Spikelet sandy herbaceous plants for open ground. Elimus sandy landing and care. Blue fountain - garden classic
Spikelet is a rather unpretentious and frost-resistant plant. It grows in almost all parts of Russia. But in different climates it can behave differently. For example, in middle lane its leaves can wither for the winter, but in warm climates they gradually change and the grass continues to grow.
The second name of the culture is elimus. This is an original and ornamental plant that is ready to please the eye for many years. Belongs to the family of cereals. The height can reach 130 cm. The leaves are dense and tough, grow upward and have a bluish tint.
The spikelet blooms weakly, usually in June-July with small inconspicuous flowers. They plant it to decorate the garden. Looks very impressive on mixed beds or against a lawn background.
The plant loves the sun and sufficient moisture, but at the same time it is drought tolerant. Loose and poor sandy soil is suitable for him. In favorable conditions, elimus grows rapidly and grows quite easily throughout the territory. Therefore, you need to plant it in a pot so that the edge sticks out at the level of the soil, thereby limiting it and preventing it from turning into a weed.
Growing methods
It is possible to propagate and grow a spikelet in two ways: seed and vegetative. In the first case, you can sow seeds in open ground, and not grow seedlings for this. Or scatter the seeds over the surface, but before that mix them with sand. In the first few years, the sprouts will be small, but after 2-3 years, fluffy large clumps will form.
The spikelet is propagated vegetatively by dividing the bush. It is enough to dig up the shoots, carefully separate with a sharp shovel and plant in a new place. They will take root quickly and in the first year they will please their owner.
How to choose planting material
When the question of the choice of planting material arises, it is worth paying attention to some features. To begin with, it is worth remembering that the choice of cereals directly depends on the area in which they will grow and the climate.
You need to ask a consultant how given view behaves in his homeland. After all, some plants can grow anywhere, while others will not survive in the changeable climate of the Moscow region.
The roots should be considered separately. There are long-rhizome species that will have to be limited during growth and short-rhizome species that do not require this.
Types and features
To choose the right place for planting a grate, you need to clearly know its requirements and the nature of growth. Some species of this plant are able to grow at very low temperatures, they need it. These are the earliest islets of greenery to be seen in early spring. As soon as the temperature reaches about +25 degrees, their growth stops. The curtain will come to life closer to autumn, when the temperature drops again to comfortable values.
In cool periods, in autumn and spring, it is worth dividing the bushes. This is the best time for breeding.
There are also thermophilic species. It is important for them heat air, and with frosts, especially sudden ones, they can die.
There are a lot of varieties of spikelets. The genus is distributed in the temperate zones of both hemispheres and there are about 100 species. The most common ones are:
- verginsky,
- rough-stemmed,
- canadian,
- sandy.
They are all very similar, but still have differences. For example, the Canadian spikelet grows up to two meters in height. It blooms more effectively and richly towards the end of summer. The spikelets are green at first, but over time they fill with a wheat hue, resembling rye. Unlike sandy, long stems are fragile and weak, can decay. Therefore, they need support.
Verginsky's spikelets are rough and straight. It blooms well, but already in the middle of summer. Leaves are green, sometimes blue. Red streaks may appear on foliage in autumn. Easily propagated by seeds.
The sandy spikelet has a subspecies - the Findhorn variety. It looks like gritty, but more compact. Acquires decorative view only a few years after planting. Grown from seeds.
Where to plant
This plant is used in various decorative compositions. Looks good on medium or close-range mixborder shots. To revive general view the spikelet is planted in the center of a flat lawn. It goes well with perennial plants such as sage or catnip. Looks good next to roses.
Planting and leaving
The spikelet prefers sunny space and neutral alkaline soils. You can use a mixture of turf, sand and peat in proportions of 1: 2: 2.
Very little watering is required - the plant is content with the accumulated moisture after natural precipitation. It tolerates drought. The same cannot be said about flooding, especially in the period after winter, when snow melts.
In early spring, cut off last year's leaves short.
Fertilizing the soil is practically not needed by the plant, you can only occasionally use organic matter. When you cut the grass, you can feed it with mineral fertilizer.
The spikelet is often mistaken for a weed due to its rapid growth. So that it doesn't come to this, the grass is planted in deep bowls with dense walls, which cannot be pierced by the roots. Then these bowls are buried in the ground, leaving a small part of the walls on the surface. If possible, spikelets should be cut before ripening to prevent self-seeding.
The spikelet does not need a transplant. It is not susceptible to diseases and pests.
On winter period curtains do not need to be covered. The plant is frost-resistant, withstands low temperatures. But, if the winter is snowy and there is a lot of precipitation, it is worth covering it with a film to avoid excessive moisture.
Spikelet is a perennial cereal that adorns the front garden with beautiful feathery bushes.
At first glance, the cereal seems rustic, not everyone will immediately appreciate its beauty, but it perfectly complements complex flower arrangements, being a magnificent decor in skillful hands.
Botanical description
The plant is native to the prairies and drylands of Eurasia and North America. Some species are found in the Argentine desert. The spikelet adapts to conditions from subtropical to tundra. Gardeners call the spikelet by other names: elimus, wheatgrass, vostrets, vlosnets. The genus of the plant belongs to the Cereal family.
The root system is well developed, it is composed of powerful, horizontally expanding roots. Growth buds are laid on underground shoots. The spikelet has an erect, dense stem, reaching a height of 20 cm to 1.5 m.
Leaves are thin, rigid, elongated, ribbon-like, pointed edges, 2-15 mm wide. Foliage is located closer to the ground in dense bunches. The upper surface of the leaves can be rough or covered with hairs, the lower one is completely smooth. The ground part is dark green or gray with a beautiful silvery sheen. By autumn, the leaves and stems turn yellowish, brown.
Inflorescences are dense, consisting of many short, perpendicular spikelets. Inflorescences reach a height of 7-30 cm, appear in June-July.
Growing a spikelet from seeds
Reproduction is possible by seed and vegetative methods.
- Seeds are immediately sown in open ground in early spring; seedlings do not need to be grown.
- You can simply scatter it over the surface, after mixing it with sand, and close it into the ground with a rake.
- By mid-April, the first plants will sprout, but the first years will be small and very rare.
- After a couple of years, the seedlings will turn into lush bushes with large ears in high inflorescences.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
- It reproduces well: it takes root without problems, does not require special care.
- To do this, in the spring and until the first half of summer, young shoots with their own roots are dug up and transplanted to a new place.
- Lateral ramifications will quickly appear near the rooted stems.
- The sod of the spikelet will grow rapidly, the seedlings can bloom in the same year.
Features of plant care
Elimus prefers open sunny places and light, neutral or alkaline soils. Being content with natural precipitation, it rarely needs watering, it sustainably tolerates the most severe drought. Stagnant water and flooding does not tolerate well, especially during periods of snow melting. Soil fertility does not matter. A spikelet can do without fertilizers at all, but occasionally organic fertilizing can be made.
Often the spikelet is perceived as a weed, because in favorable conditions it grows very quickly. In flower gardens, small gardens, problems may arise with the restriction of its lush vegetation. It is best to plant in large tubs with dense walls so that the roots cannot penetrate them.
Next, bury the container in the ground, leaving a small part of the top above the ground. This will prevent the vegetation from spreading erratically. To prevent self-seeding, cut the spikelets before they are fully ripe. Does not need periodic transplants and rejuvenation, because attractive appearance persists for a long time.
It is not exposed to diseases and pests.
It tolerates even severe frosts well and does not require shelter. Only if there is a lot of snow, you can cover with a film so that there is no excess moisture during the melting of the snow.
Spikelet in landscape design
Neat spikelets resemble fountains - they are nice to decorate any flower bed. Preferred use in rockeries or stonework. The bush does not spread, keeps its shape well, it will be good in mixborders. Tenacious roots are able to effectively fix sand embankments: feel free to use on hills, high sandy shores.
AT decorative plantings annuals with bright colors are well combined with a spikelet.
Spike greens are often used as fodder crops.
Large spikelets with high decorative effect can be used for dry bouquets. They need to be harvested in mid-summer before the seeds ripen. Cut the spikelets, collect in small bunches up to 15 pieces each, hang them down in inflorescences in a shaded place with good ventilation.
Popular varieties of spikelet or elimus
Rough spikelet or Rootless wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus
A native of the North American prairies. Perennial grows to a height of 30-120 cm. Forms dense bunches, gradually occupying a large area. Has no creeping roots, spreads by self-seeding. The leaves are dark green, 2-6 mm wide. The ears are large, reach a length of 8-20 cm, appear in the middle of summer.
Sandy spikelet Leymus arenarius
Distributed in the cold regions of the temperate zone of Eurasia. This is a perennial herbaceous spikelet with a height of 60-120 cm. The upper part is represented by compact bushes-bunches, connected underground by a single root system. The foliage is dense, the leaves reach 0.8-2 cm in width, in length - about half a meter. Lush large inflorescences are 15-30 cm long, and up to 2.5 cm wide.The color of the plant is gray or dark green with a blue tint. Blooms throughout the summer. It has excellent frost resistance - it can withstand temperatures as low as -23 ° C.
Soft spikelet Leymus mollis
It can be found in China, Japan, North America, mainly on coastal sandstones. The height of the bush is 50-100 cm. The greens are collected in dense bunches located at some distance, but connected by a common creeping rhizome. The foliage is hard, rough, leaf width - 15 mm. From June to July, dense ears appear, reaching a length of 25 cm. Withstands frost down to -34 ° C.
Giant spikelet or Canadian Elymus canadensis
Distributed in Eurasia and North America. From the shortened stems and foliage at the base, dense bushes are formed. The width of the leaf is 1.5-2 cm, the length is 30-50 cm. Very stable and absolutely naked shoots rise above the foliage. They are crowned with lush ears. The inflorescence reaches a length of 15-35 cm, a width of about 2 cm will bloom all summer. Withstands frosts up to 25 ° C.
Branched spikelet or cystous spikelet, raspberry Leymus ramosus
It spreads over the steppes and salt licks of Eurasia, can be found from Siberia to the Ciscaucasia. It is a compact bush, reaching a height of 35-80 cm. Narrow leaves of green, bluish or bluish color form basal rosettes. The foliage is short, covered with sparse villi, the leaf width is about 5 mm. The inflorescence is a lush spikelet about 8 cm long, appears in June and blooms until the end of July, the seeds begin to ripen from August.
Vestrez is widespread in sandy steppes, semi-deserts, on roadside embankments in the southern and central parts of Eurasia. Plant height varies from 40 to 130 cm. The bushes are dense, consisting of shortened shoots, abundantly covered with foliage. Soft leaves are longer than stems, develop freely through the air, bend towards the ground. The leaves are narrow - only 0.4-1.5 cm wide. The peduncle is strong, very thick, densely covered with villi. A dense ear reaches a length of 10-35 cm, and a width of 1.5-3.5 cm. Flowering begins in May, bears fruit by the end of June.
Elimus blue - decorative cereal perennial with a lush beautiful curtain of silver-blue hue. Such plants are often used by landscape designers to create gardens and flower beds in a natural style. An important fact of the popularity of the cereal crop is the absolute unpretentiousness and high vitality of this crop. Read about how to plant a plant in your area, and what kind of care the culture needs, in this article.
Elimus blue, plant application
Elimus blue, landing and careHow to plant blue elimus on the site, and what care to provide to the plant? Let us consider in detail all the stages of growing a perennial in the open field. An unpretentious plant perfectly "feels" in almost any region, for any climatic conditions... The only thing is that in cold zones with severe winters (for example, in central Russia), the shrub will turn yellow and wither for the winter, but in warm areas the ground part of the elymus practically does not change throughout the year. Elimus blue, landing site
Elimus blue, agricultural planting technique
Elimus blue, features of careCaring for the plant is absolutely simple and will not cause any difficulties even for a novice grower. In early spring, last year's leaves are cut, after which the elimus quickly begins to build up new green mass.
Elimus blue, plant reproductionElimus blue reproduces by seed or vegetative way.
Thus, blue elimus is an attractive ornamental plant that can transform and decorate any part of the garden or flower bed. The plant has a lot of advantages that have long been appreciated by experienced florists and landscape designers. A perennial is considered an absolutely unpretentious, hardy crop that tolerates drought, abundance of moisture and severe frosts well. At the same time, blue elimus is considered a fast-growing and well-growing plant that does not require special care and attention. Elimus blue, photoVideo: "Cultivation of blue elimus" |
Plant nursery "Earth Sign"
Landscaping of the site
Landscaping of the site is a real art, in which a whole group of specialists is involved... Landscaping is individual, because you are unlikely to find two identical plots: each house with its surrounding plot and landscape is unique. Therefore, designers and planners create a landscape design suitable only for you and where all your dreams are realized. The landscape design only depends on your imagination. For example, you need to decorate your terrace beautifully for a pleasant time. Or maybe you are dreaming of a small pond where a cascade of murmuring water will be arranged. If the project provides for a pool, then a changing cabin is needed, and the ground around the entire perimeter must be covered with safe materials.
Having equipped a fountain, you can listen to how falling water sounds... Someone the presence of reservoirs on personal plot is not necessary, then a landscape designer can realize the appearance of the presence of water using a "dry" stream. Fantasy of our landscape designers is limitless, and the photo gallery of our completed projects will help you in determining what a summer cottage should be. Our company employs creative individuals who are experienced and highly qualified specialists who are ready to fill your garden with life, which will bring the joy of communicating with it for many years.
Our studio landscape design strives to preserve and improve the natural nature that has developed on the site. In this regard, each tree, shrub or part of the relief, at your request, will become integral organic elements of the new garden design. Our specialists treat their work with love and will be happy to provide any help!
Nursery ornamental plants
We are doing landscaping household plots, summer cottages, suburban and urban areas. Our task is an integrated approach to landscaping... We are ready not only to hand over beautiful and adapted plants to you, but to deliver and plant them.
In our plant nursery, only competent and qualified specialists in different areas. Each of us has unique knowledge of planting and transplanting plants, pruning trees and shrubs, we will tell you how to properly care for the garden and give you recommendations for landscape design.
Spikelet is a perennial cereal that adorns the front garden with beautiful, feathery bushes. Not everyone can immediately understand the beauty of this plant, but without it, a complex floral arrangement may be incomplete.
Botanical description
The spikelet has taken root on the prairies and arid regions of North America and Eurasia. Some of its varieties live in the Argentine desert. Feels good from subtropics to tundra. Many other names are common among gardeners: elimus, wheatgrass, vostrets, vlosnets. The genus belongs to the family of cereals.
The underground part of the plant is very developed, it consists of powerful, horizontally growing roots. Growth buds develop on underground shoots. The stem of the spikelet is dense, erect. In different varieties, the height of the vegetation ranges from 20 cm to 1.5 m.
Thin, tough leaves are arranged in dense bunches closer to the ground. The foliage is elongated, in the form of ribbons, with a pointed edge, 2-15 mm wide. The lower surface is smooth, the upper surface may be rough or covered with hairs. The color of the ground part is dark green or gray with a silvery sheen. In autumn, the stems and leaves become yellow or brown.
In June-July, inflorescences appear in the form of dense ears. The height of the inflorescences is 7-30 cm. They consist of many short, perpendicular spikelets.
Popular varieties
Distributed in the North American prairies. The height of the perennial is 30-120 cm. It grows in dense bunches, gradually covering large areas. Distribution occurs by self-seeding, since the variety does not have creeping roots. Leaves are dark green, 2-6 mm thick. In the middle of summer, large ears of 8-20 cm long appear.
This herbaceous perennial 60-120 cm high is found in the cold regions of the temperate zone of Eurasia. The territory is covered with compact green bunches connected underground by a common root system. The foliage is dense, gray or dark green in color with a blue tint. The width of the leaves is 0.8-2 cm, and the length is 50-60 cm. The inflorescences are large, lush, their length is 15-30 cm, and their width is about 2.5 cm. Blooms all summer. The species is frost-resistant, withstands temperatures as low as -23 ° C.
Found in Japan, China and North America, prefers coastal sandstones. Forms green, very dense bunches 50-100 cm high. They are located at some distance from each other, although they are connected by creeping roots. In one turf there are several shortened shoots, densely covered with foliage. Leaves are hard, rough, 15 mm wide. During the flowering period, dense ears of up to 25 cm long are formed. It blooms from June to July. Withstands frosts down to -34 ° C.
Distributed in North America and Eurasia. The plant reaches a height of 50-120 cm. In the lower part, dense bushes are formed from shortened stems, densely covered with foliage at the base. Broad leaves (1.5-2 cm) in length are about 30-50 cm. The roots are creeping, strong. Produces long, thick stems during flowering. Absolutely bare and very resistant shoots rise above the foliage. They are crowned with lush ears. The length of the inflorescence is 15-35 cm, with a width of about 2 cm. It blooms from June to August, resistant to frost down to -25 ° C.
Prefers steppes and salt licks of Eurasia, found from Siberia to the Ciscaucasia. Forms compact bushes 35-80 cm high. The bare, rough stems are strongly branched at the base. Leaf rosettes are formed closer to the ground and consist of bluish or bluish narrow leaves. Not very long foliage, 3-5 mm wide, covered with sparse hairs on top. An inflorescence in the form of a lush ear 6-8 cm long is formed in June and blooms for a month. From August the seed ripens.
Inhabits semi-deserts, sandy steppes and roadside embankments in the southern and central parts of Eurasia. The plant with a height of 40-130 cm is a dense turf of shortened shoots, densely covered with foliage. The leaves are soft, longer than the stems, flutter freely in the wind and bend towards the ground. The width of the leaves is 0.4-1.5 cm. The peduncle is very thick, strong, densely covered with villi. The length of a dense ear is 10-35 cm, and the width is 1.5-3.5 cm. The plant blooms in May, and from the end of June it begins to bear fruit.
Reproduction methods
The spikelet is propagated by vegetative or seed methods. The division of the bush is carried out in the spring or in the first half of summer. Young shoots with their own roots are dug up and transplanted in a new place. The plant takes root very well and does not require much maintenance. Side branches quickly form near the rooted stem. Seedlings begin to bloom in the same or next year. Turf grows rapidly.
When seed propagation, seedlings are not grown. Seeds are sown directly into open ground in early spring. In mid-April, the first shoots appear, but in the year of sowing, the plants look very rare and small. The spike acquires the appearance of a lush mop with large ears and high inflorescences only after 2-3 years.
Features of plant care
Elimus grows very well in full sun on light soils. Suitable for growing on sandy, sandy loam, pebble or rocky soils. Prefers neutral or alkaline substrates with added lime. It is resistant even to severe drought, so it rarely needs watering, it is content with natural precipitation. Poorly tolerates flooding and stagnant water, especially during the period of snow melting. Fertility is not demanding. It does without fertilizers or is content with rare organic dressings.
The spikelet grows very quickly in favorable conditions, so it is perceived by many as a weed. In a small garden or flower garden, the issue of restricting vegetation may arise. It is convenient to plant a plant in a large tub with dense walls that the rhizome cannot penetrate.
The container is buried in the ground, leaving some of the sides above the surface. This will prevent the disorderly spread of vegetation. For the same purpose, it is recommended to cut the spikelets before they are fully ripe in order to prevent self-seeding. The plant retains its attractive appearance for a long time and does not need periodic rejuvenation and transplantation. Does not suffer from pests and diseases.
The spikelet is resistant to severe frosts and does not need shelter. In areas where there is a lot of snow, you can use a film to protect from excess moisture during the period of snow melting.
Application in the garden
Compact shrubs in the form of bluish fountains will decorate any flower bed. Preferably use in rockeries or stonework. Looks good in mixborders, retains its shape, does not spread. Can be used on high sandy shores or hills. The roots effectively anchor the sand mounds.
Brightly flowering summer plants look good in decorative plantings with a spikelet.
The vegetation is used as a forage crop.
Large ears are highly decorative and are used in dry flower arrangements... They are harvested in the middle of summer, before the seeds ripen. Cut inflorescences are collected in small bunches of up to 15 pieces and hung down with a spikelet in a shaded, well-ventilated place.