Content
Evers' sedum (Sedum ewersii) is a garden succulent and ground cover. The flower is distinguished by the plasticity of its powerful stems, capable of taking a creeping or ampelous shape. Sedum "Eversa" is unpretentious to the composition of the soil and is resistant to harsh climatic conditions.
Powerful rhizomes and aerial shoots of plastic stems allow the Evers sedum to grow and develop on a steep wall
Description of Evers' sedum
Sedum is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial. Natural habitats are rocky mountains, sandy river beds, pebbles of Altai, Central Asia and Northwestern China. Sedum grows as a low bush with rooting shoots.
Elongated reddish branches with fleshy glossy leaves rise 10-20 cm above the ground and spread out in a continuous half-meter carpet. Blooming sedum - honey plant.
Young shoots of sedum "Eversa" are fragile, but plastic, shrouded in whorls of 2 small leaves 1.5-2 cm heart-shaped. By mid-July, umbrellas of numerous small flowers bloom at the ends of the stems, in the apical axils. Star-shaped purple-pink petals open together and do not fall until the end of August. Faded sedum inflorescences become bright brown and have a decorative appearance.
In autumn, the foliage falls, exposing the already woody reddish stems. This property of sedum allows it to survive frosts. In spring, the branches are again covered with shoots.
There are two types of sedum:
- Round-leaved (Sedum ewersii var. Cyclopbyllum), a prominent representative is the Nanum variety. Relatively tall bush, rising above the ground up to 20 cm. The shoots reach 25-30 cm, form a carpet up to 0.5 m. The leaf blades are small, pale green. Sedum umbrellas are rare, pink. Grow more as a green than a flowering plant.
- Equal-leaved (Sedum ewersii var. Homophyllum). A miniature carpet-like bush 10 cm high, 35-40 cm in diameter. It is distinguished by light bluish-green leaves. It does not bloom profusely, but the variety “Rose Carpet” presents a continuous lilac-pink carpet.
The sedum's hardiness and hassle-free care are increasing the prevalence of sedum among succulent enthusiasts. Breeders constantly surprise flower growers with new varieties.
The shape of the sedum "Eversa" with blue leaves becomes the pride of the collection. The cultivar is called “Blue Pearl” (Sansparkler Blue Pearl).The sedum forms dense tussocks with bright purple leaves covered with a bluish bloom and soft pink umbrellas of flower stars. They are grown in full sun. In the shade, the stems stretch out and the leaves turn green.
Application in landscape design
Sedum "Eversa" is planted on lawns, flower beds and around conifers. Hanging baskets and containers with it are used to decorate terraces, gazebos and pergolas.
Sedum can decorate:
- retaining walls;
- rock gardens;
- rockeries;
- rocky or gravel gardens.
Sedum "Eversa" serves as an excellent background for tall single trees or flowers, and participates in microborders.
Sedum "Eversa" makes beautiful borders; they are irreplaceable when landscaping slopes and slopes
Sedum "Eversa" is combined with other types of succulents, tall and short flower crops and conifers.
You can also plant other succulents in the flower garden.
Features of reproduction
Sedum "Eversa" has no problems obtaining new specimens. All vegetative propagation methods are suitable for him:
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- seeds.
All stages of sedum propagation are carried out in the spring, during the period of active sap flow. Sedum is propagated by seeds in the fall, because their germination capacity is lost.
Growing sedum from cuttings
Sedum "Eversa" grows roots where it touches the ground. The surest way to get a new curtain is to use a rooted shoot.
A cutting with several pairs of apical leaves is suitable for propagation.
The second method is to cut off the sedum shoot below the leaf node at 1 cm at an angle, stick it into moist soil with an angle so that the sinus deepens. Place the nursery for rooting sedum in diffuse shade and water moderately.
Dividing the bush
It is recommended to replant the Eversa sedum after 5 years. At the time of digging up the sedum curtain, the rhizome should be divided into “divisions” so that each has a growth bud and a healthy root.
Treat the cut areas with crushed coal. Dry the sedum cuttings in the shade and plant the seedlings after a few hours.
Propagation by seeds
Propagating sedum "Eversa" by seeds is a labor-intensive process and is rarely used by gardeners. Only freshly harvested seeds have good germination, so autumn sowing is more productive.
Planting and caring for Evers sedum
Sedum "Eversa" is unpretentious to the composition of the soil and grows in any climatic conditions. But the density and richness of the greenery, the brightness of the color, and the splendor of flowering depend on proper planting and subsequent care.
Recommended timing
Sedum "Eversa" takes root and adapts better in the spring. In autumn it is planted 2 weeks before expected frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
In open areas, sedum "Eversa" blooms luxuriantly. The greens grow dense and juicy. The bush can withstand direct sunlight.
Dense shade is contraindicated for sedum: the leaves thin and turn pale, the stems become elongated and lose their attractiveness. Blooms weakly, rarely.
Sedum has no special requirements for the composition of the soil. In order for the succulent to grow, develop and bloom, the loam must be diluted with peat, dense soils must be loosened with sand.
Sedum "Eversa" benefits from neutral soil.If there is a lot of humus or compost in the ground, add wood ash.
Landing algorithm
The hole is not wide, slightly larger than the rhizome. The bottom is covered with a thick layer of drainage so that stagnant moisture from autumn rains or spring floods does not rot the roots of the sedum. Soil is poured on top.
Further actions:
- Place sedum in the planting hole.
- Spread out the roots.
- Cover with prepared soil and compact.
To maintain soil moisture, it is worth mulching with humus or other material and watering.
Sedum "Eversa" grows well on sandy and loamy soils
Carpet flower beds are built by combining different varieties of sedums. In this way, unsightly corners of flower beds, construction waste and other rubbish are hidden.
Growing rules
It is believed that the Eversa sedum is an unpretentious plant, planted and forgotten, but this is not so. In order for a flower to fulfill its decorative function, it needs proper care.
Watering and fertilizing
Frequent watering is not required for the Eversa sedum; it fully justifies its involvement in the Crassulaceae family. The ability of sedum to accumulate moisture in the leaves protects the plant from drought for a long time. It is enough to water the soil well once a week. With regular rains, the sedum is not moistened at all. In dry summers, water sedum every 4-5 days.
Sedum "Eversa" is fed with complex fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium):
- in early spring;
- before flowering in early July;
- in the fall in the first ten days of September.
It is better to fertilize Eversa sedum with a liquid solution the day after watering. In this way, the flower roots receive all the necessary components gradually and safely. Gardeners recommend using fertilizer for succulents.
Weeding and loosening
Sedums are afraid of weeds; emerging grass is immediately weeded. If the soil is dense, after each watering, remove the crust from the surface, which prevents air from penetrating to the roots and evaporating excess moisture.
Trimming
Many gardeners grow ground cover for the carpet of greenery, and not for flowering. In this case, the buds are cut off or the fading umbrellas are removed, stimulating further flowering. To maintain the decorative appearance of sedum, unattractive shoots are pruned or shortened throughout the entire period.
Sedum pruning is done immediately after the flower fades.
Evers' sedum is a deciduous perennial. By winter, all the leaves fall off. Bare woody branches remain. In the spring, the sedum bushes will again be covered with new buds.
Wintering
Sedum is frost-resistant. The ground cover easily endures winter without shelter under snow cover in central Russia. In areas of harsh climate, where there is a long snowless period at -10 -15 °C, sedum is covered with humus. In the spring, with the melting of the snow, the rhizome will receive additional nutrition from the mulch.
Transfer
After 5 years, the “Eversa” sedum loses its presentable appearance - it ages. The foliage and inflorescences become smaller, the stems become bare. In this case, the sedum is transplanted to a new location.
Transplant algorithm:
- Trim branches.
- Dig up a bush.
- Inspect the roots.
- Select a young shoot of the rhizome with a large number of growth buds.
- Cut with a sterile sharp knife.
- Treat the sections with charcoal and dry.
- Plant in a prepared place.
The sedum seedling needs to be watered once a week and weeded.It is better to rejuvenate the Eversa sedum in the spring - healthy growth buds are clearly visible. Prepare the site in the fall and replant in the spring.
Pests and diseases
Sedum "Eversa" is not susceptible to disease. The only danger threatening sedum is excess moisture. Various rots occur, caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, from which good drainage, prevention and fungicides can protect.
The invasion of parasitic insects is prevented by general preventive spraying with insecticides. If the “neighbors” are healthy, the Evers sedum is not in danger.
Possible problems
Sedum "Eversa" has a strong immune system, but a warm and humid environment creates significant problems. It happens that sedum exhibits signs of fungal diseases:
- white or gray coating (powdery mildew or gray rot);
- red spots on leaves (sooty fungus);
- spots caused by various viruses.
All these problems are removed by treatment with drugs: “Fundazol” (antifungal), “Arilin-B” (bacterial). A reliable way to avoid treatment is spraying with Bordeaux mixture, which is carried out in early spring for the entire garden.
Low temperatures and high humidity promote the development of fungal diseases
Parasitic beetles that plague sedum are combated either mechanically (collected by hand), biologically (with phytoncides - infusions and decoctions of herbs) or chemically (insecticides “Aktellik”, “Fitoverm”).
Medicinal properties
Sedum has healing properties. Herbalists prepare infusions from Eversa sedum for disinfection and healing of wounds, lotions with it resolve ulcers. Wipe problem skin of the face and body with lotion. Used as a biostimulant.
Sedum "Eversa" contains:
- flavonoids;
- anthraquinones;
- phenols;
- alkaloids;
- vitamin C.
It also contains acids: malic, citric, oxalic and many other healing substances. In folk medicine, the aerial parts of sedum are used.
Interesting Facts
In botanical reference books, the Evers sedum is listed under the Latin name Sedum ewersii Ledeb. Named in honor of the German scientist Karl Christian Friedrich von Ledebur, a traveler in Russian service, who discovered and described its species in the book “Flora of Altai” in 1829.
Conclusion
Evers' sedum forms a dense carpet, green or blooming in pink-purple balls, covering a large area of soil. Unpretentious to growing conditions, it is in demand by flower growers. Sedum "Eversa" is used both in single plantings and container decoration, and in compositions with flowers and trees.
