Clarkia graceful - growing from seed. Clarkia graceful: planting and care, growing from seeds Clarkia herbaceous plants for open ground

Clarkia is a very beautiful annual herb with unusual and vibrant flowers. Clarkia is often called "sakura" for its variety of pink shades and abundant bloom. The plant belongs to the Fireweed family. His homeland is Chile and the Pacific coast of North America. Bright flowers, as if strung on thin stems, form multi-colored islands in the garden. This will certainly make the site more beautiful and attract a lot of attention. The colorful flower garden will become the pride of the owners. Clarkia is undemanding to care for, but thanks to a few tricks, the flowering will be more abundant and last longer.

Botanical description

Clarkia is a herbaceous annual with a fibrous, superficial rhizome. Thin erect stems branch well, so the plant forms a bush 30-90 cm high. Shoots are covered with reddish bark with short pubescence. Alternate leaves, sessile or on short petioles, are dark green in color. Sometimes reddish streaks are visible on the surface. The leaf plate has an oval shape with a pointed end.

Flowering begins in May-June, 2 months after sowing the seeds. At the tops of the shoots, single axillary flowers are formed on short pedicels. They have a regular shape and a small tube. Thin petals are painted in pink, lilac or lilac shades of varying intensity. The petals can have smooth or split edges. There are simple and double buds. Flowers exude a delicate scent that attracts beneficial insects to the site.

After pollination, fruits are tied - small oblong seed pods. They hide small seeds with a brown coating. They remain viable for 2-4 years. The seed pods open after ripening, which provokes self-seeding.

Types of clarkia

The clarkia genus is not too numerous. There are about 30 species in it, but only 4 of them are used in culture. Breeders have also developed several ornamental varieties. Plants look good in a monochromatic planting, as well as when using a mix of clarkia varieties with multi-colored buds.

The plant reaches a height of 90 cm. It consists of thin, highly branched stems. Dark green leaves with embossed veins are oval in shape and jagged edges. Flowering occurs from June to September. Loose carpal inflorescences form on the tops of the stems. The diameter of each corolla is about 4 cm. Popular varieties:

Salmon perfection - loose shoots 70-90 cm high covered with double inflorescences with salmon petals;
Albatross - snow-white double flowers bloom on a 75 cm high bush;
Diamond - the tops of the shoots are decorated with large double flowers of bright pink color;
Gloriosa - the plant is densely covered with simple scarlet flowers with a light core.

The compact variety does not exceed 40 cm in height. Green elongated leaves have a solid edge and a pointed top. Axillary flowers bloom at the ends of the shoots. They are located singly or in small inflorescences. The thin, soft petals are divided into 3 parts and resemble an unusual trident or antlers. Flowering begins at the end of May.

The species appeared only in 2006. A plant up to 50 cm high is resistant to cold weather. Symmetrical delicate flowers are no more than 3 cm in diameter. Pink clarkia flowers are compared to cherry blossoms.

This annual forms a dense growth due to highly branched shoots. The height of the bushes is 40-65 (90) cm. Dark green elongated leaves are surrounded by double flowers with white, pink, purple and burgundy petals.

Breeding methods and planting

The best way to propagate clarkia, like any annual, is to sow seeds. During the season, they ripen on the plant in large quantities, so there is no difficulty. Seeds can be sown for seedlings or directly into open ground.

Seedlings can be sown in early March, then flowering is expected in the second half of May. For growing seedlings of clarke from seeds, wide boxes are prepared. The soil is made up of the following components:

sheet land (2 parts);
rotted humus (part 1);
peat (1 part);
sand (1 part).

The soil should be steamed from pests, and the seeds should be soaked for several hours in a solution of potassium permanganate. Crops are sealed to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The surface is sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with glass or film. Germination takes up to 14 days, after which the shelter should be removed. Seedlings are grown in a well-lit and warm place.

Seedlings are grown without picking until they are transplanted into open ground. All clarkies, but especially hybrid varieties, die upon repeated transplantation. To avoid this problem, you can sow the seeds in peat tablets. In this case, the rhizome is not injured when planted in open ground. It is also important not to deepen the root collar.

It is permissible to sow seeds directly into open ground. Seedlings grown in one place look stronger and bloom faster. The procedure is carried out in May, when the spring frosts have passed. At the planting site, you should carefully dig up the soil, remove weeds and apply mineral fertilizers. Seeds are sown to a depth of 1.5-2 cm with a distance of 4-5 cm.

Outdoor cultivation

Location. Clarkia is an unpretentious and fast growing plant. She feels equally well in the open sun and partial shade. She is also not afraid of drafts and short-term cold snaps. The plant prefers light and fertile soil through which air can penetrate to the roots. Of course, clarkia can adapt to heavy clay soils, but it will not grow so intensively.

Landing. Since clarkia is highly branching, it may need thinning. The distance between adult plants should be at least 15 cm. This will allow the sun and air to penetrate to the bottom of the shoots, which means that greenery and flowers will remain attractive for longer.

Watering. It is better to water the clarke regularly so that only the top layer of the soil dries out. When the roots dry out, the leaves and shoots begin to turn yellow. Stagnant water contributes to the development of root rot. If precipitation falls regularly in summer, you can do without watering. Otherwise, irrigation is carried out in small portions of water.

Humidity. The plant does not need excessive air humidity. Sunny and well-ventilated locations are preferred.

Fertilizer. From the moment of planting, clarkia needs regular feeding. A solution of mineral fertilizers for flowering garden plants should be applied twice a month. They contain all the necessary substances and do not harm beneficial insects.

Crown formation. Young plants about 10 cm tall can be pinched to create more lush bushes. It is better to cut the flowers as they wilt so that the plant retains its decorative effect. Several buds should be selected at once for seed ripening. When flowering is complete, it is recommended to remove the remaining shoots and dig up the soil. It is highly likely that next year self-seeding will appear and clarkia will easily revive in its former place.

Clarkia indoors

Clarkia can be grown not only outdoors, but also on a balcony or in a room. However, the houseplant is more modest in size and small flowers. The clarke pot should be placed in a well-lit place. You can grow it even in winter, using additional lighting.

If the plant in the open field has risen late and did not have time to bloom, it can be dug out with a large clod of earth and continue to grow at home. It should be remembered that even the most careful care will not turn clarkia into a perennial. After the flowers wither, the rhizome begins to die off.

Diseases and pests

Clarkia is disease resistant. Only when grown in a damp place, on flooded soils, roots and shoots are affected by the fungus. The appearance of a whitish fluffy bloom or brown spots on the stems indicates an infection. It is impossible to save such plants; all shoots should be destroyed and the soil should be treated with a fungicide.

Clarkia is most attractive in large, dense groups. Then it resembles a lush carpet covered with fragrant flowers. Usually the plant is planted near fences or along paths. Can be combined in one flower garden varieties with different colors of flowers. Clarkia looks good in the vicinity of asters or phlox, roses or conifers.

Fragrant flowers attract beneficial insects, which is why herbs are melliferous. Clarkia can also be used to form bouquets. Brushes of delicate flowers will stay in a vase for 1-2 weeks.

Clarkia is a very attractive and elegant plant with long flowering. Outwardly, it looks like a bush, showered with graceful double flowers, similar to roses.

As you can see in the photo, clarks are distinguished by a variety of colors and their brightness, they are white, pink, red, orange, lilac and purple, and there are also two-color ones, with various specks and haircuts.

To Europe from California brought by the English priest Clark... The flower was named after him.

The plant is an annual from the fireweed family. It has solid oval leaves of dark green color with red veins. Stems are erect, branched, slightly pubescent. The flower reaches a height of 60 cm. Flowers are collected in an inflorescence at the top. There are more than 30 types of clarkia.

Types of clarkia

Gardeners give preference to only three types:

Clarkia graceful (marigold).
Clarkia is nice.
Clarkia is pretty.

You can admire these graceful plants by looking at the photo.

There are excellent undersized varieties for growing plants at home. The most impressive varieties look like Radost and Khavskoe Sun. Their flowers are salmon pink and crimson pink.

Growing a flower is not difficult if the following rules are followed:

How to care for flowers?

No special care is required for a seed-grown plant.

Even an inexperienced gardener can take care of:

It is required to create additional lighting for the seedlings with an ultraviolet lamp for the whole daylight hours.
It is necessary to observe regular watering, but without excess moisture. It should be carried out when dry days are long or when the soil dries up.
Feed only with mineral fertilizers 2 times a month. Fertilizers are especially needed for a plant in dry weather. Ash can be added to the soil for abundant flowering.
The decorativeness of the bush must be maintained with regular care, remove faded buds and dying leaves.

Ripe pods containing seeds should be brown.

By periodically pinching the tops of the plant, you can get thicker bushes. But the shoots should already reach 25 cm in height.

Tall plants are supported with pegs, which are driven in when planting. Otherwise, shoots may break in strong winds.

Before the onset of frost, the stems are cut flush with the ground.

The combination of clarkia with other plants

Clarkia in combination with other garden plants can create an amazingly beautiful flower garden. They look great with phlox, lilies, white daisies and asters.

Clarkia looks great against the background of low red roses. This plant is excellent for cutting and can stay in water for up to 15 days, slowly opening its buds.

Below are photos of clarkia of various graceful decorative varieties:

Diseases and pests

On the leaves and flowers of the plant, you can sometimes notice gray spots with a dark edging. This is the first sign of a fungal disease. The problem is eliminated by spraying the bushes with fungicides. Processing should be done twice a week. Typically, the fungus appears from excessive moisture in the root system.

The most dangerous pest is the flea. It can destroy the plant even at the germination stage. And even a belated treatment with chemicals will lead to a complete loss of crops.

To prevent diseases, it is necessary to cover areas with sowing seeds with non-woven material, geotextiles. This will prevent flea beetles from attacking crops and provide soil moisture.

If you follow the simple rules for planting and caring for clarkia, the plant will bloom profusely and for a long time. It can serve as an effective decoration for terraces and balconies.

Clarke flower

Clarkia is an annual herb belonging to the fireweed family. This genus is very close to godetia and some botanists combine these two plants into one genus. This flower was named in honor of Captain W. Clark, who brought it to Europe from California in the 19th century. In nature, this plant can be found in Chile and in western North America. This genus unites about 30 species, while only 3 are cultivated.

Clarkia is a herbaceous annual that can vary in height from 0.3 to 0.9 meters. On the surface of erect branched shoots, there is often pubescence, consisting of short villi. Sedentary alternately arranged leaf plates have an oval-elongated shape and a light gray or deep green color. Axillary flowers can be double or simple, they have the correct shape, reach 35 mm in diameter. And they can be painted in different color shades. As a rule, they are part of the apical inflorescences, which are racemose or spike-shaped, but sometimes lonely flowers are also found. The flower has a tubular calyx; the corolla includes 4 three-lobed or whole petals, tapering at the base into a marigold. The fruit is an elongated polysperm.

Growing clarkia from seeds

Sowing

Such a plant is grown from seeds in two ways: seedless and through seedlings. If the cultivation is carried out in a seedless way, then the seeds are sown directly into open soil. Sowing is carried out in April or in the first days of May, it can also be done in late autumn before winter. When preparing a plot for sowing, for each 1 square meter under digging it is necessary to add 1 kilogram of peat and 1 large spoonful of superphosphate and potassium sulfate. The seeds of the plant are quite small, they are sown in nests of 4 or 5 pieces. In this case, the distance between the nests should be from 20 to 40 centimeters. It is not necessary to bury the seeds in the soil; they should only be pressed down a little and sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. The first seedlings may appear within half a month, and you will need to thin them out, but you should take into account that during flowering clarkia looks much more impressive in a dense bush. If the sowing was carried out in the fall, then sometimes the seedlings also have time to appear before winter comes, while they are well preserved under the snow cover. When shoots appear in the spring, they will need to be thinned out like a carrot.

Growing through seedlings

If clarkia is grown through seedlings, then young seedlings will be reliably protected from cold rains, frosts, sudden changes in temperature and strong winds. It is recommended to sow seeds in March, in this case flowering at clarkia will begin in the first days of June. Seeds are sown in a slightly acidic substrate. It is unnecessary to deepen them, but you should only press down with a plate and pour from a spray bottle. Cover the container with glass and put it in a warm and lighted place, but there should be no direct sunlight there. After the first seedlings appear, the shelter should be removed. The container should be kept in a dry, warm place with good ventilation at all times. The pick is done very early, after the appearance of the first true leaves.

What time to plant

Clarkia is transplanted into open soil in May. In the event that the soil on the site does not have a pH suitable for a given plant, then this can be corrected. In order to acidify the soil, you can use one of three methods:

add 1–1.5 kilograms of peat per 1 m 2;
add 60 grams of sulfur per 1 m 2;
water the soil with a solution consisting of a bucket of water and 1.5 large tablespoons of citric or oxalic acid.

In the event that the soil is excessively acidic, then lime is added to it. If it is oily, then this can be corrected by adding sand for digging. It is also necessary to fertilize the soil, and what fertilizers to use for this, it is said in the section on growing clarkia in a seedless way. Site preparation should be done at least half a month before planting.

How to plant

It is not necessary to plant seedlings one by one, but the plants should be taken from the container in small groups together with a lump of earth. Then this group is planted in one hole. It should be noted that the distance between the holes can vary from 20 to 40 centimeters. Adult plants will need support, as they have very thin shoots, so do not forget to stick a long rod or stick near each hole. Different varieties of clarkia should be planted away from each other, since there is a high probability of their cross-pollination. When the bushes are planted, they need to be watered and pinched a little so that they grow more bushy.

It is relatively easy to grow clarkia, and even a beginner can easily cope with this task. Watering should be done only when there is a prolonged dry hot period. In this case, watering should be done only a couple of times every 7 days. At other times, rainwater will be enough for such flowers. When watering, it should be borne in mind that the liquid should be quickly absorbed into the soil, and not stand for a long time around the bush. Top dressing should be done only during the period of bud formation and flowering, and a complex mineral fertilizer is recommended for this. The frequency of dressing is 1 time in half a month. From fertilizers it is recommended to use Rainbow or Kemira, while organic matter cannot be introduced into the soil. In order for the flowering to be long and lush, it is necessary to remove fading flowers in a timely manner.

From harmful insects, mealybugs can settle on clarkia. You can understand that the bush is infected with this pest by the presence of a waxy, cottony plaque, which may be on the aerial part of the plant. To destroy this insect, it is recommended to process it with confidor, aktara or phytoverm.

In the event that in the area where clarkia grows, the soil is loamy, this can contribute to the development of a fungal disease. The fact that the bush is infected can be understood by specks of a rusty-yellowish color, which have a brown border, which are placed on leaf plates. To get rid of this disease, you should treat the bush with a fungicidal agent (oxych or Bordeaux liquid). If you plant this flower in a suitable soil and properly care for it, then it will have a very high resistance to both diseases and harmful insects.

After flowering

This plant is capable of multiplying without your participation by self-seeding. In spring, you only need to carefully thin out the seedlings. If you need seeds, they can be collected very easily. When the plants are in bloom, you will need to mark the most spectacular flowers. When they begin to fade, then you will need to put on gauze bags on them. The seeds will mature 4 weeks after the flower withers, and the color of the capsule should turn brown. Cut the pods and sprinkle the seeds onto a newspaper. These seeds can be sown before winter or poured into a paper bag, where they will be stored until the next spring.

Wintering

When the flowering of the clarke ends, the bushes, if desired, can be cut to the surface of the soil. And during the autumn digging of the site, it will be necessary to remove the remnants of the plants and burn them. It is not recommended to throw them away, as pathogenic microorganisms or fungi may appear in such plant residues.

Types and varieties of clarkia with photos and names

Only three types of clarkia are cultivated by gardeners, namely: clarkia marigold, or elegant clarkia; clarke is pretty, or clarke is pubescent; Clarkia Breveri.

Clarkia graceful, or marigold (Clarkia unguiculata, Clarkia elegans)

This species can be found in natural conditions in California. A branchy lush annual plant in height can reach 100 centimeters. Thin enough powerful shoots are lignified from below. On the surface of oval greenish-gray leaf plates there are veins of red color, their edge is unevenly sparsely toothed. The flowers are regular in shape and four centimeters in diameter. They can be double or simple and have different colors: red, pink, white, purple and blue. They are placed one at a time in the leaf sinuses. Small seeds germinate for about 4 years. It blooms luxuriantly in July – September. This species is often grown in mid-latitudes. The most popular varieties:

This species is dwarf. Erect, branched shoots can reach a height of 0.4 m. Long, narrow, whole leaf plates are green in color. They sharpen towards the top, and narrow towards the petiole. Flowers can be double or simple. They can be located either singly or be collected in small groups in the leaf axils at the top of the stems. Of particular interest is the shape of the petals, which are divided into 3 lobes, spaced quite widely. In this regard, in America, this species is also called "moose horns". Flowering begins half a month earlier than graceful clarkia.

Clarkia breweri

Recently, this species is becoming more and more popular with gardeners. This annual cold-resistant plant can grow up to half a meter in height. The shape of the flower is similar to a butterfly, and in diameter it reaches about 30 mm. The flowers have a pleasant strong odor and are part of loose inflorescences. The Pink Ribbons variety has pink flowers with ribbon-like petals, the bush can reach a height of about 0.3 m. The shoots of this variety are branched, and it blooms very luxuriantly.

Other types of clarkia grown by gardeners are actually godetia.

The plant got its name in honor of the surname of Captain William Clark, who brought it to Europe. There are more than 30 types of shrubs, but the most popular is clarkia graceful. Lush bright bushes can harmoniously decorate green lawns. Tall bushes are most often planted as hedges with other summer flowers. Let's take a closer look at how to grow and care for flowers, what are their features and varieties.

Short description

Clarkia flowers belong to an annual herb that grows up to 90 centimeters. The bush blooms in different shades, spike-shaped or racemose inflorescences.

Clarkia has branched, erect stems, pubescent with short villi. The leaves are elongated, oval and bright green or bluish in color. On the stem, the leaves are arranged in turn.

The shrub has simple or double axillary flowers of the correct shape, their diameter can reach 3.5 centimeters. The flower itself has a tubular calyx, a four-lobed or three-lobed corolla, which tapers at the base into a marigold.

Clarkia's value

Graceful clarkia has delicate beauty and elegance. She is also appreciated for the following advantages:

the clarkia flower blooms within a couple of months after sowing and pleases with its decorative effect before the onset of frost;
the sowing of the plant is carried out in open ground. If the seeds are sown in the fall, the shrub will grow strong and hardy;
seeds have increased germination, can germinate quickly;
full-fledged high-quality seeds ripen during the season;
the plant can be sown independently, retaining the original varietal characteristics.

The most decorative and valuable plant is the marigold or graceful clarkia, as it can bloom in white, pale pink or lilac shades.

Gardeners most often plant three types of flowers in their gardens: Clarkia Graceful, Pretty, and Breveri. On their basis, many different unique varieties have been bred.

The main types of shrubs:

graceful clarkia has a thin, branched, strong stem, grows up to 90 centimeters. The leaves are densely green with red veins and jagged edges. It blooms with simple or double flowers in June and pleases with its flowering until the end of September;
clarkia pretty grows up to only 30 centimeters. Blooms in various double or non-double flowers. Blooms in mid-May and blooms before frost;
terry clarkia has amazingly beautiful flowers. Plant height 25 - 65 centimeters. The diameter of the double flowers is 6 centimeters. They are strung on stems and resemble a spike-shaped plant in their appearance;
the Albatross variety has double white flowers, a branched bush, its height can reach 75 centimeters;
the variety Purpurkenig has terry carmine flowers with a diameter of 4 centimeters, the height of the shrub reaches one meter;
the Salmon Perfection variety has double, pink-salmon flowers with a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. Loose shrub, no more than 90 centimeters high.
the Brilliant variety is also appreciated by gardeners. The tall bush has large bright pink double inflorescences;
the clarkia sakura variety has double inflorescences of a white-pink hue. Its height is 120 centimeters, its appearance resembles a Japanese cherry;
the bushes of the Sheftane variety have a lilac-lilac color, height 50 centimeters.

Read also: Anemones - delicate colors in the garden

Clarkia Breveri is also considered popular lately. The variety firmly tolerates cold, is an annual, grows only up to 50 centimeters. It has flowers similar to butterflies. The diameter of each flower is 3 centimeters. Flowers are collected in loose inflorescences. The bushes give off a strong and pleasant scent.

Breveri has a subspecies called Pink Ribbons. This variety blooms with pink flowers, the petals of which resemble ribbons in their appearance. The height of the shrub is no more than 30 centimeters. Blooms profusely on branched stems.

If you have heard of other varieties of the plant, you need to take note that they belong more to the genus Godetia than to Clarkia.

Since the seeds of the plant are very small, they are sown on the surface of the earth. For dense and better adhesion of seeds to the ground, the breast should be watered abundantly before sowing. You can also sprinkle a little dry peat mixed with sand on top.

Seeds are planted in a nesting pattern, in groups of 5 - 6 seeds with an interval of no more than 30 centimeters from each other. The first shoots will appear in 14 days. When thinning seedlings, it is imperative to leave several plants at a time to get a thick, voluminous bush.

An important point! One sachet weighing 1 gram contains 3.5-4 thousand seeds. Sowing them with pinches will not work. Therefore, mix the seeds with fine sand in a ratio of 1:10 or gently shake them into the soil from a sheet of paper.

Clarkia graceful is grown from seeds as follows:

Soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours. Instead, you can steam them a little in the oven. This procedure is done in order to destroy a possible infection.
Place the container for sowing seeds in a bright place, out of direct sunlight. Press the seeds into the soil with a wooden stick. Then moisten the soil with water from a spray bottle and cover the container with glass.
As soon as the seedlings acquire leaves, they can be planted in different cups and grown further in a ventilated greenhouse. After a while, the grown seedlings are transplanted into open ground.
It is recommended to sow seeds directly into open ground in April or May. Since the seed is not afraid of frost, clarke is sometimes sown in deep canopy.
For planting, the soil is selected loose, slightly acidified, from the sunny side of the site.
Before sowing seeds in open ground, fertilize the ground with superphosphates or other mineral fertilizers.
It is recommended to plant grown seedlings at a distance of 15 centimeters from each other.

Read also: Flower in landscape design: rules for caring for a heliotrope shrub

For lush and abundant flowering, it is important to follow the recommendations described above, as well as in the future to carry out proper plant care.

Clarkia is sometimes grown in pots and containers. Varieties with shoots of 50 - 80 centimeters are cut to create bouquets. If you remove the lower leaves from the stems, the flowers will stand in the vase for a week without losing their decorative effect.

Features of planting plants in open ground

Flowers are planted outdoors in May. To acidify the soil, peat with sulfur or a solution of oxalic or citric acid is introduced into it. An experienced gardener should advise on the exact dosage of fertilizers.

Seedlings from containers are taken out one by one together with an earthen clod. They are planted in holes dug at a distance of 20 - 40 centimeters from each other. So that the stems do not break during the growth process, it is recommended to stick sticks near each seedling, to which they will be attached in the future.

After planting all the seedlings in the holes, pour water over them and pinch them to stimulate tillering.

Clarkia graceful cultivation it is easy, so all gardeners love it.

It is recommended to water the bushes regularly, in moderation. Watering is best when the soil has dried out on too dry summer days.
In dry summer, it is recommended to feed the plant with mineral fertilizers several times a month.
If you take proper care of Clarkia, in July, the bushes will begin to bloom. To preserve their decorative effect, regularly remove faded buds and dying leaves.
A month after the petals of the buds fall off, fruits appear in their place - boxes with small seeds. If they turn brown, then the seeds are already fully ripe. You can grow flowers from seeds that are no more than four years old.
When the shoots grow up to 20 centimeters, it is recommended to pinch their tops in order to get denser bushes.
High grades of clarkia are recommended to be tied to sticks so that they do not break.
Before freezing, the stems are cut to ground level.

Protection against diseases and pests

If the leaves are covered with dark spots, it is possible that they are sick with a fungus. To get rid of such a disease, plants are sprayed with fungicides. You need to process the bushes several times every seven days. To avoid further development of the fungus, it is recommended not to moisturize the root system too much.

Read also: Unpretentious perennial - aquilegia

There are times when, even before the emergence of shoots, the seeds are attacked by fleas. To avoid the appearance of pests, cover the soil with planted shifts with non-woven material. Thanks to this, the crops will be reliably protected from pests, and their moisture will also be ensured.

Post-flowering care

Clarkia is most often sown independently. It is enough only in the spring, after the emergence of seedling bristles, carefully thin it out.

To harvest seeds, select the most beautiful flowers and mark them with something. As soon as they start to fade, tie pieces of gauze to the flower heads from above. One month after the end of flowering, the capsule will turn brown. Cut it off and pour the collected seeds onto a newspaper. After drying well, sow the planting material into the ground before wintering, or store it in a paper bag until spring.

Clarkia's wintering

After the end of the flowering process and the collection of seeds, the bushes are cut to the ground. When digging a site, remove any remaining shrubs and remove them from the garden. To prevent the development of diseases, it is best to burn the dug roots. Re-sow seeds collected in the fall into the soil in the spring.

The terry species of clarkia is always planted only in open soil. The height of the bushes is 90 centimeters. The flowers are unusually double.

As soon as the first shoots and the first four leaves appear, plant the shoots at short distances between them. It is necessary to transplant together with small lumps of earth, in the holes prepared in advance. When the stems of the plants become strong, the bushes need to be pinched on top. It is also easy to care for the terry look of clarkia.

It is important to regularly water the bushes as needed, to the very root and to push the topsoil. Feed with mineral fertilizers during budding. Terry clarkia blooms from July to late September. Protection from pests is carried out in the same way as the protection of graceful clarkia.

Clarkia and other plants

Clarkia and other garden flowers can be used to create an amazingly beautiful flower garden.

Phlox, lilies, white daisies and asters can be planted next to the shrub.
Clarkia harmoniously looks next to low red roses.
If you cut the clarke and keep it in water, it will stand for two weeks, slowly opening the buds.
Clarkia is often planted in groups to decorate rabatki, for the purpose of landscaping balconies, creating Moorish lawns.

The plant was brought from Chile by Captain William Clark. It is a herbaceous annual 60-90 cm high. Clarkia's stems are pubescent and have many branches. Leaves are oblong, sessile, bright green. Flowers are collected in inflorescences, racemose or spike-like. Rare varieties have single flowers, their color and shape are varied. Seeds ripen in elongated fruits. Growing clarkia from seeds does not pose many problems, which is why it is popular.

Growing from seeds

It is not difficult to grow a clarke from seeds. They can be purchased at the store, but pre-assembled houses will do. To do this, you need to choose the most beautiful flowers, after flowering, tie them with gauze, wait for ripening, cut off the fruits and shake out the seeds. Well ripe, they are brown in color and slightly larger than a poppy seed.

The seeds successfully tolerate unfavorable conditions and have a good germination rate when planted in the fall.

Clarkia also reproduces by self-seeding. In this case, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving the largest and most viable specimens. You can also sow clarke in open ground in the second half of spring.

For plants grown in greenhouses, the flowering period begins earlier, in early summer. Seedlings planted before winter bloom two or three weeks later. And when planting seeds directly into open ground, flowering occurs in the second half of summer, sometimes in early August.

Also, the weather conditions of the region affect the beginning of flowering. Some hybrids, especially terry varieties, are recommended to be grown only in seedlings. But the root system of plants of such varieties is sensitive to transplanting, they should be sown in peat tablets or cups.

In what time frame to land

The phases of the moon have an effect on the rate of growth and development of plants. You can not plant and sow them on the days of the new moon or full moon.

It is important to take into account the fact that during the growing phase of the moon, the tops of the plants develop intensively, therefore this time is favorable for sowing seeds. When the moon wanes, favorable conditions are created for the development of the root system and the removal of dried-up parts of the flower (pruning).

In 2019, the following dates will be favorable for sowing clarkia seeds:

march - 10, 12, 15;
april - 7, 11, 18;
may - 9, 10, 15, 17;
june - 5, 6, 12, 13, 16;
july - 8, 9, 11, 14, 16.

For landing, transplanting and picking, favorable conditions will be on the following days:

march - 10, 12, 16;
april - 7, 11, 18;
may - 8, 15, 18;
june - 6, 11, 14, 15;
july - 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16;
august - 5, 7, 10, 11, 12;
september - 1, 4, 6.9.

The most popular species and varieties with photos

Popular varieties for growing clarkia from seeds are as follows.

Clarkia graceful

It is an annual 70 cm to 1 m high. The form is a bush with thin stems, which are covered with bark at the base. The leaves are oblong, veined and jagged. The colors of the graceful clarkia are varied - there are red, pink, white, lilac, purple and even blue shades. The flower reaches a size of up to 5 cm, it can be simple or double.

Clarkia is pretty (dwarf)

Does not exceed 40 cm in height. Leaves are dark green, slightly elongated and pointed. The petals are small, but strongly dissected. Terry flowers are raspberry, lavender, pink and purple in color. The variety is distinguished by long flowering from May to October.

Clarkia Mademoiselle

Differs in large double flowers of bright red color. Feels good in open areas with loose soil. Doesn't like excess moisture. It is an excellent honey plant, cold-resistant. Seeds germinate at temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees. It is preferable to grow in seedlings.

Clarkia Fantasy

Reaches a height of 75 cm. Loves sunny dry places for planting. Suitable for decorating flower beds and cutting. Flowers are large, double, bright colors.

Breveri

In addition to the quality of cut shoots and bright colors, the variety is also cold-resistant. Breveri seeds can be sown outdoors. Clarkia has the latest flowering dates.

Sakura

Has a delicate color of flowers, belongs to the early varieties. Plants are suitable for cutting.

How to grow properly

Cold stratification yields good results. Proper cultivation requires:

Treat the seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide before sowing.
Place on the ground surface and press slightly into the surface. Since the seeds are small, they can be mixed 1 in 10 with sand.
Moisten the soil with a spray bottle, cover the container with foil or glass.

You need to dive seedlings after the first leaves appear on the tenth day from sowing. Before planting in open ground, young plants are kept in a greenhouse or planted directly in the ground at the end of April or May.

When growing clarke by seedlings, it is important to choose the right potting mix. This plant prefers the following soil composition: humus, river sand, peat, leafy soil. Ratio: 1: 1: 1: 2. It will not be superfluous to disinfect the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate of a slightly pink hue.

For the stability of the shoots, you can set a peg in the center of the group, tie up young plants. Stems that have reached a height of 12 cm, pinch the top to form a crown.

Plant care after planting

Grown seedlings in open ground are planted in May, when there is no threat of frost. If plants of different varieties grow in the same area, their seeds will not have varietal qualities.

In the open field, clarkia grows well in sunny areas, prefers spaciousness and loose, slightly acidic soil. Plants need to be watered only in very severe drought. Top dressing is done twice a month with mineral fertilizers.

It is important to remove wilted peduncles. Tall varieties need support. Clarkia goes well with other flowers in the flower beds. Chemical treatment is recommended to protect against disease.

Clarkia is an unpretentious plant that does well in dry, sunny areas. Easily grown by seedlings and sowing in the ground. Suitable for decorating flower beds and cutting.