Gaillardia: herbaceous plants for outdoor use
Gaillardia spinous (large-flowered) is a plant belonging to the Aster family. In its natural environment, it is found in America.
Description of large-flowered Gaillardia
The herbaceous plant for open ground, Gaillardia, has an unusual appearance. Sometimes it is confused with helenium, but its flowers are smaller and less attractive.
A herbaceous plant for open ground Gaillardia has red flowers with a yellow border
Gaillardia has the following description of appearance:
- Length can reach up to 90 cm. Stems are straight, form a large number of additional shoots.
- Leaves are oval, serrated, straight, pale green.
- Single inflorescences, bloom on long peduncles. The flowers can be pure yellow with an orange-brown heart. There are also bright pink flowers with a yellow border and a brown core. During the day they bloom, and at night they are collected in baskets.
- After flowering, the flowers form a fruit in the form of an achene with a tuft.
This species is classified as a perennial plant. New shoots can be planted in the flower garden every year. To do this, you need to collect seeds.
Gaillardia is usually grown from seed. Less commonly, it is propagated by dividing the rhizome. To grow a flower by seed-seedling method, you must:
- Sow the seeds in late February or early March. To do this, use a mixture of turf soil, black soil and sand, taken in equal amounts. Spread the seeds on the surface of well-moistened soil, and sprinkle on top with a thin layer of vermiculite (no more than 2 mm).
- Keep crops in a dry, well-lit area. The air temperature here should not drop below 20 degrees. Moisten the soil a little as the soil dries.
- After about 10-14 days, the first shoots should appear. Now transfer the seedling pot to a cool place. Do not allow direct sunlight to hit the sprouts, as they can burn out. Air humidity should be increased – at least 70%. The best place for the growth of future seedlings is a cool greenhouse.
- When the first leaves appear on the sprouts, plant them in separate pots. To prevent mold from appearing on the surface of the leaves, add additional lighting with lamps.
In early August, seedlings can be planted in open ground. It is advisable to do this in cloudy weather – this way the flowers take root better. The first bloom will appear only next year.
Gaillardia large-flowered blooms from June until the first frost. In the 4th year, the plant is recommended to be transplanted, otherwise with each subsequent year it will wither and bloom less until it completely dies.