Helenium bloom. Gelenium autumn cultivation

Helenium autumn- Helenium autumnale L.

Motherland - North America where it is found in wet meadows and swamps.

Perennial rhizomatous plant. Stems erect, branched, up to 160 cm tall, strong, woody, leafy. The leaves are small, sessile, with a finely serrated edge. Inflorescences - baskets 3-5 cm in diameter, collected in large apical corymbose inflorescences up to 30 cm in diameter. Reed flowers are yellow, reddish, tubular - dark yellow. Blossoms in July - September 60 days. In culture since 1635.

Has numerous garden varieties with flowers of yellowish-red color of various shades:

"Altgold"(" Altgold "). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are bright yellow golden, orange-red outside, with a red border around the edges, tubular. Colors yellow with brown. Growth. Height up to 90 cm. Blooms profusely with 1-3.VIII within 40-45 days Board and single plantings, cut.

"Augustsonne"("Augustsonne"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are sulfur-yellow, tubular, color yellow. Plant strongly leafy, high up to 90 cm. Blooms profusely from 2-5.VIII for 45-48 days Boarding and single planting, cutting.

"Biedermeier"(" Biedermeier "). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are bright yellow with a bright red stroke but in the middle, tubular. Color yellow. Growth up to 80 cm. Blooms profusely from 1-3.VIII during 40-45 days Board and single planting, cut.

"Gartensonne"("Gartensonne"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are bright yellow with a reddish bloom, tubular flowers. yellow with brown. Growth up to 120 cm. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII for 35- 40 days Boarding and single planting, cutting.

"Herbstroth"("Herbstrot"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues variegated brown-orange; tubular flowers. yellow with brown. Growth up to 85 cm. Blooms profusely from 4-9.VIII for 44-48 days Bordeaux and single landings, cut.

"Glotauge"("Glotauge") - Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues brownish-red, tubular dark brown. Plant height up to 80 cm. Blooms profusely from 28.VII-5.VIII for 40-42 days Groups, and single landings, cutting.

"goldlakzwerg"("Goldlackzwerg"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are brownish-orange, yellow at the edges, lighter outside; tubular flowers yellow with brown. Growth up to 80 cm. Blooms profusely from 1-5. VIII within 40-42 days Board and single planting, cut.

"Goldfux"("Goldfucks"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are bright brown-orange with yellow strokes, tubular. Color brown. Growth up to 105 cm. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII for 45- 50 days Board and single planting, cut.

"Goldfouchefrue"("Goldfushefruhe"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues light orange-brown, tubular yellow. Plant slightly leafy, height up to 100 cm. Blooms profusely from 3-4.VIII for 40- 45 days Board and single plantings, cut.

"Granatstern"(" Granatstern "). Baskets up to 5 cm in diameter; tongues brown-red, tubular colors. yellow with brown. Plant height up to 150 cm. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII for 54 days. Board and single planting, cutting.

"Sommersonne"("Sommersonne"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are bright yellow, reddish on the outside; tubular flowers. yellow. Plant height up to 82 cm and up to 80 cm wide. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII within 45-52 days Board and single plantings, cut.

"Sonnenberg"("Sonnenberg"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter, bright yellow tongues, tubular flowers. yellow. Plant height up to 70 cm. Blooms profusely from 1-3.VIII for 40-45 days. Board. and single planting, cutting.

"Katarina"("Katharina"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; pomegranate-orange tongues, tubular yellow with brown. Plant strongly leafy, up to 75 cm high. Blooms profusely, from 25-30.VII within 45-50 days Board and single plantings, cut.

"Cockade"(" Kokarde "). Baskets up to 4.5 cm in diameter; tongues are scarlet-red, with a brown tint, yellowish at the edges, almost red towards the center; tubular. Colors yellow with brown. Plant height up to 120 cm. Blooms profusely from August 1-5 for 45-50 days Bordeaux and single plantings, cut.

"Kupfersprudel"("Kupfersprudel"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are red with an orange-brown tinge, tubular flowers are yellow with brown. Plant out. up to 120 cm. It blooms profusely from 1-5. 35 days Board and single planting, cut.

"Lichtgettin"("Lichtgottin"). Baskets up to 4.5 cm in diameter; tongues are bright yellow; tubular flowers. yellow. Plant out. up to 90 cm. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII for 40-45 days. Board and single fit, cut.

"Rotgout"("Rothaut"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; brown-red tongues; tubular flowers. yellow with brown. Plants height up to 70 cm. Blooms profusely from 25-30.VII for 40-45 days. Board and single planting, cutting.

"Septemberzone"("Septembersonne"). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; uvulas sulfur-yellow, tubular yellow. Plant very powerful, strongly leafy, height up to 150 cm. Blooms profusely from 4-5.VIII in within 45-50 days Board and single plantings, cut.

"Shpetgoldkuppel"(" Spatgoldkuppel "). Baskets up to 4 cm in diameter; tongues are dark yellow, red on the outside; tubular flowers. yellow. Plant height up to 80 cm. Blooms profusely from 10-15.VIII for 45-50 days .Board and single landings, cut.

"Moerheim Beauty"("Moerheim Beauty") - a plant 90-150 cm high, bronze-red inflorescences, blooms in July - September.

"Bootgerpad"("Butterpad") - a medium-sized plant, golden yellow inflorescences.

"Chipperfield Orange"("Chipperfield Orange") - plant 150-180cm tall, inflorescences are large, orange, blooms in August - October.

Photo left EDSR
Photo right Olga Bondareva

Blooming at the end of summer and bearing bright colors throughout the autumn, right up to the severe frosts, helenium got its name in honor of Elena the Beautiful, the wife of the legendary Cretan king Menelaus. As the legends say and Homer describes in the Iliad, after her abduction by Paris, the Trojan War broke out.

This is how Elena the beautiful embodied in flowers

In the photo you can see a combination of two varieties of gelenium at once: red and yellow shades.

Biological characteristic

Geleniums - annual or perennial flower plants family of Compositae. They come from North America, where there are 32 species.

Some of these species are decorative, for example, autumn, whose garden varieties and species forms are called helinium hybrid. It is about these plants that bloom in late summer and autumn that we will tell today.

The range of shades of the gelenium garden flower is striking in its breadth: starting from light yellow color to dark burgundy. These flowers are usually from 30 centimeters to one sixty meters high, although ten-centimeter dwarfs are also found in the wild.

The flower of gelenium is a large convex center, framed by petals like chamomile. The leaves of the plant are oblong, sedge-shaped.

It is worth noting that, depending on the type, geleniums are annual and perennial.

If we consider a helenium bush in a flower bed, then we can see that this is not one plant with many branches, but a whole bunch of separate stems. Supporting each other, they create blooming splendor.

Ripening gelenium seeds fall off, rising the next year and increasing the size of the bush. Also, reproduction goes by shoots that have budded from the stems, leaving in the winter.

Varieties and types

There are a lot of varieties of gelenium, let's try to describe the most popular of them.

Helenium Rubinzwerg, as the name implies, has a dark red or ruby ​​​​color of its buds with a diameter of three to five centimeters, the central part of the flower is darker with a yellow border. The plant is about sixty centimeters high and belongs to the autumn species. This popular variety blooms from late July to October.

Helenium varieties Rubintsverg

Ruby Tuesday

The burgundy color is also inherent in the Ruby Tuesday variety of helenium. This variety is one of the shortest, its height rarely reaches half a meter. The flowers are also smaller than those of Rubinswerg, only up to three centimeters in diameter. Blooms for two months: from early August to early October.

Ruby Tuesday

Canaria

Gelenium Canaria is a typical representative of the hybrid species of this plant. Its straight and strong woody stems rise 110-120 centimeters above the soil. The tops of the stems branch, forming inflorescences forty to fifty centimeters in diameter with pale yellow petals around an orange core. The fragrance of these flowers attracts many insects, especially honey bees. The duration of flowering is short, only about forty days: from early August to mid-September.

Helenium Canaria - sunflower in miniature

autumn jazz

Helenium Autumn Jazz is similar to Canaria in the form of a plant and a flower, only it differs in a brighter color of both the core and the petals.

autumn jazz

Sunrise

Gelenium Sunrise is distinguished by its increased growth of its stems up to 130 cm and a red-brown tint of the central part of the flower with lemon-yellow petals. But sellers often call a mixture of several varieties of this flower plant that way.

Helenium Sunrise

Helena Gold

The petals and the middle of Helenium Gold are yellow with a flowering time of up to two months.

Elena golden

Hupa

Helenium Hupa, or Gupes, - separate view of this kind. Unlike the others we have considered, this is a rhizomatous plant up to 90 centimeters tall with early flowering. The species blooms in June and blooms for a month and a half. As you can see in the photo, in the structure of the flower, it differs from the autumn hybrid gelenium.

Helenium Hupa

Agricultural technology

Growing gelenium consists in planting and caring for it in open field. Agrotechnology of this plant includes the following stages: reproduction; landing; care Each of them is important for the plant and requires some knowledge.

reproduction

Reproduction of gelenium is carried out in two ways:

• seed;
• vegetative.

Seed propagation is carried out in two ways. At the first time, the seeds are sown before winter on a prepared bed in September before the onset of stable frosts. Placed in the ground, they overwinter well.

The second way is seedling. Seeds are sown in February superficially in the snow, while stratification is carried out: they are put in the refrigerator for a month and a half. After that, the container is transferred to the light for germination at a temperature of 18-20 degrees. In the future, they are grown, like seedlings of other plants. For example, after the appearance of the third true leaf, the seedlings dive into separate pots. Plant out outdoors after the threat of a return frost has passed.

Attention! Gelenium seeds have low germination, in the first season only 60-70 percent, over time it drops even lower!

Vegetative propagation is also carried out in two ways: dividing the bush and basal rosettes. The division of the bush and the transplantation of parts are carried out in one day. Gelenium transplantation can be carried out both in the fall after flowering and in the spring after germination.

Advice! After four years, transplanting the bush to another place is required. Otherwise, the plant thickens too much and loses its qualities, in particular frost resistance. In addition, a long stay of the plant in one place depletes the soil.

The second way vegetative propagation is a transplant of basal rosettes. The fact is that, as mentioned in passing above in the text, a gelenium bush is a lot of individual shoots with their own roots. So, in the root zone on the stem, some buds give life to new plants, they look like small rosettes. During the winter, the stem, along with the root, die off, and the tiny replacement shoots overwinter well under the snow. Separating them from the shoots, and laying a new bush.

Landing

Further cultivation of gelenium occurs in open ground in a flower bed or as a tapeworm in the middle of a lawn. If you plant them in composition with other flowers, then it is best to place these flowers in the background due to their elevation above their neighbors. When choosing a solo location, be prepared for frequent watering bush, as such a placement is more illuminated and dried by the sun.

Advice! Gelenium knowingly has one root with Helios - the god of the sun. You need to place it exclusively in a place illuminated all day long! In some shade, geleniums grow longer to the detriment of the size of the flowers.

The distance between the bushes with a continuous planting of gelenium is maintained from 50 to 80 centimeters, depending on the variety. The best drop-off time for middle lane Russia is the end of May or the first decade of June, in other regions the dates are moving in one direction or another, the main thing is that there are no frosts. If cold matinees are likely, the plants should be covered with a film or covering non-woven material.

Geleniums prefer neutral and well-fertilized soil. When preparing the pit, keep in mind that it is impossible to deepen the seedlings below the pot level.

Advice! When planting seedlings on permanent place pour abundantly with an earthen ball for faster plant survival.

Care

Helenium pretty undemanding plants and they are easy to care for. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, not allowing it to dry out. Soil mulching is used to reduce evaporation of moisture. This is best done with fine-grained materials, such as peat or compost.

In the dry period, if necessary, rare but plentiful watering is carried out, bringing at least 10 liters of water under the bush.

During the season, it is desirable to make three top dressings:

• Spring. It is carried out after the snow melts, it serves to enrich the soil with nutrients in the initial period of growth. It is best to carry it out in a dry form, by adding compost or humus to the root zone. You can use dried chicken manure or mullein.
• Summer. It is carried out with herbal infusion before the flowering of the bush.
• Autumn. After cutting off old shoots, the soil is covered with a layer of organic matter. It, rotting, will provide food for soil microorganisms, and at the same time it will cover the rosettes of new helenium sprouts that have appeared.

pruning

When growing geleniums, pruning is carried out every autumn, completely cutting out all faded shoots almost flush with the ground, while trying not to damage the young rosettes.

In addition, partial pruning of faded buds is carried out, this event brings new flowers to life and prolongs the flowering period of the bush.

Shelter

In snowless frosty winters, ground rosettes of gelenium can freeze out. to prevent this from happening, you should cover the bush. For this, materials such as:

• sawdust;
• needles;
• nonwoven material.

Highly interesting video about geleniums with an interesting commentary logically completes our today's story about this plant:

multicolor garden plants that are planted considering them botanical characteristics able to please the eye for a long period of time. Consider gelenium flowers, which are increasingly finding a place under the sun on garden plots. It is perennial and annual flower. Family - Asteraceae.

Description of gelenium flowers and their photos

Introducing short description gelenium flowers and some photos of this plant in blooming form. AT natural form naturally grows in Central and North America. It has shiny yellow petals that surround spherical brownish buds that are covered with slightly golden pollen. The leaves are pointed.

Inflorescences in the form of baskets (single or in groups). Along the edge of the baskets, flowers are yellow, orange or red. There is also central flowers in a basket. They are tube-shaped and have a brown or yellow tint.

The plant gives color in August or September. Gelenium blooms for a sufficiently long time. Flowers on the gelenium can be observed for 6 weeks from July to the end of August. It reaches a height of up to 90 cm, and the bush occupies up to 60 cm in area. It is suitable for cutting and bouquet compositions.

Look at the photo of gelenium flowers of various varieties:

Growing gelenium from seeds: planting and care

To obtain early and long flowering, a seedling planting method is recommended. Growing gelenium from seeds can be started on a windowsill or in a greenhouse from the end of March. For this, a light, structured soil is prepared in advance with great content organic substances. Helenium seeds are sown in small and shallow containers for growing seedlings. The first shoots appear after 2 weeks. Then they must be dived into separate peat pots with a diameter of 4 - 5 cm. This procedure is performed in phase 2 of true leaves.

AT further cultivation gelenium from seeds is produced in the open field. Transplantation to a flower bed or border is carried out during the period when the threats of return spring frosts. Helenium loves light, but it will be fine in the shade.

Planting gelenium in the garden is carried out in a pre-prepared hole, into which complex mineral and organic fertilizers. It is recommended to apply for each bush about 1 Matchbox specialized mineral fertilizer for flowering plants. 1 - 2 cups of humus or matured compost can also be added. After the planting of the gelenium is completed, the soil is abundantly wetted with warm, settled water. Re-watering is done after 12 hours. It does best in fertile, moist soil. But it is not recommended to plant it all the time in one place, as it depletes the soil quite strongly. It is recommended to fertilize it 2-3 times during the summer.

When planning care for gelenium, it is worth considering that this moisture-loving plant, therefore, in the heat requires abundant watering. Plants are frost-resistant. However, if you do not take measures to transplant and shelter, then it may not survive the winter. The flowers of helenium have one specificity: the buds, while still young, are formed annually higher up the stem, eventually they can be seen above the soil, where they freeze. In preparation for winter, it is useful to mulch the flower with sawdust. These are the basic rules for caring for gelenium.

Gelenium can be propagated both by seeds and rosettes or green cuttings.

Planting gelenium can be carried out both before winter immediately in the ground, and in spring period in seedling boxes. They grow, as a rule, in height, in connection with this it is possible to plant them on a segment close to each other (60-80 cm). Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks, and give color only for the next season.

The easiest way to reproduce given flower- sockets. But remember that it is not recommended to divide it in the fall, because after that it will bloom later, and the roots will not have time to prepare for the cold. So the best time That's what spring is for.

It is not so difficult to propagate gelenium with green cuttings. For this purpose, young one-year-old shoots, reaching a height of 10-15 cm, should be taken into circulation in the spring. top shoot 6-8 cm, it is desirable to cut and root. For the best effect, it is advisable to cover the cuttings on top with banks. As soon as you see new leaves on the cuttings, remove the jars immediately. And on the remaining stem, new shoots will sprout, which will then be useful for grafting in summer period or just leave them to bloom. After you have already planted the cuttings in a permanent place, carefully mulch them with peat or humus, cover with covering material.

Know that gelenium grown in the above ways will bloom only after a year.

Helenium varieties

Currently, there are numerous varieties of gelenium in breeding, which differ in flowering periods, bud colors and their sizes. The following are some common varieties of gelenium that can be grown in the backyard.

Helenium spring and his photo

Helenium spring has straight stems, 1 meter in height. Foxes are dark green, pointed. Tongue-shaped flowers orange color, and the shape of the tubes - brown. The color begins to give from mid-May and retains it for about 30 days. Actually for this reason the flower is called spring gelenium. Grown mainly seedling way. Sowing is carried out in early February.

Autumn gelenium flowers and their photos

Flower helenium autumn in its natural form grows in North America. In the people it is also called "sneezing plant". Autumn gelenium flowers can grow up to one meter in height. In August and November, you can see flowers in the form of heads with curved rays.

Look at the photo of autumn gelenium on this page further:

Gelenium Rubinzwerg

Petals have a reddish tint, almost burgundy. There is slight yellowing at the tip of the flower cones. Gelenium Rubinzwerg is an elegant plant that can decorate any flower garden. Looks great in group plantings in flower beds.

Flowering lasts from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The length of the stem reaches up to 60 cm, sometimes even higher. Stems are tall and straight. Suitable for cutting and arranging bouquets.

Leaves green, small. Grows up to 70 cm. Burgundy flowers. Cold-resistant.

Further in the photo, the Rubinswerg gelenium is presented in various forms:

Helenium Gupes

Grows in the mountains of North America. Reaches 90 cm in height. Stems erect, branched above. The leaves are oblong, pointed, gray-green. The flowers of Helenium Gupes in the form of a pipe and tongue are yellowish. Flowering lasts about a month.

Helenium hybrid

Helenium hybrid has bright attractive buds and is relatively resistant to adverse conditions. environment. All belong to him garden molds and hybrids of unknown origin.

The most famous of its representatives:

Brassingam Gold - height up to 1 m, bright yellow flowers;

Bruno - height 1.2 m, golden brown-red;

Butterpat - height 1 m, dark yellow;

Grimson Beauty - height 60 cm, yellow;

Riverton Jam - height 1 m, red-gold;

Windley - height 80 cm, yellow-orange.

In the Astrov family there is an annual and perennial helenium. root system the plant is not perennial, late autumn it completely dies off in a place with flowers and stems, while leaving a small leaf rosette with a rhizome in the ground, which will subsequently turn into a new plant in the spring. America is considered its homeland, its north and center. AT vivo grows on wet soils in swampy areas. Outwardly, the culture does not have the form of a clearly defined bush. It has many single-stemmed shoots, more like several plants that are completely unrelated to each other.

spring bright flower revived thanks to the kidneys (leaf box with a rhizome). In height, it can reach up to 150 cm. The erect stems are woody and densely covered with oblong foliage. Each of the stems adorns many thyroid inflorescences. Flowers are outwardly similar to chamomile, but with a convex core. AT varietal diversity there are terry and semi-double specimens. The color palette is varied:

• yellow;
• purple;
• brown;
• orange.

Gelenium is a well-known honey plant that attracts striped workers with its exquisite aroma. The flowering period is long: from August to November. The fruit is an oblong box with seeds.

Use in landscape design

Gelenium, like no other, is able to turn the most nondescript garden into a bright, juicy landscape. Thanks to its long flowering from the end of August, it seems to prolong the summer when most plants have long lost their decorative look. Solar inflorescences blazing in the garden are actively used by gardeners to create luxurious and solo plantings (). A tall perennial is planted as a bright background for more restrained flowers. Or occupies a central place in the group ensemble, and “neighbors” are selected under its color palette.

In addition to the decorative function, the perennial also performs camouflage. It is planted to hide traces of communications, few aesthetic buildings, etc. Undersized representatives decorate garden paths as a border.

Combination with other plants

The sunny representative of the flora perfectly coexists with many perennial crops who share his love of abundant watering and sunlight. When choosing plants, do not forget about the height of the gelenium. His high growth can cause unwanted shade for sun-loving undersized flowers.

The most harmonious partners:

• marigold;
• yarrow.

Plant propagation

seeds

Difficult method with average efficiency. They are planted in open ground in regions with a mild climate and warm winter, in April. Middle latitudes pre-grow seedlings. Before planting, the seeds are stratified for a long time. This improves germination. The process starts in February with mixing planting material and wet sawdust. The resulting mass is placed in refrigerator compartment for 15-20 days.

The easiest way to purchase soil is in a specialized store. It must be high in peat. Seeds should not be deepened. It is enough to evenly distribute them over the surface of highly moistened soil. Cover the pot with glass or film. Shelter is systematically removed for spraying and ventilation.

Seedlings appear after 4 weeks. After the appearance of 2 leaves, you can dive into separate containers.

Landing and care

Selection and preparation of seedlings

Planting material is safer to buy in a specialized store. It must be in a separate container. In the market or a stranger may have a low-quality product. Before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself in detail with the features of the selected variety. The seedling must be strong, healthy, without damage, with moist soil in a pot.

Choosing a place for planting, preparing the soil

The most favorable for lush and long flowering will be a well-lit area. Slight penumbra is acceptable. When choosing a site, it is important to consider the future role of perennials in landscape design.

Best of all, the culture grows in a permeable, light and fertile soil. The reaction is optimally neutral or slightly acidic. Although the garden planting is not capricious, preliminary preparation is still necessary. The site is dug up to a depth of at least 30 cm. When moisture stagnates, the root system begins to rot. AT landing pit a thick drainage layer is introduced. Fragments of brick, small stones, pebbles, sand are suitable for it. Then a small amount of compost is added.

Landing Requirements

The most suitable the period for carrying in open ground is the end of May, the beginning of June. Frost on the ground is unacceptable. Seedlings are pre-soaked in water for 10-15 minutes. The root system must absorb enough moisture. The size of the hole should exceed the parameters of the root system with a clod of earth by 2 times. The depth is the same as it was in the container. The optimal distance between the planting holes is 35 cm. The process is completed by mulching with humus or dry peat.

Loosening is carried out after each watering, no more than once a day. Get rid of weeds at the same time. They can deprive plants of much-needed minerals. The soil is not deeply loosened and mulched with sawdust.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering is the first necessity. In dry soil, perennial gelenium may die. During the summer period, prolonged absence natural precipitation, humidification can occur twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. It is important to use not cold, and settled water. Sufficient moisture is key lush flowering. Drip irrigation works well.

Mineral and organic complex fertilizers entered three times during growing season May, August and October. Top dressing is diluted in water and applied during irrigation. For application nutrients representative of the flora responds well.

Diseases and pests

High resistance to various diseases and insects does not interfere chrysanthemum nematode attack the bush. Appearance signal dangerous enemy is the yellowing of the leaves. The insect is too small and can only be seen with a microscope. To get rid of it, the affected leaves are cut and burned away from the flower bed. As a preventive measure, lime is added to the soil.

Shelter for the winter

The perennial must be protected from the approaching cold weather. The stems are cut, leaving only 10 cm above the ground, and covered with spruce branches, dry leaves or sawdust. For greater moderation, you can use a special material.

It is easy to survive a long and cold season will help thick layer snow.

Species and varietal diversity

The most decorative and popular types:

• autumn. It is the progenitor of all known species. A tall specimen, reaches 140 cm. The petals are yellow, the core is red or brown. The flowering period lasts from July to September. Most decorative varieties: Buterpatt, Pumilum.
• spring. Height 100 cm. Early flowering group. The color of the inflorescences is orange, the core is brown. The flowering period is long: from late April (May) to June (July). Unpretentious appearance, perfectly tolerates winter.
• hybrid. Includes many subspecies and varieties. They differ significantly in shape, height and color. Most famous varieties: Rose, Gartson.
• Gupes. Reaches 80 cm in height. The flowers are large, similar to chamomile, up to 12 cm in diameter. The color is bright yellow.

Helenium is a genus herbaceous plants, both annual and perennial, belonging to the Compositae family. Includes 32 species native to North America. It is believed that the flower was named gelenium in honor of the beautiful Elena.

General information

This plant is valuable because its flowering falls at the end of summer, when there are not so many colors in the garden. Gelenium has lanceolate leaves. Double flowers of rich warm color, from yellow to purple.

In a perennial gelenium, the roots die after the peduncles, but new leaves appear from the underground buds at this time, from which in next year there will be a new flower.

Varieties and types

Only five types of gelenium are cultivated, which gave rise to different varieties.

Little is grown. It has tall stems, almost a meter long, lanceolate leaves and flowers with yellow petals with a brown interior, inflorescence diameter up to 6 cm. Flowering occurs in early or mid-summer.

It also grows up to a meter tall, the flowers are slightly larger than the Bigelow species, they are orange in color, the middle of the flower is brown. Flowering falls on May-June.

Or chuppah has large yellow flowers with an orange center. Flowering occurs in the first or second months of summer.

The species that is most often found in our gardens. The stems of this gelenium grow above one and a half meters and become ancient. Flowers are large, yellow. Tubular inner flowers of a darker color. Blooms in late summer.

Created from different types, but autumn is considered the main one. The most popular variety of this species is Rubinzvert with ruby ​​flowers.

Other names you may have heard such as, red charm , phaeton , Biedremeier are varieties derived from the above species.

Gelenium planting and care in the open field

Helenium is garden flower and therefore its care and planting is carried out in the open field. When growing gelenium, the most important thing to remember is that it does not withstand a dry substrate, so the flower must be well watered, especially on hot days.

But helenium also does not like too damp ground, so it is necessary that the soil be permeable. It is also sometimes worth loosening the ground a little and weeding.

You need to fertilize gelenium at least three times. The first is nitrogen fertilization in the spring, during the melting of snow. The second at the end of spring. This time it is better to feed the gelenium with organic matter - humus or urea. Third time during flowering. Here they use liquid mullein, as well as Agricola-7, a tablespoon per 10 liters of water.

In autumn, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are bred for feeding, also a tablespoon per ten liters.

for good flowering and beautiful bush it is important to get rid of sluggish inflorescences and remove the tops of the shoots. A couple of years after planting, you need to transplant the gelenium. At this time, you can carry out its reproduction by dividing the bush.

Helenium seeds are collected in autumn, but before the rains. You can understand whether the seeds are ripe by inflorescences - if the seeds are ripe, then the petals will begin to darken, and the centers will turn black. But, unfortunately, the seeds you have collected may not sprout, so it is better to buy them in stores.

Before wintering, the plant is cut to ten centimeters in height. At the place of cultivation, mulching is carried out with sawdust and covered with lutrasil.

Helenium reproduction

It is necessary to plant a plant when the frosts are completely over, that is, not earlier than May. The planting site should be sunny, but a shady spot will do.

The soil needs to be drained, the acidity is neutral. Some time before planting, the site is dug up with compost. The recess for the plant should be 2 times the root. Flowers, before planting, are placed in water for several minutes to replenish moisture. The distance between the flowers must be observed in the region of 30 cm. Following planting, the soil is mulched with humus or peat.

If seedlings are obtained from seeds, then in the first year the plants will not bloom. And remember that when propagating by seeds, varietal characteristics are lost, so it is better to propagate varietal flowers vegetatively.

Diseases and pests

Gelenium almost does not get sick, but sometimes there is a defeat by chrysanthemum nematodes. At the same time, the leaves appear small holes and then they dry up. Sick areas are cut out and burned, and slaked lime is added to the site, if there have already been cases of plant disease.