Content
Spring gentian (Gentiana verna) is a low-growing perennial cosmopolitan plant that grows everywhere. The culture is not found only in the Arctic. In Russia, gentian is widespread, but the main concentration of the species is observed in the European part. Grows in mountainous areas, in wetlands, in floodplains, and in shaded meadows. The culture can be seen along the sides of forest roads.
The plant is also known as gentiana or bitter root, has medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine.
Description of the species
The genus includes up to 700 species of plants, differing in shape, color and flowering time. Spring gentian is one of the primroses. Its sprouts appear under the layer of spring snow, buds form immediately after it melts.
External characteristics of spring gentian:
- The plant is low-growing, no more than 5 cm high.
- The root system is superficial, highly branched, and can cover large spaces.
- Stems are tubular, hollow, thick, short, erect. Formed in 1-3 pieces. from lower leaf rosettes ending in flowers.
- The leaves are dark green, small, lanceolate, opposite.
The flowers for the dwarf form of the plant are large, bright blue, five-petaled.
The peak of spring gentian flowering occurs in mid-May, the cycle lasts within three weeks
Application in landscape design
Spring gentian is difficult to classify as a popular plant in landscape design. In ornamental gardening, hybrid varieties of crops are more often used. Primrose is used as a ground cover option in combination with other types of plants with early flowering periods, for example, tulips or snowdrops. Create compositions with daffodils and phlox.
The decorative period of gentian is short - only during flowering; this feature is taken into account in design designs. Examples of using spring gentian in ornamental gardening will help with choosing the optimal composition:
- The central color accent in the rock garden.
- Composition with conifers and irises.
- In design, a technique based on color contrast is highly valued. Blue gentian flowers harmonize with yellow and pink crops.
- Spring gentian is used for lining linear planting of tulips.
- Gentian is an ideal option for decorating a corner of the garden in a wild nature style.
- The blue color of the flowers harmonizes with natural stone. The plant is used to decorate rock gardens.
Features of reproduction
Spring gentian forms compact bushes. At the age of three they can be divided into several parts so that each has one leaf rosette. Plant immediately in the designated place (in the southern regions). In colder climates, it is recommended to place the plant in flower pots or containers and leave until the next season.During this period, the root system will become sufficiently strong and will more easily take root in an open area.
Spring gentian and cultivars based on it provide valuable planting material. The seeds are collected at the end of summer; they are quite small and require stratification before sowing. The material is mixed with moistened sand, placed in a fabric bag and placed in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.
Seeds are planted in February in plastic or wooden containers:
- Mix peat, sand and humus and fill the containers.
- Seeds with sand are distributed over the surface and moistened with a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with gentian with film and place it in a room with a temperature of 15-17 0C.
- Ventilate periodically to prevent condensation from forming on the film.
- Water as needed; the soil should not be dry or waterlogged.
After germination, the containers are opened and the plants are placed in a well-lit place
- When a leaf rosette is formed, spring gentian is planted in separate containers.
Maintain at a constant temperature of +20 0C in a place protected from direct sunlight. Before planting on the plot, the seedlings are taken out into the open air for 1 week for adaptation.
Landing Features
Spring gentian grows naturally in fertile neutral or slightly acidic soils. The soil should have good air circulation and be light. The plant is moisture-loving, but does not tolerate stagnant water. The site is allocated well drained.
Spring gentian grows both in partial shade and in open areas. The culture can be placed near ornamental shrubs, which periodically shade it. In its natural environment, gentian settles in the alpine foothills among stones and cereal plants. If these conditions are created on the site, the growing season and flowering of the plant will be complete.
Planting time depends on the material. Seedlings are assigned to the site in late May - early June. The division of the bush is carried out approximately in the second half of July. If you divide the root system in the spring, there is no guarantee that the plant will take root and bloom.
Sequence of planting spring gentian:
- The site is dug up and complex mineral fertilizers are applied.
- The root system of the plant is treated with an antifungal agent and placed in a stimulating drug.
- Mix peat and compost, add fine pebbles.
- The recess is made in accordance with the size of the root system.
- A nutrient substrate is placed at the bottom of the hole and gentian is installed.
The seedlings are placed in the ground along with a lump of earth
- Fill with the mixture and compact.
Rules of care
Spring gentian is a crop that is quite common in the wild, but this does not mean that it will grow under any conditions. The slightest deviation from biological requirements stops the growing season and, in the worst case, leads to the death of the plant.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
The soil should always be moist; the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out. When using mulch, the number of waterings can be reduced.Water the gentian regularly, but do not allow water to stagnate and drops of liquid to fall on the flowers. It is better to water at the root. Spring gentian feels comfortable along the banks of reservoirs. If it grows near water, then reduce the amount of watering.
The plant is fed with nitrogen fertilizers in early spring, potassium and phosphate fertilizers during flowering, and organic fertilizers in the fall. Throughout the growing season, liquid organic matter is added in unlimited quantities; this can be done simultaneously with watering.
Weeding and loosening
Weeding and loosening are required only for hybrid varieties; for wild species this measure is irrelevant. Weeds are removed manually so as not to damage the root.
Loosening dwarf spring gentian is quite difficult; in this case, mulch will also help, it will prevent soil compaction. The plant reacts poorly to root damage and takes a long time to recover, so it is better to avoid weeding.
Preparing for winter
In autumn, the aerial part of spring gentian dies and dries. All residues from the site are removed and removed. If it is autumn with sufficient precipitation, then there is no need to water the plant abundantly before frost. In case of dry weather, 2 weeks before the temperature drops, the area is completely filled with water.
Cover spring gentian with peat mixed with compost. The material must be dry. You can use straw or fallen leaves. In the southern climate, spring gentian overwinters without additional measures.
Diseases and pests
If the conditions for growth meet the requirements of agricultural technology, the crop does not get sick. If placed in a waterlogged area, the plant is affected by root rot or gray mold.The infection can be treated with any fungicide. Among the pests, spring slugs parasitize on gentian; they are collected by hand; thrips appear less frequently; any of the available insecticides can be used to combat them.
Conclusion
Spring gentian is a perennial dwarf plant with an early flowering period. The shade-tolerant, frost-resistant crop is used in design as a ground cover option. Subject to proper agricultural practices, sufficient watering and fertilizing, it grows quickly on the site and occupies quite large areas.
