Perennial flax: planting and care in the open field, growing from seeds, 6 best types

Field and forest flowers are increasingly common in flowerbeds. They are able to decorate any local area due to their decorative qualities. Perennial flax looks good in a flower garden, as it is given a special charm by delicate flowers of a blue hue, in order to acquire a garden culture, you need to study the rules for planting and caring for it in the open field.

Botanical description and beneficial properties of flax

Perennial flax belongs to the genus Flax and the Flax family. A herbaceous plant with a vertical root and shoots reaching a height of up to 80 cm. The bushes are decorated with green leaves 5 cm long and 3 mm wide, having a pointed shape and small teeth along the edges.

Attention is drawn to perennial flax flowers 2-3 cm in diameter, which have a white, blue color and are located on straight peduncles. They consist of 5 petals that fall every day and grow overnight, blooming only on sunny days before lunch.

Pleases with flowering from July to August. After that, fruits appear, which are boxes up to 7 mm long, in which small, flattened, oily seeds are formed.

Flowering flax not only decorates the landscape, but is actively used in medicine, cosmetology, as its seeds have a therapeutic effect and have a rejuvenating and healing effect on the human body:

• increase the body's resistance to the effects of various viruses and infections;
• improve blood circulation and normalize blood pressure;
• contribute to the rapid digestibility of food;
• clear blood vessels from cholesterol plaques;
• free the body from toxins, carcinogens and other dangerous substances;
• help to cope with depression and protracted loss of strength.

The plant is also widely used in cooking, it is added as an oil in baking and cooking various dishes.

Application in landscape design

Perennial flax looks beautiful not only in single, but also in group plantings. To create a magnificent composition on a garden plot, you should plant summer flowering plants next to it. It goes well with crops such as marigolds, cornflowers, daisies, clover.

The flower is used to decorate flower beds, mixborders, alpine slides, Moorish lawns, as a container culture in the sunny corners of the garden.

What you need to grow a plant

Gardeners plan to decorate their house territory or summer cottage with garden flowers with cold-resistant and fast-blooming crops. But not everyone has the ability and desire to grow flower seedlings for a long time. Perennial flax can be successfully grown by sowing seeds directly into open soil. In this case, the plants will bloom for the next season. To enjoy earlier flowering, you can sow before winter.

After 4 years, linen needs to be rejuvenated, because its decorative qualities deteriorate with age.

Therefore, for cultivation, you will need high-quality planting material, when choosing which you need to take into account the following parameters: seeds should have a shiny surface and yellow-brown color, be heavy, oblong in appearance, with sharp ends.

Determining the variety

Of all the species diversity, gardeners prefer the following varieties when creating landscape design.

Decorative

A perennial ornamental plant 50-60 cm high has thin shoots that become woody by autumn, and flowers 5-6 cm in diameter, painted in blue, blue.

Under favorable climatic conditions, flowering continues from May to October.

Large-flowered

Flax of this species grows 40-60 cm in height. The stems are thin, branched, decorated with narrow leaves. The plant has beautiful flowers 5-6 cm in diameter. The color palette is varied. The popularity of the species has earned due to the white, pink, lilac, purple hue of flowers.

Pleases with its flowering from the first days of June to September.

Regular

A tall branching plant 40-60 cm high. The bush is decorated with five-petalled blue flowers, the diameter of which is 3-4 cm. The perennial of this species is resistant to frost and drought, grows well under the sun.

Blossoms all summer.

Perennial flax

The plant grows up to 50 cm. Its stems are covered with small alternate leaves. Flowers of a delicate blue hue with a diameter of up to 2 cm attract the attention of a small size.

Blooms in June-July.

Perennial Celestial

When blooming, this flower is compared to azure sky. The plant has small flowers, painted in blue, which cover the lignified shoots. Compact shrub reaching 50 cm in height.

Red

Bright shrub, up to 45-50 cm high and 15-20 cm wide, has gained popularity due to narrow light green leaves and large saucer-shaped flowers with 5 petals. The main feature of this species is that the flowers are predominantly bright red. They are located at the top of the stem and are collected in an elegant inflorescence, the diameter of which is not more than 3 cm.

Violent flowering begins in early spring and continues until October.

Outdoor planting

The culture is not very demanding on growing conditions, but the further development and comfort of flower growth depends on proper planting.

Choosing a seat

Perennial flax is unpretentious in terms of growth and care, but heavy soil and lack of solar heat will adversely affect the abundance and duration of flowering. Therefore, when choosing a site, preference should be given to the most illuminated place, protected from drafts.It is important to avoid planting the crop in wetlands.

If groundwater is near the surface, drainage is needed to increase soil permeability and allow excess water to escape.

The soil should be loose and nutritious. Loamy soil with increased thermal conductivity, water permeability, as well as natural ventilation is considered ideal for perennial flax..

Seed preparation

One of the important stages in the cultivation of perennial flax is the preparation of seeds for sowing. Since the full growth and development of culture and its abundant flowering directly depends on the quality of the seed material. Therefore, before planting, to prevent various diseases, the seeds must be treated using fungicides.

Terms and technology of planting operations

Favorable time for sowing - April, May. It is important that the soil warms up to a temperature of 10 degrees. You can plant perennial flax in the fall before the first frosts, while the average daily temperature should be at least 20 degrees.

Sowing is not recommended in rainy, wet weather.

Planting technology includes the distribution of seeds over the surface at a distance of 20-25 cm. Then they need to be sprinkled on top with a thin layer of soil and moistened with a spray gun. Seedlings will appear after 2 weeks.

How to sow flax in containers

Perennial flax seeds can be planted not only in open soil, but also in containers, but not for the purpose of growing seedlings, since this method is not effective. In this case, the container will be a permanent place for the development of perennial flax. And under favorable weather conditions, it can be taken out into the street, placing it in a well-lit area.

Crop care

When growing perennial flax, you need to create all the conditions for normal growth and abundant flowering, provide full care and care, and then the results will exceed all expectations.

Irrigation

Perennial flax requires constant and moderate watering, the soil must be kept moist all the time. It is recommended to water the flowers with rainwater, and it is better to do this in the morning so that they have time to dry by evening, shrubs that remain wet at night are subject to fungal diseases. The frequency of irrigation depends on the climate, in general the plant should be moistened twice a week.

Weeding

Ornamental plants in the flower bed require regular weeding, which helps the gardener get rid of various weeds. This will create a beautiful and he althy look for plantings and protect perennial flax bushes from possible diseases and pest attacks.

Fertilizers

It is necessary to feed the culture 3 times per season: when planting, at the time of intensive growth and just before flowering. To do this, apply complex mineral and organic fertilizers. You can use special mixtures for flowering ornamental species.

Do I need to cover for the winter period

For the winter, perennial flax does not need shelter. But gardeners recommend covering the plant with spruce branches or fallen leaves for better wintering.

Diseases and pests of flax: control and prevention

Perennial flax demonstrates disease resistance. Unless only a flax midge can take a fancy to him.

This problem cannot be solved by folk remedies, therefore it is recommended that in the event of an insidious insect invasion, promptly process the flower bed using special chemicals.

How a plant reproduces

Perennial flax can be bred using one of the following methods:

• dividing the bush;
• cuttings;
• seeds.

The most common method of propagation is by seed, because the plants obtained in this way grow strong and bloom more abundantly.

Dividing the bush

When choosing this method of reproduction, it is necessary in April or August after the flax has faded, divide the bushes into parts, which are immediately planted in open ground, keeping a distance of 20 cm between them. In order for the plants to adapt faster and take root better, it is necessary to systematically water and protect from direct sunlight.

Shanks

This method of breeding perennial flax can be done from April to August. To do this, select powerful shoots, the length of which should be at least 20 cm, separate them from the bush and dig into the ground at the level of the lower leaves. Shorten the upper part a little, put on a glass cap on top. The cuttings will fully take root in the fall or with the onset of spring.

Seeds

Reproduction by seeds can be carried out both in spring and autumn. To do this, scatter the seeds of perennial flax, keeping a distance of 5 cm between planting units.An alternative solution would be to sow randomly, which will allow plantings that differ in density and density. Since flax has 100% germination, it is not recommended to thicken the crops. Young shoots of the plant are characterized by sensitivity and fragility and suffer from cold, wind, so you should take care of shelter, and in case of weather whims, protect plantings.

Perennial flax is considered a good option for garden fauna if the priority is winter hardiness, low maintenance, resistance to diseases and pests. In addition, the culture will bring brightness to any compositional decisions and delight with luxurious flowering throughout the summer season.

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