When making a flower garden, it is important to combine the types andvarieties of crops. Of course, you always want to acquire unusual and beautiful flowers. An interesting solution to the garden decor can be such a plant as Perovskia. She has some similarity with sage and lavender. From a distance, the blue beauty can be confused with similar species.
Perovskaya swan-leaf belongs to the familyLamiaceae. There are 7 types of semi-shrubs, most of which grow wildly on the mountain slopes in the areas of Central Asia. The name of the plant was in honor of Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky. In ancient times, he was the governor-general of the Russian provinces. After the hostilities in Central Asia, he imported the beauty of Perovskii into Russia.
Description and characteristics of the form
Externally, Perovskia, as mentioned above, is similar to Russian sage. At least half of the season, she will delight with amazing blue spikelets in a gray-green cloud of foliage.
The plant belongs to deciduous perennialshrubs. In the presence of comfortable conditions, it can grow in height to 1.5 meters. The width has the same impressive dimensions. Mainly Perovskian swan-leaved grows to a length of 60-80 cm.
Consists of many thin shoots of hard texture. The leaves are grayish-green, located in opposite pairs. The length of the leaves is on average 4 cm. The width reaches a maximum of 2 cm.
Flowering lasts from June to October.Inflorescences consist of spectacular panicles 35 cm long and combine a large number of branches. Each branch is a brush with buds that are arranged in pairs. Purple petals with purple hairs.
At contact with leaves pleasant pleasant delicate aroma is felt.
Types of shrubs
The main types include:
- Perovsky wormwood.
- Perovskaya swan-leaved.
The wormwood variety grows in height from 40 to 120 cm. Shrubs have a high density.
The second type is characterized by greater strength and height. The lowest bushes of this type reach a height of 80 cm.
Perovskaya swan-leaved has several varieties. They differ in shades, forms of sheets and flowers. Varieties have different sizes, flowering time and frost resistance characteristics.
Shrub varieties:
- Perovskaya swan-leaf Blue Spire, or Blue Spire. The bush grows to a height of 1 meter.The color of the ears is rich purple-blue. Leaves gray-smoky shade. Have a deep cut and directed down. Flowering begins in the first half of the summer and continues until frost.
- Blue Mist different light blue bloom. Bloomed the very first of all species.
- Filigran - A variety that has a height of about one meter. Differs strictly vertical growth. The foliage color is bluish, flowering lasts a long time.
- Hybrid of winch-leaf and wormwood perovskii - very young variety.It has the name of Perovski swan-leaf Little Spire. It is perfect for small garden areas and flower beds. The Small spire along the garden path in the form of a curb looks especially appropriate.
Features of care
Перовския - растение довольно неприхотливое и не requiring virtually no maintenance. This can be explained by the place of its natural habitat. Perovski feels comfortable in well-lit areas. In the penumbra also blooms profusely. But in this case, the stems are too stretched and laid down.
Does not tolerate swampy land and acidic soil. Additional watering is needed only on the hottest days.
But during heavy rains it is worth renewing the drainage level by loosening the soil. Also in such cases it is good to use mulching.
If the soil is fertile, do not feedworth it. On poor soil, Perovskia develops well and blooms, but for pomp and richness it is possible to apply a small amount of mineral fertilizers once a season. With too fatty soils, the wood does not ripen and the bush's winter resistance decreases.
Landing perovskii swan-leaf
When purchasing seedlings, you need to carefully examine its appearance. The branches should be resilient, without a hint of rotting. From this will depend on the survival of the bush and its rapid growth.
Before planting, the ground must be prepared.Sand and peat are brought in. Digging it all together. Prepared pit, the size of which is 2 times the planting material. Seedlings should be planted with a clod of earth. After you need to pour plenty of water.
It is important to maintain the necessary distance between the plants. Perovski forms lush bushes that need freedom. Therefore, the distance between them should not be less than 50 cm.
The plant responds calmly to a change in habitat and is not afraid of transplants. If the bush develops well, it can grow on the same place for decades.
From the foregoing, it is perfectly clear that the Perovskian swan-leaf (planting and leaving will not take a long time for the gardener) is a rather unpretentious plant.
Reproduction
Размножение проходит по стандартной схеме.Each gardener chooses the way they like. Mostly use the method of grafting. Some prefer to propagate the plant with seeds. The method of dividing the bush for this type of plant is not suitable.
Seeds are sown in spring in warmed soil.Before planting, they are stratified for 20-30 days at a temperature of +5 degrees. Cold stratification accelerates the process. The downside of such planting is that flowering will occur no earlier than after 5 years. Therefore, gardeners rarely use sowing seeds.
With the method of grafting everything is easier. If the procedure is carried out in the spring, we need lignified plant trimming. In the summer you need a layering with a piece of root.
Preparation of cuttings:
- young twigs are 10 cm long;
- removed lower leaflets;
- slices are processed with a growth stimulator.
Подготовленный материал высаживается в маленькие containers. For this purpose, nutritious loose soil is used. Seedlings should be in greenhouse conditions. The soil must be regularly moistened. After 2 weeks, roots appear. At this time, mineral fertilizers are periodically applied.
In the fall, seedlings are transplanted into the open ground. In winter, the plant is better to cover, although not necessarily. For example, the Perovskian swan-leaf “Blue Spire” withstands freezing down to -35 degrees.
Diseases and pests
Perovski is resistant to diseases and all sorts of pests. Due to the insecticidal action of essential oils, pests do not attack not only the bush itself, but also the neighboring plants.
Does not like a plant of stagnant moisture. This can cause rapid development of stem and root rot.
The value in the design of the flower garden
Perovski has decorative characteristics. Even after flowering, it looks great in gardens, lawns and alpine slides. It is combined with almost all types of flower crops.
Perfect for creating the similarity of "water" in the garden. Gives the illusion of coolness, freshness and rocking waves. It seems as if the flower bushes are shrouded in mist.
The uses for gardening are as follows:
- The plant looks better in a group of 3-5 bushes;
- ideal for curbs or low hedges;
- delicately divides the garden plot into different zones;
- advantageously used in the design of alpine slides;
- looks great in a flower garden with artificial mulch.
Showing imagination, you can create with perovskiy stunning garden.
Plant in winter
Осенью, после цветения, с куста срезаются ветки.From 5 to 10 cm are left over the soil. The crown of the plant is sprinkled with ashes, leaves or fir needles. In areas with a very harsh climate, you can cover the flower with winter spruce branches for the winter.
The plant tolerates frost well. But it is worth considering that Perovskia does not like thaws and sudden changes in temperature.
But if you want to use Perovskiy Lebedolistnaya as a winter decor, then it is better to carry out the same manipulations in early spring. You can only cover near-root part.
Thus, the plant will delight not only in warm weather, but also on winter days it will be able to give the plot its attractiveness.
Using
Perovskia shrub is valued not only because ofavailability of essential oils. The leaves and flowers are edible and used as a seasoning for cooking various dishes. Also, the plant is suitable for tea.
Gardeners, acquiring blue charm in a gentlea gray cloud of foliage, recognize all its magnificence. Perovskija will decorate any garden plot, will delight with its delicate look and pleasant light aroma. When the plant does not require increased attention to itself and the general skills of care. Acquaintance with an incomparable purple-blue flower will leave only positive impressions.
