Description of 20 varieties and types of godetia, planting and care in the open field
Novice gardeners are interested in knowing how the godetia is planted and caring for it. This luxurious and graceful plant, which is often called the flower of passion, will decorate a flower bed, alpine slide or border. At first glance, godezia impresses with its expressive bright colors, ranging from delicate pinks to deep burgundy. The flowering period lasts until the first frost.
Description and features
Godetia is not a perennial; it is an annual garden plant belonging to the Cyprus family. Erect and branched stems form bushes, reaching 20-60 centimeters in height. Depending on the subspecies, they are spreading or pyramidal.
The flowers are shaped like cups and bells, their surface is double or silky. The leaves of the godetia are lanceolate and whole-edged. The colors are varied - there are white, pink, pale orange, peach, lilac, purple and burgundy tones. Flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences from three to ten centimeters in diameter.
The flowering period begins in July and ends in late October. Godezia was discovered and studied by the famous Swiss botanist C. H. Godet, after whom it was named. This flower is native to Southern California.
Kinds
There are several types of godetia, differing in color, shape and size of flowers, flowering periods and growing characteristics.
Large-flowered
As the name implies, this species is characterized by the largest flower size - up to 10 centimeters in diameter. The bush reaches an average height of about 20-40 centimeters. Erect stems have a fragile structure before the growing season, and then lignify. The shape of the flowers is cup-shaped or bell-shaped. They persist on the bush from July to October.
Adorable
The Adorable Godetia has taller stems, up to 60 centimeters.The diameter of the flower is about 6 centimeters. The surface of the petals is soft satin. The color, depending on the variety, is white or bright pink. Leaves are lanceolate with pointed tips. Godetia blooms Adorable three months - from July to September.
Terry
Terry godetia is a hybrid variety derived from large-leaved godetia. It is impossible to meet it in the wild, it is exclusively a garden decoration. The petals of such a flower can have a semi-double, double and densely double surface. This makes them look great in bouquets.
Azalea flower
This variety received its characteristic name due to its external resemblance to azalea. It is characterized by neat compact dimensions and a height not exceeding 40 centimeters. Distinctive features are branched stems and abundant dense flowering.
Among all existing varieties, azalea godetia is the most unpretentious, capable of withstanding frost.
Popular varieties
Among the variety of varieties, the gardener will be able to choose the right option.
Weiser Straus
Weiser Straus is one of the most popular large-flowered varieties, reaching a height of 40 centimeters. A distinctive feature is expressive snow-white flowers with a wavy edge. This sun-loving variety should be planted in areas with good natural light. At the same time, it easily tolerates cold weather, which means it can be grown in the northern regions.
Orange Room
The godetia bush Orange Room is about 50 centimeters tall. Small flowers are painted with a deep red color with an orange tint.
Crystal snowflake
The Crystal Snowflake is characterized by a tall stem dotted with large snow-white flowers. It is one of the finest godetia varieties.
Kirshkenigin
The characteristic features of this variety are high stems and luxurious large flowers of a pinkish-red hue.
Bride
Another variety of godetia, decorated with delicate snow-white flowers with a barely noticeable pink tint.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt is a variety of godetia, characterized by hemispherical low bushes up to 35 centimeters. The shoots are pinkish-green. They have lanceolate leaves. The pink flowers have a wavy shape and a dark red spot in the middle.
Cybil Sherwood
Godetia Sybil Sherwood is compact in size and small in height. The bush is decorated with lanceolate leaves and semi-double salmon-pink flowers. From the middle to the edges, the flowers have a lighter shade.
Blitzstral
Blitzstral is a medium-sized godetia bush with large cup-shaped flowers of a rich fiery red color. Due to long flowering and ease of maintenance, it is an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. It tolerates low temperatures well.
Monarch
Godetia Monarch is a very neat shrub of compact size. The flowers are characterized by a graceful bell shape. The colors are very diverse - white, pale pink, deep pink or crimson. At the very base of the flower, there is an expressive carmine spot. This variety can be grown not only in the garden, but also at home - for example, on a balcony or windowsill. Another important advantage of this variety is its ability to withstand frost.
Red wine
Red wine is another undersized godezia with frost-resistant properties. The rich green foliage in combination with scarlet red double flowers looks very impressive. You can grow this variety outdoors or in containers.
Meteor
The Meteor variety is characterized by thin erect shoots with a light down. Bushes of compact size. The flowers are cup-shaped and reach a diameter of 8 centimeters.They have an attractive terry surface and a variety of colors - pale pink, purple or deep red.
Butterfly
The Moth variety has a small bush height. Lush double flowers, due to the wavy edge and bright colors, resemble the wings of a butterfly.
Cinderella
Among all varieties of godetia, Cinderella stands out for its luxurious pink and salmon flowers with a pearlescent tint. The height of the bushes reaches 60 centimeters.
York
The York variety is characterized by a small height - up to 40 centimeters on average. The bushes are lush and spreading. The flowers are in the form of a bowl of six centimeters in diameter. The entire petals are painted in a rich red-purple color, right at the base is a white speck. The stems are reddish brown.
Summer paradise
Summer Paradise is a godezia variety with beautiful pinkish-red flowers that have a wavy edge and a double surface. The height of the bush is average - 40-50 centimeters.
Summer beauty
The beauty of summer is a large-flowered variety of godetia. The diameter of the inflorescence is 6 centimeters, and the height of the bush is 60. Shades of luxurious double flowers range from pink to red.
Katerina
Another attractive large-flowered godetia variety is Katerina. Smooth and branched stems reach 60 cm in height. They are densely dotted with large silky flowers of various colors - white, pink, lilac, purple and carmine. There are also combined colors. The flowering period lasts until mid-autumn.
Growing seedlings
To grow high-quality godetia seedlings, you need to comply with the terms, soil requirements, temperature conditions and all the rules of care.
Timing
Seeds for seedlings must be sown in late March or early April, so that full-fledged bushes appear by May.
Soil preparation
Containers for future seedlings must be filled with loose nutrient soil with good drainage properties.
How to plant
Planting godetia seeds is very simple. It is enough to mix them with clean river sand and distribute evenly over the surface of the filled container. Then sprinkle on top with a thin layer of soil. After that, you need to create a greenhouse effect by covering each container with plastic wrap.
Temperature and light conditions
The optimum temperature is from +15 ° C to +18 ° C. The room should be well lit for at least 12 hours a day, so artificial lighting may be required.
Watering
Seedlings need moderate watering. It is important to keep in mind that excess moisture can lead to mold.
Dive
Ten days later, the first shoots appear. As soon as 2-3 full-fledged leaves are formed on the seedlings, they must be dived. To do this, they must be carefully dug out, cleaned of traces of soil and the roots must be shortened if they are too long. Then plant three seedlings in each separate pot.
Hardening
In early May, you need to start hardening the plants so that they adapt to the sun and wind. To do this, take them out daily to fresh air. At the very beginning, it is enough for 2-3 hours, and then for the whole day. When warm spring weather sets in, you can keep the seedlings outdoors all night.
Landing in open ground
When planting godetia in open ground, it is necessary to choose the right place and prepare the soil.
When to plant
Seedlings should be planted in open ground when they reach a height of about 5-7 cm - in late May or early June.
Seat selection
A dry and well-lit place is suitable for planting godetia. The plant does not tolerate completely shaded areas, but it grows successfully in light shade conditions.
Soil requirement
The ideal soil for godetia is a light loam with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.Heavy or sandy soils are categorically contraindicated. You should also avoid excess moisture in the soil.
Landing scheme
Seedlings should be transplanted into open ground in the early morning before sunrise or in the evening after sunset. In order not to damage the roots, the plants must be very carefully removed from the containers along with the earthy clod.
Hole for godetia should be at a distance of 20-25 cm. For tall varieties it can be slightly increased.
Features of winter sowing
Sowing godets before winter is practiced exclusively in regions with mild winter climates. The most suitable time for this is late October or early November, when the topsoil will be fairly frozen.
In this case, you need to sow seeds into the ground, and then mulch from peat (its layer should be 7-10 cm). With the onset of spring, the mulch must be removed, the plantings should be watered and covered with non-woven fabric. In May, seedlings need to be thinned out or transplanted to permanent places.
Care
It is not difficult to take care of an unpretentious godetia, so even novice gardeners can easily cope.
Watering
Moderate watering is a guarantee of good growth and well-being of the godecy. When the soil dries up, flowering becomes more scarce, therefore, on dry days, you need to water the flower more intensively (3-5 times a week). Excessive waterlogging of the soil also adversely affects flowering, moreover, it can lead to decay. In the autumn, the amount of watering should be reduced.
Loosening and weeding
To accelerate growth and protect against weeds, you need to regularly loosen and weed the soil around the godetia.
Top dressing
During the budding period of the plant, it is required to apply mineral fertilizers with a minimum nitrogen content. Top dressing is recommended no more than once a month, since mineral overload can negatively affect flowering.
Removing dried flowers and leaves
To stimulate the formation of new buds and prolong the flowering period, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences and damaged stems in time.
Diseases and pests
In general, godetia is resistant to diseases and pests. However, in some cases problems arise, so it is important to be aware of their symptoms and solutions.
Root rot
Root rot is a consequence of severe waterlogging of the soil. Instances with a damaged root system must be uprooted and burned so that the putrefactive process does not spread to healthy plants.
Peronosporosis
Peronosporosis belongs to fungal diseases and appears as spots on the stems and leaves of godetia. Timely treatment with fungicide solutions will help protect the flower from this phenomenon.
Leaf-eating pests
Leaf-eating pests pose a threat in areas with an abundance of weeds. Therefore, they must be removed in a timely manner.
Aphid
To destroy aphids, insecticides or a solution of laundry soap with the addition of ash are used.
After flowering
At the end of the flowering period, you need to carefully inspect the godetia bushes, remove wilted inflorescences and damaged leaves, and then proceed to collect and harvest seeds.
Collection and storage of seeds
After flowering, godetia seeds ripen a month later. This is evidenced by the darkening of the fruit-boxes. They need to be carefully cut, dried and opened to easily shake out the seeds. They can be stored safely in paper bags or small glass bottles until next spring.
What to do if the seedlings are pulled
Pulling seedlings is likely in case of too dense sowing or lack of sunlight. There are several ways to solve this problem:
- diving into separate containers;
- the addition of artificial lighting;
- reducing watering to a minimum.
A few days after the pick, it is recommended to fertilize with a weakly concentrated complex fertilizer.
Use in landscape design
Depending on the variety, godetia can be used in different ways in landscape design.
Plants with tall stems look spectacular in the center of the mixborder. The stunted ones adorn the slopes of the alpine hills and flower borders placed along the garden paths or around the lawns. Combine with petunias and peonies.
Reviews
Marianna: “I decided to make an alpine slide at my summer cottage. I chose godetia of the Monarch variety for this. Before the onset of frost I can admire the white, pink and crimson flowers.
Katya: “I already have all varieties of godetia in my garden. I decorate them with alpine slides, borders along paths, framing around the gazebo. I really like that they bloom until autumn, without requiring complicated care. "
