Helichrysum

The genus Helichrysum, or Immortelle (Helichrysum), includes about 500 species of annual and perennial herbaceous, semi-shrub and shrub plants. Among them, the most common is Helichrysum bracteatum, a perennial herb grown as an annual. Erect bush up to 80-90 cm high, with oblong-lanceolate green leaves. Inflorescence is a basket of tubular flowers surrounded by numerous scaly dry membranous leaves of the envelope, which are colored yellow, shades of pink, orange, bright and dark red, purple, white and other colors. Blooms from July to October. It is this type that is mainly used for winter bouquets. Daisy helichrysum (H. bellidiodes) is a herbaceous perennial stable species 8-10 cm high, with creeping peduncles, ovoid silvery leaves downy on the underside and white single baskets that bloom in early spring and remain on the plant until July. Helichrysum Baxter (H. baxteri) is a herbaceous perennial species up to 40 cm high, with linear white pubescent leaves, when they just bloom, and then become dark green and smooth. Flowers are collected in single apical baskets with a diameter of 4 cm. Helichrysum Milford (H. milfordiae) is a delicate shrub, with many shoots, a species 15 cm high, forming pillows. Peduncles first grow straight up, and later spread along the ground. Single baskets bloom in winter. Helichrysum petiolaris (H. petiolare) is a perennial herbaceous bush 35-40 cm high, pressed to the ground, with shoots rising up. The leaves are rounded, densely pubescent, with silvery-white hairs. Flowers are small, non-decorative, collected in baskets, bloom in summer.

The genus Helichrysum, or Immortelle (Helichrysum), includes about 500 species of annual and perennial herbaceous, semi-shrub and shrub plants.

Among them, the most common is Helichrysum bracteatum, a perennial herb grown as an annual. Erect bush up to 80-90 cm high, with oblong-lanceolate green leaves. Inflorescence is a basket of tubular flowers surrounded by numerous scaly dry membranous leaves of the envelope, which are colored yellow, shades of pink, orange, bright and dark red, purple, white and other colors. Blooms from July to October. It is this type that is mainly used for winter bouquets.

Daisy helichrysum (H. bellidiodes) is a herbaceous perennial stable species 8-10 cm high, with creeping peduncles, ovoid silvery leaves downy on the underside and white single baskets that bloom in early spring and remain on the plant until July.

Helichrysum Baxter (H. baxteri) is a herbaceous perennial species up to 40 cm high, with linear white pubescent leaves, when they just bloom, and then become dark green and smooth. Flowers are collected in single apical baskets with a diameter of 4 cm.

Helichrysum Milford (H. milfordiae) is a delicate shrub, with many shoots, a species 15 cm high, forming pillows. Peduncles first grow straight up, and later spread along the ground. Single baskets bloom in winter.

Helichrysum petiolaris (H. petiolare) is a perennial herbaceous bush 35-40 cm high, pressed to the ground, with shoots rising up. The leaves are rounded, densely pubescent, with silvery-white hairs. Flowers are small, non-decorative, collected in baskets, bloom in summer.

Cultivation

Helichrysum is grown in gardens on flower beds, for carpet flower beds, borders, in rock gardens, for cutting and as flowers for winter bouquets. For bouquets, tall shoots are cut in dry weather in the phase of unfolded inflorescence. Compact species and varieties (Baxter's Helichrysum, Milford's Helichrysum) can also be grown in pots on balconies and terraces. They are planted in a permanent place in the garden in the form of seedlings in mid-May; light, moderately moist soils are desirable. In the southern regions, seeds are sown directly into the ground. In areas with severe winters, the soil around the plants is mulched with organic matter (straw, leaves, bark), after which the bush is covered with a piece of plastic film or a glass bell. Growing in a pot requires a mixture of 2 parts turf, 1 part sand and 1 part peat. Small pebbles are placed on the bottom of the pot to improve drainage. Feed in moderation: 15 g of complete mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil. In the spring, once every 30-40 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in an amount of 20 g per bucket.

Location

Only open sun is suitable for this plant.

Temperature

In temperate climates, various species can be grown without problems. But in areas with cold winters, it is required to cover the plants in the open field or to bring them indoors if they are grown in pots.

Watering

Plants in pots are watered regularly, and during prolonged droughts, specimens grown in the open field are also watered.

Transplant

Transplanted every 2-3 years in spring, in pots slightly larger than the previous ones, filled with the same soil as recommended for growing.

Care

Remove wilted flowers, dry and dead parts.

Reproduction

Perennial herbaceous species are propagated by dividing the bush in spring, shrub in summer by cuttings. Cuttings are planted for root formation in a mixture of 2 parts of coarse sand, 1 part of earth and 1 part of peat. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transferred into pots or planted in the air in the garden. Annual species are sown in open ground in spring (in warm climates) or in containers filled with loose and sandy soil. Seedlings dive, later planted completely.

Perennial herbaceous species are propagated by dividing the bush in spring, shrub in summer by cuttings. Cuttings are planted for root formation in a mixture of 2 parts of coarse sand, 1 part of earth and 1 part of peat. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transferred into pots or planted in the air in the garden.

Annual species are sown in open ground in spring (in warm climates) or in containers filled with loose and sandy soil. Seedlings dive, later planted completely.

Diseases

In waterlogged soil, the plant infects Verticillium and other fungi, causing wilting and death of the plant, which is recommended to be removed. The emergence of infection can be prevented by monitoring the soil. Nematodes kill the plant, first causing dwarfism, black spots on the leaves, and the formation of nodes on the roots. When planting plants in the ground, they check that it is not infected, or marigolds are planted next to it - nematode repellents. Helichrysum also infects the larvae of the pest Macrosteles fascifrons, which suck up plant sap. If there are few plants, the larvae are removed by hand; otherwise, appropriate insecticides are used.