Description of the best varieties of perennial matthiola, growing from seeds

Recently, perennial matthiola, or, as it is also called, night violet, is increasingly being planted in gardens, on personal plots, and on balconies. It is most popular among gardeners due to its unsurpassed aroma, which spreads over long distances in the evening. Today, breeders are actively developing new varieties. The results of the experiments can already please you with a variety of terry species.

Description and features

There are two most common types of this crop - annual (two-horned) and perennial (left-handed) matthiola. They have an extraordinary aroma of flowers that bloom only in the evening and at night; during the day the buds close. Plants grow in the form of a bush or subshrub.

The matthiola flower is inconspicuous and does not have high decorative features. Varieties are purchased and grown exclusively for aromatherapy, so it is recommended to plant them near benches and borders.

The length of the bush varies from 20 to 80 cm. The maximum diameter of the flowers is 8 cm, the petals can be single or double, in various shades, ranging from white to purple. They gather at the tops into inflorescences in the form of a brush. Small seeds are produced in large quantities in the fruits, which are formed in place of the inflorescences - flattened pods.

Growing seedlings

Growing matthiola seedlings is a crucial stage, so it is important to sow the seeds correctly and in a timely manner and create comfortable conditions for them.

Deadlines

In order for the perennial to delight with its flowering already with the onset of June, it is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings in March.

Soil preparation

Fertile soil is the key to high-quality seedlings that can produce strong and healthy seedlings. It is better to use a soil mixture for planting, consisting of equal amounts of turf soil and sand..

How to plant

To begin, leave the seeds for 30 minutes in a manganese solution, then wash in warm water and dry. Next, place the planting material in previously prepared containers to a depth of 5 mm. You can also scatter a small amount of seeds on the surface and lightly sprinkle with soil mixture. Using a spray bottle, moisten the soil and cover with a bag, which is removed as soon as the first shoots appear.

Temperature and light conditions

Place the container in a well-lit room with a temperature range of 10 to 12 degrees.

Dive

A week after germination, transplant each healthy specimen into a separate pot or plastic cup.

Hardening

A week before transplanting seedlings into open ground, take the seedlings out into the fresh air every day for several hours in good weather for hardening purposes.

Planting in open ground

To successfully grow matthiola, you need to competently carry out the process of planting seedlings, which requires the correct choice of location, the presence of fertile soil, and knowledge of the planting scheme.

When to plant

Matthiola can be planted in open ground starting from the last week of April. The maximum temperature drop that the crop can withstand is 5 degrees below zero.

It is recommended to plant in the evening or when the weather is cloudy..

Selecting a location

Mattiola prefers open and sunny places, but can also grow in partial shade. If the plant is placed in the shade, its stems will become very elongated, and the number of inflorescences will decrease, as well as their aroma.

Soil requirement

It is advisable that no plants from the Cruciferous family grow on the site before matthiola, otherwise the flower may die from infections and pests that remain in the soil.Also, the soil should be loose, fertile, with a neutral environment.

Planting scheme

Dig planting holes, keeping a distance of 20 cm between them. Their volume should correspond to the size of the plant root system.

Care

Mattiola is unpretentious provided it is planted in an area with fertile soil and sufficient lighting.

Watering

Water regularly, but in small quantities. In the evening, if you spray the plant with a spray bottle, the aroma will spread with particular intensity.

Loosening and weeding

Weed and loosen the soil as necessary so that weeds do not crowd out the perennial and the root system does not experience oxygen deficiency.

Top dressing

The plant does not need a lot of fertilizing even when planting. You can add a solution of mineral fertilizers in the spring; it is better not to resort to the use of organic substances.

Diseases and pests

The crop is often affected by various diseases and insects, the prevention of which is proper care and successful planting. It is possible to get rid of them only with the help of special chemicals.

It is important when using chemicals to follow the dosage specified in the instructions for use of the product.

Blackleg

A fungal disease, due to which the leaves begin to turn yellow and curl, the stem and root collar acquire an unhealthy hue, which changes over time to a black color.

Cabbage clubroot

The leaves of the plant wither, the roots become covered with rotten growths, and soon the plant lags behind in growth and withers.

Belyanka

The pest destroys the vegetative part of the perennial, eating away the leaves along the edges.

Cabbage Butterfly

The caterpillar is capable of completely destroying the shoots; it begins to eat the leaf from the inside, moving to the outside.

Cruciferous flea beetle

Small bugs feed on the leaves of the crop, gnawing through holes in the plate.

Kinds

There are several varieties of matthiola.

Autumn

It differs in that its flowering begins in early autumn, and it is recommended to plant it only in the second ten days of July. Height, shape and color variety vary depending on the variety chosen.

Summer

A characteristic feature is that the plant blooms in July, 2 months after spring planting. There are perennials and annuals. Each variety has a unique appearance and a special aroma.

Two-horned

A plant with a thin, branched stem. It looks like a spherical bush no higher than 50 cm. The leaves are linear in shape and gray-green in color. There are both annual and perennial representatives. Flowering occurs in June and continues until August. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences of a light pink or purple hue.

Gray-haired

An annual flower with a height ranging from 20 to 80 cm. The stems are strong and become woody over time. Foliage with oval pubescence. The flowers are collected in dense inflorescences and have a variety of colors, ranging from white to dark purple. Blooms from June until the first cold weather.

Fragrant

The perennial reaches a height of 20 to 50 cm. The stems and leaves are dark green with a silvery coating. The oblong leaves form a basal rosette. In May, racemose inflorescences of simple dark yellow flowers begin to form. The buds open after sunset.

Popular varieties

The most popular varieties of night violets, which most gardeners boast about in their garden.

Vintage

Terry variety, which is recommended for cultivation in regions with cool climates.It can grow at least 40-50 cm in height. The leaves are dark green and oblong in shape. They have dense inflorescences in the form of a brush of a delicate pink shade. Flowering lasts for 30-45 days. The number of inflorescences is regularly renewed due to growth and the appearance of numerous lateral shoots.

Cinderella

An annual low-growing plant up to only 20 cm in height. The stem is strong and branched. The leaf is lanceolate, bright green in color. The variety is distinguished by the presence of large double flowers, collected in large, dense, high-mounted inflorescences in the form of brushes. They have a varied palette of shades.

Bouquet Katz

A tall variety, capable of reaching more than 80 cm. The stem is dense, moderately branched. The bushes are decorated with dark leaves of an oblong shape and large size. It has large double inflorescences of various shades, from white to purple. Based on the name, it is used exclusively for cutting.

Harmony

An annual low-growing variety, the representatives of which are only 15-20 cm tall. The leaves are small, the stem is strong, moderately branched. The inflorescences are double, located at the top of the peduncles.

Rich aroma

The variety is medium in size, has bright small leaves and a strong stem. Valued for its double flowers, collected in inflorescences and located at the top of the plant. Has a spicy aroma.

Lilac

The annual plant grows to a maximum height of 50 cm. The trunk is strong, erect, and branches abundantly. The leaves are large, serrated at the edges. The racemose inflorescences have purple flowers. Flowering duration is at least 2 months and begins on average 60 days after sowing.

Appleblossom

A low-growing terry variety with a height of only 20 cm.It has a persistent, straight stem, on which grayish-green leaves are abundantly located. Inflorescences at the top of peduncles in various pastel shades.

Summer evening

An annual crop up to 50 cm high. The flowering period is only 1 month, it pleases in the last ten days of June. Spreading branched stem. Inflorescences in the form of brushes of a lilac hue.

Evening scent

A perennial characterized by the most pleasant aroma that can spread over large areas. The bush is small, reaches 45 cm in height. The stem is branched and erect. Racemose inflorescences consist of lilac flowers that open and emit fragrance only in the evening. They are distinguished by abundant flowering.

Use in landscape design

Mattiola is considered one of the few plants that are bred not for their external characteristics, but for their wonderful aroma. Decorative terry varieties are used to decorate flower beds and create various color compositions. A cut plant can maintain its original appearance for a week. Matthiola is usually grown near benches and windows of houses, as well as in other places intended for recreation. Excellent neighbors for culture are rosemary, lavender, mignonette, thyme, and cornflower.

Matthiola is a beautiful plant with a pleasant, memorable aroma. It is this feature that has made the culture so popular. It’s hard to notice because it’s not always planted in visible places, but you can’t help but smell it.