Physostegia (Physostegia) is an original, extraordinary and insanely beautiful herbaceous perennial from the Labiate family. North America is considered to be the homeland of this perennial flower. There are not so many species of this plant, their number varies from 3 to 12.
Physostegia is translated from Greek as "bubble", the perennial got this name because of the calyx of the flower, which looks like an inflated bubble. Of all the known species, only Physostegia Virginia is grown in the garden, the rest of the species are considered wild. Despite its beauty, originality and singularity, physostegy does not require special care at all and that is why flower growers like it so much.
Description of the flower physostegia
Physostegia grows well in the garden and is a thick and wide floral "carpet". In height, a perennial can reach about 100-120 cm, and sometimes even more than one and a half meters. The perennial rhizome is powerful, strong and strongly growing. The leaves are oblong, long, serrated along the edges, and smooth inside. The flowers are two-lipped, swollen at the base like bubbles. The color can be white, purple, pink or lilac. The flowering period lasts long enough, physostegia begins to bloom in July and stops only in September.
The perennial's aroma is very sweet and alluring, it attracts pollinators well, thereby helping its less noticeable neighbors.
Growing physostegy from seeds
Sowing seeds
Most often, physostegia easily dissipates on its own and does not require special efforts and special landing. But if a perennial needs to be planted in a certain place or to bring out some new variety, then it is best to plant a flower in a seedling way. The best time to plant seeds for seedlings is March. Physostegia is distinguished by good germination, so the first shoots will appear in about a couple of weeks. To protect the seedlings from drafts and direct UV rays, it is best to place the boxes with physical seedlings in a greenhouse.
Seedlings of physostegia
Watering should be regular and abundant, the top layer of the soil should not be allowed to dry completely. In addition to watering, regular and careful loosening of the soil should also be carried out after each watering.
As for the picking, it is absolutely necessary for the seedlings of physostegia and is carried out when the seedlings already have two leaves. It is necessary to pinch the top of the seedlings by about 5-7 cm, but not more.
Before planting seedlings in open ground, it should be well prepared for this. Gradually, you need to take out the boxes with seedlings of physostegy outside, so that the flowers get used to the climate and are ready for planting in open ground.The habituation period should be at least two weeks.
Planting physostegia in open ground
The best time for planting seedlings in open ground is late May and early June. Physostegy is not picky about the sun's rays, so a place for planting it is suitable both in partial shade and in the open sun. As for the soil, it is best to fertilize it with humus or rotted manure before planting, this will help saturate the soil with useful substances and help moisture not evaporate longer.
Due to the powerful root system, physosteria can interfere with the active growth and development of other plants that will grow with a flower in the neighborhood, therefore, before planting, it is imperative to dig limiters into the soil: slate, boards, metal plates, etc. Or dig in ten-liter buckets without a bottom and plant seedlings of physostegy in them. This will help stop root overgrowth and save space for other plants in the garden. The distance between the bushes should be at least 30 cm.
Physiostegy care
Watering
Physostegy does not require any special and complex care. Perennials need regular and abundant watering, but do not allow stagnation of moisture in the soil, this can lead to decay of the roots and death of the plant or the appearance of harmful fungi. After each watering, the soil should be carefully and carefully loosened so as not to damage the root system. Weeds should be removed as needed.
Top dressing and fertilizers
As for fertilizers, the perennial does not need regular special fertilizing. It is enough to add humus or rotted manure to the soil before planting and, before the period of active flowering, fertilize physostegia with a balanced complex of mineral fertilizers, which is designed specifically for flowering garden plants. You can buy such fertilizers at absolutely any flower shop.
Transfer
Every 5 years, the perennial must be transplanted to a new place. During this time, the bush grows strongly and needs mandatory division, and the soil needs rest. The transplanting process is very simple, it is enough to carefully dig out the roots and transplant them to a new place prepared in advance. It is necessary to prepare the place in the same way as before planting seedlings in open ground. After transplanting, you should thoroughly water the soil and mulch on top with foliage, hay or sawdust.
Physostegia after flowering
Seed collection
How and When to Collect Physostegy Seeds. The best time to collect seeds is the end of August and all of September. Physostegia's seeds are large enough, black in color and slightly ribbed. After the seeds are collected, you must give them time to dry. To do this, place the seeds of physostegia in a warm, dry and well-ventilated place.
Preparing for winter
In places where the climate is warm enough, it is not necessary to insulate the physostegia for the winter, but where the winters are long and harsh without insulation, the flower may not winter and die. After the flowering period is over and the leaves wilted, the bush must be carefully trimmed, leaving about 5-6 cm from the root. Then cover the rest of the bush with peat, sawdust, spruce branches or a thick layer of foliage.
Reproduction of physostegia
Physostegia reproduces not only by seeds, but also by dividing the bush, dividing the rhizome and grafting.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
It is best to divide the bush in the spring, even before the plant is ready to bloom. This will help the perennial to better take root in a new place and please with flowering this year.
Reproduction by dividing the rhizome
The division of the rhizome is a little more difficult. In order to separate the roots, it is necessary to cut off all the leaves and stems with inflorescences, then carefully dig up the roots and divide them into small root groups. The best time for dividing physostegy by roots is autumn, at this time the flowering period is already ending and the plant is preparing for winter rest.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings are usually carried out in June. To do this, carefully cut the cuttings with three living buds (no less!) And dig them in for rooting in boxes with prepared soil. It is best to prepare the soil in advance. Soil mixed with sand and humus or rotted manure is well suited. It will be possible to plant such cuttings as early as next spring, by which time they will take root well and will be ready for transplanting into open ground.
Diseases and pests
Physostegia is very rarely invaded by insects or affected by various diseases, but sometimes such cases do occur. There are not so many pests who like to feast on perennials, usually physostegy is attacked by aphids and spider mites. In order to get rid of them, it is necessary to carefully treat the bushes of the plant with a special insecticide solution: Aktellik, Biotlin, Antitlin and others. And correct mistakes in perennial care.
As far as diseases are concerned, rust and various kinds of fungi affect physicalostegia. You need to deal with them as soon as the first signs of the disease appear. Treatment with fungicides helps a lot. In order for the plant not to become infected again, it is necessary to follow the rules of caring for it, because the advanced stage of the disease can lead to the death of the entire perennial and the infection of neighboring plants.
Types and varieties of physostegia
As already mentioned above, only Virginia Physostegia and varieties that were bred from it are grown in the garden. The rest of the known species are considered wild and are not grown in the garden.
- Physostegia Alba - Plants can reach a height of almost 1 m. Flowers are white and large. The leaves are jagged at the edges, and smooth in the middle.
- Fizosteria variegata - an extraordinary flower variety. Leaves are variegated, dark green in the middle and a white border around the edges. The flowers are bright pink. Can grow up to 1 m in height.
- Physostegy Summer Spire - the leaves in shape and color are no different from the physicalostegia of Alba, but the flowers are of an unusual dark pink or lilac color. The flower can grow up to 90 cm in height.
- Fizosteria Vivid - This flower is considered to be undersized, since the maximum height to which it can grow is 60 cm. The leaves of this species are green, and the flowers are not large and pale pink in color.
- Fizosteria Bouquet Rose - a flower can grow up to one and a half meters high. The leaves are powerful, light green and serrated at the edges. The flowers are large and have an incredibly beautiful bright lilac color.
