Description and medicinal properties of common lumbago, growing from seeds
Common lumbago is an unusual lush plant about which legends and fairy tales "go". This early flowering windflower or sleep-grass, as it is also called, saves you from insomnia if you keep it under your pillow. Our ancestors believed in this.
In common lumbago, a sufficient degree of resistance to adverse environmental factors and unpretentiousness in care are noted. Even a novice plant growing lover can grow it.
General information about the plant lumbago
Common lumbago belongs to perennial crops, it is extremely rare to meet it in the natural environment. All 45 of its species are in the Red Book. In nature, common lumbago grows on mountain slopes, in forests and in meadows in the form of whole plantations. He decorates the area near the house, and front gardens, and flower beds.
The homeland of this amazing and useful plant is Siberia, it grows both in the Caucasus and in Europe.
In home floriculture, common lumbago appeared in 1530. Its root system is oblong, it can be oblique or strongly vertical, which allows the flower to conquer rocks without any problems. In addition, the ornamental culture quickly adapts to new conditions and is capable of being without moisture for a long period.
There are types of lumbago with an erect or slightly curved stem, on which a light fluff is visible. In height, it reaches 30 centimeters, leaf plates collected in a root rosette are distinguished by a green color.
The bushes are almost 50 centimeters in diameter, they consist of many lacy petals and peduncles that sprout almost immediately as soon as the snow thaws.
The light of the cannons on the buds disappears after they bloom. The flowering phase of common lumbago begins in April and continues until the beginning of the summer season. Single buds reach 9 centimeters in diameter, they have fluff, varied color: white, lilac, lilac, scarlet.
Healing properties
Due to its rich chemical composition, in particular the presence of saponin, tannins, protoanemonin, micro- and macroelements, common lumbago has such medicinal properties as:
- antimicrobial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- sedative;
- diuretic;
- pain relievers.
Preparations using sleep-grass are effective for depression, headaches, diseases of the stomach, gallbladder and liver, kidneys, bladder, as well as urticaria, frostbite, eczema.
Varieties and characteristics
The flower of the lumbago is not in vain considered one of the most beautiful alpine plants. The leaf mass is generally finely dissected, the flowers are large enough with soft pubescence on the outside. This cold-resistant perennial surprises with its variety of varieties and high decorativeness.
Ordinary
The lumbago reaches a height of only 30 centimeters. Its flowers are distinguished by silvery-white pubescence. The leaf mass of a rich green color, almost 20 centimeters long, is collected in a socket. The flowers are painted white, light purple or purple; they are up to 9 centimeters in diameter.
Grows best in well-drained and limed soils. There are instances of lumbago with red flowers. The phase of their blooming falls on April. The plant is able to withstand temperature drops down to -23 degrees.
Spring
The height of the cross does not exceed 30 centimeters. It is not worth planting it on alkaline soil, otherwise it will often hurt. The diameter of the flowers is only 6 centimeters, they are painted white and purple. The best option for planting spring lumbago is an open area. Bronze-golden pubescence gives even more originality to the plant.
The leaf plates are almost 12 centimeters long and are bright green in color. They are collected in a root outlet. Spring lumbago is unpretentious and outwardly quite beautiful.
Multi-cut
Highly decorative lumbago stands out with blue-violet flowers, which are shaped like wide-brimmed bells. After some time, they become open-star-shaped. Flowering stage May-June. In nature, it occurs on rocky slopes, gravelly tundra, meadows, talus.
The plant is 12-30 centimeters tall. The diameter of the flowers is almost 4 centimeters. Lumbago has established itself as a hardy and frost-resistant plantation.
Pink
The perennial attracts attention with its pink bell-shaped flowers. Their diameter is 8 centimeters. Peduncle stems appear as soon as the snow thaws. The buds are quite fluffy, leaf plates are dark green in color. It is recommended to grow lumbago in sunny glades with calcareous, well-drained soil.
Red
The plant stands out with bright red flowers with a diameter of 8 centimeters and a large leaf mass. You can see the luxurious flowering of the lumbago in early spring. Stems 30 centimeters long have strong pubescence.
The leaves grow feathery. Choose a site for planting it should be with a sufficient level of illumination and calcareous, loose soil.
Feathers
Semi-double flowers 4-6 centimeters in diameter, they are collected in inflorescences, but there are also single versions. They are painted pink, red or white. Blossom in April-May in the second year of life.
There is pubescence on the stems and dark green leaves. Its penumbra is grown on fertile and well-drained soil.
Pulsatilla Spring Sensation
Unusual flowers of the variety consist of more than 20 oval-shaped petals. Their diameter is 5 centimeters. The color is: pink, crimson red, white. The height of the stems is 25 centimeters.
The lumbago mass attracts attention with its delicacy and splendor. Grows best on sandy soil in partial shade.
Lugovoi
A distinctive feature of the plant is the lowered heads, the diameter of which is 5 centimeters. They are painted in lavender, dark red or greenish-yellow.
Narrow-leaved
A plant with erect stems begins to bloom in early spring - April-May, and the ripening of fruits occurs in May-June. Perennial lumbago has a powerful root system. The leaf plates are collected in a root rosette and have a green color. Light yellow flowers decorate the chamber.
Albanian
The height of the sleep-grass is 5-18 centimeters, and during the fruiting period - 30 centimeters. The length of the basal leaves is 2.5-6 centimeters, they are oblong, pinnately dissected. Perennial is distinguished by bell-shaped flowers of yellow color. The phase of their blooming is observed in May-July.
Chinese
The height of the herb is 7-25 centimeters, its massive rhizome has a cylindrical shape. Stems are erect. 4-5 root leaves are formed on densely tomentose petioles. The flowers are medium in size, erect, blue-violet or dark purple in color. The phase of their blooming falls on March-May.
Lumbago in landscape design and floristry
Because of its original appearance, lumbago is especially appreciated by modern florists and gardeners. It is often used in floral arrangements. Sleep-grass is used for the spectacular design of rocky hills, gravel gardens, in combination with alpine plants. Windflower looks best against the background of tall plantations.
What is required to grow a flower
Despite the undemandingness of the plant, proper planting and care allow you to grow a lush and beautiful decoration in your garden.
Climatic conditions
The lumbago takes root equally effectively in regions with a moderately humid climate and in more arid places. The main thing is enough light for him.
The soil
For normal growth and development of sleep grass, the soil should be moderately nutritious. But you shouldn't overdo it with organic fertilizers. Lime must be present in the soil for better rooting of the flower. To increase the air and moisture permeability of the soil, sand or gravel is added when digging.
Illumination
When choosing a place for landing a lumbago, you should give preference to sunny meadows. It is possible to plant a plant in partial shade under tall plantings.
Suitable and unwanted neighbors
It is recommended to plant the lumbago near crocuses, scillas, and cannons. It also grows well with primroses, gentian, heuchera, saxifrage, armeria. To avoid cross-pollination, you should not place different colors of sleep-grass next to each other.
Planting plants in open ground
When planting flowers in an open area, you need to know both the timing of the work and the technology.
Site selection
It is recommended to plant the lumbago on the south side of the personal plot. The place should be well lit, protected from through winds and with a distant occurrence of groundwater.
Timing
Sowing seed is done in late April-mid-May. It must be harvested 4-5 weeks after the end of the flowering phase. Seedlings are slightly recommended to dry and set in the ground.
Planting technology
To achieve the desired result, you should adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- Form in the prepared area shallow grooves up to 1.5 centimeters.
- Distribute seeds at 20 cm intervals.
- Sprinkle with soil.
- Moisten.
- Mulch with dry grass, straw.
Sowing in late autumn is an ineffective activity; it is better to do this in the spring.
Culture care
It is not difficult to take care of the lumbago, the main thing is to regularly water it, fertilize and protect it from various kinds of problems, harmful insects.
Watering
Irrigation should be done as the topsoil dries up.Overflow is fraught with root decay.
Fertilizer and feeding lumbago
In the spring, it is advisable to introduce lime 2 times a month and nitrogen in small doses. Twice in the summer, it is advisable to feed with a potassium-phosphorus composition.
Diseases and pests: control and prevention
Against the black leg, the soil is treated with a fungicidal agent before sowing the seeds. It is good to fight rodents with Tornado, Testox, Amus. Slime eater, Storm helps with slugs.
Reproduction methods
There are two ways to dilute the lumbago: vegetatively and by seeds.
Seeds
It is better to sow seeds in the ground fresh, then the percentage of germination will be higher. The plant will bloom in the second year. The seed grows at a temperature of + 21-25 degrees. Deep grooves do not need to be done, 1-1.5 centimeters will be enough.
Cuttings
Vegetative reproduction, as opposed to seed, requires a different approach. The recommended time for harvesting cuttings is spring, when the flowering stage ends or in August. Before deepening into fertile soil, the wound surface is disinfected with ash.
Lumbago is an amazing and unpretentious plant with beautiful flowers. Thanks to the wide range of varieties, choosing the right one will not be difficult.
Even novice gardeners can grow a dream grass. The main thing is to correctly determine the place and adhere to the landing technology.
