Increasingly, one can observe the appearance of a new plant species on the flower beds and alpine hills. An interesting configuration of inflorescences on graceful stems, gradually fit into the design compositions of personal plots. We are talking about a decorative bow, which appeared quite recently and is rapidly gaining popularity among many gardeners. In our article we will tell you where it is better to plant it and how to properly care for flowers.
Origin
A relative of the ordinary vegetable familiar to us is a representative of the onion family. This perennial plant has a sharp grown aroma inherent in this genus. But not all types of this flower can be eaten, since some of them contain toxic substances. Decorative bow is a native of southwest Asia, whose favorite places are steppes, meadows, forests and fields. However, his habitat is quite wide. It grows both in countries with a temperate climate, and in sultry tropics. Scientists have about 600 varieties of this interesting plant.
Description
Although there are more than enough onion perennials on the planet, there are only about 100 species in the arsenal of flower growers. Their main advantages include a rich palette of colors, unpretentiousness and a long flowering period. Bulbous bushes are also famous for the variety of their sizes, which is important for creating all kinds of plant combinations. There are specimens with tall stems and large umbrellas, as well as dwarf ones with very small flowers. It is striking that the inflorescences that seem identical at first glance, upon closer examination, have different structures and shapes.
It is worth mentioning that each variety has its own flowering period. Allium decorative bow is conditionally divided into groups: early, middle and late. Varieties are best planted alternately. If you approach this issue more competently, then you can turn your site into a motley, continuously flowering lawn. Onion umbrellas are different: violet, lilac, white, pink, blue and yellow.
The plant has linear, basal leaves that wilt after flowering. Miniature flowers are combined in dense inflorescences in the form of an umbrella. Lush balls look very original, especially in large varieties. Alliums can please the eye with their flowering, starting from June and ending with the beginning of September.
Kinds
Flower lovers always strive to diversify and replenish their estates with new types of plants. Consider the popular varieties of decorative onions, from which you can create a unique ensemble of alternating colors:
- Neapolitan. Has rare openwork umbrellas with white flowers in the form of bells. Not so long ago, a hybrid was bred from this species, which is much larger than a plant living in the natural environment. Wonderful white bells allow you to enjoy their beauty in the middle of summer.
- Moths. A bow with sunny yellow hats received another suitable name - gold. It has glossy leaves with a high aesthetic appearance. On their wax surface, the center line is clearly visible. Stems reach a height of 20 to 30 cm, umbrellas - in diameter up to 5 cm.
- Blue. It stands out from the rest of the varieties with an unusually beautiful color and size of umbrellas. In saturated blue inflorescences, there can be up to 200 small bells, which makes them look very fluffy. Their color is so pleasant that sometimes it is impossible to take your eyes off them.
- Karatovsky. An interesting plant with elliptical leaves having a metallic coating. Inflorescences have a pronounced shape of balls and pink color.
- Curb screw. The most unpretentious variety. Its seeds can be randomly scattered on the lawn, and then they will grow independently. The only thing to do is to conduct thinning receptions once every five years. Flowers are ideal for creating borders and revitalizing the lawns due to the variegated color.
- Kowani. Allows you to admire the amazing hats at the end of spring, which do not fade for two months. Already in May, the plant throws arrows up to 35 cm long. At the initial stage of blooming, the bells exude a pronounced garlic aroma.
- Round-headed. The mid-late appearance of the decorative bow is distinguished by an oval shape of inflorescences. Their color is purple and pink. The duration of flowering is about a month. The stems of the plant are stretched to 0.6 m.
It is not possible to review all the names of the decorative bow, so we will simply list them. The following varieties of alliums are found that are most often used in the design of landscape designs: Aflatunsky, Gladiator, Christophe, Eros, Ostrovsky, Ivory Queen, Giant, Bulgarian, Unifolium, Proud, Schubert.
Seat selection
Allium is a photophilous plant. If you provide him with enough sunlight, it will express gratitude to you, which will consist in the saturation of the color of the inflorescences. In the shade, the color of the umbrellas is usually very pale, so it is better not to plant the plant close to the buildings or under the trees. The site should be open, but protected from the wind. This is especially important for tall species, since elongated thin arrows can break under the weight of umbrellas.
Choosing a suitable place, you can fully admire the bright balls and see all the charm of a decorative bow. Planting and caring for it does not cause much trouble, and the flower garden with unusual inflorescences looks very impressive.
Soil requirements
Like all members of the bulb family, allium can grow on any type of soil. It does not take root only in swampy, with frequent stagnation places. However, as was noted by experienced gardeners, the plant performs better on a neutral structured soil. To make his flowers look more charming, you need to take care a little about the composition of the soil, because you are not dealing with an ordinary vegetable, but with decorative onions. Planting and care in the open ground involve the introduction of a certain amount of fertilizer.
The site should be dug up and humus, compost and a mineral complex added to the ground. The onion family responds well to potassium, so you need to add some wood ash to the soil.
Landing
Planting can be done in spring or autumn. Most often this is done in September and before the beginning of October.
Bulbs are planted in rows. A long recess is made in the prepared soil, corresponding to the size of the seed material itself.
The grooves are pre-shed with water, wait until it is absorbed a little, and then distribute the bulbs.
If there is enough space on the site, then it is better to observe the interval between the bulbs with a margin for further growth, the optimal distance is 35 cm.
After planting, grooves with bulbs sprinkled with a layer of mulch from humus, and peat on top. This method will prevent the formation of soil crust and protect against frost.
For spring planting, seeds of decorative onions must be stratified. They are placed in the refrigerator for 60-90 days.
Care
To make the flowers look alive, you need to adjust the proper hydration. Too plentiful watering leads to the death of the plant, but drought is not suitable for it. With a lack of moisture, his leaves droop and growth stops. Fortunately, in such a situation, the allium has a chance of recovery. After moderate hydration, it seems to come to life and continues to develop.
Most types of decorative onions are not dug up for the winter, and some are not even insulated. There are some species that migrated to us from tropical countries. Their roots need to be dug in the autumn, dried and placed in the basement. These include Christopher and Schubert varieties.
Since the main condition is to avoid waterlogging, the site with allium in early spring is cleared of the remnants of ice, snow and dry plants. Excessive stagnation of water can cause rotting of the bulbs.
During the period of intensive vegetation, the plant especially needs watering and timely loosening of the soil. After it forms leaves and releases arrows, the soil needs to be mulched.
Top dressing
To stimulate the growth and flowering of decorative onions, fertilizers are used seasonally. They feed such as manure, compost, bone meal, mineral additives and wood ash.
In the spring, at the initial stage of the development of the bushes, nitroammophoska is used as fertilizer. It serves as a good stimulant for the formation of all parts of the perennial and bookmark buds.
In the summer it would be good to feed the plant with a full composition of mineral fertilizers. They should be applied in liquid form.
In the fall, superphosphate and potassium supplements will serve as a good recharge. Such top dressing will help the plant to winter better and gain strength for spring development.
Breeding
Allium propagates with the help of daughter bulbs, dividing the bush, airs (bulbs) and seeds.
The resulting processes on the lower part of the main root of the plant are separated and planted in the designated place. They need to be selected in size and planted in groups - the clearing on which the largest allium seed material will be placed will bloom faster. Such perennial manipulation is carried out every 4 years. Planting decorative onions by daughter processes should be carried out in the autumn.
Varieties that produce lateral stems are propagated by dividing the bush. For this purpose, a plant that is at least three years old is taken. The separated part is considered full if it has developed roots and at least two shoots.
Seeds are sown both in winter and in spring. Bun rolls propagate only certain types of decorative onions.
Pest and Disease Control
The most common flower disease is rot. It can affect plants and planting material. To avoid cervical rot of the bulbs during storage, they must be well dried. Downy mildew can greatly spoil the appearance of perennials. To prevent this, prophylaxis of planting bulbs should be carried out. Immediately before planting, they are calcined at a temperature of + 38-40 ° C.
To create good care for decorative onions, you need to purchase pest control products in advance. Alliums love to visit the spider mite, onion fly and moth. To destroy pests, spraying with "Chlorophos", ash, tobacco dust or special insecticides is carried out.
Conclusion
If you are a fan of flowers, complement your land with another unique plant with wide design qualities. Decorative bow is used to create stone gardens, alpine slides, borders, lawns and the formation of parks. Dry umbrellas make up compositions in combination with other colors. Fresh cut flowers are used to create bouquets, since they retain freshness and beautiful appearance for a very long time. When decorating the site, you need to take into account the minus of this plant - its leaves dry out very quickly. The bushy flowers planted around the alliums will help to veil this flaw.