We grow heliopsis at the dacha

Many have seen bright yellow flowers in flowerbeds in parks or schools that look like either mini-sunflower, or yellow echinacea. Nevertheless, few people know that this type of beauty is a perennial flower with the noble name "Heliopsis". Let's see how to distinguish it from other members of the family and whether it is possible to grow independently.

Description and variations

It is a plant of the class of the Dicotyledons of the Astrov family. The leaves are oblong, sometimes toothed, densely and chaotically arranged to each other, dark green, sometimes with white inserts. The inflorescence is similar to the inflorescence of chamomile - paniculata, consisting of several baskets.

The flower itself has a yellow, sometimes orange color. Stems erect, up to 1.5 m tall. Often it is confused with brilliant orebeckie. But the difference is as follows: in Rudbeckia there is a dark middle, in turn, in heliopsis, it is the color of petals, that is, yellow or orange.

Heliopsis is also compared to dissected orebeckia, which is known as the "golden balls". Here the comparison is unacceptable, if only because this type of orebeckia has more petals, and the flower is smaller in diameter than that of Heliopsis.

Heliopsis helianthoides is considered one of the most common species. It includes the following varieties:

1. "Sunset on the Prairie" ("Prairie Sunset"). This species was found by the English botanist Robert Sweet. Plant height can reach 180 cm, that is, the flower - with a human growth. This is one of the largest and most unique species of this flower. Stems are dark purple, yellow flowers. High frost resistance, can withstand temperatures from -1.1 ° C to -40 ° C.
2. "Summer Sun" ("Sommersonne"). Distributed in Germany. It reaches a height of 90 cm. It blooms all summer and has bright yellow flowers. Gets well in acidic soil. Maintains a frost to -37 ° C.
3. "Gold feathers" ("Goldgefieder"). The name was due to the relatively long, rough petals that resemble feathers. In height reaches 120-140 cm. Lives in drained, acidic soil. Also frost resistant.

These are just some varieties.We also often hear the following names: "heliopsis variegated", "heliopsis rough." However, planting and caring for them are very simple and even beginners of gardening can easily cope with them. All recommendations are good for any kind of flower.

Choosing a landing site

Heliopsis is a universal ornamental plant. The flower easily adapts to any weather conditions, from arid heat to hard frosts. Therefore, any place for his landing is possible.

But since most often heliopsis is used in landscape design, then plant it next to other plants. These can be rudbeksia, perennial asters, echinacea, primrose, doronicum and even various cereals.

The stems of the plant are strong enough, so the strong winds of this perennial are not terrible.

Lighting

The flower can be planted both in greenhouses and in the open field. Choosing a sunny place to plant in the open ground, note that flowering will begin in June, but then the plant will need abundant watering. Heliopsis can also be planted in partial shade.In this case, it will bloom in mid-summer.

The duration of flowering also depends on the lighting. An abundance of sunlight can cause wilting in August. At the same time in the penumbra the flower will delight you until the end of September.

Growing soil

Heliopsis loves stagnant moisture in the soil, so it needs drained soil. The soil should also be aerobic, fairly loose, acidic (up to 5-6 pH). Dry soil will not allow the plant to grow. Well live flower in clay soils with gravel.

Landing rules

Heliopsis does not require extensive knowledge and skills for planting, and caring for it in the open field will not be easy. Perennial plant survives in the first years.

Seeds

Seeds need to be sown in autumn, around the beginning of October. So during the winter the seeds will root well in the ground, and in the spring they will give the first sprouts. In the first summer the perennial will delight you with its bright yellow flowers.

Experienced gardeners often recommend first sowing the seeds of various plants in the seedlings to see how the flower behaves, and then replant it. But this does not apply to heliopsis, so it is safe to sow it immediately into the ground.

But if you are still used to “check” everything on the seedlings, then fill in a special container with expanded clay drainage, peat, turf ground. The soil before planting seeds can be watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

In the first week, the temperature should be room temperature, and the soil with seeds should be covered with glass. Then the next three weeks, seedlings should be moved to where the temperature is kept from 0 ° C to 3 ° C. After a month of growing the seedlings can be put in a warm place (from 25 ° C). During this period, the first sprouts and leaves should appear on them, so the glass is removed. In a week, you can already land the heliopsis in open ground. The distance between the flowers should be 40 cm.

Dividing bush

Heliopsis tolerates the division of the bush. To do this you will need a container with water. Wash the roots in it so that they can be properly cut. This can be done, and without resorting to flushing the root system, because it is small in perennials, especially if it is still a very young plant.

Cut into equal 2-3 pieces. Cut any branching roots or those that are too entangled. Then put these parts in the ground again.In this way, heliopsis is usually transplanted from one flowerbed to another.

Plant care

Heliopsis - an unpretentious plant, and its landing and all the details of care can be seen in the photo. Nevertheless, it is important not only to see, but also to understand what needs to be done so that the plant is pleasing to the eye and does not cause trouble.

Watering and soil care

Perennial does not need regular watering, otherwise the water will stagnate and the flowers in your flowerbed will die. For irrigation suitable rainwater. The plant loves acidic soil, so the water may well be normal, so as not to harm the surrounding flowers.

Loosen the soil occasionally if it is not aerobic. And mulching the soil will protect any of your plants from pests.

Fertilizer

For heliopsis organic fertilizers are suitable during the growing season. When the first buds appear, it is recommended to use potash-phosphate fertilizers. They are necessary so that there is no excess salt in the ground.

Support

Various supporting tools are used to make the bush look better.The stems of the ornamental perennial are quite strong, but the shoots must be tied in a support so that they do not grow in different directions.

Pruning

During flowering, some inflorescences may wither. This is due to the high summer temperatures. In this case, the inflorescences are pruned, and the stems are removed in the fall.

Diseases and pests of the plant

Like many plants, heliopsis can be affected by powdery mildew. It is easy to fight with it, if fungicides are applied within a month. Basically, the primary cause of diseases are fungi and excessive watering.

In these cases, the stems must be cut at the root. For the prevention of diseases often use a solution of blue vitriol with a foundation. Spraying is carried out in the spring.

Heliopsis rough for its appearance could be called sunflower because of its similarity with large inflorescences of sunflower. Decorative perennial is universal for any climate, and care for it is a pleasure. Use moderately water and fertilizer - and the plant will be with you for many years.