Kentrantus

Kentrantus, this medium-sized bright plant widely used by landscape designers, has a second name - Red Valerian. This is probably due to the fact that the plant is related to the Valerian family, however, it has no medicinal properties. Kentrantus prefers Mediterranean countries with sandy soils, warmth and an abundance of sunshine.

Kentrantus: flower description

Kentrantus: photos

Perennial kentrantus - with a short superficial root system and branching stems. Outwardly, it looks more like a shrub, rather than a herbaceous culture. The plant reaches 0.9 m in height and 0.6 m in width. The stem along its entire length has adjacent pairs of dark green leaves. The lower leaves are with small petioles.

On the tops of the peduncles, small flowers, collected in a half-umbrella, flaunt. The color of the petals can be of any shade of red, hence this culture is often called kentranthus red. It is known to be the only cultivated variety used by gardeners.

Flowering occurs 2 times a season and fills the garden plot with an interesting bright smell. For the first time, kentrantus begins to bloom in early summer (June-July), and the second time - in late summer-early autumn (August-September).

Twice a season, seeds of kentranthus ripen, which, pouring out of the seed box, regularly propagate the plant by self-sowing.

Varieties

Breeders have bred many different types of this plant, so that gardeners can easily choose the right plant for their site and combine it with other plants and varieties. Let's talk about several types of kentranthus.

• About centrantus Ruber red it is known that subspecies forms can have not only red, but also white, pink or purple. The height of the bushes can reach 100 cm with a width of 60 cm. The dense leaf cover of the ruber kentranthus with scarlet inflorescences of a round or pyramidal shape.

Kentrantus red: photo

• It should be said about the Narrow-leaved Centrantus that it is often confused with Ruber. However, this rather popular species, despite the similarity with the above variety, has its own distinctive feature in the shape of leaves - pointed tips.
• Long-flowered centranthus, with its tall bushes and gray leaves, has a distinctive feature - a whitish bloom. Oval and lanceolate leaves have a blunt edge. This centrantus, unlike others, has rather large flowers. The fifteen millimeter bud is dark purple in color.
• In the Valerian-like centrantus, the main distinguishing feature is its diminutiveness. The maximum plant height is 0.3 m. It begins to bloom in April and lasts until the end of the first summer month. The petals are pink or ash red.

• The variety recently bred by breeders - kentrantus Crimson ringing of a characteristic crimson color, has petals with ten-millimeter flowers. Branching bushes of kentranthus Raspberry ringing with bluish leaves reach a height of 0.8 m with pyramidal inflorescences.

Kentrantus crimson chime: photo

Kentrantus: reproduction and growing from seeds

Reproduction of the centrantus flower occurs mainly by sowing. Sowing is done in early autumn or late spring. Autumn sowing needs additional foliage insulation. For spring sowing, pot containers are used, where seeds of kentranthus are sown without sprinkling with soil. Good lighting is necessary for abundant seedlings at home.

When the sprouts reach 50 mm, they need to be thinned out, leaving the strongest ones. Mid-May is the time when seedlings are planted in open soil (the distance between plantings is 40-45 cm).

Kentrantus: photos

Also, the centrantus flower is propagated using cuttings and dividing the bush. To this end, at the end of summer (July, August), when replanting the plant, cut off the strongest branches and stick them into the fertile soil in a pot (depth - 0.1 m). As soon as rooting occurs, the plant is planted in open soil.

Since kentrantus soon becomes outdated and gives fewer and fewer flowers, it is recommended every three to four years to rejuvenate its plantings with the help of new shoots and seedlings.

Kentrantus: planting and care in the open field

Kentrantus: photos

Like any Mediterranean, the centrantus prefers a lot of sun, warmth and a calm area. For him, the adjacent territory, curbs, masonry and rock gardens are suitable. For kentrantus, fertile soil with lime, with good moisture and air permeability, with drainage is preferable - and all this so that the root system does not rot.

If the soil on your site is not fertile enough, you need to fertilize it every month, depending on the period of plant development:

• for the growth period, nitrogen fertilizers are needed;
• for the flowering period - nitrogen-free fertilizers;
• from the 15th of July, it is good to introduce phosphorus and potassium fertilizing.

Make sure that there is no excess water, so water only when there is a lack of moisture (drought); natural precipitation will be sufficient.

Excessive moisture can cause stains on foliage. If this pathology is detected, the affected leaves must be cut off.

Since the centrantus plant is capable of self-seeding and active growth, it is simply impossible to do without regular pruning and thinning of young plants. Otherwise, after a couple of years, the plant can fill everything around.

When the first flowers wither, the peduncle is cut off to the first leaves, and in the fall the plant is completely cut off.

About winter care

Centrantus flower: video

In case of too severe frosts, it is necessary to cover the roots of the kentranthus. If the freezing temperatures are small, then sprinkle the roots with peat and fallen leaves. In severe frosts and a small amount of snow, frame shelters are erected or plastic wrap, rag cloth or agrofibers, branches and all kinds of other types of preservation of kentrantus from dampness and frost are used.