Planting and caring for pyrethrum, flower varieties and growing rules

Pyrethrum is one of the unpretentious plants planted by gardeners. It produces spectacular inflorescences of various colors. In appearance they resemble chamomile flowers. This plant also has medicinal properties. Its flowers are actively used in folk medicine to treat many diseases. Below is information about planting and caring for pyrethrum in the garden.

General description and characteristics

Pyrethrum has several names: chrysanthemum maiden, Matricaria exceptional, Dalmatian, Caucasian chamomile. Cultivated mainly as an annual. The height of the bushes varies between 20 centimeters and 1 meter.

The root system is powerful. The leaves are pinnately dissected, bright green. They give off a chrysanthemum scent. The buds are colored white, cream, yellow, pink. They bloom in late May or early June. Flowering lasts until frost.

Advantages and disadvantages of a flower

The positive qualities of pyrethrum include the following characteristics:

• spectacular appearance of plants;
• long flowering period;
• ease of care;
• good immunity;
• Possibility of use as a cut plant.

No significant deficiencies have been identified in Dalmatian chamomile.

Varieties of pyrethrum

Experts have developed many varieties of culture. The main ones:

1. Feverfew. The bush reaches a height of 50 centimeters. Flowers simple or double. They are painted white or yellow. The most popular varieties: Silbeoteppich, Dal White, Virgo.
2. Pyrethrum shield. This is a tall variety of the crop. 15-20 flowers grow on the stem. They are collected in loose shields. Buds with white petals bloom in June.
3. Chamomile Robinson. Large buds of the culture are colored pink, red, purple. Robinson's giants bloom in June. Matricaria of this variety tolerates partial shade well.
4. Pyrethrum pink. The shoots of the plant grow up to 70 centimeters. When fully bloomed, Persian chamomile buds reach a diameter of 5 centimeters. The petals of the flower are pink, the center is yellow.
5. Pyrethrum red. It is also called Caucasian chamomile, since the birthplace of the flower is the Caucasus. The leaves of the crop are twice pinnately dissected.The petals of the buds are dark cherry.
6. White pyrethrum is a perennial plant. The petals of the buds are painted white. Inflorescences can be simple or double. The height of the bushes is 20-100 centimeters.
7. Pyrethrum Crimson giants. Large chamomile-shaped inflorescences of the culture are colored crimson. The leaves are graceful and feathery. The bushes tolerate harsh winters well.
8. Pyrethrum Golden ball. The perennial plant is cultivated as an annual. The height of the bushes is 20-25 centimeters. The spherical inflorescences-baskets are painted yellow. Their diameter is 3-4 centimeters.
9. Pyrethrum double. The inflorescences of the crop have a double shape. Petals can be colored white, yellow, pink.

Additional Information. The plant is used in folk medicine as an antipyretic. For this property, the culture received the name “pyrethrum”, which translates as “fever”, “heat”.

Subtleties of landing

Matricaria begin planting at the end of February or beginning of March. The seed material is pre-stratified.

Soil and container

Many gardeners prefer pre-growing from seeds. For sowing, choose containers with low sides. They are filled with a mixture of peat and sand. The seeds are distributed over the surface, sprayed with water from a spray bottle, and lightly sprinkled with substrate. To maintain greenhouse conditions, the container is covered with film.

Seedling care

The box with seeds is placed in a room with a temperature of 18-20 °C. The covering material is removed every day to ventilate the crops. After the shoots emerge, the film is removed. When 3-4 leaves are formed on the seedlings, begin picking. To do this, each bush is carefully taken with tweezers and planted in a small pot.2 weeks before planting in a permanent place, young bushes begin to harden.

Transplanting

Matricaria are planted on the site after the threat of frost has passed. For planting, select an area illuminated by the sun in the morning and evening hours. Almost all types of crops tolerate partial shade well.

Planting seedlings in open ground is done as follows:

• dig holes 20-25 centimeters deep at a distance of 25-30 centimeters;
• plant bushes with a clod of earth;
• cover with substrate;
• water abundantly.

To preserve moisture, the area can be mulched with peat, straw, and mown grass.

Flower care rules

Care consists of watering and periodically feeding the plants. To maintain the decorative appearance of the crop, stems with faded buds are cut off.

Watering

Pyrethrum has a well-developed root system. Therefore, the bushes do not need frequent watering. The land is irrigated only in case of prolonged drought. After watering, the soil is loosened. The procedure promotes air circulation necessary for the root system.

Feeding and fertilizer

Pyrethrum prefers to grow in fertile soil. Therefore, nutrients are added at least 3 times per season. Use complex mineral supplements. When digging the ground, rotted manure is added.

Trimming

Faded buds are removed. The procedure contributes to the decorative appearance of the bush. In addition, new shoots will grow from dormant lateral buds. By the end of the season, the gardener will be able to admire the new flowering brushes.

Wintering

The aerial parts of perennial pyrethrum species are cut off in late autumn. The tree trunk circle is sprinkled with peat or rotted manure. Mulching material will prevent the roots from freezing. In early spring, the mulch is raked away.

Protection from diseases and pests

Pyrethrum has good immunity. The crop is rarely affected by diseases and pests. The fungus is formed, as a rule, from an excess of moisture in the soil. Therefore, you need to water the plants moderately. Fungicides are used to prevent the occurrence of diseases. Bushes affected by rot are removed from the site.

Insecticides are used to prevent and get rid of harmful insects. Slugs that eat the leaves are collected by hand.

Reproduction methods

Dalmatian chamomile can be propagated on the site by seeds, dividing the bush, or cuttings. Seed propagation is carried out at the end of winter or early spring. The seed is first planted in a shallow container. As the plants develop, they are planted in separate containers. Grown bushes are planted in the ground.

For cuttings, cut off the root shoots. The lower parts are treated with a growth stimulator and planted in pots with loose soil. The containers are covered with film. Soon roots will begin to form on the cuttings. Well-rooted shoots are planted on the site. Once every 2-3 years, perennial pyrethrum is divided. The procedure is carried out in the fall. The root system is dug up and divided into parts. Each division is planted in a previously prepared hole.

Application in landscape design

Low-growing varieties of pyrethrum are used for edging flower beds and planted as a border along the garden path. Tall bushes can be planted as a separate island against the background of the lawn. The culture also decorates mixborders, ridges, and flower beds. Plants look impressive in combination with bells, foxgloves, and carnations.