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Planting and caring for limonium (Limonium) is universal, does not differ in complex agricultural technology, the plant has several names: statice, kermek. The plant belongs to the Svinchatkov family, which has more than 350 different species. In its natural habitat, the crop can be found on all continents. Limonium has been cultivated for decorative purposes since the 17th century.The name of the plant is translated as “persistent”, “unyielding”.
The culture is called white Tatar lemongrass, immortelle, sea lavender, marsh rosemary
Full description of limonium
You can see the features of the plant in the photo.The description of the statice flower gives a general idea of the semi-shrub perennial herbaceous crop.
Limonium has the following characteristics:
- large rosette of basal leaf plates;
- shoots are straight, leafless, densely pubescent;
- shoot height from 30 cm to 90 cm;
- inflorescences are spike-shaped, paniculate or corymbose;
- flowers are small, five-membered;
- The color of the flower cups is white, yellow, salmon, crimson, blue, violet, pink, purple.
Types and varieties of statice
The widest variety of limonium species and varieties can be divided into two main groups:
- annuals;
- perennial.
Different varieties differ not only in the size and shape of the leaf rosettes, but also in the shading characteristics of the inflorescences. In the photo of limonium flowers you can see a wide range of shades.
Flowering of limonium flowers begins in July and lasts until the onset of autumn frosts.
Suvorov
The variety of Limonium suworowii is popularly called plantain flower (Psylliostachys suworowii). This is an extravagant annual, which is characterized by a pink or pink-lilac hue of small flowers that are part of the spike-shaped inflorescences. The height of the peduncles is from 40 to 70 cm.
Long, curved spikelets of the Suvorov variety reach a height of 80 cm
Gmelin
A variety of Gmelin's statice (Limonium gmelinii) is a typical perennial, which is characterized by a basal rosette of bluish-green leaves and a densely pubescent tube with a five-lobed limb, with numerous blue-violet or lilac-violet flowers collected in spikelets.
The height of limonium bushes of the Gmelina variety is up to 60 cm
Notched
Kermek notched leaf (Limonium sinuatum) is a classic perennial with pinnate, thin, oblong leaf plates collected in a basal rosette. The foliage color is pale green. Dense spikes, collected in corymbose or paniculate inflorescences, consist of numerous five-membered flowers with a light yellow or white corolla. The color range of inflorescences ranges from blue-violet, pink, to cream, yellow and pure white. The diameter of individual flowers is up to 10 mm. In their natural habitat, the plants grow in the Mediterranean countries and Asia Minor. Various color varietal mixtures are extremely popular:
- The variety of decorative limonium Crimean (Crimean) with the color of the inflorescences in yellow, pink, purple, and blue shades.
The height of the peduncles of this variety is 30-80 cm
- Ornamental limonium variety Mixed Hybrids with yellow, purple, pink, blue, and white inflorescences.
The size of the bushes of this variety of Kermek is up to 45 cm
- Ornamental limonium variety Shamo with various shades of orange or salmon.
The height of Shamo peduncles is 70 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Fortress is characterized by various shades of white, pink, purple, blue, and yellow.
Height of Fortress bushes - 70-80 cm
- Variety of decorative limonium Compinidi (Limonium Of Compendi) with pink, blue, blue inflorescences.
The height of the peduncles of this variety is up to 50 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Petit Buquet is presented in delightful shades of cream, white, pink, blue, and lilac.
The height of Petit Buquet bushes is up to 30 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Blue River is distinguished by the sky-blue color of its inflorescences.
The height of Blue River shoots is up to 50 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Lavendel is represented by a soft lavender shade of small flowers.
The height of the Lavendel bush is up to 80 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Apricot (Apricot) is characterized by the pink-orange color of the inflorescences.
The height of Apricot bushes is up to 60 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Iceberg is distinguished by its white inflorescences.
Iceberg shoot height up to 75 cm
- The decorative limonium variety Nightblow (Night blue) is represented by a dark blue shade of the smallest flowers.
Height of Night blue bushes up to 90 cm
- The varieties of decorative limonium American Beauty and Rosen schimmer are distinguished by their carmine-pink flowers.
The height of the bush varieties is up to 60 cm
broadleaf
Limonium latifolium is a popular perennial characterized by a large rosette of wide leaves. The color of the inflorescences is purple, lilac. The varieties Violetta with a bright purple hue of flowers and Blue Cloud with a lavender color of inflorescences are especially beautiful.
The height of broadleaf kermek bushes is usually 60-70 cm
Caspian
Kermek Caspian (Limonium caspium) is a perennial, heat-loving plant with numerous branched stems. The leaves are thin, obovate, small. On each peduncle there are several small, closely spaced branched shoots in the form of leaves. The color of the inflorescences is pale purple. The original appearance of the Caspian kermek makes the flower a popular component of floral arrangements.
When dried, the color of the Caspian Kermek inflorescences does not change color
Tatar kermek
Tatar kermek (Goniolimon tataricum) is popularly called “tumbleweed.” The plant prefers thin, scanty, rocky, dry soils. The culture is a unique perennial, with powerful, branched stems. The height of the bush is no more than 40 cm, its shape is round. Corymbose inflorescences are characterized by the white color of individual funnel-shaped small flowers with a scarlet corolla.
The height of Tatar Kermek bushes reaches 30-50 cm
Kermek Perez
The island, exotic Perez kermek (Limonium perezii) is distinguished by large, showy inflorescences. The color of the flowers of this unique variety is bright purple. The Canary Islands are believed to be the birthplace of Perez limonium. The variety is attractive not only to landscape designers, but also to florists.
The height of Kermek Perez bushes is 60 cm
Application in landscape design
Lately, limonium has become incredibly popular among landscape designers of local areas. The photo shows an example of a flower bed with statice flowers, which delight with their abundant budding throughout the summer until late autumn.
Since limonium emits an unpleasant odor during flowering, the plant is not placed near gazebos, benches, air zones, or near the house
Kermek has many advantages for use in landscape design:
- the richest color palette of inflorescences of decorative varieties;
- undemanding to soil composition;
- high resistance to fading of inflorescences under the influence of sunlight;
- possibility of decorating stone elements;
- they can be used to decorate dry streams;
- the possibility of using it to decorate a rock garden, alpine slide, rock garden;
- with its help it will be possible to form low-growing mixborders and side frames of paths.
Plants such as rudbeckia, calendula, marigolds, sage, gravilate, asters, roses, echinacea, and garden chamomile are harmoniously combined with limonium.
As ideal “neighbors” in the flower garden for tall and medium-tall varieties of statice, we can name ground cover flowering crops: helianthemum, arabis, saxifrage.
Features of reproduction
Since the root system of Kermek does not tolerate division well, the vegetative method of propagation is practically not used.
To propagate limonium, the seed method is used. The main difficulty in propagation lies in germinating seeds. They are covered with a dense, thick, ribbed skin that cannot be peeled.
You can speed up the germination process:
- rub the Kermek seeds with sandpaper;
- treat with a growth stimulator (Epin);
- germinate for 2-3 days in well-moistened sawdust.
The prepared seeds are placed in a well-moistened, disinfected, loose substrate in separate containers (peat or humus pots, glasses). The seeds are not buried in the soil, they are sprinkled with a little soil and create a greenhouse effect.
The optimal temperature for growing Kermek seedlings is not lower than + 20 ⁰С. Periodically, the cover is removed and the crops are sprayed. After 2.5-3 weeks, the first shoots appear.
Sowing statice seeds for seedlings under indoor conditions is carried out in February
Planting Kermek in open ground
Limonium is planted in open ground as seedlings or by direct sowing.
Ornamental Kermek seedlings are moved into the ground in spring or early summer (depending on the climatic conditions of the region).
Statice seeds are planted directly into the soil (non-seedling method) in autumn or early spring. Non-seedling sowing of seeds is used exclusively in warm, southern regions with a mild climate, in early spring.
For the central regions of Russia, only seedling seed propagation of Kermek is used.
Before moving into open ground, ornamental limonium seedlings are hardened off for 2-3 weeks.
Recommended timing
After the final end of the season of night spring frosts, limonium seedlings are moved to open ground:
- in the southern regions - in mid-May;
- in the conditions of the central zone of the Russian Federation - in early June.
By the time of transplantation into open ground, the limonium bushes already have a fairly developed rosette of bright green leaves.
Site selection and soil preparation
Planting and caring for statice in open ground does not involve complex agricultural technology. Limonium is a unique, unpretentious ornamental crop.
When choosing a place to place plants, you should consider the following factors:
- illumination, a good level of natural light is needed, since in the shade the plant develops slowly and practically does not bloom;
- soil moisture, the species does not tolerate stagnant water, does not tolerate close groundwater;
- soil requirements - sandy loam, loamy, neutral, alkaline, loose, well drained with sand.
To grow a compact statice bush, you can plant the plant on poor, depleted soil. In fertile, well-fertilized soil, limonium bushes grow well and branch.
Stable static is not afraid of drafts
Planting seedlings in the ground
Individual bushes of seedlings are moved into open ground along with a lump of earth. When replanting, you should remember that the root system of statice is brittle and fragile.
Algorithm for moving seedlings:
- planting holes are formed at a distance of up to 30 cm from each other;
- a small amount of complex mineral fertilizers is placed at the bottom of the planting hole;
- the seedlings are taken out of the cups along with a lump of earth;
- the plants are carefully moved into the planting holes, while the root collar should be located flush with the ground surface;
- The bushes are sprinkled with earth and moistened with salted water (for 10 liters of water, 1 tablespoon of table salt).
Seedlings should be moved into open ground carefully, using the transshipment method, so as not to damage the fragile root system.
When and how to sow statice
The rules for direct sowing of statice seeds in open ground are extremely simple. Kermek seeds can be sown in autumn (before winter) or early spring. Spring sowing of plants is characterized by the risk associated with damage to seedlings during frosts.
Direct sowing of limonium seeds carries certain risks.
Rules for growing statice in open ground
In open ground, statice can grow and develop without the participation of a gardener. The main care for decorative limonium consists of classical agricultural technology:
- rare watering;
- watering with salted water 2 times during the summer season;
- loosening the soil;
- weed removal;
- feeding
Decorative varieties of statice are a suitable plant for those gardeners who have the opportunity to care for their beds once a week
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Limonium is a drought-resistant crop that does not require additional watering.For statice bushes, natural moisture during the rainy season is sufficient.
Twice during the summer season the plant needs additional salt watering (at the rate of 1 tablespoon of water per 10 liters of water).
The plant requires gentle irrigation with warm, settled water. Watering is done in the evening. For one limonium bush, 300-400 ml of water is enough.
Limonium is an unpretentious plant that practically does not require special feeding. The application of mineral fertilizers increases the intensity of flowering. Feeding with complex mineral compositions is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 1 week after moving the seedlings into open ground;
- subsequently - once a month.
- No fertilizing has been done since September.
If limonium leaves begin to lose turgor, the plants need additional watering
Weeding and loosening
Loosening around limonium bushes is carried out regularly. At the same time, weeds are removed.
Loosening the soil around Kermek bushes improves the supply of oxygen to the roots
Features of growing statice in a greenhouse
In greenhouse conditions, statice is grown for seedlings. Prepared seeds are planted in greenhouse soil in March-April. At the end of May or early June, the strengthened greenhouse seedlings are moved into open ground.
To continuously grow limonium for cutting in a greenhouse, you should follow classical agricultural techniques:
- periodic, gentle watering;
- loosening the soil and removing weeds;
- fertilization with complex fertilizers for flowering plants.
In greenhouse conditions, statice is grown for cutting to form bouquets.
Growing statice for cutting
Decorative, luxurious varieties of statice are grown for cutting.The uniqueness of limonium lies in the fact that cut branches retain an attractive appearance for up to 6 months. The following varieties look most elegant in bouquets:
- Decorative variety Twinkle. The height of the stems with corymbose inflorescences is up to 80 cm.
The Shimmer variety is distinguished by the radiance of bright, rich colors.
- Decorative statice German (German) with a snow-white cloud of inflorescences. In the central part of the white flowers there are graceful burgundy stars. The height of the bushes is up to 40 cm.
Statica Germanskaya - a popular perennial with snow-white inflorescences
- Statica Supreme (Supreme) pink is distinguished by powerful, erect stems with soft pink inflorescences in the shade of an ash rose.
The height of the bushes of the Supreme pink variety is up to 75 cm
- Statica Blue (Blue) is characterized by the rich blue color of bright inflorescences.
Dark blue flower-star varieties resemble stars in the night sky
Preparing for winter
Some varieties of kermek can withstand temperatures down to -30 ⁰C. Before wintering, the leaves of frost-resistant limonium turn yellow and dry out. After the first frost, the stems and leaves are cut to ground level, the bushes are covered with brushwood, leaves, pine needles, and straw.
Heat-loving varieties of limonium do not tolerate low temperatures. In autumn the bushes are dug up.
Cut Kermek inflorescences can be used to make dry decorative bouquets, since dried flowers do not lose their beauty and attractiveness
Why limonium does not bloom, what to do
Perennial varieties of limonium begin to bloom only 1-2 years after planting in the ground. In order for Kermek to delight with spectacular flowering, favorable conditions should be created:
- placing bushes in open, well-lit areas;
- location of the species in alkaline, neutral, loose soil;
- absence of shading elements;
- Consistently warm, sunny weather.
Plants with a well-developed root system are characterized by active flowering.
Diseases and pests
Kermek is a resistant crop that has stable immunity to fungal pathogens and pests. Sometimes decorative limonium can become infected with the following ailments:
- Botrytis gray appears as spots of mold on the leaf blades. Disease spores multiply quickly in high humidity conditions.
When the first signs of gray botrytis are detected, Kermek bushes must be treated with a fungicide solution
- Powdery mildew manifested by the presence of a characteristic white coating on the leaves.
Sulfur-containing preparations are the most relevant means for combating fungal white mold
- Aphid - the main pest that attacks ornamental kermek plantings. Insects settle in large colonies and suck the juices from the stems and inflorescences.
Treatment of bushes with soap or alcohol solution and modern insecticides is used as a means of combating aphids.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for limonium are distinguished by simple agricultural techniques. Decorative varieties of Kermek are not only an effective decoration of the local area. Flowering shoots of statice are widely used to create magnificent floral arrangements and bouquets. In bouquets, limonium inflorescences are in perfect harmony with roses, freesia, lisianthus, ranunculus, chrysanthemums, eucalyptus, agapanthus, lavender, matthiola, tulips, snapdragons, oregano, and decorative onions.
