Bright outfit of a true flower lady - godetia
Back in the 70s, one teacher told her students that a plucked flower is garbage. To some extent, she is right, but bright and fiery godetia retains its beauty in any form. Described by great romantics in songs and poems, it still conquers the hearts of many people. Some associate the plant with an alluring dream, others with a flower of flaming passion. For others, she is a true flower lady. What is this charming earthly creation? Let's try to lift the painted veil to see all the charms of the magic flower.
Look at a flower through a magnifying glass
For the first time the flower was discovered on the American continent in the state of California. This is his "historical homeland". It turns out that the godetia came to us, having overcome a long way across the ocean. Despite this, the plant got its name in memory of the famous Swiss botanist C. H. Gode.
Godetia is a member of the Cyprus family and is an annual herb. It is characterized by erect stems that branch magnificently, creating a charming garden bush with a maximum height of about 60 cm. It is pyramidal and spreading in shape. Lanceolate green leaves with solid edges are arranged in regular order along slender shoots.
Godetia flowers are bell-shaped or cupped. They consist of 4 petals, in the center of which is a pistil surrounded by stamens. These miniature flower elements hold important information about this charming plant. Standing on guard, they are the first to meet insects to share their sweet nectar with them. In gratitude to flowers, insects pollinate them so that there will always be godetia on the planet.
Considering the many godetia flowers in the photo, think about the splendor of the shades and the delicate fabric of the petals. Try to plunge into their sweet scent and imagine that flowers are already growing in your summer cottage.
Satin petals of godetia buds are simple and double, which are collected in small bouquets or brushes. Their magnificent coloring is especially striking:
- snow-white buds against a background of greenery resemble the lush decoration of a happy bride;
- bright red tones are comparable to a blazing volcano at sunset;
- peach shades evoke a sweet association with ripe fruit;
- the carmine color of the petals reflects many shades of red and pink variations;
- pale pink inflorescences inspire good deeds, love and joy;
- lilac buds reflect the proud grandeur of a true flower lady.
I would also like to note the two-tone options for the garden beauty. The harmonious combination of pink and white gives the impression that someone specially painted the petals with a brush. White buds look original, in the center of which there are strokes of red or peach color. A delicate purple shade is diluted with dark red tones. Isn't this charming flower able to decorate the country landscape of a country house? Try it and see.
It should be noted that the plant is valued not only for the lush bright colors of the buds.Its main advantage is that the flowering period begins in July and lasts until early November. A truly expensive gift from nature.
Basic principles of godetia care and planting
In order for a true lady of the flower kingdom to appear in the country, it is important to fulfill a number of basic principles of planting a plant. One of the options to plant a flower in a flower bed is to sow seeds in the soil in spring or autumn. In the prepared area, shallow holes are made, where the planting material is lowered. Then it is lightly sprinkled with soil and sprinkled with water.
Growing godetia from seeds is a fairly simple way to breed a magnificent flower of passion in the country. If you sow seeds in the fall before frost and the first snow, they will have time to absorb moisture from the soil, but will not germinate. But the plant will bloom 3 weeks earlier than those sown in spring. A simple secret, but what a use!
There is also the option of growing godetia from seeds, when it is better to plant the plant using seedlings. It is advisable to start work in early spring. So, on the 10th of March, flower seeds are sown in containers or boxes with a fertile substrate. After that, the plant should be provided with moderate watering, not forgetting about balance. The containers are taken to a room where there are no drafts and a lot of light. When godetia seeds germinate (after about 17 days) and two leaves appear on the surface, they are dived into separate containers or pots. After 14 days, you need to fertilize the flowers with fertilizers.
After the seedlings get stronger, they are planted in the open ground of godetia and care that corresponds to the basic rules:
- timely watering as the soil dries up with a spray bottle;
- regular loosening of the soil in the root area of the flower to nourish the plant with air and evenly distribute moisture;
- removing weeds from the flower bed;
- careful inspection of foliage in order to identify flower pests and destroy them;
- freeing bushes from dried buds and leaves.
The godetia flowers shown in the photo, which were planted and cared for in accordance with the basic principles, look simply gorgeous. Their buds shine brightly in the sun, the greens are juicy, and the petals want to kiss.
Before planting seedlings in open ground, they are hardened for 14 days. To do this, in the room where the containers with flowers are located, windows and doors are opened every day. As a result, godetia seedlings adapt to the outside temperature and practically do not get sick after transplanting.
Since godetia is a herb for outdoor use, the sown seeds germinate quickly enough. The distance between future bushes should not exceed 20 cm. Otherwise, there will be little space for adult plants, which will lead to serious diseases of godetia. Some gardeners prefer to plant flowers in winter, which is no less effective than in spring. This shows that growing godetia does not require much effort. The main thing is to listen to the basic rules and follow them. In any case, a true flower lady, blazing with passion, will appear on the flower bed of the summer cottage.
A short tour of popular varieties
Many of us love to shop looking at colorful products. Let's imagine that we are surrounded by colorful godets, inviting us to choose them. How to figure it out? Get to know each of them.
Today the garden flower market offers a huge selection of varieties of this flower. Almost each of them has a unique splendor, which is necessary to decorate the backyard area.
Majestic large-flowered beauty
Back in 1867, gardeners grew large-flowered godetia on flower beds and enjoyed its beauty. Despite the fact that it is the 21st century, this compact beauty remains at the peak of fame. Its slightly pubescent shoots can grow from 20 cm to half a meter. There are recumbent or erect character.Closer to winter, they become lignified. Lanceolate leaves are located along the entire length of the stem, which gradually taper towards their base.
The buds are usually large - up to 10 cm in diameter. They are shaped like bells or wide cups. Flowers appear on the tops of erect stems in the form of bouquets or brushes. Satin petals are painted in the following colors:
- deep pink;
- bright red;
- the color of ripe raspberries;
- gently lilac;
- scarlet;
- Dark red;
- snow-white.
Flowering begins in July and lasts until mid-autumn. On the basis of this type, breeders have developed hybrid varieties of godetia. Among them I would like to mention the most popular.
Weissen Schwan variety
Flowers are a low-growing bush of a spreading structure. Erect shoots are colored green. They are slightly brownish only at the base. The leaf plates are wide, lanceolate. The buds are white, cupped. They are delicate to the touch, like satin fabric.
Orange Rum variety
This variety of large-flowered godetia belongs to the medium-growing category of bushes. The shoots of the flower are green with a red tint. The foliage is narrow, lanceolate. Buds in the form of wide bells of red or orange color.
Exquisite beauty with terry petals
Another representative of large-flowered varieties, which I would like to mention especially, is terry godetia. In the natural environment, such flowers cannot be found, but hybrid forms are pleasing to the eye. They are terry, semi-double or densely double variants of the plant. Such glamorous bushes are widely used to form landscape areas in summer cottages. One of the most famous flower varieties is the azalea terry godetia. Most often, such colorful varieties are used in gardening.
Cybil Sherwood variety
The variety is distinguished by low bushes about 40 cm in height with erect shoots of a pinkish tint. The leaves are lanceolate, the buds are semi-double. Most often they are pinkish or purple in color with a scarlet speck inside the bud. It is noteworthy that the petals in the center are much darker than their delicate edges. This is the zest of this variety.
Rembrandt variety
This variety of terry godetia has small, hemispherical bushes with pink-green stems. The leaf plates are narrow, lanceolate. Rose buds with double petals, on which there is a small red speck. A truly magnificent sight.
His Majesty "Monarch"
Many gardeners fell in love with the incredibly cute dwarf godetia species - the monarch. It reaches a height of only 20 cm. The bush of the flower is compact enough to decorate the space of a summer cottage. Miniature buds - only 5 cm in diameter. The main advantage of godetia monarch is frost resistance. Therefore, it is often used to decorate the suburban landscape in the northern latitudes.
Having looked at some varieties of godetia, it's safe to say that this fiery passion flower is a great decoration for the garden. In his environment, you feel a magical surge of strength and inner joy in your heart. Is it worth giving up such a pleasure? The decision is yours.