Lunnik flower - annual and perennial plant species
Content:
The flower is a plant with a height of 40 to 90 cm, decorated with bright fragrant inflorescences. The inflorescences consist of rather large flowers of white, yellow, purple or lilac color. There are several tiers under the inflorescences with bright green heart-shaped leaves.
The name of the flower Lunnik came to us from the Latin Luna, that is, "moon". Lunar, or lunaria in Latin, belongs to the Cabbage family. Among the representatives of this family, there are both annuals and perennials.
What does a lunar flower look like
At the end of flowering, the lunar forms fruits in the form of pods with a diameter of 3-5 cm, where the seeds ripen. To the British, the fruits of the lunar with their silver tint resemble money, coins. Pennieflower, Moneyflower or Money Flower are also names given to flowers growing in the UK. And the transparency of their pods is associated with the British with honesty and truthfulness. Therefore, they also call him Honesty, which is translated from English as "honesty." There is another name for "Moonwort" or "moon grass".
What does a lunar flower look like
Bright paniculate inflorescences of the lunar look nice on flower beds, can become an enviable decoration of a personal plot or garden bed, and it is also a good option for decorating a park area.
Description of Lunaria Perennial Plant Species
Lunaria or lunar occurs in two forms:
- annual lunar (Lunaria annua);
- lunar (Lunaria rediviva).
Lunnik annual
The annual lunaria blooms a lot and beautifully, but less actively than the biennial. The plant can grow up to 1 meter in height. Stems and leaves develop first. Then brushes with flower buds are formed. Flowers bloom in May and bloom continues until the end of June. Then the period of development and ripening of the fruits of lunaria begins. The silvery oblong fruits ripen in August.
This type of plant is used for growing at home, for decorating flower beds, parks, summer cottages or adjoining territories.
Lunar species
Lunar come to life
This type of lunaria is more often found near water bodies, among shrubs, in wooded areas. This species can be found in coniferous and deciduous forests.
The plant is biennial. In the first year, stems and leaves grow. The lunar rises in height from 30 cm to 1 meter. Leaves of bright green color are arranged in several tiers. The lower tiers contain leaves in the form of expanded hearts. The upper tier of leaflets takes on an oval shape. Do not be surprised if the plant discards the inflorescences. But flowering, if it takes place in the first year of life, is not very active. Abundant flowering and fruit formation begins in the second year of growth of the lunaria reviving. When the last fruit ripens, the lunar ends its development.
Most popular varieties
Bright inflorescences of Lunaria can be seen from afar.Many amateur gardeners distinguish varieties of lunar by color. As already mentioned, there is a white moon, lilac, lilac with pink in more or less bright colors. From the point of view of professional gardening, there is a lunaria:
- Alba;
- Variegata;
- Pearl;
- Manstead Purple.
Alba is a white-flowered plant. This plant variety cannot be confused with Variegata or Pearl and other varieties.
In Variegata, the inflorescences have a lilac-pink tint. The leaves of the plant are bright green. This makes Variegata stand out from the rest of the lilac varieties of lunar shades.
The inflorescences of Purple and Manstead Purple are purple, only Purple is distinguished by a more abundant flowering and fragrant aroma.
How the perennial lunar multiplies
There are two ways to grow a lunar:
- from seeds;
- by cuttings.
It is possible to grow from seeds both an annual plant and a biennial one. You can plant it directly in open ground, or do it with seedlings.
Lunar seeds
The seeds of the annual lunar are planted in the ground with the onset of spring heat. The main thing is to avoid spring frosts on the soil. The standard size of one seed reaches an average of 5 mm in diameter. Before sowing, shallow grooves should be prepared in the soil. The distance between the seeds should be kept within 30 cm. This will avoid thinning the seedlings. If the seeds are planted more often, then in order for them to develop normally, they will have to be thinned out. Usually, the first shoots appear on the 7th day after planting.
Flower lunar yellow
If you grow a lunar using seedlings, then you need to sow the seeds in March in a place inaccessible to the cold. Here they develop until May.
Lunaria annual grows well and blooms in areas where there is a lot of sunlight.
A biennial plant or a reviving moon can be planted in two ways:
- in late autumn in open ground; it should be borne in mind that the lunar may be reluctant to grow in drafts; the place should be sufficiently shaded and calm.
- in the spring, when it gets warmer; before planting for 6 weeks it is necessary to stratify or "harden" the seeds - put them in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment; when the seeds germinate, thin out the seedlings, the distance between the plants should be at least 30 cm.
Lunaria reviving reluctantly grows in brightly lit places, the plant prefers partial shade or shaded places under the crown of trees.
Features of the care of the lunar
Plant care
Watering the plant
Like all plants, the lunar needs watering. Lunaria develop well and bloom subject to the rules of moderate watering. Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, from which the plant can die.
The lunar is watered early in the morning while the sun is not active, or in the evening, when the sun approaches the horizon and the coolness begins to descend. On hot dry days, you can water the plant in the morning and in the evening, trying not to overmoisten the soil and not create puddles.
For irrigation, it is preferable to use well-settled, not cold water. Tap water can be uncomfortable.
Spraying
Lunar does not need spraying or any additional processing of leaves, flowers or root system.
The plant is quite resistant. But during a period of prolonged rains or during a dry season, lunaria can suffer from an attack by a flea, cabbage butterfly or aphid. In this case, it will be necessary to spray the plants with insecticides, perhaps even several times.
Priming
An annual plant is less whimsical and does not require special conditions for planting. Grows well in various soils. Grows in the sun and in partial shade. It is periodically required to water the soil so that it does not dry out.
Lunaria reviving (perennial) whimsical in the choice of soil. The soil should be loose and fertile with the addition of humus and lime. The depth of digging the soil should be at least 20 cm in order to achieve harmonious circulation of air and water in it, to ensure constant access of minerals and vitamins necessary for the roots of the plant.
Loosening of the soil, removal of weeds and diseased or dead plants is periodically required.
Lunaria reluctantly grows and blooms in the soil, where previously such plants as radishes, cabbage, rutabagas, horseradish, mustard were planted.
Top dressing
Top dressing can be carried out in spring and summer by applying appropriate organic and mineral fertilizers to the root system. One feeding for a month is enough.
When and how lunaria blooms
Types of flowers
As already mentioned, there are 2 species - the annual lunaria and the biennial lunaria, as well as 4 varieties of the lunar: Pearl, Munsted Purple, Variegatta and Alba.
Purple and Manstead Purple have purple inflorescences. Mansted pearl blooms more profusely and has a brighter aroma.
Flower shapes
The flowers have 4 oblong petals. When flowering, the plant opens completely. Flowers are collected in inflorescences. Inflorescences are attached to a stem with leaves in the shape of an elongated triangle or, more simply, in the shape of hearts.
Flowering period
An annual plant usually flowers towards August.
The biennial begins to bloom in May and blooms throughout May-June. Under comfortable conditions of existence, the reviving lunar can bloom again in the month of August.
Changes in grooming and flowering period
During the flowering period of the plant, as well as during the period of its development, the plant needs watering. Only it is better to water at the root, so that the water jet does not destroy or damage the inflorescences. An annual plant is less demanding for watering, but, like many others, it is difficult to tolerate dry periods. The biennial plant should be watered regularly during the growing season.
Transplant after purchase and during reproduction
Perennial lunaria can grow for a long time without transplanting and retain an attractive appearance. Annual species should be replanted every year.
For reproduction of a perennial plant, it is enough to sow seeds at a certain distance. Reproduction of an annual lunar is carried out by seeds or cuttings. When transplanting with seeds, they wait until the fruit is fully ripe, pluck it and plant it in a prepared soil.
For propagation by cuttings, you need to cut off the shoot and put it in water until the roots appear, and then plant it.
Possible growing problems
Diseases and pests
Pests
Lunaria is considered a very resistant plant, but if grown in places not suitable for the growth of this species, then aphids, cruciferous flea and cabbage butterfly can settle on the plant. As soon as the appearance of pests is noticed, it is immediately worthwhile to carry out an insecticide treatment.
Diseases
If you plant a lunar in places where cruciferous plants have already grown, it can get sick. Due to stagnant water in the soil, a fungal infection of the plant can develop, it should be treated with a fungicide.
Signs of improper care
The appearance of yellowness, wilting, weakness of the stems is a sign that the plant is watered too much.
Drying of leaves and falling off of buds that have not opened means that there is insufficient watering and too much direct sunlight.
Use in landscape design
Lunnik is an original, shade-loving plant that does not require special care.It is thanks to these qualities that it is ideal for landscape design. Lunaria can be planted as separate small bushes, and together with other flowers, large-format flower beds.
Landscape use
As a result, the lunar is a popular plant that is unpretentious to care for. The main rule is not to plant him too close to others (the lunar loves freedom). With a lack of space, it blooms rarely and pale.
