Content
Alyssum ampelous (Alyssum) is a small-growing shrub that decorates the garden independently and in combination with other flowers, and also in harmony with decorative conifers and hosts. Alyssum is unpretentious, so it can be grown in most regions of Russia. The plant propagates by cuttings and dividing the bush, it can also be grown from seeds.
Description of ampel alissum
Ampel Alyssum (also called Lobularia or Burachok) is a perennial shrub with creeping, rather long shoots. It grows in height by no more than 40 cm. Its distinctive feature is the attractive small flowers that abundantly cover the plant. They come in white, yellow, lilac, burgundy and even greenish shades.
Abundant flowering begins in June and lasts all summer. Flowers attract not only with their bright color, but also with a pleasant aroma. After the end of flowering, in September, fruits (pods) begin to form, in which many small seeds ripen. A new bush can be grown from them - both in seedling and non-seedling methods.
Alyssum ampelny varieties
Several varieties of ampelous alissum are known. Each of them differs in color of flowers and aroma.
Esther Bonnet
Esther Bonnet (Easter Bonnet) - this variety of ampelous alissum is used for growing in hanging pots. Gives several shoots of 20-25 cm with flowers of pastel shades - white, yellow, pink and lilac.
Esther Bonnet is an attractive variety of ampelous alyssum with pastel flowers
Princess in purple
Another variety for growing in pots. It produces long shoots with lush flowers of a lilac or pale purple hue.
The shoots of this alissum look like a waterfall of beautiful lilac flowers.
White wave
A hybrid variety of ampelous alissum (pictured) with a compact bush no more than 25 cm high. The plant looks like a blooming white ball.
White ampelous alyssum is combined with almost all colors
Vanilla cloud
The ampelous alissum of the Vanilla Cloud variety got its name due to the fact that its flowers exude a rich aroma, which is well felt even from a distance.
Ampel Alyssum bush Vanilla cloud densely covered with white flowers
Breeding features
For reproduction of ampelous alissum, a vegetative or seed method is used. Seed material can be harvested by yourself at the end of September. It is planted both on seedlings and in open ground.
The division of the bush is suitable for perennial ampelous alissums. When the plant turns 3-4 years old, it is dug up and the rhizome is divided with a knife so that each delenka has at least 2-3 healthy shoots. They are planted at the same depth as the mother plant. It is advisable to have time to complete the procedure in May.
Cuttings are cut from long shoots, which ampelous alissum gives already at the end of spring. These shoots are cut off and planted in a greenhouse - soil made of peat and sand (in equal quantities), covered with foil. Provide abundant watering, after which the shoots can be transplanted. The procedure is carried out in early October.
Application in landscape design
Ampel Alyssum is mainly used in carpet plantings. The bushes are very low, but dense, they completely cover the ground. Therefore, with their help, you can easily hide the unattractive corners of the garden.
There are several options for using alissum in garden landscaping:
- floral carpet against the backdrop of a lawn or surrounded by other flowers;
Ampel Alyssum bush Vanilla cloud densely covered with white flowers
- the creation of two-level flower beds with the placement of taller flowers in the center;
- mixborders - ampelous crops fill the space well;
- planting along paths - lobularia delineate different areas, so they can be used for garden zoning.
This plant is combined with a wide variety of flowers - for example, phlox, lilies, salvia, with petunia, garden begonia and others.
Ampel Alyssum looks good with undersized flowers of a larger diameter
Alyssum ampelny is great for framing a flower garden
Planting and caring for alyssum ampelny
The seeds of ampelous alissum can be sown both in open ground and seedlings can be driven out of them. This plant is unpretentious, so there will be no special problems with its breeding. Seeds are sown in March or April, and the seedlings are transferred to open ground in mid-May. Further care for them is very simple - you will need to feed the bushes 2-3 times per season, as well as periodically loosen the soil and sometimes prune.
Timing
The timing of planting ampel alissum seeds for seedlings depends on the climatic characteristics of the region:
- In the middle lane, they start growing in mid-March.
- In the Urals, North-West and Siberia - in early March.
- In the south, seeds can be planted in mid-November directly in open ground. Then they will immediately receive hardening, and additional stratification is no longer needed.
Growing seedlings of ampelous alyssum from seeds
Despite the fact that alyssum can also be grown outdoors, experienced gardeners prefer to plant seedlings. This method gives the best germination and allows you to immediately get rid of sterile seeds, of which there are quite a lot of alyssum.
For growing, you can use regular seedling trays or plastic containers. The container should be wide but shallow and have drainage holes. The soil can be purchased in the store (universal for seedlings) or compiled independently, for example, from the following components:
- garden land - 1 part;
- peat - 1 part;
- lime or limestone flour - 1 cup;
- fine sand - 1/4 part.
Sequencing:
- The soil is well loosened so that it is light and airy.
- Moisturize abundantly.
- Make grooves 1 cm deep.
- Pour seeds into them.
- Cover with soil from above - no need to deepen.
- The surface is covered with glass or foil with holes.
- Put away in a cool place with a temperature of 10-15 ° C.
- Illuminate with a lamp up to 12-13 hours a day, periodically ventilate.
- They are seated after the appearance of two leaves.
- They are fed with a complex mineral fertilizer (it is possible after the appearance of the first leaf).
After picking, Lobularia seedlings are grown in plastic cups or other individual containers.
To make the shoots of ampelous alissum feel comfortable, it is better to take them out to a warmed balcony or a heated loggia - in this case, you can provide a suitable temperature.
Transfer to the ground
Alyssum seedlings are transplanted into open ground at the end of May (in the south it is possible in the first half of the month). The place is chosen taking into account the following features:
- the site should be well lit - alissum does not tolerate even slight shading;
- the soil is light, moderately fertile;
- too wet and waterlogged land leads to root rot. If groundwater is close to the soil surface, planting holes must be drained with small stones.
Landing technology is standard:
- The site is dug to a shallow depth.
- Several holes are prepared, keeping the distance between them 20-30 cm.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom, if necessary.
- The seedlings are moved along with the earthen clod.
- They are covered with earth and watered abundantly.
When transplanting plants, it is necessary to keep an earthen ball
Follow-up care
Caring for ampelous alissum is very simple. This plant tolerates prolonged cold snaps, sudden temperature changes and even drought. To achieve abundant and beautiful flowering, at least minimal maintenance should be provided:
- Alyssum is watered sparingly and only if there is no precipitation for more than 7-10 days. Excess moisture is more harmful than lack of moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to water at such intervals that the soil surface remains slightly damp.
- Alyssum is fed 2-3 times per season - then the plant quickly grows in size and blooms profusely. For the first time, they give nitrogen fertilizer (urea, ammonium nitrate and others). This should be done in mid-April. The second and third time (with an interval of 1 month) alissum is fed with a complex fertilizer or a mixture of superphosphate and potassium salt. No fertilization is needed in the second half of August. In the case of annual varieties, top dressing is given more often - 4 times per season.
- Pruning ampelous alissum is best done in early spring, before the active swelling of the buds begins. To do this, take scissors and remove damaged, dry branches and leaves. A similar procedure is carried out immediately after flowering - you need to remove the peduncles and cut off all branches by 5 cm.
- Another tip is to loosen the soil periodically. This is especially important after applying top dressing - then the nutrients will quickly reach the roots, and from there will spread throughout the tissues of the entire plant.
This can be done using straw, sawdust, spruce branches or other scrap materials. A layer of mulch will also allow you to weed less often because it inhibits weed growth.
Even minimal maintenance ensures lush and long-lasting flowering of the plant
Diseases and pests
Alyssum ampelny has good disease resistance, but sometimes it suffers from infections caused by a virus or fungi:
- viral mosaic;
- late blight;
- downy mildew or powdery mildew.
Diseases can be identified by external symptoms. If pale spots appear on the leaves, a mosaic develops, a whitish bloom indicates powdery mildew, brown spots indicate late blight. At the first stages, it is still possible to cope with them; for this, any fungicide is used:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- "Ordan";
- Fitosporin;
- "Oxyhom" others.
Also, on ampelous alissum, such pests are often parasitized:
- caterpillars of various insects;
- cabbage moth;
- cabbage white;
- cruciferous flea.
A solution of vinegar or essences (a tablespoon per 10 liters), tobacco infusion, baking soda solution, onion peel infusion and other means help to cope with them. You can also use any insecticide:
- Aktara;
- "Karbofos";
- Proteus;
- "Ultor" and others.
The solution is diluted according to the instructions, processing is carried out in dry, calm weather, preferably late in the evening.
Conclusion
Alyssum ampelous will help to decorate even an inconspicuous garden. This plant is suitable for all flower gardens. The small size of the flowers is compensated by their abundance. Flowering of the culture is long, lasts from May to September.
