Content
- 1 What does a swimsuit look like?
- 2 Types and varieties of swimsuits with photos and names
- 3 Swimsuit in landscape design
- 4 Methods of propagation of the swimsuit
- 5 Planting a swimsuit in the ground
- 6 Rules for growing a swimsuit
- 7 Medicinal properties of the plant
- 8 Collection and procurement of raw materials
- 9 Conclusion
The description of the swimsuit flower should be studied before planting the plant in a summer cottage. The perennial is represented by many beautiful and undemanding varieties.
What does a swimsuit look like?
Bathwort is a perennial plant from the Ranunculaceae family. It has straight stems up to 1 m in height on average, light or dark green leaves, palmately shaped.
The plant blooms from late May to August, depending on the species.Its buds are glossy, round, 1-2 on each stem, lemon yellow, golden or orange in color. The decorative period of the plant lasts 18-25 days, during which time the bathing suit emits a pleasant light aroma. At the end of flowering, the perennial forms rounded fruits, consisting of several leaflets with small black seeds.
Swimsuit buds are most often closed or half-open
Where and how does the swimsuit grow
Numerous plant species are distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. You can meet the swimsuit in Western Europe and Asia, North America, Central Russia and Siberia. The perennial prefers moist meadows, river banks and forest clearings for growth; it prefers moist and fertile soils.
Why is the swimsuit listed in the Red Book
Despite its wide distribution, the plant is an endangered species. Beautiful bright flowers are plucked en masse for bouquets; their numbers are also declining due to the plowing of meadows and land development. In many regions, the perennial is listed in the Red Book and is protected by the state.
How to distinguish a swimsuit from a buttercup
From the photo and description of the swimsuit, you can see that it is very similar to a buttercup. The plants are closely related, bloom at approximately the same time and bear bright yellow buds.
But it is quite easy to distinguish them from each other. The flowers of the swimsuit are larger, and moreover, throughout the entire decorative period, they usually retain a spherical shape, without unfolding completely. As for the buttercup, the five petals are wide open around the core.
The buds of the buttercup are smaller than those of the swimsuit
Types and varieties of swimsuits with photos and names
In Russia, the plant is represented by several popular species and ornamental varieties. They differ from each other mainly in size, shades and flowering time.
Siberian swimsuit
The Siberian swimmer (Trollius sibiricus) rises to an average of 70 cm above the ground. Enters the decorative period in June, producing pale orange buds about 4 cm in diameter. In its natural form, the plant is found in the Far East, in the Arctic regions and in Eastern Siberia.
The Siberian swimmer usually grows in swampy meadows and along the banks of reservoirs
Ledebur's bathing suit
Ledebour's swimsuit (Trollius ledebourii) grows 70 cm above the ground. The leaves of the plant are dark green, widely dissected, the flowers are large, up to 8 cm wide, round in shape. The buds appear closer to mid-June and are soft orange in color. At the core of the flower there are vertically standing narrow petals surrounding underdeveloped stamens.
Ledebur's bathing suit in its natural form can be found in the Far East
Chinese
Chinese swimmer (Trollius chinensis) grows up to 1 m above the ground and has beautiful carved dark green leaves. It blooms later than other varieties - from July to August. The plant bears single open and half-closed buds of an orange hue with thin long petals.
Chinese swimmer flowers reach 5 cm in diameter
Dwarf swimsuit
The dwarf swimmer (Trollius pumilus) is a low-growing species and rises only 30 cm above the ground. The dense green leaves of the plant are collected in basal rosettes. The buds of the variety are round, open, with wide petals. They are usually bright yellow, but can sometimes have a slight reddish tint.
Dwarf bathwort blooms from May to June
European
The European swimmer (Trollius Europaeus) grows in Russia from central Russia to Western Siberia. The buds of the species are pale or golden yellow, with orange nectaries. The plant blooms at the end of May.
The European swimsuit grows on average up to 1 m
Highest
The tallest swimsuit (Trollius altissimus) can rise up to 1.5 m, the height of the basal rosette of leaves is 60 cm. The buds are yellow-green, up to 6 cm in diameter, collected in branched inflorescences. A plant of this species is of interest mainly due to its high growth; it can be used to form the background of a flower bed.
The highest bathhouse blooms in May and June
Asian
The Asian swimmer (Trollius Asiaticus) is found in Western and Eastern Siberia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, growing in damp meadows, tundra and mountains. It is a perennial up to 80 cm tall, blooms from mid-May to mid-June with orange-red round buds.
The Asian swimmer is considered a good honey plant
Lilac
Lilac swimsuit (Trollius lilacinus) grows in Altai, Mongolia, China and Central Asia. It rises about 50 cm above the ground, bearing unusual lavender buds with greenish-yellow nectaries in the center. The plant blooms in late June and July.
The flowers of the lilac swimsuit do not exceed 5 cm in width
The best varieties
Gardeners are of particular interest in decorative varieties of swimsuit. They are characterized by abundant flowering and rich color of large or medium-sized buds.
Swimsuit Lemon Queen
Variety Lemon Queen - a plant up to 70 cm tall with large lemon-yellow buds.A pair of flowers may appear on each stem. The swimsuit is compact, does not take up extra space in the garden, but looks very impressive against the backdrop of dense greenery.
The Lemon Queen variety tolerates frosts down to - 40 ° C
Orange Princess
Swimsuit Orange Princess bears bright orange buds about 5 cm in diameter. It blooms in May and June and requires almost no care in the garden. Bathing plant grows well in moist soils in the shade and in the sun, and is suitable for planting in almost any area.
The Orange Princess variety grows on average up to 50 cm
Orange Glow
The compact swimsuit Orange Glow grows up to 60 cm above the ground. In May and June it bears numerous bright spherical buds. The plant prefers well-lit places; the decorative period of the orange swimsuit lasts about a month.
It is better to plant the Orange Glow variety on light neutral soils
Elist of All
Earliest of All is an early flowering plant that blooms in early May. The buds of the variety are dark yellow, with golden nectaries. The diameter of the flowers does not exceed 4 cm, but at the same time they cover the perennial very abundantly and look impressive and bright.
Elist of All grows no more than 50 cm
Etna
Bathhouse Etna blooms in May and June. The buds of the variety are yellow-orange, bright and showy. Also noteworthy are the beautiful glossy leaves of the plant, green with a slight silvery tint.
The Etna variety rises 60 cm above the ground surface
Goliath
Goliath bathing suit (Goliath) is a tall plant up to 90 cm. It attracts attention due to its large dark orange buds with a lighter core. Each flower can reach 7 cm in diameter.
The Goliath variety blooms in the second half of May
Alabaster
The unusual variety of swimsuit Alabaster is distinguished by large buds up to 6 cm in original light cream color. The flowers are semi-double, very beautiful, with pinkish petals at the tips. The plant blooms in May-June and again in August and September.
The height of the Alabaster variety is about 35 cm
Cheddar
The beautiful Cheddar swimsuit has delicate creamy yellow buds with lemon stamens and looks very elegant in the garden. The plant usually rises 70 cm above the ground and emits a pleasant aroma during the decorative period.
The Cheddar variety blooms in May and again in August.
Swimsuit in landscape design
A compact but bright swimsuit can decorate any area. It is actively used in landscape design in single and group compositions. The plant is well suited:
- for decorating front areas of the garden;
The swimsuit looks bright in front of the house and along the paths
- for decorating rocky areas;
Low-growing varieties of swimsuit look organic among the stones
- for planting in flower beds;
The swimsuit, depending on the variety, can form the foreground or background of the composition
- for decorating the banks of reservoirs;
The swimsuit feels comfortable in wet areas
The plant can coexist with delphinium, irises, edelweiss, marigolds, spirea and other perennials.
Methods of propagation of the swimsuit
There are several ways to propagate a plant on a site.
- Seeds. Planting material is subjected to preliminary stratification at home for 3-4 months at temperatures up to 4 °C.In spring, the seeds are transferred to light, loose soil, and after the appearance of the second true leaf, they are planted. It is advisable to grow a perennial in a seedling box for a couple of seasons; it is transferred to a permanent place in the second or third year.
- Dividing the bush. A healthy adult bush of the plant is dug out of the ground in August or early September and divided into several parts, with at least two shoots on each and strong roots. The seedlings are immediately, without shaking off the soil, transferred to a new place, and then watered and shaded until the perennial takes root properly.
- Cuttings. In spring and summer, young lower shoots or basal rosettes with part of the underground rod are separated from the adult plant. The cuttings are transferred directly to the soil and provide it with high-quality moisture and protection from direct sun.
When dividing a bush, the roots of the plant do not need to be cleaned so as not to damage them
Planting a swimsuit in the ground
Planting and caring for a swimsuit in the open ground is not particularly difficult. However, in the process you need to adhere to several important rules.
Recommended timing
Unlike many plants, it is recommended to plant the swimsuit not in spring or autumn, but at the end of summer, in August. In this case, the perennial is guaranteed to have time to take root in the warmed soil and will not suffer from the winter cold.
Site selection and soil preparation
Most plant species and varieties tolerate partial shade well, but prefer open sunny places. It is best to plant the crop in areas with diffused light, for example, near trees or tall shrubs.
The flower prefers light, neutral or slightly acidic soil, with a high humus content. The perennial takes root well on loams, loves moisture, but does not react well to stagnant water.
Landing algorithm
Shortly before planting seedlings or seedlings, the selected area must be dug up and, if necessary, diluted with sand or fertilized with peat and humus. For a decorative perennial, prepare a small hole, twice the size of the roots. When placing several plants at once, leave 50 cm of space between the holes.
Before planting, crushed stone or broken brick is poured into the bottom of the hole for drainage, and then the hole is half filled with a mixture consisting of garden soil, sand and peat. The seedling is carefully lowered onto the formed mound, deepening the root collar by 2 cm, covered with remaining soil and watered. With proper planting, the perennial should take root quickly - on average in a couple of weeks.
Rules for growing a swimsuit
The perennial plant has low care requirements. It’s easy to grow it in the country if you don’t forget about the basics.
Watering and fertilizing
Perennials in the garden need constantly moist soil. During active growth and flowering, as well as during dry periods, the plant is watered with lukewarm water once a week or more often, as the soil dries out. If the perennial is located near a pond or stream, you can do without additional moisture.
To protect against weeds, the soil at the roots of the bathing suit can be mulched or covered with crushed stone
It is necessary to feed the crop twice per season - in early May and before flowering.They use complex minerals containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, the dosages are very small - 5-10 g of fertilizer per bucket of water.
When and how to replant a swimsuit
It is recommended to transplant the swimsuit less frequently; the plant does not like frequent changes of location. It is advisable to carry out the procedure no more often than once every five years.
Work begins in mid-summer after flowering ends, when the perennial goes into a dormant state. The bush is carefully dug up and, using a sharp knife or shovel, divided into parts with 3-4 growth buds on each, after which it is immediately transferred to a new area. At first, the seedling is shaded from direct sunlight.
Preparing for winter
Most varieties of perennial plants have good cold resistance and can withstand frosts down to -30 °C without shelter. Shortly before the onset of winter, it is recommended to only cut off the above-ground part of the crop, leaving cuttings no more than 3 cm in height. If desired, the perennial can be covered with fallen leaves, straw or spruce branches on top, this will protect the roots from freezing.
Diseases and pests
Bathhouse is a hardy and viable plant with good immunity. However, sometimes perennials can be affected by fungal diseases. The greatest danger is posed by:
- septoria - the disease leaves brown or orange spots with a yellowish border and black dots on the leaf blades;
If left untreated, septoria leads to deformation and drying out of the plant.
- smut - with this disease, the perennial slows down its development, and whitish and dark growths appear on the stem and leaves;
Smut weakens the swimsuit and reduces its frost resistance
If there are symptoms of fungal diseases, the plant must be treated with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate.The affected parts of the perennial are cut off and burned.
Of the parasites, nematodes pose the greatest danger to the swimsuit. Worms damage the roots, form characteristic growths on them, and over time the leaf blades of the perennial begin to darken and die. In the early stages, infection can be eliminated with the drugs Phosfamide and Heterophos.
In later stages, nematodes cannot be treated and the plant should be destroyed
Medicinal properties of the plant
Leaves and flowers are used in folk medicine. When used carefully, the plant:
- helps with skin irritations and damage;
- has a diuretic effect;
- regulates the menstrual cycle in women;
- serves as a prevention of scurvy and vitamin deficiency;
- improves the condition of gallbladder diseases;
- helps with stomach and intestinal ailments.
At the same time, the root of the bathing suit contains toxic substances. It is rarely used to treat ailments and is mainly used externally.
Use in folk medicine
The leaves and flowers of the plant contain a large amount of valuable substances. Among the main ones we can list:
- flavonoids;
- coumarins and saponins;
- ascorbic acid;
- fixed oils;
- choline;
- lipase;
- phenolcarboxylic acids.
Due to its rich chemical composition, traditional medicine uses the plant to treat the following diseases:
- epilepsy;
- scabies;
- furunculosis;
- diarrhea;
- edema and dropsy;
- kidney and liver diseases.
The bathing suit has antitumor properties. In combination with official drugs, the plant is used in cancer therapy.
Restrictions and contraindications
In general, the swimsuit is considered a fairly safe plant.But since its effect on the human body has not been thoroughly studied from a scientific point of view, in some cases it is better to avoid using the herb. It is prohibited to use products based on it:
- during pregnancy and feeding;
- in the presence of individual allergies;
- with exacerbations of pancreatitis and gastric ulcers.
During treatment with a bathing suit, you must carefully follow the dosages indicated in the recipes. For the first time, plant-based products are tried with great caution and in minimal quantities to check whether a negative reaction of the body occurs.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
It is necessary to collect the bathing suit for medicinal purposes from June to July, during the flowering period of most plant species. Choose a clean place for the procurement of raw materials, located away from roads, large cities and industrial facilities.
You need to prepare your swimsuit on a dry and clear day.
For medicinal use, it is customary to collect stems, buds and leaves. Immediately after preparation, they are laid out on a baking sheet or on a sheet of cardboard and left in the fresh air under a canopy until completely dry. The plant should not be exposed to direct sunlight, since ultraviolet radiation destroys the beneficial substances in the raw material.
High-quality dried herbs are poured into paper bags or glass jars and stored in a dark place with low humidity. The plant retains its beneficial properties for up to three years. During this period, the workpieces need to be stirred from time to time to prevent mold from growing in them, and checked for the presence of insects.
Conclusion
Description of the swimsuit flower is a beautiful and useful plant with low care requirements.The perennial not only decorates the garden, but also helps in the treatment of ailments when following proven traditional medicine recipes.
