Content
- 1 Description of the loosestrife
- 2 The best varieties of loosestrife
- 3 Application in landscape design
- 4 Methods of propagation of loosestrife
- 5 Growing loosestrife seedlings from seeds
- 6 Planting willow loosestrife in the ground
- 7 Features of care
- 8 Composition and value of the plant
- 9 Medicinal properties
- 10 Use in folk medicine
- 11 Restrictions and contraindications
- 12 Collection and procurement of raw materials
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 Reviews
Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) is a perennial that has decorative and medicinal properties. It is mainly a wild plant, but there are also varieties that are grown at home. They differ in characteristics and appearance. But, what is most valuable, they inherit the medicinal properties of the wild willow loosestrife. Varietal plants can be grown on your site for its decoration and for the preparation of medicines.
Description of the loosestrife
Merlin is also called “weeping grass” - because of its characteristic feature, which manifests itself in the fact that excess moisture from rain or dew collects on the leaves into drops and flows down, reminiscent of dripping tears.
In nature, loosestrife is found in damp places, river banks, damp meadows, near swamps, it is unpretentious, can grow on any type of soil, and under good conditions it grows quickly.
Loosestrife is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the loosestrife family. It has straight 4-sided stems that stretch up to 0.8-1.4 m and branch in the upper part. The root of the plant is thick and woody, located shallow in the ground. The leaves located on the stem below are predominantly opposite, the upper ones are alternate, 10 cm long, oblong in shape.
It blooms in July-August, its flowers are small, up to 1 cm, star-shaped, numerous. They sit tightly in spike-shaped inflorescences. The flowers of the loosestrife are colored from dark pink to purple. The seeds ripen in August; they are in small oblong-oval boxes.
The loosestrife loves open sunny places
The best varieties of loosestrife
You can plant different varieties of loosestrife in your home plot. From the descriptions of some of them, you can get an idea of what variety you would like to plant.
Loosestrife Rosy Gem
Flowering begins at the end of June and continues until August. The loosestrife "Rosy Gem" grows 0.6-1.2 m in height and reaches 0.7 m in width.
The “Rosie Gem” variety is unpretentious and tolerates drying out of the substrate well.
Derbennik Swirl
Perennial, approximately 0.8 m high. The plant blooms in July and August. The inflorescences of the loosestrife Swirl are loose and airy.They are not similar to those characteristic of other varieties. They are considered a distinctive feature of the variety. In reviews of the Swirl loosestrife, flower growers say that it is easy to determine the varietal affiliation of plants.
Variety "Swirl" grows well in moist soils, recommended for edgings
Lady Sackville
Flowering occurs in July and August, like other varieties of the crop. The stems of "Lady Sackville" are of medium height, ranging from 0.6-0.8 m.
"Lady Sackville" is used in group plantings, various flower beds and near ponds
Gypsy blood
The buds bloom from July to August. The height of the variety “Gypsy Blood” (Zigeunerblut) of bushes is up to 1.2 m.
The “Gypsy Blood” variety can reach a height of up to 120 cm
Blush
The plant reaches a height of 1.2 m. Blush loosestrife blooms, like other varieties, in July and August.
The Blush variety has green foliage in spring and summer, turning red in autumn.
Candle fire
The plant is tall, above 1 m, with dark green foliage. Flowering occurs in July and August.
At the end of summer, the “Candle Fire” variety produces seed pods in place of fading flowers.
Pink pearl
This variety is one of the most common. The plants have elongated leaves and erect, dense inflorescences. The height of the “Pink Pearl” loosestrife is 1-1.2 m. It grows quickly and forms large clumps.
“Pink pearls” do not require special care during cold periods
Robert
The height of Robert bushes is 0.6-0.7 m, width is up to 0.7 m. Flowering occurs in July and August.
The “Robert” variety is best planted in the sun and near water bodies
Application in landscape design
In the garden, loosestrife is most often used in compositions with other ornamental plants, the flowers of which are painted in cool blue tones, for example, with catnips, geraniums, snowcaps and mordovniks. They look good next to barberry bushes, bladderwort, mock orange, derain or against the background of astilbe, helianthus, saplings, daylilies, asters and Japanese spirea.
Due to the fact that varieties of loosestrife differ in height, width and color of flowers, original compositions can be created from several of these varieties. At the same time, plants need to be planted so that there are no sharp transitions from one color to another; on the contrary, they should be smooth. Then the flower arrangement will look more advantageous.
Methods of propagation of loosestrife
Loosestrife, grown in home gardens, is propagated in three ways: cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds. Cuttings are cut from the lower parts of the stems, cut off in the first half of summer. Root in a moist substrate, under a film. The cuttings are watered, keeping the soil moist, and the soil is loosened after irrigation. Merlins are planted in a permanent place in the fall, a month before the onset of cold weather. Adult specimens are propagated by dividing the bush. In the spring before the beginning of the growing season or in mid-autumn, they are dug up, a part of the rhizome is separated with a sharp shovel, which is immediately replanted. The root cut is sprinkled with ash and then covered with earth.
Planting loosestrife seeds in open ground is carried out in October. Over the winter they will undergo natural stratification and sprout on their own in the spring when needed.
Growing loosestrife seedlings from seeds
Loosestrife seeds are collected after they have ripened and sown in a fertile substrate in February-March. Shoots should appear within a month. Seedlings are grown at a temperature of 15-20 ° C, lighting for 10-12 hours.
Planting willow loosestrife in the ground
Plants grown from seeds are transplanted into a flowerbed or other parts of the garden. This must be done within a certain time frame.
Recommended timing
Seedlings are planted in open ground in May, when they will definitely not be affected by temporary cold snaps. It is not advisable to replant later, as it will outgrow it.
Site selection and preparation
Loosestrife prefers moist soil, so it is best to plant it in gardens near artificial ponds, as it likes to grow in moist soil. But, if there is no water nearby, the plants will feel good in ordinary soil.
Soil preparation for willow-like loosestrife of any variety is standard: the area is cleared of plant debris, dug up, and organic matter or mineral fertilizers are applied. Mix the soil with them and level the surface, dig holes in it at a distance of 0.4 m. This interval must be maintained between the bushes so that they can develop normally and not interfere with each other when they bloom.
Landing algorithm
Planting loosestrife in open ground and initial care for it consists of the following actions:
- The holes are watered and one plant is planted in them.
- Sprinkle with earth and lightly compact it around the stems.
- You can sprinkle the surface of the soil with a thin layer of mulch.
In the photo you can see the planting and the first stage of caring for loosestrife.
To be planted on a site, loosestrife seedlings must have at least 4-5 true leaves
Features of care
Like other plants, willow-like loosestrife needs to be watered, fed, pruned and prepared for wintering in the fall. All these works are included in the complex of agrotechnical measures to care for it.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Weeping grass does not tolerate drought well, so you need to take watering seriously. During periods of lack of rain, irrigation must be carried out regularly so that the earthen ball does not dry out. If the loosestrife grows near water, you can water it less often.
Willow loosestrife is fed every year in the spring with complex mineral fertilizers for flowering crops. Additionally, cover the soil with peat or humus, which also provides useful substances.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
After watering, a day or two later, you need to loosen the soil. This is necessary so that air can pass to the roots. To preserve soil moisture, it is necessary to cover the soil surface with mulch. You can use peat and old humus.
Despite the fact that loosestrife bushes are very tall and voluminous, they will not grow in weeds. All unwanted vegetation should be removed during routine weeding.
Trimming
After flowering ends, most of the flower stalks are cut off. This will prevent seeds from forming and prevent self-seeding, as well as give the plants a more attractive appearance. A few inflorescences are left to obtain seeds from them if needed. In autumn, remove all dry shoots, cutting them at the root.
After flowering, all peduncles are cut off
Wintering
The loosestrife does not need special shelter. After pruning, it is enough to sprinkle the plant with peat or humus, leaves or straw.In the spring, after the snow melts, the mulch must be removed.
Pests and diseases
The most common pest of loosestrife is aphid. It settles on the leaves and tops of stems and sucks the juice from them. To prevent the appearance of the pest, plants are sprayed with garlic, tobacco, onion or citrus infusions. If the loosestrife is severely affected, synthetic insecticides can come to the rescue.
Composition and value of the plant
Loosestrife (or willow-like) contains glycosides, alkaloids, resins, tannins, carotene, pectin, essential oil, organic acids, flavonoids and vitamins. Traditional medicine has found use for the roots and herbs of the plant. In addition to medicinal value, loosestrife has decorative value; it is also a good honey plant.
Medicinal properties
The plant has the following actions:
- antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- astringent;
- wound healing;
- hemostatic;
- diuretic;
- analgesic;
- tonic;
- restorative.
As you can see, the medicinal properties of loosestrife, which is shown in the photo, allow it to be used to treat many problems in the body. It treats and prevents diseases, infections, stops bleeding, relieves pain, tones and strengthens the body.
Use in folk medicine
Planting and caring for loosestrife (pictured) is beneficial not only because it is an ornamental plant, but also because products from it can be used for the treatment and prevention of diseases.
A paste of leaves and fresh rhizomes is applied to wounds to stop bleeding.Decoctions and tinctures will help with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract of a chronic nature, as well as with nervous diseases, epilepsy, as an antidote to insect and snake bites. The decoction is also used externally - they take baths with it, make compresses and rinses for skin diseases, including purulent ones. Alcohol tincture is used for pain in the head and stomach, colds, rheumatism and toxicosis.
The leaves and flowers of loosestrife are used to treat a wide variety of diseases.
Recipes
A description of the preparation of products based on merlin will help you make them at home. To do this you will need fresh or dry grass, flowers and roots.
Decoction
For 100 ml of water take 2 tsp. dry herbs, steam it in a water bath for 30-45 minutes. Then keep wrapped for another 20 minutes. Drink 0.5 glasses three times a day.
Infusion
It is prepared from 1 tbsp. warm water and 1 tbsp. l. fresh or dry raw materials. Leave for at least 6 hours.
Tincture
It is prepared from 50 g of raw materials and 0.5 liters of vodka. Infuse the product for 10 days. Drink 40 drops 3 times a day.
Tea
Loosestrife tea is prepared by brewing 1 tbsp in one glass of boiling water. l. leaves and flowers. Leave for 0.5 hours and drink a quarter glass 30 minutes before eating.
Rules of application
To treat diseases of internal organs, drink freshly prepared decoctions and infusions; they can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days and heated to a comfortable temperature before use. Tea should be prepared for one serving and drunk fresh. Rubbing alcohol tincture should also be kept in the refrigerator. Apply 1-2 times a day.
Restrictions and contraindications
If we talk about the medicinal properties of loosestrife, we should also note its contraindications.These are hypertension, atherosclerosis, a tendency to develop blood clots, diseases characterized by increased blood clotting, and old age. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under 12 years of age should consult a doctor before using merlin products.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
If stems and leaves are needed, then they are harvested before the flowering period, inflorescence - when most of the buds open on them. At this time, the most medicinal substances accumulate in them.
You need to cut off the inflorescences and grass of the loosestrife before or during flowering.
The roots are dug up after flowering or in the fall, when the plant ends the growing season. They are cleaned of any remaining soil, washed, cut into small pieces and dried. The grass is also dried in the shade or in a ventilated area until completely dry. Store raw materials in a dark and cool place, in linen or paper bags. The shelf life of the herb is no more than 1 year; the roots can be stored for a season longer.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of loosestrife allow it to be used as a medicinal raw material for the preparation of folk remedies at home. They can treat some common diseases of various origins. Plus, this plant is simply beautiful and can enhance the appearance of an area when planted in the garden.
