Helenium in the garden. How to plant and grow a perennial gelenium in the garden? Planting seedlings in open ground

17.06.2019

Bright orange-gold colors are characteristic of the autumn garden and one of the main participants in the September parade of flower gardens is gelenium perennial(Helenium). Under this name, you can combine different types of geleniums: G. autumn(H. autumnale) - the ancestor of many currently existing hybrid forms and varieties; G. spring(H. vernalis) and G. Bigelow(H. bigelovii). Most of the varietal plants most often used by landscape designers in recent years are Helenium hybrid(H. x hybridum). There are also annual species, but we will not consider them in this article.

Description of gelenium
Modern varieties of geleniums
Low-growing varieties of gelenium (photo)
Medium-sized varieties of gelenium (photo)
Tall varieties of gelenium (photo)
Proper fit and care tips
5 steps to lush bloom
Helenium reproduction by division
Growing from seed
Geleniums in garden design
What colors to match?

Helenium hybrid

Gelenium: photo of flowers and description

The main feature of gelenium is that it is not one bush, but many independent plants growing tightly to each other. The height of flowering stems ranges from 60 to 180 cm, depending on the variety. The size of the "chamomile" is from 3 to 6 cm, the flowers are collected in thyroid-shaped inflorescences, and each stem carries up to a hundred small "suns". The color of the marginal reed flowers varies from light yellow to dark red, it can be two-colored. The timing of flowering depends on the variety, but if desired, plants can be selected so that they are decorative from mid-July to early September.

Modern varieties of gelenium can be divided into 3 groups: undersized (from 50 to 90 cm), medium-sized (from 90 to 120 cm) and tall (from 120 cm and above). Among the names, German names often come across and this is not surprising, because helenium is considered the national flower of Germany.

Helenium perennial ‘Ruby Tuesday’, height (H) 50-60 cm, blooms from July.

Flower gelenium (lat. Helenium)- a genus of annuals and perennials of the Asteraceae family, numbering 32 species that grow in Central and North America, mainly in the Western United States. It is generally accepted that the Helenium plant is named after the wife of King Menelaus, the beautiful Helen, because of which the Greek war with Troy, described by Homer in the Iliad, broke out. What is remarkable about gelenium flowers? First of all, just by its unremarkableness - for the time being. When the riot of colors in the garden subsides at the end of summer, you suddenly discover with interest somewhere aside a modest bush of gelenium, which you didn’t notice yesterday. And today, its golden baskets, which can change their color, attract your attention not very elegant, but warm, calm and cozy beauty ...

Peculiarities

Location: geleniums are photophilous, but tolerate partial shade.

The soil: prefer fertile, well-cultivated and moist neutral soils.

Care

When placing geleniums in the garden, remember where and how they live in nature: moist, fertile meadow soils, dense herbs.

They will thrive in densely planted flower beds. Low-growing varieties can be planted on foreground or in borders, tall ones in the background. Majestic bushes look beautiful as tapeworms against the background of the lawn. In this case, they need regular watering, as they do not tolerate overdrying of the soil.

We must not forget about watering in dry and hot summers. Geleniums respond well to mineral and organic top dressing, which is enough to carry out two or three times per season. After three or four years, you need to think about transplanting - the bushes age quickly. It is undesirable to carry it out in the fall. If you nevertheless purchased a flowering gelenium at the end of the season, cut the stem to a height of 10-12 cm before planting and try to injure the root system as little as possible.

Those who grew geleniums know that, for all their unpretentiousness, an adult and quite healthy bush in the conditions of the Moscow Region may suddenly not overwinter, although the plant is recommended for the fourth climatic zone. This is due to the peculiarities of its structure.

The autumn helenium bush can only conditionally be called a bush. Strictly speaking, this is a colony of independent plants. Flowering stems, like many perennials, live only one season. But, unlike them, at the end of the season, not only the stem, but also the root neck dies off at the gelenium, and the renewal buds at the base of the stem often form small rosettes by this time.
They are independent plants with their own completely autonomous root system. If the winter is snowy or not severe frosts, young plants winter well, and in frosty and snowless ones they easily freeze out. This circumstance is exacerbated when we are dealing with varieties that were created using other types of geleniums, in particular, the more heat-loving Bigelow gelenium.

In preparation for winter, mulch the plant with moss or sawdust and cover with lutrasil. For better wintering, trim and mulch mature plants as well.

Species and varieties

In nature, there are about 30 species of this perennial, but only 5 of them have been cultivated:

Helenium autumn (pictured). Reaches a height of 1 meter. Proper care promotes rapid flowering, from August to October. This species served as the basis for breeders to recreate many varieties that have not only more large flowers, but also exceeding the flowering period by one or two months. To determine the variety that is needed specifically for your garden, look at the photo and decide. The most common varieties of this species are Pumilum Magnificum, Bruno, Kupfersprudel, Butterpat.
Helenium Hupa (H. hoopesii) - has bright yellow flowers, reaching 10 centimeters in diameter.
Gelenium Bigelow (H. bigelovii) - reaches a height of 80 centimeters. flowers are large, yellow color, very bright.
Helenium spring (H. vernalis) is a very unpretentious and winter-hardy species.
Helenium hybrid (H. x.hybridum). It includes many hybrid varieties, the origin of which is unknown. They have different sizes, shape and color of flowers. They are all very beautiful, see photos. The height and duration of flowering also vary. Main varieties: Gartensonne (Gartcnsonne), Goldlackzwerg (Goldlackzwer), Rotgaut (Rothaut).
Helenium perennial. The name speaks for itself - it is perennial variety. Planting and caring for this variety are no different from the previous ones.

reproduction

Helenium reproduces in two ways.

Reproduction by rosettes

Experienced gardeners recognize this method as the simplest and most effective. The thing is that these flowers have one very interesting feature- before the onset of winter, the whole plant dies, but many buds remain in the ground. Closer to spring, rosettes of leaves sprout from the buds, which are used as planting material. They are dug up, divided and planted in several pieces for a permanent place of growth.

Reproduction by seeds

This method is not as effective and simple, since gelenium seeds have poor germination. The way out of the situation is sowing for the winter, then the chances of getting seedlings increase.

They do it like this:

Seeds are sown on well-fertilized soil with organic matter.
After sowing, they cover with non-woven material and, not forgetting to water and ventilate, wait for the first shoots to appear.
When 2 or 3 true leaves appear, the young gelenium swoop down.

Landing in open ground is carried out in the first decade of June, when the soil warms up enough and the threat of frost passes.

At the same time, plants should not be planted densely, as their root system grows rapidly. 4 or 5 bushes are enough for 1 m2, but no more.

Using this method of reproduction of gelenium, be patient, because you can admire the flowers only after two or three years.

Pests and diseases

Helenium is resistant to pests, but sometimes suffers from the chrysanthemum nematode, which damages flower buds and leaves. Affected parts of the plant must be cut and burned. If the pest was observed on the site earlier, ground sulfur (50 g/m2) or slaked lime (100 g/m2) must be added to the soil before planting. And in the last days of June and July, the plant should be treated with a solution of thiophos (0.2%). Gelenium is practically not susceptible to infections, but can suffer from waterlogging. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the water balance of the soil. Of course, the unpretentious and hardy gelenium is worthy of settling in your garden for many years. This wonderful plant even with the most minimal care, it can bring many happy moments to the grower, prolonging the outgoing summer and joyfully meeting autumn.

Stages of preparation before planting gelenium in open ground

Preparation before planting a plant is the key to getting a strong and healthy flower in the future, which will be an excellent decoration for your site. If your area does not already have this beautiful flower and you have nowhere to get planting material, it is important to purchase high-quality seedlings in the store. Also consider all the features of the plant and select the most suitable place for its active growth on your site.

Stage 1. Selection of seedlings

What varieties are in demand and grow well?

The most popular variety of gelenium is Rubinswerg. It is distinguished by a rich bright red color of the petals, and their edges give off yellowness. Helenium Rubinswerg flowers reach a height of 60 cm, and bloom in early July and delight the eye until mid-September.

If you want to see flowering in the middle of summer, then you should plant a red-yellow Lava Helenium bush. The petals of this type of perennial are like velvet, have a rich pearl-burgundy color. The plant will bloom in early or mid-July and will delight you with a riot of colors until the end of August. Its flowering period is more than 60 days. Gelenium Lava hibernates without shelter, grows up to 1-1.5 meters in height, even a photo of a gelenium of this variety in flower beds looks very bright.

Also of interest are the varieties of helenium Kokarda and Canaria, whose flowers grow 1.2 meters up, and the Moerheim Beauty variety. In the countries of Europe and America, this type of garden flowers is very much loved and planted in literally every yard. In Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, hybrid gelenium is most often planted.

Gelenium after flowering How and when to collect gelenium seeds.

If you want to collect helenium seeds, you must have time to do this before the long autumn rains, otherwise the seeds will rot. The darkened reed flowers and the blackened tubular ones will tell you that the seeds are ripe. But, as already mentioned, it is better to buy gelenium seeds in specialized stores, since those collected by you, with all your diligence, may not sprout, and if they sprout, it is not a fact that you will get what you sow as a result. Do not waste your efforts, buy seeds or use vegetative propagation methods for gelenium.

Gelenium in winter.

For the winter, gelenium stems are cut almost to the surface of the earth, leaving only 10-15 cm of stems. After pruning, the site is mulched with moss or sawdust and covered with lutrasil on top in case of severe frosts or snowless winters.

Gardeners have long included this plant in the list of favorites, it is invariably adored by bees, and neighbors in the flower garden value close friendship! It is not surprising that breeders became interested in our hero and bred varieties with a new color and shape of flowers. Let me introduce you, familiar stranger gelenium!

Helenium is one of those rare herbaceous perennials that have made the transition from traditionally rustic gardens to modern flower beds with ease.

What is the secret of such a dizzying "career" and popularity?

The decisive role was played, of course, by the lush and colorful flowering.

From the end of June until September, this unpretentious long-flowering plant blooms plantings with rich yellow, orange and red lights. Yes, and the growth of a bright handsome man is what you need.

It is not uncommon for geleniums to reach a height of one and a half meters or more, which makes them ideal candidates for planting in the background of flower beds or along fences or walls.

It is worth noting that geleniums of some varieties with powerful shoots, for example Rauchtopas, unable to "lay on the shoulder blades" even a strong wind.

The rest is still desirable support and a place in a quiet corner. Tip: to make tall plants more compact, at the beginning of summer, you can shorten their shoots by half.

Thanks to this procedure, the flowering time also shifts slightly and comes 3-4 weeks later. As an alternative, you should immediately look at the geleniums of low-growing varieties, for example, wine red Rubinzwerg or yellow Wyndley, whose height barely reaches a meter.

See also: Physostegia flower (photo) planting, types and care

About caring for gelenium

Caring for a perennial is simple: it needs to be provided with a sunny place, ideally, without stagnation of dry air, due to which the flowers droop.

But if the plants are well watered, the gelenium, which bowed its head in the heat, will come to life again in the morning and will delight the eye with freshness and vigor.

Loamy soil rich in humus is best suited for it.

It is also advisable to regularly feed our hero with compost (1 l / m2) and complex mineral fertilizer - then the plant will bloom from year to year, without requiring division and transplantation. Whether it is necessary to rejuvenate the handsome man, he himself will tell - if the bush in the center is bare, then it's time. In general, the plant needs to be rejuvenated every 3-4 years, because, having reached maturity, the gelenium often freezes. And the last thing: on the eve of winter, all shoots can be safely cut off at the very base.

In front of tall geleniums, such as copper-red Baudirector Linne(130-150 cm), it is advisable to plant a number of shorter herbaceous perennials, such as whorled coreopsis (pictured), anafalis, catnip soul or shrub aster.

Gelenium is a great option for a summer bouquet. But keep in mind that you need to cut the stems when the flowers are fully opened, because they do not bloom in water.

See also: Agapanthus in the open field (photo) - planting and care

In the photo above

Double Trouble is one of the first geleniums with a double row of marginal reed flowers. Yellow "suns" of the plant soar on strong peduncles at a meter height above the ground.

Waltraut - a hybrid up to 90 cm high with large red-orange flowers with a chocolate brown center. Buds bloom en masse in August - September.

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In many gardens and flower beds such a beautiful and sunny flower grows - helenium. According to legend, this lovely plant, which delights with its flowering on the eve of the beginning of autumn, received such a unique name in honor of the beautiful Helen, the wife of Menelaus, whose charm was so admired by the admirer of Paris. Probably, the golden tone of this flower resembled the color of Elena's golden curls.

Description of Helenium

For the first time, the gelenium flower was found in the region of Central and North America. Today, more than 30 species of this perennial herbaceous plant are known. Geleniums are not endowed with a long-term developed rhizome. Strong flowering stems dry out after the onset of autumn frosts along with the roots.

But during their death, living buds that appeared on the ground part of the plant form a rosette of leaves with roots. It is this new rosette that forms the flowering stem on next year. Geleniums do not have the shape of a bush, they are independent plants, close to each other.

They have straight stems, they branch upwards, reaching 160 cm in height. Lanceolate leaves are arranged in the next order. They give inflorescences in the form of baskets, single or collected in corymbose plants. The outer flowers are purple, yellow, orange or two tones, the central ones are yellow or brown. As a result, they give achenes of a cylindrical shape, slightly pubescent.

Growing conditions and proper care

How to plant gelenium in open ground photo

Beautiful geleniums prefer well-lit areas, they do not tolerate shading. For their planting, it is necessary to select fertile soils with a sufficient amount of moisture, a neutral level of acidity.

When planting lush geleniums in the garden, one should take into account the peculiarities of growth in the natural environment: plants prefer fertile meadow soils with a sufficient level of moisture, where forbs grow.

Densely planted flower beds are an excellent habitat for geleniums.
Undersized varieties can be planted on the front of the mixborder or as borders, tall ones look great in the background.
Lush bushes look great in the role of tapeworms against the backdrop of a neat lawn.
Heleniums love regular watering because they do not tolerate drought.

It is necessary to pay special attention to growing geleniums during the dry season. summer heat. They respond well to top dressing with natural organic matter. Similar procedures should be carried out three times for the entire season of active vegetation.

After 4 years of growing gelenium in one place, you should seriously think about transplanting, because plants quickly age and degenerate. This procedure is desirable to do in the autumn. If at the end of the summer season a flowering gelenium was purchased, then before planting it, the upper part of the stem is cut off so that a height of 12 cm remains, we plant it carefully, without affecting the root system.

Experienced gardeners know that gelenium bushes may not withstand the harsh winter of the Moscow region. In order to provide the plant with a better chance of survival, it is better to cover the bush with fallen leaves, spruce branches or artificial covering material for the winter, and in winter it is imperative to ensure that there is snow on top, especially during severe frosts.

The outer flowering stems of gelenium live only a season, dying off for the winter, like all perennials. But, unlike everyone else, at the end of the warm season, even the root neck dies off at the geleniums. It is renewed by buds that appear at the base of the stem. During a snowy winter without severe frosts, geleniums winter well, but in severe, snowless winters they can freeze.

Susceptibility to cold is increased in hybrid varieties of gelenium, which are particularly thermophilic.

During the preparation of the plant for winter, it is worthwhile to thoroughly mulch the plant with moss or sawdust, you can cover it with ready-made lutrasil. In order for the plant to winter comfortably, you need to cut off the tops of adult plants before shelter.

Growing gelenium seeds at home When to plant

Gelenium seeds photo How to grow gelenium from seeds

Planting gelenium seeds for seedlings at home is very simple. You can sow as early as the twentieth of March.

The soil is prepared loose, enriched with organic matter, peat and sand are added. But it’s better, of course, not to suffer and purchase a ready-made soil mixture for flowers.
Although the seeds are very small, it can take a little longer to space them apart.
Often sown immediately in a common container, then to pick out. Leave 2-3 cm between the seeds, do not save space too much so that the seedlings do not stretch.
If you are patient, plant two or three seeds in separate pots, it will be easier to take care of the plants, you will not need to transplant seedlings, and the flowers will turn out much earlier, since we will not waste time on the survival of the sprouts when picking.

Gelenium seedlings photo What gelenium seedlings look like Gelenium seedlings Planting and care

If sowed thickly, when 2-3 true leaves appear, you will have to dive into prepared cups.
We do watering regularly, but without fanaticism: water should not stagnate. Don't forget about drainage holes in the bottom of the container so as not to provoke root rot or blackleg disease.
The lighting needs to be bright, hellenium loves light and develops well with a long daylight hours. if the room is dark, make additional lighting.
Planting seedlings begins in mid-May, if there are no night frosts. Therefore, it is not superfluous to harden at the beginning of the month, taking the plants outside to get used to the sun and wind. Hardened seedlings are much stronger and easily tolerate planting in the ground.

Considering that the gelenium gives a good, branched bush, it is better to leave a distance of 40-50 cm between the bushes. Not so large flowers or even ground covers can be planted nearby.

How to sow hellenium seeds in the ground When to plant

You can plant hellenium directly into the ground. Like any perennial, it is planted in autumn or early spring in order to get seedlings as quickly as possible. It is enough to wait for warm weather and the maturation of the soil. Usually it is the end of April - May. Sometimes it turns out to sow even in March, it all depends on the region. Planted in autumn in late September-October when it's cold enough that the seeds won't sprout.

The bed is prepared with loose, well-drained soil, heavy clay soils it is better to flavor with humus and add sand.
The distance between the furrows is 30-35 cm.
We sow less often so as not to break through.
Ascended bushes are watered and freed from weeds, loosen the soil.
When the seedlings grow to a height of 8-10 cm, they can be transplanted.
The remaining plants should be at a distance of 30 cm from each other.

Hellenium is easy to care for, the main thing is to water and prevent soil compaction. It is desirable to loosen after each watering, shallow, even with a rake, if the soil is not heavy. But it is better to mulch the ground and forget about weeds and earthen crust.

Hellenium transplantation and reproduction by dividing the bush

Transplantation and propagation of hellenium by dividing the bush photo

As already mentioned, it is necessary to transplant the hellenium 4-5 years after landing. A well-developed bush will degenerate over time to rejuvenate the plant and allow room for development, and periodic division of the bush with replanting is required.

Carefully, you should dig up the root and get a bush with a clod of earth.
Take a knife or shovel to cut the bush into several pieces, being careful not to hit the ground.
Planted in deep holes up to 30 cm, on the bottom of which humus is poured.
The planting level is kept the same, without deepening the root neck. Keep in mind that the earth will settle, strive so that later the roots do not appear on the surface, which is also very bad.
Water abundantly to moisten the soil to the entire depth of the hole.

How to divide a gelenium bush photo Gelenium hybrid planting and care

Sometimes they do this: they dig a bush around the edges, separating its parts, and leaving a part untouched. Since the bush has been divided, there will be room for new root buds to grow and the plant will rejuvenate. And the separated delenki are planted in a new place.

Gelenium in landscape design

Gelenium photo of flowers seedlings when to plant Gelenium in the garden photo

Gelenium is planted in large flower beds in the background, near ornamental shrubs, in groups or singly. They decorate the fence of buildings. High gelenium perfectly coexists with autumn asters.

Helenium hybrid rubinzwerg in landscape design photo

Their inflorescences look great in bouquets and compositions, they are cut off fully blooming, since water does not affect their blooming of buds.

Types and varieties of gelenium with photos and descriptions

Hegenium autumn helenium autumnale

Helenium autumn Fuego Helenium Fuego planting and care in the open field photo

Helenium autumn, cultivated since the 17th century, is the most common. Distinctive advantages of this flower are considered abundant late flowering. The bushes of the autumn variety of gelenium have a columnar shape. Strong stems of this variety can rise up to 2 m in height.

The upper part is strongly branched. Each branched part ends with a beautiful flower of a golden hue, a basket with a diameter of 6 cm. As a result, each stem can have up to several hundred flowers. The autumn variety blooms in early August, beautiful flowering continues for another month, the seeds fully ripen by October. Currently, there are many unpretentious varieties of this flower, which are perfectly used in gardening.

Helenium autumn Double Trouble Helenium Double Trouble planting and care photo

Varieties with yellow marginal color of flowers are very popular. Among them is the undersized Magnificum, reaching only 80 cm in height. Its middle is classically yellow, it pleases with lush flowering in late July - early August.

Gelenium Sunrise lemon Gelenium growing and caring for photos of flowers in the garden

Medium tall Gartensonne stretches up to 110 cm, gives lush baskets with a diameter of 6 cm, the middle of the flower is brown. Flowering begins at the end of July.

The lovely Katarina has a height of 140 cm, the middle of her flower is also brown. Lush flowering pleases from mid-August.

Gelenium autumn sunrise red What does a gelenium look like photo how to plant a gelenium

The magnificent Moerheim Beauty variety reaches 180 cm in height, the middle of the flower has a yellow-brown hue. Abundant flowering also begins in mid-August.

Also bred varieties with red flowers. Among them, it is worth noting the medium-sized Di Blonde variety, which has a developed dense bush up to 170 cm high. Its marginal flowers are red-brown in color, the middle is also brown. This variety begins flowering in mid-August.

An interesting undersized variety Glutauge, it gives baskets with a diameter of 6 cm, the core of the flowers is red-brown.

Helenium Moerheim Beauty gelenium autumn varieties garden flower gelenium photo in the garden

The natural habitat of geleniums is wet, swampy areas. The roots of the plant are superficial, characterized by poor development. The bred varieties of autumn gelenium are cultivated in illuminated areas. Garden soil for them should be provided with proper watering. Sufficiently high varieties are tied to wooden stakes. Geleniums have a high growth rate, after 3 years of intensive development it gives up to 30 new stems.

The plant itself also quickly ages, as it grows in breadth. It is for this reason that in the 4th year of development it is necessary to divide the bush and transplant to a new place. The optimal time for the next transplant is early spring, when dug up plants easily break up into separate rosettes, they are planted in 2 pieces in prepared places.

Strong Helenium Hupa Gupes Helenium hoopesii

Strong helenium hupes Helenium hoopesii photo of flowers in the garden planting and care

This plant grows comfortably in rocky terrain. It has a developed rhizome, large basal leaves, strong stems. Gelenium gupes gives fairly large baskets with a diameter of 10 cm, its flowers are orange. This variety has a long flowering period - up to 40 days, it begins in July. Then it begins to bear fruit, has propagation methods similar to autumn gelenium.

Helenium hybrid

Gelenium bright beauty Garden flower gelenium Flowers perennials gelenium

Among them, it is worth noting the high variety Gartensonne, growing up to 130 cm in height, having inflorescences up to 3.5 cm in diameter. The color of flowers is from reddish-yellow to yellow-brown. Lush flowering is observed from July.

Gelenium hybrid Rubinzwerg Rubinzwerg red gelenium perennial flower photo planting and care

A variety of medium height, Goldlaktswerg, extends only up to 100 cm. It produces compact inflorescences, up to 4.5 cm in diameter. The color of its reed flowers is brown-orange, with yellowish tips. Abundant flowering begins in July.

Also in culture, a variety of Helenium Rotgaut is common, capable of developing up to 120 cm in height. It is capable of producing inflorescences up to 4.5 cm in diameter. The color of the reed flowers is intensely brown, its tubular inflorescences are yellow-brown, lush flowering has been observed since July.

Helenium in the photo

Gelenium flower growing Gelenium when to plant Gelenium in landscape design mixborder photo

Helenium autumn photo Planting helenium in the ground

Helenium flower perennial autumn Helenium autumnale description and photo Planting and care

Planting and caring for gelenium in the open field does not cause any particular difficulties for most gardeners. An unpretentious plant does not require heightened attention. Flowers are planted in multi-tiered flower beds and as tapeworms. They look great against a green lawn. The stems of some types of gelenium can reach 2 meters in height. Behind them you can hide an unsightly fence or a small building. To create optimal conditions for a plant, you need to know its preferences.

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plant description

There is an opinion that the bright Helenium (Helenium) is named after the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta - Elena the Beautiful. Her abduction was the cause of the long Trojan War. Probably, the yellow color of the petals of the plant evoked associations with the golden curls of the mythical beauty. But the version about the name of the flower in honor of the ancient Greek god of the sun Helios is considered more plausible. Red-yellow daisies in shape and color resemble a daylight.

An unusual flower belongs to the aster family. To date, more than 32 of its species are known. In the wild, geleniums are found on the North American continent. Detailed description plants helps to understand the specifics of caring for him.

Flowers do not have perennial rhizomes. At the end of autumn, the roots of the plant die off along with the peduncles and stems. Only the buds remain in the underground part of the annual shoot. By winter, small bushes with roots grow out of them. From each such outlet, a new plant is formed the next year. Independent flowers growing close to each other look like a single bush.

Depending on the type of gelenium, the height of its stems ranges from 80 cm to 180 cm. The inflorescences are baskets, the diameter of which can exceed 9 cm. They can be single or collected in corymbose inflorescences. In the middle of the flower are brown, black or yellow tubular flowers. They are framed by marginal reed flowers. The plant will decorate the site with rich yellow, red, purple, bronze and black colors.

Abundant flowering is observed from June to the first frost. Some species bloom as early as May. The color of the petals becomes brighter with the advent of autumn, when other plants lose their colors.

A characteristic feature of gelenium is a strong pleasant aroma. The flower spreads its fragrance throughout the garden, attracting bees and other insects.

Gelenium loves well-lit areas, but can successfully develop in partial shade.

Common types

Flower growers grow several types of plants, which are divided into many varieties.

Helenium Gupes (Hupa) at home grows in the mountainous regions of North America on rocks, therefore it is distinguished by a developed rhizome. The height of the plant rarely exceeds 80 cm, but the baskets reach a diameter of 10 cm. They are collected in umbellate inflorescences and have a rich orange color. Heleniums of Gupes bloom already in late June - early July.

Helenium Bigelow is rare. It grows up to 80-90 cm and has whole sharp leaves. It has straight and strong stems branching at the top. Baskets reach 5-7 cm in diameter. Disc flowers are burgundy with a black-brown or dark yellow tint. Marginal reed petals have a golden yellow surface. They are tilted down. Flowering Helenium Bigelow begins in August and ends in September. It is able to withstand frosts up to 20 degrees. The plant loves open sunny areas.

Helenium spring does not grow above 1 meter. This is an unpretentious and winter-hardy species that can successfully develop in Siberian conditions. The plant has shiny dark green leaves and large baskets. Their diameter is 7 cm. Geleniums adorn the garden with orange reed and dark brown tubular flowers. The plant blooms at the end of May and blooms profusely until July. At this time, other bright and large flowers are just getting ready to bloom.

Helenium autumn is the most popular in ornamental gardening. It reaches a height of 160 cm and blooms in August. The leaves of the plant sometimes have a hairy surface. The straight and strong stem literally becomes stiff by autumn. In the upper part it branches, forming corymbose inflorescences. On one stem, 15-20 flowers can develop, the diameter of which is 6 cm. The marginal petals of the plant resemble a tutu. The middle part of the basket has a convex spherical shape. Gelenium flowers are simple, semi-double and double. They are painted in velvety warm shades of yellow, dark red and brown.

The largest number of varieties and hybrids gave gardeners hybrid gelenium. The height of the plant ranges from 80-130 cm. The variety of shapes and colors of the hybrid type baskets is amazing. They have a diameter of 4.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Flowering of different varieties begins at different times.

Popular varieties

The unusual variety Lowsder Vic is bred from the autumn type of geleniums. Plants grow up to 1 meter and bloom from July to October. The petals of the baskets rolled into a tube allow you to admire their outer pink-red side and the inner yellow side at the same time.

In the variety Rubinzwerg (Ruby Gnome), the petals have a ruby hue. The central part of the basket is convex and painted black. The diameter of the flowers is 3-6 cm. The height of the stems does not exceed 70 cm. Helenium Rubinswerg blooms from August to October.

The plant of the Fiesta variety has red rings on the baskets. Inner part the petals are yellow, and the middle is dark brown, almost black. Helenium Fiesta grows up to 1 meter.

Helenium Chelsea has purple-red flowers. There are small yellow spots on the tips of the petals. The middle of the basket is convex, spherical. It has a yellow-brown hue. The plant blooms from July to September.

In July, large orange-red baskets of Helenium Moerheim Beauty bloom. Their diameter is 6.5 cm. Flowering continues until October. Plant height exceeds 1.2 meters.

The variety Gartenzonne belongs to the hybrid species. On its stems, reaching a height of 130 cm, red-yellow baskets with a yellow-brown center bloom in July.

In the same period, the flowering of the Goldlakzwerg variety begins. The marginal petals of the baskets are colored brown-yellow. Their center has a yellow-brown tint. The plant rarely grows above 1 meter.

Simultaneously with the varieties Gartensonne and Goldlakzwerg, the perennial Helenium Granatshtern blooms. Its stems rise above the brethren, reaching a mark of 150 cm. The petals of the baskets are painted red-brown pomegranate. Their diameter is 5 cm. The middle of the flowers is yellow interspersed with brown. Flowering ends in mid-September.

Gelenium Goldfux blooms profusely from late July to mid-September. The stems reach a height of 105 cm. Small baskets with a diameter of 4 cm are painted red-orange with splashes of yellow.

In baskets of the Altgold variety, the petals have a golden yellow color on inside and orange-red - on the outside. In the middle are tubular flowers of brown and yellow. The diameter of the baskets is 4 cm. Geleniums bloom in early July and finish flowering in 40-45 days. The height of the stems does not exceed 90 cm.

Question of reproduction

The easiest way to propagate the plant is by dividing the bush. This method is preferred by many gardeners. In May, the bush is dug up, divided into independent plants and planted in prepared soil.

You can divide the bush into leaf rosettes in the fall, when the stems and flower stalks die. They are planted in open ground. If the sockets are transplanted too late, they may not have time to adapt to new conditions and die after the arrival of frost.

To grow gelenium from seeds, they must be collected before the prolonged autumn rains. Otherwise they will rot. A sign of seed maturity are darkened baskets. If there is any doubt about the timeliness of collecting seeds, it is better to buy them in a store.

Seeds can be planted directly in open ground or in seedling containers. The grains are lowered into the open ground in the fall, immediately after harvest. The seedless planting method is best used in warm regions. In mid-latitudes, it is more reliable to grow seedlings.

Seeds should be planted in boxes in February-March. Before planting, stratification is carried out. Stratification refers to keeping seeds at a certain temperature. The procedure allows you to accelerate germination.

For stratification, the seeds are placed on the surface of moistened soil poured into a box. You can use wet sawdust instead of soil. Then cover the container with a piece of polyethylene and place it in the bottom of the refrigerator. After 3-4 weeks, the container is placed in a warm, well-lit place. The optimum temperature for successful germination is 18-22 degrees. When the seeds sprout, the film is removed. After the appearance of the first 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive. It is planted in late May - early June.

Reproduction of gelenium by seeds is not always successful due to their poor germination. In this way it is impossible to obtain a varietal plant. A flower grown from a seed will bloom only for 2-3 years.

Sometimes geleniums are propagated by cuttings. The cuttings are cut in June and rooted in nutrient soil, having previously been treated with Kornevin. You can put the cuttings in water and wait for the roots to appear.

For the plant, you need to choose a well-lit place or an area in partial shade. It is desirable that the sun's rays fall on the gelenium in the morning. In the place where the yellow chamomile will grow, water should not accumulate. Moisture-loving plant does not tolerate excess moisture.

Although the plant is unpretentious, it is better to choose a site with fertile, well-drained soil with neutral acidity. Before planting, it is necessary to dig the ground to the depth of a spade bayonet and remove all weeds from it.

The hole for the plant should be 2 times the size of the earthy coma. It is necessary to transplant gelenium very carefully, trying not to damage the root system. Before dipping into the hole, the roots should be dipped in water for a few minutes so that they are saturated with moisture.

Plants are planted at a distance of at least 30-35 cm. It is not recommended to plant flowers more densely, since their root system grows rapidly. It is desirable that for 1 square meter there were no more than 4-5 copies.

After planting, the soil must be mulched with peat or humus. The recommended thickness of the fertilizer layer is 4-5 cm.

Care rules

The plant needs to be watered regularly, not allowing the earth to dry out. In the heat under the flower, you need to pour a bucket of water 1 time in 3 days. It is especially important to moisten the soil of a separate bush in a timely manner. Do not flood the plant. Its roots can rot with excess moisture.

To provide air access to the root system, the soil around the bush must be periodically loosened.

Every 3-4 years you need to seat sockets.

Tall stems must be tied to a support so that they do not lie down or break in windy weather.

Fertilize the plant three times a year. Nitrogen top dressing is carried out during the melting of snow. At the end of spring, humus or urea is added to the soil. During flowering, it is better to fertilize the earth with liquid mullein and add "Agricola-7" (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water).

Before the first frosts, it is necessary to cover the plant with sawdust or moss.

The probability of freezing is higher in bushes that have not been planted for a long time. In a dense bush, buds from which stems grow in spring form every year closer to the surface.

Gelenium is a beautiful and unpretentious perennial plant of the Astrov family, native to North and Central America. It looks like a rather lush shrub, from 80 cm to 160-170 cm high. In fact, the gelenium bush consists of several densely growing independent plants. There are more than 30 varieties and types of gelenium.

The stems are branching, thin and tall. The leaves are small and sharp. Inflorescences are in the form of a basket, and the flowers themselves are shaped like small daisies. The color of flowers varies from pale yellow to dark red, brownish. The special charm of gelenium flowers lies not only in their bright color, but also in their strong pleasant aroma.

Gelenium does not have perennial roots. In late autumn, they die off, along with peduncles and stems. On the underground part of the stem, a small leaf rosette with a rhizome is formed. From it in the spring a new plant is formed.

Common and popular types and varieties of gelenium with a photo

Of all the varietal diversity in cultural floriculture, only 5 types of gelenium are grown. They, in turn, are divided into many varieties.

Helenium Gupes (Heleniumhoopesii) – This is a perennial plant growing in the mountainous regions of North America, about 1 meter high. The leaves are sharp, lanceolate, gray-green. Peduncles are long. Inflorescences solitary, bright yellow flowers, up to 9 cm in diameter. Blooms in June-July.

Helenium Bigelow (Heleniumbigeiovii) enough rare view plants. The stems are straight, up to 80 cm high, the leaves are whole, sharp. Inflorescences are tubular, about 6 cm in diameter. The flowers are dark brown with yellow tongues. Flowering time: June-July.

Helenium spring (Heleniumvernalis) has straight tall stems (up to 1 m), green lanceolate leaves and large inflorescences. Flowers with thin orange petals and a brown center. It starts blooming in May.

Heleniumhybridum) - This is a species that includes most garden varieties and hybrids, as well as forms of gelenium of uncertain origin. All of them are absolutely different both in size, and in the color of the flowers, and in the timing of flowering.

The following varieties are most common:

Gartensonne (up to 130 cm high, with red-yellow flowers);
Rotgout (red-brown flowers, plant height 120 cm);
Goldclatzwerk (orange-brownish flowers, grows up to 100 cm).

Helenium autumn (Heleniumautumnale) is the most common garden variety. The stems are thin, long (up to 160 cm), the leaves are small, serrated along the edges. Baskets are small, collected in corymbose inflorescences. Flowers with yellow or red petals and a yellow center. Blooms from late July to September. Seeds ripen in October.

Varieties of this species differ in both height and color of flowers.

Popular varieties with yellow petals:

Solar hill (tall, about 160 cm);
Magnificum (undersized, up to 70-80 cm);
Superboom (170-180 cm high);
Katharina (height 140 cm);
Septembersonne (up to 160 cm).

Varieties with variegated, red-yellow petals:

Goldfux (plant height 140 cm);
Altgold (undersized, up to 80 cm);
Altgoldrise (about 110 cm high).

Varieties with red flowers:

Glutauge (up to 90 cm);
Di blonde (tall, up to 170-180 cm).

All of them bloom for quite a long time, and go well with many plants in landscape design.

Growing gelenium from seeds in open ground

Before planting, the seeds are placed in wet sawdust and refrigerated for two weeks.

Helenium seeds germinate very poorly. But if you follow the rules of planting, then growing a plant will not be difficult. Seeds can be sown both in seedlings and directly in open ground, at the end of autumn. It is worth noting that the seedless planting method is best used only in warm, southern regions. In mid-latitudes, the most reliable method of cultivation is sowing seeds for seedlings.

In order for the seeds to sprout faster, they must be subjected to long-term stratification. To do this, the seeds are mixed with wet sawdust and placed in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Then they can be planted for seedlings. It is better to carry out this procedure at the end of February, and the plant will begin to bloom only after 2-3 years. Soil for planting is better to buy ready-made, with a high content of peat. It is well moistened, and the seeds are sown superficially, without deepening. The container with landings is covered with glass and placed in a well-lit place. Periodically ventilate and lightly spray with water. When two true leaves appear, the seedlings dive into separate containers.

How to plant gelenium

The grown seedlings are sown in fully warmed soil at the end of May. The site is chosen well-lit, with neutral fertile land. In partial shade, only gelenium varieties with yellow flowers can grow. Undersized seedlings should be placed at a distance of at least 35 cm from each other, and tall ones - up to 70-75 cm.

Before planting, the soil is carefully dug up and fertilized with humus or compost. If the ground is heavy, then you can add a little sand. The plant is carefully removed from the container and the roots are lowered into the water for several minutes. Then they are planted in a permanent place and watered well. The land around the plantings is mulched with peat. It is important to remember that for all its unpretentiousness, gelenium is very demanding on lighting, moisture and heat.

Gelenium: outdoor care

It is necessary to water the gelenium 2 times a week

Gelenium care consists of watering, fertilizing, weeding and loosening the soil. This plant is very fond of moisture, so watering should be done at least twice a week. In dry and hot weather, it is necessary to water daily. After each watering, carry out a neat shallow loosening of the soil. If the soil is acidic, then it must be limed before planting.

To get a beautiful and lush bush, formative pruning is carried out. To do this, several lateral shoots are cut in mid-June, and in the spring they must pinch the tops of the plant. It is important to remember that every three years the bushes must be divided and seated, otherwise they quickly age. Tall varieties require garters to stakes.

Fertilizer and top dressing

The first feeding is carried out in May. To do this, you can use this solution:

1 st. l. urea;
1 st. l. potassium sulfate;
1 st. l. finished biological fertilizer "Effekton";
10 l. water.

per sq. m. spend about 4 liters. such a solution.

The second dressing is carried out at the beginning of flowering. In this case, a solution of a liter of slurry, 1 tbsp. l. fertilizer "Agricola-Fantasy" and the same amount of "Agricola-7" per bucket of water.

The third dressing is carried out immediately after flowering, in early October. For fertilizer take 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate and superphosphate per 10 liters. water.

At the beginning of tying buds, foliar top dressing with any growth stimulator helps well.

Pests, diseases and what you need to know to avoid their appearance

If a chrysanthemum nematode appears on the gelenium, it is necessary to cut off the infected leaves

Gelenium almost does not suffer from diseases or pests. The exception is the chrysanthemum nematode, which damages leaves and flower buds. You can cope with it only by cutting and burning the affected areas of the plant. To avoid the appearance of this dangerous pest, it is advisable to add a little slaked lime to the soil before planting. To avoid infection with fungal diseases, it is necessary to avoid excessive waterlogging of the soil.

Gelenium in combination with other plants

In bouquets, gelenium flowers will look great with asters and chrysanthemums. But we must remember that you can cut the gelenium only after it finally blooms. Pre-cut flowers do not bloom in water.

Autumn gelenium varieties coexist well with purple asters, monards, delphinium, dahlias, stonecrop and verbena. A flower bed with gelenium, marigolds, goldenrod, phloxes, geyhers, garden yarrow and vines will look very beautiful. You can plant any perennials with white flowers nearby.

Gelenium in landscape design

Gelenium can be used to decorate ponds, fences or households. buildings. It well masks irregularities and defects in the relief. It will look very beautiful in the background of flower beds, next to low ornamental shrubs. You can plant several varieties of gelenium on the site at once, with different flowering periods. In this case, it will be possible to admire its beauty from the very beginning of spring until late autumn. It will look great against the backdrop of cascading flower beds.

harvested seeds after the flowering of gelenium, it is quite difficult to grow, so many of them do not collect and buy

To make the flowering lush and beautiful, wilted flowers are removed. When the plant has completely faded, you can collect the seeds. It is better not to propagate varietal gelenium with seeds. To preserve all varietal features, seed material will have to be bought. And growing a plant from your own collected seeds is very difficult.

How and when to collect seeds

Seeds are harvested before the onset of prolonged autumn rains so that they do not rot. The first sign that the seeds are ripe is the blackened center of the flower and dark petals. The collected seeds are thoroughly dried in a dark and cool place.

Helenium reproduction

The simplest and effective way reproduction is considered the division of the bush. This procedure must be carried out in the spring, in May. For this, an adult gelenium is dug up and several leaf rosettes with roots are carefully separated. The dug out plants are placed at a distance of about 30-50 cm from each other. It is necessary to divide the bush every 2-3 years.

You can learn more about this in the video below, we wish you a pleasant viewing.

Helenium in winter

The roots of the gelenium are located very close to the surface, which often leads to freezing and death of the plant. Therefore, before the start of frost, all stems are cut almost at the level of the soil. After that, the area is sprinkled with a thick layer of sawdust or moss and covered with dense lutrasil.

Flowers for your site must be selected in such a way that they bloom continuously, from spring to late autumn. Autumn flowers are especially pleasing, which allow you to extend the warm summer days. It is to such flowering plants that gelenium belongs - bright golden or orange flowers, creating a whole radiant sea of \u200b\u200binflorescences blazing in the autumn garden. Gelenium, planting and care in the open field for which is not difficult, will be an excellent element of landscape design.

This article will discuss the features of this unusual plant and its main types and varieties. We will also take a closer look at the main nuances of agricultural technology for growing gelenium.

Features and description of gelenium

Gelenium is an annual or perennial herb that belongs to the large Asteraceae or Compositae family. To date, the genus of this culture has about 30 species, of which only 5 are used and grown in horticulture. The territory of Central and North America, mainly the western part of the USA, is considered the natural habitat of this ardent and attractive flower of gelenium. These plants feel great in the wet meadows and swamps of this country, from where the culture has spread throughout the world. However, in Russia, gelenium is not very popular, which is very sad. After all, this flower has a very spectacular and bright appearance and allows you to extend the summer warmth and colors until late autumn.

Like the beauty of this plant, there is a legend about its appearance on earth. According to ancient Greek myths and legends, the name "gelenium" was given to the plant in honor of the wife of the ancient Greek king Menelaus Elena, who was abducted by Paris. The princess sat in the besieged Troy and wept all the time. And in the place where her tears fell, bright golden flowers appeared.

Gelenium description:

Gelenium is a perennial herbaceous plant, but it does not have a perennial rhizome.
In autumn, all the stems and roots of the gelenium die off. But thanks to young underground buds, a rosette with new leaves and roots is formed on an annual stem by spring. In fact, this plant does not have any bush, but is represented by a large number of single-stemmed plants.
Gelenium is a tall plant that can reach a height of 160 cm.
The stems are erect, very branched in the upper part, lignified and densely covered with leaves.
Leaves oblong, lanceolate. In the basal part they are located on petioles, and in the upper part they are sessile. Arranged alternately on the stem.
There can be a large number of inflorescences on one stem at the same time.
Gelenium flowers are thyroid inflorescences, chamomile-like, slightly convex in the middle part.
The shape of the flowers can be double or semi-double, it all depends on the particular variety.
The flower consists of marginal reed petals of yellow, orange, purple, brown, as well as central tubular yellow or brown.
Gelenium has a wonderful aroma that attracts bees.
Flowering begins at the end of summer and lasts until frost. It has a fairly long period.
The fruit of this plant is an oblong achene.

Variety of species and varieties of gelenium

In total, there are about 30 various kinds, which make up a small genus of geleniums. However, only five are used for landscaping and decorating plots: autumn gelenium, hybrid gelenium, Hupa gelenium, Bigelow gelenium, and spring gelenium. Let's take a closer look at the features of each type.

Helenium spring

This is a perennial herb.
It can reach 1 m in height.
The stems are straight, branched at the tops, densely covered with leaves.
The leaves are oval, lanceolate, dark green.
At the tops of the shoots, single flowers are formed or collected in thyroid inflorescences.
Flowers in diameter reach 7 cm, orange.
Flowering is long, begins in mid-May and lasts a month.
Very cold-resistant species, perfectly withstands even Siberian frosts without shelter.

Helenium Hupa

This type of gelenium is sometimes called gupes.
In nature, this plant prefers to grow on rocky hills in North America.
Perennial herbaceous flowering plant with a rhizome.
It can reach 90-100 cm in height.
Stems erect, strongly branched at the top.
The leaves are oblong, green in color with a grayish tint.
The flowers are solitary, formed at the ends of the stems, about 8-9 cm in diameter.
Gelenium Hupa blooms with yellow golden inflorescences.
Flowering begins in late June or early July.

Helenium hybrid

This species includes plants of ornamental varieties, which are obtained by crossing various species, the main of which is autumn gelenium.
All varieties of this group of plants differ in height, color of flowers and leaves.

Popular varieties of hybrid gelenium:

Variety "Gartezonne". A very tall plant that can grow up to 130 cm. It blooms in small flowers, up to 3.5-4 cm in diameter. The petals are reddish-yellow in color, and yellow in the middle with a slight brown tint. Flowering begins in July, lasts about a month.
Sort "Goldlaktswerg". This plant is formed by erect stems that can reach a meter height. The flowers are small, 3-4 cm in diameter. This variety of gelenium blooms orange-brown with yellow tips.
Variety "Rothgout". Herbaceous perennial plant, reaching a height of about 120 cm. Flowering begins in July with dark red flowers with a brown tint.

Helenium autumn

It is the most popular and common type of gelenium in Russian gardens.
The natural habitat is the territory of North America, namely wet meadows and swamps.
Autumn gelenium has been used in landscape design since the 17th century.
The stems of the plant are strong, lignified, upright, can reach a height of 2 m.
The stems grow very close to each other, thus forming a columnar bush.
In the upper part, the shoots branch strongly.
Flowers are small, up to 6 cm in diameter. They bloom at the end of each branched shoot, so during flowering the entire bush is abundantly strewn with bright golden flowers.
Flowering begins in August and lasts for a month.

Popular varieties of autumn gelenium:

Variety "Magnificum". It belongs to undersized varieties of gelenium, reaches a maximum height of 80 cm. It blooms with bright yellow flowers with the same yellow core. Inflorescences reach 6 cm in diameter.
Variety "Katarina". A tall variety of gelenium that can grow up to 140 cm in height. The marginal petals are yellow, and the central petals are brown. This variety blooms in August.
Variety "Superboom". Flowers up to 160 cm high. Golden flowers bloom from mid-August.
Variety "Altgold". A plant of medium height, in the garden it can grow up to 90 cm. The inflorescences are small, only 6 cm in diameter. Marginal petals are yellow with unusual reddish strokes, the middle is brown. Flowering begins at the end of summer.
Variety "Di Blonde". Tall flowers that can reach 170 cm. The shoots are straight and strong, forming a dense bush. The inflorescences are small, only 5-6 cm in diameter. Reddish brown in color.
Grade "Glutauge". Differs in short growth, bright red flowers with the same red core. The diameter of one inflorescence is 6 cm.

This is just a small list of gelenium varieties that are perfect for decorating your site.

Helenium propagation methods

All types of gelenium can be propagated in several ways: by seeds, by dividing the bush, and even by cuttings. The simplest are seed breeding and dividing the bush.

Propagation of gelenium by seeds

Gelenium seeds have a very low germination rate, whether you sow them immediately after harvest or after some time.
It is best to sow seeds for seedlings, so you can get strong and healthy seedlings that will better adapt to open ground.
It is best to sow seeds for seedlings around February.
However, planting material must first be stratified within 1-1.5 months. To do this, you need to pour soil into the container and sow the seeds on top. After that, the entire container is wrapped with a film and put in the refrigerator. And after 1.5 months they take it out and place it in heat.
The rest of the time the seeds should be under artificial lighting and comfortable temperature. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 18-22 degrees Celsius.
The first shoots will already appear within 2-3 weeks.
Care for young seedlings consists in maintaining a comfortable temperature, watering and timely picking.
When 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, they can be planted in separate pots.
It will be possible to plant seedlings in a permanent place in open ground at the beginning of summer.

Propagation of helenium by dividing rosettes

This method is the simplest and is used by almost all experienced gardeners who breed gelenium on their own.

All gelenium bushes consist of a large number independent single-stem plants, which together form a columnar plant shape.
Once every three years, or more often, each gelenium bush must be divided into several parts, since by this period the number of stems can reach 30.
You can propagate the plant by dividing the bush in spring and autumn. However, May is still the best time.
You need to carefully dig out an adult gelenium bush and divide its roots into several parts. To do this, you do not need to make any effort - the bush itself breaks up into leaf rosettes.
After that, plant each delenka in a pre-selected place.
Using this method, you rejuvenate adult plants, enhance their decorative effect.
Flowers grown in this way will bloom only next year.

Propagation by cuttings

Reproduction of gelenium by cuttings can be carried out at the time of active growth of the stems.
To do this, you need to cut the cuttings about 10-12 cm long with a sharp knife.
After that, they can be treated with a special root-forming solution, such as Kornevin.
For the appearance of roots, the cuttings can be placed in water, or they can be buried in the soil in a greenhouse.
After the roots appear, young seedlings are planted in a permanent place in open ground.

Stages of preparation before planting gelenium in open ground

Preparation before planting a plant is the key to getting a strong and healthy flower in the future, which will be an excellent decoration for your site. If this beautiful flower is not yet on your site and you have nowhere to get planting material, then it is important to purchase high-quality seedlings in the store. Also consider all the features of the plant and select the most suitable place for its active growth on your site.

Stage 1. Selection of seedlings

It is best to buy gelenium seedlings in separate containers in specialized stores. It is better to refuse to purchase planting material in spontaneous markets or from strangers, so you risk getting low-quality material.
Before buying, find out from the consultant all the features of growing a particular variety of gelenium.
It is also important to carefully examine the seedling. It should not have any damage, signs of disease or pests, dry soil in the container.
When buying a gelenium seedling, you need to consider the future location of the plants. Get taller varieties for single plantings or planting along the fence, and undersized varieties for framing flower beds.

Stage 2. Choosing a place for landing gelenium

Gelenium is a very ornamental plant, so a well-lit area will be an ideal place for its full growth. It is in such conditions that you will get a beautiful plant with abundant and bright flowering. However, this culture feels good in light partial shade.

When choosing a place for planting gelenium, consider the garden composition you have planned. With these bright colors you can perfectly decorate nondescript buildings or a fence, and lower varieties can be used to frame borders.

Stage 3. Soil preparation

This culture feels great on fertile, light and permeable soils. The soil should be slightly acidic or neutral. Gelenium is an unpretentious plant, but it is best to prepare the soil before planting. It is important that it be drained, as stagnant water at the roots is also detrimental to gelenium. The selected area must be dug up well by about a shovel bayonet. When cultivating the soil, you can add a little compost, as the plant responds very well to the introduction of various nutrients.

Helenium planting technology in open ground

The optimal time for planting gelenium in open ground is May or early June. It is at this time that the threat of return frosts disappears.
In a few days, the soil at the planting site is dug up and fertilized with compost.
Before planting, you also need to prepare gelenium seedlings. To do this, they must be carefully removed from the containers and lowered for a while into a container of water so that the roots absorb as much moisture as possible. Approximately the time spent in the water should be 5-7 minutes.
Next, dig planting holes at the prepared site. Their size should be twice as large as the root system of the seedling along with the earthy clod. Seedlings should be planted no deeper than in a pot.
If you plant several seedlings side by side, then it is imperative to observe the distance between the planting pits and rows. There should be at least 30 cm between gelenium flowers, and at least 35 cm between rows.
A layer of drainage can be placed at the bottom of each hole, which will prevent the accumulation of moisture at the roots. As a drainage, it is recommended to use expanded clay or broken bricks.
Next, place the seedlings of the plant in each planting hole and sprinkle them with soil, gently tamping with your hands.
After planting, the surface around the plants must be mulched to prevent evaporation of moisture. As mulch, you can use dry peat or humus.

Agricultural technology for growing gelenium: features and secrets of care

Planting a gelenium will not be difficult even for beginner gardeners, but even this unpretentious plant requires attention and constant care. Throughout the season, the plant needs abundant watering, loosening, top dressing and prevention of pests and diseases.

Watering gelenium

Gelenium care includes regular and abundant watering. In its natural environment, this culture prefers to grow in wet meadows and swampy lowlands, so you need to create exactly the same conditions on your site. The soil around the plant should always be in a slightly damp state, as this plant does not tolerate a dry substrate. In dry summers, the amount of watering increases. Some gardeners recommend giving preference to drip irrigation.

Loosening and mulching

Despite the fact that gelenium loves moisture very much, it cannot stand excessive stagnation of water at the roots and stems. Therefore, after watering, it is periodically recommended to loosen the soil around the bushes to saturate it with oxygen. To reduce the amount of weeding and loosening, it is important to constantly add fresh mulch. As mulch, you can use dry peat, sawdust or humus.

top dressing

For full growth and lush flowering gelenium must be fed throughout the season.

The first feeding should be carried out in early May. It is during this period that the green part of the plant begins to actively grow. It is important to fertilize the gelenium with urea and any complex liquid fertilizer. You can also use a solution of mullein.
The second top dressing is carried out to stimulate the flowering of the gelenium. You need to take 10 liters of water and add about 1 liter of mullein solution, one tablespoon of Agricola-7 and Agricola-fantasy.
The third dressing is carried out after flowering and it allows the plant to gain strength before winter. Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used to fertilize gelenium during this period.

Pruning and transplant

If you want your gelenium to be more lush and delight you with abundant flowering, then at the beginning of summer it is advisable to do a little pruning. During it, slightly remove the tops of some shoots. It is also important to remove faded flower buds in time, thus you will stimulate the growth of new ones.

Once every three years, the plant needs to be transplanted and seated. Each year, the plant develops more stems and there is a risk that young buds may eventually come to the surface. Therefore, it is imperative to dig up the plant and divide it into several outlets.

Pest and disease control

Gelenium is characterized by good resistance to various diseases and the appearance of pests. However, sometimes the bushes of this spectacular flower can be affected by the chrysanthemum nematode. When it appears, brown spots appear on the leaves and buds of the plant, the flower stops blooming. To combat this worm, it is necessary to pour hot water over all plants, about 50 degrees, and sprinkle the soil with lime or sulfur.

Preparing for winter

Before the onset of frost, around October, all gelenium stems must be cut. The place where the plant grows must be mulched. As mulch, you can use natural materials such as peat, moss, sawdust, fallen leaves. Alternatively, you can cover the plant with non-woven material.

The use of gelenium in landscape design

Gelenium is perfect for decorating and landscaping the site. There are several options for using it:

Tall geleniums look great in single plantings against the backdrop of a lawn.
This high-grade plant can be used to decorate unsightly walls or fences, as well as to create a small flowering hedge.
Lower grades of gelenium are suitable for framing garden paths or borders.
High and low varieties are used to create flower beds. In this case, tall flowers are planted in the background, and undersized flowers are planted in the front.

Photo of gelenium in landscape design

You can more clearly see all the features of the use of gelenium in decorating the site in the presented photos.

Using gelenimum for planting along the fence

Growing gelenium in combination with other plants

The use of gelenium in single plantings

Gelenium is a bright and spectacular flower that will help you create a kaleidoscope of golden hues in the autumn area, thereby prolonging the warmth of summer.

Gelenium is a herbaceous plant with beautiful flowers similar to multi-colored daisies. They have bright, recurved petals and a heavily inflated lush core. The beauty of the plant is compared with Elena the Beautiful herself, from whose name it got its name. The Helenium flower belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its homeland is the west of North America. Today, there are many species and ornamental varieties of amazing beauty that allow you to turn the garden into a continuous diverse flower garden. By following the simple rules of care, it will be possible to quickly achieve sprawling thickets and lush flowering.

plant description

Gelenium is a genus of annual or perennial crops with herbaceous shoots 80-170 cm high. Shoots branch in the upper part. Along their entire length are dark green oblong or lanceolate leaves. They sit on the stem one by one. Smooth and shiny foliage is 3-7 cm long.

The aerial part of even a perennial gelenium dies off annually along with the rhizome. Only growth buds remain inside the old rhizomes. The next year they revive the lush bush.

Flowering in different species varies in time. There are early and late varieties. Most geleniums bloom in July-September. Each flower is actually a basket-shaped inflorescence. It is framed by long corrugated bracts, painted in yellow, orange, pink, red or purple. In the core are reed and tubular flowers. Fruits ripen in autumn - achenes with an airy tuft (pappus).

Types of helenium

The genus includes about 40 main species and many ornamental varieties. Here are some of them:

A perennial plant with an upright, slightly branched stem in the upper part reaches a height of 50-130 cm. The dark green surface of the stem is slightly pubescent with a short pile. On the shoots are alternately lanceolate hairy leaves with a serrated edge. In August, at the ends of the shoots, flowers bloom on thin, bare peduncles. Egg-shaped yellow bracts up to two cm long surround a lush, high core. After pollination, light brown crested achenes up to 2 mm long ripen. Varieties:

Altgold - a bush up to 90 cm high blooms golden brown flowers up to 4 cm in diameter;
Bruno - a plant up to 60 cm high blooms with red-brown baskets;
Butterpat - tall, slender bushes bloom with large golden flowers.

Under this name, a whole group of decorative hybrid varieties has been collected that bloom as early as July. The most interesting of them:

Rotgout - on branched shoots 120 cm high, baskets 4-5 cm in diameter bloom, they have red-brown petals and a yellow-brown core;
Cockade - over a bush 1.2 m high in July, a lot of baskets with red-brown petals and a yellow-brown core appear.

Upright, slightly branched stems grow to a height of 90-100 cm. They are covered with regular lanceolate leaves. Already in May, the first large orange-yellow baskets up to 7 cm in diameter bloom.

Rhizome perennials up to 90 cm high consist of straight bright green shoots, branched at the top. The stems are covered with oblong or lanceolate dense grey-green foliage. Single inflorescences with a diameter of 8-9 cm are located on long bare peduncles. The flattened wide core is painted bright yellow and framed with golden narrow petals. Flowering occurs in June-July and lasts more than a month.

reproduction

Gelenium can be propagated by seeds and division of bushes. Seeds are sown for seedlings, as they are characterized by low germination. Seeds are prepared for sowing almost immediately after harvest. Within 1-1.5 months they are subjected to cold stratification. To do this, the seeds are mixed with soil, placed in a container covered with foil, and stored in the refrigerator.

In February, the covered containers are transferred to a well-lit area at room temperature. Shoots appear after 14-20 days. After that, the cover is removed. Seedlings are grown in a well-lit place with an air temperature of + 18 ... + 22 ° C. With the advent of three true leaves, seedlings dive in separate peat pots. Landing in open ground is carried out at the end of April, when a stable warm temperature is established.

Even the largest gelenium bush is a set of individual plants, because each stem ends with its own rhizome. Division can be carried out in mid-autumn or late spring. It is necessary to dig a bush, disassemble it with your hands into smaller parts and plant it in new planting holes.

Some gardeners practice propagation of gelenium by cuttings. In April-June, strong shoots 10-12 cm long are cut with a knife, treated with Kornevin and rooted in water or in moist sandy-peat soil. The cuttings are covered with a cap, regularly ventilated and sprayed. Young shoots testify to the appearance of roots. After that, the plants can be planted in open ground.

Boarding and seat selection

Gelenium should be planted in a well-lit place or in partial shade. The best time for planting in open ground is the beginning of June. The soil should be nutritious and light. It is necessary to choose a composition with neutral acidity. Lime is added to too acidic soils.

Even before planting, it is recommended to carefully dig the ground, break up large clods and make compost. Planting holes are made twice as deep as the rhizomes of seedlings. The roots of each plant are first dipped in water for several minutes. The distance between flowers should be 30-40 cm. For high varieties, it is increased to 70 cm. After planting, the soil should be compacted and mulched with peat. In the first year, the plants grow green mass and form a dense leaf rosette. Flowering begins no earlier than the second year.

Gelenium Care

Caring for gelenium in the open field comes down to watering, weeding and fertilizing. Lush bushes with bright flowers do not cause much trouble to the owners. However, plants are very fond of water. They need to be watered several times a week. In intense heat every day. At the same time, water should be easily absorbed into the soil, and not stagnate at the roots. In order for air to penetrate to the roots of the plant, it is necessary to periodically loosen the earth, breaking the crust on the surface of the soil.

To form a beautiful lush bush, regular pruning is necessary. Pinch off shoots as they grow to encourage branching. Immediately after withering, the flowers must be removed, then after a while flowering will resume. Large bushes can lie down from strong gusts of wind and rain, so it is recommended to tie them up.

Every 3-4 years, a heavily overgrown plant is divided into parts. In autumn, all dried vegetation is cut to the ground, and the roots are insulated with fallen leaves, moss and sawdust to a height of about 10 cm.

Use in the garden

Tall lush bushes with large and bright flowers will not leave you indifferent. Such a plant should occupy a central position in a flower garden or be located in solo group plantings in the middle of a lawn. Low-growing varieties are used to frame flower beds, as well as in mixborders. The best flower garden neighbors for gelenium will be delphiniums, asters, marigolds, stonecrops, verbenas, geyhers and phloxes.

Gelenium can also be used to make bouquets. However, the buds on cut shoots will no longer open. A fully bloomed plant will last a long time in a vase.