Bright and sophisticated Nemophila flowers for country flower beds
The shades of the blue spectrum have a calming effect on a person, therefore the sea and sky are represented by just such tones. To create a piece of paradise with an emphasis on heavenly bliss in your yard or in your country house, nemophila flowers for flower beds will help you, which fascinate with their sophisticated appearance. Moreover, the crop is excellent for growing in temperate latitudes. In cool climates, the herbaceous plant blooms much better than in hot climates. From small single corollas a luxurious “carpet” is formed in different color interpretations (depending on the variety). This feature allows the blue-eyed to decorate large areas of parks, hills and countryside.
Nemophila flowers for flower beds surprise with their diversity
Usually an annual crop blooms in spring. You can recognize her by such signs.:
- creeping stems 20-30 cm long;
- pinnate-lobed foliage (opposite, pubescent) of an emerald hue;
- five-petal corollas (2-5 cm in diameter), connected at the base;
- wrinkled oval seed pods (contain up to 20 seeds).
Charming flowers for nemophil beds are prized for their variety of luxurious colors. These are usually two-color varieties. Moreover, the area of the pistil and stamen always has a snow-white performance.
The second color of the petals can be:
- sky blue;
- lilac;
- purple;
- purple;
- all shades of blue.
A decorative feature of the flowers is contrasting veins that stand out sharply against the white background of the center. In addition, the clavate stamens resemble luxurious pearls in an exquisite shell. In addition, some varieties are known for their variegated colors and mesmerizing patterns. In Russia, only 2 varieties of American forget-me-not are popular: spotted and mencissa.
The genus of blue-eyed has 11-13 species. Hundreds of unique varieties with excellent decorative properties have been bred from them.
The multifaceted nemophila Menzis
The Nemophila menziesii cultivars are distinguished by their fairly small flowers. Bell-shaped buds with 5 petals are sustained in blue-blue tones. The corolla is decorated with a contrasting white spot in the center. At the same time, blue nemophila Menzisa bewitches with its cut leaves. Strongly dissected plates covered with dense pubescence. Due to this, the foliage of light green color acquires a light silvery overflow.
Among gardeners, varieties are especially popular:
- nemophila Baby Blue Eyes (with a light core);
- Snow White or white snow (pure white shade);
- Atomaria or Snowstorm (dark decorative strokes at the base of the white petals);
- nemophila Penny Black or Discoidalis (dark purple corollas with a pearl border and center).
Stems reach only 10-15 cm in height. They are erect and branched. They are rather thin and weak, but have a slight seal in the nodes. The flowering period is from June to September. The flower acquires an unusual decorative effect in the blooming phase, since it resembles an exquisite porcelain service, but only in the garden.
In addition to white and blue colors, there are often unusual pink and even red shades of petals.
Fascinating nemophila spotted
Nemophila maculata is characterized by contrasting lines and spots. In most cases, nemophila spotted has a white cupped corolla. The purple-purple streaks create the effect of a light blue-violet overflow. Moreover, each petal is decorated with a stamp of a mysterious indigo shade with a light mother-of-pearl.
Breeders have bred several varieties of the American spotted forget-me-not:
- Fifespot or Five spot (purple streaks and spots);
- Barbara (lilac heart-shaped blotches on the top of the petals);
- Ladybug (on a white background, symmetrical specks of sky blue / purple shades).
Spotted nemophila is distinguished by its special frost resistance, for which it is very much appreciated by gardeners.
The openwork foliage, which is exquisitely planted on thin stems (20-25 cm), gives the varieties a special showiness. In June (or on the 40th day after sowing the seeds), large five-lobed flowers appear (4-5 cm in diameter).
Agricultural technology of cultivation
The culture is found in the natural environment at an altitude of 500-2000 m above sea level. For this reason, growing nemophila is recommended both in sunny areas and in light partial shade. With a lack of lighting, the stems are strongly stretched, and the plant begins to bloom poorly. However, it should be remembered that blue-eyed does not tolerate drought and heat.
The soil for the herbaceous plant is selected with such characteristics:
- fertile / nutritious;
- with neutral acidity;
- loose enough.
Humus is introduced into the site (for digging) or compost... For clay soil, the addition of sod and sand (fine-grained) will be mandatory. To reduce the acidity index, chalk (powder) is used. What follows is not a simple technology for growing nemophila from seeds. When to plant seed, each gardener decides for himself, depending on the climatic conditions of the area. The seedlings ripen for 40 days (1.5 months). At this age, it is transferred to the ground. By that time, the seedlings grow to 15-20 cm.
Work with seedlings
A special container for sowing seeds or individual pots is prepared. The containers are filled in equal parts:
- peat;
- sand;
- turf.
The substrate is moistened with warm, settled water. Grooves are formed at a depth of 1 cm. The seeds are located at a distance of 5-8 cm from each other. After planting, the ground is sprayed again. The container is covered with glass / foil.
Seedlings need proper care within 10-14 days:
- temperature regime within + 15 ... + 16˚С;
- good lighting;
- daily spraying;
- regular ventilation (15-20 minutes every day).
American forget-me-not sprouts are capable of stretching strongly. In this case, additional lighting is provided, possibly using phytolamps.
When shoots appear, the container is transferred to a warmer room. Seedlings of nemophila do not dive, since the root system of the culture is quite vulnerable. 7-10 days before transplanting into the front garden, the seedlings are hardened. Each day, the length of time spent outdoors increases from 15 minutes to 24 hours.
To the long-awaited flower bed
Planting nemophila and caring for it in the open field is carried out taking into account all the rules of agricultural technology. Each plant is transferred to the garden bed only with an earthen clod. They are planted at a distance of 15-20 cm if the blue-eyed is used as a ground cover plant.
Agrarians recommend adhering to the optimal tempera regime for growing crops. For seedlings, a range of 15-16˚C is relevant, for adult specimens - 22-24˚C.
Annuals need regular but moderate watering. When the soil is swamped or moisture stagnates, the roots begin to rot. Top dressing is applied during budding and then flowering, provided that the front garden has not been fertilized in spring or autumn. In the case of such painstaking care, flowers for nemophila flower beds will become a real outlet for the gardener.