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The rod-shaped loosestrife is one of the most unpretentious ornamental plants that needs only regular watering, occasional top dressing and pruning. A low (up to 100 cm) bush adorns the garden thanks to lush spike-shaped inflorescences that appear continuously throughout the summer. Such a plant looks spectacular in single and composite plantings.
Description of the rod-shaped loosestrife
Derbennik (Lythrum virgatum) is a herbaceous perennial from the genus Derbennik, the Derbennikov family. It is sometimes called vine or twig. This emphasizes the characteristic appearance of the shoots. They look like rods, because the leaves and inflorescences are rather narrow, the shape of the stem is tetrahedral, and its height reaches 70-100 cm.
The leaves of the rod-shaped loosestrife are of a sessile type (without a petiole), arranged oppositely (in pairs, opposite each other), of a saturated green color. The shape is lanceolate, they are very narrow in width, tapering towards the base. In inflorescences, the leaves are even smaller, they pass into bracts.
The inflorescence is spike-shaped, formed in the upper half of the stem. Flowers in diameter no more than 1,5 cm, pale lilac color. Flowering is long and continuous – from late June to mid-August (often until early September). Seeds ripen in small boxes, which must be removed in advance (otherwise self-seeding will occur, and the rod-like loosestrife will take up a large space in the garden).
The rod-shaped loosestrife is decorative due to the lush spike-shaped inflorescences
The roots of the culture are quite powerful, tree-like. At the same time, the root system is shallow, it lies in the surface layer of the soil. The bush loves water, but the plant is unable to get moisture from the deep layers of the soil. Mature bushes tolerate even prolonged drought well.
The loosestrife is a winter-hardy plant. It withstands frosts down to -35 ° C, which makes it possible to grow it in most regions of Our Country. However, in the Urals and Siberia, the bush must be prepared for the cold period. In addition, the winter hardiness indicator also depends on the variety – this information should be clarified in advance.
Popular varieties
The rod-like loosestrife has more than 30 varieties. The most common of these are described below.
Dropmore Purple
The variety Dropmore purple (purple) of the rod-shaped loosestrife produces pinkish-purple inflorescences up to 40 mm in diameter. The brush is not very dense, intervals are visible. The height is standard – up to 100 cm, the leaves are strongly dissected, very narrow.
Lush inflorescences of Dropmore purple are visible from any corner of the garden
Modern Pink
This variety of perennial rod-shaped loosestrife also grows up to 100 cm.
Modern Pink gives rich pink flowers, with a touch of fuchsia
Helen
Dwarf rod-shaped loosestrife – grows to a height of no more than 50 cm.
The flowers of the Helen variety are rich pink and purple hues.
Rocket
The bush of this variety of rod-shaped loosestrife is medium in size – up to 70-80 cm.
The flowers of the variety Rocket (Rocket) are bright pink, saturated
Rose Queen
The bushes of this representative of the rod-like loosestrife grow up to 70 cm.
The variety produces pinkish-purple inflorescences-panicles
Application in landscape design
The rod-shaped loosestrife is highly decorative, so it is often used in single plantings. The photo shows several original options for using the rod-shaped loosestrife:
- on well-groomed lawns;
- next to the entrance, porch, fence;
- on the coast of the reservoir.
Also, rod-shaped loosestrife can be used in combination with other ornamental plants (it is better that they are also moisture-loving). Good neighbors will be: marsh gladiolus, geranium, lobelia, yarrow, crocosmia, rubdekia, phlox, daylily, snake mountaineer.
You can combine flowers in different compositions – simple and multi-tiered flower beds, mixborders and others
Features of reproduction
The rod-shaped loosestrife can be bred in several ways:
- Root cuttings – to obtain them, you will need an ax, since in an adult bush the shoots and rhizomes begin to become woody. You can prepare cuttings of a rod-shaped loosestrife in June, then root them in the soil and moisten them abundantly (first they are grown under a cap from a jar). After receiving the shoot, transplant it to a permanent place towards the end of September. Mulch carefully for the winter.
- By dividing the bush – at any time (from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn), an adult specimen of the loosestrife at the age of 3-4 years can be dug up and divided into several divisions so that each of them has 2-3 healthy shoots. You need to do this with a sharp knife, then transplant new plants to a permanent place and cover with mulch in the fall.
- Seeds – at home, you can grow seedlings of a rod-like loosestrife. Seed material is planted in early March, and transferred to open ground in the second half of May. Then they are grown in the same way as an adult plant, ensuring sufficient moisture. For the winter, young seedlings need to be mulched.
Planting and care in the open field
The rod-like loosestrife is one of the most unpretentious plants, therefore, care for it will be minimal. Bushes require only regular watering and shelter for the winter. Feeding, pruning and other activities are rarely carried out.
Recommended dates
There are two terms for planting a rod-shaped loosestrife, which are suitable for any region:
- Early spring, when the snow has completely melted, but at the same time, the buds have not yet had time to swell, i.e. end of March or beginning of April.
- Mid-autumn (on the eve of the first frosts) – October.
The flowering of the rod-shaped loosestrife can be expected only next year. Therefore, flower growers can choose any term.
Site selection and preparation
Choosing a place to plant a rod-shaped loosestrife is quite simple:
- The bush grows well in light partial shade, since its inflorescences can burn out in the bright sun (this is especially true for the southern regions).
- The soil for the rod-shaped loosestrife should be well moistened, so the plant can be placed even in the lowlands – just where most garden flowers and shrubs grow poorly or even die due to excess moisture.
- If possible, the place should be protected from strong winds by trees, shrubs or buildings.
The rod-shaped loosestrife grows well on different soils, but does not like loamy and sandy soils because of their dryness. The reaction of the medium should be close to neutral (pH about 7).
Saplings of the rod-like loosestrife are placed at a distance of 50 cm from each other
2-3 weeks before planting, the site is cleaned and dug up on a spade bayonet. If the soil is depleted, you can apply 50-60 g of complex mineral fertilizer per 1 m2 area. Although it is not necessary to do this: fertilizers can also be patched into the planting hole.
Landing algorithm
The technology for planting a rod-shaped loosestrife is standard:
- Several shallow holes are formed (so that the roots are located freely) with an interval of 50 cm.
- Seedlings of rod-like loosestrife are placed.
- Sprinkle with a mixture of humus with garden soil (equal ratio).
- Water with a bucket (10 l) of water.
- Mulch with a layer of peat, leaf litter (in autumn) or straw, hay, and other materials.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Caring for the loosestrife rod-shaped is very simple. The plant needs only timely watering, and all other actions are carried out as needed. Moisturize regularly, especially in the first season after planting:
- if there is no rain or they are small – weekly;
- in case of drought – 2 times a week.
Water is desirable to defend in advance. Before watering the loosestrife bush, you need to feel the top layer of soil: if it is still a little wet, it is better to wait, and if it is dry, water must be added.
By itself, the rod-shaped loosestrife will survive the complete absence of fertilizers well. However, top dressing must be applied to maintain a long and lush flowering:
- For the first time in spring, a layer of organic mulch (humus, peat or compost) is updated.
- At the beginning of flowering (end of June), a complex fertilizer is applied (with a minimum nitrogen content).
- A similar top dressing is done closer to the end of flowering – i.e. around the beginning of August.
Top dressing 2-3 times per season provides a very beautiful and long flowering
Its shoots can lie on the ground and completely lose their decorative effect. Therefore, the standard dosage of such dressings must be reduced by 1,5-2 times.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
The roots of the rod-shaped loosestrife are mulched, and it is desirable to lay out organic material (peat, humus or compost). It performs 3 important functions at once:
- Saturates the soil with nutrient organic matter.
- Maintains its natural moisture level.
- Prevents the growth of weeds.
Weeding is carried out as needed, completely cleaning the soil from weeds. Loosening is performed 2-3 days after watering or heavy rain. Thanks to this procedure, water, nutrients and oxygen are easily supplied to the roots of the rod-shaped loosestrife. Otherwise, the water compresses the soil, and the effect is the opposite.
Trimming
It is also recommended to carry out pruning of the rod-shaped loosestrife. Thanks to this procedure, you can form a beautiful bush and remove all old shoots, which stimulates the growth of new branches. Traditionally, pruning of the rod-like loosestrife is carried out only once a year – in early spring (before active sap flow) or at the end of autumn, after the first frosts. At this point, you need to remove all old, broken and dried stems.
In the future, you can periodically form a bush, cutting off strongly protruding branches. It is desirable to treat the cut point with a 1-2% solution of potassium permanganate or sprinkle with charcoal or activated charcoal powder. With rod-shaped shoots, it is easier to work with a pruner.
Wintering
If there can be severe frosts in winter (below -25 ° C), the bush of the rod-shaped loosestrife must be cut (in October). To do this, the branches are completely removed, leaving stumps 10-15 cm tall. Sections are sprinkled with coal powder. Then the bush is spudded and a large layer of mulch is laid – dry foliage, peat, spruce branches, hay. In early spring, it must be removed so that the branches do not rot due to excess moisture.
Pests and diseases
The rod-shaped loosestrife has a fairly good immunity to diseases and pests. But aphids can settle on it, which is easy to notice visually, as well as by indirect signs – a cluster of ants nearby. You can destroy these insects with a solution of baking soda, ammonia, infusion of onion peel, chopped garlic, mustard powder, chili peppers and other folk remedies.
Insecticides also help well:
- “Biotlin”;
- “Green soap”;
- “Fitoverm”;
- “Decis”;
- “Actara”.
The processing of rod-shaped bushes is carried out in the late evening or early morning in dry and calm weather.
If there is an apiary nearby, the years of bees should be limited (in case of using toxic drugs).
Conclusion
The rod-shaped loosestrife is decorative, but at the same time undemanding to care for. The bushes are small, graceful and very attractive. Rod-shaped seedlings can be placed both in the center of the flower garden and along the edges of the garden.
