A particle of the sun in a summer cottage - annual coreopsis
A miniature sunflower or an unusual chamomile. This is how it appears before amateur flower growers coreopsis annual. From Latin the name of the flower is translated bizarrely - "the fruit of the bug." In appearance, the glossy seed pods resemble these insects.
By tradition, the cultivation of coreopsis is carried out from seeds. How to plant a crop will be explained after a short description of the most popular varieties.
Light, drained and nutritious soils are suitable for annuals. When dehydrated, the plant does not die, but simply stops blooming.
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One year
Unlike perennials, annual coreopsis (another name is "girl's eyes" or gypsy ") belongs to the dwarf group. At the same time, it blooms for 2 months longer than its "relatives". The maximum height of the stem is 30-50 cm, and in low-growing ones - 15-25 cm. Of the 70 varieties of the Astrov family, only ten are cultivated.
If possible, the bush is cut off after flowering at a distance of 10-15 from the root collar. As a result, the stem discards the buds again. So you can enjoy the "sunny meadow" until late autumn.
Dyeing - natural dye
Before planting, the seeds of a girl's eye are soaked for a day in water, which becomes yellow. This is one of the reasons why the plant got this name.
The water treatment helps to activate the growth of the branching stem. Although it is thin, it is still elastic enough to stretch up to 100cm in height. Most of the leaves are concentrated in the root bundle. Further they are located alternately. Lush inflorescences of coreopsis dyeing are presented in the form of lush baskets up to 5 cm in diameter. The petals are jagged and variegated. It can be either fiery yellow or dark red. It all depends on the variety:
- Crimson King. Showy carmine flowers with dark brown stripes / splashes. The bush grows up to 30 cm.
- "Red Tiger" or "Bengal Tiger". Red spots with jagged edges appear on bright yellow petals. Plant height - 15-20 cm.
- Golden Severin. Large orange flowers (4 cm in diameter) adorn the undersized stems (20 cm).
- "Gold Teppih". The inflorescences are amber-yellow in color. Umbrellas can be up to 5 cm wide.
When growing coreopsis annual from seeds, special attention is paid to watering... The planting is irrigated only if the soil is completely dry. With regular and heavy rainfall, this is not necessary. The culture does not tolerate excess fertilizer. A small amount of compost is applied in spring or autumn during the period of wild flowering. Top dressing is carried out immediately after pruning.
In order for the bush to be lush and bloom densely, it is necessary to clean it of wilted / dry leaves, as well as shoots. By loosening the soil, the roots are saturated with a sufficient amount of oxygen.
Roulette is not Russian roulette at all
A special place in the garden is given to one more species of dyeing annual - coreopsis "Roulette".He is dressed up and gorgeous, able to surprise even a sophisticated grower. Its petals are colored deep crimson. Their ribbed edges blend in exquisitely with any garden exterior. Moreover, refined umbrellas (diameter - 7 cm) have another row of thinned petals. These narrow yellow tendrils are the highlight of the Roulette variety. To create a corner of paradise, they are planted near them:
- cornflowers;
- asters;
- echinacea;
- chamomile;
- Gaillardia;
- zinnias.
This assortment creates an original clearing, over which towering 50-centimeter "gypsies". A feature of this variety is that it grows quickly enough, is not afraid of drought and cold snap. The best way to grow coreopsis rolls is from seeds. Sowing is carried out either in late autumn for the winter (October), or in the spring, as soon as the snow melts.
Planting depth is 0.5-1 cm. The first shoots in the form of 2-3 leaves must be thinned out.
Drummonda - always in fashion
The height of the culture is 40-60 cm. Coreopsis flowers are distinguished by their large size and their yellow color with a shaggy burgundy core. It can be either wide or narrow. Ruffled tongue-shaped petals look elegant on graceful stems. The leaves of a pale green culture resemble the feathers of a firebird. The flowering period begins in July and lasts until October.
Many gardeners will love one of the Drummond varieties, the Earley Sunrise. Terry coreopsis fascinates at first sight. Botanists associate its shaggy flower with the rising sun. Luxurious tufts consist of many petals that have raised edges and different lengths. Such a spectacular "cloud" creates an enchanting atmosphere in the evening garden. In the light rays, the flower bed shimmers with amber colors.
What they sow will rise
In open ground, early varieties are planted in March or April. The distance between individual specimens is 20-30 cm. Before that, the soil should be well loosened. It is desirable that it be slightly damp. The place should be comfortable, without drafts.
Some growers successfully practice growing seedlings. This method is especially relevant for areas where the summer is short and cool. The boxes are filled with soil substrate. Seeds are placed at a distance of 5 cm, slightly pressed into the ground. Then sprinkle with a thin layer of sand mixed with soil and watered. You can use peat tablets, planting several grains in each. For successful germination, the container is covered with foil or glass. When shoots appear, the weakest are cut off. Active growth is impossible without the right climatic conditions:
- seedlings are placed on a windowsill or in a well-lit warm room;
- sprayed regularly, watering as needed;
- periodically ventilate the room;
- the seedlings are hardened 14 days before planting (daily take out the box with seedlings in fresh air and sun).
The photo shows planting and caring for Coreopsis flowers. It is important to know that the cover is removed when 1-2 sprouts appear. It is worth planting seedlings in separate tanks when full leaves are formed (2-3 large ones will appear).
It is worth transferring the girl's eyes to the open ground together with an earthen lump, then the roots will remain intact. The hole is made 2 times larger than the root system.
Leaving is a step towards plant development
Watering, pruning and fertilizing are important steps in crop care. As noted earlier, the bush needs abundant irrigation only during the dry summer period. Only moist soil should be loosened, while removing weeds. Although annual varieties are incredibly resistant to disease, they are sometimes affected by rust, as well as viral and fungal diseases. Therefore, the leaves with a bloom are cut off immediately, and the whole bush is treated with some kind of fungicide. If signs of damage appear again, then the plant is removed from the site along with the roots.In the fight against aphids, insecticides are used.
Coreopsis annual is an excellent flower bed decoration. Even in cloudy and rainy weather, these flowers will resemble the majestic and powerful sun.