Soldanella. How to grow a spring primrose
Content:
Soldanella: variety description
A charming spring perennial of the Primroses family - soldanella, came to Russian gardens from the Alpine meadows. A short (15-20 cm) plant with rounded dark green leaves, decorated with drooping white or lilac flowers that resemble bells. The flowering period of soldanella falls on the end of April-May. The fruits are capsules with numerous small seeds. Growing soldanella will diversify the spring design of the garden.
Soldanella: photo of a plant
In nature, about two dozen species of this plant are known, among them - Alpine, Carpathian, small, furry soldanella. But the mountain soldanella is the most adapted to the conditions of central Russia, therefore, further we will focus on the cultivation of this particular species.
Soldanella mountain: planting and caring for the plant
Mountain soldanella grows in damp forests, bushes, meadows of the subalpine belt. Therefore, domestic gardeners use mountain soldanella to decorate rocky gardens, mini-rock gardens located in shaded areas. The winter hardiness of this plant allows it to successfully endure low temperatures (up to -26 degrees) and a lack of sunlight, typical for the North-West of Russia. Shelter for the winter for a hardy primrose is not required. Known decorative variety of Soldanella mountain called "Alba", which is distinguished by the snow-white color of the flowers.
Soldanella: photo of a plant
Soldanella is grown from seed planted in seedling containers. Plants grown from seeds will bloom for 2-3 years. An easier way to reproduce is to divide the bush in spring or in August and early September.
Instructions for growing Soldanella mountain
When preparing seedlings for the spring planting of mountain soldanella, it is necessary to stratify the seeds within 2-3 months: you can withstand the crops in the refrigerator. When planting in open ground, a distance between seedlings of 20-25 cm should be observed. A little pine needles and crushed lime should be poured into the holes for planting in advance.
Separated bushes are also planted in prepared and moistened holes at a distance of 20 cm from each other. The soil around them is mulched with needles.
The soldanella mountain plant loves moisture, so it is especially important not to allow the soil to dry out. You will also need loosening, weeding and applying mineral fertilizers 2-3 times a season. It is worth remembering that drought is destructive for this plant, but stagnation of water in the soil is also undesirable, because can lead to decay of the root system and the defeat of fungal diseases. Another enemy of mountain soldanella is pests in the face of slugs and ants. The latter are especially dangerous, since they can cover the plant with earth and destroy it. In the fight against pests, the use of insecticides or transplanting soldanella to another site will help. However, this procedure is too stressful for the plant.
Planting mountain soldanella in open ground is carried out in the fall or in the middle of spring.
Soldanella alpine prefers light, slightly acidic drained soils. It is better to choose slightly darkened areas, since delicate flowers do not tolerate scorching sunlight well. The soldanella plant feels great in the shade of its rock garden neighbors, as well as under the crowns of coniferous trees.
