Helianthemum
Family. Cistaceae.
Origin. North America, Asia Minor, Mediterranean.
Description. Helianthemum - low-growing shrubs or perennial herbaceous evergreen ground cover plants with creeping stems, in the upper part of which narrow glossy leaves 3 - 4 cm long are located opposite or alternately. Some species have soft, grayish leaves, others are light green, others are even corrugated bright green. The flowers are small - up to 3 cm in diameter, solitary or collected in small panicles with 5 velvety petals in a wide variety of shades of yellow, orange, white or pink and bright golden stamens. Each flower opens for only one day, but due to their abundance, the flowering period lasts up to 2 months.
Height. 20 - 25 cm.
Planting and care
Temperature
Moderately warm content with temperatures ranging from 18 - 22 ° C.
Lighting
Prefers full sun or partial shade on hot summer days.
Care
Helianthemum is unpretentious, easy to maintain even for beginners. Regularly remove wilting buds to extend the flowering period. After flowering, the stems are cut to 1/3 of the height - in this case, re-formation of buds can occur in the same year.
Substrate
It is best to grow in dry, rocky or sandy soil with an alkaline pH and good drainage. Helianthemum does not mind nutrient-poor soils.
Feeding
Feed very sparingly - about once a month during the period of active growth with fertilizer in half the concentration or leave it without feeding at all.
Flowering time
It has a long flowering period from spring to summer.
Air humidity
Spray periodically.
Soil moisture
Water regularly throughout the growing season. Reduce watering during the cold season, as helianthemum are relatively drought tolerant.
Transplanting
Transplantation is carried out only if necessary, in the spring - the bush suffers for a long time and adapts poorly to new conditions.
Propagation
Seeds sown in spring. Germination time lasts from two to three weeks at a temperature of 21 - 24 ° C. By cuttings. By layering.
Pests and diseases
This plant is rarely bothered by insect pests or diseases, but only if you provide it with proper care and good drainage.
Weakened bushes become a favorite treat for thrips and aphids.