Nierembergia

The genus Nierembergia consists of 35 species of herbaceous and perennial semi-shrub species. These are very ornamental plants due to the funnel-shaped or cup-shaped flowers of different colors, from white to purple, blue, the mouth is often colored differently. They bloom in summer. Nierembergia blue (Nierembergia coerulea) is a low (15-18 cm) stable species with linear leaves and numerous lavender-blue flowers with a yellow throat, 2-3 cm in diameter. There are varieties of purple color in other shades from light pink to close to mauve. Nierembergia shrub (n. frutescens) is a delicate species with linear leaves and branched stems that grow up to 80 cm in height. Bell-shaped white, lilac or blue flowers with a yellow throat have a diameter of 2-3 cm, and are also purple in color. Nierembergia thin (n. gracilis) - a delicate species up to 20 cm tall with thin shoots. White flowers with a yellow throat have purple veins. Nierembergia hippomanica (n. hippomanica) is a delicate species with branching erect stems. The leaves are separate pubescent dark green. The flowers are blue with a lilac tinge. The variety 'Belaya' has white flowers with a yellow throat. Nierembergia creeping (n. repens) is a fairly stable groundcover species with a height of 20-30 cm. The leaves are separate, the flowers are white. The Purple Robe variety is distinguished by its purple flowers.

The genus Nierembergia consists of 35 species of herbaceous and perennial semi-shrub species. These are very ornamental plants due to the funnel-shaped or cup-shaped flowers of different colors, from white to purple, blue, the mouth is often colored differently. They bloom in summer.

Nierembergia blue (Nierembergia coerulea) is a low (15-18 cm) stable species with linear leaves and numerous lavender-blue flowers with a yellow throat, 2-3 cm in diameter. There are varieties of purple color in other shades from light pink to close to mauve.

Nierembergia shrub (n. frutescens) is a delicate species with linear leaves and branched stems that grow up to 80 cm in height. Bell-shaped white, lilac or blue flowers with a yellow throat have a diameter of 2-3 cm, and are also purple in color.

Nierembergia thin (n. gracilis) - a delicate species up to 20 cm tall with thin shoots. White flowers with a yellow throat have purple veins.

Nierembergia hippomanica (n. hippomanica) is a delicate species with branching erect stems. The leaves are separate pubescent dark green. The flowers are blue with a lilac tinge. The variety 'Belaya' has white flowers with a yellow throat.

Nierembergia creeping (n. repens) is a fairly stable groundcover species with a height of 20-30 cm. The leaves are separate, the flowers are white. The Purple Robe variety is distinguished by its purple flowers.

Cultivation

Nierembergia is grown in the open ground in curbs or in pots on balconies and terraces. In areas of moderately cold climates, they are used as annuals, and if they are grown in pots, then in the fall the plants are removed to the house. They are planted permanently in late spring in fresh, well-drained soil, protected from the wind. Plants are placed at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other, depending on their future development. When growing in pots (14-15 cm), the soil should be light enough, consisting of fertile land (50%), sand (30%) and peat (20%) with the addition of 30 g per bucket of complex mineral fertilizer, preferably prolonged action.

Location

Nierembergia requires a place in the open sun, or at least very well lit. In conditions of lack of light, the crop grows poorly and blooms little.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to high temperatures, but usually do not tolerate temperatures below 8-9 °C. Only blue nierembergia and its cultivars can withstand the cold. To do this, in the fall, you need to cut off their stems at the root and close the hood.

Watering

Water often, because in order for plants to develop well and bloom profusely, neither the soil in the garden nor the soil in pots should be allowed to dry out.

Transplant

Transplanted in spring in pots slightly larger than the previous ones.

Care

Required only for potted plants - remove discolored and damaged parts.

Reproduction

In addition to sowing seeds in autumn or late winter in boxes with neutral peat and sand at a temperature of 15-18 °C, plants can be propagated by stem cuttings in summer, then keeping them indoors. Nierembergia creeping, whose stems are rooted in nodes, is propagated by separating parts (in March-April) of shoots with shortened nodes, planted in cups or even in open ground in a moist shaded place.

Diseases

Plants of the genus Nierembergia are usually not susceptible to diseases. Sometimes there is root rot associated with waterlogged or too dense ground. Choose the right soil and monitor watering.

Acquisition

Seedlings in cups or in multi-seat containers, ready for planting in the ground, can be found in the spring in nurseries and gardening centers. In late spring, potted plants (15 cm) are purchased in the budding phase.