Armeria (Armeria) belongs to the genus of herbaceous ornamental perennials that belong to the Pig family. Today, about 90 varieties of this plant can be found in their natural environment.
The origin of the name is associated with two words: "ar" - "near, nearby" and "mor" - "sea". And, apparently, not in vain, since one of the most famous varieties of armeria is often found in coastal regions. However, some scholars believe that the source of the origin of "armeria" must be sought in the French translation. Previously, this was the name of the bearded carnation, which has a similar structure with certain types of armeria. In nature, the plant can be seen in Eastern Europe, America or in the north of Russia.
Description of armeria
Armeria flower can grow up to 15-60 cm in length, has a small root and rich vegetation. Leaf shape linear-lanceolate sessile. The leaves are collected in a rosette forming curtains. Armeria shoots look smooth and erect. The capitate inflorescences consist of white, pink or scarlet flowers. After they wilt, a single-seeded fruit is formed. The flowering period is 3-4 months. Especially popular with gardeners is the seaside armeria, which, unlike other representatives of this perennial, prefers a moist substrate and feels great near open water bodies.
Growing armeria from seeds
Sowing armeria
Armeria can be propagated by breeding seedlings or by using the seedling method. Sowing seeds into the soil is carried out before winter or early spring. To obtain seedlings for subsequent cultivation in the open field, the seeds of the plant are sown in greenhouses in February-March. The flower also reproduces well by self-sowing. Planting should be shallow so that the soil layer above the seeds does not exceed 0.5 cm. Armeria is characterized by a high degree of germination.
Seedling armeria
To obtain healthy and beautiful seedlings, it is recommended to store the seeds of this perennial in the refrigerator. Before you start sowing, you need to soak them for 6 hours in warm water. Seedling containers are stored in a dry and insulated room. After the appearance of a pair of green leaves, the seedlings can be dived into the greenhouses so that they can, as it should, gain strength and grow stronger before transplanting into open ground.
Planting armeria in open ground
When is the best time to plant
This event can be carried out only on condition that the young crops of Armeria are fully strengthened, and the time of frost has also passed. A well-lit area in the garden with sandy or rocky soil is suitable for growing a flower. In the event that there is a large amount of lime in the soil, it is recommended to neutralize its effect by adding ammonium nitrate or acetic acid.Soil enrichment is carried out before the seedlings are in the soil.
How to plant a flower correctly
When about 2 weeks remain before planting, it is necessary to carefully dig up the selected area and feed the substrate with a solution of organic fertilizers. Armerias look great both in group combination with other plants in the flowerbed, and individually. For separate cultivation, it is better to plant Armeria seedlings away from each other, while observing the rule for placing the outlet and root collar. It does not need to be buried very deep in the ground. The soil surface around the seedlings is compacted and watered tightly. In order for the perennial to form a solid green carpet after a while, it is required to place the seedlings almost end-to-end and plant them in shallow grooves, and not in pits. For three weeks, it is important to maintain abundant watering, but you should not allow water to stand on the ridges. With seed reproduction, you can observe the flowering of the plant as early as next year. The cultivation of seaside armeria does not differ in any way from other varieties of this perennial.
Armeria care
Armeria flower is considered quite unpretentious for garden cultivation. Before flowering, you need to feed the soil. For these purposes, complex mineral fertilizers are used. During the growth period, feeding can be repeated several times. It is important to cut off faded buds in time. Thus, the bushes will direct all the forces and nutrients to the formation of the next inflorescences. In hot and dry summers, it is better to increase the frequency of watering, but you should not allow excessive waterlogging of the soil. Upon reaching the age of five, bushes are transplanted. For this, the plant is carefully dug up and divided into parts, which are planted at a distance from each other. The frequency of transplanting should be at least once every 2-3 years in order to prevent overgrowth of bushes.
Armeria is a resistant herbaceous perennial to the effects of any diseases and insects. However, when the plant is grown in acidic soil, there are cases of spotting or aphid leaf damage. Only complete pruning of stems and leaves will help to get rid of such a problem.
Armeria after flowering
Seed collection
As mentioned earlier, armeria is one of those ornamental shrubs that can easily reproduce by self-seeding. There will always be enough planting material if you divide the rhizome from time to time, as well as perform the seating of the divisions. To share with your decorative pet, you can leave some of the rhizomes or cuttings. For seed growing in a new location, it is worth taking care of the collection of seeds. After the inflorescences of the armeria wilt, they are tied with gauze, then the seeds cannot fall to the ground. The dried boxes are carefully trimmed, and the seeds are removed on the newspaper and dried. Store them in a paper bag.
Shelter a flower for the winter
This perennial is a relatively frost-resistant plant and does not need any additional shelter. However, sod armeria is a more demanding shrub, which is sheltered before winter with the help of dry peat or spruce branches. Since winters in our regions are unpredictable and often snowless, it will not be worse if spruce branches and other varieties of this flower are protected.
Types and varieties of armeria
To date, breeders have managed to breed about 10 types of flower, which is used to create group flower arrangements in flower beds, in flower beds or rock gardens. Armeria can often be found as a decoration in rocky gardens.
Alpine armeria Is a herbaceous perennial that forms lush cushions that grow 15 cm high. The color of the flowers is pale pink. They gather in axillary capitate inflorescences, which reach a diameter of about 3 cm. Peduncles of Alpine armeria are quite high.The flowering period is short, only one month. This species includes the following varieties: Alba white, Laucheana, characterized by scarlet flowers, and Rosea. The latter variety grows rich pink buds.
Armeria is beautiful - characterized by charming thick leaves and white inflorescences. The plant can grow to a height of about 40 cm. Flowering is observed throughout the summer season. There are varieties:
- Joystick White - has spherical inflorescences, painted in a white tone;
- Thrift is one of the smallest representatives of the Armeria;
- The Red Planet is a bright and attractive flower with long red peduncles;
- Bees Ruby is the tallest variety with pink buds.
Armeria seaside - often found near sea coasts. It is a low-growing variety with narrow green leaves. The flowers are painted in a pink-lilac tone and are covered with a mesh of bracts. This type also includes:
- Armeria Louisiana has pink buds;
- Dusseldorf Stolz or Bloodstone - burgundy;
- Vindictive is scarlet.
Armeria soddy - the homeland of growth is considered to be Spain or Portugal. It is in the mountainous regions of the named countries that this undersized flower is found. The flowers of Armeria soddy can be colored red or pink, the length of the peduncles is 6 cm. During the flowering period, the bushes seem to be covered with lush buds, which overshadow even the bright green of the leaves. The buds begin to appear in the middle of summer. The variety is bad for waterlogging of the soil. Especially popular is a crossed variety of sod and seaside armeria, which is called Zyunderman's armeria.
Armeria Velvich - differs from other varieties in high stems, which can grow up to 35 cm long, has wide leaf blades. The flowers are collected in pink-colored inflorescences. If the area where this species is grown contains a sufficient amount of calcium in the soil, and the armeria receives the necessary care, then it can bloom until late autumn.
Armeria ordinary or garden - This is a tall, erect perennial species, which is distinguished by narrow, whole-edged leaves. At the end of the peduncles, rich pink inflorescences are formed. They exude a dizzying sweetish aroma. About 40 of these flowers can form on a single bush.
Armeria is beautiful Is another variety where small rosettes of narrow green leaves are present. Shoots are slightly rounded. Inflorescences are formed from buds of various colors. Flowering can continue until mid-autumn. In addition to the species described above, there are other equally common representatives of this plant, for example, Japanese, Siberian, prickly or arctic armeria.
