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Spikelet liatris is a herbaceous perennial corm-bulbous type. It occurs naturally in the United States and Canada, and as a garden plant is distributed throughout the world. The decorativeness of the perennial is provided by beautiful spike-shaped inflorescences, which gave the name to the species.
Description of liatrisa columnar
The height of the spikelet lyatris is usually up to 60 cm, but sometimes the perennial grows up to 2 m. It looks like this:
- erect stems, no pubescence or it is light;
- sessile leaves, linear-lanceolate form, alternate arrangement, entire margins;
- fluffy flowers, wide-campanulate shape, small size, only tubular type;
- buds of 5-14 pieces are collected in baskets, each has a hemispherical wrapper in 3-4 rows, inner leaves are longer than outer ones;
- inflorescence dense spike-shaped, height up to 35 cm, cylindrical shape, location at the ends of flowering shoots;
- corollas lilac-lilac or bluish-purple, in some varieties red, pink, white;
- the fruit is an achene, the shape is oblong, the surface is covered with hairs.
In the European part of Our Country, flowering of spikelet lyatris lasts 35-40 days. It starts in June-July, can last until September-October. Flowers do not bloom at the same time, but from the top. They attract bees and butterflies.
The fluffy inflorescences of the spikelet lyatris resemble panicles for dust.
Sorta liatris koloskovogo
The popularity of the spikelet lyatris as a garden plant has led to the creation of its various varieties. They differ in height and color of inflorescences.
Kobold
Variety Kobold (Cobold) is undersized. The height of the perennial does not exceed 40 cm. Its flowers are bright purple.
Liatris spikelet Kobold blooms in July – decorative effect lasts until September
Alba
Liatris spikelet Alba (Alba) is distinguished by snow-white flowers. The height of this variety is 50-60 cm.
Alba variety blooms in June-July
Floristan Violet
Liatris spikelet Floristan Violet (Floristan Violett) is a representative of the tall group of Floristan varieties. This variety has purple flowers. The height of the perennial reaches 90 cm.
The length of the inflorescences of the Floristan Violet variety reaches 30 cm
Floristan Weiss
Floristan Weiss has white flowers. The height of the perennial grows up to 70-80 cm.
Spikelet lyatris has high winter hardiness – the perennial can withstand frosts down to -40 ° C
Planting liatris spikelet
Liatris spikelet seeds are recommended to be sown in spring. Work is scheduled for early April. The snow should already be gone, and the soil should thaw.
Perennial seeds can be planted in late autumn. They are not afraid of frost, during the cold period they will undergo natural stratification.
Liatris spikelet to the place of growth is quite unpretentious. For its best development and high decorativeness, it is recommended to provide the following conditions:
- good lighting, light shading is acceptable;
- loose fertile soil;
- the reaction is slightly acidic or neutral;
- remoteness of groundwater;
- no floods.
Seeds of lyatris spikelet before sowing are recommended to be soaked for three hours in a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases. You can also use growth stimulants for processing (follow the instructions). The landing algorithm is as follows:
- Dig up the selected area, get rid of debris and weeds.
- Apply natural fertilizers.
- Loosen and level the surface.
- Moisturize lightly.
- Mark holes with an interval of 10 cm. Depth 1,5 cm.
- Plant the seeds in the holes.
- Fill holes with fertile soil.
You can sow the seeds separately, and transplant the seedlings to a permanent place after germination. At the stage of site preparation, if necessary, drainage is done – stones, pebbles or sand.
When planting seeds in the spring in mid-October, it is recommended to dig up the tubers and place them in boxes without clearing the ground. Until spring, they are stored in a cool room.
Seeds of spikelet lyatris germinate for a rather long time – usually it takes 3-4 weeks
Spikelet liatris is also planted with bulbs harvested in the fall. Work can be done from May to August. The algorithm is this:
- Dig up the site, remove all weeds and debris.
- Make holes 7-10 cm deep.
- Planting pits fill with humus by a third.
- Divide the bulbs into holes.
- Fill the holes with fertile soil.
When planting bulbs, the distance between the planting pits is oriented to the characteristics of the variety. The minimum interval is 20 cm. For tall varieties, the distance is increased to 30 cm.
Caring for liatris spikelets
In the care of the spikelet liatris, it is very unpretentious. For better growth and high decorativeness, a simple set of measures is recommended. It also includes weeding. It is carried out as needed, always in the spring.
Watering
Moderate moisture is recommended for this perennial, although it grows well even in wet areas along the banks of water bodies. If it rains at least once a week, then watering is not needed at all.
Loosening and hilling
Spikelet liatris can do without moisture for a long time, but it cannot be deprived of loosening and hilling. The first event is recommended to be carried out after watering, heavy rains. Spud bushes 1-2 times a month. At the same time, fresh earth is added.
Fertilizer
The spikelet liatris is fed 2-3 times per season. Mineral compounds are used.
In spring, the emphasis is on nitrogen to stimulate the growth of green mass.
In summer, before flowering, the perennial is fed with a potassium-phosphorus complex so that the flowering is as lush and beautiful as possible. Mineral fertilizers can also be used in the budding phase. If you do top dressing after flowering, but the end of summer, then the presence of nitrogen is acceptable – this will help the formation of tubers.
When to prune liatris spikelet
Spikelet liatris is cut twice a season. First, wilted inflorescences are removed. This is important not only to maintain the decorativeness of the site, but also to prevent self-seeding. If you plan to collect seeds, then you need to pre-plan and leave a few of the largest and most beautiful inflorescences, and remove the rest.
The next pruning is done in autumn as preparation for the cold season. Remove the entire aerial part of the perennial. It is optimal to do this in mid-September.
The optimal time for pruning is when the leaves with stems begin to turn yellow.
Wintering
The perennial has high frost resistance, which allows it to be grown from 10 to 3 USDA zones (from 4,4 to -40 ° C in winter). In the south, the spikelet liatris survives the cold season well without any shelter. In regions with severe and little snowy winters, this event should not be ignored.
Autumn care for spikelet lyatris consists in pruning the aerial parts of the plant and mulching. To do this, you can use different natural raw materials:
- peat;
- dry foliage;
- compost.
Plantings are mulched with a layer of 10-15 cm. In the spring, this material should be removed.
Pests and diseases
Liatris spikelet has good immunity. When waterlogged or planted in a lowland, the perennial may suffer from gray rot. Fungicides are used against this fungal disease:
- Fundazol;
- Topsin-M;
- Horus;
- Speed
Of folk remedies against gray rot, solutions of mustard and iodine are especially effective.
Spikelet liatris can suffer from slugs that eat foliage and buds. Various methods are used against them:
- drugs – Agrozin, Ulitsid, Thunderstorm, Slug Eater, Meta;
- traps and baits with fermented milk products, beer;
- mulching with sawdust, nettles, needles;
- repelling plants in the neighborhood – mustard, thyme, sage, lavender, rosemary.
Folk remedies are also used against slugs – salt, coffee grounds, tobacco dust, hot peppers, infusions of garlic, mustard
Another enemy is a bear. The following drugs are effective against it:
- Antimedvedka;
- Bio grade;
- grizzly;
- Thunder;
- Medvegon;
- Medvetoks;
- Rembek.
To combat the bear, they make holes 0,5 m deep and fill with horse manure
Methods of reproduction
Spikelet liatris can be propagated in many ways. The options are:
- seed method;
- division of the bush.
The seed method attracts with high germination, but the sprouts hatch for a long time. The main disadvantage of this method is that the perennial will bloom only for 2-3 years.
Gardeners often resort to reproduction by dividing the bush. This option attracts by the fact that the perennial will bloom next year. The necessary work is carried out in the fall. The dug bulbs are cleaned from the ground and divided into several parts with a diameter of at least 2 cm. The resulting material is dried in the attic or in the pantry.
Divided tubers are buried by 10 cm. They are planted at intervals of 25-30 cm.
Photo of lyatris spikelet in a flower bed
As a garden plant, the spikelet liatris has been cultivated since 1732. The perennial is good for cutting – it can stand in water with mineral fertilizers for up to two weeks.
Spikelet liatris is used mainly for group plantings.
Spikelet liatris is suitable for growing in rockeries, on alpine hills
Spikelet liatris is used to decorate borders, create mixborders
Conclusion
Liatris spikelet is a bulbous herbaceous perennial that is popular as a garden plant in various countries around the world. It can be planted with seeds or tubers. In care, the plant is unpretentious, has good immunity and high winter hardiness.
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