Alpine carnation: description of the plant and features of its cultivation, video
Content:
Alpine carnation perennial is a compact herb with abundant flowering. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on the features of this plant and on its characteristic features.
Alpine carnation perennial: photo
Alpine carnation: description
Flower arrangements and flower beds are becoming an essential part of any garden plots. They have their own uniqueness, beauty, magical appeal. The most important thing is that any gardener has the right to independently compose his own composition, which will turn out to be a unique work of art that adorns his personal plot. Low-growing plants give a special piquancy, especially during their flowering period. So, small bushes, which are completely covered with inflorescences of the same small size, immediately attract the eye and all the attention.
For the sake of an example of such a plant, we can take an alpine carnation - unlike their larger and larger counterparts, alpine carnations are quite small in size, and also generally not picky when it comes to caring for it. Another advantage of the alpine carnation is that it can survive and grow even in depleted and poor soils, and this, you see, is a huge plus.
Alpine carnation perennial: photo
Alpine carnation is a round dwarf shrub that consists of small, slender stems. The height of the bush does not exceed 25 centimeters, so it fits perfectly into the general landscape. On the branches there are narrow thin leaves that have a light gray-green tint. As soon as the hot summer period sets in, the bush becomes covered with small, but very fragrant and beautiful inflorescences, each of which is about four centimeters in diameter. The inflorescences are formed from five serrated petals, which are also slightly crimped. The flowering of perennial alpine carnations is abundant, lasts from July to about August, but at the end of summer you can observe flowering, albeit in a rarer amount, but it is still present, which is also a big plus for the plant. The color of the plant can be varied, and this is the great merit of the breeders. Today you can find a lot of different varieties, flowers can be white, pink, deep purple in color. In general, it is these colors that are most often found on the personal plot today.
It's also worth talking about the root system. In the alpine carnation, it looks more like a long rod that gradually grows out to the sides as the plant grows older and adapts to the soil. Also, in the root system of the alpine carnation, nutrients accumulate, which then feed the ground part of the bush, especially in those periods when there is no such support and fertilization from the grower himself. Thanks to this, an alpine carnation from a stunted bush very quickly turns into an attractive pillow, which can reach almost half a meter in diameter.
After the alpine carnation stops flowering, seed pods form in place of the former inflorescences, which have an atypical elongated shape. After they are fully ripe, they open up and sprinkle round seeds on the ground.Thus, the perennial alpine carnation can reproduce successfully without interference from the grower himself, and this is one of the positive qualities. If we talk about the mother bush, then it can grow and bloom for four years, after which, as a rule, it gradually loses its ability and value. So that the plant does not take valuable properties and qualities from others, it should be dug up and removed from the site.
Typically, the Alpine carnation is a wild-growing species. It grows quite free on limestone rocks, as well as among the mountain slopes in the Alps. Hence its special name. Also, Alpine carnation can be found on the territory of sites in Austria, Italy or Slovenia, where the plant also feels quite comfortable. In horticultural floriculture, gardeners prefer to use hybrid varieties of alpine carnations, since they adapt much faster to home cultivation, feel much more comfortable in such conditions, and do not require close attention and care.
But still there are certain features of growing alpine carnations. In the next part of the article, we will discuss these aspects in more detail, and also reflect the whole essence of growing a plant precisely through its features.
Alpine carnation perennial: photo
Planting and care, growing from seeds
Perennial Alpine carnation is a rather unpretentious plant. This is also manifested through the fact that it practically does not impose any requirements on the nutritional value and saturation of the soil, on its fertility. Moreover, practice shows that if you plant an alpine carnation in a richer and more fertile, oversaturated soil, then it can completely harm the plant. This should be especially remembered if various mineral and organic fertilizers were introduced into the soil before planting the alpine carnation. They can accumulate in the soil and then strike the plant itself. In such conditions, the bush can age very quickly, it is worse to tolerate winter frosts and temperature drops, although initially the Alpine carnation is quite loyal to such manifestations.
The abundance of alpine carnation flowering directly depends on where the alpine carnation seeds were planted. Land on the sunny side of a more elevated area. There will be enough light, and moisture will not stagnate in the soil, which will also have a beneficial effect on the plant and its subsequent flowering and growth.
If we talk about caring for an alpine carnation, then it includes the following measures:
- watering (only when it is really necessary);
- removing weeds that can overgrow the root system and take away all its nutrients;
- periodic feeding, which must be done with the help of mineral fertilizers and preparations. In this case, you should fertilize the alpine carnation no more than three times a week;
- composting under the plant, especially before the beginning of the winter period;
- the bushes should be cut off after flowering stops, this will allow the plant to become more hardy and active by the next season, and flowering will increase if you follow all the rules.
Alpine carnation perennial: photo
How does the Alpine carnation grow? When talking about the propagation of alpine carnations, three standard procedures are most often mentioned: propagation by cuttings, layers or seeds. As a rule, gardeners most often resort to the propagation of alpine carnations by seeds, since this method is considered the simplest, most understandable and effective. But still, gardeners have the right to independently decide which of the methods will suit them best, since this will be his own personal decision.The main thing is to maintain the vital activity of the plant, to give it the necessary care, and also to treat it with attention and care in general, and then it will respond with abundant flowering and vitality, beauty and an unforgettable view of the garden plot.
Alpine carnation perennial: video about planting and care