Common in the southern regions of Primorye, the representative of the family Primrose Loosestrife, the lancear lily of the valley is a spectacular perennial with beautiful spike-shaped inflorescences and the unpronounceable official name lysimachia, which, however, rarely recalls the ordinary gardener.
This interesting plant is the hero of this publication, which will introduce you to a rare culture in garden decor, its requirements, preferences and growing rules.
Meet Lily of the Valley Loosestrife
This is a plant with a strong light pink rhizome, very similar to the rhizome of lily of the valley, the signs of which are noted in the name. The tall straight stem of the loosestrife is slightly pubescent, densely leafy and ends with a magnificent spike inflorescence, consisting of small white flowers and having the shape of an elegantly drooping cone. The plant reaches a height of 0.9-1.2 m, and the length of the inflorescences often exceeds 18-20 cm. Such characteristics contributed to the cultivation of the species, which happened a long time ago, more than a century ago. The most famous variety is Ledi Jane, characterized by strong erect shoots (0.6-0.9 m tall) and very long flowering (15-20 days), starting in the second half of July.
The spectacular appearance of the plant, which is atypical for other types of lysimachia, allows it to be used in cutting compositions, and the ability to form stable compact islands without spreading or decaying is widely used by landscape designers.
Verbeynik lily of the valley: planting and care
Settling lowland meadows and riverbanks, a wild-growing loosestrife has conveyed a love of high humidity and cultivated species. Therefore, this factor must be considered when choosing a place for planting a plant in the garden. He does not care about the structure and fertility of the soil, the main requirement is only to ensure sufficient moisture in the area and not to be in bright sunlight. But still preferred are areas with a sliding passage of the sun, periodically illuminated and shaded, as well as with light heavy loamy soils.
Verbeynik lily of the valley easily tolerates stagnation of moisture, and even a close approach to groundwater will not cause him any harm.
Propagation Features
Verbeynik lily of the valley is easily propagated by seeds, division of the rhizome, cuttings, root offspring. Vegetative methods are the most acceptable, because the plant takes root more quickly and blooms. In addition, to multiply the bush during transplantation is much easier than sowing seeds, often using the seedling method, dive, grow and only then planted on a permanent flower bed. The culture is able to grow in one place for 10 years or more, but it is necessary to transplant it from time to time. This will help to avoid chopping inflorescences and ensure a normal decorative effect. Flowering of a young plant transplanted with a cuttings, division or offspring of the root is expected next year.
Seed propagation is rarely used. Sow seeds or seedlings ready for flower beds in June. Possible and sowing in the winter, which is carried out in September. The loosestrife lily of the valley blooms for the 2-3rd year. Consider the features of each method of reproduction.
Rhizome division
This operation is carried out in the spring, before the plant starts growing and leaves, or in early autumn, when the flowering is completed. The plant is dug up, with a clean and sharp knife, the rhizome is divided into parts, each of which should have 3-5 buds of renewal. Slices are powdered with powdered charcoal or greased with pharmaceutical greens. Plants are planted in a prepared place, maintaining an interval between them of 30-40 cm. Despite the unpretentious plants, it is better to fertilize the planting soil with high-quality organic matter (humus), introducing 5-6 kg per 1 m 2 .
Propagation by root offspring
The ability of the rhizome in a culture such as lily of the valley to creep at an enviable speed, makes it possible to cut off offspring without damage to the mother plant. Pieces of rhizome are treated with “Kornevin” or any other biostimulant and planted, deepened at the same level as they were located, being offspring of the main root. It is better to propagate a loosestrife in this way in the spring. Autumn plantings are also possible, but they are carried out 3-4 weeks before the onset of stable frosts. During this time period, the root will have time to take root and grow stronger, in order to subsequently successfully transfer winter hardships.
The main stages of planting care
Of all the types of lysimachia, the lily of the valley is the least growing species. But it will still be necessary to control its cultivation, periodically suppressing its possible “creep”, unless this is planned.
A good way to decorate the garden space is to grow a loosestrife in containers. It will allow you to mobilely change the surroundings of the garden and save time on caring events. However, for the winter, container representatives should settle in an ordinary flower bed or cool basement.
Do not forget about the special love of the plant for abundant hydration. Dried out areas with loosestrife should not: even short-term droughts can significantly undermine the beauty of the plant. Watering should be regular and generous, sprinkling is also welcome. In the winter, all the stems of the lily of the valley loosestrife are cut to the base, the area is mulched with humus, which will protect the plant from frost and feed it. Lysimachy does not need shelter for the winter, she survives it well enough.
Weeding and cultivating is carried out as needed, the loosestrife is usually indifferent to top dressing, but before flowering it is fed with a complete complex fertilizer with microelements, which prolongs the flowering period and increases the exotic beauty of the plant.
These are the features of the cultivation of this unpretentious culture, known as the loosestrife lily of the valley. Caring for it is also uncomplicated, but with all its simplicity, the plant gives the gardener the elegant and refined beauty of inflorescences.