What is small petal and how to grow it?

Small-petal is a perennial herb from the Astrov family. The very name of the flower speaks of its striking feature - small needle-like petals. Many representatives of the species take root very well on any soil, are highly resistant to low temperatures, and are also undemanding to care for.

Small-petal is a prominent representative of the genus of perennial plants. Another name is erigeron. Sometimes there are one- and biennial varieties. The plant is not very branchy. Shoots are erect or hanging. The sheets are collected in rosettes up to 20 cm long. On the shoots, single baskets are found, which can also be part of the inflorescences. In shape, they are paniculate or corymbose. In the baskets there are external ligulate flowers, and inside them are small tubular ones.

After flowering ends, the fruits ripen in the form of achenes. They can be either with a smooth surface or with dense pubescence.

There are up to two hundred different species of small petals in the genus, many of which grow in various parts of the world. In Russia, the most popular variety is called beautiful (or beautiful) small petals. This species is considered one of the first, it was from him that a large number of hybrid crops were obtained.

The most popular variety has a short rhizome. Straight and elongated pubescent shoots can reach a height of 70 cm. In the root zone there are spatulate-type leaves, lanceolate leaf plates are located on the stems.

The baskets contain tubular and ligulate flowers, the former of which are characterized by a yellowish tint, and the latter are lilac. Flowering generally begins in mid to late August.

Variety with a small rhizome. One shrub can contain many baskets with flowers. The outer ones are predominantly white, the inner ones are bright yellow.

Perennial. There are shrubs up to 40 cm in height. On each shoot, one small inflorescence develops. Flowering occurs in early summer. Blooming flowers are usually bright orange in color.

This variety is rarely found in the flower beds of Russian flower growers. However, such a small petal is extremely undemanding to care for, capable of germinating in the most unexpected places. The shades of flowers can change colors as the plant develops: at first they are delicate pink shades, then snow-white, later they turn into crimson.

The elongated small petals have several brown or greenish stems. The height of the plant can vary greatly: there are specimens both up to 8 and up to 80 cm. The leaf plates are mostly devoid of pubescence. Inflorescences appear in small numbers. The flowers are in the form of pistils: inside they are tubular, and outside they are reed.

A small shrub, up to 30 cm in total. The color of the flowers is blue or lilac.

This culture is distinguished by its considerable compactness with a sufficient density of shrubs.It can be only up to 8 cm in height. Flowering occurs in mid-summer and early autumn.

Perennial, plant height - up to 40 cm. There are elongated leaves on the stems. Blooms in early summer. Blooming ligulate flowers are usually lilac, tubular flowers are yellowish.

Perennial with stems, the height of which does not exceed 30 cm. The leaves in the root areas have a smooth surface, they are spatulate in shape. The flowers are most often lilac. Flowering begins in the summer.

Perennial plant with wide shoots and erect stems with slight pubescence. The height can be from 8 to 40 cm. The leaf plates in the root areas resemble an ellipse in shape. The flowers are blue. After they fade, they become drooping.

Another name is acute small-petal... A biennial variety, which usually has one main green or purple stem, 5 to 70 cm high. The leaf plates are green. Flower baskets grow in the form of panicles. Inside, the flowers are yellow, outside, as a rule, pinkish.

Perennial plant up to 15 cm high. The leaves are spatulate. The flowers are purple or white, there may be varieties with light blue buds.

In height, such a subspecies grows up to 70 cm. Usually the shrub is very dense, densely branched.

The bristly small-petal can reach 100 cm. It is an annual or biennial shrub. The stem is erect, forks from above. The leaf plates are lanceolate, elongated. The marginal flowers are always yellow.

It is characterized by pubescent straight stems with heart-like leaves. During the flowering period, you can find a huge number of inflorescences (up to several hundred).

The height of this species is up to 60 cm. Flowering can be from early spring to late summer. The flowers are predominantly lilac.

This species is very often mistaken for an ordinary meadow daisy. In this regard, he received his name. Its characteristic feature is inflorescences differing in color. At the time of the first flowering, they are white. But they gradually turn pink, after which they become completely burgundy.

It is best to grow small-petaled shrubs in nutritious and well-drained soil, as well as in a well-lit area. This way you can ensure the comfortable development of this culture.

Seeds are planted in March or in late autumn. For this, the seeds of the plant are sown in rows, previously watered with warm water. Then they start mulching the soil. To protect the seedlings, it is recommended to cover them from the sun. The first shoots can hatch after a month. And for the first time, the plant will be able to bloom only two years after planting.

By dividing it, it is planted in the summer in special greenhouse conditions. And mainly those varieties that grow in bushes are propagated through cuttings. In species whose reproduction is very slow, it is recommended to trim the upper edges of the stems... After a while, growing sprouts can be found in these areas.

Excessive moisture can be harmful to the crop, but leaving the soil too dry for too long is also not recommended. For the prevention of fungal diseases, the plant is treated with special preparations. If the defeat does occur, the brown leaves must be separated and burned.

Those varieties that have too large inflorescences need to be installed with a support structure. If dried shoots are found on the plant, they must be removed. This will contribute to the fact that the bush will grow more densely.Outdoor care for varieties that are resistant to low temperatures is limited by the fact that the soil must be periodically mulched.

There are three main ways.

• Seeds... It is best to plant small petals in early spring. Before planting, the soil must be pre-moistened. Then the seeds are placed in the soil with slight pressure.
• Vegetatively... In this case, shrubs of 3-4 years old are taken, which are divided and planted in August or September.
• Through cuttings. To do this, you need to separate the shoots with a small rhizome from the plant and plant them in loosened soil.

• As a natural garden decoration, this plant is suitable for all surfaces. It can look good near stone slides or in pots on the porch, as well as in rock gardens and mixborders.

• In landscape design, nowadays, Karvinsky's small petals are increasingly being used, which are planted along garden paths.... Many varieties of low height will look good next to curbs, and more elongated specimens can be placed in flower beds.

• The best neighbors for erigeron are daisies, gailardia or liatris. Against the background of other crops, small petals with different shades of inflorescences are obtained as a good natural carpet.