Content
Herbaceous periwinkle is a perennial creeping plant with erect shoots. Its flowers are purple. The shoots are collected into small shrubs. Periwinkle takes root well in soils of any composition and does not require frequent watering.
Periwinkle is easy to care for
Description
Herbaceous periwinkle is often used in landscape design. The shoots are low, up to 20-30 cm. The stem is dense, leathery, bright green. The leaves are oppositely oriented, covered with a waxy coating, and lanceolate in shape. Located along the entire length of the shoot.
The flowers consist of 5-6 petals of bright purple color, collected in a regular rosette. The base is in the form of a cone, it contains yellow stamens. 3-4 buds are formed on one branch.
The plant is a creeping shrub that covers the entire area of the ground with long shoots. The seedlings are planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other so that the stems do not intertwine.
Flowering lasts throughout the season, the first buds bloom in early summer. The plant continues to produce new inflorescences all summer.The life cycle of one is 15 days. At the end, seed boxes are formed.
Preparing seedlings
Herbaceous periwinkle can be planted directly in open ground or seedlings can be prepared. Planting work begins in early February. To ensure that the seeds germinate quickly, use fertile soil. It is bought ready-made in agro-technical stores, or you can take it on your own plot.
Planting takes place in several stages:
- Prepare peat boxes or plastic glasses in advance.
- The container is filled two-thirds with earth.
- Water it with water.
- 3-4 seeds are placed on the surface.
- Cover the seeds with soil and water.
- Cover with cling film or transparent glass.
- Leave in a warm place until the seeds germinate.
- Remove the film and water the seedlings.
- Grow seedlings to 3-4 natural leaves.
- 2 weeks before transferring to open ground, seedlings begin to harden.
- They are taken out onto the balcony. On the first day, take it out for 1 hour, then increase the time.
- When the plants have been standing on the balcony for 14 hours, they are transferred to open ground.
They begin to plant periwinkle when the soil warms up to 10 0C and night frosts have completely subsided.
Herbaceous periwinkle quickly takes root in a new place
How and when to plant in open ground
Planting of seeds in open ground is carried out in early spring or for winter. Seedlings are planted in early summer, when the soil warms up.
Site selection and preparation
Periwinkle is not picky about the composition of the soil; it takes root well in sunny or shady areas. However, on fertile soil the plant produces abundant flowering and the bushes look more luxuriant. The following areas are suitable for perennials:
- sublime;
- in the shade of trees;
- along the fence;
- in flower beds next to bushes;
- along the wall of a house or gazebo.
Periwinkle makes beautiful combinations that decorate flower beds. They are combined with other herbaceous plants and bushes.
Periwinkle is drought-resistant and tolerates heat easily
Planting stages
The process of planting seeds and seedlings is different. Periwinkle is a perennial plant, but it is renewed every 5 years.
Seeds
The grains are processed before planting. One seed is 5 mm in size; the capsules are collected, laid out in a thin layer and air dried. Before planting, cover with a dark cloth. Leave in a warm room for 2 weeks.
At the beginning of summer they begin planting in open ground. The seeds are planted to a depth of 2 cm, watered with water, and a 30x30 cm pattern is followed. After 14 days, shoots appear, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving the tallest and strongest stems.
Seedlings
When the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, they can be transferred to open ground. It is important to wait for a period when there is no risk of return frosts.
Watering and fertilizing
Periwinkle is an unpretentious herbaceous plant; water the plant no more than once every 10 days. The shrub independently consumes moisture from groundwater. Grass roots penetrate deep into soils and reach deep waters, which allows them to easily endure dry times.
Feeding is carried out three times per season. Periwinkle prefers nitrogenous fertilizers. You can use ready-made mineral complexes or fresh cow manure. The microelement helps increase green mass. It is desirable that the complex includes phosphorus and potassium. They are responsible for the plant’s immunity, stimulate flowering and active growth.
Herbaceous periwinkle is used in folk medicine
Diseases and pests
Herbaceous periwinkle has strong immunity, but problems can arise if not cared for properly. With frequent watering or excess moisture, the plant suffers from powdery mildew. A white fluffy coating appears on the leaves. Over time, the foliage dries and falls off.
To combat the disease they use:
- fungicides;
- copper sulfate solution;
- herbal decoctions of garlic arrows;
- potassium permanganate solution;
- pollination with wood ash.
In addition to infection, the plant can be affected by insects. Aphids and scale insects often attack periwinkle foliage. They feed on periwinkle juice. Aphids are small black beetles with wings. They gnaw wings in the leaves, causing the plants to die.
Periwinkle is affected only by black aphids; they multiply quickly
Scale insects attack foliage in the summer. During this period they reproduce and become active. Insects eat the foliage and suck the juice out of it. Over time, the plant dies. You can fight them with insecticides.
Scale insects look like small “turtles”; they have a dense chitinous shell
Trimming
Since periwinkle is a perennial plant, all upper shoots are cut off for the winter. This is necessary to preserve the top of the bush, and in the summer it can produce new branches. In the month of September, flower seeds are collected. After this, the shoots are cut off. In winter, the roots are covered to protect them from frost.
Shelter for the winter
Herbaceous periwinkle is a winter-hardy plant. However, gardeners recommend insulating the root system of the plant. This will guarantee that the flower will retain its properties. It is usually mulched. Suitable for this purpose:
- fallen leaves;
- chopped grass;
- moss;
- straw;
- humus.
You can also use agrofibre or spunbond.These materials are sold in agricultural stores.
Reproduction
Periwinkle propagation occurs using different methods. Each gardener chooses the method that suits him:
- Dividing the bush. This method is popular among gardeners. They dig up a bush, divide it into equal parts and plant it in new places.
- Cuttings. At the end of the season, cuttings are selected for future planting. Select shoots no shorter than 15 cm. Cut off the branches and leave them overnight in a solution of potassium permanganate. The cuttings are planted in the ground and covered with a glass jar. Leave until roots sprout. Test them with your fingers in the soil.
- Seeds. The grains are collected in early autumn, after the capsules have formed. Dry the seeds and plant them for seedlings or in open ground. Plants take root quickly.
Most often, gardeners use bush division or cuttings. They are more reliable than growing from seeds.
Photo in landscape
In landscape design, herbaceous periwinkle is used to decorate flower beds, borders and gazebos. The bush is grown in pots and taken outside; it goes well with other flowers. It is planted next to roses, trees, berry bushes, lungworts, blueberries, hyacinths, primrose, and forget-me-nots.
The bright color of periwinkle allows you to combine it with flowers of various shades
Periwinkle goes well with any plant
The plant can be used as tree edging
The flower in combination with hanging plants creates a harmonious composition
Application in medicine
In addition to its external qualities, periwinkle has healing properties. The flower is often used in folk medicine for healing.
Plant properties:
- Restores the functioning of the heart muscle.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Improves blood circulation to the brain.
- Helps cope with stressful conditions.
- Stimulates the release of mucus from the sinuses during a runny nose.
- Helps cope with otitis and nasal diseases.
- Herbal tea is prescribed for mild schizophrenia.
The healing properties of the plant have been known for many years. It is used in medicine as a biological additive.
Conclusion
Herbaceous periwinkle is a perennial plant. It is unpretentious in care. It is used for landscape design. In addition, the herb has healing properties. Periwinkle is grown in any conditions, the bright purple flowers are combined with various shrubs.
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