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Buzulnik toothed, or ligularia (Ligularia dentata), is a herbaceous perennial shrub that grows naturally in Europe and Asia. This plant has recently gained popularity as an element of landscape design, which is explained by its unpretentiousness, shade tolerance and long flowering. Planting and caring for a toothed buzulnik does not imply complex actions, but it has some features, therefore, for its successful cultivation, you need to familiarize yourself with them in advance.
Buzulnik toothed can grow in one place up to 20 years
Description of the toothed buzulnik
Ligularia dentate is one of the representatives of the Astrov family. The plant forms erect shoots 1.0-1.5 m high, they are green with a brown tint. The leaves of the toothed buzulnik are large, up to 60 cm, heart-shaped or triangular. They are located at the bottom of the shrub and form a lush basal rosette.
The leaves that grow on the shoots are much smaller. The color of the plates can be pure green or with a purple tint, depending on the variety. There is jaggedness along the edge. In some species, the main color of the plates may be green, and the veins are reddish or purple. The leaves have long petioles from 20 to 60 cm.
The plant is characterized by corymbose, spike-shaped inflorescences, which consist of orange-yellow baskets with a diameter of 7-10 cm. They, in turn, include 2 types of flowers: tubular in the center and ligulate in the periphery. The achene fruits of this plant are formed in the middle of autumn, they reach a length of 10 mm and have a ribbed structure.
The best varieties of toothed ligularia
In nature, there are about 150 species of toothed buzulnik, but only some of them are distinguished by high decorative qualities. Therefore, the most unpretentious and shade-tolerant varieties are used in landscape design, which allows them to be used to decorate shady places in a garden or a site where other perennials die.
Toothed buzulnik Dark Beauty
Tall cultivar with large kidney-shaped leaves. The color of the plates is dark purple with a glossy sheen. The height of the bushes at the toothed buzulnik Dark Beauty reaches 1.0 m. The inflorescences are paniculate, the flowers resemble chamomile in shape, their diameter reaches 7-8 cm. The center is light brown, and the petals are bright yellow along the edge. This variety belongs to the late flowering category. The first buds on the shrub open in August. The flowering period is 30 days.
Buzulnik Dark Beauty is frost-resistant, but in snowless winters it can freeze slightly
Serrated Buzulnik Midnight Lady
A spectacular variety with sprawling lush bushes reaching a height of 80 cm and a width of 60 cm. According to the description, the leaves of the toothed buzulnik Midnight Lady (Midnight Lady) are large, contrasting. The upper surface of the plates is dark green, and the back is almost black. The inflorescences are paniculate, the diameter of the basket flowers is 7-8 cm.This variety looks spectacular in group compositions, mixborders. Planting and caring for the Midnight Lady toothed buzulnik is no different from other species.
Flowering at Midnight Lady lasts from early July to late August
Toothed Buzulnik Pandora
This crop variety is one of the novelties. Pandora is distinguished by compact bushes 30-40 cm high, with small-sized serrated leaves of a deep purple color, which gives the shrub a special decorative effect. The flowers of this variety of buzulnik are large, with a rich yellow-orange hue.
Buzulnik toothed Pandora can be grown as a tub plant
Black purple
A spectacular variety of toothed buzulnik with bushes up to 1.0 m high. The color of the heart-shaped leaves is dark purple, which look contrasting in combination with yellow-orange flowers-baskets. Landscape designers recommend using Black purple toothed busulnik in group compositions with other decorative deciduous shrubs.
Black purple easily tolerates temperatures as low as -30 ° C
Osiris fantasy
This dwarf variety of toothed buzulnik with bushes up to 50 cm in height. Osiris Fantaisie is characterized by an average size of leaves, the upper part of which is green, and on the back - a red-purple hue. Inflorescences are paniculate, baskets consist of light brown tubular flowers and pale yellow marginal flowers. This species has been cultivated since 1900.
The duration of flowering in the toothed buzulnik Osirius fantasy is 30 days
Desdemona
This variety is characterized by medium-sized bushes up to 1 m high. Inflorescences are bright orange. The color of the leaves is bronze-green on top, and red-purple on the back. Variety Desdemona forms large leathery leaves 30 cm long. Inflorescences are corymbose, which include yellow-orange chamomile flowers 5-10 cm in diameter. Buds on the bush form in mid-June.
Desdemona is an early flowering variety
Britt Marie Crawford
One of the most spectacular types of toothed buzulnik. It is characterized by large maroon leaves on both sides, which contrast with the apricot inflorescences. The height of the Britt Marie Crawford shrub reaches 1.0-1.2 m.
Frost resistance of Britt Marie Crawford reaches -29 degrees
Application in landscape design
The demand for the toothed buzulnik in landscape design is explained by the high decorative qualities of the culture, which persist throughout the season. The plant looks great in single plantings against the background of a green lawn, as well as in group compositions, combining varieties with different shades of foliage and other horticultural crops.
Due to the fact that this plant loves high humidity, it can be planted on the banks of reservoirs, from the shaded side of the fence and buildings next to marsh irises, hosts, heuchera, ferns.
Serrated Buzulnik ideal for mixborders
Breeding features
You can get new seedlings of toothed buzulnik by dividing the bush and using the seed method. In the first case, you need to dig up an adult bush in early spring at the beginning of the growing season. After that, clear the roots from the soil so that the recovery buds are visible. Using a shovel or a sharp knife, divide the bush into parts, each of which should have 2-3 shoots and the same number of root shoots. At the end of the procedure, you need to plant the divisions in a permanent place.
Cultivation of toothed buzulnik from seeds also does not present any difficulties. To do this, it is necessary to collect planting material at the end of October and plant it in the ground before winter. So the seeds will undergo natural stratification and sprout in the spring.
If desired, young seedlings can be grown by seedlings. To do this, you need to plant in wide bowls in January, and then put them in the vegetable section of the refrigerator for 1.5 months. When finished, place the containers on the windowsill. Transplanting seedlings into open ground should be done in September.
Landing rules
Planting of toothed buzulnik can be carried out from May to September if conditions are favorable. To do this, you should choose biennial plants, as they easily adapt to a new place.
Buzulnik serrated well develops in partial shade. The plant also prefers drained soil rich in organic matter. Therefore, 2 weeks before disembarkation, you need to dig up the site and add humus at the rate of 10 kg per 1 in. m. You should also prepare a planting pit 40 by 40 cm in size and fill it by 2/3 of the volume with a nutrient mixture from turf, peat, leafy soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. In addition, add 30 g of superphosphate and 100 g of wood ash to each well, and then mix thoroughly with the earth.
Algorithm of actions:
- Make a slight elevation in the center of the landing pit.
- Place a seedling on it so that the recovery buds are at the soil level.
- Spread the roots neatly.
- Fill the voids with earth, compact the soil surface.
- Water the plant abundantly.
Care rules
This plant is undemanding to care and therefore does not require increased attention to itself. But in order for the toothed buzulnik to fully develop and bloom profusely, you need to adhere to simple rules.
Watering and feeding
For this crop, soil moisture is very important. With a lack of moisture, the plant will not die, but its decorative qualities will decrease. Therefore, watering should be carried out regularly in the absence of rain, preventing the roots from drying out.
It is best to use organic fertilizers. To do this, dilute mullein 1:10 or chicken droppings 1:15. In their absence, you can use mineral mixtures. During active foliage growth, it is necessary to use urea or ammonium nitrate at the rate of 30 g per bucket of water. And at the time of the formation of peduncles - superphosphate 30 g and potassium sulfate 15 g for the same volume of liquid.
Weeding and loosening
After each irrigation, the soil in the root circle should be loosened to improve its aeration. It is also important to remove weeds in a timely manner so that they do not take up nutrients.
Preparing for winter
With the onset of frost, the aerial part of the plant must be cut off at the base. Then lay a layer of humus or peat mulch 5-7 cm thick on top. Such a shelter will protect the root of the buzulnik in case of a snowless winter.
Diseases and pests
This crop is highly resistant to pests and diseases. But in conditions of high humidity for a long period, the shrub can suffer from slugs. To protect the plant, sprinkle with wood ash or granular superphosphate at the base of the bush.
Slugs feed on young buzulnik leaves
Also, with a combination of high temperature and humidity, toothed buzulnik can suffer from powdery mildew. It is easy to recognize the disease by the white bloom on the leaves, which later turns dirty gray. This leads to wilting of the plates. For treatment, you should use "Topaz" or "Speed".
Conclusion
Planting and caring for a toothed buzulnik is not difficult even for novice gardeners, so the popularity of the culture is growing every year. This is also facilitated by the fact that a perennial shrub can fully develop and bloom where other plants do not survive. Therefore, it will turn out to be used for ennobling shady places on the site.
