Lobularia marine: planting and care, photo

Sea alyssum is a beautiful shrub strewn with small flowers of white, pale pink, red and other shades. They grow culture in the Central part of Our Country and in the South, because she loves light and warmth. Alyssum is unpretentious in care, so any summer resident will be able to grow it.

Description of sea alyssum

Alyssum sea (seaside) is a perennial flowering plant, which is a low-growing shrub (20-40 cm). The stems curl and spread along the ground. The shrub is quite compact. Lanceolate small leaves densely cover the shoots.

On each stem, 4-5 peduncles are formed with numerous small flowers collected in a brush. Flowering begins in June and lasts all summer, until early September. Coloring is very different (depending on the variety):

• white;
• light blue;
• lilac;
• soft pink and others.

The history of the origin of marine lobularia is connected with Southern Europe (the Balkans, Italy, Spain, Portugal). One of the names of this plant is translated as “stone”. The fact is that alyssum is indeed often found on rocky, depleted soils. Therefore, it is able to grow even with minimal care.

It is also known that in ancient times the word “alyssum” denoted a dangerous disease “rabies”. For its treatment, lobularia was often used – therefore, the flower received the corresponding name in Latin.

Numerous flowers of sea alissum almost completely hide the green part of the plant

Varieties of sea alyssum

The marine lobularia alissum has many varieties. Popular varieties include:

1. Alyssum sea white.

   

2. Alyssum cream.

   

3. Pink.

   

4. Red – a very beautiful seaside lobularia alissum with bright scarlet flowers.

   

5. Purple.

   

Application in landscape design

Sea alyssum is an attractive plant. Numerous small flowers are collected in lush inflorescences. A long flowering period guarantees high decorative qualities. Therefore, alissum is used both in single plantings and in other options:

• flower arrangements with contrasting combinations;
• complex flower beds with patterns and rocky surfaces;
• mixborders with other colors;
• paths from sea allisum and conifers;

Features of reproduction

The main method is propagation by seeds. They are harvested from dried fruits (boxes) at the end of September. You can pre-lay a blanket under the alyssum bush or sweep the already fallen boxes with a broom. Seeds are stored in the refrigerator in bags made of natural fabric.

Sea alissum can be propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings. Cuttings are harvested already at the beginning of summer, so that they have time to take root before the onset of the winter season. You can divide the bush in mid-September. The resulting delenki should have 2-3 powerful shoots so that they can successfully take root and give new branches as early as next spring.

Planting and caring for sea alissum

To grow sea alyssum at home, seeds can be harvested in the fall or purchased at a specialized store. The next season, seedlings are grown from them and after 2 months they are transferred to open ground. Caring for seedlings is simple, so even novice amateurs can cultivate culture.

Deadlines

Growing seedlings is carried out according to standard rules. Sowing should begin as early as late February or early March. Seedlings ripen in 60-70 days, and planting in open ground is carried out in the middle or at the end of May (there should be no frosts anymore). In the south, sea alissum seedlings can be planted at the end of April.

Growing Sea Alyssum Seedlings

Growing sea alissum from seeds is quite affordable at home. To do this, you need to purchase a universal soil for seedlings or make it yourself from garden soil and peat (in equal amounts) with a small addition of sand. Preliminarily, the mixture is kept in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 8-10 hours. Then washed with water and dried for several days.

You can pick up any containers for seedlings of sea alyssum

Plastic cups, peat pots or tablets are suitable, you can also use regular seedling cassettes. It is not necessary to soak them – before sowing, you can only pickle them in potassium permanganate. Further sequence of actions:

1. Rinse (and, if necessary, disinfect the containers), wipe dry and cover the soil.
2. Moisturize and distribute small seeds over the top layer and lightly crush them with earth.
3. Leave in a cool place at a temperature of 10-12 ° C (but not lower).
4. A phytolamp is installed and the plants are illuminated for 10-12 hours a day.
5. After the first shoots appear (you can expect up to 10 days), a complex mineral fertilizer is added.
6. Picking is carried out after the formation of the third leaflet.

Transplant into the ground

When planting, it is important to remember that sea alyssum loves well-lit and fairly dry places. It is better to place it on a small hill, but not in a lowland. If possible, the place should be protected from drafts and strong shade.

In order for the alissum to form a flower carpet, flowers are planted at a distance of 20 cm

Seedlings must be transferred to open ground in mid-May, and in the south – at the end of April. Sea alisum planting algorithm:

1. It is necessary to clear the weeds and dig the site.
2. Make several small holes at a distance of 25 cm.
3. Lay a small drainage layer of small stones, broken bricks or expanded clay.
4. Root seedlings and water them.

Also in the middle or at the end of May, you can plant the seeds of the sea alissum immediately in open ground. The grown seedlings are regularly watered and covered with a film during the first two weeks. Periodically ventilate, and then remove the protective layer. After that, they are seated and grown already in a permanent place.

Features of care

Alyssum marine does not need special care. It tolerates droughts, short-term cooling and grows even on depleted soil. However, for lush flowering, you must follow a few rules:

1. Water so that the soil remains slightly moist. Drying and erosion should not be allowed.
2. Fertilizers are applied several times per season: before planting seedlings in open ground, a complex nitrogen composition is required, at the stage of bud formation and flowering – superphosphate and potassium salt (every 2-3 weeks).
3. Pruning is done in early spring, before active sap flow begins. At this time, all old branches are removed, as well as shoots that spoil the shape of the bush.
4. The soil is mulched to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
5. After each top dressing, it is advisable to loosen the soil so that the nutrients are absorbed as much as possible by the roots of the sea alissum.

Even minimal care will ensure abundant flowering of the sea alissum

Wintering

Sea alyssum is characterized by moderate winter hardiness. Therefore, it is grown in some regions of Central Our Country, as well as in the south. Preparing it for winter is easy:

1. The last top dressing is made in mid-August.
2. In September, water-charging irrigation is carried out.
3. Gently bend the branches and fix them to the ground.
4. A layer of leaves, spruce branches, straw is thrown on top and covered with agrofiber.

Diseases and pests

Alyssum marine is resistant to diseases and pests. The defeat of various viral and fungal diseases is not excluded:

• Phytophthorozom;
• powdery mildew;
• mosaic leaf disease.

To prevent these infections, it is recommended to spray the seedlings with any fungicide shortly before transferring them to the open field. After the first signs appear (for example, powdery coating on the leaves, spots and other obvious symptoms), urgent treatment is carried out with drugs:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• Thanos;
• Cuproxate;
• Ordan;
• Maksim;
• Phytosporin and others.

Of the insect pests, alyssum is often attacked by caterpillars and cruciferous flea, which is of particular danger. In this case, folk remedies are used, for example, weak (1-2%) solutions:

• soda;
• vinegar 9%;
• ammonia;
• dry mustard powder and others.

If the bush needs to be saved from a mass invasion, you will have to use chemicals. Then Aktara, Karbofos, Decis, Karate and others come into play. Act in accordance with the instructions, while it is necessary to observe safety precautions.

Conclusion

Sea alyssum can become the hallmark of the site. Compact bushes with lush flowers look very attractive, with their help it will be possible to decorate even the most unsightly corners of the garden. Alyssum is quite easy to grow, as the plant copes well with many diseases and pests.