Gaillardia belongs to the Astrov family and is similar in appearance to a golden-red chamomile. A bright and unusual flower arrived in Europe from the central and southern parts of America, where it still grows wild today. It owes its name to a botanist, a member of the Paris Academy of Sciences, Gaillard de Charenton, who lived in the 18th century. Now a beautiful and sunny plant adorns our parks, squares, garden plots. In our article, we will consider the intricacies of planting and caring for this solar plant.
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Origin and history of the plant
Gaillardia belongs to a well-known family, which includes 1/10 of all ornamental flowering plants on our planet. This is the closest "relatives" of chrysanthemum, aster, sunflower, gerbera and dahlia. Under natural conditions, it is widely distributed in the southern latitudes of North America. It is found throughout the states of Oklahoma and Texas.
In open areas, flower carpets of the "solar flower" are found along railways, in large glades, pastures, and beaches. The flowering of Gaillardia on the prairie is like a fire, which is why in English the plant is called "firewheel '" or "fire wheel". It is the official flower of the state of Oklahoma, which was recognized in the 1985 State Constitution.
There is also a legend about this flower. In a certain kingdom, there lived a needlewoman-weaver who created such beautiful carpets that people from other countries came to admire the amazing beauty and buy a carpet to decorate their homes.
A beautiful overseas flower with which tales and legends are associated
And on the next street lived a girl who was not distinguished either by external remarkableness or special talents. But her envy of her lucky neighbor knew no bounds. She also tried to weave carpets, but terrible and gloomy patterns came out from under her hands, which only frightened people.
And then she decided to kill her neighbor. Because of her witchcraft, the hands of the clever weaver became numb, she could no longer create such beauty. And soon she fell ill and died. People came to her grave to remember a talented person and were amazed: the whole grave was covered with a carpet of bright red flowers that blazed like fire.
People began to take shoots of an amazing flower with different bright shades and created flower carpets next to their homes. And so the memory of the kind needlewoman-weaver who gave joy to people was preserved.
The American Indians composed their own legends about the flower. They claimed that Gaillardia petals used to glow with a bright yellow halo. With them, women from the Atzek and Maya tribes decorated their hairstyles during religious holidays or ceremonies. When the Spaniards came to the land of the Indians, who burned the huts of local residents and shed "rivers of blood", the flower was painted with shades of red and burgundy tones.
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Gaillardia (lat. Gaillardia) has several names that have changed since the cultivation of its decorative forms. This representative of the Astrov family is also called Gaillardia or Gaillardia. The genus includes about 25 species. Among them, garden forms are represented mainly by Gaillardia hybrids.
Appearance of flower culture
These are drought-resistant annual and perennial herbaceous plants that are cultivated as perennials. Gaillardia forms a powerful shrub up to 1 m with branching or straight herbaceous, pubescent stems and strong horizontal roots. More compact specimens are also known, growing up to 25-35 cm, which are more popular.
The structure of a flower forming an inflorescence basket
The most characteristic features of decorative culture:
- forms bushy forms
- leaves simple, lanceolate or oval, with serrated margin
- flowers are collected in an inflorescence basket, which can be simple, double or semi-double
- flower baskets are located singly, painted in yellow-red tones and have no smell
Simple forms of a flower are formed by one row of marginal petals, and tubular ones are located in the center, semi-double ones are surrounded by several rows of petals, terry ones are formed by overgrown funnel-shaped petals, from which the inflorescence is assembled. Gajaardia is characterized by abundant flowering and forms a fruit - an achene with a tuft.
Butterfly pollinator on a flower
Single beautiful inflorescences delight from June until frost. Such long flowering allows the plant to be used in combined or single plantings in flower beds and borders. Flowers stand well in the cut, so sometimes it is grown for bouquets. He feels good in one place for 4 years, after which he needs to be transplanted to a new place.
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Landing
You can propagate the perennial "chamomile" by dividing the adult bush into several parts, which is done when transplanting to a new place. Another method practiced by flower growers is seed propagation. In rare cases, cuttings are used.
Growing from seed
Seeds ripened in September can be collected from specimens that are most interesting in color and shape.
But there is one "but" here. Hybrid forms for collecting seeds cannot be used.. The bush will grow weak and the flowers faded, so the seeds must be purchased at the garden center.
The sequence of seed sowing is as follows:
- Containers, boxes or other containers are filled with earth, which must be well moistened.
- Sowing is carried out in February-March superficially: the ground is lightly sprinkled with vermiculite. Seeds try to distribute evenly over the surface.
- Containers are placed in a bright room at t = + 20-23C, periodically moistening the soil. Cover with glass or film to create a greenhouse effect.
- After 2 weeks, shoots appear, which are covered from direct sunlight or transferred to a cooler place. Suitable greenhouse, where high humidity and moderate temperatures.
- Seedlings dive in phase 3 of the leaf into separate cups, provide moderate watering and illumination for 14 hours.
Planting seedlings in the ground
Usually flower growers practice autumn sowing, when the seedlings grow large enough and strong enough. Landing time is from mid-August to mid-September. A place for a bright plant is selected sunny with nutritious and light soil and (if necessary) a drainage system.
Small plants grown from seed and ready to be planted in the ground
The soil is carefully dug up and applied to 1 sq.m. a bucket of compost or humus, a glass of wood ash and complex mineral fertilizers in a minimum concentration. Gaillardia does not like excess moisture, acidic soils, fresh manure is not suitable for her as a fertilizer.
Seedlings are planted in holes at a distance of 30-40 cm. For undersized and compact bushes, this distance is reduced to 20-25 cm. The landing site is compacted and watered abundantly, shading from the bright sun. In the garden, they are planted in separate groups of 3-5 pieces, which look like bright color spots.
Planting period and rooting process
Plants adapt well and take root until the winter period, and the next year they begin to bloom. Sometimes flower growers practice spring sowing seedlings. Seeds are planted at a distance of 1-2 cm, so that they get stronger and form a rosette of leaves. In autumn, young plants are transplanted to a permanent place, and the next year you can admire the bright flowers.
Young seedlings planted in autumn before wintering should be cut off “under the root”, removing the entire leafy part. Then cover with dry foliage or spruce branches, as tender shoots can freeze.
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After dividing, small bushes of a flower culture are gradually restored and grow.
The rhizome is divided when the plant is 4-5 years old. At the same time, it is carefully dug up and cut into several equal parts with a knife. Each of them must have roots and ground shoots.
It is undesirable to divide the mother plant into too small parts: they will take root for a long time and may not bloom next year. It is optimal to get 3 new plants from each bush. It is best to transplant a flower culture in the spring.
Some growers practice propagation by root cuttings. For this:
- they dig a curtain around the perimeter
- carefully remove large roots from the ground
- cut them and divide into segments of 5 cm
- laid in a greenhouse in a semi-horizontal position
- monitor soil moisture and constantly spray the top part
- after the appearance of roots, they are transferred to a school for adaptation
This technique is used if it is important to obtain a large number of specimens of a particular variety.
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Basic rules of care
The unpretentiousness of the decorative culture allows even inexperienced flower growers to grow it.
The main care consists in rare watering (the plant is drought-resistant), garter and shelter for the winter in areas with cold and little snow winters.
You need to carry out the following activities so that Gaillardia feels great on your site:
- Water moderately, as needed, when the earth ball dries. The plant is drought-resistant, so abundant watering is detrimental to it.
- The soil should be well cultivated, but the plant does not require rich soils. The main thing is that the acidity of the soil pH is low, and the earth is moderately loose.
- For abundant and long flowering, dried flowers are removed throughout the growing season.
- Tall varieties need to be tied up. They need support, otherwise the bush will be sprawling or the shoots are on the ground. The support can be created from any available material and decorated.
- Loosening and weeding are required throughout the summer. To reduce the complexity of this process, the soil is mulched with peat, humus, sawdust, foliage.
For gaillardia, top dressing is a must. During the summer, the flower culture is fed three times:
- first time feed the plant during the budding period;
- second - during the period of active summer flowering;
- third - after flowering, during the pruning of peduncles (September horses).
Use complex fertilizers for flowering plants, from organic matter - compost or humus. The plant reacts negatively to an excess of organic components.
It looks like a well-groomed plant
In autumn, before the first frosts, remove all flower stalks.. Gaillardia tolerates winters well. But in cold climatic zones, it needs shelter with fallen leaves and spruce forests. If the winter is snowy, then it is enough to “throw” the plant with snow.
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If the soil is “heavy” and the soil is waterlogged, then gaillardia is easily affected by fungal infections:
- powdery mildew
- white rust
- gray mold
When the first signs of the disease are found, all damaged leaves should be removed. When the disease "reached" the flower, then treatment with fungicides - antifungal drugs is necessary: Bordeaux mixture, colloidal sulfur, Hom, Oxyhom or Topaz. In addition, the cause of the disease should be eliminated and the irrigation regime changed, otherwise the bush may die completely.
Of the pests, the flower culture is visited by aphids and whiteflies. Their insignificant settlement will make it possible to manage with folk remedies. If pest colonies have become massive, then chemicals cannot be dispensed with. Usually they use Aktelik or Decis, having previously studied the instructions for use and observing safety precautions.
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Gaillardia in combination with leaf and flower ornamental crops
The long flowering period makes Gaillardia an indispensable flower for flowerbed design, flower beds, park areas. Spectacularly look varieties with 2-3-color baskets of inflorescences, which are planted separately or in small groups. They look like a bright spot against the background of a green lawn or ornamental shrubs.
Low-growing varieties in mixed flower plantings
Tall varieties are suitable for multi-tiered flower beds or multi-stage compositions.. Of these, designers create a variety of combinations in combination with asparagus, daisy, goldenrod, chrysanthemums of contrasting (white or yellow) color. For expressiveness, they add sage, hyssop, lupine. The plant looks interesting with ornamental cereals.
With the help of low-growing varieties make out alpine slides, borders, wide borders, mixborders. Borders created from the bushes of only this flower attract attention and seem like a bright, fabulous path.Even single landings on the lawn create bright color spots on a green background.
Dwarf varieties of gaillardia look good in flowerpots
Feels great "foreign chamomile" in flowerpots and containers. It is enough to plant one plant in a flowerpot and a beautiful, bright “bouquet” will please the eye all summer. Containers can accommodate 3-4 flowers. They are placed on a loggia, balcony, terrace or veranda. They will be “out of place” everywhere and will give a bright accent to the room.
Some growers grow Gaillardia exclusively for cutting. When cut, it retains a beautiful appearance for a long time. With its help, not only bright bouquets are created, but also a variety of floral compositions. Pre-dried, it is used as a dried flower in winter bouquets.
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To collect your seed, leave several faded flower stalks until autumn and tie them with gauze so that the seeds do not fall to the ground. In September, the dried seeds are collected in a separate bag or box, if necessary, dried thoroughly again and left until spring.
The bright color of the flowers evokes positive emotions.
In spring, they are sown in pre-prepared soil to a depth of 0.5-1 cm, watered well and covered with a film so that the soil warms up. At the same time, a greenhouse effect is created under the film.
On the 12th day, young sprouts appear.
Picking is carried out in phase 3 of true leaves. And they are transplanted to a permanent place only in the fall, when the seedlings become strong and well leafy. Gaillardia will bloom only after a year.
Gaillardia-decorated resting place
"Chamomile flower" reproduces well by self-sowing. Therefore, you can simply leave the dried flowers on the plant, and in the spring friendly shoots will appear around, which you only need to thin out. In areas with a warm climate, self-seeding is a common phenomenon: the plant behaves like a weed, capturing new territories.
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The most popular among flower growers are perennial varieties, but there are lovers and annuals.
Beautiful (Gaillardia pulchella)
Gaillardia is beautiful
wild annual from Mexico (Arizona), where it forms huge flower carpets. Forms a sprawling one and a half meter bush with an abundance of large inflorescences. The tops of thin and long peduncles end with baskets-inflorescences up to 6-7 cm in diameter.
Reed petals have a color that changes from red in the center to yellow at the edges. The central tubular petals are red-brown. G.beautiful blooms all summer and in autumn an abundance of seeds are formed, which are carried by the wind. Self-seeding occurs and numerous shoots appear in the spring.
This species has inspired breeders to create hybrids with different flower shapes and colors. Among them, the most common and popular varieties are:
"Picta"
"Picta"
Which translates as "painted". It is characterized by large terry or semi-double inflorescences; they have different colors mostly saturated, garnet hues. There are two-color, yellow-red specimens.
"Lorenz"
Variety "Lorenz"
Differs in spherical, terry inflorescences-baskets, located singly, which are formed by tubular or funnel-shaped petals with one pointed edge.Yellow and crimson shades create an overall terracotta background. Spreading bush - up to 50-60 cm tall, pubescent with soft hairs.
"Red Plum"
"Red Plum"
It looks like the Lorenz variety with red-yellow or yellow basket balls.
"Yellow Plum"
"Yellow Plum"
Distinguish large, yellow, spherical inflorescences. They have a slightly "disheveled" shape, but the petals do not crumble from wind or rain.
All varieties need abundant lighting, grow well in an open, sunny place, easily tolerate dry periods. Good in mixed plantings in flowerbeds or single near the curb. Sometimes they are grown on loggias in containers or flowerpots.
Spinous (Gaillardia aristata) or large-flowered
Gaillardia aristata
Gaillardia spinosa is a perennial crop. The bush, depending on the variety, has a size of 35 to 75 cm. The shoots are upright, curving or drooping at the bottom. The bush is sprawling and lies down under the wind or rain, so it needs a garter.
The surface of the plant is abundantly pubescent. The leaf plate is oblong, oval or lanceolate with a solid or serrated edge. The leaves on the stem are sessile, at the root - petiolate.
Baskets are single and very large, reaching 12 cm in diameter.. The variety of shades is surprising: among the ostitis, forms with shades from yellow to bright red and transitional colors are common. In the center, tubular flowers usually have a yellow tint, but there are exceptions.
The species has been cultivated since 1812. It was then that breeders began to develop new varieties, among which the most loved:
"Mandarin"
It is characterized by foliage of delicate, salad shades, covered with densely pubescent hairs. The oblong leaves also have profuse pubescence. Inflorescences are lush, bright orange with a dark center: hence the cultivar name.
"Dazzer"
Sort "Dazzer"
Tall plant up to 70 cm. Single inflorescences sway on thin and strong stems. The light green color of the bush contrasts with the burgundy petals. Reed petals are slightly lighter with a bright yellow border around the edge. Looks great in both single and group planting.
"Wirral Flame"
Wirral Flame
Interesting basket with reed red-yellow flowers and bright yellow edging.
"Tommy"
Differs in long and thin decumbent stems up to 70 cm and elongated lanceolate leaves. The golden middle is surrounded by orange-pink petals. The flower diameter reaches 11 cm. Due to the long peduncles and large flowers, the variety is used mainly for cutting in bouquets.
Hybrid (Gaillardia hybrida)
Gaillardia hybrida
The species comes from Gaillardia beautiful, crossed with other varieties. This is a profusely flowering shrub up to 80 cm high.. Simple, double and semi-double flowers of a wide variety of warm shades have been bred. Flowering long: June until frost. Feels good in one place up to 5 years. Growth is slow. Prefers like her "numerous relatives" the sun, dry soil and warmth.
The most famous varieties are:
"Primavera"
Primavera
Which belongs to undersized varieties and grows only up to 25 cm. One rosette forms up to 8 peduncles, which end in large, up to 12 cm in diameter, inflorescences. The bushes are compact and suitable for decorating borders or paths.
"Arizona"
Differs in even smaller sizes, reaches no more than 20 cm. The bush is covered with large flowers, the duration of flowering is quite long even compared to other varieties. Requires plenty of sunlight, so planted in open areas. Looks good in pots and flowerpots.
"Zonne"
Variety "Zonne"
It was bred by crossing a variety of spinous and beautiful. The plant is tall, forms a sprawling bush with large yellow flowers. The center is yellow-orange, marginal flowers form a pale yellow halo around them. It is characterized by a flowering period of up to 55 days.
Other representatives of gaillardia hybrid include:
"Bremen"
Variety "Burgundy"
Forms sprawling shoots up to 70 cm tall, which easily lie down and require support. Baskets (diameter - 12 cm) of wine color with a bright red border near the marginal reed flowers are interesting. There are options with a yellow center and red petals with yellow edges.
But in general, the flower is not variegated, but is sustained in dark red tones. Flowering lasts 2 months and is not considered long. The variety "Burgundy" is similar to "Bremen" with bright wine-colored inflorescences.
"Zone"
Differs in large sizes and two-color basketsthat create a colorful ensemble. The middle of the flower is large and convex with tubular yellow-orange flowers and a pale yellow marginal edging. Blooms in June-July. Likes light soils and windless sunny places.
"Cobalt"
Refers to varieties with a branched stem up to ½ meter. Baskets are formed by tubular petals of golden and crimson tones, bordered by yellow or orange-pink edges.
Variety "Cobalt"
New varieties are emerging. Experienced flower growers are always attentive to new products, trying to purchase them in the first place. For example, the variety "Golden Goblin" appeared, which is distinguished by dwarf sizes and inflorescences of a single, golden color. It blooms for a long time and is ideal for rock gardens or lawn decoration, where it creates bright color spots.
The novelty also includes the variety "Tokajer" - a tall perennial with powerful stems and large inflorescences, intended for cutting. It stands in a bouquet for a long time and pleases with bright flower colors.
Lanceolate or blunt-toothed (Gaillardia lanceolata)
It belongs to perennial crops, but is more often grown as an annual. Differs in grayish-green, elongated leaves with dissected edges and reddish-brown inflorescences. The flowers are not very large. The bush is compact and reaches half a meter. The species is not popular and is rare.
Lanceolate or blunt-toothed
When the sun begins to shine brightly and icicles and thawed patches appear, do not forget to buy Gaillardia seeds and sow them for seedlings. Do not neglect such an unpretentious and bright flower that came to us from the Mexican prairies to delight again and again with its bright colors.
Sowing seeds
Gaillardia perennial: description, growing from seeds, planting in open ground and care (45+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
