Iberis

The genus Iberis, Stennik, or Raznolepestnik (Iberis), includes up to 40 species of annual and perennial, herbaceous and semi-shrubby, relatively cold-resistant and heat-loving evergreens. Flowers are white or lilac simple, small, bloom in spring and summer, and flowering lasts 60-70 days. Flowers are collected in umbrella-shaped or less often columnar racemes. The leaves vary markedly depending on the species. Iberis bittersweet (Iberis amara) is a stable annual erect or semi-erect species with a height of 20-30 cm, with oblong-lanceolate leaves and white or red-purple flowers collected in dense racemes. Peduncles are straight, branched in the upper part. The length and size of inflorescences in cultivars vary markedly. Iberis Gibraltar (I. gibraltar) is a perennial semi-shrub evergreen, relatively stable species, 30 cm high with a bush diameter of 40-50 cm, with oblong leaves and purple flowers collected in corymbs and blooming in spring. Iberis pinnata (I. pinnata ) is an annual species 15-20 cm tall with feathery leaves and fragrant white flowers that appear in summer. Rock iberis (I. saxatillis) is a shrub 10-15 cm high, almost creeping, with linear, up to 1 cm wide, dense, densely arranged leaves on the stem and white or pink flowers, in a dense, umbrella-shaped inflorescence. Iberis evergreen (I. sempervirens) is a bush with a height of 25-30 cm, hemispherical in shape. The leaves are narrow, oblong, up to 5 cm long, dark green, shiny. The flowers are small, white, in umbellate inflorescences. Blooms in May and June. Lower garden forms with double flowers are common. Iberis umbellata (I. umbellata) is an annual species 30-50 cm high with erect branched peduncles - especially in the upper part, lanceolate leaves. Varieties with pink, lilac, purple and red color of flowers are bred. They bloom in May and throughout the summer, if the plants are sown from time to time.

The genus Iberis, Stennik, or Raznolepestnik (Iberis), includes up to 40 species of annual and perennial, herbaceous and semi-shrubby, relatively cold-resistant and heat-loving evergreens. Flowers are white or lilac simple, small, bloom in spring and summer, and flowering lasts 60-70 days. Flowers are collected in umbrella-shaped or less often columnar racemes. The leaves vary markedly depending on the species.

Iberis bittersweet (Iberis amara) is a stable annual erect or semi-erect species with a height of 20-30 cm, with oblong-lanceolate leaves and white or red-purple flowers collected in dense racemes. Peduncles are straight, branched in the upper part. The length and size of inflorescences in cultivars vary markedly.

Iberis Gibraltar (I. gibraltar) is a perennial semi-shrub evergreen, relatively stable species, 30 cm high with a bush diameter of 40-50 cm, with oblong leaves and purple flowers collected in corymbs and blooming in spring.

Iberis pinnata (I. pinnata ) is an annual species 15-20 cm tall with feathery leaves and fragrant white flowers that appear in summer.

Rock iberis (I. saxatillis) is a shrub 10-15 cm high, almost creeping, with linear, up to 1 cm wide, dense, densely arranged leaves on the stem and white or pink flowers, in a dense, umbrella-shaped inflorescence.

Iberis evergreen (I. sempervirens) is a bush with a height of 25-30 cm, hemispherical in shape. The leaves are narrow, oblong, up to 5 cm long, dark green, shiny. The flowers are small, white, in umbellate inflorescences. Blooms in May and June. Lower garden forms with double flowers are common.

Iberis umbellata (I. umbellata) is an annual species 30-50 cm high with erect branched peduncles - especially in the upper part, lanceolate leaves. Varieties with pink, lilac, purple and red color of flowers are bred. They bloom in May and throughout the summer, if the plants are sown from time to time.

Cultivation

Iberis are grown in the open ground in stony gardens, mixborders, rose gardens, for fringing flower beds (perennial species) and for decorating tents, flowering lawns, balconies, for cutting and as a potted crop (annual). They are undemanding to the soil and grow well on cultivated loamy water-permeable soils. Perennial species are fed with a full mineral fertilizer in spring and late summer; cut off the faded inflorescences. Flowering of annual species can be prolonged if, with the loss of decorative properties, all faded inflorescences are cut off, the site is watered and fed with mineral fertilizers. fertilizers (35-40 g/cm2). Then lateral shoots are formed on the plants, and flowering continues until frost.

Iberis are grown in the open ground in stony gardens, mixborders, rose gardens, for fringing flower beds (perennial species) and for decorating tents, flowering lawns, balconies, for cutting and as a potted crop (annual). They are undemanding to the soil and grow well on cultivated loamy water-permeable soils. Perennial species are fed with a full mineral fertilizer in spring and late summer; cut off the faded inflorescences. Flowering of annual species can be prolonged if, with the loss of decorative properties, all faded inflorescences are cut off, the site is watered and fed with mineral fertilizers. fertilizers (35-40 g/cm2). Then lateral shoots are formed on the plants, and flowering continues until frost.

Location

They prefer a place in the open sun, because iberis are light-loving plants.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for growth and development is 18-22 °C. Resistant perennial species can tolerate a drop in temperature to -5 °C in winter.

Watering

Frequent watering is not required.

Reproduction

Seeds of annual and most perennial species are sown in the ground in April, shoots appear in a week; the next stage of caring for them is thinning at a distance of 10-15 cm. Iberis evergreen is most often propagated by cuttings that are cut from shoots that have developed after flowering, rooting them in greenhouses or on ridges, covering them with a film. On a permanent place planted next spring.

Diseases

The fungus Plasmodiophora brassicae affects the root system, causing its deformation and weakening of growth. Other problems are caused by infection with Pellicularia filamentosa. The plant wilts and wilts. The appearance of both infections can be prevented by using disinfected soil, and the affected plants are removed in any case. Of the insects, Iberis is more likely to suffer from worms, which are disposed of with the help of anticoccidal drugs.

Acquisition

Seeds are bought in specialized companies. When buying, check the expiration date indicated on the package. Plants are purchased in horticultural centers in the spring.