Alyssum for many years: description, cultivation, reproduction

Alyssum (Alyssum) is a genus of plants belonging to the family of cruciferous. It includes more than 100 species, including both perennial and annual. In natural conditions occurs in southern Europe and southern Siberia. For flower lovers, these plants are better known as "borachok."

Alyssum perennial, depending on the species in height, can grow from 15 to 60 cm. The root system of plants is friable, compact. The shoots are semi-woody, strongly branching. Its leaves are small, oval-elongated, with a slight pubescence, giving them a silver hue. Numerous flowers with a pleasant aroma, predominantly of yellow color, are collected in carpal inflorescences. The fruit is a small pod containing small, flat seeds that retain their germination for about 3 years.

The beginning and duration of flowering, the color of flowers and the height of a plant such as the alissum of many years depend on the species:

1. Alissum mountain forms a creeping bushes, not exceeding 20 cm in height. It blooms with light yellow flowers in May.
2. Pyrenean alissum, the white color of its flowers overlaps the green leaves, blooms in the summer. Plant height is up to 25 cm.
3. Alyssum marine blooms from early summer to early frost. Its flowers are lilac or white. On the territory of Russia it is grown as a summer, as it can not survive the winter even with good shelter. Forms neat rosettes, the height reaches 40 cm. Its second name is naval lobularia.

Can be attributed to unpretentious plants alissum. Planting and grooming (photos in this article show shoots and abundantly flowering bushes) on a solar plot will allow the plant to open all the potential. The soil is desirable light, nutritious, with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Stagnant water is unacceptable, since the roots are predisposed to rapid decay. The plant requires regular moderate watering, lack of moisture leads to rapid fading. Fertilizing with complex fertilizers is enough for two a year.

After the first flowering, the plants should be cut approximately 7 cm. This action is achieved by repeated blooming. Before the winter, flower stems should not be removed, in this form the plants will be better tolerated by frost. And in the spring, when you bring the flowerbed (rock garden, etc.) in order, they need to cut and remove the dead leaves.

Alyssum perennial breeds by dividing the bush, cutting off the overgrown parts without complete excavation, seeds and cuttings. It is best to transplant and divide in the early spring, and cuttings in the beginning of summer. Seeds can be planted in seedlings in March or in May directly into the soil. They can not be deepened, since they are photosensitive. Transplanting seedlings on the bed, you need to leave between plants about 35 cm, because they grow well. Blossoms bloom 1.5 months after the germination of the seeds.

Alyssum has been exposed to many diseases for many years: jaundice asters, brown rot of roots, wilting, real and false powdery mildew. From pests, it can be affected by cabbage moths, cruciferous fleas, caterpillars (turnip and cabbage whortleberry). If problems arise, the plant should be treated with appropriate preparations.

Despite the possible problems, the alissum is a very interesting plant for many years. It is excellent for rockeries, rock gardens, curbs and mixborders, compiled taking into account the height and timing of flowering.