Contents
Tonkonog: photo of a plant
Tonkonog belongs to the type of cereals that were not previously used to decorate garden plots. They went to feed livestock and grew like weeds. Today these fluffy shrubs fit well into mixborders. They add lightness and airiness to the floral arrangement.
Description and types of plant thin-legged
Another name for this herb is “keleria”. This perennial plant belongs to the cereal family. They are distributed throughout Russia, in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Keleria is a valuable forage crop both in the form of green mass and hay. Some species are used to decorate flower beds.
Wild thin-legged valuable forage crop
When you look at the photo of a thin-leg, it becomes clear why the plant is called that. A thin long stem (45-60 cm) is crowned with a spikelet reaching up to 10 cm. This spikelet is fluffed into a shaggy panicle, while the inflorescence has a neat cylindrical shape. The color of the panicle is first green, and later cream or brown.
There are about 50 types of these bushes. You can consider 2 decorative types:
- Gray Keleria is a low plant with bluish leaves and a dense panicle 5-10 cm long and up to 1 mm wide. Inflorescences are gray-green at first, later brown. The leaves are straight and tough, covered with hairs on both sides. Several varieties of this species have been bred.
- Keleria comb has cylindrical inflorescences, gradually tapering towards the top and base. It blooms early, in June, but is reluctant in the Moscow region. The inflorescences are purple, the leaves are long, hard, pubescent. These bushes have many subspecies.
Despite the fact that plants are recognized as perennials, they do not live long. And some varieties are grown as annual crops.
How to grow a thin-legged plant on a plot
Herbaceous bushes are unpretentious and withstand frost well enough, but they must be mulched in autumn. However, this does not apply to some of the thermophilic varieties bred; they need other protection.
The plant needs a well-drained soil, this is the main condition for survival. The bush likes slightly alkaline soil and illuminated areas. Every 2-3 years you need to rejuvenate the plant. Keleria propagates by seeds and shoots. It is necessary to plant planting material either in early spring, or closer to the end of summer.
Inflorescences must be trimmed after flowering
Grass bushes are good not only for their lush panicles. Stems and evergreen leaves are decorative. The culture began to be often used for decorating borders and in mixborders. Keleria adds airiness and grace to a bouquet of dried flowers.