Content
Anaphalis is a common herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. It is widely known for its decorative and medicinal properties. Planting and caring for pearl anafalis is not burdensome for any gardener. This is explained by the fact that the flower quickly adapts to environmental conditions and is not sensitive to adverse factors.
Description
Pearl anaphalis (Anaphalis margaritacea) is a herbaceous perennial. This is a low-growing plant whose height reaches a maximum of 50 cm.
Anaphalis has a strong and deep root system. This is due to the need for moisture production during dry periods.
The stem of Anaphalis is erect, weakly branched in the upper part. It is covered with numerous pointed long leaves of light green color.
Anaphalis has a long flowering period, it lasts about 2.5 months.
Flowering begins in mid-to-late July and can continue until October
During this period, numerous apical inflorescences appear on the shoots.They consist of basket-shaped flowers, white elongated petals and a light core - yellow or orange. The diameter of the flowers is up to 0.8 cm. This type of anafalis received the name “pearl” because of the corresponding color of the pre-flowers. The decorative effect lasts until late autumn.
Description of the flower:
Where does it grow
Under natural conditions, pearl anaphalis grows in East Asia and North America. The flower prefers loose, light soils with little moisture. Dry weather is not an obstacle to regular abundant flowering.
Pearl anafalis tolerates low temperatures and winter well and does not require special preparation or shelter.
Varieties
Anafalis pearl is a variety that was imported from North America. Domestic breeders have developed several new varieties. They are distinguished by their high adaptive ability due to which they quickly adapt to growing conditions.
Popular varieties:
- First snow (Neuschnee).
- Silver wave.
- Silver Rain (Silberregen).
- Summer snow (Sommerschnee).
Anafalis pearl is considered the most common variety in Russia. Due to its ease of cultivation and care, the flower is in steady demand among domestic gardeners.
Growing from seeds
Anafalis is sowed for seedlings in early April. For growing, it is recommended to use separate small containers or special cassettes.
The soil base for pearl anafalis must be nutritious. Peat mixed with compost and purified garden soil is ideal for these purposes. It is recommended to disinfect the soil before sowing by keeping it in the oven for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 80 degrees.
Planting stages:
- Pour a 0.5-1 cm layer of river sand into a container on the surface of the soil mixture.
- Level the surface.
- Place the seeds on top.
- Spray with a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with film or glass.
Seedlings need to be regularly ventilated and sprayed
When shoots with 2-3 leaves appear, pick them. Pearl anafalis should be planted in separate containers. The flower grows very quickly, so it can soon be transferred to open ground.
How and when to plant in open ground
Transplantation to the site is carried out 3-4 weeks from the moment the seeds germinate. At this time, the seedlings should take root well in the soil mixture. Transplantation into open ground is recommended in warm weather, in the absence of precipitation.
Site selection and preparation
Despite its unpretentiousness, pearl anafalis is picky about the soil. It should be light, breathable and allow moisture to pass through well. The nutrient content is not of fundamental importance, but it is recommended to plant the flower in fertilized soil.
Anafalis pearl grows well in loamy and sandy soils. It also suits rocky areas well. The acidity of the soil should be neutral - 6-7 pH.
The bush is not afraid of strong winds and drafts. Therefore, it can be placed in an open area. The degree of illumination is also not important. Pearl anafalis grows well in both sunny and shaded areas.
Planting stages
Pearl anafalis is planted in separate holes or furrows. The top layer of soil should be loose so as not to interfere with root growth.The depth of the planting hole is at least 20 cm.
Landing algorithm:
- Prepare the planting hole.
- Place a drainage layer at the bottom.
- Sprinkle with loose soil.
- Remove the flower from the seedling container.
- Place the seedling in the hole.
- Cover with soil so that all roots are underground.
- Carry out watering.
It is necessary that the plant is directed vertically upward. Before rooting, it can be tied up, thus creating additional support.
Care
The plant does not need special attention. Periodically you need to remove weeds growing nearby. Abundant watering is required only in the summer season, on the driest days. Over-watering the soil can harm the roots. Therefore, during drought, watering is carried out 2-3 times a week, not more often.
During periods of heavy rainfall, the soil should be loosened. The procedure must be carried out with the utmost care, since the roots of pearl anafalis may be close to the surface.
Diseases and pests
The flower is considered insensitive to infections. Excessively wet soil can cause significant harm to the plant, causing the roots to begin to rot. To prevent such a pathology, the plant must be planted in well-drained soil, periodically loosened and maintained in a watering regime.
The main sign of root rot is the gradual wilting of the flower.
The leaves can be eaten by American butterfly caterpillars. Such pests are common in the southern regions. They are not found in cold climate zones, as the larvae do not survive winter.
An effective method of controlling caterpillars is treatment with insecticides. Use preparations intended directly for leaf-eating insects.
Trimming
There is no particular need for such a procedure. Pruning is carried out only to give the plant a neat appearance. Remove yellowed leaves or shoots and dried inflorescences from pearl anafalis. The procedure is carried out when such defects are detected. Full pruning is carried out in the autumn.
Preparing for winter
The plant is cold-resistant. It begins to fade only in mid-autumn, even if there have already been frosts previously. During periods of regular rainfall, watering is interrupted. If autumn is dry, it is carried out no more than once a week.
At the end of October, the leaves and buds of pearl anafalis dry out. The bush is cut off entirely, leaving 3-4 cm of the stem from the surface of the ground.
There is no need to cover anafalis specially for the winter; it can withstand frosts down to -34 degrees
There is no need to cover adult specimens. It is recommended to sprinkle young plants with sawdust, dry leaves, straw or hay to provide protection from freezing.
Reproduction
The main method is dividing the bush. The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn. The bush is dug up entirely, after which the planting material is separated. “Delenki” are planted in separate holes, maintaining a distance of 30-40 cm. In the fall, the plant can be planted in a pot and transferred to an open area in the spring.
Another method is cuttings. A healthy shoot is separated from a young plant and placed in a moist, well-fertilized substrate. It usually germinates very quickly.Then the shoot is transplanted into prepared soil. This procedure is recommended to be carried out in the spring.
Growing Tips
Pearl anafalis does not require special care and is characterized by low sensitivity to diseases and pests. Therefore, it is not difficult to grow it even with no experience. A number of tips will help ensure stable growth and regular flowering.
Useful tips:
- Pearl anafalis can be fertilized with mineral root fertilizers no more than 2 times per season.
- To prevent the roots from experiencing a lack of liquid, in the summer the soil is mulched with tree bark.
- The seedlings can be planted the following year, leaving them indoors for the winter.
- Once every 8-10 years the bush should be replanted to a new location.
- It is not recommended to plant pearl anafalis next to other plants with fast-growing roots.
- To prevent the flower from crowding out other plants, it can be planted in deep containers without a bottom.
Application in medicine
Pearl anafalis is a medicinal herb. It is used in traditional pharmacology in the manufacture of medicines, as well as in folk medicine.
This flower contains substances that accelerate the healing of wounds and ulcers. It also has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties. Anaphalis is usually included in medicinal herbal preparations.
Photos in landscape design
Pearl anafalis is a popular ornamental plant. It is used for single and group planting, decorating ponds, borders and garden buildings.
Anafalis looks beautiful compared to other low-growing plants
The flower feels good in rocky areas where other ornamental plants do not grow.
Anafalis is ideal for planting in flower beds and flower beds
There are many options for using plants in landscape design. But it should be remembered that flowers that are overly demanding on the composition of the soil should not be planted next to anafalis.
Beautiful bouquets
Pearl anafalis is often cut to decorate rooms. It is used in combination with other ornamental plants to create compositions in floristry.
In the bouquet, anaphalis harmonizes well with burnets and phlox
Is the most beautiful dried flower for winter bouquets
Anaphalis shoots are cut and hung in the shade to dry.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for pearl anafalis is not burdensome for gardeners with any experience. The plant grows well in different conditions, blooms regularly and for a long time. Anafalis has not only decorative qualities, but also medicinal properties, due to which it is actively used in medicine. The flower adapts well to climatic conditions and is resistant to cold and drought.
