Cerastium - this is the scientific name of Yaskolki, it represents the family of carnations. A special charm to this creeping plant is given by the appearance of a velvet "cap" knitted of small silvery-white flowers. The chrysalis has erect ascending stems with a fringe; it actively grows, forming tufts. At the end of flowering, the plant forms an oblong seed-fruit with small brown seeds.
Popular types
In the wild, it is found on the African and Australian continents, in America and Eurasia. The plant has about two hundred species, which include both one- and perennials. In Russia, only a small number of them have found distribution:
- Field shingle. Unpretentious, stems reach a height of 45 cm, leaves can be oblong or spear-shaped. Inflorescences range from single to group.
- Alpine. White flowers bloom in May. Ground cover, stems are about 10 cm high.
- Large-flowered. It is proud of larger flowers than other species - up to 3 cm.
- Bibirstein. Stems densely pubescent, up to 20 cm high, resistant to low temperatures, early flowering. It grows actively and can even displace other plants from the flower bed.
- Terry stem. One of the most beautiful species, its homeland is Italy. Forms compact cushion curtains that rise 30 cm above the ground.
Rules for growing felt felt
This type is also very popular. It has branchy stems of gray-green color, which, growing, form a high (up to 30 cm) pillow. Flowers are white, up to 1 cm in diameter, appear in May. The flowering period lasts about 35 days.
Felt shingle is a non-capricious plant. But for better decorativeness, you should know some of the features of planting and care.
Choosing a landing site
The felt type of chickweed is photophilous, drought-resistant and winter-hardy. This must be taken into account when determining the landing site. The best plot will be on a hill, where the maximum sun rays during the day. In semi-shaded areas, the plant will also feel normal.
Important. You cannot choose a dark place for the chick, especially where there is a lot of moisture. There she simply will not survive.
Any soil is suitable for the plant: stony, sandy, poor. The main condition should be good drainage so that the soil is not waterlogged. If the soil is too dense, sand should be added to it so that the water does not stagnate.
Sowing seeds
Sowing material is applied to the soil either at the end of October or in April. You can also use the seedling method. For this, the seeds are sown in early March. Containers with future plants should be placed in the brightest place, optimally on the south window.
Young shoots sprout after 10 days. When three real leaves appear on them, the chick dive into separate cups of 2-3 stalks.If the sowing was in open air nurseries, the seedlings should be thinned out so that the gaps between them are at least 5 cm.
From the premises, the young are transferred to open ground in mid-May, and at the end of June from nurseries. It happens that chickweed blooms in the first year, but usually flowers appear only the next.
In the process of growing, the seedlings are watered rather moderately, avoiding an excess of moisture.
Care of the felt felt
Watering
There is practically no need to water the felt yaskolka - a dense carpet will retain moisture and the leaves from below will begin to rot. Natural moisture is sufficient for the plant to develop well.
Important. Watering the chickworm is needed only if the weather is too dry and hot, and only a few times per season.
Transfer
After three years, the flower needs to be transplanted to rejuvenate the plant, since over time it loses its decorative qualities. The stems stretch out and the bush becomes messy.
To maintain its shape, the cap is trimmed. In the process of pruning, long shoots are removed, which are knocked out of the general "head" of the bush.
Important. To maintain decorativeness after flowering, the stems must be cut off.
Top dressing and fertilization of chickweed
The chickweed can do just fine without fertilizers. But if you still want to pamper her, you can use a universal composition for ornamental plants. By feeding the flower once at the beginning of summer, you will provide the chick with everything it needs.
Wintering a flower
The plant tolerates frost well. If you have correctly selected the planting site, then there is no need to cover the flower with anything. Some of the shoots even retain their foliage and actively recover in spring. It is worth covering the chickweed with spruce branches or dry straw only when there is a threat of severe frosts, and there is no snow cover.
Advice. If you have a desire to admire full-fledged bushes in the spring, cover them with non-woven material. They remove it after the snow melts - the bushes will be completely alive. In the spring, the flowerbed where the chickweed grows should be cleaned of plant debris and all dry shoots removed.
Important. If the area with the flower is flooded with melt water, the plant may die.
Reproduction of the felt felted
Yaskolka can be propagated not only by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush are also used.
- Division of the bush. The procedure is carried out in the fall or early spring. The bush is divided with a shovel, and each part is transplanted to a new site. The bushes take root well and begin to grow actively.
- Cuttings. After the bush has faded, the stems are cut from it for reproduction. They are planted in the ground, where they quickly take root. Already in the fall, such specimens produce new shoots, and after overwintering, they quickly grow.
Important. The day before cutting the cuttings, the plant needs to be well watered to saturate the stems with moisture.
Diseases and pests
The main method of preventing chickweed diseases is soil moisture normal for it. It should be practically dry. If there is an excess of moisture, the flower will rot. Actually, this is the only disease that threatens the plant. Pests of yaskolke are not terrible.
Jascola in landscape design
The best location for the jascol is, of course, an alpine slide. In the process of growing, the curtains will wonderfully surround the stones, and the plot will have a natural, pristine appearance. In addition, the flower looks good in the vicinity of geyhera, bells, cineraria, stonecrop, if placed in a flower bed with a low border.
It makes sense to plant chickweed on bulbous, flowering in late spring - tulips, muscari. When they fade, a lush carpet will cover the dry stems, and now small snow-white stars will delight the owners with their scattering.
Air clouds against a green background can be created by planting a chisel on a lawn. It also looks great on the edge of the garden paths. The neutral white color of the chrysalis makes it possible to match plants of any desired shades to it according to the color palette.
Important. Drought-resistant flowers that do not need frequent watering should be adjacent to the shrub. This is because the moist soil, so much needed by other plants, will cause the chickey to rot.
This flower has become very popular with many gardeners. And there is nothing to be surprised at. After all, needing a minimum of maintenance, the chickweed will exquisitely decorate any corner of the garden.
