Platycodon flower - varieties, planting and care

Bell Platycodon (Codo Platycodon) is a perennial plant that can be used to decorate gardens, backyards and parklands. The plant is presented in a wide variety with incredibly beautiful bells, painted in a variety of tones.

Characteristics of platycodon: varieties and varieties

The most important thing in describing a flower is its bells, which can be either single or group. As it grows, the plant forms a beautiful shrub that pleases with its flowering in July. The second name is shirokolokolchik.

Bell platikodon

Platycodon flowers are represented by a large number of varieties, each of which has distinctive features. Terry hybrids are the most popular among gardeners. On their basis, incredible compositions are obtained. Several more interesting varieties were bred by breeders.

Blue

The standard option is considered to be a perennial blue platycodon bell, which looks most impressive against the background of other varieties. Among its varieties are:

• Blues. They are decorated with rocky hills or other elevations. It can reach a height of up to 15 cm, has large bells, which can be grouped in 3 pieces. The flowers themselves are white, but the veins give it a blue color.
• Album. Unlike the previous variety, it can reach a height of 80 cm. The flowers are very large, with a diameter of 8 cm. They go well with phlox and peonies in the garden.
• Mariesii blue. A low-growing variety, not exceeding 0.35 m. The flowers have a lavender hue, which attracts with its tenderness and beauty.
• Blue Lake. It differs from the previous varieties in its short stature, it grows up to 0.2 m. The plant is unique in all respects. Flowers with a blue-violet tint are often used to decorate alpine slides.
• Fuji Blue. Reaches a height of up to 0.8 m. If the plant is planted separately from other flowers, it will favorably emphasize its light lilac or lilac color. It is immune to disease. Resistant to temperature drop in winter.

The appearance of platycodon blue

White

Platycodon white will decorate any garden. Looks gentle and attractive. For home planting, the following varieties are most often used:

1. Aistra White. It has small compact dimensions, and the plant height reaches 20 cm. It pleases with flowering for two months. The flowers are characterized by a specific geometric shape. Diameter 8 cm.
2. Hakone White. The variety is 15 cm high. Suitable for planting in sunny areas and in the shade. Has snow-white semi-double flowers.

Pink

There are also pink varieties of bells, both indoor and for decorating miniature flower beds. The most popular are the following types of varieties:

1. Shell pink. The variety pleases with its abundant flowering. Possesses a stunning pink color, unpretentious and easy to grow. Blooms for 2-3 months.
2. Maze of Pearl. Reaches a height of 0.6 m, has pale pink inflorescences. Ideal for growing in pots. Convenient when grown in open ground.
3. Pop Star Pink. It has wide large flowers, which, when blooming, first inflate, then turn into a full bowl.Possesses high decorative properties. The flowers are often star-shaped. It blooms for a long time, sometimes even before frost.

Delicate pink bell

Platicodon: planting and care

When working with platycodon, planting and care in the open field must be carried out in accordance with all established requirements.

Seed planting

To grow Platycodon they resort to sowing. Pre-soaking of seeds is not required. The plant will bloom fully. To make the plant happy in the coming summer, the seeds can be sown in the fall. Resistant to low temperatures. The first shoots will appear in the spring.

In the spring, when the ground warms up to seven degrees, you can also sow Platicodon seeds. Since bells take a very long time to sprout, it is best to sow them in a well-lit area. Do not choose areas under the crown of trees or in the shade.

Planting seedlings

For growing seedlings, seeds are sown in April in a greenhouse to maintain an optimal temperature of 15-17 ℃ above zero. The first shoots appear after 20 days. Sprouts are planted in open ground only after a month.

Planting Platicodon

Watering and loosening the soil

Platycodon is a perennial flower that is unpretentious in cultivation, but in order for the bush to please with its flowering for a long time, it is necessary to water it in a timely manner. It generally tolerates dry summers well. But occasionally the bells are irrigated. It is especially important to monitor soil moisture during the budding period. In other cases, watering is carried out only after it has been noticed that the topsoil is completely dry.

When planting a bell, the ground should be loose and drainage. For this, a mixture is prepared: humus, compost, peat and foliage. All ingredients are mixed in equal amounts. By mulching, they regulate the acidity of the soil.

Reproduction methods

Platycodon flower can be propagated by several methods, the most common is the generative method. Seeds are sown in specially prepared soil. They monitor compliance with the technology. As soon as the seedlings germinate, they are planted in the required place. Another method of propagation is by cuttings, but if there is no experience in gardening, then it is better not to use it.

If bells grow on sandy soil, then they are propagated by dividing the bushes. In this case, they carefully dig out the bush and divide it into several bushes with a knife. The shoots should be with buds. In this case, the bush will accept and will delight with abundant flowering.

Plant propagation by seeds

Top dressing and fertilizers

Even despite the unpretentiousness in caring for the bell, Platicodon requires periodic fertilization. If the shrub was originally planted in a prepared and nutritious soil, then fertilization is necessary only during the formation of buds.

Plant transplant

Platycodon large-flowered can be transplanted only after the bush grows up a little. In the southern regions, it is better to transplant a plant from one place to another in the fall, and in the north - in the spring. In this case, the earth must be warmed up to a temperature not lower than +5 ℃. After transplantation, the bell is left on for 14 days, after which standard care procedures are carried out.

Pruning Platicodon

The Platycodon plant, if not pruned, will eventually lose its attractive shape. To avoid this, the bush is pinched and treated with a special agent that slows down growth.

Perennial formation

Pests and diseases

Like any other plant, platycodon can damage various pests and diseases.

Gray rot

The cause of infection is a fungus that spreads throughout the plant. To avoid this trouble, the bush is treated with foundationol or copper sulfate, and they get rid of old infected bushes.

Mice and Moles

It is much easier to deal with mice. It is necessary to spread the poison between the bushes, but with moles it is a little more difficult. It is necessary to stick one end of the hose into the hole, and connect the other to the exhaust pipe of the car and start the car. This will "smoke out" the mole. You can also place "rattles" around the area, which the mole is afraid of.

Slugs

They eat the leaves of the bush. To prevent this, it is necessary to pour ash or eggshells around the bushes, on which slugs will not be able to move. Another option is to dig a glass of beer or milk into the ground, into which slugs will surely fall.

Flowering period and care during this period

Platycodon is a perennial plant that pleases the eye with bright and large flowers that bloom at the top of the bush either singly or in groups. The bud is slightly inclined downward due to the short and flexible peduncle.

In appearance, it is similar to a bell, because all the petals are connected in one place. Among the whole variety of varieties, semi-double species are popular, the petals of which are arranged in several tiers. It is not difficult to take care of the plant during flowering.

Incredibly beautiful perennial flowering

Preparing for winter

Platycodon grown from seeds tolerates wintering well. But still, it is additionally worth protecting the plant for this:

• cut off the ground part of the bush;
• mulch the ground with dry leaves, peat, needles, hay;
• stop watering the bells in the fall so as not to provoke rotting of the root system.

Use in landscape design

Bells go well with peonies and other perennial and annual plants. To create an interesting design, experts recommend growing several bushes with different shades on one Platycodon flower bed, which together will create an interesting color effect.

To create original compositions, Platicodone can be combined with phloxes, adenophores, peonies, as well as with such annuals as aster, zinnia, cleoma and others.

When creating alpine slides, the bells are placed on stones and during their flowering they will create an incredibly beautiful sight. Platycodon will be an excellent decorative decoration for balconies, terraces or loggias. Whichever shade of the plant you take, it will fit well into the landscape design and will delight the eye with flowering for a long time.