Description of Alpine mountain edelweiss, growing from seeds and care

There are many legends about edelweiss, telling about love, fidelity and devotion. It is precisely the symbol of these feelings that he is, steadfastly enduring severe frosts, wind and heat. There are about 30 types of crops in nature; alpine mountain edelweiss is one of its beautiful representatives. Further information about the necessary growing conditions, care, methods of propagation, as well as the use of the plant in landscape design.

The Legend of Edelweiss

There are many legends about this flower. One of them talks about a proud beauty who decided to marry a daredevil who picked edelweiss growing high in the mountains. Many young people fell off the cliffs and died.

Finally, a young man appeared who conquered the mountains, and he picked the edelweiss. The princess was delighted, but by this time her beauty had faded, and the young man gave the flower to a completely different girl. Following the legend, many guys strive to give this flower to their future wives.

Note! In many countries, it is forbidden to pick edelweiss, so a decoration in the form of this flower is presented as a gift.

Characteristics of the plant

Edelweiss is a herbaceous plant reaching a height of 15-25 centimeters. It has narrow leaves, which, thanks to their fleecy pubescence, are able to retain moisture for a long time. The inflorescence is a basket of white or yellow flowers. It is surrounded by star-shaped, spreading leaves.

Thanks to its creeping rhizome, edelweiss is able to grow independently. Due to this quality, the flower is used as a ground cover planting. But in order to grow it on his own plot, the gardener must provide the plant with conditions close to natural.

Application in landscape design

Edelweiss is planted in rocky gardens, alpine hills, and flower beds located in the sun. It can frame the lower part of the trunks of tree hydrangea, Syrian rose, cypress, and other low shrubs. The flower will look beautiful against the background of the lawn, as well as next to herbaceous plants of contrasting texture.

Varieties and varieties

The edelweiss genus includes more than 30 species of this plant. They are very similar to each other. The most common types are:

Alpine

This is the most common type of edelweiss. Its height in gardeners' plots varies from 10 to 20 centimeters. The inflorescences of mountain edelweiss consist of corymbs collected in baskets. The leaves around them seem to be painted white due to the thick felt pubescence. To preserve the characteristics of the species, it must be propagated vegetatively.

Two-color

Two-color edelweiss bushes consist of erect shoots. They reach a height of 35 centimeters. White and yellow flowers, framed by leafy spears of varying lengths, bloom in July.

Kuril

This is a low-growing type of edelweiss. Its length barely reaches 20 centimeters. The basal leaves are oblong, about 7 centimeters long. The stem leaf plates are smaller, felt-like, and gray in color. The bracts forming a star are pubescent with white or yellow felt. Yellow funnel-shaped flowers bloom in late July - early August.

Additional Information. Edelweiss is considered the symbol of Switzerland. The inhabitants of this country call her the Queen of the Alps.

Necessary conditions for cultivation

By providing alpine edelweiss with the necessary conditions, the gardener will be able to admire this plant for a long time.

What soil is suitable

The peculiarity of growing edelweiss is that it does not need fertile soil, since this loses the decorative effect of the flower. On the contrary, it feels great on poor, but at the same time light and loose soils. Crushed stone, coarse sand, and lime are added to the substrate.

Place and lighting

In nature, the crop grows high in the mountains, where it is brightly illuminated by the sun.In the garden, he needs to be provided with the same bright area, preferably located on a hill. It has no place in lowlands and depressions, since it does not tolerate stagnation of moisture.

What to plant next

Alpine edelweiss is a modest flower, so it is not planted next to spectacular-looking plants. Against their background, he will get lost. It is combined with the same low-growing plants as it: alpine aster, juveniles, heuchera, blackhead, viola, sedum, meadow sage.

Flower propagation methods

Alpine edelweiss can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, or cuttings. The advantage of vegetative propagation is that its species characteristics are preserved.

Seeds

You can start sowing seeds for seedlings at the end of February. The seeds are pre-aged for 2-2.5 months in the refrigerator. Then they are sorted out, dry and non-viable ones are discarded, and disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes. Planting seeds is done as follows:

• drainage from small stones or expanded clay is poured onto the bottom of the planting box;
• a substrate consisting of sheet soil and sand is poured;
• shallow grooves are made into which seeds are planted and covered with soil;
• plantings are sprayed with water from a spray bottle;
• The box is covered with glass or plastic film.

In about 2 weeks, shoots will appear. Every day you need to ventilate the container and wipe off condensation from the covering material. At the beginning of June, young plants are planted in a permanent place. Alpine edelweiss will bloom in 2 years.

Dividing the bush

Overgrown bushes are propagated in this way. To do this, carefully dig up the bush, trying to injure the roots as little as possible.Using a sharp knife, divide the edelweiss into 2-3 parts. Each division should have several growth points.

The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn. Bushes are planted at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other. Divided plants bloom the following year.

By cuttings

Alpine edelweiss is propagated by cuttings in June. To do this, use the tops of last year's shoots. The substrate for seedlings is selected from sand, leaf soil with the addition of lime.

The cuttings are planted as follows:

• cut parts of the shoots are dusted with a preparation that stimulates root formation;
• at a distance of 10-15 centimeters, the cuttings are planted in moist soil;
• Cover the plantings with jars to retain moisture.

Seedlings are watered as needed. When they start to grow, the jars are removed. Flowering will occur next season.

Important! Vegetative propagation allows you to preserve the external characteristics of the species.

How to plant and care for crops in the garden

The crop can be planted on the plot using the seedling method, or sown directly into the ground. The disadvantage of the last option is that flowering will not occur this year.

Technology and timing of planting seeds and seedlings

In the spring, with the onset of warmth, edelweiss seeds can be planted directly into the ground. To do this, a place is marked on an alpine hill or rock garden, and seed material is placed there. There is no need to plant deeply, because in nature the seeds are carried by the wind, and they easily take root in crevices without being covered with soil.

The optimal embedding depth is 1 centimeter at a distance of 7-8 centimeters. In the future, if necessary, plantings can be thinned out, leaving a distance of 15-20 centimeters between the bushes.To preserve moisture in the soil and improve germination, the area with sown edelweiss is covered with film.

Bushes grown at home using the seedling method are planted in open ground in May or early June. Holes are dug, watered, and plants are planted in them along with a lump of earth. Flowering will occur next year.

Watering and fertilizing

Alpine edelweiss does not require abundant watering. In seasons with moderate rainfall, it is not needed at all. Excess moisture may cause the plant's roots to rot. When there is heavy rainfall, the plantings should be covered with film.

Alpine edelweiss does not like feeding, especially organic matter. It develops best in infertile, rocky soil. You can feed a little in the fall so that the plant can survive the frosty winter.

Flower transplant

When the bushes grow too much, they need to be replanted. To do this, holes are dug, watered, the roots of the transplanted flowers are carefully straightened, and sprinkled with dry soil. An indicator that the plants have taken root is the appearance of side shoots on the stems.

Weeding

To prevent young bushes from becoming overgrown with weeds, the area needs to be weeded. Since the plants are located close to each other, it is better to do this manually. The use of glanders can damage the stems and rhizomes of the crop.

Preparing for winter

If a sufficient amount of snow has fallen before the onset of frost, edelweiss does not require additional shelter. Only young bushes planted in autumn can be covered. To do this, they are mulched with peat, and with the arrival of heat they open. Edelweiss is not afraid of returning spring frosts.