Content
Yarrow Red Velvet is one of the new ornamental species of herbaceous perennial. It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and bright colors of flowers. In demand as an element of landscape design. Growing this type of yarrow does not cause difficulties even for novice gardeners. To achieve maximum decorativeness, you must follow some rules of care.
History of appearance
This decorative look was obtained as a result of the painstaking work of Dutch breeders. It is unknown which varieties were used to create it. However, the obtained result fully met expectations.
After a step-by-step selection of seedlings, a species with stable characteristics was isolated. He was able to combine such qualities as endurance, long flowering and bright color that does not fade in the sun for a long time.
Description of Yarrow Red Velvet
The perennial is a representative of the Astrov family. It has a cord-like, creeping, slightly branched rhizome, from which numerous upright shoots grow. They have opposite, pinnately dissected leaves, slightly pubescent. The length of the plates reaches 15 cm, and the width does not exceed 3 cm. The leaves on the shoots are sessile, and at the roots they have short petioles.
The height of Red Velvet yarrow varies between 50-80 cm. The plant is characterized by an accelerated rate of development. The growing season of the species begins in May, and already at the end of June the perennial blooms and continues until the second half of August. Yarrow buds are small. They are collected in small inflorescences, which in turn form scutes at the top of the shoots. The flower color of Red Velvet yarrow is crimson-red, which goes well with the green leaves.
Main characteristics
To successfully grow this herbaceous plant in the garden, you need to study its characteristics. This will create the most favorable conditions for growth and flowering.
Winter hardiness of Red Velvet yarrow
The culture belongs to the category of frost-resistant. Yarrow can withstand temperatures down to -40 °C and does not need shelter for the winter.
Where does it grow
The plant is unpretentious and can grow in any soil.But the main condition for the successful development of yarrow is well-drained soil. However, it must be neutral or alkaline.
The perennial prefers open sunny areas, forming large dense clumps. But it is also permissible to plant it in a slightly shaded place. However, in this case, flowering will occur 7-10 days later.
Application
This plant is used for landscaping and decorating areas. It is also great for cutting into bouquets. Yarrow flowers remain fresh for up to two weeks. However, this perennial is not classified as a medicinal plant, like wild species.
Yarrow is perfect for making winter bouquets in the company of kermek and gomphrena. To do this, you need to cut peduncles 25 cm long, tie them into bunches and dry them upside down in a shaded place.
Advantages and disadvantages
Yarrow has many advantages that gardeners have been able to appreciate. Therefore, he was able to gain popularity in such a short time. However, this perennial also has some disadvantages that are worth paying attention to.
Main advantages:
- highly decorative;
- accelerated pace of development;
- endurance;
- undemanding to soil composition;
- drought resistance;
- bright shade of flowers;
- good compatibility with other garden crops;
- frost resistance.
Flaws:
- needs periodic replanting;
- has the ability to grow uncontrollably;
- reacts poorly to stagnant moisture in the soil.
Planting Yarrow Red Velvet
For planting, it is recommended to use the rhizome of the plant. After purchasing it, you need to soak it for a day in a solution of Zircon or Epin to activate growth processes. Yarrow can be planted in late spring or early autumn.
For the plant, you need to prepare holes with a depth of 20-25 cm. When planting several specimens in a row, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 20-30 cm between them. It is recommended to pour a 2 cm thick layer of sand at the bottom of the holes. Then you need to put the rhizome in the center and sprinkle it with earth , as well as carefully fill all voids and lightly compact the soil. After planting, the plant needs to be watered abundantly.
Caring for Yarrow Red Velvet
Yarrow belongs to the category of low-maintenance crops. It only needs to be watered during prolonged drought. To do this, it is recommended to use settled water, which must be poured at the root of the plant.
The perennial does not need regular feeding. It is able to fully develop even in depleted soil. However, periodic application of fertilizers has a beneficial effect on its decorative properties.
The plant should be fertilized twice per season. It is recommended to fertilize for the first time at the beginning of the growing season in May. During this period, you can use nitroammophoska at the rate of 30-50 g, depending on the size of the clump. The perennial needs to be fed a second time in August, which will allow it to regain its strength after flowering. At this time, it is necessary to use potassium monophosphate at the rate of 10 g per 10 liters of water.
Diseases and pests
Yarrow is characterized by high natural immunity. It is not susceptible to diseases, which makes it easy to grow. However, the plant may suffer from root rot when planted in heavy clay soil. In this case, the perennial can be saved only at the initial stage. To do this, you need to dig up the yarrow, cut off the damaged part of the rhizome to healthy tissue, transplant it to a new place and water it with Maxim’s solution.
Among the pests, the striped beet weevil can cause damage. It eats the leaves and petioles of the plant, and its larvae damage the roots. To combat the pest, it is recommended to use Bazudin, Chlorophos.
Reproduction methods
This perennial propagates well by dividing the bush and cuttings. In the first case, it is necessary to dig it up in early spring before the start of active growing season and divide the rhizome into pieces of at least 10 cm with pruners. After this, they must be immediately planted in a permanent place and watered.
To propagate yarrow by cuttings, it is necessary to cut the tops of the shoots before flowering, 7-10 cm long. Then at the bottom they need to be cleared of leaves, the cut should be powdered with Kornevin and planted in a moist soil mixture consisting of sand and peat, taken in equal quantities. For better rooting, the cuttings should be covered with a transparent cap and kept within +23-25 °C. After two weeks they will begin to grow. When the cuttings become stronger, they can be transferred to a permanent place.
Yarrow Red Velvet in landscape design
This decorative species is used in single and group plantings to design Moorish lawns, ridges, mixborders, and alpine slides.
Yarrow goes well with:
- annual delphinium;
- antirrhinum;
- Kniphofia;
- decorative cereals;
- physiostegia.
It can also be an excellent background for calendula, eschscholzia, poppies, and rudbeckia.
Conclusion
Yarrow Red Velvet is one of the plants that can please the eye throughout the entire season, without requiring increased attention from the gardener. Therefore, it is perfect for people who are not able to devote a lot of time to the flower garden. In addition, the plant looks good in fresh and winter bouquets. Therefore, it can be classified as a universal crop.
Reviews of Yarrow Red Velvet