Polygala

The genus Polygala includes many, over 500, species of shrubs, shrubs and grasses, annual and perennial, evergreen and deciduous, with regular opposite or whorled leaves. The flowers are collected in a variety of inflorescences (brushes, ears, panicles) and are similar to the flowers of legumes (the corolla consists of a" sail"," boat "and two "oars"). The fruit is a box. All the species described below are perennials. Among the species most suitable for rock gardens are the 7-15 cm tall Polygala calcarea with a creeping stem, egg - shaped dark green leaves and purple, pink, and most often blue flowers (like 'Mauve'), which bloom in spring and summer. Polygala chamaebuxus (P. chamaebuxus ) is a dwarf evergreen shrub often found in mountainous areas, with oblong-lanceolate leathery leaves and white, yellow or purple flowers collected in racemes and blooming in spring and summer. Polygala apopetala (P. apopetala) - a stable shrub (or tree), which can reach a height of 5 m. Leaves up to 8 cm long are regular lanceolate. It blooms in summer with pink-purple flowers. Tender types include the following. Polygala myrtifolia (P. myrtifolia) is an evergreen shrub with a height of more than 1 m, with obovate light leaves and purple flowers collected in brushes and blooming from spring all summer, until the beginning of autumn. Common Polygala vulgaris) - a species with elliptical, regular leaves. Lilac-colored flowers are collected in dense racemes consisting of 10-40 flowers. The plant blooms in summer. It also grows in nature in meadows.

The genus Polygala includes many, over 500, species of shrubs, shrubs and grasses, annual and perennial, evergreen and deciduous, with regular opposite or whorled leaves. The flowers are collected in a variety of inflorescences (brushes, ears, panicles) and are similar to the flowers of legumes (the corolla consists of a" sail"," boat "and two "oars"). The fruit is a box. All the species described below are perennials.

Among the species most suitable for rock gardens are the 7-15 cm tall Polygala calcarea with a creeping stem, egg - shaped dark green leaves and purple, pink, and most often blue flowers (like 'Mauve'), which bloom in spring and summer.

Polygala chamaebuxus (P. chamaebuxus ) is a dwarf evergreen shrub often found in mountainous areas, with oblong-lanceolate leathery leaves and white, yellow or purple flowers collected in racemes and blooming in spring and summer.

Polygala apopetala (P. apopetala) - a stable shrub (or tree), which can reach a height of 5 m. Leaves up to 8 cm long are regular lanceolate. It blooms in summer with pink-purple flowers.

Tender types include the following.

Polygala myrtifolia (P. myrtifolia) is an evergreen shrub with a height of more than 1 m, with obovate light leaves and purple flowers collected in brushes and blooming from spring all summer, until the beginning of autumn.

Common Polygala vulgaris) - a species with elliptical, regular leaves. Lilac-colored flowers are collected in dense racemes consisting of 10-40 flowers. The plant blooms in summer. It also grows in nature in meadows.

Cultivation

Polygala is used mainly in the open ground-in rock gardens, with the exception of Polygala myrtle-leaved, suitable for growing in pots on balconies and terraces - in mild climates. In areas with cold winters, they are kept in a brightly lit indoor environment from October to April. Finally planted in the open ground, usually in October or March, in a well-prepared drained land. When growing Polygala hamebuxus, it is recommended to add peat and leaf humus (beech leaves) to the soil. When growing all types in spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-20 g per bucket. For potting plants, a mixture of neutral enriched peat (70%) and sand (30%) with the addition of a complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil is most suitable. At the end of winter, the branches of the myrtle-leaved Polygala are cut off.

Polygala is used mainly in the open ground-in rock gardens, with the exception of Polygala myrtle-leaved, suitable for growing in pots on balconies and terraces - in mild climates. In areas with cold winters, they are kept in a brightly lit indoor environment from October to April.

Finally planted in the open ground, usually in October or March, in a well-prepared drained land.

When growing Polygala hamebuxus, it is recommended to add peat and leaf humus (beech leaves) to the soil.

When growing all types in spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-20 g per bucket. For potting plants, a mixture of neutral enriched peat (70%) and sand (30%) with the addition of a complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil is most suitable. At the end of winter, the branches of the myrtle-leaved Polygala are cut off.

Location

In rock gardens, plants are planted in the open sun (Polygala hamebuxus also tolerates partial shade), and Polygala myrtle prefers a shaded place.

Temperature

The presented species for rock gardens are resistant to both high and low air temperatures. When growing myrtle-leaved Polygala, the temperature should not fall below 5-6 °C.

Watering

In summer, watering should be plentiful, in winter-as needed. Regularly gradually water the myrtle-leaved Polygala grown in a pot.

Transplant

Transplanted annually in April, using pots slightly larger than the previous one. Use the same soil that was recommended for cultivation.

Reproduction

In summer, take side shoots and plant them in boxes or cups with peat and sand or peat and agroperlite. Polygala myrtle requires a temperature of 18-20 °C. Immediately after the formation of the roots, the seedlings are transferred to 6-8-centimeter cups, and then the next spring they are finally planted in the ground. Root-spreading species (Polygala vulgaris and Polygala hamebuxus) are propagated by dividing the bush in autumn, immediately planting the resulting parts in a permanent place in the ground.

In summer, take side shoots and plant them in boxes or cups with peat and sand or peat and agroperlite. Polygala myrtle requires a temperature of 18-20 °C. Immediately after the formation of the roots, the seedlings are transferred to 6-8-centimeter cups, and then the next spring they are finally planted in the ground.

Root-spreading species (Polygala vulgaris and Polygala hamebuxus) are propagated by dividing the bush in autumn, immediately planting the resulting parts in a permanent place in the ground.

Diseases

Unsuitable soil for growing in the garden or in a pot and excess water can create certain problems and provoke fungal diseases. The appearance of them is prevented by using a suitable soil and observing the rules of irrigation. Affected plants should be removed immediately. Aphids are eliminated with the help of appropriate chemicals.

Acquisition

Polygala species can be found in horticultural centers and flower nurseries specializing in the sale and cultivation of plants for rock gardens.