Erigeron is a garden or wild perennial of the aster family. Less common are annual or biennial plants. The genus of this shrub has over 200 species that grow around the world.
Features of erigerone
The flower multiplies easily, does not require top dressing and frequent watering, tolerates low temperatures. Thanks to this, he gained particular popularity among gardeners. He does not need frequent transplants - the plant lives in one place for up to 5 years, without losing its brightness and splendor. Another name - small petals - received for the appearance of the bud. Around the bright yellow core are narrow long petals of white, yellow, pink and various shades in one or more rows. The size of the basket depends on the variety and is 2-4 cm in diameter, and the height varies from 15 to 70 cm.
A single flower is usually formed at the top of the stem. But some species form umbrella inflorescences. Growing, the plant turns into a bush 40-50 cm wide. The buds open in early summer and delight the eyes until the October frosts.
Small petals prefer light areas where the soil does not retain moisture. If these conditions are not observed, the plant gives abundant foliage and sparse flowering. Moisturize the soil is only in arid time. Tall stems with buds require garter or support. To extend flowering, dried plucked baskets. At this place, new peduncles are formed. Adult plants do not need preparation for the winter period. Young bushes in the fall are pruned and covered with mulch from dry leaves and sawdust.
This flower is universal. It will be equally appropriate to look at the design of balconies and alpine slides. Low-growing creeping species are used as an ampel plant. Tall bushes harmoniously adorn porches and garden paths, suitable for creating a background along the fence. Dwarf varieties can act as a border. The small-pebble looks favorably in the composition of the bouquet. Due to the variety and brightness of colors, long preservation of the appearance after cutting, the buds of erigerone will delight the eye for more than one day.
Types and varieties of small petals
The most vibrant and unpretentious species of small-peppered served as the basis for the cultivation of garden varieties and hybrids.
View | Description | Height (cm) | Flowers |
| Beautiful | Has direct shoots with dense foliage with a single flower at the apex. It blooms all summer from July to August. The most popular varieties are: Lilofee, Wuppertal, Pink Jewel, Azurfee, Rothe-Schönheit, Sommerneushnee, Dunkelste Aller. | 50-70 | Simple (in one row) and terry (in two or three rows). Various shades: pink, white, raspberry, blue. |
| Karvinsky | A low plant, has abundant foliage and grows to a width of 65 cm. The shoots creep, forming a lush colored carpet. | 15 | Petals are arranged in one row, outwardly resemble a daisy. During flowering, they change color three times: first pink, then white, after coral or raspberry. |
| Alpine | Straight stems with rare narrow leaves. | Up to 30 | Large baskets up to 4 cm in diameter. The petals are narrow, purple, the core is yellow. |
| Orange | Shrub with straight stems and large greens. It grows in width to 50 cm. Popular hybrid varieties: Violet and Rose Triumph. | 30-50 | Petals in several rows form a terry basket in yellow or orange. |
| Pink diamond | Compact bush with straight stems and small leaves. Requires a garter. | Up to 65 | Terry buds in deep pink. |
| Pink treasure | Tall plant with sparse and small foliage. Blooms twice a season: in early summer and in September. | Up to 70 | Pink and raspberry petals in several rows form lush inflorescences. |
| Glaucus | A short perennial with fleshy stems and leaves. It can grow in crevices of stones and rocks. | 20-40 | Small pink-lilac petals densely frame the orange core. |
| Trifidus | A dwarf plant with fleecy greenery, which is collected in large basal rosettes. | 10-20 | Large inflorescences with a saturated yellow core and bright lilac petals. |
| Small Miyabe | Low graceful plant. A short single stalk is crowned with a bright flower. The basal greens are thick and large. | 15 | The basket consists of two rows of frequent reed petals of pink-lilac color. 2.5 cm in diameter. |
Planting and caring for erigerone
Small petals can be propagated by dividing rhizomes, seeds and cuttings. The most painstaking is growing from seeds. Sowing in open ground before winter or early spring does not always give the desired result. A more reliable way is to prepare seedlings in advance. To do this, at the beginning of March, seeds are planted in a container with moist soil, slightly sprinkling on top. Provide a greenhouse effect by covering it with glass or film. Shoots appear after 3-4 weeks and develop very slowly. In early summer, young shoots are planted in open ground in a light area with well-drained soil. Leaving consists in loosening the earth, infrequent watering and weeding.
Fertilizers are applied in small quantities during the ripening period of the buds to increase the flowering period.
When grafting, a young shoot with a part of the rhizome is separated from the bush. Planted in prepared soft soil, mulch sand and sawdust. When the plant forms its root system and gives the first leaf, it is transplanted to a permanent place. At home, cuttings are germinated using a mini-greenhouse. For this, a plastic bag is filled with neutral soil, moistened, and holes are drilled. The root part of the shoot is inserted into them. When leaves appear, you can judge the formation of a young plant, and then plant it on the garden plot.
The simplest and most effective way of propagating erigerone is to divide the bush. In early spring, the largest plants are dug up and a rhizome is cut into several parts with a sharp knife. Slices are covered with ashes and planted in a permanent place. The distance between them should be from 35 to 50 cm, depending on the size of the adult plant and its root system.
Small petal bushes need replanting every 3-5 years in order to rejuvenate. After this, the flowering becomes abundant and long. Many gardeners resort to pruning shoots to give the plant a beautiful shape.
The only thing that can harm the erigerone is excess moisture. With prolonged rains there is a risk of rotting the flower. Dark spots appear on the stem and leaves. With a small lesion, the bush is treated with fungicide (for example, 1% solution of Bordeaux fluid). The earth around is covered with a layer of ash. With severe damage, the plant cannot be saved.
