The cuff herb grows in forests and meadows practically throughout Europe. You can plant it in your garden, if you take into account some of the cultivation features.
This plant has many medicinal properties, and its preparation will allow you to independently prepare medicinal decoctions. By planting it in the garden, you will solve the problem of finding environmentally friendly raw materials and at the same time decorate your site by filling in the voids and creating a backdrop for brighter colors.
Grass cuff is used in landscaping
There are different varieties of this perennial herb, which has funnel-shaped, embossed leaves and delicate, yellow flowers collected in inflorescences. Small, up to 30 cm tall, the bushes have a spherical shape and are well suited for curbs, rockeries, alpine slides. They bloom all summer, from July seed-filled fruits ripen.
They reproduce in two ways:
- Seeds. Sowing is best done in autumn in a box with a moistened substrate. Leave it in a cool room before germination, then plant the seedlings in separate pots, covering the bottom with a layer of expanded clay for drainage. In the spring, plant the seedlings in a place where they will grow constantly.
- By division. In March, dig out a well-grown bush with a lump of roots, divide it into several parts, which you plant in an area with clay soil mixed with peat. When the plants are old enough, transplant them to a permanent location.
Bushes should be planted 30 cm apart. These plants live for more than 60 years, but at least 10 years later they need to be transferred to a new place.
The grass is unpretentious, frost-resistant and does not require special care. It will not cause problems if you create the following conditions for it:
- Slightly shaded area. The plant prefers partial shade, but adapts well to sunny areas. In this case, his leaves become tough, acquire a bitter taste, and the cuff needs increased watering.
- Fertile soil. Before planting, add humus to the ground, apply mineral fertilizers. Loams with neutral acidity are preferred.
- Limited watering. The earth should not dry out, but moisture stagnation is also undesirable, as it causes mold.
- Pruning. It is required to constantly remove dried or yellowed leaves and wilted flowers. Maintain the decorative effect of the bush by giving it the desired shape and cutting off too long branches.
The cuff expands, covering the ground with a green carpet and inhibiting the growth of weeds. If powdery mildew or black rust appears, treat the leaves with a chemical.
The herb grown independently is used in cooking, for animal feed, as a honey plant. It grows quickly, looks beautiful on the site and in a bouquet.