Doronicum is an ideal plant for the spring garden. By mid-spring, he was pouring golden puddles on the lawn, as if a lot of small suns had descended to the ground. The plant is popularly known as the "sun chamomile" or "roe." It belongs to the Astrov family. In the natural environment, doronicum can be found on the mountain slopes of the temperate zone of Eurasia and North Africa. It’s easy to take care of the flower in the open field. He is quite unpretentious and tenacious. Flowers are also suitable for arranging bouquets and stand in a vase for a long time.
Plant description
Doronicum is a perennial herb. It has a fibrous superficial rhizome. Strong, erect stems branch weakly. They grow 30-100 cm in height. Along the entire length of the shoots, the surrounding stem leaves of elongated triangular shape are located. Light green leaves are arranged next. At the base of the stem is a thick basal rosette of leaves on long petioles. They differ in a round or heart-shaped shape. On shoots and leaves there is a short pubescence. The edges of the bare stem leaves are covered with glandular formations.
Already at the end of March, the first yellow flowers bloom at the ends of the shoots. They can be solitary or gather in small corymbose inflorescences. The diameter of the corolla is 5-12 cm. The completely yellow flowers consist of 1-2 rows of long reed petals and a lush core.
As a result of pollination, tiny achenes mature with brown and dark brown longitudinal stripes. The length of the fetus is 2-3 mm. Inside contains tiny crested seeds that retain viability for up to two years.
Popular views
The genus of doronicum has about 40 plant species. Domestic gardeners have chosen only a few of the most interesting varieties.
Doronicum is eastern. Grassy perennials with a height of 30-50 cm are common in the Caucasus, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Egg-shaped basal leaves are located on long petioles and have serrated notches along the edge. Single flowers with a diameter of 3-5 cm are painted in a pale yellow color. The core is distinguished by brighter, golden hues. It blooms in mid-May. Popular varieties:
- • Little Lion - a compact variety up to 35 cm high;
- • Golden Gnome - an early flowering variety 15 cm high;
- • Spring Beauty - a 45 cm tall plant is decorated with bright yellow terry flowers.
Doronikum plantain. The height of the plant is 80-140 cm. Its strong, weakly branched shoots are covered with oval dark green foliage. Jagged petiole leaves form a dense rosette at the base. Bright yellow baskets with a diameter of 8-12 cm open in late May and last up to 45 days.
Doronicum Clusaz. The plant is found in alpine meadows. Its height is only 10-30 cm. Serrated lance-like leaves are covered with thick pile and cilia. They are attached to the stem again. The top of the shoot is also densely pubescent and ends with a bright yellow simple basket. Flowers with a diameter of 3.5-6 cm bloom in mid-July.
Breeding
Reproduction of doronicum is carried out by seed and vegetative methods. Crops are produced in the spring immediately in open ground or pre-grown seedlings. In the garden, doronicum is sown at a temperature of + 16 ° C. This usually happens in mid-May. Seedlings begin to grow in March. Shoots appear after 7-10 days. When 2-3 real leaflets grow on the seedlings, they can be transplanted into the open ground. The distance between plants should be 30 cm. In the first year, flowering is not expected, the bush grows and increases the root mass.
Among gardeners, propagation by the division of the bush is more common. It is carried out every 4 years. In August or early September, you should dig a plant with a lump of earth and carefully divide it with your hands into several parts. Each dividend is immediately planted in a new place. The plant tolerates the transplant well and quickly takes root in a new place.
Transplant Rules
Doronicum can grow in one place for up to 10 years. However, plantings gradually become too thick. They may develop powdery mildew, and the flowers are very small. To avoid such a problem, it is recommended to replant and divide the bushes every 5 years.
The transplant is carried out in early spring or autumn, after the flowering period ends. Doronicum is undemanding to the composition of the soil. However, it was noted that on sandy soils the bushes will be slightly lower, and on chernozem they will grow especially magnificent. Dig the earth to a depth of 20 cm and add rotted manure. Sand and gravel must be added to heavy soils. After planting, the plant needs to be watered well.
Doronicum care
Doronikums are unpretentious, it is rather simple to look after them. Flowers prefer open, well-lit places. Some species can grow in partial shade. You can not plant bushes under the trees, otherwise they will die due to lack of light.
The plant is resistant to summer heat and frosty winters. Even flowering specimens can tolerate short-term spring frosts without serious consequences. In a temperate climate, the Doronicum successfully hibernates under snow cover. If winter is expected to be harsh and snowless, it is better to cover the roots with fallen leaves.
For normal growth, doronicum needs regular watering. The roots are located close to the surface, so the soil will have to be moistened often. Regular watering will help prolong the flowering period. So that the earth does not dry out too quickly, its surface can be covered with mowed grass or wood chips. In this case, excessive dampness and stagnation of water in the soil should not be allowed.
At the beginning of flowering, it is recommended to apply a solution of mineral fertilizer once. On fertile soils, the need for fertilizing is not so great, but the plant will gratefully respond to it.
To avoid unregulated self-seeding, it is recommended to immediately cut away the withered buds. At the end of flowering, the leaves begin to dry out and lose their decorative effect. Overgrowth can be partially mowed. Watering during dormancy is also not so important. It is carried out only during a period of prolonged drought.
Doronicum occasionally suffers from powdery mildew. Its leaves are liked by slugs, aphids and snails. From parasites, traps and chemicals are used.
Use in landscape design
Doronicum is indispensable for decorating the flower garden. In the spring, he blooms one of the first. On bare land, golden islands look especially beautiful. To decorate a less attractive foliage after flowering, doronicum is planted together with marigolds or other flowering plants (irises, primroses, aquilegia). Miniature varieties are suitable for decorating rock gardens, rockeries or mixborders. Doronicum looks great in the neighborhood of ferns, Volzhanka, Rogersia and other decorative and deciduous plants.
Compact bushes are effective not only in open ground, but also in flowerpots. They will decorate a terrace or balcony. A bouquet of bright sunny daisies will exude a pleasant aroma and will remain in a vase for up to two weeks.
