Amazing Nepalese Potentilla - an unpretentious flowering perennial for beginner gardeners
One of the most beautiful varieties of Potentilla is Nepalese Potentilla. This flower really has something to love. Large bright inflorescences, lush bushes and the undemanding nature of the plant make it a welcome guest in every garden.
Description of the plant
Nepalese Potentilla is a herbaceous perennial and belongs to the large-leaved species of this culture. Its pinnate toothed leaves are really quite large. The length of the sheet plate reaches 30 cm and in appearance it resembles a little strawberry leaves, only elongated and large. As for grass, the cinquefoil itself is quite dimensional - the bush reaches a height of 50 cm. The shoots painted in purple branch strongly and can grow on a small support.
Potentilla blooms very beautifully: charming large inflorescences are located on long peduncles along the shoots. Their average diameter is about 3 cm. The middle of the flower is dark red, even burgundy, with a lighter edge. The petals themselves are colored pink-red.
Flowering in Nepalese Potentilla is later and shorter than in White Potentilla. The buds bloom only towards the end of June, and by September the bush fades.
Nepalese cinquefoil: cultivation features
As noted by gardeners who grow Potentilla in their garden, this plant is distinguished by its unpretentious and flexible character. A perennial can grow both in the sun and in the shade of trees. He also winters well: in the southern and even central regions, the bushes do not need shelter. Frosts up to 30 ° C cannot harm plants, but if the winter is more severe, it is better to cover the perennial.
Although the leaves of Potentilla do not have a pungent odor that repels pests, insects bypass it. Rarely does a midge choose bushes as their place of residence, adding another plus to the characteristics of the culture.
More luxurious flowering and bright color of the buds will be in a sunny place. In order for Potentilla to showcase its beauty to you, it is better to leave shady areas for other flowers.
If you choose a cozy sunny place with nutritious loose soil for Potentilla, then care for it will be minimal.
The culture may well grow without the participation of the gardener. But so that the bushes are beautiful and the flowering is abundant, it is recommended:
- Feed the plant with a mineral complex three times a season.
- Water the flowers abundantly once a week. If the summers are hot and dry, double the watering frequency.
- Carry out annual pruning of the bush at the end of flowering, shortening the shoots. This will give an impetus to the formation of side shoots, which means that the bushes will be more lush. In addition, pruning stimulates flower bud formation and will increase the flowering in the next season.
Nepalese Potentilla reproduces both by seed and vegetative method. However, it is better to start dividing the bush or grafting at the 4th year of the plant's life. By this time, Potentilla will be strong and developed. This will allow you to get good planting material without harming the mother bush.