Growing from seeds and caring for mattiola bicorn at home. Mattiola - an elegant flower for a beautiful landscape design (128 photos)

Mattiola (Matthiola) or levkoy - herbaceous perennial or annual plant belonging to the cruciferous or cabbage family. There are about 50 varieties of this plant, and the most popular of them are matthiola bicorne and gray-haired left. AT natural environment matthiola bicornus grows in Asia Minor and Greece. The plant is a sprawling annual, reaching a height of no more than 50 cm and having fragrant flowers. The flowering period of Levkoy falls at the beginning of summer. Mattiola is excellent for outdoor cultivation, not only in the southern regions, but also in areas with a harsh climate.

Matthiola varieties

Mattiola bicorne and hoary levkoy are the ancestors of 600 different varieties suitable for outdoor cultivation. They are divided according to the size of the flowers and shape into several groups:

1. 1. Pyramidal. In this group, varieties are divided into several subgroups. Allocate large-flowered with double flowers, semi-high, reaching a height of no more than 45 cm, and dwarf varieties with compact inflorescences.
2. 2. Erfut. These varieties are used to decorate gardens and are grown for cutting. They have shoots reaching a height of no more than 40 cm and convex flowers.
3. 3. Large-flowered gigantic tree-like. Distinctive feature of these varieties is that the branching of the stems is observed only in the upper part of the matthiola. Inflorescences of plants are small, but dense with large flowers various colours.
4. 4. Single stem. Varieties belonging to this group are distinguished by single stems. Their inflorescences are powerful, consisting of large flowers.
5. 5. Quedlinburg. These varieties have simple flowers, painted in a greenish-gray hue.
6. 6. Bouquet. Plants look very compact and reach a height of no more than 40 cm. Their leaves are elongated, large, oval in shape. Inflorescences consist of large flowers.
7. 7. Sprawling. These varieties are divided into 2 subgroups. The first is called large-flowered and it includes varieties that reach a height of no more than 70 cm. The second group is called remontant. It includes varieties that grow no more than 60 cm and have large flowers.
8. 8. Giant bomb-shaped. In height, plants belonging to this group grow up to 60 cm. The shape of the bush is wide pyramidal. The flowers of the varieties are densely double, reaching a diameter of about 4 cm.

Variety Lilac

One of the popular varieties of matthiola bicorn is Lilac. The plant is frost-resistant, and reaches a height of no more than 50 cm. This variety stands out for its delicate pleasant aroma. Its flowers are colored lilac shade.

Variety Thumbelina

Such a variety of two-horned Mattiola, like Thumbelina, looks very decorative. These plants are grown to cut and decorate with them. personal plots, balconies and terraces. Flowers come in a variety of colors.

Variety Giant Lavender

Among the varieties of gray-haired levkoy, Giant Lavender is common. In height, the bush plant reaches about 60 cm, has flowers painted in shades of pink. They are collected in large inflorescences.

Growing from seeds at home

Growing from seeds for seedlings at home is carried out in early or mid-spring. Seeds of matthiola bicorne, before sowing into the soil, are soaked in water until they swell, then wrapped in moistened gauze and put in the refrigerator for several days. They need to be planted in containers filled with moistened soil mixture, consisting of 1 part of sand and 3 parts of sod land. Seeds should not be buried deep. Seedlings must be covered with polyethylene and the container removed in a dark place. The temperature in the room where the containers are located should be within +20 ... +22 degrees.

As soon as shoots appear, the shelter will need to be removed and the containers rearranged in a well-lit place. The temperature in the room must be lowered to +12 degrees or put the containers on the balcony. Two days after germination, the soil should be moistened. A few weeks after sowing, the seedlings must be dived into separate containers with holes for drainage. Prepared pots need to be filled with a soil mixture consisting of sand, soddy and leafy soil, taken in a ratio of 1:2:2. To strengthen the root system, it is recommended to add a little hydrogel to the soil before picking.

After the seedlings have 2 leaves, they must be fertilized with a special solution. It is prepared from 0.1 g of zinc sulfate and manganese, 0.3 g blue vitriol and boric acid. All components must be dissolved in a liter of water. Before planting seedlings in open ground they should be hardened. First you need to open a window on the balcony for a few minutes, gradually increasing this time. The hardening procedure should be started a few weeks before the seedlings are planted in the ground.

Landing in open ground and further care

Planting matthiola bicorn in open ground is best done in late spring, in the evening. The site should be well lit and drained. Levkoy prefers slightly alkaline and fertile soil. It is not recommended to fertilize the selected place before planting the plant. Planting holes must be filled with water, seedlings should be lowered into them and sprinkled with earth on top. Dwarf varieties it is desirable to plant at a distance of 15 cm from each other, and high - with an interval of 25 cm.

Caring for mattiola bicorn in the open field implies timely moistening and loosening of the soil, fertilizing. The plant does not tolerate a lack and excess of moisture, so it should be watered moderately, but regularly. In dry weather, it is recommended to increase the frequency of watering. After moistening, the soil must be loosened and, if necessary, weeds removed.

It is necessary to feed the mattiola bicorne with complex mineral fertilizers. From organic dressings only ash is suitable for the plant. AT spring period it is necessary to introduce complex fertilizer into the soil, and during flowering - a potassium-phosphorus mixture.

In Siberia and other regions with cold winters, two-horned mattiola with an ending autumn period must be removed from the soil and disposed of. The area where the plant grew should be dug up. In places with a mild climate, with the onset of winter, it is recommended to cut the levka to the surface level. Mattiola can also be moved to a pot and placed in the house.

Observations of flowers showed that their life activity is subject to certain biorhythms. There are flowers that open at sunrise, and there are "evening" flowers that begin to be fragrant with the onset of dusk. These colors include mattiola. You should know that this is not one separate view flowers, but a whole genus herbaceous plants from the cruciferous family, with more than 50 species.

General information about the flower

Mattiola is an annual herbaceous plant. known as undersized species flower (up to 20 cm), and high, growing up to about 80 cm. Depending on the species, the stem of matthiola can be different: straight, grassy or woody, naked or felt-pubescent. The leaves of the plant also have different shape- carved, blunt, lanceolate, and flowers - different colors: purple, pink, yellow, white. Flowers are simple and double, they are collected in spicate or racemose inflorescences. After flowering, the plants form a fruit in the form of a pod, where the seeds ripen.

As a rule, flower growers give their preference to two types of matthiola - two-horned and gray-haired.

Growing from seeds in open ground

Mattiola is a rather unpretentious and not capricious plant. It adapts well to climatic conditions, the composition of the soil.

In this regard, matthiola seeds, especially bicorn, are sown directly in open ground. A week later, the plant gives its first shoots.

When sowing seeds, do not choose a fertilized site. Mattiola does not like fertile soil, this makes it difficult to bloom, as the plant begins to gain growth, but the flowering phase is postponed to a later date. It is also impossible to plant mattiola in the area where plants from the cruciferous family used to grow.

There are no restrictions on lighting. The flower can grow well and bloom both in partial shade and in a sunny bed.

Sowing seeds is carried out in the spring, when warm, favorable weather finally sets in. The soil must be warm before sowing. The bed digs up, loosens. Seeds are randomly scattered, after which they are lightly sprinkled with earth (you can sprinkle with fine river sand, but not in a dense layer).

If the seedlings sprout in a heap, then they can be discharged. In dry weather, water regularly.

How to grow seedlings at home?

Matthiola seedlings are grown if there is a desire for the plant to bloom early, to please with its delicious aroma.

It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings in the second half of March. For sowing, any universal flower soil, which can be purchased at the store. You can prepare the soil yourself: earth with garden plot+ sand + peat (3:1:1). Matthiola growing from seeds at home

Before starting sowing, the soil is treated with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. In order for the germination of seeds to be higher, it is recommended that they first be soaked in water for a day, then put on a damp cotton napkin and placed in the refrigerator for 3-4 days for stratification. Such seeds, introduced into the ground, sprout already for 4-5 days.

The container with seeds is covered with a film or glass, placed in a bright, warm place(air temperature must not be less than +22°C). As soon as the seedlings germinate, the film (glass) must be removed from the container and transferred to a cooler place ( optimum temperature+15°C).

After about 15 days, you can pick the plant. By this period, mattiola should form developed cotyledons.

When should matthiola seedlings be planted in the ground?

If the seedlings are sown on time, then it is ready in the last decade of May. At this time, favorable weather is established for the normal growth and development of the plant. So that young sprouts do not receive sunburn landing must be carried out on a cloudy day or in the evening.

By this time, a landing site should be prepared. It must be dug up, loosened. The holes in which the seedlings are planted should correspond to the container in which they grew. Before matthiola sprouts are transferred to the wells, they must be well moistened. After the seedlings are planted, the ground near each sprout is slightly compacted.

The gap between the holes is 20 cm for undersized varieties and 30 cm for tall ones.

Mattiola care in the summer

Mattiola is very unpretentious, does not require special attention. The main thing is to water in time, weed from weeds, loosen, pinch in time, remove faded flowers. Watering should be moderate, since Matthiola does not like overdried soil, but also does not tolerate too moist soil.

Loosening the soil contributes to the enrichment of the root system with oxygen. It is better to loosen it on the second day after rain or watering. Weeds will be removed in order to give the flower bed a neat and beautiful view. For the same reason, dry inflorescences are removed.

When and how can matthiola seeds be harvested?

In the regions middle lane with temperate climate you can get matthiola seeds only when you breed it through seedlings, you can get your own seeds. In the southern regions, seeds ripen when sown in open ground. To collect them, it is necessary for the plant to form pods, and for this you should not cut off the faded inflorescences.

After the formation of the pods, enough time must pass for the seeds in them to ripen. As a rule, they begin to ripen in September. If the fetus gets Brown color means that the seeds have reached their maturity. It is necessary to collect the pods on time, not allowing them to open, otherwise the seeds will wake up in the ground. The collected pods should be dried in a dark, dry room, then seeds should be selected from them. Seed germination persists for 3 years.

In a flowerbed, mattiola looks great with flowers such as levka, leefflower, mignonette, pyrethrum and others.

Many lovers ornamental plants do not ignore mattiola bicornuate. The mattiola plant, planting and caring for which is associated with some features and difficulties, will be discussed in the article. What is the value of the plant? First of all, for the amazing aroma that spreads through the garden in the evening and at night. Secondly, for the number of different varieties. But the two-horned mattiola cannot boast of the decorativeness of the flowers because of its inconspicuousness. AT daytime flowers are covered.

Matthiola is native to Asia Minor and Greece. The plant has been cultivated since the 16th century.

Flower growers grow Mattiola two-horned in planting.

Characteristics:

• Mattiola has erect or spreading stems, depending on the variety. There are many shoots on the plant, they, like the leaves, have strong pubescence.
• The plant is quite tall, with proper agricultural technology it grows up to 60 cm.
• Large teeth are clearly visible on juicy green leaves.
• Flowers are collected in inflorescences in the form of brushes, do not differ in saturation of tones. In addition, they are very small.
• During the day, mattiola “sleeps”, blooms inflorescences closer to night, spreads its aroma throughout the area.
• Flowering is long. At early landings lasts from June until the first frost.
• Very small seeds ripen in pods. Germination is maintained up to three years.

Types and varieties of matthiola bicorne

More than 50 types of matthiola grow in the natural environment. The popular name is fragrant violet. Flower growers grow only two species.

• Mattiola is gray-haired, it is she who is called Levka.

Mattiola bicorne Mattiola gray-haired left

Varietal variety of mattiola bicornu

For gardeners, when choosing matthiola, varieties matter. Breeders have created many different varieties with different colors and aromas.

Let's look at the most common varieties of bicorn mattiola, which are grown in flower beds:

• Mattiola Evening fragrance is characterized by strong branching of upright shoots. The height is a little less than half a meter. The flowers are small pale lilac hue, with a pronounced aroma.
• Starlight is a varietal blend. Flowers of all colors bloom in the garden. Plants are selected erect, their height is from 40 to 50 cm. Since each variety has its own characteristics of aroma, then, intertwining, they give a real fairy tale. It is better to plant a varietal mixture before entering the house.
• Night violet grows up to 30 cm. It is often used to decorate balconies. Delicate lilac flowers resemble a brush, give a sweetish aroma.
• Lilac is a cold-resistant plant. Likes sunny open beds. Height up to 50 cm. The aroma of this variety captivates with its tenderness and originality.
• Mattiola summer evening is most often grown by flower growers. Grows up to half a meter. The flowers are collected in a loose brush, have a purple hue. The aroma is strong and memorable.

Video "Matthiola, growing and caring for a flower"

How to grow seedlings

As a rule, mattiola bicornu does not reproduce with seedlings, it is better to grow it by sowing seeds directly into the ground: the plant has a weak root system, it does not tolerate transplantation well. But, if you want to become the owner of unique flavors in early June, then you will have to use the seedling method.

Before sowing seeds, you need to prepare containers and soil. The soil is chosen nutritious, loose, with good water and air permeability. Containers, soil are treated with a hot manganese solution.

With how to plant a two-horned mattiola, now we will figure it out:

• Seeds are sown in early February. Re-sowing can be done in March, then your plants will bloom at different times.
• Since the seeds are very small, they are scattered over the surface of the prepared soil, and the distance is at least four centimeters and lightly sprinkled on top. You can't deepen them. Gently watered warm water, cover with glass or plastic bag. Put in a warm place with sufficient lighting. Before the appearance of the first shoots, watering is not recommended.

Mattiola, growing from seeds for seedlings, requires special conditions. After the appearance of sprouts, you need to create good lighting and lower the temperature to 12 degrees, otherwise the seedlings will stretch.

If you grow matthiola in a box, then it will have to dive in 12-14 days. We immediately warn you that part of the seedlings, despite the accuracy of the transplant, dies.

In order to less injure the roots, the soil is watered abundantly before starting work. Carefully remove one plant at a time, being careful not to damage the delicate roots. Deepenings are made in the transplant container and covered with soil up to the cotyledon leaves. So that the plant can immediately contact the soil, lightly compress the soil. After that, matthiola needs to be watered.

Many experienced gardeners who have been dealing with fragrant violet for more than one year, grow seedlings without picking. Suitable packaging for eggs, chocolates. After filling the containers with soil, 2-3 seeds are sown in each cell. As the seedlings grow, one sprout is left, the most viable.

Planting plants on permanent place, without damaging the clod of earth, upon the onset of stable warm weather. Usually it is the end of May, the beginning of June. Landing is carried out at a distance of 15 to 30 cm, depending on the variety. In order for Mattiola to grab the ground faster, it needs to be shaded.

Sowing seeds in the ground

Choose a place

So that the fragrant violet grows healthy, does not stretch, they choose for it sunny place. There is one more condition: landings must be protected from the wind. Under such conditions, they will quickly grow, throw out loose tassels and delight you with amazing aromas.

As for the soil, it should be loose, fertile. But it is undesirable to introduce humus for planting, since phytophthora spores may be present in it. Not bad mattiola develops on loamy and sandy soils. Acidity should be neutral.

The predecessors for planting matthiola are also important. It is undesirable to grow violets where cruciferous representatives previously lived. This can cause keel, fungal diseases.

The soil is best prepared in the fall. Digging allows you to get rid of spores of fungal diseases, including the black leg. The soil needs to be dug 40 cm deep and composted.

Sowing seeds

If you want to create a unique design on your site, it is not necessary to grow mattiola in a separate garden. It can be placed next to large-colored bright flowers.

Seed propagation of matthiola (depending on the characteristics of the variety) can be autumn or spring. But the rules for sowing seeds are completely the same:

• The soil spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate is loosened, grooves are made. Their depth should not exceed half a centimeter, otherwise it will be difficult for the sprouts to break through.
• To evenly distribute the seeds, they are mixed with sand in equal amounts, scattered into grooves.
• Sprinkle with a layer of earth in half a centimeter. It is impossible to tamp, you just need to lightly sprinkle the flower bed with water.

Mattiola, sown in autumn or spring, sprouts in late May, early June.

Seedling Care

Mattiola bicorne, planting and care of which requires compliance certain rules, will grow up healthy and delight with an amazing aroma, even for beginners.

• When 2 to 3 leaves appear on the violet, the plantings are thinned out. A distance of 15 to 35 cm is left between plants. At the same time, growth features are taken into account. Remember that dense seating of matthiola can provoke fungal diseases due to proper ventilation.
• The plant is demanding on watering, but does not tolerate the marsh state of the soil. Roots may rot. weed plants are removed at the earliest development. They not only weaken the flowers, but can also cause infection with fungal diseases.
• After watering and rains, the soil must be loosened so that air can freely enter the roots.
• Brushes with faded buds must be removed so that they do not pull on nutrients. In addition, dried flowers do not contribute to improving the decorativeness of the plant.
• Mattiola bicornu after planting and care needs to be fed. You can use nutritional formulations for indoor flowering plants. The first top dressing is carried out 21 days after planting matthiola in open ground. The plant needs especially nutrients at the time of budding and flowering.

Diseases and pests

Mattiola planting and care in the open field requires careful attention to the issue of diseases and pests. She has a few of them, but still, she has them. The most common are keel and fusarium. Both diseases are fungal and reproduce by spores. Spores tolerate wintering well.

Among the pests, cruciferous flea, cabbage and whitefish are noted. Fleas and caterpillars are able to destroy mattiola. To prevent the death of plantings, you need to inspect the bushes. When pests appear, spray with special preparations.

Preventive measures

No need to wait for diseases or pests to inflict plants irreparable harm. After all, any plant ailments can be prevented.

What do we have to do:

• To prevent keel (black leg), the soil is treated with potassium permanganate, fungicides or ordinary wood ash.
• The cruciferous flea also does not tolerate the smell of ash, it can pollinate mattiola after watering and rain.
• Since fragrant violet is a member of the cruciferous, it can be sprayed with valerian. This method will save cabbage and white butterflies from butterflies. They do not risk flying on the smell. One teaspoon of medicine is enough for a liter of water.
• As for Fusarium, at the first sign of planting, they are treated with special preparations. But first you need to remove the affected leaves and burn them.

When growing any plants, it is necessary to take into account the methods of agricultural technology. Even a novice grower can grow Mattiola. The main thing is to take into account the characteristics of the variety, to properly care for them. And then your garden will be filled with the fragrance of violets. Good luck.

Matthiola (Matthiola) or levkoy, night violet, evening fragrance is a flowering herbaceous plant belonging to the Cruciferous family. Homeland - the Mediterranean. By appearance modest, but appreciated due to the incredible aroma of flowers. With the onset of a summer evening, flowers bloom, giving their fragrance, which is why it is also called night violet. A place in the flower garden is allocated most often near the terraces, arbors, windows of the house.

Mattiola (levkoy) - one or perennial. The stem is 30-90 cm high, dense, erect, branching. The stem is covered with a thin skin: naked or pubescent. Leaves lanceolate with serrated or entire edges, soft, pubescent, in in large numbers collected in the root zone.

Racemose inflorescences appear on the tops of the shoots in late spring. They are thick, consist of terry or simple flowers. Petals are rounded, painted in white, pink, lilac, purple or yellow. The sweet aroma attracts pollinating insects. In place of the inflorescences, a fruit appears - a small flattened pod containing many small seeds.

Growing matthiola from seeds When to plant

Sowing seeds in the ground

There are high (50-70 cm), medium (30-50) and dwarf (15-30) plants among the matthiols, according to the structure of the flowers they are divided into simple and terry.

According to the duration of development, there are:

• autumn mattiola (sown in spring, flowering occurs at the end of summer-beginning of autumn, and the seeds ripen the next year);
• winter mattiola (sown in June-July, and flowering will come next spring);

The two previous varieties do not hibernate in the open field, but are used for "forcing".

• summer mattiola (the most common variety, grown everywhere).

Consider the most popular types of matthiola.

Matthiola bicornis Matthiola bicornis

An annual plant up to half a meter high. Shoots and oblong leaves have a gray-green color. Blooms all summer. The flowers are simple, consist of 4 petals, are painted in lilac, light pink, they gather in dense paniculate inflorescences.

Matthiola gray Matthiola incana

An annual plant 20-80 cm high. The stalks are woody, they are densely covered with oblong leaves with a short fluff. Dense inflorescences appear on the tops of the shoots. The flowers are simple or double, painted in white, blue, pink, purple or dark purple. Flowering begins in June and lasts until the first frost. In the southern regions, flowering is possible even in winter time. Fruit with many seeds ripens only in forms with simple flowers.

Fragrant Mattiola or Fragrant Levkoy Matthiola odoratissima

Perennial herbaceous plant. It reaches a height of 20-50 cm. The stems and leaves are dark green in color, covered with a long pile of a silvery hue. Sessile leaves of an oblong shape are collected in a basal rosette. Flowering begins in May-June. Yellow-brown flowers are collected in loose racemose inflorescences.

The best varieties of matthiola with photos and names

Matthiola Vintage Matthiola incana Vintage

Mattiola gray-haired Vintage - an indispensable attribute of garden design in vintage style. The charm of the variety cannot be compared with any other flowers. These are delicate pastel shades, lightness, special purity and lightness. Double flowers are very decorative, fitting into the design of the garden of almost any style.

Matthiola Cinderella matthiola cinderella

The Cinderella series is distinguished by large double flowers collected in dense tall inflorescences. The shades are very diverse, the landing mix looks especially impressive.

Matthiola bouquet Katz Matthiola incana Katz

Katz series - amazingly beautiful bouquet flowers with large terry inflorescences on tall peduncles. The shades are varied: from white, beige, peach and cream to pink, lilac, purple, lilac and purple.

Matthiola Harmony matthiola harmony

No less charming is the Harmony series, it looks great in mixed plantings, playing with colors from white-cream pastel shades to rich pink-purple. Inflorescences are large, dense, with massive double flowers.

Matthiola Rich Aroma Matthiola Incana Rich Aroma

Large double flowers of all shades with a thick spicy aroma - this is the Rich Aroma series. Mixed plantings next to the recreation area will give aesthetic pleasure and fill everything around with a pleasant aroma.

Mattiola two-horned lilac grade Lilac Matthiola bicornis lilac

Mattiola two-horned lilac variety Lilac Matthiola bicornis lilac photo

The variety fell in love with its unprecedented endurance: frost- and drought-resistant, not demanding on soils, it blooms beautifully even in the absence of care. But the most important advantage of the Lilac variety is its incomparable strong aroma, which literally fills the space with a whole cloud of pleasant smell.

Matthiola appleblossom Matthiola appleblossom

Another vintage variety with delicate double flowers in pastel colors and a pleasant aroma. The flowers really look like apple blossoms.

Mattiola in landscape design

Decorative varieties with double flowers will decorate the flower bed, in cut form they will delight for about 2 weeks.

Thanks to its wonderful aroma, mattiola is planted near the windows of houses to enjoy it on summer evenings.

For landscaping terraces, balconies are planted in containers.

Nivyanik, thyme, thyme, rosemary, mignonette, lavender, will be good neighbors in the flower garden.

One of beautiful flowers in the garden is Mattiola. Due to the glut of the market with a variety of horticultural crops, not everyone is familiar with this species.

In ancient times, it was very popular among Italians and Greeks. Today, matthiola grows in the Mediterranean countries. In other regions, it is grown in mixed flower beds and discounts.

Varieties of matthiola

The height of herbaceous plants can reach 1 meter, and some species grow only up to 15 cm. The stems are woody or grassy; some of them are naked, others are pubescent.

The shape of the leaves can be carved, lanceolate, obtuse, oblong or ovate.

flowers matthiols are terry or simple, which are collected in spike-shaped or racemose inflorescences. Petals are distinguished by purple, pink, purple, lilac, yellow and white hues. The fruits look like pods filled with flat seeds.

But main feature plant is that it exudes a magical fragrant aroma that manifests itself in the evening and at night with the opening of flowers.

The Matthiola genus includes more than 50 varieties. All of them differ in time and flowering period, external structure and features of cultivation and reproduction.

Gardeners usually grow matthiola bicornu and mattiola gray-haired.

Mattiola bicorne

Its other name is “night violet”, since the color of its flowers resembles tones violets, and pleases the plant with a pleasant smell with the sunset.

The variety is annual crop. The flowering period is the entire summer season.

The stems grow up to 30-50 cm, forming sprawling and branched bushes. bicorn mattiola is distinguished by oblong, oval and pubescent leaves. The most common shades of flowers are lilac, lavender, greenish-purple and white. The flowers are closed during the day and open in the evening, releasing a strong and pleasant aroma.

Pod-shaped fruits have two short horns at the top. Gray-brown seeds of small size, germination - 2-3 years.

Popular varieties of matthiola bicorne:

• "Night Violet". The type of air inflorescences is racemose. The leaves are large-toothed, the length of the stems usually reaches 30 cm. With the first rays of the sun, the flowers and leaves curl up, and with the onset of the evening they open again and fill the air with a pleasant smell. They are used not only in the garden, but also in decorating balconies and terraces.
• "Lilak". The shape of the leaves is linear large-toothed. Densely branched stems grow up to half a meter. Loose racemose inflorescences have a strong, bewitching aroma. Meet in Mauritanian lawns and mixed discounts.
• . Purple and pale lilac flowers with highly branched stems can reach a height of 40-50 cm. Abundant flowering accompanied by an intense aroma in the evenings and at night. Bushes are formed by loose racemose inflorescences.
• "Star Light". It is a variety mixture with different shades of matthiola flowers. They are characterized by a low decorative effect, but they have an exquisite aroma. They are planted next to the house, benches, along curbs and garden paths.

Mattiola gray-haired

Another name is "gray-haired left". Varieties gray-haired levkoy may be annual or perennial. Surprisingly, sometimes the same species is characterized by flowers of terry and simple type. Belongs to the cruciferous family.

Levkoy has gentle spicy aroma. Leaves and stems are pubescent and whitish. A rich range of shades of colors. Stems with spike-shaped inflorescences can be 20-60 cm in height. The period of preservation of seed germination is 4-6 years.

Varieties of gray-haired levkoy are classified by flowering period (summer, autumn, winter), by type of stem (single, branched) and by type of flowers:

1. Bouquet. Summer flowering season. Attractive flowers reach a diameter of 4 cm. There are different shades. The central and lateral stems of the bush grow almost the same height (25-30 cm).
2. gigantic. Bomb-shaped flowers grow more than half a meter. They are characterized by late flowering until the first frosts. big flowers 5-6 cm in diameter, they are held on brushes reaching 20 cm in length. The central shoots reach their maximum height faster than the side shoots. From famous varieties it is necessary to highlight "Northern", "Vygonochny", "Gigantic tree-like".
3. Quedlinburg. Terry and non-double signs of flowers are already pronounced at the seedling stage.

This group of plants is divided into the following 4 subgroups:

• six-shaped. The most valuable subspecies with dense flowers, the diameter of which reaches 6 cm. The height of the stems is 50–80 cm. Loose inflorescences are distinguished by one high central one.
• late high. They reach a height of 50 cm. Densely branched stems form pyramidal bushes. Plants with large double flowers.
• early high. Spreading bush with bright flowers grows within 60–70 cm. Large leaves predominate on tall stems.
• Early low. Flowers 20-40 cm high form a spherical bush.

Mattiola: growing from seed

When to plant matthiola seeds? Each type of plant has its own characteristics in sowing, which should be repeated regularly for better flowering.

Night violets are planted in April. Perform a two- or three-time repetition of sowing in two weeks. Planting seeds of levkoy is done in late winter or early spring.

Mattiola: planting and care (photo, description)

Mattiola is bicornuate. Growing from seeds and care

Mattiola bicornu better grown method of planting seeds in open ground. The soil in which cruciferous crops were grown will not work; mattiola will not even rise in it.

The site for cultivation is chosen well lit sun, but a semi-shaded place would not be a bad option.

Previously, the soil is dug up and processed with a moderate amount of mineral fertilizers. It is not recommended to add organic substances. Landing is done in the sun-warmed and watered earth.

Pits for seeds are made 3–4 cm deep. The distance between the holes is made at least 15 cm. 4–5 seeds are thrown into each recess, covered with sand and soil. First seedlings should be expected in 8-10 days.

Mattiola care consists in regular watering. 1-2 times a month, the soil is treated with mineral fertilizers. But it is advised not to fertilize with manure, since the night violet does not tolerate it. Faded flowers should be cut off so that the plant develops intensively.

This species is rarely planted seedling way which he does not tolerate well.

Growing gray matthiola from seeds at home

And the gray-haired left, on the contrary, is grown in seedlings. Sustainability to transplantation allows you to grow mattiola at home, which, when planted in open ground, will sprout faster and will have a longer flowering period.

Prepared containers are treated with a small amount of potassium permanganate. Add a layer to dried containers drainage. Sand and peat are mixed in a ratio of 1/3 and containers are filled with the mixture. The earth is watered with a small amount of water with a share of potassium permanganate.

To speed up germination, the seeds are soaked in a container with slightly cooled boiled water for a day. Then they are placed in the refrigerator in a damp cloth for another day.

In the grooves made, the seeds are laid out at a distance of 3 cm, sprinkled with earth and watered. seedlings, covered with glass or film, rearranged in a dark place.

The first sprouts appear after 6-8 days. With the advent of leaves, seedlings are watered and carefully dug out of containers with a clod of earth into small pots.

For planting, it is worth taking a day without bright sun so that young plants do not get burned. earth previously dig and level with a rake. Recesses for seedlings are made at a distance of 20–30 cm. The sprouts are planted in moist soil, sprinkling the roots with earth and slightly crushing the soil around the seedlings.

Planting Matthiola "Temptation"

beautiful mixture of flowers pink, purple, violet and white color grown by seedlings and sowing seeds in open ground. Hardened seedlings are planted in the ground in late spring and bloom even in the first frost.

flower plots draw up next to the house or in the garden in a sunny area. For low flowers take away beautiful vases located on balconies or terraces.

Mattiola care rules

In addition to regular watering and mineral dressings, mattiola needs loosening of the soil after rains and watering. To support decorative look bushes, withered flowers and weeds are removed in time.

Care also consists in a thorough inspection of plants to identify possible diseases and pests. The well-known matthiola disease - the black leg - is warned with a fungicidal solution.

Leaves with affected areas are immediately cut off, otherwise the disease spreads to the entire plant. To prevent cruciferous fleas from appearing, after rain, the flowers are sprinkled with wood ash.

Providing all conditions for growth and development blooming gardens will always delight owners with their attractive appearance and sophisticated aroma.