Lavatera and the nuances of growing a flower

The spectacular and beautiful lavater flower is distributed throughout East Asia and the Mediterranean. The plant is distinguished by special decorative qualities, while it is absolutely unpretentious in care. The article will focus on what types of lavater exist, how to plant and grow a plant.

Lavater is also called khatma and wild rose. It looks like a shrub that is covered with large and lush buds. They can be solitary, and also often gather in inflorescences. Flowers in diameter can reach 10-12 centimeters.

Most often, the flowers have a rich pink color, but there are also snow-white, yellow specimens. The flowering period of the lavatera begins in early summer and ends in mid-autumn. The height of an adult plant can vary greatly from cultivar to cultivar.

The shoots of the lavater are erect, they can be either completely naked or slightly pubescent. The leaves of the flower are long-petiolate, they grow with bracts, which quickly fall off. Bracts can be flat, triangular or lanceolate.

The leaf blades are cordate, rounded or ovoid. As a rule, their surface is slightly pubescent. Lavatera combines perfectly with other flowers, especially roses, irises and gladioli, so it is perfect for creating beautiful flower arrangements in the garden.

This ornamental plant is grown to create tall, beautiful curbs. These flowers are used to decorate various buildings on the site, fences.

It should be noted that lavatera also has many medicinal qualities. Flower-based preparations and tinctures allow you to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract. They also help in the fight against colds and coughs.

There are different types of this decorative flower.

• Three months. The plant is a lush bush 110-120 cm high. The leaves on it are lobed, turquoise in color. Foliage is placed along the entire length of the shoots, closer to the top, it decreases in size. In the middle of summer, beautiful single flowers with a diameter of no more than 10 centimeters open in the axils. The flowering time of this species is quite long.

• The Silver Bowl. Such a lavatera is a bush 70-75 cm high. It is covered with large crimson flowers with a silvery sheen. In its shape, the buds resemble a funnel. The Silver Bowl boasts high cold and drought resistance.

• "Melange". The bush of this flower is quite strong and strongly branched. Its height is on average 80-90 cm. The diameter of the buds varies from 5 to 9 centimeters, their shape is funnel-shaped, the colors are white or pinkish. Flowers are formed from the middle of summer, they fade with the onset of cold weather. Melange is considered a cold-resistant species. It also tolerates extreme heat just as easily.

• Mont Blanc. The bush is of medium size. Its height is no more than 70-75 cm. The plant is densely leafy.During flowering, a large number of beautiful white buds are formed on it, on their surface it is almost impossible to see veins. This sort of lavater is often used when decorating a hedge. This flower is unpretentious to care for, it will not require a garter.

• "New World". This variety looks like a strong, branched bush no more than 110-120 cm high. It blooms very profusely from the end of June until the onset of cold weather. Flower buds are funnel-shaped, their diameter reaches an average of 8-10 cm. Flowers can be white, pale pink. The species is considered cold-resistant and light-requiring. It easily tolerates drought, can grow well in various soils. Such a flower is grown by seedlings or by direct sowing into the soil. Often this ornamental plant is grown in flower beds.

• "Novella". The species is annual. When the plant reaches a height of 17-20 cm, flowers begin to appear on it. It is perfect for growing in flowerpots, flower beds. The plant is distinguished by lush and voluminous flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. They are able to maintain their decorative appearance and their freshness for a long time in almost any weather conditions. The height of this lavater can vary greatly depending on the landing site. Some specimens are short, their height is only 20-30 cm, many plants grow up to 50-60 cm.

• Thuringian. This lavatera looks like a lush shrub up to two meters high. It is considered a perennial species. Thuringian Lavatera has straight and spreading shoots. They are densely covered with heart-shaped foliage. Both the leaves and stems of the plant are covered with thin soft villi. White-pink flowers on this vegetation are collected in beautiful racemose inflorescences. They open only by mid-June. The honey yield of this species is approximately 100 kg per hectare. At the same time, pollen does not collect, since individual large grains do not allow insects to grab it. It should be noted that the flower of this variety has many medicinal properties.

• Tree-like. This biennial variety has straight and rather tall stems. The leaf blades are very large, their length often reaches 15-20 centimeters. The flowers on the tree-like stem are red or purple, and they look like hibiscus in appearance.

• Primorskaya. This lavatera is very thermophilic, therefore it is grown in warm southern regions. During flowering, a huge number of flowers appear on the plant with petals of lilac and purple hues.

• Cretan. The species is annual. It grows well in the middle lane. The height of an adult plant can reach 170-180 cm. Its stems are branched and straight. Light pubescence is observed on their surface. The leaves are rounded, fleecy. Their length is about 20 cm. The base of the foliage is heart-shaped. The flowers are purple or purple. They grow in leaf axils and gather in inflorescences.

• Moorish. This variety is grown in warm regions. The height of an adult bush is no more than 80 cm. Shoots are erect, branched. The leaf plates are lobed, rounded, with a pointed tip. The flowers are purple in color.

• Lovelines. The variety is distinguished by powerful branchy bushes 80-100 cm high. Its flowers are funnel-shaped, their colors are rich pink. They show pronounced red streaks. The species has abundant flowering, it takes place from the beginning of July to the end of September. "Lovelines" light-loving, cold-resistant and drought-resistant species.

Lavater can be planted with both seeds and seedlings. The first option is suitable for the southern regions. It is necessary to sow the material in early May. You can do this earlier, but then at night the planting will have to be covered with a covering material. It is important to purchase quality seeds.

Next, choose a suitable site for the lavater. In the soil, small furrows are formed with a depth of no more than 1 centimeter. Seeds are carefully planted there, and then they are sprinkled with earth a little. After planting, the soil is well watered with warm water.

It is recommended to cover the planted area with a dense film, this will protect the vegetation from adverse weather conditions. When the sprouts become 5-6 cm in height, the protective film is removed.

The seedling method is suitable for those who are going to grow lavatera in regions with a temperate climate. Previously, containers are prepared for this, special boxes for seedlings will be the best option. And it is also necessary to make a soil mixture in advance. Ready-made substrate can be purchased at any garden store.

Drainage is laid out at the bottom of each container. From above it is covered with earth. After planting, the boxes are covered with foil. In this form, they are exhibited in places that are well lit by the sun. If the plant receives a sufficient amount of light and heat, then the seedlings can be seen within a couple of weeks after planting. After that, the protective film is removed. In the future, young vegetation is periodically moistened.

When the weather is warm, and the seedlings are strong enough, they are planted in a permanent place. The sprouts should be placed at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from each other. In the process of active growth, the flower will grow strongly, form a lush crown.

Seedlings can also be planted in a flower bed. The landing algorithm is the same. In this case, the sprouts are also planted at a distance of 25-30 cm.

In the course of its growth, a lavater planted in open ground will need proper and timely care.

Lavatera is considered a drought tolerant plant, but still loves regular watering. This procedure will ensure lush flowering and a beautiful voluminous crown. On average, one bush should take 20-25 liters of water in seven days. Remember that the plant is very sensitive to feeding.

Annual plants after flowering can simply be cut off, the ground is then carefully dug up. At the same time, remember that Lavatera reproduces rapidly by self-seeding.

It is permissible to leave perennial specimens for the winter in the ground. But in this case, it is necessary to bend the shoots to the surface of the earth. Then they are covered with foliage or with a special protective material.

Remember that Lavatera will grow well on just about any soil as long as it is loose enough, so loosening should be done regularly. Transplanting a flower too often is not worth it. It grows well without transplanting in one place for a long time.

Lavatera actively reproduces by self-seeding, so no additional action is required to breed it.

This ornamental plant is extremely rarely affected by diseases and harmful insects. Sometimes aphid colonies can be seen on it. The parasite feeds on flower juices. To get rid of it, you should use systemic chemicals.

And also the lavatera is sometimes affected by rust. At the same time, rusty spots appear on the underside of the leaves. In this case, all damaged areas are immediately cut off and burned. Then the flower is treated with chemicals.

Gray rot also appears on the flower. At the same time, its surface is covered with a gray thin coating, which causes rotting. To combat the disease, all affected parts are first removed. After that, they are treated with fungicides (Topsin-M, Switch).