Arenaria is a charming and tender herbaceous annual, biennial or perennial plant from the Clove family. There is another name for this plant - gerbil. The flower received this name for its love of sandy soil. This article will tell you more about how to plant an arenaria and how to properly care for it in the open field.
Arenaria plant description
Arenaria is a herbaceous plant that can be either annual, biennial or perennial. Plant height reaches no more than thirty-five centimeters. Small bushes are formed from branched stems. The leaves are sessile and are most often epileptic or ovoid. The leaves are short in length and grow no more than 20 mm. The flowers are slightly pinkish in color, and the center has a green tint. The beginning of flowering depends on the species. The early varieties bloom in April-May, and the late ones in June. Flowering lasts no longer than a month.
Growing arenaria from seeds at home
To grow seedlings, it is necessary to prepare the soil and shed it abundantly. After that, evenly distribute arenaria seeds over the surface and sprinkle with soil lightly on top. After planting, it is necessary to carefully spray the soil so as not to wash the planted seeds out of it.
There are two ways to grow seeds: sowing seeds in January and sowing seeds in November-December.
Seeds planted in January. It is necessary to germinate seeds planted at this time at a temperature of no more than 20 degrees. The first shoots should appear in 1.5 weeks. If the seeds have sprouted poorly, then do not be upset. It is necessary to cover the boxes with seeds with foil and place them in the refrigerator for about 1.5 months. After that, you need to get the boxes and continue germination.
Seeds planted in November-December. For two weeks, the boxes with the planted seeds need to be held without shelter. After the expiration of this period, the boxes must be properly covered with plastic wrap and taken out into fresh air for the whole winter. After the onset of spring, the boxes should be brought back to the house and germination should be continued.
After the shoots appear, it is necessary to remove the film and begin regular spraying of the shoots. When the seedlings have two real leaves, they must be planted in different pots.
Approximately 2 weeks after transplanting, the seedlings can be planted in open ground. The distance between the bushes should be at least 30 cm. Arenaria grown in this way will bloom only next year.
Outdoor arena maintenance
It is best to choose a place for planting in a sunny part of the garden, partial shade is also suitable. As for the soil, it is best to give preference to sandy loam with a thick layer of drainage, since the gerbil does not tolerate stagnant moisture. pebbles or broken bricks can be used as a drainage layer. It is necessary to water the arenaria at least 2-3 times a week. After watering, be sure to carefully loosen the soil around the flower, this will make the soil more breathable.The arenaria does not need frequent fertilization, it is enough to apply balanced mineral fertilizers once a season and this will be enough for good growth and development of the flower.
Dried inflorescences and leaves should be regularly trimmed so that the plant does not waste its energy on them. A plant can grow in one place for more than 5 years.
The arenaria is not affected by diseases and attacks of harmful insects.
Reproduction arenaria
It is necessary to propagate the arenaria by dividing the bush either before flowering or after. To do this, you need to carefully dig out a bush and divide it so that there are at least three living buds on each division. Divided bushes must be planted immediately in the holes prepared in advance.
As for grafting, arenaria is extremely rare in this way. The first two methods are considered more successful.
Arenaria types
There are about two hundred and twenty different species of gerbils. The plant grows in regions with a temperate climate and less often in the mountainous regions of the tropics.
The types of arenaria are divided into several groups:
- Undersized representatives of the arenaria;
- Tall plants;
- Plants with large flowers;
Mountain Arenaria (Arenaria montana) - is considered one of the most common types. The plant can grow up to 15 cm in height. The bush is quite lush and can grow up to 50 cm. The flowers are large, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The leaves are short and have an elliptical shape. This species is quite frost-hardy and can withstand frost down to -35 degrees. The most popular varieties of this type: Avalanche, Blizzard compact and others.
Arenaria grandiflora (Arenaria grandiflora) - the plant grows up to 15 cm in height. The leaves are elliptical and grow no more than 2 cm in length. The flowers are large and white.
Thyme-leaved arenaria (Arenaria serpyllifolia) - this type of arenaria can be one-year or two-year. Stems are erect and branched. It can grow up to 20 cm in height, and sometimes even higher. The leaves are oval. The flowers are small, white.
Arenaria lateriflora - the plant can reach a height of more than forty centimeters. Leaves are narrow, elongated, about 5-10 cm in length. The flowers are very small, no more than 5 mm in diameter. This species is early flowering, the plants of this species bloom already in May.
Arenaria crimson (Arenaria purpurascens) - this species is late flowering. Flowering begins only in July. The flowers are medium in size and have an unusual pinkish-lilac hue. The leaves are elliptical and bright green in color.
Balearic Arenaria (Arenaria balearica) - one of the shortest species of all known. Plants of this type grow no more than 5 cm in height. But the bushes grow very well and can be more than 40 cm wide. The flowers are small and begin to bloom in late spring. It has good frost resistance and can withstand cold temperatures below -35 degrees.
Arenaria tetraquetra - another undersized type of arenaria. Its height is only 4 cm. The bushes are more like moss, covered with small delicate white flowers.
Arenaria rotundifolia (Arenaria rotundifolia) - the plant got its name because of the shape of the leaves, they are almost round. The flowers are small, white.
Arenaria graceful (Arenaria gracilis) - dwarf type of arenaria. The leaves are small and ovoid. The flowers are white and large enough for a gerbil.
Arenaria biflora (Arenaria biflora) - the stems of this species are creeping and creeping. The leaves are small and oval, slightly pointed at the tip. The flowers are white with bright yellow cores.
Arenaria in landscape design
Gerbils can be planted between tiles right on garden paths. It will turn out very nice and practical, as the plants will prevent soil erosion. The arena will be an excellent decoration for the rock garden and rockery. The combination of arenaria with juniper, letophyte and saxifrage turns out to be very beautiful and original.
The plant is also great for decorating borders, since some species grow very well, thereby giving the border more originality and originality.
Arenaria is not a tall plant, so it is best to plant it in combination with the same not tall flowers. For example, bells, tenacious, alpine toadflax, armeria, gentian and periwinkle.
A gerbil with large flowers is great for growing in flowerpots. It looks just as beautiful if you plant the plant with islands.
If you follow all the canons of planting, care and cultivation of the arenaria, then this plant will be an excellent decoration for the garden, the bushes will be lush and healthy, they will delight you with abundant flowering. Delicate flowers and a wonderful aroma will add originality to the flower beds and make them more interesting.
