
- leaf length up to 10 cm;
- inflorescences whorled or spicate;
- inflorescence length up to 50 cm;
- the shape of the flowers is star-shaped, six-petal;
- flower diameter up to 1 cm;
- the color of the flower petals is pink, bright crimson, lilac, purple;
- fruits are rounded, elongated boxes.
The description of the loosestrife and photos of plants allow us to draw conclusions about the degree of decorativeness of garden culture.
The height of some plakun-grass bushes reaches 1,8-1,9 m
When and how the loosestrife blooms
The flowering of loosestrife (plakun-grass) begins in June and continues until the end of August or the beginning of September.
The buds are located densely on spike-shaped inflorescences. From June, small flowers begin to bloom alternately, gradually blooming tall peduncles. Budding continues until September inclusive. The loosestrife blooms most abundantly on moist soils.
Podberezhnik is an excellent honey plant, sweet nectar has a transparent, amber color, pleasant, tart taste, incomparable honey aroma
Types and varieties of loosestrife with a photo
Common loosestrife is characterized by the presence of more than 30 species with many varieties. Among their great variety in landscape design, the willow and rod-shaped are most successfully used.
loose-leaved
The loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a herbaceous perennial, which is characterized by the following species features:
- woody root, thick;
- stem straight, tetrahedral, branched;
- stem height up to 1 m;
- the number of shoots on one bush is up to 50 pieces;
- leaves are narrow, lanceolate, collected in 3 pieces in one whorl or opposite;
- leaf color is dark green;
- inflorescences are racemose, dense with small flowers, collected in whorls;
- flower diameter up to 1,5 cm;
- the color of the inflorescences is various shades of pink.
The loose leaf species is used in the design of the local area along with other ornamental plants.
In the line of willow varieties, such attractive specimens can be distinguished.
- The loosestrife variety of the loose-leaved Brighton (Brighton) is characterized by a pink-purple tone of inflorescences.
Abundant flowering of the willow-leaved plakoon-grass Brighton delights the eye all summer, from June to September
- The loosestrife variety Roberte (Roberte) is distinguished by a coral tint of inflorescences. The variety is quite short, the height of the stems and shoots reaches 60 cm.
The Roberte variety is deservedly considered one of the most attractive of the willowy podberezhnye line due to the unusual, rare shade of the petals.
- Roseum Superbum (Roseum Superbum) can be recognized by the bright pink color of the inflorescences.
Roseum Superboom is a delightful ornamental variety that looks perfect both in single plantings and next to other garden plants.
- The loosestrife variety Pink Pearl (Pink pearl) is a tall culture, which is characterized by a shoot height of up to 1,2 m, a pearl-pink color of inflorescences.
Tall bushes of the loosestrife of the Pink Pearl variety are ideal for zoning a garden plot
- The loosestrife variety Rocket (Rocket) is a tall plant, the height of the stems of which reaches 1,5 m, the color of the flowers is burgundy.
The maroon inflorescences of the willow-leaved Rocket variety rise noticeably above other representatives of the flora world.
- The loosestrife variety Feuerkerz (Feuerkerze) is a profusely flowering, medium-sized culture, which is characterized by a shoot height of up to 80 cm, a pink-red shade of inflorescences.
The medium-sized variety of plakun-grass Feyerkerts blooms for 2 months
- The loosestrife variety Stikflamme (Sticflamme) is a spectacular representative of the species, which is characterized by large flowers of a bright purple hue.
Large-flowered variety Sticflamme looks good in single plantings
- The loosestrife variety Blush (Blush) is a classic representative of the species, with a pink tint of numerous flowers.
The light pink coloring of the petals of the Blush grass is in perfect harmony with various stylistic trends in landscape design.
- The loosestrife variety Gypsy Blood (Zigeunerblut) is characterized by a bright red color of the inflorescences.
The loose-leaved variety Zigeunerblut is characterized by large flowers of a bright red hue.
rod-shaped
The rod-like loosestrife in the garden (Lythrum virgatum) is represented by a diverse range of varieties, which are characterized by common features:
- compact size of the bush;
- shoot height up to 1,2 cm;
- shoots erect, branched;
- leaves lanceolate, elongated;
- leaf color is dark green;
- racemose inflorescences;
- the color of the inflorescences is various shades of purple, dark pink.
The most popular representatives of the rod-shaped species:
- The variety of loosestrife rod-shaped Helen (Helen) is distinguished by the purple-pink color of large inflorescences.
The height of the bushes of a low-growing variety of the rod-like podberdnik Helen is up to 50 cm
- The Rose Queen variety of loosestrife is characterized by a rich pink tone of individual flowers.
The Rose Queen variety is characterized by the height of shoots with peduncles up to 70 cm.
- The variety of loosestrife rod-shaped Modern Pink (Modern Pink) blooms with bright, lilac-pink buds.
Modern Pink – tall variety, shoot height reaches 1 m
- The cultivar Dropmore Purple is distinguished by a light pink shade of inflorescences.
A large-flowered, rod-shaped variety, Dropmore Purple, is excellent for single plantings.
- The variety of loosestrife rod-shaped Modern Glim (Modern Gleam) can be recognized by the rich purple color of the inflorescences.
Stuffed, racemose buds of the Modern Gleam rod-shaped cultivar blend elegantly with other flowering plants in the garden
Derbennik in landscape design
Among landscape designers, the perennial flower loosestrife is very popular due to its frost resistance, unpretentiousness of the culture to weather conditions and conditions of detention. A tall ornamental plant has:
- beautiful, bright foliage;
- spectacular appearance and shape of inflorescences;
- great colors;
- long flowering.
In the photo – a loosestrife in landscape design:
Various decorative varieties of perennial boletus look elegant and picturesque on the coastline of artificial or natural reservoirs.
Decorative loosestrife harmonizes well with other moisture-loving “neighbors”: marsh gladioli, irises, astilbes, gunners, as well as phlox, lilies near artificial reservoirs or in a picturesque flood plain.
The loosestrife gets along well with bright-blooming peonies, phloxes, lilies, decorative garden carnations
Along with other tall crops, climbing grass can make an elegant hedge-style composition.
Plakun-grass – a beautiful accent on a prefabricated flower garden
When placing a crop in the garden, it should be borne in mind that the perennial root system suppresses weaker plants.
How can you propagate loosestrife
Perennial loosestrife can be propagated in the following ways:
- seed;
- vegetative (dividing the bush, cuttings).
Loosestrife seeds are propagated by seedlings, by direct sowing in open ground (suitable for southern regions with a mild climate) or by self-sowing.
The vegetative method by dividing the bush is used in autumn or spring. To divide the bush, choose a healthy, adult plant. 2-3 plots are made from a bush with the obligatory presence of a growth point. Transplanting loosestrife in the fall by dividing the rhizome is the best option, which allows young plants to get stronger in the winter.
Since the division of a stiffened root system is fraught with some difficulties, the grafting method is considered the simplest vegetative propagation method. Radical cuttings are chosen with a growth point. Cut shoots are placed in nutrient soil and covered with glass or film to create a greenhouse effect. After the development of the root system, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place. Propagation of loosestrife by cuttings allows you to fully preserve the varietal characteristics of plants.
For guaranteed rooting of plots or seedlings of plakun-grass, abundant watering should be provided until the final engraftment in a new place
Growing seedlings of loosestrife from seeds
Planting loosestrife seeds for seedlings is carried out at home. Seed material is planted in disinfected containers with treated soil mixture in March. The soil is chosen nutritious, loose. Algorithm for sowing seeds for seedlings:
- seeds are distributed over the surface of the earth at a distance of up to 2 cm from each other;
- do not deepen;
- crops are leveled with a palm and watered with a spray bottle;
- the container is covered with glass or polyethylene film.
To germinate the seedling material of the loosestrife, the crops are placed in a cool place and grown at temperatures up to + 18 ⁰С. When three leaves appear, the sprouts dive.
Before moving to open ground, seedlings are hardened for 2 weeks.
Planting and caring for loosestrife in the open field
Planting and caring for the boletus in the open field are distinguished by a classic approach. The grown seedlings are transferred to a “permanent place of residence”, taking into account the main preferences of the culture to the composition of the soil.
Recommended dates
Strengthened seedlings of perennial loosestrife, grown from seeds at home, are transplanted into open ground in May. The optimal transfer period is the establishment of a stable warm air and soil temperature.
Sprouts of plakun-grass are transferred to the ground when the threat of night spring frosts has passed
Site selection and preparation
To place a decorative perennial in the open field, garden areas near water bodies are chosen. Well-lit or slightly shaded corners of the garden are suitable for plakun-grass.
Most preferred for horticultural soils:
- wet;
- well-drained;
- sour;
- with a high content of humus.
Some landscape designers plant crops in a pond to a depth of 30 cm.
With strong shading, the plant will not please with abundant flowering.
Next to what you can plant a loosestrife
The loosestrife has a powerful, well-developed root system. When placing perennial bushes of any variety in the garden, it should be borne in mind that it can suppress plants with less developed roots.
Tansy, lilies, phloxes, peonies can be called ideal “neighbors” in the flower garden for plakun-grass
Landing algorithm
Algorithm for planting seedlings of loosestrife in open ground:
- formation of landing holes;
- application of organic fertilizers;
- moving seedlings into planting holes;
- abundant watering.
Seedling layout – at least 40 cm apart
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Gardeners who decide to start a podbereznik on a garden plot should remember that the culture is exceptionally moisture-loving. The plant needs frequent watering:
- at least 1 time per week;
- at least 2-3 times a week when hot weather sets in.
For lush flowering, the loosestrife needs a sufficiently nutritious soil. Feeding is done as follows:
- You can mulch the soil around the loosestrife bushes with peat, compost or humus. This technique will not only maintain a sufficient level of natural moisture after watering, but also achieve a high nutrient content.
- Fertilizers with a low nitrogen content or any composition for garden flowering crops can be fed with loosestrife bushes in June-July.
- In spring, mineral complex fertilizers, sulfate nitrophoska can be added to the soil.
Before planting the crop, a small amount of compost or humus can be added to each well.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil, remove weeds.
Mulching with cut grass, peat, straw, allows you to effectively retain moisture around the bushes.
Placo grass bushes will bloom more profusely if moisture is carefully maintained after watering with mulching.
Trimming
Pruning bushes decorative loosestrife carried out in the spring. Side shoots that create an obstacle to fruitful formation are subject to removal.
Wintering
Podberezhnik garden – frost-resistant culture. For most regions of central Our Country, the loosestrife does not need shelter.
In autumn, to ensure a more comfortable wintering, all stems and shoots are cut at the root.
In areas with more severe conditions, the stems are not completely cut at the root. Bushes spud with dry foliage, sawdust.
The remains of the shoots help retain snow, which effectively protects the root system from severe frosts.
Transfer
Once every 6-7 years, the boletus bushes need to be transplanted and updated. Manipulations are carried out in early spring or autumn. Adult mother bushes are completely dug out of the ground. With the help of a sharp garden tool, the root system is divided into 2-3 parts.
Each plot should be strong enough, contain viable growth points, developed roots and healthy shoots. Places of cuts are sprinkled with wood ash.
The landing hole is formed in advance. Its size should correspond to the actual size of the plot.
The wells are fertilized with organic fertilizers (compost, manure, humus).
The plots are moved into the holes, sprinkled with earth and pressed well.
Saplings are watered abundantly and mulched with peat or organic matter.
Transplanted plots bloom the next year after rooting
Pests and diseases
Decorative boletus has a strong immunity to pathogens and pests. Experienced flower growers note rare cases of defeat of aphids in close proximity to roses.
The insect sucks juices, which negatively affects the abundance of flowering and decorative appearance.
Affected plants are treated with insecticides
Conclusion
Planting and caring for loosestrife is simple and affordable for most gardeners and landscapers. The majestic candles of the inflorescences of the decorative boletus will fill the garden with rich shades of pink, purple, burgundy, subject to the simple requirements of agricultural technology.