Godetia: planting and care in the open field, description of 20 varieties and species with photos

Beginning gardeners are interested in knowing how the godetia is planted and cared for. This luxurious and graceful plant, which is often called the flower of passion, will decorate a flower bed, an alpine hill or a border. At first glance, godetia impresses with its expressive bright colors, ranging from delicate pinks to deep burgundy. The flowering period lasts until the first frost.

Description and features

Godetia is not a perennial, it is an annual garden plant belonging to the Cyprus family. The erect and branched stems form bushes reaching 20-60 centimeters in height. Depending on the subspecies, they are sprawling or pyramidal.

Flowers in their shape resemble cups and bells, their surface is terry or silky. The leaves of the godetia are lanceolate and entire. The colors are diverse - there are white, pink, pale orange, peach, lilac, purple and burgundy tones. The flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences from three to ten centimeters in diameter.

The flowering period begins in July and ends at the end of October. Godetia was discovered and studied by the famous Swiss botanist C. H. Gode, in whose honor it was named. This flower is native to Southern California.

Views

Several types of godetia are known, differing in color, shape and size of flowers, flowering periods and growing characteristics.

Large-flowered

As the name implies, this species is characterized by the largest size of flowers - up to 10 centimeters in diameter.The bush reaches an average height - about 20-40 centimeters. Upright stems before the growing season have a fragile structure, and then woody. Flowers are cup-shaped or bell-shaped. They remain on the bush from July to October.

Pretty

The Pretty Godetia has taller stems, up to 60 centimeters. The flower is about 6 cm in diameter. The surface of the petals is soft satin. The color, depending on the variety, is white or bright pink. The leaves are lanceolate with pointed tips. Godetia Charming blooms for three months - from July to September.

Terry cloth

Terry godetia is a hybrid variety bred on the basis of large-leaved godetia. It is impossible to meet it in the wild, it is exclusively a garden decoration. The petals of such a flower can have a semi-double, double and densely double surface. Because of this, they look great in bouquets.

Azaleasflower

This variety got its characteristic name because of its resemblance to azalea. It is characterized by neat compact dimensions and a height not exceeding 40 centimeters. Distinctive features are branched stems and abundant dense flowering.

Among all existing varieties of azaleas, flower godetia is the most unpretentious, able to withstand frost.

Popular varieties

Among the variety of varieties, the gardener will be able to choose the right option.

Weiser Ostrich

Weiser Ostrich - one of the most popular large-flowered varieties, reaching a height of 40 centimeters. A distinctive feature - expressive snow-white flowers with a wavy edge. This sun-loving variety should be planted in areas with good natural light. At the same time, it easily tolerates cold weather, which means it can be grown in the northern regions.

Orange Room

The bush of Godetia Orange Room is approximately 50 cm high. The flowers are small in size, painted in rich red with an orange tint.

Crystal snowflake

Crystal snowflake is characterized by a tall stem dotted with large snow-white flowers. This is one of the most elegant godetia varieties.

Kirshkenigin

This cultivar features tall stems and luxurious large pinkish-red flowers.

Bride

Another variety of godetia, decorated with delicate snow-white flowers with a barely noticeable pink tint.

Rembrandt

Rembrandt is a variety of godetia, characterized by hemispherical low bushes up to 35 centimeters. Shoots have a pinkish-green tint. They have lanceolate leaves. The pink flowers have a wavy shape and a dark red spot in the middle.

Cybil Sherwood

Godetia Sybil Sherwood has a compact size and low height. The bush is decorated with lanceolate leaves and semi-double salmon-pink flowers. From the middle to the edges, the flowers have a lighter shade.

Blitzstrahl

Blitzshtral is a medium-sized godetia bush with large cup-shaped flowers of a rich fiery red color. Due to its long flowering and unpretentious care, it is an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. Tolerates cold temperatures well.

Monarch

Godetia Monarch is a very neat bush of compact size. The flowers have an elegant bell shape. The colors are very diverse - white, pale pink, rich pink or raspberry. An expressive carmine spot flaunts at the very base of the flower. You can grow this variety not only in the garden, but also at home - for example, on a balcony or windowsill.Another important advantage of this variety is the ability to withstand frost.

Red wine

Red wine is another low-growing variety of godetia with frost-resistant properties. Rich green foliage combined with scarlet-red double flowers looks very impressive. This variety can be grown outdoors or in containers.

Meteor

The Meteor variety is characterized by thin, upright shoots with a light fluff. Bushes are compact in size. The flowers are cup-shaped and reach a diameter of 8 centimeters. They have an attractive terry surface and a variety of colors - soft pink, purple or deep red.

Moth

The variety Moth is distinguished by a small height of the bush. Lush double flowers with a wavy edge and bright colors resemble butterfly wings.

Cinderella

Among all varieties of godetia, Cinderella stands out with luxurious pink and salmon flowers with a mother-of-pearl tint. The height of the bushes reaches 60 centimeters.

York

For variety York is characterized by a small height - an average of up to 40 centimeters. The bushes are lush and sprawling. Flowers in the form of a bowl of six centimeters in diameter. The entire petals are painted in a rich red-purple color, right at the base there is a white speck. The stems are red-brown.

Summer Paradise

Summer Paradise is a godetia variety with beautiful pinkish-red flowers that have a wavy edge and a terry surface. The height of the bush is average - 40-50 centimeters.

Beauty of summer

The beauty of summer is a large-flowered variety of godetia. The diameter of the inflorescence is 6 centimeters, and the height of the bush is 60. Shades of luxurious double flowers range from pink to red.

Katerina

Another attractive large-flowered godetia variety is Katerina. Smooth and branched stems reach 60 cm in height. They are densely dotted with large silky flowers that have a variety of colors - white, pink, purple, purple and carmine. There are also mixed colors. The flowering period continues until mid-autumn.

Growing seedlings

To grow high-quality godetia seedlings, you need to follow the deadlines, soil requirements, temperature conditions and all the rules of care.

Timing

Seeds for seedlings should be sown in late March or early April, so that full bushes appear by May.

Soil preparation

Containers for future seedlings should be filled with loose nutrient soil with good drainage properties.

How to plant

The process of planting godetia seeds is very simple. It is enough to mix them with clean river sand and evenly distribute them over the surface of the filled container. Then sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top. After that, you need to create a greenhouse effect by covering each container with plastic wrap.

Temperature and light conditions

Optimum temperature - from +15 °С to +18 °С. The room should be well lit for at least 12 hours a day, so artificial lighting may be required.

Irrigation

Seedlings need moderate watering. It is important to consider that excess moisture can lead to mold.

Dive

After ten days, the first shoots appear. As soon as 2-3 full-fledged leaves are formed on the seedlings, they must be dived. To do this, they must be carefully dug up, cleaned of traces of soil and shortened roots if they are too long.Then plant three seedlings in each individual pot.

Hardening

In early May, you need to start hardening off the plants so that they adapt to the sun and wind. To do this, take them out to fresh air daily. At the very beginning, it is enough for 2-3 hours, and subsequently for the whole day. When warm spring weather sets in, you can keep the seedlings outdoors all night.

Landing in open ground

When planting Godetia in open ground, it is necessary to choose the right place and prepare the soil.

When to plant

Seedlings should be planted outdoors when they reach a height of about 5-7 cm - in late May or early June.

Choosing a seat

A dry and well-lit place is suitable for planting Godetia. The plant does not tolerate full shade, but thrives in light shade conditions.

Soil requirement

The ideal soil for godetia is light loam with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Heavy or sandy soils are strictly contraindicated. Excess moisture in the soil should also be avoided.

Plant pattern

Seedlings should be transplanted into open ground in the early morning before sunrise or in the evening, after sunset. In order not to damage the roots, the plants must be very carefully removed from the containers along with the earthen clod.

Holes for godetia should be spaced 20-25 cm apart. For tall varieties, it can be slightly increased.

Features of winter sowing

Sowing godetia before winter is practiced exclusively in regions with a mild winter climate. The most suitable time for this is the end of October or the beginning of November, when the topsoil will be frozen enough.

In this case, you need to sow the seeds in the ground, and then perform mulching from peat (its layer should be 7-10 cm). With the onset of spring, the mulch must be removed, the plantings should be watered and covered with a non-woven fabric. In May, seedlings need to be thinned out or transplanted to permanent places.

Care

Caring for the unpretentious godetia is easy, so even novice gardeners can easily handle it.

Irrigation

Moderate watering is a guarantee of good growth and well-being of Godetia. When the soil dries out, flowering becomes more scarce, so on dry days you need to water the flower more intensively (3-5 times a week). Excessive waterlogging of the soil also adversely affects flowering, and can also lead to decay. In the autumn, the amount of watering should be reduced.

Loosening and weeding

To accelerate growth and protect against weeds, you need to regularly loosen and weed the ground around the year.

Feeding

During the budding period of the plant, it is required to apply mineral fertilizers with a minimum nitrogen content. Top dressing is recommended to be done no more than once a month, as oversaturation with minerals can adversely affect flowering.

Removing dried flowers and leaves

To stimulate the formation of new buds and prolong the flowering period, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences and damaged stems in time.

Diseases and pests

In general, godetia is resistant to diseases and pests. However, problems do occur in some cases, so it's important to be aware of their symptoms and how to fix them.

Root rot

Root rot is a consequence of severe waterlogging of the soil. Instances with a damaged root system must be uprooted and burned so that the putrefactive process does not spread to he althy plants.

Peronosporosis

Peronosporosis belongs to fungal diseases and manifests itself in the form of spots on the stems and leaves of Godetia. Timely treatment with fungicide solutions will help protect the flower from this phenomenon.

Leaf-eating pests

Leaf-eating pests are a threat in areas with an abundance of weeds. Therefore, they must be removed in a timely manner.

Aphid

Insecticides or a solution of laundry soap with the addition of ash are used to kill aphids.

After flowering

At the end of the flowering period, you need to carefully examine the godetia bushes, remove wilted inflorescences and damaged leaves, and then proceed to collect and harvest seeds.

Collection and storage of seeds

After flowering, godetia seeds ripen a month later.This is evidenced by the darkening of the fruits-boxes. They need to be carefully cut, dried and opened to easily shake out the seeds. In paper bags or small glass bottles, they are securely stored until next spring.

What to do if the seedlings are stretched

Pulling out seedlings is likely in case of too dense sowing or lack of sunlight. There are several ways to solve this problem:

• diving into separate containers;
• adding artificial lighting;
• reducing watering to a minimum.

A few days after picking, it is recommended to fertilize with a weakly concentrated complex fertilizer.

Landscape use

Depending on the variety, Godetia can be used in different ways in landscape design.

Plants with tall stems look spectacular in the center of the mixborder. Undersized adorn the slopes of alpine slides and flower borders placed along garden paths or around lawns. Combine with petunias and peonies.

Reviews

Marianna: “I decided to make an alpine slide at my summer cottage. For this, I chose the godetia of the Monarch variety. Before frost, I can admire white, pink and crimson flowers.”

Katya: “I already have all varieties of Godetia in my garden. I decorate them with alpine slides, curbs along the paths, framing around the gazebo. I really like that they bloom until autumn, without requiring complex care. ”

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