Content
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis does not require much effort from the gardener. The process of planting a plant and subsequent care for it is standard. Like other flower crops, heliopsis needs watering, loosening, and timely feeding. And since the bush is quite high, the installation of supports is required.
How Heliopsis reproduces
Long-term heliopsis is actively used in landscape design.
Heliopsis is a perennial herb native to North and Central America. The name of the culture in translation sounds like "sun-like", which fully justifies its appearance.
The stems of the plant are straight, their height is often more than 1.5 m. The leaf arrangement is alternate or opposite. The leaves are large, oblong, jagged along the edges. The inflorescences are collected in a panicle, they are simple or double baskets. Flowers up to 8-10 cm in diameter, bright yellow in color. The fruits of heliopsis are achenes, flat in shape.
Perennial heliopsis can be propagated either by dividing the bush or by seeds. For certain species, the grafting method is quite suitable.
Perennial varieties of heliopsis can reach 1.5 m.They have been cultivated since 1819. The best plant species include Summer Knights with an orange disc in the middle, Asahi with double flowers, Benzilggold with yellow-orange baskets.
Reproduction of heliopsis by cuttings
Variegated varieties of heliopsis can be propagated by cuttings. This method is characterized by good germination and the absence of special difficulties. This method of reproduction allows you to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the parent specimens. Cuttings should be prepared in summer, in July, and rooted in fertile soil with a drainage layer. You need to transplant to a permanent place next spring.
By dividing the bush
Long-term heliopsis tolerates winter well. Based on this, it can be replanted in autumn and spring. To do this, the culture should be carefully dug out of the soil along with the root system, being careful not to damage it. In this case, the age of the bush must be at least 4-5 years. Free the roots from the ground and divide with a clean, sharp instrument so that a bud remains on each part. After that, the plants are planted in a new place, having previously prepared the soil. If the planting was carried out in the spring, then the culture will bloom in the summer.
Seeds
A perennial crop has a long flowering period.
Seeds begin to be sown in mid-February, then in May the seedlings will be ready for transplanting into open ground. Gardeners recommend subjecting the seeds of a perennial plant to a stratification procedure. Then they need to be placed in a moist material and only after that in a nutritious soil. When planting, it is important to maintain a distance of about 5 cm and adhere to a depth of 1 cm. A month before transplanting seedlings, it must be gradually hardened.
Growing heliopsis seedlings from seeds at home
First you need to prepare a soil mixture of coarse sand, peat and turf. A few weeks before sowing the seeds, this mixture must be treated with a manganese solution, and then covered with foil.Before planting, a drainage layer is made in a box, the prepared mixture is poured on top and the seeds are distributed over it.
They should spend about a week in a warm place with good lighting. And then it is advisable to transfer them to a cool room for a month in order to subject them to hardening. Then put it back in a warm place. In this case, the seeds should be covered with foil and periodically ventilated. You can completely remove the shelter only after the first leaves appear. Seedling care is simple - it is necessary to water and loosen the soil in a timely manner.
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis in the ground
Planting and aftercare for heliopsis is pretty straightforward. It is important to follow the basic rules of planting and wait until the end of the night frost. The place and the ground must be prepared in advance. It is also necessary to take care of the supports, since the long-term heliopsis is quite high.
Recommended timing
After winter, the soil should be sufficiently warmed up not only from above, but also inside. For central Russia, the most suitable time for planting seedlings in open ground is the beginning of May. As a rule, there should be no night frosts at this time, but if this happens, then you can use a temporary film shelter.
Site and soil preparation
For many years of heliopsis, the sunniest place on the site will be required
The best places for planting perennial heliopsis on the site are sunny and well-protected areas from drafts and wind. A clay soil is desirable for a plant, but it is permeable to moisture and air. In shaded areas, the stems grow much longer, and the flowering is rather poor. It is known that perennial heliopsis does not tolerate stagnant moisture well, so the plant needs a good drainage layer. The soil should be neutral in acidity. Also, when planting, you should pay attention to the fact that the culture is growing rapidly and it requires frequent weeding and removal of shoots.
Direct sowing of seeds into the ground
The procedure for planting seeds of perennial heliopsis is simple, but it requires compliance with some rules:
- an interval of 60-70 cm should be observed between the beds;
- the distance between each seed is 20-30 cm;
- after growing, remove the weakest, thereby thinning the crops for better development of the remaining;
- the depth of the furrow is at least 2-3 cm.
Planting can be done in autumn, and watering can be done in October or November, depending on the weather. In the event that the planting will be in the spring, then you need to make sure that by this time the soil is already dry enough. If necessary, sowing heliopsis seeds can be postponed until May or June.
Transplanting seedlings
A heliopsis transplant is possible already in early May under good weather conditions. In this case, it is important to maintain a distance between seedlings. The root system of the plant is quite delicate, so in order not to damage it, you need to remove the seedlings along with the earthy clod, and before that water it. This will enable the young flower to quickly adapt to a new place. It is important to water the sprouts abundantly for 1 to 2 weeks until the perennial takes root.
Watering and feeding schedule
After heliopsis gets stronger in a new place, the watering regime should be at least 2-3 times a week. The plant is southern and perfectly tolerates forced drought, but this does not mean that you can completely deprive it of moisture. Its deficiency will negatively affect flowering, growth and development. Water must be used warm, settled. A suitable time for the procedure is evening or morning hours.
In order for the perennial to develop in width, pinching of the tops will be required.
As for the introduction of top dressing, if the soil was competently prepared when planting perennial heliopsis, the first feeding will be required no earlier than in the second year.
Weeding, loosening
These procedures are necessary for heliopsis, as for any other culture. When loosening, the soil becomes enriched with oxygen, which is important for the good development of the whole plant and abundant long flowering.Weeding is also important, with the help of which weeds get rid of.
Pinching, setting supports
Support is necessary for heliopsis, since the plant is quite tall and the stems can break under their own weight or because of strong gusts of wind, in case of rain. They are especially required for those species that have a strong stature.
Pinching is necessary so that the perennial grows and develops in width. To do this, you need to remove the tops of the heliopsis.
Wintering
Before the winter period, all bushes are cut at the root at ground level. At the same time, no shelter is required - heliopsis perfectly tolerates frosts.
Diseases and pests
One of the varieties of perennial - variegated has a beautiful leaf plate
The biggest danger to long-term heliopsis is the black aphid. If you regularly inspect the bush, you can notice traces of her attacks in the early stages of defeat. And this means that it is worth trying to influence it with infusions of celandine, wormwood with the addition of a soap solution. If the lesions are significant, then the perennial culture must be treated with insecticidal preparations. Those areas of the plant that have suffered severely should be cut off. In addition to aphids, perennials can be affected by fungal diseases - powdery mildew and rust.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for perennial heliopsis is not difficult, especially for experienced gardeners. The culture propagates by dividing the bush or seeds. Both methods are pretty simple. Plant care in the open field has no peculiarities. The main thing is timely watering and feeding, as well as the establishment of supports, because heliopsis is quite high.
