To decorate the garden, flower lovers pick up a wide variety of plants, trying to create a unique look for the site. For the arrangement of flower beds or single plantings, a night violet, or evening party, is perfect. The flower got its name thanks to a wonderful feature: its aroma intensifies with the onset of twilight. About its varieties and methods of breeding are described in the article.
Night violet - plant description
The flower belongs to the genus Hesperis, the most famous of which is the species Hesperis matronalis. The plant belongs to the cruciferous family. It is a perennial, from fifty to seventy-five centimeters high. The stems are straight. Its leaves are lanceolate; flowers with large petals are collected in a brush. The flower got its middle name among the people - night violet due to the fact that its purple or lilac inflorescences emit a strong aroma in the evening or night. It is especially noticeable before the rain and resembles the smell of levkoy. Flowers have a diameter of two or more centimeters. In horticulture, terry plant varieties are widespread, among which white inflorescences are found. About thirty plant species are known. It is common in the Eastern Mediterranean, in Western Siberia, found in Asia and Central Europe.
Flowering Hesperis Matronalis lasts for four to five days. Terry plant species bloom up to twenty days. The plant is photophilous, but at the same time, if the flower is planted in partial shade, then it will bloom one and a half to two months. It tolerates cold. The fruit is a pod with many seeds. Their germination lasts from two to three years.
Varieties and methods of breeding
Hesperis, she is a night violet, is bred by seeds. It is planted in open ground from May to the end of June. A cold greenhouse is also suitable. A month later, they pick the plants. In August or September, they should be seated at a distance of thirty-five to forty-five centimeters from each other. Quite often, simple forms spread by self-seeding. Terry plants can be propagated by dividing the bush in autumn or spring and growing from cuttings. Flowering begins two years after sowing, from June to August. Plants do not require special shelter for the winter. They leave under the snow with an already formed rosette of leaves.
When sowing for flowers, a loose, slightly alkaline soil, rich in humus and containing lime, is suitable. For night violets to bloom longer, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences in time. Relating to the cruciferous family, to which cabbage belongs, the flower suffers from the same diseases and pests as this garden crop. The soil must not be allowed to be waterlogged, otherwise the plant may rot. The moisture content should be uniform, this will protect the flowers from earth fleas
Hesperis Matronalis or host evening party, violet, the varieties of which are not so diverse. Two varieties are known: var. nana candidissima - has white flowers, and f. purpurea plena - terry purple.
In addition to Hesperis Matronalis, they distinguish between Siberian Vespers and Yellow Vespers. Fragrant night violet is suitable for growing on balconies (undersized plant varieties), for decorating borders of flower beds and garden paths, for cutting. In bouquets it is combined with fern and ornamental herbs. Not tall plants are used for distillation culture and for rabatok.
For growing flowers at home, a glazed balcony or loggia is suitable, where you can successfully place pots and tubs with plants, creating a microclimate for them. If the balcony is oriented to the north, then Hesperis Matronalis will bloom perfectly, and will be able to winter well in tubs.
In addition to decorative qualities, the flower has healing properties. Decoctions of herbs are used in folk medicine.