Iberis: planting and care in the open field, growing from seeds, description of varieties and species

A miniature profusely flowering herbaceous plant of the cabbage family - Iberis, is widespread everywhere for growing in flowerbeds and alpine hills. Pepper is the second popular name for the flower. Iberis care is simple, the plant is unpretentious, it is important to choose a site for a flower and plant it correctly. The flower is used in landscape design, as well as for cutting and decorating bouquets and flower arrangements.

Description and features

Under natural conditions, iberis is found in Europe, in Russia the plant can be found in the Crimea, the Caucasus, in the Krasnodar Territory. The main characteristics of the species:

• Root system - rod.
• Inflorescences are formed in the form of an umbrella.
• The fruit is a pod.
• The beginning of flowering depends on the variety - the beginning of May or August.
• Honey plant, a pronounced fragrant aroma during flowering.
• There are perennial and annual species.

The Iberis community includes about 45 species of various herbs and shrubs. The color range is extensive, flowers come in various shades of white, purple, pink color.

Growing seedlings

A popular way to propagate a plant is seedlings. Seeds are collected from mature plants after flowering or bought in specialized stores. The seed material is pre-prepared: disinfected in a solution of brilliant green or potassium permanganate, then planted in seedling boxes.

Timing

Iberis seedlings are sown in late February - early March. Seeds should not be heavily sprinkled, a depth of 1-2 millimeters is enough, you can use sand.

After 7-10 days, the first sprouts appear, at the stage of three true leaves, the bushes dive and transplant into individual containers. Many gardeners do not pick, the root system of plants is very delicate, does not tolerate the procedure well.

Soil preparation

The main requirement for the soil is its friability. Loamy soil with the addition of sand and a small amount of peat is perfect. Iberis can grow on poor soils, but the plant should not lack moisture. Avoid overdrying the soil.

How to plant

In seedling boxes on the prepared soil, grooves are drawn into which the seeds are carefully laid out.The interval between plants should be at least 1 centimeter. After planting, the earth is watered, and the container is closed with a plastic bag and placed on a warm, well-lit windowsill.

Irrigation

Irrigate future seedlings regularly using a spray bottle with warm water. To avoid high humidity inside the "greenhouse" in polyethylene, small holes are made for ventilation.

Landing in open ground

Iberis is planted in open ground with seedlings or directly with seeds in the soil. The timing of planting a herbaceous plant depends on the method of cultivation.

When to plant

Seedlings are prepared for planting in unprotected ground in early - mid-May, the threat of night frosts should pass, and the soil temperature should be at least +10 ^С.

If plants are planted with seeds immediately in open ground, then sowing can be done in mid-April, covering the beds for a while with film or polycarbonate shelters.

Choosing a seat

The place for Iberis should be sunny. The plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture at the roots, and does not withstand prolonged drought. Pepperwort can grow on the poorest soils of flower beds and rock gardens.

Soil Requirements

The soil for a fragrant flower should be loose, loamy, with the addition of sand. Drainage is a must. The acidity of the soil is neutral or slightly alkaline. Too acidic soil is limed.

Plant pattern

The interval between seedlings is maintained at 15-20 centimeters, for the purposes of landscape design, plantings are often thickened or, conversely, increase the distance.

Note: All actions with young plants are carried out with care, Iberis has a delicate root system that is easy to damage during transplantation.

Care

Perechnik is an unpretentious plant that does not need specialized care. Great for growing novice growers. The basic rule of care is to avoid excessive watering and frequent transplants.

Irrigation

Iberis is a drought-resistant plant. In summer, plantings are watered during a period of prolonged heat. Irrigation is necessary in the morning or evening under the root.

Feeding

A representative of the Cabbage family can grow on poor soils, it does not need special fertilizers and regular feeding. It is enough to water the bushes twice a year (before flowering and immediately after it) with a complex liquid mineral fertilizer.

Cutting

Prophylactic pruning of leaves and dried stems is carried out in order to preserve the decorative appearance of a grassy bush. For the winter, perennial iberis are pruned and covered with a layer of dry leaves.

Transfer

Iberis perennials can grow in one place for decades. The bush grows stronger every year. Frequent plant transplants are highly undesirable. Perechnik takes root in a new place for a long time, gets sick. Never transplant during the flowering period.

After flowering

After the end of the flowering period, flower stalks and dried inflorescences must be removed from the plant. They introduce a second mineral dressing and spud the bush. Even without flowers, the plant looks attractive in a flower bed or an alpine hill.

Preparing for winter

The root system of perennials is superficial, it needs protection from frost and winters with little snow. After autumn pruning, the bush is sprinkled with a layer of dry leaves or closed for the winter. Although iberis are declared to be cold-resistant plants, care must be taken to cover them for the winter.

Diseases and pests

Peppers have strong immunity, perennials do not suffer from fungal diseases. The main misfortune are various pests.

Earth fleas

The favorite prey of earthen fleas is young tender sprouts of Iberis. The pest attacks the plant immediately after germination. Spots form on the inside of the leaf plates, and on the outside you can see peculiar light green paths.

Mealyworms

Insects of the coccid order, popularly called hairy lice. They attack leaves, stems of iberis, feed on plant juices. A related species to scale insects. It actively reproduces and lives in conditions of increased dryness, is afraid of moisture.

It is necessary to periodically inspect plants for the presence of larvae. You can remove them from the leaves manually by cleaning with a cotton swab. Aktara, Fitoverm, Iskra are insecticides used against mealy worms and earth fleas.

Aphid

A voracious pest capable of completely destroying plants. The first sign of infection is leaf curl. Looking closer, you can see colonies of small insects. Often aphids switch to iberis from diseased weeds. Insecticides are used to kill the pest.

Fungus

The list is not susceptible to infection with fungal diseases, even if affected plants grow nearby.

Reproduction

A popular way of propagating Iberis is dividing the bush. Some gardeners grow seedlings from their own collected seeds. It is recommended to plant seeds of plants in the spring, dividing the bush is done in the fall.

Collection and storage of seeds

For harvesting seeds after flowering, flower-bearing stems are not cut, but left to ripen. The fruit of the pepper plant is a pod with small peas. When the fruit is ripe, it is cut and dried. Pods crack after a while, seeds become easy to get.

Note: Store collected seed in a dry, dark place in a cloth or paper bag.

Dividing the bush

After the end of the flowering period or before it, perennial bushes are dug up and divided into 2-3 independent bushes. The best time for this breeding method is April or August-September.

With special care should be taken to the root system of the plant, it is very fragile, if damaged, Iberis takes root for a long time.

Cutting

For cuttings, Iberis shoots released after flowering and pruning of the main flowering stems are best suited. The cuttings are cut out 10-15 centimeters long, put in a jar of water, as soon as the roots and leaves appear, the pruning is transplanted into a greenhouse or into a pot of earth. After about a month, the flower can be transplanted to a permanent place or left to winter in a greenhouse.

Views

In landscape design, various types of Iberis are used, on the basis of which various hybrid varieties are bred.

Bitter

Often mistaken for weeds. Annual. Distributed in the Caucasus and in the Krasnodar Territory. In the people, Iberis bitter is called rustic mustard. The height of the bush is 15 centimeters, it forms white umbrella inflorescences.

Umbrella

Beautiful ornamental herbaceous plant. It is used to create carpets, decorate flower beds and alpine slides. It is presented in various color variations: white, pink, lilac.

Gibr altarian

Iberis-chameleon - Gibr altarica, during the flowering period changes color from white to purple. Forms flower-bearing decorative pillows with a diameter of more than 30 centimeters. It is used in individual plantings and rock gardens.

Crimean

A miniature bush no more than 10 centimeters high, used to decorate rocky gardens. Grows on poor rocky soils. The color scheme is white and purple shades.

Rocky

The height of the bush is 15 centimeters. Forms umbellate inflorescences of white color. Great for climbers. The surface root system is quite fragile, it is necessary to transplant plants with care.

Evergreen

Classic variety of Iberis. Height - 50 centimeters. During the flowering period, umbrella inflorescences cover the bush completely. Shoots erect, spreading. Requires decorative pruning after flowering.

Popular varieties

The range of Iberis varieties is quite extensive. To decorate flower beds and rock gardens, planting different varieties at the same time is used. This technique creates a color variety of similar shapes.

Red Flash

Representative of an umbrella species. Fragrant plant - honey plant. Annual. Forms umbrella inflorescences of bright red color. Spectacular variety used to decorate rock gardens, used as a pot culture.

Fairy Mixture

Forms a small herbaceous bush no more than 20 centimeters high. Dense inflorescences are collected in umbrellas. The color range is extensive and is represented by various pastel shades of pink and purple colors.

Tom Thumb

A variety of rocky iberis, a low-growing herbaceous shrub. Inflorescences of snow-white color, completely covering the plant. Grown for decorative purposes in rock gardens.

Hyacintebluetige Risen

Rocky view up to 40 centimeters high. Blooms bright purple. Flowering time is 1.5 months. In landscape design, it is used as a border plant, looks great in bouquets, can be grown in pots at room conditions.

Weiss Risen

A variety of bitter iberis up to 30 centimeters high. The inflorescences are white, columnar, umbellate, 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, toothed. Flowering time - 2 months.

Dana

A profusely flowering variety of evergreen pepperwort. The height of an adult plant is 15 centimeters. Inflorescences are umbellate, lilac. Fragrant plant - honey plant.

Findell

Short, sprawling evergreen pepper plant up to 30 centimeters high. Flowering time - 1 month. May re-bloom in late summer.

Zwergschneeflock

Popular dwarf variety of evergreen Iberis. Forms a small neat bush up to 15 centimeters high. Suitable for growing in rock gardens. Inflorescences are painted white.

Blackberry meringue

Variety of umbrella iberis. Suitable for cutting, the height of an adult plant is 40 centimeters. Inflorescences are formed quite large, with a diameter of more than 5 centimeters. Color range: from milky white to deep purple.

Iceberg

Fragrant variety of umbrella pepper. Honey plant. The height of an adult plant is 40 centimeters, suitable for decorating bouquets and flower arrangements. Inflorescences are painted white.

Canditaft

Gibr altar iberis, a chameleon flower, changes color from delicate lilac to deep purple during the flowering period. Looks impressive in rock gardens and city flower beds.

Snowfall

Perennial variety of evergreen pepper. It grows to a height of no more than 20 centimeters. Flowers resemble snow-white snowflakes. It is used in individual plantings and rock gardens.

Healing properties and uses in medicine

Pepper is a medicinal plant in demand in folk medicine. Decoctions and tinctures from the roots, leaves and inflorescences of the plant are used:

• As a cholagogue.
• In the treatment of gastritis and ulcers.
• As an antineoplastic agent.
• For rapid healing and decontamination of wounds.
• Against gout.
• To relieve swelling and stimulate appetite.

When using folk remedies from Iberis, it is important to remember that the plant is poisonous. An allergic reaction or poisoning may occur if dosages are not followed.

Landscape use

Evergreen herbaceous shrub - a favorite flower for gardeners to decorate rock gardens and frame flower beds and rocky gardens. Best combinations with Iberis:

• Various conifers.
• Hyacinths and daffodils.
• Crawling green plants.
• Bells and marigolds.

When designing flower beds, various color variations and plant varieties are used. Pepper in combination with conifers emphasizes the elegance of rocky gardens. Ground cover plants and Iberis look perfect in rock gardens.

Perechnik is unpretentious and able to quickly adapt to the vagaries of nature and changes in environmental conditions. The fragrant plant practically does not get sick, suitable for growing by novice gardeners.

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