Armeria is a flowering perennial herb of the Pig family. There are over 90 species in total. Translated from the Celtic language, the word "armeria" means "proximity to the sea." Hence another name - seaside armeria. In wildlife, the plant grows on the sea coasts North America and northwestern Europe. Armeria is a low-growing (15 to 60 cm) bush with long thin leaves and a high stem that ends in a bud inflorescence. The topic of this article is - Armeria: planting and care in the open field. Photos and recommendations of specialists will help you grow a plant on your own.
Armeria, photo Armeria: planting in open ground, photo
Armeria flowers small size, white, lilac, raspberry and other colors and shades. Armeria blooms at the end of May and blooms throughout the summer, and when blooming forms a bright carpet. To obtain good shoots and strong plants, it is recommended to put the seeds in the refrigerator for a week before planting, and soak them overnight in warm water before sowing. Armeria seeds should not be planted deep in the soil, it is enough to lightly sprinkle it with earth. The flower is widely used in landscape design.
Armeria can be grown in two ways:
- Seeds (without planting seedlings). For cultivation in this manner, seeds can be sown in autumn, winter or in early spring late March - early April. Also flowers reproduce by self-seeding.
Armeria seeds - Seedlings... To obtain it, the seeds are placed in separate containers (peat cups), or in boxes. Two weeks before sowing seeds, the soil must be loosened and fertilized twice. organic fertilizers... The plant loves light soil, without lime admixture. Seeds sown in boxes should be kept in a warm, lighted place. Seeds should not be spread too often, as they are distinguished by good germination. After the emergence of two true leaves on the seedlings, they are dived into the greenhouse and grown there until they are completely strong. At the end of May, seedlings are planted in open ground in a sunny and dry (no excess moisture) place.
Seedling armeria, photo The plant grows well in sandy and rocky soils. For looseness of the soil, you can add dry sawdust, needles, dry grass. If armeria flowers are grown as separate plants, then they should be planted in holes at a distance of up to 40 cm from each other. If you need to create a covering from a plant, then the distance between the bushes is reduced to 20 cm, and it is better to plant it not in holes, but in grooves. After planting, the seedlings need to be watered.
Caring for Armeria, photo
Although armeria is a flower that does not require special care, in order for the plant to bloom all summer and delight its owners, it should be looked after:
- It is necessary to carry out regular watering, since the flower is moisture-loving, but waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed. If the soil where the armeria is planted is heavy, then artificial drainage should be created. On hot days, you can spray the plant bushes with water.
- Armeria is fed with organic and mineral fertilizers. You need to feed up to three times per season. The first time - before flowering, then - during flowering and last time - after flowering.
- For constant flowering and the formation of new inflorescences, it is necessary to remove faded buds and dried leaves in time.
- Armeria belongs to those few plants that do not get sick and are not exposed to pests. Only occasionally, it can be attacked by the larvae and adults of aphids. In this case, it is enough to carry out in early spring, before the appearance of insects, the treatment with the preparations "Intavir" or "Kinmix". Very rarely, leaf disease (spotting) may appear on the armeria, which prevents the plant from growing further and blooming. At the first signs of the disease, the bushes are treated with fungicides.
So, the topic of the article is Armeria: planting and leaving in the open field, photo will definitely help you grow this bright, unusual plant on their territory. We hope our tips will help you with this.
See also the video:
Armeria Primorskaya is one of the most interesting plants, which North America gave us. She can grow in any garden, if you follow all the recommendations for her care. With its flowering, the seaside Armeria will delight the eye for many years, each time blooming more and more beautifully. Armeria is a fairly large shrub with beautiful buds and leaves. It looks especially advantageous separately from other colors.
Armeria: application and types
Armeria - very beautiful perennial, belonging to the Pig family. Flowers are small, towering above needle-like green leaves. The color of the flowers can be very diverse: from white to crimson. In total, there are about 60 species of armeria in nature. The most famous are the Alpine, thorny, turfy, beautiful and seaside varieties.
Armeria blooms for several months, it is often used to decorate landscapes. The plant is filled with various rockeries, rock gardens and rocky gardens. In floristry, Armeria is used to create amazing bouquets (including dry ones). When abundant planting the plant forms a real carpet, which is pleasant to admire. AT wildlife Armeria inhabits the shores of reservoirs, for which it was nicknamed "living by the sea."
Armeria: planting and care
Armeria seaside unpretentious flower, so there will be no hassle with it. True, this plant does not really like excessive watering and an abundance of fertilizers. From this, the armeria can begin to fade and bloom less. For best growth, choose a flower in a sufficiently sunny and dry place. You need to water the seaside armeria regularly, but in moderation. Keep the soil of the flower moist and loose.
Despite the preference sunny places, the plant tolerates cold and drought well. In the heat, it is recommended to moisten the leaves and provide abundant watering, otherwise a long stay in such conditions will destroy the armeria. Choose loamy and drained soil without lime as a substrate. Be sure to apply combined fertilizers. Armeria is quite resistant to diseases and pests.
Armeria: growing from seed
- Most gardeners choose to grow armeria themselves from seed. This process is quite laborious and complex, but following the rules, you will cope with it. Armeria should be grown either in late winter or early spring. It is recommended to put the seeds in the refrigerator for a week before sowing. It is not necessary to do this, but this way they germinate better. After such "freezing", soak the seeds in warm water for no more than 8 hours. The seeds are planted in special containers (mostly made of wood or plastic). Place containers with seeds in dry and warm place... You can also bypass planting in them and plant seeds directly in the greenhouse ( temperature regime must be at least 13 degrees).
- When the seedlings grow up, create a semblance of a greenhouse effect with gauze or film. Prepared sprouts can be planted in suitable soil in the country. The first flowering of armeria seaside will begin in the 2nd year after planting. Armeria will begin to bloom in May, and flowering can last up to 3 weeks. If the seed is planted before winter, they do not need to be processed. Sprinkle them with 5 mm of soil, and then be sure to moisten the ground.
- In addition to seeds, the reproduction of seaside armeria can be carried out by dividing a bush or cuttings. If you decide to share the bushes, consider them carefully. Be sure to remove the rotten parts, transplant only healthy parts. The division can be carried out in spring and autumn. The bushes are placed in the water, and after the sprouts appear, they are planted in the ground as soon as possible. For planting, it is better to divide the bushes into several parts - this makes them easier and faster to root.
- Cuttings are carried out in the summer. For him, healthy and best plants, from which cuts of small outlets are carried out for subsequent rooting. When grafting, the seaside armeria are planted in groups at a distance of about 35 - 40 cm from each other. The flower cannot be buried, otherwise it will not germinate. In the prepared area, a hole is simply pulled out, cuttings are planted, sprinkled and compacted with earth, watered.
Armeria seaside: photos
Armeria seaside - amazing plantwhich is famous for its long flowering... It is unpretentious and frost-resistant, but it still requires certain agrotechnical rules. Anyone can settle on their own summer cottage seaside armeria, thus diversifying the usual landscape.
Thrift (Armeria) is cute perennial flowerwhich, with proper care, can become great decoration alpine slide.
His little linear leaves grow from a root outlet and form a fairly dense pillow, from which high peduncles later appear, and large peduncles on them bright flowersthat look like carnations.
Only attention, love and care can ensure the lush bloom of Armeria and its bright unusual colors: silver, green or rose red.
Types and varieties
Armeria Primorskaya (Armeria maritima) grows on the coast of North America and northwest Europe. It reaches a height of 20 cm. It has flat, narrow, linear leaves with blunt tips. Inflorescences are pink-lilac with filmy bracts. The most varieties are derived from this type of Armeria: snow-white Alba, dark pink Lauchana, fluffy RoseaCompacta, red Bloodstone, carmine SolendensPerfecta.
Armeria Alpine (Armeria alpina) - graceful, tiny, up to 10 cm in height and up to 30 cm in diameter with an ideal rosette shape with a thousand narrow lanceolate leaves, most of which remain green in winter. Flowers are small, collected in heads up to 3 cm in diameter on high (up to 30 cm) peduncles. Varieties: pink Rosea, white Alba, dark pink Lauchana.
Armeria the Beautiful (Armeria formosa) is a plant that looks defenseless and fragile. It has small rosettes of thin evergreen leaves, bizarrely curving and drooping. Peduncles are rigid, erect, inflorescences are small - up to 5 cm. It blooms for more than 5 months a year and retains its decorative effect throughout the season.
Location and growing conditions
Armeria very fond of the sun, able to withstand drought. They cannot bloom in shading - they stretch out, lose the brightness of the color of the leaves. These flowers seem to have been specially created by nature to decorate the slopes, constantly illuminated by bright sunlight. Therefore, it is better to plant armeria in the southern part of the garden, in open areas.
There is one an exception - whimsical and not resistant to ultraviolet radiation armeria soddywho needs a good daylight and shelter for the winter, excluding the ingress of snow and moisture.
The soil for armeria it should be light, loose, sufficiently moist, with a slight acidic reaction. Since this plant categorically does not tolerate lime, before planting, the soil must be acidified with any of available methods (nitric, otophosphoric, sulfuric acid, etc.)
Landing
Armeria planting - the process is simple. The soil must be well loosened and organic matter introduced a couple of weeks before planting. The method depends on what you want to get - a solo plant or a dense pictorial carpet.
For soloists armeria are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other and from neighboring plants.
To do this, dig shallow pits, install seedlings or delenki in them so that the sockets are at some distance from the ground, then they fall asleep, tamp and water.
For carpet device plants are planted densely (up to 20 cm) in continuous trenches using the same technology. In the first 7-10 days, seedlings must be regularly watered, but without excess moisture and waterlogging of the soil.
Reproduction
Armeria breed freshly harvested seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush.
Sowing is done in open ground before winter or early spring, and for seedlings in February - March. Sow shallow and sparsely, covering only 0.5 cm with soil and ensuring regular watering.
While the seedlings do not reach a height of 5-6 cm, they are grown in containers in a bright place, then dive into a greenhouse or greenhouse.
To a permanent place young specimens can only be identified after strong leaves appear. Plants grown by seedlings will bloom for 2 years, and sown in November or March - in the same year in the fall.
Armeria's ability multiply by self-seeding can be successfully used in the design of alpine slides. Cuttings are cut almost all year round (except for winter), but they are cut not by shoots, but by small daughter rosettes of adult plants.
Wintering
Armeria They love warmth very much, but they also tolerate cold winters well (with the exception of the already mentioned armeria, which must be covered in the same way as roses - with agrofibre or several layers of spruce or pine spruce branches).
All other varieties dont need in insulation in conditions middle band the former CIS with its long and snowy winters.
If you live in areas with large differences winter temperatures and lack of snow, then better cover the army branches.
Unfortunately, in this case you will not be able to admire the bright green rosettes of leaves in winter, which retain their attractiveness all year round.
Some features of care
Armeria They grow and develop best if the soil near the root is slightly moistened, therefore, during periods of drought, they need to be systematically watered.
Trim buds it is necessary immediately after flowering, this will help stimulate another re-flowering in the fall. The more carefully you trim each inflorescence after wilting, the longer the flowering will be.
Armeria is unpretentious, is hardy and feels great without feeding.
Nevertheless, taking care and careful maintenance of it will provide a more lush and beautiful flowering. Fertilizers are applied during the budding period and 2 more times during the summer.
Remember, the more the soil differs on the site from sandstones ideal for armeria, the greater the need for feeding.
Important about armeria
Armeria needs rejuvenation every 5-6 years. This procedure is very simple:
- carefully dig up the flower;
- divide the rhizome into several parts;
- plant in sunny areas in the garden (always in new places).
Disembarkation should be done in the fall, after flowering. Armeria has an excellent ability to root quickly, so you can safely divide the bush into small pieces with just a few leaves.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and garden pests almost do not hit the army. The only exception - in winter, during a dormant period on insufficiently acidic soil and with an excess of moisture, plants can be affected by aphids and spotting. The best way the fight against this problem is cardinal pruning.
And for the curious, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video about armeria
The genus Armeria belongs to the Pig family and includes about a hundred species, some of which are successfully cultivated in the open field of our country. Wild varieties of this flower grow in the temperate zone of Europe, America, Asia.
General information
There are two versions about the name of the flower. Translated from Celtic, "armeria" means "next to the sea", and indeed, one of the plant species is widespread in the seaside. In accordance with another version, in ancient French, armeriya was called a bearded carnation, which looks like an armeria.
The height of this flower can reach over half a meter. Armeria has a short root and leaves are collected in a rosette. The flowers form round inflorescences, are colored in the form of different shades of red, purple, there may be white flowers.
Varieties and types
- this is perennial speciesgrowing up to 15 cm and having large leaf pads at the base of the plant. The color of the flowers is pink. One of the most popular varieties is called Alba. Unlike a pure plant, it has white flowers.
It grows up to 20 cm. It has narrow green leaves with a blue tint. Lilac flowers with pink tint... The color of varieties of this species can have the most different shades red. For example, Armeria Louisiana has pink flowers, while Bloodstone has burgundy flowers. Nice magenta the Slendens variety, and the Armeria elongated red.
It grows above half a meter in height. The leaves are not wide, a little more than 10 cm long. The flowers are pink and a lot of them can grow on one armeria.
Has evergreen leaves forming rosettes. The flowers are white, crimson, scarlet.
Armeria planting and care in the open field
Armeria is grown in the open field and its care is quite simple. It is necessary to apply the full amount of mineral dressings before flowering, and repeat this procedure later. Dull flowers must be removed, and empty peduncles should be cut off.
On too hot days, the flower should be watered moderately. At the age of five, the armeria are separated and seated. After the first such transplant, it will need to be done every couple of years.
In winter, the plant need not be covered, as the flower tolerates frost well. But the turfy army still needs to be insulated for the winter. In the case of a snowless winter, Armeria can be covered with spruce branches.
Armeria beautiful seed cultivation
I sow seeds in late autumn or early spring. In greenhouses, seeds are sown at the end of winter. Before sowing for 7 hours, the seeds must be placed in warm water... The sowing depth should be shallow - 5 mm.
Containers with seeded armeria are kept warm, when good lighting... Most of the seeds usually emerge. When plants release a couple of leaves, they are dived and greenhouse conditions are created for seedlings.
When the armeria gets stronger, and frosts will no longer occur on the street, it will be possible to plant the plants in open soil. The landing site of the armeria should be well lit, the soil sourish (sandy or stony). Liming the soil can kill young plants. To neutralize the effect of lime, you need to treat the substrate with ammonium nitrate and diluted acetic acid.
Dig up the soil well 15 days before planting, loosen it and add organic fertilizers. It is necessary to plant young plants so that the leaves do not sink into the soil, and the root collar is not too deep. The earth with seedlings is watered and a little tamped around the plants.
To grow armeria as a single plant, the seedlings are placed about 30 cm from each other, and if you want the flower to completely cover the ground, then observe a distance of 15 cm between the bushes. For the first few weeks, frequent watering should be carried out, but the ground should be allowed to dry between wetting.
Diseases and pests
Armeria is not afraid of diseases and pests, but when it is improperly looked after, it can be affected by aphids. Most often this happens when the acidity of the soil is too low. In case of illness, the affected shoots should be cut off.
Armeria is a cute herbaceous perennial that can decorate any alpine slide. Its tiny and dense linear leaves in a root rosette form a dense pillow, over which large, lush flowers, so similar to carnations, rise. But lush bloom and a special silvery, purple or bright green color of greenery will please only those armerias who were provided optimal conditions cultivation and attentive, caring care.
Growing conditions
Armeria are drought-tolerant crops that adore the bright sun and will not grow in shade. Even their appearance suggests that they are as if created to decorate the slopes of mountains illuminated by the direct sun. It is better to plant armeria in those parts of the garden that are the warmest and brightest, in particular in the southern location. There is also an exception - whimsical, if not capricious, turfy armeria, which does not like direct rays of the sun, but at the same time needs sufficiently rich lighting, in winter it needs shelter and categorically cannot stand high humidity during the rest period.
The soil for growing armeria should be light, slightly moist, preferably sourish, at least with a slight acidic reaction. Sandstone is preferable in structure. Armeria categorically do not tolerate lime, therefore, before planting it, if necessary, you need to neutralize it, increasing the acidity with the means available to you.
Landing
Planting an armeria is a simple process. The soil on the site is loosened twice and fertilized with organic fertilizers at least two weeks before planting. The whole process depends on whether you want a solo soloist or a dense carpet that completely covers the soil in the selected area.
Armerias are planted for solo parties or in mixed loose groups at a distance of about 30-40 cm from neighboring plants, digging a simple hole under each bush, installing a cut or sapling in it so that the rosette of leaves is not lowered into the ground and the buds are renewed from the root necks were at the same level at which they grew in a pot or in the mother plant. The hole is carefully covered and tamped, watering immediately.
To create a dense carpet, the armeria are planted very densely, at a distance of about 15, maximum 20 centimeters, landing in rows in shallow trenches dug out. The technology is the same as for the landing of single armies. In the first three weeks after planting, especially for delots, it is necessary to ensure regular watering, but still preventing abnormal moisture and waterlogging of the soil.
Reproduction
Armeria are propagated both by seeds, preferably freshly harvested, and by dividing adult bushes or cutting cuttings.
Growing seedlings from seeds
Armenian seeds can be sown seedling method or directly into the soil.
- They are sown in open ground before winter or in early spring, and for seedlings - in late winter or early March. Sow sparsely and shallowly, covering half a centimeter of soil and regularly maintaining moisture. Armeria seeds germination is very good.
- Plants are grown up to a height of several centimeters in the same containers in the light, and then dive not into open soil or separate bowls, but into the soil of a greenhouse or greenhouse.
- After the release of strong leaves, you can plant them in a permanent place. Plants obtained by seedlings bloom only in the second year, and if the armeria was sown before winter or early spring - perhaps already in autumn.
Armeria is capable of self-seeding, which can be used in landscape-style rock gardens.
Delenki
Since the bushes of armeria are divided very often, it is more expedient to propagate the plant by divisions. After the end of flowering, and better in autumn adult two- or three-year-old bushes are dug up, divided into small parts (armeria has amazing ability to quickly root, so you can safely divide into small parts with several leaves and good roots).
The cuttings are planted at a distance of about 20 cm. Cuttings can be cut during the warm period almost the whole year, while they are cut not at all by shoots, but by small daughter rosettes in an adult plant.
Wintering
Despite their heat-loving nature, these plants, striking with a bright color, are quite winter-hardy. Turfy armeria, as we mentioned above, should be covered for the winter - in almost the same way as roses, wrapped in dry peat and plant materials, covered with spruce branches and non-woven materials. All other armies do not need any additional preparation for the winter cold if the winters are normal and snowy, without long periods of warming.
If there is not enough snow, then it is better to cover the armeria from above with spruce branches to protect it from temperature extremes (however, it will not allow you to admire the greenery, which retains its attractiveness in winter).
Care features
Since the armerias prefer light soil moisture, during periods without natural precipitation, it is advisable to add the planted plants, despite the fact that this crop is considered drought-resistant.
Prune this squat cushion plant regardless of role in the garden immediately after flowering to stimulate possible fall re-flowering. Fading peduncles, if you want armeria to bloom in spring for more than 2 months, it is better to remove it in time, until it turns yellow.
Unpretentious and hardy, Armeria does not need mandatory feeding, but without additional "feed" it will not bloom so massively and for a long time. So, complete mineral fertilizers, if you want to enjoy an incredible parade of charming delicate flowers, you must definitely add it before flowering, and it is better to repeat this dressing one or two more times during the summer. The need for top dressing is the higher, the more the soil differs from the preferred sandy loam (loam, peat, etc.)
A feature of caring for armeria is the need to rejuvenate plants every five, at least six years. Rejuvenation is very simple: to do this, it is enough to dig up the armeria and divide it into pieces, obtaining a new generation of plants that can be used in sunny areas in the garden.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and pests are not terrible for armerias. Only on insufficiently acidic soils and when moisture accumulates in winter, the plant can weaken and become vulnerable to aphids and spotting, which are better to fight with standard cardinal pruning.