The weather now is neither the spring nor the summer are not encouraging — rain, warmth and sun cannot be seen. And in the flower garden in the summer Sunny-Doronicum blooms.
Botanical features
Doronicum is relatively small (about 40 species) genus of rhizomatous herbaceous plants of the family Asteraceae. All members of the genus-perennials. Wild species are more common in mountainous areas or foothills. Unpretentious and hardy, they do not require special care when growing, and the joy of gardeners breeders have already brought a lot of varieties based on the most common species — Doronicum orientale, or Doronicum Caucasus and Doronicum plantagineum.
Doronicum inflorescence-basket; median flowers-tubular, usually more bright, saturated shades of yellow or orange than the edge — reed, the color of which varies from bright yellow to pale yellow.
Most often single inflorescences are located on a long peduncle. The height of the plants varies considerably depending on the species and variety — there are very tiny (10-15 cm), and quite tall (up to 140-150 cm). The diameter of the inflorescence is also different: some large-flowered varieties it reaches 10-12 cm; most wild species of inflorescence are modest-only 4-5 cm
Doronicum basal leaves form a rosette; stem — regular. In the axils of stem leaves can form shoots with buds.
Blossoms before the other members of the genus, but after flowering it the above-ground part withers and dies — this should be considered when the placement of Doronicum in flower beds. With good care, some varieties can please re-flowering in late summer. Large-flowered varieties are good in cutting.
Planting and reproduction
Most often doronicum propagated vegetatively-by dividing the Bush. This operation is good for him, because the overgrown clumps bloom worse, their Central part is thinning. It is recommended to plant Doronicum every 3-4 years-updated plants will please abundant flowering and good growth.
You can divide doronicum in early spring (after the first leaves) or at the end of flowering. He tolerates this procedure well. In literature the Council to carry out the division in August-September; in my experience, I wouldn’t recommend it: the plant is at rest, the above-ground part he at this time is absent, and the empty space in the garden has already closed other cultures — why all the worry?
Dig up a Bush, carefully divide into parts. Put them out in the planting hole to the same depth where the mother grew up to division. Seal the soil around the plant, pour well and emulsify (with humus, wood bark, mowed grass or other suitable materials) to preserve moisture.
For planting, choose a place in the sun or in partial shade, with loose, permeable soil. Doronicum does not tolerate stagnation of moisture — its roots rot. But on dry soil, it will not grow either — for the normal development of this plant it is necessary to evenly moisten the soil.
You can propagate Doronicum seeds that are sown in the open ground in the fall or early spring; applied and seedling method. At the optimum temperature of 16 degrees shoots appear after 7-10 days. Grown seedlings dive to a permanent place plants are planted at intervals of 20-25 cm
Cultivation and care
Doronicum undemanding to the soil, almost does not need feeding, but would be grateful if you add the compost to the planting hole when planting. Abundant food will make the plant more powerful, and flowering — abundant, but such “overfed” bushes worse winter — keep this in mind. Stimulate flowering better regular rejuvenation of the plant.
If the flowering period is dry weather, Doronicum needs watering. To keep moisture in the soil, use mulching. In the resting phase, the plant quietly tolerates drought. Loosen the soil around the Bush is not recommended-the root system of the doronicum is superficial, it is easy to damage.
After flowering, cut the plant. The withering foliage, if it spoils the appearance of the flower bed, removed; if the place for planting is chosen successfully-Doronicum partners hide its lost appeal appearance — additional intervention is usually not required.
Doronicum hardy, in shelter for the winter does not need. To diseases resistant, but in adverse conditions can be affected by powdery mildew. Diseased plants are destroyed to prevent infection of others.
Use in garden compositions
Doronicum looks good in group plantings on the beds and in mixborders, near the bushes.
Compact undersized varieties are used for decoration rockeries and planting in containers. But when choosing a place for Doronicum, do not forget about its short duration — combine this plant with summer flowering perennial or annual crops that will fill the voids when Doronicum fades.
If you plant Doronicum next to other perennials, leave it plenty of space — most varieties grow well. For tall varieties, the optimal arrangement at the back of flower beds.
Types and varieties
Not all members of the genus can boast of good fame. Popular among gardeners and breeders, creating new attractive varieties, are only a few species of doronicum.
Doronicum orientale or Doronicum Caucasus
As a wild species found in the Mediterranean, Transcaucasia, some European countries, in Asia Minor.
Perennial; plant height-from 30 to 50 cm, flower diameter-3-5 cm Blooms in mid-may, flowering duration-about a month (up to 40 days). At the end of flowering aboveground part dies.
In the culture of this species has been used since 1808; popular varieties — Magnificum (height up to 50 cm; different very large inflorescences); Spring Beauty, also known as Fruhlingspracht (compact shrub up to 40-45 cm with double yellow inflorescences); Goldcut (plant height-about 60 cm; double inflorescence, with wide reed flowers); Finesse (height up to 50 cm, with pale yellow inflorescences); Gold Dwarf (undersized-about 50 cm) 15 cm) and Little Leo (height 30-35 cm).
Doronicum plantagineum
Common perennial, wild-growing species found in South-Western Europe. In the culture known since 1560; in English-speaking countries (USA, UK) is popular under the name Leopard’s Bane.
The plant is vigorous, the stems of this species reach 80-140 cm in height. Basal leaves are very similar to plantain leaves. Blooms later Doronicum orientale — at the end of may; duration of flowering-up to 40 days, after which the above-ground part dies. This kind of almost does not form seeds.
Popular varieties — Excelsium (up to 150 cm tall, with large — about 10 cm in diameter-baskets; blooms 45 days); Miss Mason (height about 60 cm); Harpur Crewe (height 90 cm).
Doronicum columnae
Quite a rare plant that occurs in wild species in the Balkans, Asia Minor and southern Europe.
The plant is compact — from 15 to 30 cm tall, but there are also high — up to 60-80 cm Inflorescences solitary, 5-6 cm in diameter, are narrow (0.2 cm) long, ligulate flowers. Blooms at the end of may, blooms 30-35 days; after flowering immediately fades. It’s expanding.
In the culture known since 1824, a popular variety-Goldstrauss (silnovetvisty, abundant).
Doronicum grandiflorum
Rare Alpine species, found in the mountains of southern Europe at an altitude of 3 thousand m.
Low — from 15 to 35 cm-plant; single inflorescences, up to 7 cm in diameter, with dark yellow reed flowers. Blooms in the second half of July, flowering lasts about a month. In the culture known since 1710.
Do you have Doronicum growing in your garden?