Content
Liatris spikelet is a herbaceous perennial of the corm type. It is found naturally in the USA and Canada, and as a garden plant is distributed throughout the world. The decorative effect of the perennial is provided by beautiful spike-shaped inflorescences, which gave the species its name.
Description of Liatris spicata
The height of Liatris spica is usually up to 60 cm, but sometimes the perennial grows up to 2 m. It looks like this:
- erect stems, no pubescence or it is light;
- sessile leaves, linear-lanceolate shape, alternate arrangement, entire margins;
- fluffy flowers, broadly bell-shaped, small in size, tubular only;
- buds of 5-14 pieces are collected in baskets, each has a hemispherical wrapper in 3-4 rows, the inner leaves are longer than the outer ones;
- inflorescence dense, spike-shaped, height up to 35 cm, cylindrical in shape, located at the ends of flowering shoots;
- the corollas are lilac-lilac or bluish-purple, in some varieties they are red, pink, and white;
- The fruit is an achene, oblong in shape, the surface is covered with hairs.
In the European part of Russia, the flowering of Liatris spicata lasts 35-40 days. It begins in June-July and can last until September-October. Flowers do not bloom simultaneously, but from the top. They attract bees and butterflies.
The fluffy inflorescences of Liatris spicata resemble dust whisks
Varieties of Liatris spikelet
The popularity of Liatris spicata as a garden plant has led to the creation of different varieties. They differ in height and color of inflorescences.
Kobold
The Kobold variety is low growing. The height of the perennial does not exceed 40 cm. Its flowers are bright purple.
Liatris spikelet Kobold blooms in July - the decorative effect lasts until September
Alba
Liatris spicata Alba (Alba) is distinguished by snow-white flowers. The height of this variety is 50-60 cm.
The Alba variety blooms in June-July
Floristan Violet
Liatris spicata Floristan Violett (Floristan Violett) is a representative of the tall group of Floristan varieties. This variety has purple flowers. The perennial reaches a height of 90 cm.
The length of the inflorescences of the Floristan Violet variety reaches 30 cm
Floristan Weiss
The variety Floristan Weiss has white flowers. The perennial grows up to 70-80 cm in height.
Liatris spikelet has high winter hardiness - the perennial can withstand frosts down to -40 °C
Planting Liatris spicata
It is recommended to sow Liatris spicata seeds in the spring.Work is planned for early April. The snow should have melted and the soil should have thawed.
Perennial seeds can be planted in late autumn. They are not afraid of frosts; during the cold period they will undergo natural stratification.
Liatris spikelet is quite unpretentious to the place of growth. For its better development and high decorativeness, it is recommended to provide the following conditions:
- good lighting, light shading is acceptable;
- loose fertile soil;
- the reaction is slightly acidic or neutral;
- remoteness of groundwater;
- no flooding.
Before sowing, it is recommended to soak Liatris spicata seeds for three hours in a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases. You can also use growth stimulants for treatment (follow the instructions). The landing algorithm is as follows:
- Dig up the selected area, get rid of debris and weeds.
- Apply natural fertilizers.
- Loosen and level the surface.
- Lightly moisten.
- Mark holes at intervals of 10 cm. Depth 1.5 cm.
- Plant seeds in the holes.
- Fill the holes with fertile soil.
You can sow the seeds separately, and transplant the seedlings to a permanent place after germination. At the site preparation stage, if necessary, drainage is made - stones, pebbles or sand.
When planting seeds in the spring in mid-October, it is recommended to dig up the tubers and place them in boxes without clearing the soil. They are stored in a cool room until spring.
Liatris spicata seeds take quite a long time to germinate - usually it takes 3-4 weeks
Liatris spica is also planted with bulbs harvested in the fall.Work can be carried out from May to August. The algorithm is like this:
- Dig up the area, remove all weeds and debris.
- Make holes 7-10 cm deep.
- Fill the planting holes by a third with humus.
- Distribute the bulbs among the wells.
- Fill the holes with fertile soil.
When planting bulbs, the distance between planting holes is adjusted to the characteristics of the variety. The minimum interval is 20 cm. For tall varieties, the distance is increased to 30 cm.
Caring for Liatris spicata
Liatris spicata is very unpretentious in care. For better growth and high decorativeness, a simple set of measures is recommended. It also includes weeding. It is carried out as needed, always in the spring.
Watering
Moderate moisture is recommended for this perennial, although it grows well even in damp areas along the banks of reservoirs. If it rains at least once a week, then watering is not needed at all.
Loosening and hilling
Liatris spikelet can do without moisture for a long time, but it cannot be deprived of loosening and hilling. The first event is recommended to be carried out after watering and heavy rains. Hill up the bushes 1-2 times a month. At the same time, fresh soil is added.
Fertilizer
Feed Liatris spicata 2-3 times per season. Use mineral compounds.
In spring, the emphasis is on nitrogen to stimulate the growth of green mass.
In the summer, before flowering, the perennial is fed with a potassium-phosphorus complex so that the flowering is as lush and beautiful as possible. Mineral fertilizers can also be used in the budding phase. If you fertilize after flowering, but at the end of summer, then the presence of nitrogen is acceptable - this will help the formation of tubers.
When to prune Liatris spicata
Liatris spikelet is pruned twice per season.First, the wilted inflorescences are removed. This is important not only to maintain the decorative appearance of the site, but also to prevent self-seeding. If you plan to collect seeds, then you need to mark and leave a few of the largest and most beautiful inflorescences in advance, and remove the rest.
The next pruning is carried out in the fall in preparation for the cold season. Remove the entire above-ground part of the perennial. It is optimal to do this in mid-September.
The optimal time for pruning is when the leaves and stems begin to turn yellow.
Wintering
The perennial has high frost resistance, which allows it to be grown in USDA zones 10 to 3 (4.4 to -40 ° C in winter). In the south, Liatris spicata survives the cold season well without any shelter. In regions with harsh winters and little snow, this event should not be ignored.
Autumn care for liatris spikelet consists of pruning the above-ground part of the plant and mulching. To do this, you can use different natural raw materials:
- peat;
- dry leaves;
- compost.
Mulch the plantings with a layer of 10-15 cm. This material should be removed in the spring.
Pests and diseases
Liatris spikelet has good immunity. If overwatered or planted in a low-lying area, the perennial may suffer from gray rot. Fungicides are used against this fungal disease:
- Fundazol;
- Topsin-M;
- Horus;
- Speed
Of the folk remedies against gray rot, solutions of mustard and iodine are especially effective.
Liatris spikelet can be damaged by slugs that eat foliage and buds. Various methods are used against them:
- drugs – Agrosin, Ulicide, Thunderstorm, Slug Eater, Meta;
- traps and baits with fermented milk products, beer;
- mulching with sawdust, nettles, pine needles;
- repellent plants in the neighborhood - mustard, thyme, sage, lavender, rosemary.
Folk remedies are also used against slugs - salt, coffee grounds, tobacco dust, hot pepper, infusions of garlic, mustard
Another enemy is the mole cricket. The following drugs are effective against it:
- Anti-Medvedka;
- Bio-discharge;
- Grizzly;
- Thunder;
- Medvegon;
- Medvetox;
- Rembek.
To combat the mole cricket, holes are made 0.5 m deep and filled with horse manure.
Reproduction methods
Liatris spikelet can be propagated in different ways. The options are:
- seed method;
- dividing the bush.
The seed method is attractive due to its high germination rate, but the sprouts take a long time to hatch. The main disadvantage of this method is that the perennial will bloom only for 2-3 years.
Gardeners often resort to propagation by dividing the bush. This option is attractive because the perennial will bloom next year. More necessary work is carried out in the fall. The dug up bulbs are cleared of soil and divided into several parts with a diameter of at least 2 cm. The resulting material is dried in the attic or pantry.
Divided tubers are buried 10 cm. They are planted at intervals of 25-30 cm.
Photo of Liatris spicata in a flowerbed
Liatris spicata has been cultivated as a garden plant since 1732. The perennial is good for cutting - it can stand in water with mineral fertilizers for up to two weeks.
Liatris spikelet is used mainly for group plantings
Liatris spikelet is suitable for growing in rockeries and alpine hills
Liatris spicata is used to decorate borders and create mixborders
Conclusion
Liatris spicata is a corm-like herbaceous perennial that is popular as a garden plant in various countries around the world.It can be planted with seeds or tubers. The plant is unpretentious in care, has good immunity and high winter hardiness.
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