Content
Ampelous alyssum (Alyssum) is a small-growing shrub that decorates the garden independently and in combination with other flowers, and also harmonizes with decorative conifers and hostas. Alyssum is unpretentious, so it can be grown in most regions of Russia. The plant is propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush, and it can also be grown from seeds.
Description of ampelous alyssum
Ampelous alyssum (also called lobularia or alyssum) is a perennial shrub with creeping, rather long shoots. It grows no more than 40 cm in height. Its distinctive feature is the attractive small flowers that abundantly cover the plant. They come in white, yellow, lilac, burgundy and even greenish shades.
Flowering is abundant, begins in June and continues throughout the summer. Flowers attract not only with their bright colors, but also with a pleasant aroma. After flowering ends, in September, fruits (pods) begin to form, in which many small seeds ripen.From them you can grow a new bush - both in seedlings and without seedlings.
Varieties of ampelous alyssum
Several varieties of ampelous alyssum are known. Each of them has a different flower color and aroma.
Esther Bonnet
Esther Bonnet - this variety of ampelous alyssum is used for growing in hanging pots. It produces several shoots of 20-25 cm each with flowers in pastel shades - white, yellow, pink and lilac.
Esther Bonnet - an attractive variety of ampelous alyssum with pastel-colored flowers
Princess in Purple
Another variety intended for growing in pots. Produces long shoots with lush flowers of lilac or soft purple hue.
The shoots of this alyssum look like a waterfall of beautiful lilac flowers
White wave
A hybrid variety of ampelous alyssum (pictured) with a compact bush no more than 25 cm high. The plant looks like a blooming white ball.
White ampelous alyssum goes well with almost all flowers
vanilla cloud
Ampelous alyssum of the Vanilla Cloud variety got its name due to the fact that its flowers exude a rich aroma that can be easily felt even from a distance.
The bush of ampelous alyssum Vanilla cloud is densely dotted with white flowers
Features of reproduction
To propagate ampelous alyssum, the vegetative or seed method is used. Seed material can be collected independently at the end of September. It is planted both as seedlings and in open ground.
Dividing the bush is suitable for perennial hanging alyssums. When the plant is 3-4 years old, dig it up and divide the rhizome with a knife so that each division has at least 2-3 healthy shoots. They are planted at the same depth as the mother plant.It is advisable to complete the procedure in May.
Cuttings are cut from long shoots that ampelous alyssum produces at the end of spring. These shoots are cut and planted in a greenhouse - soil made of peat and sand (in equal quantities), covered with film. Provide abundant watering, after which the shoots can be transplanted. The procedure is carried out in early October.
Application in landscape design
Ampelous alyssum is mainly used in carpet plantings. The bushes are very low, but dense, they completely cover the ground. Therefore, with their help you can easily hide unattractive corners of the garden.
There are several options for using alyssum in garden landscape design:
- a floral carpet against the backdrop of a lawn or surrounded by other flowers;
The bush of ampelous alyssum Vanilla cloud is densely dotted with white flowers
- creating two-level flower beds with taller flowers placed in the center;
- mixborders - hanging crops fill the space well;
- planting along paths - lobularia delimit different areas, so they can be used for zoning the garden.
This plant goes well with a wide variety of flowers - for example, phlox, lilies, salvia, with petunia, garden begonia and others.
Ampelous alyssum looks good with low-growing flowers of larger diameter
Ampelous alyssum is great for edging a flower garden
Planting and caring for ampelous alyssum
Seeds of ampelous alyssum can be sown both in open ground and seedlings can be driven out of them. This plant is unpretentious, so there will be no special problems with its cultivation. Seeds are sown in March or April, and seedlings are transferred to open ground in mid-May. Further care for them is very simple - you will need to feed the bushes 2-3 times a season, as well as periodically loosen the soil and sometimes do pruning.
Deadlines
The timing of planting ampelous alyssum seeds for seedlings depends on the climatic characteristics of the region:
- In the middle zone, cultivation begins in mid-March.
- In the Urals, North-West and Siberia - in early March.
- In the south, seeds can be planted in mid-November directly into open ground. Then they will immediately receive hardening, and additional stratification will no longer be needed.
Growing ampelous alyssum seedlings from seeds
Despite the fact that alyssum can be grown in open ground, experienced gardeners prefer to plant seedlings. This method gives the best germination and allows you to immediately get rid of infertile seeds, of which there are quite a lot of alyssum.
For growing, you can use regular seedling cassettes or plastic containers. The container should be wide but shallow and also have drainage holes. Soil can be purchased at the store (universal for seedlings) or made independently, for example, from the following components:
- garden soil - 1 part;
- peat – 1 part;
- lime or limestone flour - 1 cup;
- fine sand – 1/4 part.
Sequencing:
- The soil is loosened well so that it is light and airy.
- Abundantly moisturize.
- Make grooves 1 cm deep.
- Seeds are poured into them.
- Cover the top with soil - no need to bury it.
- The surface is covered with glass or film with holes.
- Place in a cool place with a temperature of 10-15 °C.
- Illuminate with a lamp for up to 12-13 hours a day, ventilate periodically.
- Plant after two leaves appear.
- Feed with complex mineral fertilizer (can be done after the first leaf appears).
After picking, lobularia seedlings are grown in plastic cups or other individual containers
To make ampelous alyssum seedlings feel comfortable, it is better to place them on an insulated balcony or heated loggia - in this case, you can ensure a suitable temperature.
Transplantation into the ground
Alyssum seedlings are transplanted into open ground at the end of May (in the south it is possible in the first half of the month). The location is chosen taking into account the following features:
- the area should be well lit - alyssum does not tolerate even slight shading;
- the soil is suitable light, moderately fertile;
- Too wet and swampy soil leads to rotting of the roots. If groundwater comes close to the soil surface, the planting holes must be drained with small stones.
Standard planting technology:
- The site is dug up to a shallow depth.
- Prepare several holes, maintaining a distance of 20-30 cm between them.
- If necessary, drainage is laid at the bottom.
- The seedlings are moved along with the earthen ball.
- Cover with soil and water abundantly.
When replanting plants, it is necessary to preserve the earthen ball
Aftercare
Caring for ampelous alyssum is very simple. This plant tolerates prolonged cold weather, sudden temperature changes and even drought. To achieve abundant and beautiful flowering, you should provide at least minimal care:
- Water the alyssum moderately and only if there is no precipitation for more than 7-10 days. Excess moisture is more harmful than too little. Therefore, you need to water at such intervals that the surface of the soil remains slightly moist.
- Alyssum is fed 2-3 times per season - then the plant quickly increases in size and blooms profusely. For the first time, nitrogen fertilizer is given (urea, ammonium nitrate and others). It is advisable to do this in mid-April. The second and third time (with an interval of 1 month) the alyssum is fed with complex fertilizer or a mixture of superphosphate and potassium salt. There is no need to fertilize in the second half of August. In the case of annual varieties, fertilizing is given more often - 4 times per season.
- It is better to prune ampelous alyssum in early spring, before the active swelling of the buds begins. To do this, take scissors and remove damaged, dry branches and leaves. A similar procedure is carried out immediately after flowering - you need to remove the peduncles and trim all branches by 5 cm.
- Another piece of advice is that the soil needs to be loosened periodically. This is especially important to do after fertilizing - then the nutrients will quickly reach the roots, and from there they will spread throughout the tissues of the entire plant.
This can be done using straw, sawdust, spruce branches or other available materials.A layer of mulch will also allow you to weed the flower garden less often, as it inhibits the growth of weeds.
Even minimal care ensures lush and long-lasting flowering of the plant.
Diseases and pests
Ampelous alyssum has good disease resistance, but sometimes it suffers from infections caused by a virus or fungi:
- viral mosaic;
- late blight;
- downy or true powdery mildew.
Diseases can be identified by external symptoms. If pale spots appear on the leaves, a mosaic develops; a whitish coating indicates powdery mildew; brown spots indicate late blight. In the first stages, you can still cope with them; any fungicide is used for this:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Ordan";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Oxychom" others.
Also, the following pests often parasitize the ampelous alyssum:
- caterpillars of various insects;
- cabbage moth;
- cabbage whites;
- cruciferous flea beetle.
A solution of vinegar or essence (a tablespoon per 10 liters), an infusion of tobacco, a solution of baking soda, an infusion of onion peels and other means help to cope with them. You can also use any insecticide:
- "Aktara";
- "Karbofos";
- "Proteus";
- "Ultor" and others.
The solution is diluted according to the instructions, the treatment is carried out in dry, calm weather, preferably late in the evening.
Conclusion
Ampelous alyssum will help decorate even an inconspicuous garden. This plant is suitable for all flower beds. The small size of the flowers is compensated by their abundance. The crop blooms for a long time, lasting from May to September.
