Lavatera distance between plants. Lavatera annual: planting and care

Lavatera or wild rose, among the abundance of cultivated flowering plants, manifests itself as a modest and lovely flower. Lavatera belongs to the Malvaceae family. A huge number of Lavatera varieties demonstrate the richness and brightness of colors. The different heights of the stems allow it to be grown on either garden plot, and in room conditions. Brilliant, delicate, marvelous flowers are used to create spectacular garden compositions.

Lavatera is a perennial or annual plant that grows throughout southern Europe and the African continent. In addition to the basic species, a huge number of wonderful varieties of lavatera with a wide variety of petal colors are cultivated. A completely undemanding plant forms dense thickets, densely sprinkled with voluminous flowers reminiscent of gramophones. The popular name of Lavatera is “khatma” or “wild rose”. Lavatera bushes look amazing and natural in the garden plot and in the home greenhouse on the windowsill.

Lavatera is distinguished by a powerful branched rhizome. The shoots are straight, spreading, up to 150 cm high, lined with velvety dark olive bark. Large branches are dotted with lobed leaves. Between the veins, the dark olive leaf blade is quite soft, rough or covered with tiny hairs. The upper leaves are much smaller than the basal leaves and grow opposite each other along the entire length of the stem.

Lavatera is popular due to its long, generous, marvelous flowering, which lasts from June to October. The corolla, shaped like a funnel, up to 10 cm long, is formed by five voluminous petals. The petals are painted either in one color or are endowed with a smooth transition of color from one shade to another. The petal becomes narrower closer to the center and has a grooved surface. Bisexual flowers, in the axils of the leaves and at the top of the stem, are collected in fleshy inflorescences, shaped like brushes. The inflorescences bloom in several copies and successively replace each other. In the center of the flower there is a short, rather dense column covered with long thread-like stamens and an ovary. Accompanying flowering is a sweet, tart aroma that attracts insects. Lavatera flower is an excellent honey plant.

After pollen is transferred from the stamens of the flower to the stigma of the pistil, fertilization occurs, then flat, cylinder-like seed pods ripen. Inside are elongated gray-resin seeds, which, when shaken, rattle, hitting the walls of the box. Ripe seeds have a gray-brown color; they do not stick to the walls of the box, but are easily shaken out of it. The time for wild rose seeds to ripen is at the beginning of autumn.

In order to collect lavatera seeds, you need to carefully cut off the capsules, scatter the seeds on a surface covered with paper, then dry them in a well-ventilated room. Store lavatera seeds in a canvas bag or paper bag.

Wild rose is used to decorate illuminated and shaded garden areas. Miniature lavatera bushes look very picturesque together with tall plants, for example, gladioli or park roses.

Types and varieties

The genus includes 25 plant species; in culture - two types. The most widespread is the three-month-old lavatera, another frequently used species is the perennial lavatera (Thuringian).

Perennial Lavatera actively develops its root system in the first year of life. It blooms in the second year - in spring or early summer. Pleases with enchanting flowers until late autumn. To preserve decorativeness, faded buds are cut off.

Annual varieties are completely removed in the fall and the soil is dug up. Next year in the spring, self-seeding seedlings will appear in this place, which, after thinning, will form a new flowerbed. Perennial varieties are covered with spruce branches for successful overwintering. The stems are carefully pressed to the soil and pinned.

Lavatera varieties are distinguished by a riot of colors: everyone will find a variety that suits them in everything. Also, many gardeners create a mixture of lavatera species and varieties in their flowerbeds.

Three-month-old Lavatera: varieties

Three-month-old Lavatera is a plant with luxurious bushes up to 120 cm high. Lobed light turquoise leaves are located along the entire length of the shoots, becoming smaller and smaller closer to the top. In July, single flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, shaped like small gramophones, bloom in the leaf axils. Flowering is quite long and generous.

Lavatera "Pretty Woman"

Lavatera "Pretty Woman"

Lavatera beauty red is a variety that is a tall, spreading bush with large bright crimson, snow-white, pearlescent flowers.

Lavatera "Silver Cup"

Lavatera "Silver Cup"

Lavatera Silver Cup is a bush up to 70 cm high, covered with silver-crimson flowers with scarlet stripes. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, open, approximately 10 cm in diameter. Representatives of this variety are cold-resistant and drought-resistant.

Lavatera Melange

Lavatera Melange

The plant is strong, highly branched, reaches a height of 90 cm. The diameter of the flowers varies from 6 to 9 cm, their shape is funnel-shaped, the color is snow-white, scarlet, and the color of strawberry. The buds appear in mid-summer and fade with the onset of cold weather. Lavatera melange is a cold-resistant variety that tolerates heat well and grows in almost any type of soil.

Lavatera Silver Cap

Lavatera Silver Cap

A plant with lush bushes. Lavatera Silver Cap is distinguished by salmon-colored flowers.

Lavatera "Mont Blanc"

Lavatera "Mont Blanc"

The bush is medium, up to 75 cm, densely leafy. Lavatera Mont Blanc is distinguished by numerous voluminous snow-white flowers without veins. Connoisseurs of this variety flora used in group plantings to create hedges. Representatives of this variety do not require a garter.

Lavatera ruby ​​queen

Lavatera ruby ​​queen

Lavatera ruby ​​is a variety characterized by scarlet colored flowers.

Lavatera New World

Lavatera New World

Lavatera New World- a strong, branched, unpretentious plant, up to 120 cm high. It blooms for a long time, abundantly and brightly, from the end of June until late frosts. The flowers are funnel-shaped, large, up to 10 cm in diameter. The shades of the flowers are snow-white, pale salmon and crimson. The plant is cold-resistant, light-loving and drought-resistant; there are no soil requirements. Grow by direct sowing in the ground or by seedlings. Representatives of the variety are attracted for planting in groups, rose gardens, and flower beds.

Lavatera "Novella"

Lavatera "Novella"

Annual. The first flowers appear on the plant when it grows to only 20 cm. During this period of time, the flower is excellent for pots, patios, and flowerpots. Lavatera novella is distinguished by voluminous flowers with a diameter of up to 10 cm, which retain their freshness for a long time, regardless of weather conditions. The plant has different heights depending on the place of cultivation: 20 cm in pots, 60 cm in open ground.

Lavatera Girlfriend

Lavatera girlfriend is a branched plant, 80-100 cm high. A variety with funnel-shaped, expressive, extraordinary flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, snow-white, salmon and pearlescent in color. Used for flower beds and cuttings, they look wonderful in row plantings.

Lavatera Thuringian

Lavatera Thuringian

Lavatera Thuringiana is a shrub up to 2 m high. Lavatera perennial (Thuringiana) is a species with straight, spreading shoots covered with leaves shaped like a round heart. Lavatera is a perennial plant with leaves and stems covered with hard, smoky hairs. Fleshy racemose inflorescences bloom by mid-June. The leaves of this species have healing properties.

Varieties:

• Mystic Marilyn - a bush up to 180 cm high, covered with scarlet or purple flowers;
• Bregon springs - pearlescent flowers with strawberry-colored stripes bloom on large shoots 1.3 m high;
• Barnsley Baby - a bush of medium height, covered with mother-of-pearl buds;
• Lilac Lady - has purple flowers;
• Bregon Springs - with salmon-colored buds;
• Burgundy Vine - blooms with pale pink flowers;
• Eye Catcher is a variety with crimson-pink flowers.

Exists biennial or tree-like lavatera. It grows up to two meters high and has a graceful stem with scarlet flowers, shaped like hibiscus inflorescences.

Tree lavatera

Varieties:

• Candy Floss - has flowers of a light ruddy hue;
• Rosea - distinguished by beautiful pale crimson flowers.

Lavatera care

Sometimes beautiful summer flowers do not please the eye with the beauty that was expected. The error most likely lies in improper care. With insufficient nutrition, the beauty of flowers soon disappears, so care must be taken to provide sufficient fertilizer. Lack of water, pests and diseases can also cause poor flowering. That's why it's so important to pay attention to proper care for plants.

Rules for planting and caring for lavatera are quite simple.

• Periodic watering: the soil should not dry out completely, otherwise the seedlings may die.
• Providing lighting: due to lack of light, seedlings stretch out and their stems become weak. To obtain a sufficient amount of light, containers with seedlings are periodically turned towards the sun.
• Hardening: a couple of weeks before the expected date of planting the seedlings in a permanent place, the seedlings begin to be taken outside. First, the containers are left in shaded areas so that they do not burn in the sun, and then they are placed in a lighted area, constantly increasing the time the seedlings spend outside.
• Weed the lavatera if necessary. To avoid this unpleasant procedure, the soil between the lavatera bushes can be covered with a layer of mulching material.
• Mulching (or covering the soil) protects the soil surface from drying out, cracking, washing away, reduces the impact of wind, sun rays and extreme temperatures.

Watering

Water supply to plants in the garden is necessary for the full development of the crop. Proper watering determines whether plants will sufficiently receive and absorb nutrients. However, if there is excess water, leaching from the soil may occur. nutrients. With superficial and insufficient watering, water will not be able to reach the roots. The consequence of this will be a delay in plant growth, since the water will evaporate already on the surface. With constant insufficient watering, plants will try to raise their roots closer to the surface, as a result of which they may suffer in dry weather or severe drought.

Important factors for determining the intensity of irrigation are the quality of the soil and the degree of its cultivation. Lavatera should be watered regularly, but even on hot days, one watering every seven days is enough. The top layer of soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings. You can water with a simple watering can: it is much more economical than using a hose. From the watering can, water flows specifically to the places where it is needed, and in the right quantity.

Top dressing

Wild roses can grow in poor soils, but it is better to enrich the soil with different types of fertilizers. This will allow the flowers to remain beautiful and the plant to remain strong. Flowers grown in rich soils are different big amount buds than those growing in poor soil. Typically, lavaters use organic additives to fertilize them, but on poor soils, mineral fertilizers can also be added to the soil. Crops are fed once a month. Use urea and nitroammophoska, dissolving them in water for irrigation. For abundant flowering, preparations with potassium and phosphorus are used.

Wild rose leaves are a dark olive hue, so as soon as they lighten, it becomes clear that the soil needs nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilization is only necessary for extremely poor soils. As a rule, the nutrients added when planting flowers are enough for the plant to last for the entire period of flowering and growth. In the case when no fertilizers were applied when planting wild roses, complex fertilizers are added during watering.

Diseases and pests

Lavatera Thuringian

Adult representatives of wild roses are extremely rarely affected by fungal or bacterial diseases. Sometimes wild rose plantings can become infected with rust. For healing, the affected leaves are removed, burned, and the bush is treated with fungicides. If the plant is affected by more than 60%, then it is better to remove it from the site and burn it.

Wild roses are also rarely damaged by pests, but aphid attacks are possible. In case of plant diseases or pests, use chemicals or folk remedies. For example, to kill aphids, many flower lovers use a mixture of soapy water and hot pepper.

When to plant lavatera?

Lavatera in the garden is an amazing and charming plant that becomes more beautiful every day and blooms luxuriantly. Lavatera is planted with seeds or seedlings. The time to plant garden roses is at the end of April. Any loose soil structure is suitable for the crop. The premature joy of a compact and lush flower bed fades due to too close planting. Garden roses need a fairly bright and warm place and should not be too close to each other when planting.

Landing

Planting lavatera does not require special effort. Any site for planting wild roses is suitable, the main thing is that after heavy rains, water does not stagnate in this place. Due to excess moisture, the root system of the lavatera will rot. Sunny places are preferable; at least several hours a day, the place should be in direct sunlight and also be well ventilated.

The soil for rapid and long-lasting flowering of wild roses is best suited to be light and fertilized. Important good ventilation root area of ​​the plant with at the same time sufficient capacity to retain water - this is a condition that almost any well-kept garden soil fulfills.

Before planting flowers, it is advisable to dig up the soil, add humus, sand, ash and a complex of nutrients. Humus must be added 2 - 3 liters per square meter, sand and ash are added in equal parts, depending on the type of soil. Mineral fertilizers for flowers are applied according to the instructions. When plants become crowded, thinning is required.

How to grow lavatera?

Lavatera is grown by planting seeds in open ground or seedlings. Flowers grown from seedlings bloom much earlier.

Growing lavatera from seeds: how and when to sow lavatera?

Fresh lavatera seeds have excellent germination, and the growing process is quite simple. Any novice gardener can master growing lavatera from seeds. Wild rose seeds can be sown directly into the ground or grown through seedlings. Sowing seeds in open ground occurs at the end of April, when the soil temperature reaches 18 degrees. Holes are made in the soil up to 4 cm deep, the distance between them is 25 cm. One or two lavatera seeds are sown in each hole, and after germination one of the strongest flowers is left.

After 14 days, the first ones, sensitive to low temperatures, shoots. At night, to protect from freezing, the sprouts must be covered. When sowing wild rose seeds, you need to remember that they quickly lose their ability to germinate, so seeds that are more than three years old are unlikely to sprout successfully.

In order for the plant to produce buds before mid-summer, plant experts grow seedlings from seeds in mid-March. Prepare containers with drainage holes. Pots and cups are first doused with boiling water or water with the addition of manganese to disinfect them, then they are washed and dried. Pour drainage into the pots, then a mixture of deciduous soil and peat, water. Next, the seeds are planted, immersing them 1 cm into the soil. In general, the depth and frequency of sowing are very important. In too dense plantings, due to lack of air and light, fungal diseases develop especially intensively.

Before emergence, containers are covered with glass or transparent film to maintain a constant microclimate. Periodically, condensate is removed from the surface of the coating material. The first shoots may hatch in 10-12 days. As soon as they rise by 1-2 cm, the covering material is removed.

If some specimens of lavatera seeds take too long to germinate or the sprouts are weak, then such seedlings are thrown away; they will no longer please with abundant flowering. For full development, wild rose seedlings need a lot of sunlight. The air temperature should be about 20 degrees.

A month after emergence, if there is no threat of frost, the seedlings can be planted in open ground.

Transfer

Lavatera tolerates replanting well before flowering.

Reproduction

Wild roses reproduce well by seeds; a few pieces are enough for planting. The seeds germinate quickly and in the future, with proper sowing and care, provide good seed material. In subsequent years, you can plant your own seeds on the site. Lavatera can be grown either by direct sowing in open ground or by seedlings.

Some secrets of growing lavatera

Wild rose is not capricious, but, nevertheless, it is advisable to take into account some nuances of care. In the process of planting young specimens of the lavatera flower in open ground, you need to remember the need to leave a distance of about 30 cm between plants. The more magnificent the perennial grows in the future, the more space it will need.

For June flowering of wild roses, seeds should be planted on seedlings in March-April. If you plant the seeds in the ground at the beginning of May, you will be able to admire the buds in 2.5 months. To prolong flowering, lavaters periodically collect ripe, undried seeds. The process of collecting seeds is not a troublesome task: the buds fade and seed boxes appear in their place. It is recommended to remove the boxes from the bush when they acquire a brown tint, and when tapped, the seeds spill out. Store the seeds in a dry place, this will extend their germination up to 5 years.

Lavatera in landscape design

It is very important what flowers grow on the site, because the garden also reflects the personality of the owner, just like his house. Nothing has the power to change the appearance of a home like a green, blooming environment. The variety of lavatera varieties allows connoisseurs of these beautiful flowers to choose and plant specimens according to their taste in the flowerbed. Lavatera in landscape design used as a luxurious decoration for borders, flower beds, garden gazebo. Wild rose goes amazingly with irises, sage, verbena, phlox, and dahlias.

Application in medicine

Traditional healers actively use beneficial properties wild rose, which helps against many ailments. The medicinal raw materials are leaves, roots and flowers. The leaves are collected at the budding stage of the plant. Dry outdoors under a canopy or in a well-ventilated area. The roots are dug up in the fall. Dry in an oven or dryer at a temperature of 50-60 degrees. Leaves and flowers are stored for 2 years in a closed glass container, and roots are stored in boxes or bags.

Lavatera leaves contain vitamin C and are used to treat skin diseases and rashes. A decoction of lavatera roots helps patients with lung diseases, relieves cold symptoms, and helps solve problems of the digestive system. An ointment prepared using dried lavatera leaves relieves acute pain in joint and muscle diseases or peripheral nerve damage.

(or, as it is often called popularly, khatma) - beautiful tall flower, which you can use to decorate your garden or patio. At the same time, caring for lavatera does not require much effort - it is even called “a flower for the lazy.” Let's take a closer look at what kind of flower this is, what are the features of its cultivation and how it is useful.

Botanical description

Lavatera Thuringian is a perennial from the genus Malvaceae. It has powerful stems up to 2 meters high. The leaves are pubescent, grayish-green in color, and can be round or heart-shaped in shape. The flowers are pink, up to 10 cm in diameter, with a five-leaf corolla. Lavatera has a large rhizome that goes into the ground up to one and a half meters.

The flowering period of Thuringian Lavatera is from July to autumn. The plant reproduces by seeds. Distributed in Ukraine, Siberia, the Caucasus, throughout Central and East Asia, Australia, North America and Europe.

Did you know? Lavatera was named after the Lavatera brothers, Swiss naturalists from Zurich.

Popular varieties

The perennial lavatera has been known to the world since the 16th century. This initially inconspicuous flower was not ignored by breeders - interesting and even spectacular varieties appeared. Some of the most popular:

• , the flowers of which are lilac in color and have sparsely spaced petals.

• with a pink color, has a very attractive and delicate appearance.

• , perhaps the most refined and delicate of the entire list of varieties. The petals are barely covered with pink.

• has flowers of bright purple shades. Such a lavatera will delight the eye with its bright and bold beauty.

Landing Features

In order for the plant to grow healthy and beautiful, and also to avoid planting it too close or very rarely, you just need to follow some tips and rules.

The first shoots will appear in a week, and when they grow to 5 cm, the film can be removed. After the film has been removed, the soil must be carefully loosened.

Seedlings

First you need to get a box for seedlings and special soil. Place drainage at the bottom of the box and pour soil on top. The earth needs to be watered with warm water. Levatera seeds must be dry. We immerse them in the ground about a centimeter.

The seedlings should be placed in a sunny place and covered with film (can be glass). Condensation should be removed periodically. should always be a little damp. When the seeds germinate, remove the film.

Caring for seedlings is very simple - you just need to periodically water the soil. To ensure that plants grow evenly, it is helpful to rotate the box occasionally. The timing is also important: if you want to plant lavatera in open ground in May, then the seedlings need to be prepared in March.

Features of caring for the Thuringian Lavatera

Lavatera is absolutely unpretentious, so even a beginner can cope with caring for it. It grows well both on and in, and tolerates cold and long-term lack of moisture. But if you want the plant to be strong, then in the absence of rain for a long time it is better to water the lavatera. One watering a week will be enough for this beauty.

Lavatera Thuringian flowers are tall, so they require care immediately after planting. Do this for the plant (see photo) so that the stems do not break. It won't take much time, but it will definitely be beneficial.

Before flowering it is useful to provide fertilizing. Also

A bushy, tall plant called lavatera decorates flower beds and does not require special care. This is what gained popularity among gardeners. There are different types of this flower: annual, biennial and perennial. The former are much more common.

What distinguishes perennial varieties? How to plant and care for a plant? Are lavatera bushes affected by pests and diseases?

In nature, Lavatera (belongs to the Malvaceae family), growing for many years, has been known since the 16th century. It is found more in the southern regions of Russia, in North American meadows and in Mediterranean countries. It also climbs to higher elevations, growing at an altitude of 2 kilometers above sea level.

The origin of the name is related to the Latin “lavatum” - to wash. Indeed, flower baskets have a pure, unclouded color.

Large flowers (7-10 centimeters) covering the plant, as well as 3-5 lobed rounded leaves are the main attractions of the bush. The leaf blades are rough and dark green in color. The color of the flowers is often pink, but can be yellow, white and purple, lilac and two-tone.

The inflorescences are located on elongated peduncles, at the ends there are deep grooves in the form of a corner. Lavatera is a honey plant that blooms from July to October.

The spreading bush has strong, erect stems ranging from 0.6 to 2 meters in height. The light-loving flowering bush has a powerful, long rhizome, thanks to which it is not afraid of dry weather.

Other names for this plant: dog rose, khatma. The most famous perennial variety is Thuringian.

Varieties of Thuringian beauty have been selected:

The flowers are lilac-colored with dark lilac veins; the bush is of medium height.

Height up to one and a half meters, branched and tall plant. Pinkish flowers become dark pink towards the middle. During summer-autumn flowering, the bushes are densely covered.

The rich wine-purple color gives it its corresponding name. Veins of contrasting color give volume and nobility to the plant.

The plant is tall, up to one and a half to two meters. Crimson, deep pink flowers, up to seven centimeters in coverage.

Growing in open ground, how to plant

Lavatera cultivation different types no difference. How annual plants, and those that grow for several years reproduce by seeds. This procedure may have a different sequence.

Plant seeds in open ground in spring

Frosts have passed, which means it's time to sow. Usually this is the end of April - May. Humus is added to the dug bed. The seeds are buried in holes 1-1.5 centimeters deep. Sprinkle with soil, water and preferably cover with film for better germination. After 8-12 days the shoots will hatch.

The plant is quite spreading and in order for the bushes to stand straight, they are sometimes tied up. In order for the bushes to stick to each other, 2-3 plants are sown in one hole. If necessary, thin out the plantings.

With this method of planting, flowering is observed earlier, and the bush will be stronger and taller. Sowing takes place in mid-March.

• Drainage is poured into the container, and holes are required in the bottom;
• Seeds are planted in a mixture of turf soil and humus, slightly buried and sprinkled with soil;
• Water with a spray bottle and cover with glass or film;
• The emerging shoots (4-5 centimeters) dive, planting in separate cups;

Planting in the ground, outside, is done when the temperature reaches positive. The beds are prepared and the seedlings are planted at a distance of 25-30 centimeters.

What care is needed

This culture has many advantages, in addition to its decorative nature.

• Unpretentiousness and easy care allow beginners to grow the flower.
• A lover of sunny, open places, it grows well in partial shade. Then it will not have very abundant flowering.
• It is desirable that the soil on the ridge be loose and fertile, but development on depleted soil is also possible.
• The culture is drought-resistant and frost-resistant.
• It only requires support and can be planted near stationary hedges and fences.
• Weeds are removed in the initial phase of seedling growth. When the lavatera gains power, there will be no place for weeds under its branches and dense foliage.
• The perennial does not require pruning; only dry, damaged branches and inflorescences are removed.
• Watering is necessary in dry weather, when seeds germinate and during rooting of seedlings.

Feeding

They are needed if the soil is acidic and hard. During the season, you can fertilize twice: at the beginning of growth with nitrogen solutions (urea + nitroammofoska), the second time during the period of budding and development of the peduncle - with a complex potassium-phosphorus fertilizer.

Interesting! If the leaves of a plant become lighter, it is lacking elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The leaves, if they lack phosphorus, may also curl upward.

Protection from pests and diseases

The bush is less resistant to disease than its annual counterparts. However, aphids and leaf rust (virus) may appear. In this case, insecticides (actara) and fungicidal preparations (biotlin) will help. The affected parts are cut off and burned.

What to combine with in a landscape interior

• Single landings
• Mixborders (neighbors - sage and irises, verbena), lawns (as a bright center)
• In the trunk part of tall trees
• As a camouflage, creating a screen for outbuildings and unsightly areas of the garden
• Plants with different flower colors are planted side by side, creating contrast.

Medicinal plant

Lavatera Thuringiana is applicable in folk medicine, it is compared to marshmallow flowers. It has the following chemical composition:

• Vitamin C
• Slime
• Starch
• Organic acids
• Alkaloids
• Flavonoids
• Fixed oils
• Rubber-like substances

Lavatera – herbaceous plant, belonging to the Malvaceae family. The name is given in honor of the Lavater brothers, famous Swiss naturalists and doctors of the 17th century. People call the flower wild rose, khatma. The genus includes about 25 species, which can be found in the natural environment in the Mediterranean, East Asia, and Australia. It has been grown as a garden crop since the 16th century.

Botanical description

There are annuals and perennials. Root system Lavatera is well developed. Strong stems reach a height of 0.5-1.5 m. The lobed leaves are arranged alternately and are colored green. The leaves and stems are covered with hairs. The flowers are 10 cm in diameter and are colored white, yellow, crimson, purple, and pink. They grow singly or in several pieces in spike-shaped or racemose inflorescences.

When does Lavatera bloom?

Flowering starts in early summer and lasts until mid-autumn. Cut flowers remain pleasing in a vase for more than 2 weeks. The plant is very unpretentious in care: it is drought-resistant, not demanding on the composition of the soil, and is not afraid of strong winds.

Preparations containing the plant extract are used in the treatment of colds, coughs, intestinal disorders, gastritis, headaches, gynecological diseases, muscle and joint pain.

Growing lavatera from seeds at home and in the garden

How to sow in the ground

Lavatera is grown from seeds. You can sow the seeds directly into the ground, and for earlier flowering you should grow seedlings.

• Lavatera seeds are sown in open ground in late April-early May.
• Add 1 bucket of compost and 2 tablespoons of nitrophoska per 1 m² for digging. Level the soil, make shallow furrows deep, water with warm water and sow the seeds. Sprinkle a layer of garden soil on top, mixed with humus in equal proportions. Press the ground down a little. Crops should be covered with film. Shoots will appear in a week. When the sprouts reach a height of 5 cm, the cover should be removed. Thin out the seedlings, loosen the soil, slightly hilling the plants.
• Choose a sunny place with light, loose, well-drained soil.
• Maintain a distance of 20-25 cm between rows.
• Planting depth is 1-2 cm.
• Sow less often, so as not to break through later, at a distance of 8-10 cm.
• Water moderately, make sure there are no weeds, and periodically loosen the soil after watering.
• When the plants grow up, the excess bushes are planted, being careful not to damage the roots. The final distance between the bushes should be 20-25 cm.
• For tall species, supports should be installed.

When to sow lavatera for seedlings

• Sowing seeds for seedlings in early March in order to plant them in open ground by the end of spring.
• Take the boxes, place a drainage layer on the bottom, fill the rest of the space with soil intended for growing seedlings (sold at any flower shop).
• It is very convenient to plant seeds one at a time in cassette cups or peat tablets.
• Water the soil with warm water and plant the seeds to a depth of 1 cm.
• Cover the crops with film or glass.
• Ventilate and moisten the soil with a spray bottle as necessary.

• In a couple of weeks, seedlings will appear, which will require bright lighting and long daylight hours. When the shoots appear, remove the cover.
• In order for young shoots to develop evenly, it is necessary to periodically rotate the container around its axis.
• In mid-May, begin to harden the plants and by the end of May plant them in open ground at a distance of 20-25 cm between the bushes.

How to care for lavatera in the garden

Watering and loosening the soil

Moderate watering is required. Once a week you should add 2-3 buckets warm water under each bush. If the summer is cool, water even less often. Can be content with precipitation.

Loosen the soil until the lavatera reaches a height of 1 m, since in the future there is a risk of damaging the root system.

Garter and sanitary pruning

To make spreading, large bushes look neat, they need to be tied up.

After rain, wilted buds turn into a slimy mass that leaves burns on the leaves - remove them in time.

Feeding

If you applied fertilizers for digging, then you can skip the first fertilizing. Otherwise, you should feed it for the first time as soon as the plant gets stronger after planting - dissolve 1 tablespoon of urea and nitrophoska in 10 liters of water. Carry out the next feeding when buds begin to form. Take 10 liters of water and dissolve sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate in them, 1 tablespoon each.

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests rarely bother the plant.

Rust damage is possible - yellow, brown, brown spots will appear on the underside of the sheet. Remove damaged leaves and treat with Bordeaux mixture or topaz. In advanced cases, it is better to dispose of lavatera to avoid contamination of healthy plants.

Occasionally, an aphid invasion occurs - small greenish insects attack young leaves and stems. Wash off the aphids with water, then treat with an insecticide.

How to collect seeds

In place of faded flowers, greenish seed pods appear. They usually ripen by early autumn. Ripening is indicated by a dry seed capsule. Brown. It is necessary to open it and if the seeds are brown-gray in color and fall out easily, they can be safely collected. Carefully cut off the bolls, shake out the seeds onto paper and dry in a dry place with good ventilation. Store in a paper bag or linen bag.

Preparing for winter

In the fall, annual lava plants must be removed from the site and placed in compost (burned), and the site must be dug up. Thanks to self-seeding, a flowerbed may appear on its own in this place in the spring.

Perennial lavatera require shelter for the winter. Bend the stems as low as possible to the ground, secure, cover with spruce branches, dry leaves or non-woven material.

Types and varieties of lavatera with photos and names

Three-month-old Lavatera trimestris

Shrub 1.2 m high. Lower leaves round or heart-shaped, with teeth at the edges, the upper ones are divided into 3-5 lobes. Flowers with a diameter of 10 cm are arranged singly in the axils of the leaves. The color of the corolla can be white, pink, burgundy. Abundant flowering starts in July.

Varieties:

• Silver Cap - reaches a height of 70 cm, pink corollas have burgundy veins and a silver tint.
• Mont Blanc - the stem stretches 60 cm. The flowers are white with dark veins.
• Ruby queen - a powerful branched stem stretches 1 m. The flowers are bright burgundy.
• Beauty is a strong bush with large flowers of white, pink, dark pink color; thanks to the pubescence, the flowers sparkle.
• Sun Goddess is a 1.1 m tall bush with dark green leaves. The corolla, 6 cm in diameter, is colored in various shades of pink.
• Novella - lavatera 20 cm high.
• White Sherub - reaches a height of 35 cm. The flowers are large, white.

The last 2 varieties are also grown in pots and containers.

Lavatera Thuringian or Chatma Thuringian, Dog rose Lavatera thuringiaca

Powerful perennial about 2 m high. The leaves are heart-shaped and rounded, have hard pubescence, and are colored gray-green. Single pink flowers appear on long stalks in the leaf axils.

Varieties:

• Lilac Lady – lilac corollas;
• Ai Catcher - the corollas are dark pink in color.
• Burgundy Vine - pink corollas have dark purple veins.
• Barnsley Baby - the color of the corollas is white and pink.
• Bregon Springs is a bush 1.3 m high. The leaves are three-lobed, colored gray-green. The corollas are colored pink-lilac, the veins are crimson.

Lavatera arborea

A biennial plant about 2 m high. The flowers are purple-red, have darker veins. The spherical seed pods resemble wheels of cheese.

• Rosea - has spectacular pink flowers.
• Candy Floss - the corollas are soft pink.

Lavatera maritima = Lavatera bicolor

Bush 1.5 m high. The color of the corolla combines 2 shades of lilac.

Cretan Lavatera cretica

The plant is 1.8 cm high. The stems and leaves are pubescent. The leaves are 20 cm long and divided into 5-7 lobes. The edges are jagged. 2-8 flowers of lilac, purple color are collected in the axils of the leaves.

Lavatera mauritanica

Reaches a height of 80 cm. Erect stems are pubescent, well branched. The rounded leaves are divided into lobes. Purple corollas reach a diameter of 3 cm.

Lavatera is a perennial plant with a wide color palette. The distribution area covers not only the European continent, but also Australia and North America. The flower is easy to care for and has good decorative properties. Let's take a closer look at this plant and talk about the features of planting and growing.

The plant got its name thanks to the Lavater brothers. The flower was named after these talented doctors and naturalists.

Lavatera flowers can be red, lilac, or soft pink. Depending on the variety, the height varies from 50 cm to 2 m. Outwardly it resembles a small tree with a lush crown. The leaves are lobed and covered with hairs. The diameter of the bud reaches about 10 cm. Flowers can be either single or collected in tassels or spikelets.

The plant is easy to care for, so it is perfect for a novice gardener. Once cut, flowers can last in a vase for about a week.

Types and varieties

Lavatera is popularly called the dog rose. In total, 3 types of such plants are cultivated: annual, biennial and perennial. The perennial Lavatera is called Thuringian Lavatera. Popular varieties:

• Peak Beauty;

The Lilac Lady variety is distinguished by lilac-colored flowers. Brandon Springs has pink buds with crimson veins. This is one of the largest hybrids, growing up to 1.3 m in height.

Lavatera Pink Beauty has large bright pink corollas with a dark center and purple veins. Mont Blanc has white flowers with pronounced pink veins. The variety Eye Catcher is distinguished by bright pink flowers.

Hybrid varieties retain their properties in each generation, so for propagation their own seeds collected last season can be used.

Growing lavatera from seeds

Sowing

Lavatera seeds

The seeds are placed to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm. The seed is sprinkled with earth and watered. To make seedlings appear faster, the bed can be covered with film.

The first shoots begin to appear after 8-12 days.

If necessary, seedlings can be thinned out. To ensure that the bushes stick to each other, it is recommended to plant 2-3 plants in one hole.

Seedling

The seedling method allows you to get a strong and tall bush. Flowering in such plants begins earlier. Sowing seeds to obtain seedlings is carried out in mid-March.

The planting container must have good drainage. To do this, several holes are made at the bottom of the pot. Experienced gardeners recommend using a mixture of humus and turf soil. Watering should be done using a spray bottle. The planted seeds are covered with film or glass. Shoots that have reached 4-5 cm are pricked and seated in different pots.

Planting in open ground

Planting of seedlings is carried out only after the night frosts have ended. In regions with warm winter seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of April. In areas with frosty winters, planting takes place at the end of May.

It is important to choose the right site. It should be a well-lit place with loose and well-drained soil. When planting tall varieties of lavatera, it is recommended to immediately make a support for it. For planting, a 20x25 cm pattern is used. This plant is optimal for the normal growth and development of bushes.

Caring for perennial lavatera

Watering

Soil moistening is carried out only during dry periods, since the plant does not tolerate high humidity.

In summer, flowers are watered once a week. On particularly dry days, spraying can be carried out. Water should only fall on the leaves and stems. Wet buds quickly wither and fall off.

Feeding and fertilizer

On poor soil, fertilizing is carried out once every 5-8 weeks. Periodically it is necessary to add a mixture of urea and nitrophoska. To prepare the fertilizer, take 10 liters of water and 1 tbsp. dry mixture.

Fertilizing is carried out immediately after planting the plant and during the formation of the first buds.

Plant care after flowering, preparation for winter

Perennial lavatera varieties must be properly prepared for wintering. The plant tolerates cold quite well, especially if there is a large layer of snow.

Diseases and pests

Lavatera has fairly good immunity against diseases and pests. Sometimes a flower is affected by garden aphids. To get rid of such a pest, it is recommended to use systemic preparations of actara or agents of combined action with actellik.

When affected by rust, the plant becomes covered with brown, brown or yellow spots. In this case, it is necessary to remove all the affected parts, and treat the plant itself with topaz, Bordeaux mixture or cuproxate. If the flower is completely affected by rust, then it is best to simply remove it from the area and burn it.

Use in landscape design

The flower is great for single planting and creating compositions. Lavatera can be used in mixborders. The plant goes well with iris, verbena and sage. On lawns, such a flower can be a bright accent.

Tall varieties of Lavatera are often used to decorate the trunk part of the tree. Living screens look impressive; they help hide outbuildings or simply unattractive parts of the garden. Due to the wide color range perennial lavatera will add more contrast to the flower bed.

It is enough to plant a mix of different varieties to get an interesting and vibrant composition. White Lavatera goes well with purple or Ageratum. Pink flowers- with iris, verbena or sage.

Perennial lavatera has not only good decorative properties, but can also be used as medicinal plant. The flower is easy to care for, even a novice gardener can handle it.