Clarkia flower: planting and care, description of the 15 best varieties, growing from seeds

The rules for planting and caring for a Clarkia flower are of interest to many gardeners. This is a very attractive crop that has a long flowering period. In appearance, the plant resembles a bush, which is dotted with delicate double flowers. They look like roses. Clarkias can come in many shades, which allows you to choose the right variety. Flowers are white, pink, orange. There are also red and lilac crops.

Description and features

Clarkia is an annual herbaceous crop that reaches 90 centimeters. Flowers vary in color. They can form racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences. The plant is characterized by branched straight stems covered with short villi.

The leaves of the culture have an elongated or oval shape. They are bright green or have a bluish tint. On the stem, the leaves are arranged in turn. The bush is distinguished by simple or double flowers. They are in the correct shape. The flowers are 3.5 cm in diameter. They have a tubular cup. Towards the base, the corolla narrows into a nail.

Views

The flower has different types. Each of them has certain features. This allows growers to select suitable options.

Terry cloth

This plant has very beautiful flowers. Height can be 25-65 centimeters. The flowers are 6 cm in diameter. They decorate the stems and look like a spike crop.

Pretty

Culture reaches a maximum of 30 centimeters. It can have double or non-double inflorescences. The plant begins to bloom in May. Moreover, this process continues until frost.

Fine

This plant has a thin and branched stem, which is highly durable. The height of the culture reaches 90 centimeters. The leaves have a deep green tint. Inside there are reddish streaks and teeth along the edges. The plant has single or double flowers that bloom in June. Culture fades at the end of September.

Popular varieties

There are many varieties of plants that have certain characteristics. Thanks to this, each grower will be able to choose the best option.

Fantasy

This annual ornamental crop blooms quite luxuriantly. In height, it reaches 75 centimeters. Terry flowers have a different color scheme. Clarkia is used for cutting. She decorates flower beds. In this case, single or group landings are used.

Albatross

This spectacular plant has double flowers. They are white. The bush has a branched structure. In height, it reaches 0.75 meters.

Salmon Perfection

This is quite a tall culture. The height of the bushes reach 80-100 centimeters. The plant is decorated with terry inflorescences of a pale pink hue.

Sunshine

The height of the culture reaches 60-70 centimeters. It is characterized by double flowers of a delicate salmon shade.

Orange

This bush reaches 50-60 centimeters in height. It is decorated with beautiful terry inflorescences. They have a rich orange hue.

Ruby

The plant of this variety is a maximum of 60 centimeters in height. It is adorned with many flowers. They have a rich ruby hue.

Purpurkening

This culture reaches 80-90 centimeters. It is characterized by double flowers. They are distinguished by a bright red tint.

Joy

The plant has thick and straight stems that reach 40-60 centimeters. The culture begins to bloom 2 months after planting. Flowers are arranged from bottom to top. Their shades can be different - from bright pink to raspberry. The flowers are 3-4 cm in diameter. The flowering period continues long enough.

Diamond

This variety forms dense branches. It blooms profusely. The height of the bushes is 60-80 centimeters. In July, the bush covers many flowers. Each of them is 4 centimeters and is distinguished by a red-pink color. The axillary flowers of the Clarkia remain on the bushes almost until the end of September.

Brevery

This type of plant began to be cultivated later than others. The variety is resistant to frost and does not need to be grown in seedlings. The stems of the crop are well branched, which helps to form a compact bush.

At the top of the shoot are small flowers. Their diameter is 3 centimeters. Flowers have pink petals, which are dissected into several parts. The plant has a pleasant aroma. It does not exceed 50 centimeters in height.

Color Mix

The mixture of crop colors directly depends on the plant variety. Shades are different - purple, blue, red. There are also white and pink varieties.

Charm

This blend has an attractive appearance. The plant is decorated with flowers of different shades of pink.

Sakura

This variety is characterized by delicate flowers that appear in July. The plant has peach-colored terry inflorescences. They adorn a tall branched stem. Culture is used to form group compositions. Also with its help it is possible to create high beautiful bouquets.

How to plant

To grow a Clarkia, it is important to properly plant the plant and provide it with quality care.

Choosing a seat

This plant does well in drafty areas. Culture normally perceives the action of direct rays of the sun and partial shade.

Soil Requirements

Culture needs light and fertile soil. This ensures that the plant develops well and helps it bloom better. Heavy clay soil types are not suitable for culture - it will develop much worse on such beds. Acidic soil is completely contraindicated.

Timing

It is best to plant the Clarkia in the beds in the last week of May. If the bushes have grown strongly, this can be done 7-10 days earlier. A slight decrease in temperature parameters will not harm the plant.

Plant pattern

The soil should first be made with peat, humus and sand. This must be done in infertile soil. Plants are recommended to be moved with an earthen clod into shallow holes.

Sprinkle the top of the crop with soil so that the growing point is close enough to the surface.

With a strong deepening, the culture will not be able to bloom and stop growing.

Growing through seedlings

To grow Clarkia, you can use the seedling method. To do this, you should follow certain recommendations.

Timing

Seeds should be planted in March or early April. This is done in shallow containers filled with loose earth. Planting material is small, therefore it is not recommended to deepen it.

Preparation of planting material

In order for the seeds to hatch faster, it is recommended to properly prepare them. To do this, planting material is soaked in water or treated with special stimulants.

Sowing

Pre-seeds should be mixed with sand, then scattered over the surface of the soil, slightly pressing them to the ground. Then spray the soil with a spray bottle and cover with a film.

Temperature, light and humidity

The seed container should be on a lighted windowsill. At the same time, direct rays of the sun should not fall on it. Sprouts will appear in 10-14 days. The optimum temperature is 20 degrees. Seed containers should be moistened when the soil dries.

Dive

Seedlings should dive at an early age. Flower seedlings do not take transplant well. When 2 leaves appear on them, it is better to transfer the sprouts to separate containers. It is best to use peat cups. Then they are buried in the soil.

Hardening

Before transplanting seedlings into open ground, it is worth hardening it. To do this, the containers with the plant are taken out into the fresh air for several hours.

Landing in open ground

In open soil, sprouts should be transplanted in small groups. It is important to keep a distance of 20-35 centimeters between them.

Care

After planting a crop, it should provide quality care. For this, the plant is recommended to be watered and fed in a timely manner.

Irrigation

The frequency of rainfall affects the amount of irrigation. With constant precipitation and in cool weather, the plant does not require additional moisture at all. In the remaining time, the Clarkia is moderately moistened when the top layer of the soil dries. Excess moisture provokes rotting of the root system.

Loosening and weeding

After each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil. This will ensure oxygen access to the roots. To make the flowers comfortable, it is worth getting rid of wilted buds and dry leaves in time.

Of no small importance is the removal of weeds and thinning of plantings. Between plants, an interval of 20 centimeters should be maintained.

Drainage system

It is recommended to install drainage in the garden. Broken brick or expanded clay is suitable for this purpose. Using a drainage layer will help avoid moisture stagnation.

Pinching

When the main stem grows 12-15 centimeters, it should be pinched. This activates the formation of new shoots. This manipulation helps to properly form the bush and helps to increase the flowers.

Feeding

During flowering and bud formation, Clarkia needs to be fed. Mineral fertilizers should be applied once every 2 weeks. They are worth buying in flower shops. Organic plant products are not used.

Tie up

Immediately after planting, it is recommended to install supports for tying bushes. Initially, the plant has thin stems that are able to fall to the ground. If this happens, the bush may die. In addition, the lying flower does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Preparing for wintering

After flowering is complete, the bushes should be cut off, and the soil should be dug up. If seeds fall into the soil, they can germinate next year. In winter, Clarkia does not need care. If you sow the seeds in autumn, they will overwinter under the snow, and in the spring they will begin to develop.

Diseases and pests

Clarkia can suffer from various diseases. Therefore, it is very important to identify and eliminate them in time.

Rust

In this case, the leaves are covered with red spots. They appear when planting a crop in loamy soil.The cause of the problems is a fungus that affects the plant with an excess amount of nitrogen or fluid stagnation in the soil. To cope with the problem, the culture is treated with Bordeaux mixture 2 times a week.

Rot

If root rot occurs, a fungicide treatment may be required. It is also worth adjusting the amount of watering. Affected fragments should be cut off. If the Clarkia is significantly damaged, it is removed and a new plant is grown.

Downy mildew

This disease is accompanied by the appearance of dark spots from the bottom of the leaves. As a result, they curl and crumble. The cause of the problems is excessive soil moisture. Fungicides and reduced watering will help to cope with them.

Mealybug

When a flower is affected by this pest, it is recommended to treat the crop with insecticides. If this method does not give tangible results, the infected plant should be destroyed.

Aphid

This pest infects the Clarkia quite rarely. To deal with it, insecticides are used. From folk remedies, an infusion of citrus or garlic is suitable.

Flower Midge

These pests infect clarkia that grow in waterlogged soil. Insecticides and an infusion of garlic will help to cope with them. You can also place citrus peels in the root zone.

Collection and storage of seeds

To collect seeds, fading flowers should be tied with gauze. This will help avoid self-seeding. After 1 month, the seeds will fully ripen. At this point, they are allowed to collect.

Application in landscape design

Clarkia complements group plantings well and looks spectacular on the tracks. It is planted along the walls of buildings and fences. The plant serves as a real decoration for balconies and terraces.

Combinations with other plants

Culture can be combined with other decorative colors. Clarkia looks good with peonies, roses, asters. It can also be planted with phlox. Good combinations are obtained with delphiniums, oleanders.

Clarkia is a beautiful flower that fits perfectly into various compositions. To grow a strong plant, it is necessary to provide it with quality care. To do this, you should follow the basic recommendations of experts.

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