Trachelium attracts with dense panicles of the smallest inflorescences. They decorate bushes in the garden or bouquets with fluffy pillows, while retaining attractiveness for a long time. They found it in Greece, from where it spread first through the Mediterranean, and then conquered the whole world.
Description
The genus of trachelium belongs to the bell-bell family. This perennial evergreen shrub reaches a height of 35-80 cm. The width of one plant is usually about 30 cm. Elastic erect stems are highly branched and covered with petiole leaves along the entire length. Foliage is located next.
Lanceolate leaf plates with a pointed edge. Their lateral surfaces are strongly serrated. On average, the length of each leaf is 8 cm. The color of the shoots is brown-green, and the leaves are bright green or dark green in color. Sometimes lilac tones appear on the leaves.
Very small flowers are collected in corymbose inflorescences and painted in lilac, purple, pink, white, blue and blue. Flowers are located exclusively on the tops of the stems. The smallest flowers have fused petals in the shape of a small bell, from which short stamens and a very elongated thin ovary tube are protruded. Its length is 4-6 mm. These tubules create the effect of slight pubescence throughout the inflorescence.
The flowering period in open plantings begins in August and lasts until frost. At this time, the garden envelops a pleasant rich aroma. Under the cut, trachelium is grown in greenhouses, where it begins to bloom in March.
After flowering, a small box-fruit ripens, covered with thin tricuspid films, opens in the upper part. Seeds are small, black.
Varieties
In the genus, there are only three main varieties and several hybrid varieties that differ in the colors of the buds. In our country, in culture there is only one species - Trachelium Blue or blue. At a height of 35-50 cm, and sometimes 75 cm, it is densely covered with lush inflorescences. The diameter of one panicle is from 7 to 15 cm.
Among the most spectacular hybrids of this type, it is worth noting:
- Jemmy - densely branched dense bush with slightly leafy stems and umbellate inflorescences of white, pale pink, lilac and purple hues;
- WhiteUmbrella - tall bushes (up to 80 cm) cover snow-white umbrellas;
- BlueVeil - densely branched stems reach a height of 60 cm and are crowned with delicate violet inflorescences.
Trachelium Jacques different dwarf growth. The height of an adult plant is 10-20 cm, the largest specimens reach 35 cm. Foliage up to 8 cm long, ovate, serrate, with a pointed edge. Flowers that are quite long for this variety (up to 1 cm) are collected in a loose capitate inflorescence of light blue color.
Trachelium Passion It is also characterized by compactness, therefore it is often used as an ampelous or houseplant. It has strongly branched shoots, densely covered with wide foliage from below, and dense umbrellas of flowers above. Depending on the color of the petals, the following hybrids are distinguished (their names speak for themselves):
- purple veil;
- pink cream;
- blue haze;
- cherry mist;
- ultraviolet;
- white veil.
Trachelium Yasumnikovy It is a medium-sized branchy bushes. The stems are densely covered with ovoid or oval foliage and large pillows of flowers. The average size of the inflorescence is 10-15 cm, but individual umbrellas grow twice as much.
Breeding
Propagandium propagated by seed or division of the bush. In a temperate climate, seedlings should first be grown from seeds, otherwise you can not wait for flowering in the first year. Seedlings are sown in late February or in the first decade of March in small boxes with light fertile soil. Seeds are pressed a little into the ground and do not sprinkle on top. Exposure to light promotes germination. To prevent the soil from drying out too quickly, it is recommended to cover the box with transparent material (glass or film).
Optimal for the emergence of seedlings is the temperature + 15 ... + 18 ° C. In this case, the seeds will hatch after 2-3 weeks. With the advent of green shoots, the container is opened and transferred to a warmer and well-lit room.
After the appearance of the third true leaf, the stem is pinched to stimulate lateral shoots. Trachelium is transplanted onto the street in late May or early June, at stably high temperatures. In landings, they maintain a distance of 30 cm.
An adult plant at least 3 years old already has small processes with its own roots. They can be separated from the uterine bush and transplanted to a new place. This method of reproduction is more convenient, since young tracheliums quickly take root and begin to bloom. This is only possible when grown indoors or in southern regions where the temperature does not drop below zero even in winter. In colder areas, the plant grows as an annual and does not manage to build up sufficient root mass.
Care for trachelium
An adult plant is unpretentious with vitality. Prefers to grow on light, fertile, neutral or slightly acidic soils. For planting, use a mixture of sand and peat. The roots do not tolerate excess moisture, so it is necessary to provide good drainage. The plant normally perceives a slight drought, so you need to water the beds only with a long absence of rainfall.
Excess moisture or dampness contributes to the defeat of shoots and the root of the neck of fungal diseases. For prevention, it is necessary to weed the soil in a timely manner or to loosen it. This will help increase air permeability and dry the upper layers. If the summer turned out to be damp, special preparations for spraying will help protect the bushes from mold and rot. During the growth period, spider mite or aphid attacks are possible, from which insecticides will be protected.
In the garden, trachelium prefers sunny places, but the midday sun can burn young shoots. This can be avoided with cool air and a canopy. Indoor shrubs for lunch need even more shading. Before flowering, trachelium is fertilized monthly with mineral fertilizers.
So that the flowers do not lose their decorative appearance, it is necessary to trim the flowering branches in a timely manner.
The plant overwinters only in warm climates. At the slightest frost, the roots die, shelter helps slightly. You can save the bush by digging it in the fall for overexposure in the room and subsequent planting in the garden next spring. At rest, trachelium is provided with a temperature of + 5 ... + 10 ° C.
Using
Lush bushes with large pillows of various colors will not remain invisible on a flower bed or in a flowerpot. They are used in a flower garden, rock gardens, stone gardens or for designing rabatok. With varieties with colorful petals, you can create beautiful patterns along paths or hedges. Large flowerpots with flowers are suitable for decorating terraces, gazebos or enclosed spaces.
Trachelium is actively used for making bouquets. It helps make them lush and diverse. In order for the composition to stand longer in a vase, one should choose inflorescences, on which no more than a third of the flowers are revealed. When buying, the leaves are completely removed and after a day the stems are cut in water. After trimming, it is recommended to place the bouquet for several hours in a nutrient solution. Spraying with water is beneficial.
