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Many summer residents are well aware of the Basil foliage. It is widespread in central Russia. The plant is unpretentious, tolerates shady places well and does not die even in severe frosts. Cut inflorescences last a long time, so you can create interesting flower arrangements and bouquets from it.
General description of columbine
The homeland of the “water-leaved cornflower” (lat. Thalíctrum aquilegiifolium) is Africa, mainly the southern part of the continent. It is found in the mountains and foothills of the planet’s Northern Hemisphere, and in America. Botanists managed to identify approximately 150 species. The culture prefers climates where there is moderate temperature and weather. In its natural environment, the plant can be seen near lakes and on the edges of forests and mountains. "Cowweed foliage" is a perennial and honey plant.
This is a tall crop; if a number of conditions are met, it can grow up to 1.2-2 meters. The roots are creeping, the leaves are shaped like a triangle.The buds have different colors: yellow, purple, white, pink and lilac. It is a perennial representative of the flora and belongs to the Buttercup family.
The main distinguishing feature of the “Captain columbine” is the sepals, which are often confused with ordinary leaves. Its flowers are symmetrical, there are 4 leaves in the perianth, and when the bud opens, they fall off. The stamens of flowers form something like a cloud.
“Cowweed foliage” is a perennial mesophyte plant that grows in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in mountainous areas.
Features of reproduction
There are 3 main methods for breeding “Cornflower aquifolia”:
- growing from seeds;
- by cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
The first method is the most labor-intensive. Collecting the seeds of "Captain foliage" is carried out from the end of September until the very beginning of winter. You can’t collect them in August, there is a big risk that nothing will grow from them. Before spring sowing, the material is dried, and ratification is also required. With the seed method, flowers bloom only in the 2nd year, but the characteristics of the variety disappear.
Cuttings of "Cowweed" is the easiest method of propagation. You can use a rhizome or a small piece of shoot as a cutting.
"Cowweed foliage" is best propagated by cuttings
Planting is done in a place where there is mostly shade, covered with a jar or other transparent container. The soil should be light. Be sure to carry out the ventilation procedure by removing the cover for 30 minutes daily.
According to the third method, dividing the "Cowweed foliage" bush is carried out in the spring, before the start of active growth. Each separated bush should have at least 1 bud. Planting must be done in a shady place, and the soil is covered with mulch. There is no special care, you just need to regularly water and loosen the soil. During the first 3 years, the bush does not require feeding, provided that the soil was fertilized during planting.
Application in landscape design
If you look at the photo of the “Cowwort”, it immediately becomes clear that it is ideal for decorating a personal plot. It is used to arrange:
- natural borders;
- for unique and sophisticated compositions;
- for planting in large areas;
- culture can even be the focal point of a site, especially an open space.
If you look at the photo, “Cowweed foliage” is combined with cotoneaster, magnolias and euonymus. It is even planted with rhubarb, phlox, buzulnik and irises, as well as dark-leaved shrubs.
This representative of the flora looks good in single and group plantings, pleasing the eye with delicate flowers for a long time.
Planting and caring for columbine
The bushes tolerate sunny places and areas where there is shade. If it grows in partial shade, it can stretch up to 2 meters. Feels good near ponds and tall trees.
Bushes can not be replanted for several years
The process of planting and caring for “Cowwort” in the open ground is not complicated, but you should know some subtleties that allow you to grow a truly beautiful bush.
Deadlines
Bushes can be planted in spring (mid-to-late May) or autumn.The main condition is to trim the above-ground part before planting.
Site selection and soil preparation
It takes a long time to choose a place for planting “Cowweed foliage”. It does not like transplants, and on average it takes at least 10 years to grow.
There are no special requirements for site selection. It feels equally good under the sun and under the canopy of trees.
When planting a seedling in a hole, it is imperative to add mineral fertilizer and humus. After placing the plant in the ground and burying it, it needs to be thoroughly watered and a layer of mulch placed on top.
Landing algorithm
Despite its unpretentiousness, the following steps should be followed when planting:
- Holes are formed, the distance between them should be at least 50 cm.
- Add fertilizer.
- Soaked seedlings of "Captain foliage" are immersed in the ground.
- Covered with earth.
- Carry out thorough watering with the solution in which the plants were soaked.
- In case of land subsidence, add more (the neck of the root must be at ground level).
- Cover the planting with mulch.
You can prepare a mixture for the hole. It is made on the basis of leaf humus with the addition of compost and complex mineral fertilizer.
For high-quality engraftment of the roots of “Captain columbine”, you can use a solution of “Kornevin”, “Heteroauxin”, “Gamt”. The roots should be kept in it for at least 2 hours, preferably 6.
"Cowweed foliage" is suitable for decorating winter bouquets
Features of care
There are no special requirements for caring for young plants, especially if a fertilization procedure was carried out during planting. The main thing is to water the seedlings abundantly and often. Already mature plants do not require frequent moisture.
After 3 years from the moment of planting, it is recommended to fertilize “Cowweed foliage” with any means, the main thing is that it contains nitrogen. This should be done once in the spring.
In the fall, the fertilization process is also carried out once using organic complex compounds. Apply 30-40 g to each bush, preferably deepened into the ground or under mulch.
Diseases and pests
There are 3 main pests of "Cowweed":
- Golden bronze. This insect eats the inflorescences. You can get rid of it in 2 ways: spraying and applying a special product under the bush. The first method is not entirely suitable, since you can only get rid of those pests that are located directly on the plant; moreover, other insects can be poisoned. For the second method, “Diazin” or “Medvetox” is suitable.Important! In order to prevent the appearance of golden bronco on the “Cowweed foliage”, it is imperative to remove rotten stumps from the area, it is in them that these insects breed.
- Powdery mildew. The appearance of this disease is signaled by white spots on yellowing foliage. You can get rid of it with the help of “Topaz”.
- Aphid. This problem can be eliminated with the help of insecticides. These insects usually appear during dry seasons.
To avoid pests and diseases, do not forget about regularly removing weeds and loosening the soil. In general, the plant is stable and, under favorable environmental conditions, never gets sick and resists pests well.
Medicinal properties of waterweed
“Cowweed foliage” is listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic and a number of other administrative territories of the Russian Federation. The main threat of extinction is deforestation.
Despite its toxic properties, the plant is considered medicinal and is used in folk medicine. Found in it:
- fatty acids, including linoleic and aquilegic acids;
- phytoncides;
- coumarins;
- tannins;
- alkaloids including tammin, berberine, magnoflorine;
- phenolcarboxylic acids;
- glycosides;
- fixed oils;
- cyanogenic compounds.
The plant has a pronounced antibacterial effect, it has analgesic and hemostatic properties. May act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Medicinal tinctures are prepared from the roots of “Captain aquifolia” to remove swelling and cure female pathologies. Infusions are obtained from the herb to eliminate uterine bleeding, epilepsy and jaundice, rheumatism and dermatitis.
Fresh leaves are good for getting rid of pus in wounds and skin diseases. They are used to combat diaper rash.
Use in folk medicine
There are several simple and effective recipes using “Cowweed”.
For hypertension, dry raw materials are used, 50 g of which are poured into 500 ml of vodka. Send the mixture to a dark place for 1 week. After this, you should filter the tincture of “Cornflower aquifolia” and consume 4 times a day, 20 drops diluted in half a glass of water.
In case of uterine bleeding, the raw material is poured with boiling water in the proportion of 1 tsp. for 200 ml of water. After infusing for about 30 minutes under the lid, drink ½ glass 2 times a day.
Dried parts of "Captain waterfolia" retain medicinal properties for up to 2 years
To eliminate pain in the joints, compresses are made from “Cowweed foliage”. Steam 1 tbsp in a glass of water. l. dry roots, leave for 30 minutes. After this, moisten the gauze and apply it to the sore joint.
If an unpleasant incident occurs during a walk, or a wound appears, then applications are made from fresh leaves of “Captain columbine,” ground to a paste. It should be kept on the wound for 30 minutes. The same method will allow you to cure an abscess and cope with diaper rash.
Conclusion
Basil foliage is a beautiful and unpretentious plant. It has shown itself equally well in landscape design and herbal medicine. It is easy to grow on your own plot, and it will bloom for almost the entire summer season. The bushes of "Captain foliage" do not require special care, they only need to be watered occasionally while they are young. If you plant this miracle of nature on your site, the surrounding area will always look elegant.
