Making out a flower garden, it is important to combine the types and varieties of crops. Of course, you always want to get unusual and beautiful flowers. An interesting solution to garden decor can be a plant such as Perovskia. It has some similarities with sage and lavender. From a distance, the blue beauty can be confused with similar species.
Perovskiy Lebedolist belongs to the family Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae). There are 7 species of shrubs, the bulk of which grow wildly on the mountain slopes in Central Asia. The name of the plant was in honor of Vasily Alekseevich Perovsky. In ancient times, he was governor general of the Russian provinces. After the hostilities in Central Asia, he brought the beauty of Perovskia to Russia.
Description and characteristics of the species
Outwardly, Perovian, as mentioned above, has similarities with Russian sage. At least half the season, she will delight with amazing blue spikelets in a gray-green cloud of foliage.
The plant belongs to deciduous perennial shrubs. In the presence of comfortable conditions, it can grow to a height of 1.5 meters. It has the same impressive dimensions in width. Basically, the Perovian Lebedolust grows in length 60-80 cm.
It 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 maximum width reaches 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. Petals of purple color with purple hairs.
When in contact with the leaves, a pleasant delicate aroma is felt.
Types of Shrubs
The main types include:
- Perovskiy wormwood.
- Perovskia Lebedolist.
The wormwood variety grows in height from 40 to 120 cm. The bushes have a high density.
The second type is characterized by greater strength and height. The lowest bushes of this species reach a height of 80 cm.
Perovskiy Lebedolist has several varieties. They differ in shades, shapes of leaves and flowers. Varieties have different sizes, flowering time and frost resistance characteristics.
Shrub varieties:
- Perovsky Swan Blue Spire, or Blue Spire. The bush grows to a height of 1 meter. The color of ears is saturated violet-blue. Leaves of a gray-smoky hue. They have a deep incision and are directed downward. Flowering begins in the first half of summer and continues until frosts.
- Blue Mist is a light blue flowering variety . It blooms the very first of all types.
- Filigran is a variety that is about a meter high. It differs strictly in vertical growth. The color of foliage is bluish, flowering lasts a long time.
- The hybrid of Lebedolynian and wormwood Perovskia is a very young variety. It has the name Perovsky Swan Little Spire. It is perfect for small garden plots and flower beds. The small spire along the garden path in the form of a border looks especially appropriate.
Care Features
Perovskia is a fairly unpretentious plant and requires virtually no care. This can be explained by its natural habitat. Perovskia feels comfortable in well-lit areas. In partial shade it also blooms profusely. But in this case, the stems stretch too much and lie down.
It does not tolerate wetlands and acidic soil. Additional watering is needed only on the hottest days.
But during heavy prolonged rains, it is worth resuming the drainage level by loosening the soil. Also in such cases, it is good to use mulching.
If the soil is fertile, feeding is not worth it. On poor ground, Perovskia develops well and blooms, but for splendor and abundance, a small amount of fertilizer can be applied once a season. With too oily soils, the wood does not mature and the winter hardiness of the bush decreases.
Landing of the Perovian Lebed
When purchasing seedlings, you need to carefully examine its appearance. Branches should be resilient, without a hint of rot. The survival of the bush and its rapid growth will depend on this.
Before planting, the soil must be prepared. Sand and peat are introduced. All digged together. A pit is being prepared, the size of which is 2 times larger than the planting material. Seedlings should be planted along with a lump of land. After you need to pour plenty of water.
It is important to maintain the necessary distance between plants. Perovskia forms lush bushes that need freedom. Therefore, the distance between them should not be less than 50 cm.
The plant calmly reacts to a change in habitat and is not afraid of transplants. If the bush develops well, then it can grow in the same place for decades.
It can be clearly seen from the foregoing that the Perovian Lebedolistic (planting and care will not take much time from the gardener) is a rather unpretentious plant.
Breeding
Reproduction takes place according to the standard scheme. Every gardener chooses a method to their liking. Mostly use the method of cuttings. Some people 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 warm soil. Before planting, they are stratified for 20-30 days at a temperature of +5 degrees. Cold stratification speeds up the process. The disadvantage of this planting is that flowering will occur no earlier than 5 years later. Therefore, gardeners rarely use sowing seeds.
With the Cherenkov method, everything is simpler. If the procedure is carried out in the spring, lignified trimming of the plant is needed. In summer, you need layering with a piece of root.
Preparation of cuttings:
- young branches 10 cm long are cut;
- the lower leaves are removed;
- slices are treated with a growth stimulator.
Prepared material is planted in small containers. For this, 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 autumn, seedlings are transplanted into the open ground. In winter, it is better to shelter the plant, although not necessarily. For example, the Perovian swan-headed “blue spire” withstands frosts down to -35 degrees.
Diseases and Pests
Perovskia is resistant to diseases and various kinds of pests. Thanks to insecticidal essential oils, pests do not attack not only the bush itself, but also neighboring plants.
Does not like plant stagnant moisture. This can cause the rapid development of stem and root rot.
The value in the design of the flower garden
Perovskia has decorative characteristics. Even after flowering, it looks great in gardens, lawns and on alpine slides. It is combined with almost all types of flower crops.
Perfect for creating a semblance of "water" in the garden. Gives the illusion of coolness, freshness and swaying waves. It seems that the bushes of the flower are shrouded in fog.
Options for use in gardening are as follows:
- the plant looks better in a group of 3-5 bushes;
- ideal for decorating borders or low hedges;
- delicately divides the garden into various zones;
- favorably used in the design of alpine slides;
- Looks great in a flower garden with artificial mulch.
Having shown imagination, you can create a stunning garden with the help of Perovian.
Plant in winter
In autumn, after flowering, branches are cut from the bush. 5 to 10 cm are left above the soil. The crown of the plant is sprinkled with ash, leaves or spruce needles. In areas with a very harsh climate, you can cover the flower for the winter with spruce branches.
The plant tolerates frosts well. But it is worth considering that Perovskia does not like thaws and sudden changes in temperature.
But if you want to use the Perovian Lebedolist as a winter decor, then it is better to carry out the same manipulations in early spring. You can cover only the near-root part.
Thus, the plant will delight not only in warm time, but also in winter days will be able to give the site attractiveness.
Using
Perovian shrub is appreciated not only because of the presence of essential oils. The leaves and flowers are edible and used in the form of seasoning for the preparation of various dishes. Also, the plant is suitable for making tea.
Gardeners, having acquired blue charm in a gentle gray cloud of foliage, recognize all its splendor. Perovskia will decorate any garden plot, will delight with its gentle appearance and pleasant light aroma. When a plant does not require increased attention and special care skills. Acquaintance with the matchless violet-blue flower will leave only positive impressions.