Content
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis will not require much effort from the gardener. The process of planting a plant and subsequent care for it is standard. Like other flower crops, heliopsis needs watering, loosening, and timely application of fertilizing. And since the bush is quite tall, it requires the installation of supports.
How does heliopsis reproduce?
Perennial heliopsis is actively used in landscape design.
Heliopsis is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North and Central America. The name of the culture in translation sounds like “sun-like”, which fully justifies its appearance.
The stems of the plant are straight, often their height is more than 1.5 m. The leaf arrangement is alternate or opposite. The leaves are large, oblong in shape, with jagged edges. The inflorescences are collected in a panicle and are simple or terry baskets. Flowers up to 8-10 cm in diameter are bright yellow.The fruits of heliopsis are achenes, flat in shape.
Perennial heliopsis can be propagated either by dividing the bush or by seeds. For certain species, the cutting method is quite suitable.
Perennial varieties of heliopsis can reach 1.5 m. They began to be cultivated in 1819. The best plant species include Summer Knights with an orange disk in the middle, Asahi with double flowers, Benzilggold with yellow-orange baskets.
Propagation of heliopsis by cuttings
Variegated varieties of heliopsis can be propagated by cuttings. This method is characterized by good germination and the absence of any special difficulties. This method of propagation allows you to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the parent specimens. Cuttings should be prepared in the summer, in July, and rooted in fertile soil with a drainage layer. It needs to be replanted to a permanent location next spring.
Dividing the bush
Perennial heliopsis tolerates winter well. Based on this, it can be replanted in autumn and spring. To do this, the crop should be carefully dug out of the ground along with the root system, trying not to damage it. In this case, the age of the bush should be at least 4-5 years. Release the roots from the soil and divide them with a clean, sharp tool so that a bud remains on each part. After this, the plants are planted in a new place, having previously prepared the soil. If planting was done in the spring, the crop will bloom in the summer.
Seeds
Perennial crop has a long flowering period
Seeds begin to be sown in mid-February, then in May the seedlings will be ready for transplanting into open ground. Gardeners recommend subjecting the seeds of a perennial plant to a stratification procedure.Then they need to be placed in damp material and only then in nutrient soil. When planting, it is important to maintain a distance of about 5 cm and maintain a depth of 1 cm. A month before transplanting the seedlings, they need to be gradually hardened off.
Growing heliopsis seedlings from seeds at home
First you need to prepare a soil mixture of coarse sand, peat and turf soil. A few weeks before sowing the seeds, this mixture must be treated with a manganese solution and then covered with film. Before planting, a drainage layer is made in the box, the prepared mixture is poured on top and the seeds are distributed over it.
They should spend about a week in a warm place with good lighting. And then it is advisable to move them to a cool room for a month to harden them. Then put it in a warm place again. In this case, the seeds should be covered with film and subjected to periodic ventilation. The shelter can be completely removed only after the first leaves appear. Caring for seedlings is simple - you need to water and loosen the soil in a timely manner.
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis in the ground
Planting and subsequent care of heliopsis is quite simple. It is important to follow the basic planting rules and wait until the night frosts end. The place and soil must be prepared in advance. It is also necessary to take care of the supports, since perennial heliopsis is quite tall.
Recommended timing
The soil after winter should be sufficiently warmed up not only on top, but also inside. For central Russia, the most suitable time for planting seedlings in open ground is early May. As a rule, there should be no night frosts at this time, but if this happens, then you can use a temporary film shelter.
Site and soil preparation
For perennial heliopsis, you will need the sunniest place on the site.
The best places for planting perennial heliopsis on the site are sunny and well-protected from drafts and wind. For the plant, clay soil is desirable, but permeable to moisture and air. In shaded areas, the stems grow much longer, and the flowering is rather sparse. It is known that perennial heliopsis does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so the plant needs a good drainage layer. The soil must have neutral acidity. Also, when planting, you should pay attention to the fact that the crop grows quickly and requires frequent weeding and removal of shoots.
Direct sowing of seeds into the ground
The procedure for planting seeds of perennial heliopsis is simple, but requires compliance with some rules:
- an interval of 60-70 cm should be maintained between the beds;
- the distance between each seed is 20-30 cm;
- after growth, remove the weakest ones, thereby thinning out the crops for better development of the remaining ones;
- The depth of the furrow is at least 2-3 cm.
Planting can be done in the fall, and watering can be done in October or November, depending on the weather. If planting is in the spring, you need to make sure that by this time the soil is already sufficiently dry. If necessary, sowing heliopsis seeds can be postponed until May or June.
Transplanting seedlings
Heliopsis transplantation is possible already in early May under good weather conditions. It is important to maintain a distance between seedlings. The root system of the plant is quite delicate, so in order not to damage it, you need to remove the seedlings along with a lump of earth, and water them before that. This will enable the young flower to quickly adapt to a new place.It is important to water the sprouts generously for 1-2 weeks until the perennial takes root.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
After the heliopsis has grown stronger in its new location, the watering regime should be at least 2-3 times a week. The plant is southern and tolerates forced drought well, but this does not mean that it can be completely deprived of moisture. Its deficiency will negatively affect flowering, growth and development. Water should be used that is warm and settled. The best time for the procedure is evening or morning hours.
In order for the perennial to develop in width, pinching of the tops will be required.
As for fertilizing, if the soil was properly prepared when planting perennial heliopsis, the first fertilizing will be required no earlier than in the second year.
Weeding, loosening
These procedures are necessary for heliopsis, as for any other crop. When loosened, the soil becomes enriched with oxygen, which is important for the good development of the entire plant and abundant long-term flowering. Weeding is also important to get rid of weeds.
Pinching, installing supports
Support is necessary for heliopsis, since the plant is quite tall and the stems can break under their own weight or due to strong gusts of wind or rain. They are especially required for those varieties that have strong growth.
Pinching is necessary for the perennial to grow and develop in width. To do this, you need to remove the tops of the heliopsis.
Wintering
Before the winter period, all bushes are pruned at the root level at ground level.In this case, no shelter is required - heliopsis tolerates frost well.
Diseases and pests
One of the varieties of perennial - variegated - has a beautiful leaf plate
The biggest danger to perennial heliopsis is black aphids. If you regularly inspect the bush, you can notice traces of its attacks in the early stages of damage. This means that it is worth trying to influence it with infusions of celandine, wormwood with the addition of a soap solution. If the lesions are significant, then the perennial crop must be treated with insecticidal preparations. Those areas of the plant that are severely damaged should be pruned. In addition to aphids, perennials can be affected by fungal diseases - powdery mildew and rust.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis is not difficult, especially for experienced gardeners. The crop is propagated by dividing the bush or by seeds. Both methods are quite simple. Caring for a plant in open ground has no special features. The main thing is timely watering and fertilizing, as well as installing supports, because heliopsis is quite tall.
