Matthiola perennial: description of the best varieties, growing from seeds, reproduction

Among gardeners, it is most popular due to its unsurpassed aroma, which spreads over long distances in the evening. To date, breeders are actively engaged in the development of new varieties. The results of the experiments can already please with a variety of terry species.

Description and features

There are two most common types of this culture - this is an annual (two-horned) and perennial (levkoy) mattiola.They have an extraordinary aroma of flowers that bloom only in the evening and at night, the buds close during the day. Plants grow in the form of a shrub or semi-shrub.

The matthiola flower is inconspicuous and does not have high decorative features. Varieties are purchased and grown exclusively for aromatherapy, so it is recommended to plant them near benches, curbs.

The length of the bush varies from 20 to 80 cm. The maximum diameter of the flowers is 8 cm, the petals can be simple and double, in various shades, ranging from white to purple. They gather at the tops in inflorescences in the form of a brush. Small seeds are formed in large quantities in fruits that form in place of inflorescences - flattened pods.

Growing seedlings

Growing matthiola seedlings is a crucial stage, so it is important to sow the seeds correctly and in a timely manner and create comfortable conditions for them.

Timing

In order for the perennial to please with its flowering already with the onset of June, it is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings in March.

Soil preparation

Fertile soil is the key to high-quality seedlings that can give strong and he althy seedlings. It is better to use a soil mixture for planting, consisting of an equal amount of sod land and sand.

How to plant

To start, leave the seeds for 30 minutes in a solution of manganese, then wash in warm water, dry. Next, place the planting material in pre-prepared containers to a depth of 5 mm. You can also scatter a small amount of seeds on the surface and lightly sprinkle with soil mixture. Using a spray bottle, moisten the soil and cover with a bag, which is removed as soon as the first shoots appear.

Temperature and light conditions

Place the container in a well-lit room with a temperature regime of 10 to 12 degrees.

Dive

One week after germination, transplant each he althy specimen into a separate pot or plastic cup.

Hardening

One week before transplanting seedlings outdoors, take seedlings daily to fresh air for several hours in good weather in order to harden off.

Landing in open ground

For the successful cultivation of matthiola, you need to correctly complete the process of planting seedlings, which requires the right choice of location, the presence of fertile soil, knowledge of the planting pattern.

When to plant

Matthiola can be planted outdoors from the last week of April. The maximum temperature drop a crop can withstand is 5 degrees below zero.

It is recommended to land in the evening or when the weather is cloudy.

Choosing a seat

Mattiola prefers open and sunny places, but can also grow in partial shade. If the plant is placed in the shade, then its stems will be greatly extended, and the number of inflorescences will decrease, as well as their aroma will decrease.

Soil requirement

It is desirable that plants from the Cruciferous family do not grow on the site before matthiola, otherwise the flower may die from infections and pests that remain in the soil. Also, the soil should be loose, fertile, with a neutral environment.

Plant pattern

Dig planting holes, keeping a distance of 20 cm between them. Their volume should correspond to the size of the root system of plants.

Care

Mattiola is unpretentious, provided it is planted on a site with fertile soil and sufficient lighting.

Irrigation

Water regularly but in small amounts. In the evening, if you spray the plant with a spray bottle, the fragrance will spread with special intensity.

Loosening and weeding

As necessary, weed and loosen the soil so that weeds do not displace the perennial, and the root system does not experience oxygen deficiency.

Feeding

The plant does not need a lot of top dressing even when planting. You can apply a solution of mineral fertilizers in the spring, it is better not to resort to the use of organic substances.

Diseases and pests

Culture is often affected by various diseases and insects, the prevention of which is proper care and successful planting. It is possible to get rid of them only with the help of special chemicals.

It is important when using chemicals to follow the dosage indicated in the instructions for use of the product.

Black leg

A fungal disease that causes the leaves to turn yellow and curl, the stem and root collar become unhe althy, which changes to black over time.

Cabbage keel

The leaves of the plant wither, the roots become covered with rotten growths, soon the plant lags behind in growth and fades.

White

The pest destroys the vegetative part of the perennial, eating away the leaves along the edges.

Cabbage Butterfly

The caterpillar is able to completely destroy the shoots, it starts to eat the leaf from the inside, moving to the outside.

Cruciferous flea

Small bugs feed on the leaves of the culture, gnawing through holes in the plate.

Views

There are several varieties of matthiola.

Autumn

It differs in that its flowering begins in early autumn, and it is recommended to plant it only in the second decade of July. Height, shape and color variety vary depending on the selected variety.

Summer

A characteristic feature is that the plant blooms in July, 2 months after spring planting. There are perennials and annuals. Each variety of the variety has a peculiar appearance and a special aroma.

Two-horned

Plant with a thin, branched stem. It looks like a spherical bush no higher than 50 cm. The leaves are linear in shape of a gray-green hue. There are both annual and perennial representatives. Flowering occurs in June and pleases until August.Small flowers are collected in inflorescences of light pink or purple hue.

Grey

An annual flower with a height ranging from 20 to 80 cm. The stems are strong, woody over time. Leaves with oval pubescence. The flowers are collected in dense inflorescences and have a variety of colors, ranging from white to dark purple. Blooms from June until the first cold weather.

Fragrant

Perennial reaches a height of 20 to 50 cm. Stems and leaves are dark green with a silvery coating. Oblong leaves form a basal rosette. In May, racemose inflorescences of simple dark yellow flowers begin to form. The buds open after sunset.

Popular varieties

The most popular varieties of night violets that most gardeners show off on their site.

Vintage

Terry variety recommended for cultivation in regions with a cool climate. It can grow at least 40-50 cm in height. The leaves are dark green in color, oblong in shape. They have dense inflorescences in the form of a brush of a delicate pink hue. Flowering lasts for 30-45 days. The number of inflorescences is regularly renewed due to growth and the appearance of numerous side shoots.

Cinderella

Annual undersized plant only up to 20 cm high. The stem is strong, branched. Leaf lanceolate bright green color. The variety is distinguished by the presence of large double flowers, collected in overall, dense, high-lying inflorescences in the form of brushes. They have a varied palette of shades.

Bouquet Katz

Tall variety, capable of reaching more than 80 cm. The stem is dense, moderately branched. The bushes are decorated with dark leaves of an oblong shape and large size.It has large terry inflorescences of various shades, from white to purple. Based on the name, it is used exclusively for cutting.

Harmony

One-year undersized variety, whose representatives are only 15-20 cm tall. The leaves are small, the stem is strong, moderately branched. Terry inflorescences, located on top of peduncles.

Rich flavor

Medium size variety with bright small leaves and strong stem. Valued for double flowers collected in inflorescences and located at the top of the plant. Has a spicy aroma.

Purple

An annual plant grows to a maximum of 50 cm. The trunk is strong, erect, branches abundantly. The leaves are large, with serrated edges. Racemose inflorescences have lilac-colored flowers. Flowering duration is a minimum of 2 months and begins an average of 60 days after sowing.

Appleblossom

Low-growing terry variety, only 20 cm high. It has a persistent straight stem, on which grayish-green leaves are abundantly located. Inflorescences on top of peduncles in various pastel shades.

Summer evening

An annual crop up to 50 cm high. The flowering period is only 1 month, pleases in the last decade of June. Spreading branched stem. Inflorescences in the form of purple tassels.

Evening fragrance

Perennial, characterized by the most pleasant aroma, able to spread over large areas. The bush is small, reaches 45 cm in height. The stem is branched erect. The racemose inflorescences consist of lilac flowers that open and exude fragrance only in the evening. Differ in abundant flowering.

Landscape use

Mathiola is considered one of the few plants that are bred not because of external features, but because of their wonderful aroma. Decorative terry varieties serve to decorate flower beds and create various color compositions. A cut plant is able to maintain its original appearance for a week. It is customary to grow Matthiola near benches and windows of houses, as well as in other places intended for recreation. Excellent neighbors for culture - rosemary, lavender, mignonette, thyme, nivyanik.

Mathiola is a beautiful plant with a pleasant, memorable aroma. It is this feature that has served as such a huge popularity of culture. It is hard to notice, because it is not always planted in prominent places, but its smell cannot be missed.