Iberis (Iberis) is a flowering perennial or annual, herbaceous or semi-shrub plant from the Cruciferous family, which is widespread in many European and Asian countries, as well as in the Crimea and the Caucasus. There are about forty different species in the genus, among which there are cold-resistant and thermophilic, unpretentious and capricious crops. Iberis is used as a decoration in the garden and on the personal plot, in flower beds and flower beds, on alpine hills and for bordering the lawn. The flower is in demand among flower designers in festive bouquets and flower arrangements.
Description of the Iberis flower
Distinctive features of Iberis flowers are the root part in the form of a taproot, straight or creeping stems, simple dark green leaves of small size, inflorescences-umbrellas of fragrant small white, pink, red, lilac or lilac flowers up to one centimeter in diameter and fruit-pods with seeds inside. High seed germination is maintained for 4 years after harvest. Iberis blooms actively for about 2 months, annual crops bloom a little longer. The first flowers appear in mid-May or early August, depending on the species and varieties, and continue to delight those around them with their beautiful views for almost the entire summer season. The plant blooms profusely and luxuriantly, sometimes behind numerous inflorescences, leaves are almost invisible. The herbaceous plant propagates by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush.
Growing Iberis from seeds
Sowing seeds
Growing Iberis from seeds is considered the easiest way to reproduce and therefore the most popular. The seeds can be purchased at any flower shop or collected with your own hands.
Sowing seeds of Iberis in open ground is carried out to a depth of 5-10 millimeters. A favorable time for sowing is early April. If the seeds are sown 2 or 3 times with an interval of 15-20 days, then flowering will be continuous throughout the summer months. The first shoots appear in 10-15 days. It is imperative to thin out the crops, leaving a distance of about 15 centimeters between the seedlings. You can sow seeds in the fall.
Iberis seedlings
Seedlings are sown in early spring (in the first days of March). This will require a seedling container with a loose, well-moistened substrate and fine river sand. Seeds are sown to a depth of 1 millimeter and sprinkled with a thin sand layer. It is recommended to immediately cover the box with polyethylene or glass and remove the cover only for the next moistening of the soil (by spraying). They contain crops in a warm and bright room, there is no need to pick.
Planting Iberis in open ground
When to plant Iberis
It is recommended to plant Iberis in open ground at the end of May, so that night frosts can no longer harm young plants.For planting, you need to choose an open sunny area. The most suitable soil for growing is sandy, stony or loamy, so that water does not stagnate in it, which will negatively affect the development of the root part.
Landing features
Iberis is planted together with an earthen clod by transshipment, since young plants have very delicate and fragile roots. The distance between the plants is about 15 cm. A seedling is placed in the planting hole, filled with soil, compacted and the first moderate watering is carried out.
Caring for Iberis in the garden
Watering
Soil moistening with irrigation water is required for flowering crops only on dry and very hot summer days with a long absence of precipitation.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilizing the soil is optional. If desired, you can feed the flowers with complex mineral fertilizers, but no more than 1-2 times per summer. Such additional nutrition will positively affect the splendor and abundance of flowering.
Pruning
Pruning the stems should be done after flowering. 1/3 of them are subject to removal. To preserve the aesthetic appearance of a flower garden or flower bed, it is recommended to cut off wilted inflorescences in a timely manner.
Transfer
Iberises at the age of 5-6 years must be planted, since the culture eventually loses its decorative qualities, flowering becomes scarce, and the size of the inflorescences decreases.
Iberis after flowering
Collection and storage of seeds
Since the flowering period of various species and varieties can occur throughout the summer, constantly maturing seeds can be harvested gradually, without waiting for the end of the warm season. First, you need to collect and dry the pods, and then extract the seeds from them. The shelf life of planting material is about 4 years, so it is placed in paper bags or a cardboard box and stored in a dry and cool room until planting. If there was no opportunity for collection, then the plants are likely to multiply by self-seeding.
Preparing for winter
Although Iberises are perennials and belong to frost-resistant crops, but a reliable shelter for the winter months will not hurt them. After the autumn pruning, the bushes can be covered with spruce branches, it will save the plants in severe frosts and a long absence of snow.
Diseases and pests
The flea, appearing on flowering dwarf shrubs, feeds on the leafy part and leaves numerous rounded holes on the leaves. To get rid of the pest, it is enough to keep the soil around the plants moist.
Cabbage aphids multiply very quickly, it is necessary to fight it at the first sign by spraying with a special solution. For 10 liters of water, you need to add about 300 grams of potash soap (liquid), stir thoroughly until completely dissolved. Repeated control spraying is carried out after a week.
The mealybug dies only from spraying with chemicals - Fitoverm, Mospilan, Aktara.
Iberis is highly resistant to all types of diseases. The disease can only begin with improper (excessive) watering, which will lead to the formation of root rot. The diseased bush must be removed immediately and the soil must be disinfected.
