Armeria is a mountain grass with bright inflorescences. Graceful decoration of the Alpine hills: Armeria, planting and care

Few people will be left indifferent by the seaside armeria - an amazing plant with dense greenery and beautiful flowers. Varieties of seaside armeria (they can be seen in the photo) are striking in their beauty and diversity. They look beautiful in flower beds and in complex flower arrangements created by masters of landscape design.

This flower is easy to grow in any flower garden in the open field, if you follow all the rules for caring for it. Armeria is unpretentious and frost-resistant and will delight with its flowering for many years if you know the secrets of planting. For those who wish to have this in their flower garden amazing plant and this article was written.

Seaside Armeria: a brief description of the species and variety

Armeria maritime belongs to the genus herbaceous plants, which, in turn, belongs to the family of pigs. IN vivo the plant lives on the sea coasts of northwestern Europe and North America. It is a perennial plant and tolerates frost well.

Armeria maritime in nature

Armeria seaside with its beauty has long attracted the attention of flower growers, and already with early XVII century beautiful lilac pink flowers decorate gardens and flower beds.

Seaside Armeria is a cushion-shaped herbaceous bush 15-20 cm high and about 15 cm wide, assembled from many linear flat bluish-green leaves that converge in a pineal rosette. Above the leaves on long (about 20 cm) peduncles rise balls of inflorescences collected from delicate lovely flowers. The beauty of the plant is conveyed by colorful photos.

Many varieties have been bred from wild-growing Primorsky Armeria that differ in the color of flowers and leaves:

• "Alba" - a plant with snow-white inflorescences;

• "Rosea Compacta" - is a small bush with flowers pink shade;
• "Splendens Perfecta" - dwarf armeria with narrow leaves and bright pink flowers;

Variety Splendens Perfecta

• "Rubrifolia" beautiful plant with leaves and shoots of a purple hue and purple flowers;
• "Nifty Thrifty" - differs in leaves with a white border around the edges, flowers are pale pink;

Sort Nifty Thrifty

• "Vindictive" - ​​a variety with red flowers;
• "Bloodstone" - has bright dark red flowers;

Grade Bloodstone

• "Roeschen" - pale pink flowers;
• "Dusseldorfer Stolz" - dark red inflorescences.

Variety Düsseldorfer Stolz

Armeria planting, care and fertilizer

Even for such a picky plant as armeria, planting and care must be carried out in accordance with all the rules.

Seaside Armeria feels great in areas well lit by the sun with light, loose and slightly moistened soil. Damp, stony or sandy loamy soil with an acidic reaction is best suited, but in no case calcareous. Before planting the plant, the soil needs to be loosened a couple of times and fed with organic fertilizer.

Important! Seaside Armeria does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so if the site has heavy soil, it is necessary to provide artificial drainage in the area where the flower will grow.

If the soil is not suitable for armeria, it can be prepared: take a special mixture for greenhouses, add river sand and turf soil (1: 2: 2). In the areas where the sprouts will be planted, dig shallow holes or trenches and fill them with the prepared mixture. You can also add when digging the beds sawdust, hay, crushed dry grass, humus from needles. This "vinaigrette" will improve soil drainage and also serve as a natural fertilizer for the flower.

Prepare the soil for planting armeria by adding all the necessary components

Seaside armeria tolerates heat well, but it needs to be watered regularly (but moderately), and on especially hot days, spray the leaves.

Important! Another important point of care is to loosen the soil from time to time.

When the armeria begins to bloom, for abundant and long flowering, it is imperative to cut off faded inflorescences and flower stalks, on which there will be no more buds. So the plant will not waste its strength in vain.

In the snowy and not too cold winter armeria does not need to be covered. It tolerates frosts well down to -15 degrees, and will winter well under the snow. But when there is no snow, then for the winter it needs to be well covered, for example, with spruce branches.

Armeria takes leaf spraying very well.

Armeria must be fed before flowering. In fact, for the normal development of the plant, it is desirable to carry out three top dressings per season, watering aqueous solution fertilizers (organic and mineral). Especially if the flowers grow on peaty, clay and loamy soils.

Reproduction of Armeria

This section covers all the main points on the topic: armeria cultivation and care. They will be very useful for flower growers who decide to plant this beautiful plant on their site.

Armeria in landscape design

Armeria in landscape design - combination with other plants

Armeria is a very ornamental plant - it looks spectacular planted with single bushes, also in combination with other types of plants, when filling rockeries or alpine hills. The carpet meadows of the seaside army look very picturesque. Yet different varieties I use armeria in landscape design for decorating borders, creating picturesque colored spots in the crevices of walls, between slabs of park paths.

Seaside Armeria: video

Varieties of armeria: photo

Armeria captivates at first sight. On a pillow of bright greenery are carnation flowers. The plant looks great in lighted places and surrounded by stones. The variety of varieties and species makes it possible to use armeria for a variety of landscape purposes.

The homeland of the plant is Western and Eastern Europe. Despite the fact that armeria is represented big amount species, all of which differ only in the color of the inflorescences and the characteristics of the foliage.

Varietal diversity

Most famous varieties plants: velvicha, seaside armeria, pseudoarmeria, alpine, prickly, soddy, bulbous, Siberian, arctic, beautiful and others.

Alpine

Alpine Armeria is a miniature perennial. Its height reaches 10 centimeters, and its diameter is 30 centimeters. The flowers are small, peduncles 30 centimeters long. Flowering occurs only once a month. The plant has several varieties, they differ in color tone.

Pseudo-armeria

The presented variety is the least similar to all the others. Its height reaches 40 cm. Rosettes are evergreen, inflorescences are white or pink. Flowering occurs from early summer to autumn. The most popular types are "Joystick White" and "Bees Ruby". The presented armeria is grown both as an annual and as a perennial.

Armeria maritime

The presented view is the most capricious and famous. Height - up to 20 centimeters. The diameter of the jacket is 15 centimeters. The inflorescences are pinkish-purple, the leaves are narrow, bluish. Flowering continues for 2 months. The best varieties are Dusseldorf Stolz, Rosea Compacta, Bloodstone.

prickly

Enough high view. The leaves are gray, 10 cm. Derninka reaches 30 cm, while there are several sockets.

Velvich

The highest view. Inflorescences are large, capitate, peduncles reach 35 cm. Flowering occurs from June until frost. The plant is demanding on the soil, or rather, on the concentration of calcium in it.

Siberian

The leaves are needle-shaped, the inflorescences are two-centimeter.

Soddy

Height - up to 15 cm, diameter of the sod - up to 20 cm. The leaves are somewhat reminiscent of pine branches. The color of the inflorescences is from bright pink to red. There is only one decorative form - Sündermann.

onion-shaped

Height - from 20 cm to half a meter. Flowering occurs from May to July. Inflorescences with white or pink flowers.

Armeria arctic

There is a vertical root. Inflorescences in the form of a ball, resemble decorative bows, there can be up to 10 of them. The leaves are narrow, five centimeters.

How to plant and properly care

Seeds are used for planting armeria. No difficulties should arise, only proper care is needed.

The culture perfectly tolerates drought, and stagnant moisture is detrimental to it. The soil should be loose - rocky or sandy is suitable. In many ways, the characteristics of cultivation depend on the species. Direct sunlight should be avoided. Armeria feels good both in moderate light and in the shade.

Care involves loosening and watering. Withered buds must be removed. You can carry out organic top dressing.

For the first time, top dressing is carried out during flowering and after it 2 more times. Diseases and pests appear very rarely, which means that chemical treatment not required. Armeria endures winter well, but shelter will not be superfluous.

Reproduction features

Armeria can be propagated different ways: seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings. When propagated by seeds, they are planted directly in the ground. Before that, they must be placed in warm water.

The seeds are placed in the ground in early spring or before winter. If you are going to breed seedlings, you need to do this from the end of winter. Seed germination is excellent! Plants grown from seedlings will bloom only in the second year.

In the process of dividing the bush, it is better to choose three-year-olds. The procedure itself is carried out in autumn or spring after the plant has faded. The plant can also reproduce by self-sowing.

Wintering features

Despite the fact that the plant loves the heat, it is not afraid of frost. Caring for it involves shelter for the winter - spruce branches, peat and building materials. But this applies only to soddy armeria, other species can not be covered. However, keep an eye on the amount of snow in winter. If it is not enough, it is still worth putting spruce branches.

How to use in landscape design

The flower is suitable for decorating rocky gardens, borders, ridges. Ideal neighbors for him:

• creeping thyme;
• saxifrage;
• undersized phloxes;
• Carpathian bells;
• yaskolka.

Armeria, the cultivation of which is not difficult, looks great with plants belonging to the group of creeping ground covers, carpet-like perennials, and sod-like bushes. It can contrast with bulbous or decorative bows. Any plant with delicate flowers and openwork foliage will become a wonderful companion for armeria!

Basically, gardeners are attracted by the greenery of the plant, but the inflorescences do not need to be written off. They resemble carnations, and some also resemble decorative onions. Thanks to the inflorescences, the plant is used as a container and cut crop.

Armeria can also be used as a plant that hides the transition from a path or gravel area to other garden objects. Among other things, it will look good as a solo plant and in a group with other flowers of the alpine flora. It can also become a bright spot among the greenery.

With the help of armeria bushes, you can build magnificent borders. By appearance they will look like aristocrats. Like a living frame for flower beds - this is the best way especially for the modern garden.

The plant looks great in the front garden. In the background should be coniferous plants. Many people think that the flower is perfect for the foreground. However, if you do not plant it linearly, you can land in middle lane flower garden. If you decide to plant armeria in a group, you must definitely use at least one more decorative leafy plant.

The plant is also used for cutting. In order to make a regular bouquet, it is cut off only after the buds are fully opened. If this is not done, the buds will not open in the water. Heads are great for composing winter bouquets. At the same time, after cutting, they are placed in a dark and dry room, tied in bundles, until the bouquet is made. Often armeria is also used to border larger flowers. It can also be used as a dried flower.

Armeria is interesting plant, combining both bright greenery and many carnation flowers. There are many types and varieties of a flower, so care for it may vary. Reproduction of armeria occurs by seeds, seedlings, division, cuttings. Of the features of care, it is worth highlighting loosening the soil, watering and fertilizing. Some species need shelter for the winter. In landscape design, a flower is used to create an alpine slide, in borders and borders, for cutting, as a contrasting spot among bright greenery.

Seaside Armeria (video)

Many gardeners dream of decorating their garden with unusual, beautiful flowers. One of the flowers that will definitely decorate the garden is the seaside armeria. The choice for gardeners is quite difficult. It is important that the flowers are easy to care for, bloom well and beautifully, blend harmoniously with each other and turn the garden into a fairy tale.

Seaside armeria harmoniously fits into the design of rockeries or rock gardens.

Differences of the seaside armeria

Armeria maritime is a perennial plant with beautiful flowers Pink colour. To this beautiful and ornamental plant there must be a place in the garden. It will certainly please with its beauty during flowering. It is quite unpretentious and, moreover, a perennial plant. He is not afraid of cold or frost. On the cold period you can't even cover it.

This bright flowers, reaching 15-30 cm in height, with linear, narrow, flat and blue-green leaves, collected in a basal rosette. Flowers do not have leaves, but form capitate inflorescences up to 3 cm in diameter.

Armeria is used for group plantings, grows well on rocky soil.

Armeria flowers come in a variety of shades depending on the species. Armeria will bloom very long time, flowering can take more than 2 months, starting in July, ending in September.

Armeria can be used for group plantings, planting in rocky gardens, borders or discounts. The rosettes of the flower are thick, they retain their greenery all winter, therefore, with excellent success, armeria can be used as a creeping plant. If the landing of the armeria is carried out tightly enough, then in the end it will turn out very beautiful coverage on the ground, resembling a soft carpet. Not bad armeria beautiful grows in combination with stonecrops, low phlox and lobelia.

Europe and America are considered the homeland of armeria. The main characteristics of this flower are shade-tolerant and drought-resistant qualities. In total, there are more than 50 species of this plant in nature.

Common types of armeria:

Armeria Siberian begins to bloom in early June.

1. Alpine army. Most often used for planting in the garden. The plant is covered with beautiful light pink flowers that begin to bloom in June. The flowers last for a whole month. The leaves are narrow, but, gathering together, form large piles, tightly planted to each other, occupying up to 30 cm in diameter.
2. Armeria Velvich. An example of a tall species, flowers reach 35 cm in height. Differs in extensive and very long flowering. But it will only grow in soil with high level potassium.
3. Siberian view. This is another species with tall peduncles (about 30 cm). Pink flowers will please the eye in early June.
4. Seaside view. Is different long flowering lasting up to 70 days. It has several subspecies that differ in different colors of flowers. Among them, it is worth noting lilac-pink, rich pink, dark red, carmine-red inflorescences. Flowers reach a height of up to 20 cm.
5. Onion look. Differs in early flowering. Armeria begins to bloom in May, retaining its flowers throughout June. Pleasing to the eye beautiful combination whites and pink flowers.
6. Prickly look. It has rather high flowers, reaching 30 cm. The gray leaves of the plant are an excellent photon for pink flowers. This combination looks great in the garden.
7. Soddy look. An example of one of the most fastidious types of armeria. It does not tolerate direct sunlight on flowers and leaves, it must be protected from winter frost. At the same time, it is distinguished by the most extensive flowering. In mid-summer, it opens with beautiful pink or red flowers that completely hide all the greenery. Flowers persist for 50 days.

Growing from seeds

Gardeners in most cases want to grow their own plants from seeds, rather than purchase them ready-made. It is also possible to grow a seaside army from a seed, there is nothing special and even more difficult in this. When planting a seed in the ground, the gardener gets an excellent opportunity to immediately acquire many young shoots that can be used for decorative design garden plot.

The unpretentiousness of the plant allows you to plant it at any convenient time, you can choose at least autumn, at least spring. You can plant it on seedlings, as well as immediately in open ground.

A feature of the seaside armeria is just frost resistance. Very great importance in plantings has the quality of seeds. If planting material will High Quality, then the armeria will show very high performance germination, because it is able to reproduce even by self-sowing.

Seeds can be sown in open ground late autumn or early spring.

After sowing, the seeds are sprinkled with a small earthen layer and the beds are moistened all the time, but very carefully, preventing the seeds from leaving very deep and outward.

Armeria sprouts need to be watered regularly.

In regions with warm winter it is better to transfer sowing to spring period.

In the spring, before planting, the seeds should be stored in the cold for 1-2 weeks, a refrigerator is perfect for this. Next, the seeds need to be soaked in warm water for about 7 hours and planted in the ground (for seedlings - in March, and in open ground - in April).

Crops in pots (and later - sprouted seedlings) are kept at a temperature of about 15 ° C. Seeds germinate somewhere in 2-3 weeks after sowing. As soon as frosts end on the street, the grown seedlings can be transplanted into open ground, choosing a sunny place.

Plantings require regular watering, as well as fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. The most suitable soils are sandy, preferably acidic.

Armeria grows well in stony and sandy soils. The plant begins to bloom, as a rule, from the second year.

plant care

Due to the close placement near water in nature (on the shore of a reservoir, for example), the armeria was nicknamed "living near the water." in the flower garden for this plant you need to find a sufficiently humid place, but still you should not allow excess moisture. If there is a lot of moisture, then the roots of the flower will begin to rot. Watering should be carried out moderately, but regularly.

Armeria flowers reach a height of 15-30 cm.

For planting, it is best to choose an open sunny place. Direct sunlight does not affect seaside army negative. On the contrary, a shady place is absolutely unsuitable, since it will not be able to grow, let alone bloom. Light shading is allowed.

In the spring, it is useful to use mineral fertilizers to give armeria as many flower stalks as possible. This will affect both the duration of flowering and its quality. Therefore, it is advisable to repeat top dressing several times during the summer.

The soil for planting should be light, sandy, possibly turfy or neutral, but always without lime admixture. In garden conditions, river sand, soddy soil are added to the greenhouse land, rotted needles, chopped dry grass, sawdust, hay are used, which increase the friability of the soil, preventing subsidence and compaction. This is a natural fertilizer for armeria. Over time, the plant grows and eventually loses its decorative effect, so every 3-5 years it must be divided and seated.

Wintering of the seaside army

Throughout the warm season, armeria continues to delight with its decorative effect, while maintaining its beauty. In regions with warm winters, it delights with its greenery, because part of the foliage winters well without fading. The maritime armeria well tolerates frosts down to -10-15 ° C, but shelter is required in stronger frosts.

Diseases and pests

Fortunately, seaside armeria is practically not affected by various pests and diseases. The worst thing for this flower is the rotting of the roots, because with the growth of decay, the entire plant suffers. root system and spotting occurs on the leaves. It is not difficult to notice this, so you just need to limit watering.

When a disease appears, the plant will slow down its growth, and flowering will be blocked. Spotting on the leaves will need to be eradicated as soon as possible. This can be done by treating armeria with fungicides.

Aphids cause the greatest harm to armeria. From annoying insects relieve preventive treatment of plants in the spring. At reappearance insects will be required additional processing in summer. To combat aphids, Intavir, Kafbofos, Kinmiks drugs help well. But in general, it should be noted the unpretentiousness of the plant and its beauty, which any photograph can convey.

When growing armeria in the garden, it is best to combine different types of flowers. This will bring beauty to the landscape of the flower garden. Armeria pleases with its flowering for a very long time. It looks beautiful not only in flower beds, but also when creating bouquets. Flowers should be cut only when they have fully opened their buds. Armeria can be dried to create unusual winter bouquets.

A beautifully designed plot is the pride of any gardener and owner of a private house. That is why every spring and autumn you can meet large crowds of people in the markets and garden centers, who are in search of the most beautiful and unusual plants capable of highlighting their garden or flower garden. To date, breeders have bred just a huge number of flowers and plants, among which every gardener will definitely find a suitable specimen. Literally a century ago, the armeria flower became very popular - a beautiful flowering mop bush, which stands out as a bright spot in any area.

Pink, red or white shades of the inflorescences of this flower create one huge composition, especially if they are planted in a group. This will make your flower bed look like a fragrant sea, consisting of delicate flowers of armeria plants.

In this article, we will consider the features and description of armeria, give the characteristics of the most popular species and varieties of this crop, and also note highlights planting and care.

Features and description of armeria

Armeria is a herbaceous flowering plant, which refers to perennials. All plants of this culture are representatives of the Svinchatkovye family. In the last century, armeria has become very popular due to its bright and sophisticated appearance. At its core, armeria is a frost-resistant decorative garden plant, which will certainly decorate any site. In culture, armeria has been used since the 18th century and is still often found in flower beds. Many amateur gardeners mistakenly consider Armenia to be the birthplace of this culture, which is consonant with the name of the flower "armeria". However, this is a delusion, there is nothing to do with this plant and eastern country. The Mediterranean is considered to be the natural habitat of representatives of the Gilt family, some species are also found in countries of Eastern Europe, in America, Mongolia and Siberia.

Despite the rather long history of growing armeria, disputes regarding the history of the origin of the name of this amazing culture still do not subside. To date, there are two versions. According to some, the name of this flower is of Celtic origin. Translated from this language, "ar" means "near, near", and "mor" - the sea, which can literally be translated as "next to the sea, near the sea." This is due to the fact that most natural species and varieties of armeria grow on the coasts, in the dunes. According to another version, the name of the flower comes from the French word armoires, which means "bearded carnation" in translation. Looking at Armeria, we can say with confidence that there are certain similarities between these two cultures, especially in the botanical aspect.

In nature, there are a large number of types of armeria. Botanists number about 93 of them, which are found in various parts of Europe and America, as well as in some parts of Asia. In culture, only a small part of the entire variety of armeria is grown - about 50 species.

Description of armeria:

• Armeria is a herbaceous plant for open ground, which is distinguished by good resistance to our severe frosts.
• These plants are botanically classified as perennials, although many species and varieties can be cultivated as annuals, provided that in winter time temperatures drop below 15 degrees below zero.
• Armeria is distinguished by a rather short and unbranched tap root system.
• The leaves of the culture grow directly from the root, which form a beautiful and lush basal rosette. The leaves are lanceolate, linear with an entire margin, numerous, sitting directly on the stem without a petiole, which allows you to create a dense cushion.
• The color of the foliage is dark green, silver or purple.
• From the pillow of lanceolate leaves rise single shoots-peduncles. They are straight, without foliage, dark green hue. In some varieties, the shoots are smooth, sometimes there are flowers with a slightly pubescent peduncle.
• In terms of height, there are both undersized representatives, as well as taller and larger ones. On average, the flower can rise to a height of 15-60 cm, depending on the particular variety.
• At the tops of the shoots, small capitate inflorescences are formed that resemble small balls.
• Inflorescences are formed by small delicate flowers, which reach about 0.5 cm in diameter. In their shape, these flowers resemble the inflorescences of the well-known warty carnation.
• The main advantage of armeria is the simultaneous flowering of all flowers, which makes the plant very spectacular. Flowering begins in May and can last until the end of summer.
• The color of the inflorescences can be different shades purple, pink, red and white.
• The flowers are self-pollinating; after flowering, a single-seeded fruit is formed in place of the bud.
• This plant looks great in landscape design and is used to decorate flower beds, flower beds, rock gardens, rockeries.

Popular types and varieties of armeria for growing in the garden

Approximately 50 various kinds armeria, which differ in different height of the stem, color of inflorescences and level of frost resistance. Consider the characteristics of the most popular species that gardeners use.

• Armeria alpine. This is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows rapidly and forms lush curtains, reaching a height of about 15 cm. Peduncles grow up to 30 cm, the tops of which are crowned with light pink flowers collected in capitate inflorescences. Inflorescences in diameter reach about 3 cm. The leaves of the plant can endure winter, provided there is not severe frost. This type armeria includes several popular varieties: Alba - blooms with white inflorescences, Luceana - armeria with beautiful carmine-red inflorescences, Rosea - with bright pink flowers.

• Seaside armeria. The plant is ornamental, perennial, can reach a height of about 20 cm. In nature, this flower grows in coastal dunes. A lush bush of bluish-green lanceolate leaves forms at the roots. Shoots or peduncles grow among the leaves, on which capitate inflorescences are formed, consisting of pinkish-lilac small flowers. The plant has so many flowers that they cover the flower bed with a dense carpet, covering even the leaves. The flowering of the seaside armeria begins in May and lasts only 10 days. Flowers of this species may re-bloom in autumn. Main Feature seaside armeria is a mandatory landing near a reservoir. Popular varieties include: Bloodstone - Armeria with dark red inflorescences, Louisiana - a plant with beautiful pink flowers, Elegia and Magnificent varieties, Vindictive - with red flowers.

• Armeria is soddy. This is a perennial herb that grows naturally in the mountainous regions of Spain and Portugal. The flower can reach a height of 15 cm. Long lanceolate leaves form a lush basal rosette, which reaches about 20 cm in diameter. Peduncles are low, only 6 cm in height, crowned with small capitate inflorescences of a red or pink hue. Flowers are surrounded by membranous bracts. During flowering, a large number of flowers bloom, sometimes linear leaves are not visible behind their density. Flowering begins in July and lasts for 45-50 days. Varieties: Brno - the plant is distinguished by double purple flowers, Bivanz Variety - blooms with double pale pink inflorescences.

• Armeria Velvich. This type of plant has the highest growth of all existing. Peduncles in height can reach about 35 cm. During flowering, large capitate inflorescences bloom, which delight with their beauty longer than other varieties. The inflorescences consist of small pink flowers, which are approximately 2 cm in diameter. An important rule growing this type of flower is the presence in the soil of a large amount of calcium.
• Armeria is beautiful. A herbaceous plant that reaches a height of about 40 cm. A basal rosette of evergreen leaves is formed at the roots. During flowering, white or pink flowers bloom. Flowering begins around the beginning of summer and lasts for 3 months. Popular varieties: Red Planet - armeria with red inflorescences, Joystick White - a flower with white inflorescences that can be grown as an annual plant.
• Armeria ordinary or garden. A herbaceous perennial plant that can reach a height of about 60 cm. Lanceolate linear leaves can reach 12 cm in length, form a beautiful and lush basal rosette. On long bare shoots, large capitate inflorescences are formed, consisting of small carmine-red flowers. One plant can have a large number of flowers, reaching about 40 pieces.

• Armeria is prickly. This perennial plant can reach a height of about 30 cm. The rosette is formed by lanceolate linear leaves of a bluish tint. Pink capitate inflorescences bloom on the shoots.
• Armeria Siberian. This is a rather rare species, which is distinguished by the beauty of flowering. In height, the herbaceous plant Siberian armeria reaches about 30 cm. Capitate spherical inflorescences appear on the peduncles in July, consisting of small flowers that reach a diameter of 0.5 cm. Flowers are pink in color.
• Armeria is beautiful. Also a beautiful and amazing kind of plant. The basal rosette is formed by long evergreen lanceolate leaves of dark green color. Strong shoots grow from the rosette with capitate inflorescences, reaching about 5 cm in diameter. The inflorescences consist of a large number of small flowers in white, pink or red. Flowering begins in early summer and lasts until frost.

Reproduction of armeria: the most common methods

Armeria can be easily bred independently on your site. This culture can be propagated in various ways: by seeds, by dividing the rhizome and by cuttings. Each method is different various features and cultivation technology, which must be taken into account when deciding to use one of them.

Seed propagation of armeria

• Armeria from seeds can be grown by self-sowing, or you can work hard and collect the seeds yourself. After the buds bloom and the fruits ripen, the seeds scatter around on their own, so in the future they grow on their own and require only separation every few years.
• If you want to plant this plant elsewhere, you can collect the seeds yourself after the buds have faded. For this required amount flowers need to be wrapped with gauze and wait for them to fully ripen.
• Armeria seeds can be sown directly in open ground or grow seedlings from them.
• In open ground, seeds are sown in autumn or early spring. At autumn planting seeds undergo natural stratification and will sprout together in the spring.
• At seedling method seeds are sown in prepared containers in February or March. Before this, the seeds must be stratified, for which the seed is placed in the refrigerator for a week.
• Before planting, the seeds should be placed in warm water for about 6-8 hours.
• Next, you need to prepare containers with soil. Sow the seeds on the surface and lightly sprinkle them with soil, the embedment depth should be approximately 0.5 cm.
• Containers are placed in a bright and warm place until shoots appear. Armeria seeds have good germination.
• After the appearance of leaves, seedlings need to dive into the soil of the greenhouse. Here the plants are kept until they get stronger.
• With a seedling method of growing, armeria will bloom only in the second year, if you sow seeds before winter, autumn flowering is possible.

Reproduction by division

• This method is considered the most appropriate, since adult armeria plants need to be replanted often, it is advisable to do this every autumn.
• Armeria bushes that have reached the age of three are suitable for division.
• Immediately after flowering or a little later, it is necessary to dig up adult and healthy curtains.
• After that, the root system must be divided into several parts, most often into three or five.
• When dividing, it is important to choose parts of the roots with healthy and strong roots without rot and shrunken shoots.
• Next, prepare the holes in the place prepared in advance and plant the delenki separately. It is important to maintain an acceptable distance, which averages 15-20 cm.
• Armeria delenki take root quite well and it is best to do this in the fall than in the spring.
• The young plant will bloom only in the second year, as the armeria is a perennial flower.

Propagation by cuttings

• This is another way with which you can independently breed armeria in your area.
• It is allowed to carry out cuttings throughout the summer period.
• To do this, you need to prepare planting material. Young small rosettes are taken as cuttings.
• In the warm season, cuttings can be planted immediately in open ground, only slightly sprinkled with soil.
• However, in the cool period, it is best to plant cuttings in small greenhouses or cover the plantings with film or plastic bottles.
• Young sockets take root quite quickly and do not cause big problems.

Preparatory stages before planting armeria in the ground

Armeria is a very beautiful and delicate plant that has been popular among gardeners for many years. This is a rather unpretentious culture, however, for its proper cultivation it is important to follow all preparatory stages before the landing of the army. First of all, choose a method for obtaining plant seedlings, and also find on your site the most appropriate place and soil.

Stage 1. Selection of varieties and seedlings of armeria

• First of all, it is necessary to choose the right variety and planting material for the crop.
• Pay attention only to zoned varieties that have been grown in the climate of your city or town. This way you get more chances to successful cultivation army.
• The plant you can plant from yourself harvested seeds or use cuttings from an adult plant if it grows on your site or with your friends.
• If you do not want the hassle of growing seedlings, you can contact a garden center or an agricultural firm that is professionally engaged in growing seedlings of plants.
• Here you can get competent advice on planting and caring for a young plant, as each variety requires special attention.
• Seedlings are sold in small containers with a closed root system. Often you can find seedlings with flowering inflorescences.
• Before buying, carefully check the seedlings, they should not have damage or signs of disease. The leaves should be green and whole, with no dry patches. The soil in the container must be clean and moist.

Stage 2. Choosing a landing site

• Armeria is quite capricious regarding the place of cultivation, so it is important to choose carefully suitable site for landing.
• This plant prefers to grow in well-lit areas without direct sunlight. The exception is the soddy armeria, which can only grow in a shady place.
• A semi-shady or shady area is also suitable for planting.
• All varieties of crops love moist soil, but cannot grow in places of stagnant water.
• It is best to choose places on slopes and small hills, near ponds and reservoirs.
• Also, an alpine hill, rockeries, a rocky garden will be an ideal place for armeria.

Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil for planting

• The optimal soil for planting armeria is rocky or sandy.
• It is also important that it was well-drained and perfectly passed air and moisture.
• It is necessary to pay attention to the acidity of the soil. The plant requires a slightly acid reaction, so if it is alkaline, it is important to treat it with ammonia acid.
• Before planting, it is important to dig and loosen the selected area well. This is done about two weeks before planting seedlings. At this time, it is also recommended to add to the soil organic fertilizers.

Armeria planting technology

• Armeria seedlings are planted in open ground in autumn or spring.
• First of all, it is important to prepare a place for landing. Decide what composition you want to end up with. If you are planning a single planting of armeria, then keep a distance between seedlings of 30-40 cm. If you need to get a flower bed planted with a solid carpet of armeria, then you need to dig a small trench for planting and plant seedlings at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.
• If fertilizers were not applied during preparation, it is important to add them without fail at this stage.
• Next, you need to carefully remove the seedlings from the containers and plant them in landing pits. It is important to place the young plants at the same depth as they were grown in the containers.
• Also, when planting, make sure that the rosette of leaves does not go deep into the soil, and the root neck should be flush with the surface.
• Seedlings must be sprinkled with soil and gently pressed with your hands.
• The first three weeks, young plants should be constantly watered, with a short pause before the next watering.

Agrotechnics of growing armeria: secrets and nuances of care

Caring for armeria is not difficult, since this plant is not capricious, so it will not be difficult for you to grow a beautiful armeria on your site. And subject to all the rules of cultivation, this plant will delight you with its delicate flowers long time.

• Watering. Armeria is a drought-resistant plant, so it can go without watering for a long time. The exception is the first three weeks after planting young plants. In a particularly hot summer, it is still worth paying attention to watering the plant and slightly irrigating the soil. However, you should definitely monitor the amount of water introduced, since the armeria does not tolerate stagnant moisture at the roots, which can cause the flower to die.
• Loosening. Flowers like to grow in light and loose soil, so it is periodically recommended to loosen the soil around the armeria. This will provide access to the roots of oxygen and moisture. Also pay attention to the extension of flowering, which is ensured by the removal of faded buds.
• Top dressing. If you applied organic fertilizers and a mineral complex, then at first the armeria does not need to be fed. In the future, top dressing is carried out before flowering, and then twice after flowering. As a fertilizer, it is recommended to use full mineral fertilizers. Their introduction is not necessary, however, without fertilizer, the armeria will bloom rather poorly and not for a long time.
• Fight against diseases and pests. Distinctive feature armeria from many other flowering herbaceous plants is that this crop has good resistance to diseases and pests. The exception is when the plant is planted in calcareous soil. Then it can be affected by spotting, which is difficult to deal with and it is necessary to completely cut out the shoots.
• Wintering of the army. Armeria is considered a frost-resistant plant, therefore, in the presence of snow, it can do fine without shelter. The exception is the soddy armeria, which will die without shelter. If, according to forecasts, the winter will be little snowy, it is better to cover the plants. To do this, use spruce.

Photo armeria in landscape design

Armeria is a very beautiful and unique plant that looks great both in single plantings and in a solid flowering carpet. Many gardeners use this culture to create unusual alpine slides and rockeries.

Having planted a gentle armeria on your site, you will admire the bright and beautiful flowers that cover the entire landing site with a dense carpet for a long time.

It is a beautiful flowering plant, which is very popular among gardeners. This grass forms surprisingly dense tufts, above which balls of dense colorful inflorescences rise on graceful peduncles. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rules for planting and caring for armeria in the open field, as well as study the photo of a perennial beauty.

Botanical description

Important! When planting a flower in a sunny place, avoid direct sunlight on it. The best option is penumbra.

The soil

Soil for armeria choose sandy or rocky. If there are none on the site, then from the mixture river sand, greenhouse and sod land create a layer of earth about 20 cm thick.
must be neutral or . This culture does not like limestone compositions, lime can kill young plant. To neutralize the effect of lime, apply to the soil or water with a solution of acetic acid.

Planting a flower

Armeria is grown in two ways: seedlings (seedling method) or sowing directly into the ground (seedless method).

seedling method

For growing armeria from seeds, professional gardeners recommend using seaside seeds.

Important! Since Armeria seeds germinate well, do not spread them too often.

With the appearance of two true leaves on the seedlings, dive them in and grow them there until they are fully grown. Plant in open ground at the end of May. The place should be sunny, and the earth - without excess moisture.

reckless

As for the seedless method of growing a plant from seeds, here it showed itself best of all army is beautiful.

For cultivation by this method, seeds are sown in autumn or early spring. Sowing in open ground is best done in November. The seeds will go through the natural, and in March the first shoots will appear.

Reckless planting of armeria is possible only in the southern climatic zones. This is due to the fact that the seeds begin to sprout with the first arrival of heat, and return frosts can kill seedlings.

A few days before sowing, loosen the soil well, add (,). Make shallow holes and distribute the seeds. Seal and water moderately. You can also sprinkle pebbles on the surface or make masonry.

Important! Do not allow water to stagnate in the soil, otherwise the root system will begin to rot and the flower will die.

Armeria care

After proper fit army needs to be provided and good care behind this flower. Despite the unpretentiousness, frost resistance and drought resistance of the culture, it requires compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology.

Watering

The flower needs moderate watering. In rainy weather, natural precipitation will be sufficient. On the contrary, in the summer heat and drought, you will need to irrigate the bushes by sprinkling. The soil should dry out between waterings.

Did you know? During dry times, plants have been found to secrete oils that are absorbed by the soil, thereby protecting seeds from germinating in unsuitable conditions. When it rains, these oils are released, which produces a specific aroma. The characteristic smell that we feel after rain is called "petrikor". Some scientists suggest that a person could inherit a love for the smell of rain from ancient ancestors, for whom rainy weather was important condition survival.

top dressing

Every 1.5–2 months, feed the culture intended for flowering plants. Instead of watering, irrigate the soil with a solution of. Thanks to this, budding will be plentiful, and the leaves will become especially bright. On loamy soils, the need for top dressing is not so great, since the plant receives everything it needs from the nutrient soil.

pruning

Pruning is recommended to be done without waiting for yellowing. After the end of the flowering phase and withering of the inflorescence, immediately cut off the withered parts of the bush. This event increases the attractiveness of the plant. In addition, pruning will help stimulate the growth of new buds and achieve repeated flowering of armeria in August or early autumn.

How to propagate armeria

In addition to the seedling and seedless method, armeria is also propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings.

The division of the bush. Three-year-old specimens are suitable for dividing an adult plant. Just dig up the shrub in early spring or early fall. Then divide the bush into 3-5 parts. Choose parts with intact rhizomes. Dig in the separated parts. The flower takes root perfectly, so make the distance between dug and new plants no more than 20 cm.
Since armeria is a perennial plant, you should not expect flowering in the first year. It will begin to bloom only in the second year.

Cuttings. Another common method of propagation of armeria is cuttings. Use small rosettes of the plant as cuttings.