Content
Periwinkle Sicily is an evergreen perennial ornamental crop that is used to create living carpets, flower beds, picturesque slopes and mixborders. The plant is very popular among both beginners and experienced gardeners, as it is unpretentious and highly resistant to various diseases, pests, harsh weather conditions and low temperatures.
Botanical description
Periwinkle is a creeping subshrub from the Kutrov family.
The Sicily variety is distinguished by erect stems and rather large flowers (up to 5 cm in diameter) of various shades
Periwinkle reaches 25 cm in height, growing 1 m in width. The plant is perennial and belongs to the evergreen creeping subshrubs.
Periwinkle Sicily has therapeutic potential because it contains an alkaloid that prevents cell division. The plant extract is included in various anticancer drugs and immunosuppressants. Thanks to glycosides, organic acids and valuable substances, periwinkle is used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, vegetative and hypertension diseases.
Growing from seeds
Growing Sicily periwinkle from seed is considered a long process, since the bushes grow only in the third year. Seeds must be planted to a depth of 1.5 cm with an interval of 3.5-4 cm between plants.
Peat tablets are suitable for growing periwinkle seedlings Sicily
They are filled with water, and after swelling, 2 to 3 seeds are embedded in them (each). For the germination of Sicily periwinkle, complete darkness is required, so the crops need to be covered with a black film and placed in a warm place with a temperature of +22 to +25 ° C.
After about a week, the periwinkle seedlings begin to take root. After this, you need to reduce the temperature to +21 °C. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch out. When periwinkle shoots appear, they will require regular moderate watering and periodic feeding. Picking into individual containers is carried out after the appearance of four true leaves. Periwinkle seeds take quite a long time to ripen, so cutting of the resulting capsule begins in late autumn.
How and when to plant in open ground
Periwinkle Sicily is sown both in the spring and shortly before the onset of winter. Pre-winter sowing is carried out in such a way that the seeds do not have time to germinate before the onset of frost. If necessary, the plant can be planted in the summer, but this should only be done in rainy or cloudy weather.
Site selection and preparation
Periwinkle Sicily is characterized by unpretentiousness to soil and lighting, but prefers loamy soil, enriched with humus, and moderately moist. Drained, loose, fertile soils with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction are considered optimal for the crop.Soil pH values should vary between 6-7. For Sicily, both flat land and a site on a slope are suitable. Periwinkle gets along well next to apple, pear and cherry trees. Does not tolerate proximity to walnuts very well. Direct sunlight is detrimental to the plant, so it is worth choosing a shaded area.
Planting stages
Before planting, the soil is loosened, after which peat, sand, vermiculite or perlite are added to it. Seedlings are placed in the prepared holes, then sprinkled with soil, compacted and watered. A distance of 25 to 30 cm is maintained between cuttings. The Sicily variety is replanted in early spring, when the plant experiences virtually no difficulties with rooting.
Care
If grown in an open area, Sicily periwinkle requires virtually no regular care. With average precipitation, the plant does not need to be watered. In summer, the petals and leaves of the plant become covered with dust. Get rid of it with water and a spray bottle. An adult plant is watered no more than once a week; the procedure is carried out only after the top layer of soil has completely dried.
For watering, you can use a watering can made from a plastic canister or bottle.
Weeds do not pose a serious threat to the crop, but periodic cleaning of the area around the periwinkle is recommended. The plant needs balanced feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers. Compost, leaf soil and humus are best suited for it.Caring for periwinkle Sicily includes removing dried flowers and too long shoots.
Diseases and pests
Periwinkle Sicily is resistant to various diseases and pests. The presence of dry areas indicates a scale infestation. Signs of infestation by hemipteran insects are round or oval brown spots, as well as the presence of a milky cheesy coating. To get rid of scale insects, systemic insecticides are used. You can eliminate insects manually using a soap solution and a cotton swab.
Aphids can destroy Sicily periwinkle very quickly. Insects deprive the shoots of vital juice, releasing toxic enzymes when eating the plant, which leads to yellowing and falling leaves. The crop may suffer from rust, sooty fungus, gray mold, downy mildew, gray mold and powdery mildew. Some areas may be affected by bacterial or fungal infections.
If spots or white coating appear on the leaves, it is worth spraying the plant with Bordeaux mixture (made from copper sulfate and quicklime) or a special fungicide
Trimming
Periwinkle Sicily has a high growth rate, so it requires periodic pruning. Otherwise, it will take over a large area and interfere with neighboring plants. Pruning is carried out in early spring. This procedure allows you to form a good crown and promotes the formation of buds. When the flowering period ends, the Sicily periwinkle needs a haircut. The plant is removed from creeping branches and stems, which can later be used for propagation.
Preparing for winter
The Sicily variety is highly resistant to negative temperatures.However, before the onset of winter, it is recommended for young seedlings to provide shelter in the form of a leafy cushion or spruce branches.
Reproduction
The most common method of propagating Sicily periwinkle is cuttings. Cuttings are prepared in the spring by partially pruning the bush. It is allowed to use branches left after cutting. The reproduction algorithm is as follows:
- The best cuttings of branches with a length of 10 to 15 cm are selected, which are free of damage and various formations.
- The upper leaves need pruning (by one third), the lower leaves are completely removed.
- Prepare shallow trenches that are filled with compost and fertilizers. Seedlings are immersed in them and sprinkled with soil.
- The first watering is carried out only after the top layer of soil becomes dry.
After four weeks, the cuttings take root, and then they need to be transplanted to a new location. The holes are pre-prepared at intervals of 25-30 cm from each other. The bottom of each pit is covered with turf soil, humus and peat. In the case of propagation by layering, cutting shoots is not practiced. They are simply covered with soil, leaving the top open.
Photos in landscape design
Periwinkle Sicily can be used in landscape design.
The culture is used to decorate open areas, create living carpets and control weeds, which are easily clogged by rapidly growing shrubs
You can use seedlings to limit the perimeter of the flowerbed or decorate the slopes.
Periwinkle can be used as an independent ornamental crop
The Sicily variety goes well with irises, forget-me-nots and primroses, which allows you to grow them in the same flower bed
Periwinkle is often planted on alpine hills.
The Sicily variety allows you to create a living carpet, characterized by brightness and density
Conclusion
Periwinkle Sicily is a popular crop that has not only decorative qualities, but also pronounced therapeutic properties. Among many European peoples, the plant was considered magical and protected people from all kinds of misfortunes and adversities. Thanks to its unpretentiousness to external conditions, excellent immunity and resistance to diseases and parasites, the Sicily variety is in demand among both beginners and experienced gardeners.
