Gaylardia is a perennial herbaceous plant, most often grown in open ground. Bright, fiery red or gaillardia flowers are the decoration of the garden. It is undemanding to growing conditions, well survives in the ground, rarely gets sick. This is an ideal plant for lazy gardeners.
Botanical Description
In the genus Gaylardia (Astrov family), there are 28 plant species, among which annual, biennial and perennial grasses and shrubs are found. The birthplace of the flower is America.
Gaylardiya hybrid
In most perennial varieties, the stem reaches a height of 1 meter. The leaves are light green, elongated, flowers of mixed color. One part of the petals is red (dark pink), and the second is yellow. In this case, the sequence of pattern alternation depends on the type. The edges of the petals are serrated, the core of the flower is maroon, but its very center is green. Petals are arranged in 2 rows. The root is elongated, the stem is pubescent.
Interesting! Externally, the flower Gaylardia has much in common with cultivated varieties of chamomile, but usually does not reach the height that is characteristic of this flower.
Types and varieties of perennial and annual gaillardia: spinous and others
Visually difficult to distinguish between hybrid, perennial and annual varieties among themselves, they are very similar. But more than 7-9 varieties of Gailardia perennial are popular, which simplifies the task of a beginner grower. These varieties are gaillardia varieties Lorenziana, gaillardia varieties large-flowered, Gaillaria lorenziana, varieties goblin, Arizona San, Sunshine, shades, amber.
Hybrid gaillardia (Gaillardia hybrida)
The ancestors of this species are North American wild gaylardia. It is grown as a two-year two-color plant, but some varieties germinate and bloom for 3-4 years after planting. Shoots reach a height of 1.2 meters, well and deeply rooted. Gailardia hybrida flowers are bright yellow-red, the stem and leaves are pubescent. It blooms in early July and blooms until the first September frosts.
Beautiful Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)
Another name - "Krasava", is an annual of medium size, the stem of which extends to a height of 40 to about 60 cm, it is tough, covered with almost invisible fluffs. The length of the leaves is 10-12 cm. Gailardia flowers are beautifully painted in lilac, yellow and dark bard colors, can be simple, terry or semi-double. It blooms from July to September.
Lanceolate or Blunt (Gaillardia lanceolata)
Lanceolate gaillardia is a small bush, up to 50 cm high. The stems are straight, the leaves are oblong, light green with gray dusting. Peduncles in their upper part are covered with a large number of fluffs. The color of the petals can be different, there are bushes of this variety with yellow, red-yellow, red-orange and purple flowers.
Gaylardia Arizona Red Shades
Winter-hardy, well tolerating bush summer heat. The height of Arizona gaillardia is on average 30-35 cm. The flowers are large (12 cm) terracotta red, the leaves are dark green. It blooms in June and does not stop flowering until September.
Important! This annual Gaillardia variety can be an excellent decoration for the eastern window sill or open balcony.
Plant in summer
Gaillardia spinosa
Guillardia spinosa - perennial, up to 0.75 m high with upright shoots bending in the lower part. The leaves are elongated, pubescent, their edges are solid or serrated, the leaf plate itself is lanceolate or oval. The diameter of the acanthus perennial gaillardia flowers is 10-12 cm. The central flowers are tubular, most often they are yellow, but there are red, red-yellow, pure red and other shades.
Gaylardia Burgundy
The sprawling bush of Gaillardia burgundi needs support. Stems erect, leaves long dark green, smooth. Large flowers -12-14 cm in diameter, the petals of a bright red wine color. It blooms in June-July.
Use in landscape design and combination with other colors
Gailardia, the long-term planting and care of which are described below, is often used in landscape design. The plant looks great surrounded by white daisies, asters and other garden flowers. The bushes are compact, do not grow and do not interfere with other plants in the garden.
Some varieties of gaillardia seem more like wildflowers than cultivated flowers, so they can be planted next to such plants:
- cornflowers;
- bells;
- marigold;
- aconites;
- delphiniums;
- non-blooming herbs;
- undersized varieties of sunflower.
Bushes can be planted in wicker baskets, fenced with intricate fencing, placed in wooden boxes. Low-growing varieties can be planted on flower beds (especially the kayold Gaillardia variety) and on alpine hills.
Neighborhood with other plants
Preparation of perennial gailardia for planting in the open ground
The transplantation and planting of new adult gaillardia in the open ground is done in the spring - around April, or in the fall - at the end of September. When growing gaillardia from seeds, when to plant it from a pot into the soil, you can determine the number of leaves. Three or four is enough for the plant to be recognized as viable and ready for a change of scenery.
Seedlings are planted in the ground from pots in August-September. In the spring it is better not to do it. The landing site is cleaned of weeds, dug up and fertilized with a mixture of fertilizers.
On a fertilizer plot, an area of 1 square. m. leaving:
- 1 bucket of compost;
- a handful of superphosphate;
- 2 handfuls of frayed wood ash.
Important! Shortly before planting, the gaillardia is no longer fertilized and watered. But in order to safely remove the plant from the container in which it is located, it is abundantly watered and even poured with water.
How to plant this beautiful flower
Gailardia is planted in the ground in the morning or in the evening after sunset. Procedure:
- A hole is made in the ground, with a depth of 30-40 cm. The depth depends on the size of the root system, if there are few roots, then the hole may be small.
- Fill the hole with water.
- Fertilize.
- Wait until the water is absorbed.
- Planted in the center of the hole in advance in the center of the plant previously taken out of the pot.
- Fall asleep with earth.
Important! If the bush is sprawling, then several pegs can be stuck nearby and a plant attached to them. This will save the gaillardia from damage during wind and rain.
Excessive moisture - reducing the number of peduncles
Growing sowing seeds in the ground
Gailardia seeds are harvested after the plant has completely faded and even dried out a little. Dry buds are carefully cut with scissors and placed in a linen bag. He is hung out, but not in direct sunlight, and left in this position for 1-2 weeks. During this time, the seeds should be dried, ripened and desiccated from the boxes holding them in the bud.
Seeds are planted in boxes in February and March. Direct planting in the soil is made in late autumn, but before severe frosts or in spring - at the end of April - May, as soon as the air temperature is above 15-17 degrees. The landing time depends on the climatic conditions in a particular region. Before sowing, the soil is pre-fertilized with sand and wood ash.
Gailardia is sown in long furrows deepened with a chopper or in holes. The first shoots should appear no earlier than in 1.5-2 weeks. After disembarkation, the wells can be watered, but carefully, taking care that the water does not wash the seeds from the ground.
Important! The distance between the wells with the seeds or the seeds themselves should be at least 35 cm, otherwise you will have to deal with thinning and transplanting of young plants.
Vegetative propagation
Woody plants reproduce in several ways:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- root offspring;
- vaccinated.
Gailardia is propagated exclusively by dividing the bush or rooting the stalk.
Dividing the bush
The easiest way to propagate gaillardia, dividing the adult bush into several small bushes. This allows not only to get new plants, but also to update old ones. One medium-sized bush can be divided into 3-4 parts. The gardener who did this in the fall will receive several full-grown, ready for flowering bushes in the spring.
You can propagate by dividing the bush in the spring, but in this case, the updated plant and young bushes may not bloom. With this method of reproduction, the main thing is not to damage the roots and maintain their quantity sufficient for the full growth of the flower. After planting in the soil, young plants are abundantly watered.
Cuttings
In the spring (March-April) cuttings of 5-10 cm length are cut. To root the cuttings, they place them in a glass of water for 1 day, after which they plant them in a pot with fertile soil or a box. This is not a very convenient and reliable way to obtain young seedlings, since no more than half of all cuttings planted in the ground take root.
Soil for plants
Gailardia grows well in any light soil, but does not tolerate acidic soils. If the earth is too acidic, the plant is poorly developed, does not bloom, it is almost impossible to propagate and root. Also, the flower does not like excessively moist soils, so the bushes are planted away from those plants that love moisture and need regular plentiful watering.
Any soil is suitable, but it is best to take the land for planting from the forest or pour a little black soil into the hole.
Site selection
Gailardia is planted in well-lit, weed-free areas. Light is a key requirement, having fulfilled which you can count on abundant flowering and growth. The bushes should not be obscured by other plants, otherwise Gaillaria, the planting and care of which must be carried out correctly, will die.
Best of all, gaillardia, whose flower can be used to create a beautiful bouquet, feels on the hills. If there is no opportunity to plant it on a hillock, then a drainage is placed in each hole before planting a flower there. This will protect the plant from the negative effects of large amounts of moisture.
Watering frequency and water quality requirements
Young plants are often watered - even 1 time per day, if the summer is dry. About 1.5-2 liters of water are poured under one bush. Watered in the evening or early morning before sunrise. Water is taken from the barrel, where it must be left to stand for 1-2 days. Cold tap water is best avoided. Rainwater is also suitable for irrigation.
Important! Pour directly into the hole under the root. To do this, use an ordinary mug or jar, it is better not to use a watering can, since water should not fall on the leaves.
Winter preparations
At the end of September, the entire aerial part of the plant is cut to the root, leaving columns no more than 3-5 cm tall. Pruning helps to prolong the life of the bush, after which the gailardia blooms more abundantly, the buds that appeared the next year after the procedure are larger in diameter, brighter, like the whole bush as a whole.
Gaylardiya tolerates winter well. But young perennials before severe cold need to be covered with coniferous paws, brushwood, peat, hay or straw, non-woven covering materials that can maintain the air temperature necessary for the plant.
Annual Gaillardia Diseases and Pests
Gaylardia is often sick. Improper care contributes to the development of diseases and the appearance of pests - planting in the shade, abundant and untimely watering. Worst of all is plants in rainy and cold summers.
Whitefly
Most often, gaillardia has to be treated for such diseases:
- Gray rot. The lower leaves darken, fold into a tube and dry. If this unpleasant symptom of the disease is left unattended, then the upper part of the bush and buds are similarly expected. Eventually, gaillardia will die. Insecticides are used to combat gray rot. Damaged parts of plants are regularly removed.
- White rust. The main symptom of the disease is a white coating on the leaves. It may appear on both sides at first in the form of a small spot, but gradually spread to the entire sheet, changing the color to brown. At first it looks like mold, but as the disease spreads, the mold takes the form of cotton wool.
- Powdery Mildew Leaves are covered with white flour-like plaque. The reason for the development of the disease is frequent watering and the presence of a large number of weeds on the site.
They fight diseases by spraying flowers with fungicides such as Topaz. "Strobi", "Maxim". Experienced gardeners also recommend the use of various biological agents, such as "Abiga Peak", "Alirin B".
Aphid
Weakened plants are often affected by aphids and whiteflies. Nettle solution helps to cope with aphids; infected plants are sprayed with them about 1-2 times a week. Whiteflies help get rid of Tanrek or Fitoferm.
Gaylardia is a beautiful flowering plant, it can often be found in private households and on roadsides. It grows rapidly, propagates well, including seeds, and pleases with long and plentiful flowering from July to the end of September. If gaillardia is properly looked after, then it is almost not sick, and fungicides will reliably protect it from aphids and other pests. Blooming gailardia - decoration of any garden.
