Content
Photos and descriptions of Scaevola indicate that this variety of crop is greatly underestimated by flower growers. The plant can easily compete with the famous petunias, verbena, lobelia and become a wonderful decoration for a balcony, summer veranda or flower bed. The main characteristics of the flower are a long period of budding, as well as unpretentiousness in cultivation and care.
Small scevola flowers completely cover the bush, turning it into an elegant cloud
Description of scevola with photo
The Scaevola plant belongs to the Gudenieceae family and is naturally found on the rocky and sandy seashores of Australia and the Pacific Islands. Most often it grows in colonies in the form of grassy carpets strewn with buds.Scaevola is characterized as a perennial crop, varieties of which can be evergreen herbs, subshrubs and shrubs with branched, lodging or vertical shoots.
The leaf plates of the flower are fleshy, with large teeth on the edges, lanceolate or oval in shape, their color is green. The location can be either sequential or opposite. The leaf surface is leathery and smooth, up to 10 cm long.
Scaevola inflorescences are tied at the tops of its shoots and are characterized by pointed petals arranged in a fan. Their shade can be blue, white, lilac, pink, lavender depending on the variety, their size is small, up to 3 cm in diameter. Scaevola blooms continuously throughout the season (from June until October), each bud stays on the plant for about 15 days, and in the evenings it emits a pleasant aroma.
The fruits are small, presented in the form of white berries
This flower began to be used in ornamental gardening relatively recently, but every year it is gaining more and more popularity. In culture, it is usually grown as an annual, since the bush is greatly depleted due to prolonged flowering.
Scaevola bushes are classified as hanging plants
Scaevola varieties
For planting a flower at home and for the purpose of landscaping flower beds in areas with a continental climate, of all the varieties of scevola, only one is used - Pleasant (aemula).It is an actively branching spherical bush from 20 cm to half a meter in height, which is covered with leaves with a strongly serrated edge and numerous small, richly colored flowers.
Alba
The Scaevola variety Alba is noted for its white flowering. The bushes grow up to 45 cm in height. Inflorescences are formed by buds in the amount of 5-15 pieces.
Alba stems are much more tender compared to the original type of scevola
Blue Vonde
Blue Wonder flower is the best known and most widespread variety of Scaevola. It has compact dimensions, about 20 cm high, with ascending, densely leafy stems. The flowers are bluish-violet.
Blue Vonde is successfully grown as a garden ground cover.
Blue Fan
The Blue Fan variety of scevola is distinguished by its medium bush size (up to 45 cm) and numerous flowing, densely growing shoots. The flowers are lilac, with a light eye.
The variety is suitable for growing as a ground cover or as an hanging plant.
Zigzag
Zig-Zag is a variety with white flowers, in the center of the petals there is a pronounced pink stripe.
The buds of the Zig-Zag variety are especially attractive
Blue Lagoon
Laguna Blue is a variety with flowers whose corollas are painted lilac and the stamens are bright yellow. The bushes are compact, up to 25 cm high, but with long shoots up to 65 cm.
Most often, the Laguna Blue flower is grown in hanging baskets.
Lagoon White
Laguna White is another snow-white variety of scevola. The stems of the bush are erect, the leaves have a pronounced jagged edge.
Lagoon White - ground cover up to 45 cm in height
Pink Ribbon
Pink Ribbon is characterized by pink buds with a white eye in the center.
The Pink Ribbon variety is quite rare on sale.
Sapphire
Scaevola Sapphire (Saphira) is a spectacular variety with a crown with a diameter of 30 cm. It is characterized by rapid growth. The flowers are colored sapphire blue.
Thanks to the flowing stems, Sapphire looks impressive in a flowerpot
Topaz Pink
Topaz Pink is a variety of scevola with bright pink-purple flowers. The shape of the bush is compact, up to 35 cm high.
Topaz Pink blooms lush and long-lasting
How to plant scevola
Growing ampelous scevola, although it does not cause great difficulties, does require compliance with certain agrotechnical rules. Usually the flower is planted with seeds at home, and after the threat of frost it is planted in open ground or balcony pots.
Growing stsevola from seeds at home
Gardeners choose the time for planting scevola seedlings taking into account the region in which it is grown. The period is calculated so that sowing is carried out 1.5-2 months before planting. The work is carried out according to the standard scheme, the containers are kept under cellophane or glass at a temperature of +18 °C for the first 14 days, after the sprouts appear, the shelter is removed, and the temperature is lowered to +16 °C during the day and +14 °C at night. As they grow, the seedlings are picked and be sure to be pinched.
Planting seedlings in open ground
The flower loves the sun and warmth, which is why it is planted in open ground at the very end of spring, when the weather is good. The soil for the crop is chosen to be drained, humus and fertile with an acidity of 4 to 5.5. Soil is good for rhododendrons and azaleas.
When choosing a place to plant a flower, preference is given to sunny and wind-protected flower beds.
Caring for scevola in open ground
Care, as well as planting of ampelous scevola, does not cause difficulties for gardeners. In order for a flower to feel comfortable, it is only recommended that it be provided with conditions similar to those in which it finds itself in places of natural growth.
Topping
Despite the fact that the plant blooms well on its own, experienced gardeners advise pinching its stems twice at a young age, even before the buds appear. This is done in order to improve the bushiness of scevola and stimulate its branching. The procedure is performed on the fifth node no later than eight weeks before flowering.
Fading buds of the crop are not removed; they fall off on their own
Watering
Scaevola requires constant maintenance of soil moisture, which is why watering is carried out regularly. If the flower is grown in a pot, moisten it 1-2 times a day, in open ground - every 2-3 days. In this case, purified water is used in small quantities, since waterlogging is harmful to the crop. The procedure is carried out in the root zone, avoiding liquid getting on the inflorescences.
Fertilizer
Scaevola is fertilized in spring and summer every two weeks with compositions for flowering plants. In the autumn-winter period, the flower does not need additional nutrition.
Wintering
When grown in cold climates, Scaevola grows as an annual. This seasonal flower is usually removed for the winter, and new seedlings are planted the following year.But if desired, the bushes of the plant can be placed in a cool room during the cold season and provided with wintering. The temperature in the place where scevola is stored during winter should be about +10-15 °C. Watering is limited.
Scaevola bushes are brought out into the air towards the end of May
Propagation of scevola by cuttings
Scaevola is sometimes propagated by cuttings. To do this, in the summer, flower stems are cut and rooted under a film in a loose substrate. Next, the cuttings are cared for classically until spring, after which they are planted in the ground.
Scaevola roots perfectly with cuttings
Diseases and pests
Scaevola is a flower that is practically not susceptible to disease, but is of increased interest to pests. The crop is often attacked by whiteflies and aphids.
Application in landscape design
In landscape design, scevola is used in different ways, in particular:
- as a decoration for terraces, balconies and verandas;
- as an ampelous culture;
- in the form of a ground cover that decorates the garden with a colored carpet;
- as a soloist in mini-flower beds;
- for decorating the lawn, landscaping supporting walls and slopes.
In addition, growing stsevola at home is allowed.
Due to the flexibility of the culture, it can be used to create beautiful compositions in hanging flowerpots
Conclusion
Photos and descriptions of scevola indicate that the plant has an interesting and very attractive appearance and in the summer months is able to decorate different areas of the garden and looks great in flowerpots as an hanging plant. The flower is undemanding, grows well even with little care, and almost never gets sick. Suitable for gardeners with little experience.
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