Content
Cerastium tomentosum Silverteppich is a herbaceous groundcover perennial with lush and long-lasting flowering. This crop is undemanding in terms of care and soil composition, so growing it does not cause any difficulties even for novice gardeners. The sprout quickly grows in diameter, as it easily takes root with shoots, and fills the space allotted to it. At the same time, the plant does not spare small seedlings, but resignedly yields to large ones.
Planting of seedlings in open soil is carried out in July
Description of the variety and characteristics
“Silver Carpet” is one of the varieties of felt carp or cerastium, as the plant is also called. The culture is a representative of the Carnation family. It is characterized by dense, erect shoots that are strongly intertwined and create a dense carpet on the soil surface. The height of the plant is 25-30 cm, and the growth diameter is 50-60 cm. This is achieved through underground shoots that easily take root in any soil.
The “Silver Carpet” tree has narrow, sessile leaves, up to 3 cm long and no more than 0.3 cm wide. They are located opposite on the shoots. A special feature of the variety is that its stems and whole plates are densely covered with felt pubescence. That's why they have a silver tint.
The main decoration of the plant are snow-white flowers with a diameter of about 1-1.5 cm, which cover it abundantly. They consist of 5 petals, slightly trimmed at the end, and a yellow center. The flowers of the “Silver Carpet” tree, as seen in the photo, are collected in small corymbose inflorescences.
The root system of the perennial is superficial, but has great growth power, so it easily breaks through even among stones.
This ground cover actively forms buds in the second year after planting.
The flowering period of the “Silver Carpet” plant occurs at the beginning of summer and lasts a little more than a month, namely 33-35 days. Periodically, the perennial needs to be trimmed, especially when most of its shoots “spread out” on the surface of the soil. This will not only improve the bushiness of the plant, but also promote re-blooming at the end of August. However, in this case, the number of buds the plant produces is much smaller.
At the end of flowering, oblong-shaped fruit boxes are formed. They contain small brown seeds.
The Silver Carpet variety is drought and frost resistant. But it can suffer from melted spring waters, as it reacts poorly even to short-term stagnation of moisture.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Silver Carpet variety has a number of advantages, which makes it popular among gardeners.But the plant also has disadvantages that need to be taken into account. Therefore, you should study the strengths and weaknesses of this perennial in advance.
The "Silver Carpet" tree prefers to grow in sunny areas.
Main advantages:
- low maintenance;
- abundant flowering;
- can disguise any unsightly areas;
- easily tolerates lack of moisture;
- has high frost resistance;
- easy to reproduce;
- not afraid of drafts;
- has increased resistance to diseases and pests.
Flaws:
- does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil;
- may inhibit the growth of small crops;
- requires periodic haircuts and replanting.
Reproduction methods
“Silver Carpet” can be propagated by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. Each of these methods has its own characteristics that need to be studied.
Seed propagation should be used in spring and autumn. Planting can be done directly into the ground, as well as at home for seedlings. This method is very labor-intensive, but allows you to obtain a large number of seedlings.
Reproduction of the “Silver Carpet” variety by dividing the bush should be carried out in the spring, when the plant’s growing season begins. To do this, you need to dig up the bush and clear it of soil. Then use a shovel and a sharp knife to cut into pieces so that each has well-developed root shoots and shoots. After this, immediately plant the “divisions” in a permanent place. This method can be used for chickweeds older than 4 years.
Cuttings of the “Silver Carpet” variety can be carried out before flowering begins or after it ends. To do this, it is necessary to cut the apical shoots 5-10 cm long. The lower part should be cleared of leaves.After this, plant the cuttings in moist soil in a shaded place. To speed up rooting, you can water it with a solution of any root former. To create favorable conditions, the cuttings must be covered with a transparent cap. Rooting occurs within 2-3 weeks.
Growing and care
In order to obtain strong perennial seedlings by the beginning of the season, it is necessary to sow correctly and comply with the deadlines. Even a gardener who does not have many years of experience can cope with growing Silver Carpet from seeds. It is enough just to follow the recommendations and take into account the requirements of the culture.
Timing of sowing seeds
Sowing of the “Silver Carpet” seedlings for seedlings in the southern regions should be done in early March. And in the central and northern regions - in the middle or at the end of this month. It is not recommended to plant earlier, as the plant reacts sharply to a lack of light, as a result of which the seedlings will stretch. And this will negatively affect the further development of the bushes.
Soil and site preparation
The Silver Carpet variety prefers to grow in open areas. Therefore, when growing seedlings, you need to choose the sunniest windowsill. For planting, it is necessary to prepare wide containers 7-10 cm high. They must have drainage holes, since stagnation of moisture can cause the death of seedlings.
The soil should consist of turf, sand and peat, taken in equal volumes. A day before planting, you need to water it with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate and dry it a little, which will allow it to be disinfected.
Planting seeds of the silver carpet
When sowing, it is necessary to strictly follow the procedure. This will allow you to avoid serious mistakes and then the seedlings will not take long to arrive.
Algorithm of actions:
- Fill the containers with soil and water generously.
- Compact and level the surface well.
- Place the seeds 1 cm apart.
- Press them slightly to the ground without covering them with soil.
- Moisten with a spray bottle.
- Cover the containers with film.
Then you need to place the containers on the windowsill and provide a temperature of +23-25 degrees.
Caring for seedlings and planting in open ground
If everything was done correctly, then after 2-3 weeks friendly shoots appear. During this period, it is necessary to reduce the temperature to +18 degrees, which will slow down the growth of shoots and activate the development of the root system. Caring for seedlings at this stage involves regular watering when the soil dries out.
When the seedlings reach a height of 5 cm, they need to be planted in separate cups. For this purpose, you can use the same soil as when planting. 2 weeks after this, the seedlings can be fed with nitroammophoska at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters of water.
You need to plant seedlings in a permanent place at the end of May or at the beginning of June. To do this, you need to dig up the area in advance and add humus at the rate of 10 kg per square meter. m. Silver Carpet Yaskolka prefers to grow on sandy loam and rocky soil, where other crops usually do not survive. The holes should be made according to the size of the root system of the seedlings at a distance of 25-30 cm.
Aftercare
The Silver Carpet variety is low maintenance. The plant needs to be watered no more than 2 times a week in the absence of regular rain. You should also periodically loosen the soil at the base of the plant.To feed during the active growing season in spring, you can use organic fertilizers.
If the bushes grow strongly, the shoots need to be cut to 1/3 of their length. Every 5-7 years, the “Silver Carpet” tree needs rejuvenation. To do this, the plant needs to be divided into several parts and transplanted to a new location.
Pests and diseases
The “Silver Carpet” moth, if growing conditions are observed, is not affected by diseases and pests. This feature of the plant also contributes to its popularity among gardeners. But in order to maintain the increased stability of the weed, it is necessary to promptly remove weeds, loosen the soil at the base of the bushes and prevent overflowing.
What plants does it go with?
The "Silver Carpet" plant has a tendency to grow chaotically, which leads to the suppression of small plants planted nearby. Therefore, when choosing partners you need to take this into account.
The jar goes well with:
- tulips;
- calendula;
- dark types of bells;
- saxifrage;
- cineraria;
- peonies;
- juniper;
- boxwood.
The Silver Carpet variety can be grown in hollows between stones
Conclusion
Jaskolka Silver carpet is a ground cover that can disguise any unsightly places on the site. At the same time, the plant does not require complex care and easily tolerates drought and frost, and not all garden crops have such qualities. Therefore, once settled in the garden, she remains in it for a long time.
Reviews of the silver carpet
