Popular types
The genus Lychnis includes more than three dozen plants. Below are the most famous ones.
Crowned
A perennial flower with a height of about 80–90 cm. Its stems are densely branched and have a grayish color. Flowering occurs in the warm season, until late autumn. Crowned inflorescences are solitary and can be found in white, bright crimson, or pink tones.
The most common are: “Angela Blanche” - a plant with white, dark pink, crimson inflorescences, “Mysterious Island” - the middle of the flower is pink, the edges are outlined with a white tint.
Vesuvius
The bushy perennial has corymbose or capitate inflorescences. The flowers of the Vesuvius variety are colored red-orange.
The height of the stems reaches 40 cm. A sunny location is suitable for the bush.
The plant is unpretentious and can withstand winter frosts well.
Vesuvius
Alpine
The stem of the plant is relatively low (about 20 cm). Alpine is undemanding in planting and caring for itself, but has some peculiarity: it does not tolerate acidic soil.
The flower reproduces by seeds. Experienced gardeners in open ground grow the Lara variety, whose inflorescences are presented in soft pink tones.
Alpine
Viscaria
A perennial herbaceous plant, also called common gum. Can grow up to one meter in height. The stems of the flower are crimson-red. Paniculate inflorescences consist of pure white, pink or crimson petals.
Viscaria blooms for 1-1.5 months (begins in May). Loose and moist soil is suitable for growing perennials.
The variety "Rosetta" is the most common. Consists of double raspberry inflorescences. Has a spectacular appearance.
Viscaria
Chalcedonian
It is distinguished by its large size and can grow up to one meter in height. Its straight stems bear oval leaves. Small buds of Chalcedony are tightly clustered together. Petals are available in white and red.
Features of Lychnis
Features of the pennisetum plant
Lychnis is a herbaceous rhizome plant that is a perennial. Its height can vary from 0.4 to 1 m. There are hairs on the surface of the stem; it is round in cross section. Sharp, lanceolate-ovate, semi-stem-encompassing leaf blades sometimes have a heart-shaped base, and both the back and front surfaces are rough. The heads or terminal shields consist of bisexual flowers, reaching 20 mm in diameter; their dicotyledonous petals can be colored pink, white, deep red, pale yellow or deep orange. The fruit is a multi-nut with kidney-shaped seeds of a dark brown color, reaching 0.2 cm in diameter; they remain viable for 3 or 4 years. Lychnis perennial can be grown in the same place for about 5 years.
Description and characteristics
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Lychnis is a perennial herbaceous plant. Belongs to the Carnation family. The flower in question is popularly called adonis and dawn.
It can be easily distinguished from other plants, since the flower is quite bright and tall. The length of the stem reaches from 30 cm to 1 meter, depending on the variety. The inflorescences are painted in white, pink or red shades.
Zorka blooms within a month, but if you trim dry flowers in a timely manner, it can bloom much longer.
A rather interesting feature is its soapiness. That is, some parts of lychnis can lather. That is why it is popularly called “Tatar soap” or “soap bottle”.
Perennial garden flowers Lychnis: varieties, photos, planting and care
The perennial plant Lychnis is familiar to most gardeners under the name “Tatar soap” or “soap plant”. This is due to the fact that the roots of Lychnis “Alba” and “Zorka Belaya” have special properties, and they can be used for washing hands, removing stains during washing and removing grease. Gardeners love Lychnis for its beautiful long-blooming spherical inflorescences of white, lilac, crimson, orange or scarlet. Those who like these modest, unpretentious flowers successfully grow them in their summer cottage.
Reproduction of Lychnises
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Perennials are easily propagated by cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds:
The bushes are divided in spring or autumn into separate divisions, which are immediately planted in a new permanent place. Cuttings are prepared from young shoots in early summer. Each cutting should be 20-25 cm long. The segments are planted on a seedling bed under a film, and after rooting and new shoots begin to grow, they are planted in permanent places. Seeds are sown in open ground in the spring. Before sowing, river sand and humus are added to the soil. Seeds planted in moist soil are covered with film. At a temperature of +18-+20C, the seedlings will sprout approximately three weeks after planting. After 3-4 leaves appear, the seedlings are seated in their permanent place. Lychnis grown from seeds will bloom only next year.
All the beauty of lychnises is revealed in group plantings. They can be planted separately or combined with chrysanthemums, asters or perennial carnations. With proper planting and care, perennials will look spectacular and will decorate any corner of the garden with their long flowering.
Planting Lychnis in open ground
Successful cultivation and beautiful, long flowering of the plant directly depends on proper planting and following all care recommendations.
When choosing a location, it is important to consider the following factors:
- For almost all flower varieties it is necessary to choose well-lit areas. Only crown lychnis can grow and bloom in the shade.
- The plant requires fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
The soil for planting is prepared in about a month. The soil is dug up, loosened and fertilized. For each square meter you must add:
- humus or compost – 10 kg;
- superphosphate – 50 g;
- potassium magnesia – 40 g.
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In spring or autumn, the bushes are planted in holes prepared according to the size of the rhizomes at a distance of 25 cm from each other and watered well.
The analgesic effect of a phytocomplex of flavonoids from the Lychnis chalcedony plant has been revealed
Employees of the Laboratory of Phytochemistry of SibBS TSU, together with the Laboratory of Oncopharmacology of the Goldberg Research Institute of Physics and Medicine, studied the properties of a flavonoid complex isolated from the aerial part of the perennial plant Lychnis chalcedony. The results obtained showed that this complex of biologically active substances has a persistent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect comparable to the effect of diclofenac sodium.
“The plant from which the complex of substances was isolated is listed in the Red Book of the Tomsk Region. The technology for growing lychnis was developed by Tatyana Sviridova, a scientist at the laboratory for the introduction of medicinal plants. After studying the biological and chemical parameters of samples from ten regions, the best were selected - from Belarus, Tomsk and Sverdlovsk regions. This allowed us to grow Lychnis chalcedony with a high content of biologically active substances,” says Larisa Zibareva, head of the phytochemistry laboratory of SibBS TSU.
From extracts of plant raw materials SibBS, scientists from the phytochemistry laboratory isolated a complex of flavonoids, in which two components with C-glycosides were identified - vicenin and neovitexin.
During the study, which was carried out on the basis of the Goldberg Research Institute of Physics and Medicine, these substances were found to have a wide range of pharmacological properties - hemorheological, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiulcer. Along with this, pharmacologists have found that Lychnis extract has antitumor, actoprotective and cerobrotector activity in cerebral ischemia in rats.
“Research results have shown that this group of biologically active substances can be used to create new drugs that can provide long-term analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, in no way inferior to synthetic drugs,” says Larisa Zibareva. “Moreover, such drugs will have important advantages - mildness of action and the absence of numerous side effects that are exhibited by synthetic drugs presented on the modern pharmaceutical market.”
Let us add that the data was obtained by pharmacologists as a result of experimental studies on laboratory animals - mice and rats. It has been confirmed in various models that the use of lychnis flavonoids suppresses inflammatory processes and quickly reduces pain.
Perennial Lychnises photos, descriptions, types
The bright Lychnis flower is immediately noticeable in any flower bed. The plant is distinguished by numerous erect stems, at the top of which there are spherical inflorescences. The stems of the flower are strewn with oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate leaves. Quite large bright flowers decorate the garden throughout the month. Of these, dark brown, kidney-shaped seeds ripen by the end of summer.
Popular types of Lychnis
The plant has about thirty species, of which only a few are widely used in landscape design.
Lychnis chalcedony or "Zorka". A perennial herbaceous plant 80-100 cm high, it received its second name “Zorka” for its fiery red inflorescences. Each flower consists of notched or two-lobed petals and reaches a diameter of 3 cm. The flowers themselves are collected in corymbose-capitate inflorescences with a diameter of up to 10 cm. Lychnis chalcedony blooms in July and August. Its garden forms are distinguished by simple white and pink flowers, and double pink flowers, with a red eye in the middle.
Lychnis crown. The perennial is a plant with dark, ash-gray, densely branched stems. At the end of spring, single racemose inflorescences of white, pink or bright crimson color form on the stems. Flowering of Lychnis crown continues until autumn.
Lychnis "Jupiter". Loose bushes up to 80 cm high are distinguished by densely leafy branched stems and lanceolate-oval leaves. It blooms in mid-summer with light purple flowers with a diameter of 3 cm. It is advisable to rejuvenate a plant of this species every 3-4 years.
Lychnis "Haage". A herbaceous perennial plant up to 40-45 cm high, it is a garden hybrid. The species is distinguished by oblong-ovate leaves and racemose inflorescences consisting of 3-7 orange-red flowers. Their petals have deeply incised bends and a narrow long tooth. Flowering begins at the end of June and continues for one and a half months.
Lychnis sparkling. A plant with straight stems 40-60 cm high has light green oval-lanceolate or oblong-ovate leaves. Corymbose-capitate inflorescences consist of fiery red flowers with four-parted petals. The buds form in July and bloom until the end of August.
Lychnis "Wiskarya". A perennial with purple stems reaches a height of one meter. Its paniculate inflorescences can be pink, bright crimson or crystal white. It blooms at the end of spring and delights with its unusual flowers throughout June and July.
Lychnis alpine. A herbaceous shrub 10-20 cm high, it is distinguished by flowering stems, basal rosettes and opposite linear leaves. Paniculate inflorescences consist of crimson or rose-red flowers that bloom in June. The species is used to decorate rockeries and alpine slides.
Types and varieties of Lychnis with photos and names
Below we will describe those types and varieties of lychnis that are cultivated by gardeners.
Lychnis arkwrightii
The height of the compact bush varies from 0.35 to 0.4 m; the shoots and narrow leaf blades are burgundy in color. The plant contains a small number of inflorescences or single orange flowers, reaching approximately 30 mm in diameter, which bloom at the ends of the shoots in the last days of June, while flowering continues until mid-August. The most popular variety is Lychnis Vesuvius: the rich green leaf plates are heart-shaped, the inflorescences are more magnificent than those of the main species, and consist of red-orange flowers.
Alpine lychnis (Lychnis alpina = Viscaria alpine = Steris alpine)
In nature, this species can be found in the tundra and forest-tundra of Scandinavia, the eastern part of Greenland and North America, as well as in the mountain tundra and alpine belts of Europe. The height of the perennial bush is from 0.1 to 0.2 m. There are basal leaf rosettes, as well as several shoots on which there are opposite linear leaf plates. Paniculate inflorescences consist of flowers of pink-red or crimson color. The Lara variety is the most popular: many light pink flowers open on the bush.
Lychnis viscaria (Viscaria vulgaris = Lychnis viscaria = Silene viscaria)
In nature, it can be found in the Crimea, Central Europe, Ciscaucasia and southwest Siberia. The height of the shoots of this herbaceous perennial plant is 0.4–1 m. Their upper part is very sticky, which is why this species is also called resin. White or crimson flowers of 5–7 pieces are included in whorls that form panicles. The most popular varieties:
- Rosetta . The color of the double flowers is deep crimson.
- Lychnis terry flora pleno . The height of the bush is about 0.3 m. The linear narrow basal leaf plates are painted dark green. Racemose inflorescences consist of double flowers of lilac color, reaching 20–30 mm in diameter.
Lychnis crown (Lychnis coronaria = Lychnis coriacea)
The height of this herbaceous perennial varies from 0.4 to 0.9 m. The loose racemose inflorescences consist of pink flowers, but there are also plants with white inflorescences. Popular varieties:
- Angels Blanche . The color of the flowers is dark pink, white or crimson.
- Mysterious Island . The center of the flower is pink, and along the edge of the petals there is a white border.
Cuckoo adonis (Coronaria flos-cuculi), or cuckoo blossom (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
This species is found naturally throughout most of Europe. Such a delicate flower forms a loose turf, which consists of rosettes and shoots, branching in the upper part and reaching a height of 100 cm. Opposite narrow stem leaf plates gradually decrease in size as they approach the top of the shoot. The scutes consist of large, but extremely thin pink flowers, reaching 40 mm in diameter. The petals are divided into 4 lobes, each of which droops and curls. There are forms with white flowers. Popular varieties:
- Nana . The height of the bush is about 0.15 m.
- Alba . The flowers are painted white.
- Rosea captivity . Double pink flowers.
Lychnis fulgens
In the wild it is found in China, the Far East, Eastern Siberia and Japan. Straight shoots have a height of 0.4 to 0.6 m. The shape of the greenish leaf plates is oblong-ovate or oval-lanceolate. Corymbose-capitate inflorescences consist of scarlet-red flowers reaching 40–50 mm in diameter, the petals are divided into 4 parts.
Lychnis x haageana
The height of this garden hybrid is from 0.4 to 0.45 m. The leaf blades are oblong-ovate. The racemose inflorescences consist of 3–7 orange-red flowers, reaching 50 mm in diameter. The petals are deeply incised, with a bend. On each side of the petal there is a long narrow tooth. This plant is frost resistant. The most popular variety is Molten Lava: umbrella-shaped inflorescences consist of rich red flowers, the color of the foliage is bronze.
Lychnis chalcedonica, or dawn
It is found naturally in the European part of Russia, Mongolia, Siberia and Central Asia. The height of the herbaceous perennial varies from 0.8 to 1 m. The shape of the foliage is ovate-lanceolate or ovate. The diameter of the corymbose-capitate inflorescences is about 10 centimeters; they consist of fiery red flowers, reaching 30 mm in diameter. Petals can be bilobed or notched. The species is frost-resistant. It has been cultivated since 1561. There is a garden form of albiflora (the color of the flowers is white, and their diameter is about 20 mm), as well as varieties with simple or double flowers (they are pink in color with a red eye). A popular variety of Lychnis Maltese cross: the plant is distinguished by lush flowering, graceful flowers have a rich red color.
Care and cultivation
Care and cultivation of Lychnis, previously described varieties, suggests that both plants need similar conditions:
for lychnises it is extremely important to avoid waterlogging of the soil; This plant does not necessarily need a lot of light, but in the open sun they bloom much more profusely; The soil for lychnis is preferably light and poor. If there is organic matter in the soil, then the plant reduces its flowering period; to feed lychnis it is better to take mineral fertilizers and, in addition, the plant will respond positively to the introduction of nitrogen; Lychnises are characterized by resistance to frost, so special care is not needed for them
It is only important to remove the shoots that remain on top; Caring for the plant consists of moisturizing it during periods of intense heat. A necessary measure is also weeding the area near the flower and loosening it; You can care for lychnis by introducing fertilizer during the period of active growth, that is, in the spring; in order to increase the duration of the flowering period, you only need to remove faded inflorescences; The plant can also be cared for by growing lychnis in pots.
Lychnis can be grown through seeds, which is the most convenient and reliable way. Lychnis, which is grown from seeds, gives color only for the next season. If you want the plant to bloom in the year of planting, you need to germinate the seeds with seedlings that are planted in early spring. To ensure good seedlings, the seeds are germinated for several weeks in the refrigerator. When the seedlings have appeared, they need to create comfortable conditions, the temperature is about twenty degrees, the place is lit. For lychnis, planting seedlings in open ground can be planned for the end of May.
If you do not maintain measures for planting and caring for plants, they can get sick and even die. Diseases such as root rot, spotting, and rust affect lychnis in case of waterlogging. Regarding pests, the plant is afraid of aphids and leafworms, from which only treatment of the plants helps.
Lychnis is an original plant that is a decoration for any garden and flower bed. Perennial Lychnis will take its place of honor in your front garden. You can create all kinds of compositions from it, plant it either as a single plant or as a whole flowerbed. No matter how you plant it, or who you place it next to, this plant will find its special place everywhere and will delight you with its unusually bright and pleasant light.
Diseases and pests
The main lovers of Lychnis among insect pests are the moth, leaf roller and the ubiquitous aphid. You can fight minor lesions with folk remedies - tobacco, garlic and soap solutions. In case of advanced attacks, chemical agents cannot be avoided. In the event of an aphid invasion, it is necessary to take control measures against their main distributors - ants.
Lychnis diseases are almost always the result of improper care, in most cases - dense planting or waterlogged soil. It is necessary to establish the cause and eliminate it. Plants affected by putrefactive processes will have to be removed from the site and burned.
Growing Lychnis from Seeds
What time to plant
Lychnis can be easily propagated by seeds, which are sown in open soil before winter or at the beginning of spring. For the first time, such a plant will bloom only next season, regardless of when you sow it. Very rarely, when sown before winter under favorable weather conditions, flowering may begin in the summer, but not in full force.
If you grow these flowers through seedlings, they will bloom this season. Before sowing seeds for seedlings in March, they should be stratified by placing them on a refrigerator shelf for 15–30 days. Crops should be removed to a fairly warm place (from 18 to 20 degrees). The first seedlings will appear a few weeks after sowing. Seedlings are planted in open soil in the last days of May; they are first hardened off for 14 days. If you decide to sow seeds directly into open soil, then this should be done in April-June.
Planting in open ground
This flower is not particularly demanding in terms of growing conditions. To plant it, you should choose a sunny area with nutritious, well-drained and moderately moist soil. Lychnis crown grows well in shaded areas. Before you start sowing seeds, you need to add 1 bucket of river sand, 40 grams of potassium magnesia and 50 grams of superphosphate to the soil per 1 square meter of land. Additionally, compost or humus should be added to clay soil. Before sowing, it is necessary to lim the soil if it is acidic. Before sowing, the seeds should be kept in the refrigerator for 4 weeks so that they can undergo cold stratification. Pre-prepared seeds need to be sown in the furrows, then they are sealed. Crops should be well watered. For friendly shoots to appear, the air temperature should be about 18–20 degrees. The first seedlings can be seen in 2.5–3.5 weeks.
Possible problems in growing
There are no problems in growing a flower. When they occur, they are associated with infections and poor care.
Pests
The plant is susceptible to leaf rollers, aphids and spider mites. In the early stages, you can get rid of them using a soap solution. In the later stages - insecticide and acaricide.
Spider mites are the main pest of Lychnis
Diseases
Lychnis suffers from rust, root rot and spotting. Fungicides are used for prevention.
Signs of improper care
Signs of improper care include rare flowering, lack of appearance of flowers, lack of plant development, fading of leaves and petals, rotting of roots and stems.
Sick plant
Lychnis care
Lychnis grown in the garden must be provided with systematic watering, especially if there is intense heat. When the plant is watered, it is necessary to systematically loosen the surface of the soil in the area, while removing all the weeds. Please note that such a flower can easily be drowned out by weeds, and therefore the future of this plant depends only on you. In order for the lychnis to bloom longer, it is necessary to promptly remove the inflorescences that have begun to fade, and at the same time pull out all the plants that are trying to get into the lychnis area.
During the growing season, such a plant should be fed only 2 or 3 times per season. Slightly grown and strengthened seedlings are fed with complex mineral fertilizer. Then similar feedings are carried out once every 15–20 days.
Diseases and pests
If you water such a flower too much or too often, this can cause the development of rust, root rot and leaf spotting. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to develop such a watering schedule, taking into account the weather conditions of your region, so that there is no stagnation of liquid in the root system of the plant. If the first symptoms of the development of a fungal disease are noticed, the affected specimen must be sprayed with a fungicidal preparation.
If leaf rollers or aphids settle on a bush, then to destroy them it is necessary to use a decoction of tomato tops or tobacco, into which you need to add soap crushed with a grater. If there are too many harmful insects, then you can deal with them by treating the bush with an insecticidal agent.
After flowering
For wintering, this flower does not require shelter, as it has a very high resistance to frost. However, if you grow terry varieties of lychnis, then they must be covered for the winter. After the foliage and shoots begin to yellow and wilt, they must be cut back to the ground. Terry bushes, after they are trimmed, should be covered with a layer of leaves, peat or dry soil.
Contraindications
Neoplasms, febrile conditions, systemic blood diseases, bleeding, active pulmonary tuberculosis, weeping eczema, circulatory failure of the 3rd degree. Exposure to the area where a pacemaker is implanted is contraindicated.
There was no evidence of any effect of Ultratonotherapy on the ability of patients to drive vehicles and operate machinery.
A perennial plant such as Lychnis is a member of the Clove family, but in some cases this genus is included in the Smolevka genus. The scientific name of such a plant comes from the Greek word, which translates as “lamp”. There is a version that this is due to the fact that Lychnis flowers have a very rich color or because in ancient times the foliage of one of the species was used as a wick. Mention of this flower can be found in the works of Theophrastus. It began to be cultivated from the end of the 16th century. According to information taken from various sources, this genus includes 20–50 species; in the wild they can be found in the Northern Hemisphere. Gardeners cultivate only 15 species of Lychnis.
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Growing Lychnis
It is impossible to say that perennial Lychnis is picky about growing conditions. It grows well in partial shade, but when planted in an open sunny place, it develops better, the flowers become larger and acquire a more saturated color. The plant is winter-hardy and does not need shelter for the winter. It can grow in one place for a long time - 5 or more years.
The soil
The flower is undemanding when it comes to soil, but Lychnis likes to be grown on moist soils mixed with sand. The plant does not tolerate stagnation of water, so the soil must be well drained and constantly maintained in a loose state.
If the soil on the site is acidic, then before planting it must be deacidified by liming. Soil preparation begins a month before planting. For 1 sq. m under digging add superphosphate (50 g), potassium magnesia (40 g) and a bucket of compost or humus.
To ensure the necessary drainage, when preparing the soil for planting, you need to add coarse sand at the rate of one bucket of sand per square meter. meter of cultivated area. In case of clay soil, compost or humus is also added.
Watering
The plant loves abundant, but not frequent watering - once a week is enough. In dry times, the bush should also not be overwatered. However, with a lack of watering, flowering deteriorates and the inflorescences become small.
Care
Lychnis needs the same care as other perennials: watering, mulching, loosening, fertilizing. To extend flowering time, faded flowers are removed. When autumn comes, the above-ground part of the plant is completely cut off.
The crop responds well to 2-3 single applications of mineral fertilizer. The first feeding is done before flowering, using three liters of solution No. 1 per square meter. The second feeding is done during flowering with solution No. 2, using up to five liters. After flowering, you can feed again with solution No. 2.
Recipe for mineral fertilizer solutions:
Solution No. 1: water 10 liters, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, urea - one tablespoon of each. Solution No. 2: water 10 liters, potassium sulfate, superphosphate, Agricola 7 - one tablespoon of each.
Reproduction of Lychnis
Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively is possible. Seed germination is not lost for 4 years. To grow Lychnis from seeds, they are sown in April-July in unprotected soil. Seeds germinate at a temperature of 18. Shoots usually appear three weeks after sowing.
When seeds are stratified for a month, their germination occurs more uniformly. When sowing is thickened, you need to pick. Seedlings are planted in the ground in August-September.
After five years of growth in one place, the bushes are dug up and, depending on the development of the root system, they are divided into a number of parts. The divisions are planted with a gap of 25 cm between them. The division of the bush is carried out in spring and autumn.
When propagated by cuttings (mainly for double forms), at the beginning of summer, young shoots up to 25 cm long are cut and rooted in the usual way: under cover on ridges or in greenhouses. In place of their constant growth, seedlings are planted in September.
Diseases and pests
Lychnis prefers to grow on soil without stagnant water. On waterlogged soils, the plant is affected by the following diseases: root rot; rust; leaf spot; dusty smut.
To prevent the spread of the disease, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the drainage and systematically inspect the plants. If damaged areas or pests are detected, you need to take active action.
It is not recommended to thicken the plantings; be sure to plant the plants. To prevent plant diseases, the soil is treated with copper-containing preparations before planting lychnis.
Of the pests, the greatest harm to lychnis is caused by aphids, slobbering pennies butterflies and leaf rollers. If the damage is minor, the plant can be treated with a decoction of tobacco, tomato tops or other insecticidal plants.
However, if insects multiply heavily, it will be necessary to use chemical insecticides, such as intavir, actara, karbofos. It is safer to treat lychnis on the foliage before it blooms, before aphids appear, which can destroy the bush. The plant will not die, but it will not bloom this season.
Regards, Alexey!
Fertilizer and feeding
Growing lychnis is not difficult, but you should provide the plant with the necessary minerals by applying mineral fertilizers 2-3 times during the growing season. The first time the perennial should be fed during the period of active growth, but before flowering begins, by preparing a solution of potassium sulfate, urea, superphosphate (take one tablespoon per bucket of water). Water the plant at the rate of 3 liters of solution per 1 square meter of area.
Feed Lychnis with mineral fertilizers
During flowering, a different solution is used for fertilizer, which includes superphosphate, potassium sulfate, and Agricola 7 - all in 1 tablespoon. Dilute in 10 liters of clean water and water, using up to 5 liters of fertilizer per square meter of lychnis growth. The perennial should be fed with the same solution in the fall after flowering has ended.
Varieties
For our latitudes, the most common varieties are crown and chalcedony lychnis.
Lychnis crown grows up to fifty to eighty centimeters, and sometimes up to a meter in height. The stem of this variety has a highly branched structure, and there are not many leaves on it. The color of the foliage is silver-gray. The leaves grow in a rosette at the very bottom of the stems. Lychnis flowers have a single structure; they grow each from their own stem, and this variety has a lot of such stems.
Lychnis crown has the following types:
- Angel's Blush - This plant is biennial. This species grows no more than sixty centimeters in height. An original feature of this plant is that the color scheme of the flowers changes during the flowering period. When the flower just opens, it is pure white, a little later its middle acquires a pinkish tint.
- “Mysterious Island” - this variety was bred in our conditions, not abroad. This Lychnis is perennial, and its distinctive feature is that the foliage and stems have a slightly drooping appearance.
Lychnis chalcedony - also called Zorka vulgaris, “Tatrian soap” or “soap plant”. Using the petals and roots of this plant, you can create foam on the water, which is why the plant got its name. This one differs from the previous one in the shape of the flowers. Its petals are arranged geometrically. Those flowers that are small in size are collected in spherical inflorescences. The inflorescence can have different colors, including white, pink and red. This species has a lot of leaves, they have an elongated shape and are slightly pubescent. One of the most common varieties of Lychnis chalcedony is the “Maltese Cross”. This variety differs from other lychnises in that it blooms very luxuriantly. The flowers of Lychnis maltese cross are bright red and the flower shape is similar to a cross, hence its name.
Lychnis chalcedony
Use in landscape design
Lychnis looks impressive when used in group plantings against a background of green grass. Sometimes it is planted on the banks of reservoirs. Low-growing varieties look beautiful when decorating alpine slides or borders for paths.
Alpine slide
Perennial lychnis can decorate any garden or park. It looks impressive when used for a variety of purposes. Having learned more about this flower, the gardener can competently choose the appropriate type and variety of this plant for himself.
Cultivation and use of Lychnis chalcedony
Lovers of bright and contrasting flower beds should definitely plant Lychnis chalcedony in their garden. The plant blooms with bright, bright red, fiery, pink, white, dark crimson flowers that attract with their appearance. Let's take a closer look at how Lychnis chalcedony is grown and propagated, as well as where it is used.
Lychnis chalcedony blooms in June and blooms for 75 days. With its decorative appearance, it gives the garden a fabulous beauty with bright luminous flowers.
Zorka vulgare stands up to a wide variety of weeds and blooms harmoniously at the appointed time. You can plant the plant in autumn or early spring by sowing seeds in the ground. In the second year after planting, it will bloom in late summer.
- Lychnis is planted on any garden, light, permeable and non-acidic soil.
- Too heavy soil can be lightened with sand.
- When planting seedlings in open ground, add humus or compost in a small amount to the holes.
The place for planting the plant should be sunny and open. As soon as the dawn is planted in the ground, be sure to sprinkle it with soil and water it.
Description of Lychnis
The most traditional is Lychnis chalcedonica (L. chalcedonica), reaching 80-100 cm in height. The plant is covered with soft bristles. The flowers are small - only 2 cm, collected in thyroid inflorescences of a rich orange color.
Flowering begins in June, and to prolong it, you need to regularly remove faded inflorescences. Seeds are required for reproduction. Does not require stratification; it blooms in the 2nd year after sowing. You can divide old 4-5 year old bushes.
In addition, cuttings of shoots (20-25 cm) in June are possible. This method is especially important for terry varieties that do not retain terry when propagated by seed.
Lychnis chalcedony is able to resist weeds and persists for many years among the grass without any care.
Another species - sparkling lychnis (L. fulgens) - is a shorter form (only about 30 cm), but has very large flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. It needs more frequent weeding and is a little more capricious. Scarlet flowers.
One of the most spectacular is the Central Asian crowned lychnis (L. coronaria). The leaves of this plant are silvery-pubescent, and the large flowers, wrapped in white felt calyxes, are lilac-carmine. In the southern regions it can live for several years, but in the middle zone it is more reliable to treat it as a biennial.
The plant produces a mass of brown seeds, which are sown in the spring. Gives self-seeding. A common requirement for all types is bright lighting. Only the Chalcedony dawn puts up with a light shadow.
Application in the garden: Traditional use of lychnis in borders, colorful stripes, ridges. There is a place for them in the landscape garden.
It is interesting that the roots of Zorka contain special substances - saponins, thanks to which the root, crushed in the hands, produces foam with water. For this reason, dawn is sometimes called Tatar soap.
In medicine
In the official medicine of our country, Zorka vulgaris is not used. It is not included in the State Pharmacopoeia and is not listed in the Register of Medicines. However, the plant is used in folk medicine in some countries as an anti-inflammatory and antimycotic agent and is used for various skin and blood diseases.
Contraindications and side effects
In crop production
Any soil is suitable for planting, as non-acidic as possible. The lighter the soil, the better the dawn will feel. However, the plant does not tolerate excessive dampness, its roots can rot, so in flooded areas drainage should be made from coarse sand. When planting, you can add a little humus or compost. Zorka vulgare loves the sun very much, so it is better to plant it in an open, sunny place.
It is easy to care for the plant. You just need to systematically (about once a week) moderately water the soil after it dries and remove faded inflorescences. In spring, you can fertilize with complex fertilizer. In autumn, the above-ground part of the zorka needs to be cut off, leaving 10-15 cm of the stem so that the plant does not rot. For the winter, cut shoots of plants are not covered with anything, since the flower is quite winter-hardy. But if you grow double forms of zorka, it is preferable to cover them for the winter.
This type of flora can grow in one place for 6 years. However, after 4-5 years, the flowers of the plant begin to become smaller, and the inflorescences begin to lose their splendor and beauty.
