Description of the daisy plant, how to plant and care for meadow chamomile, recommendations for reproduction, methods of combating diseases and pests, curious notes, species and varieties.
Nivyanik (Leucanthemum) belongs to the representatives of the vast family of Asteraceae (Asteraceae) or as it is also called Compositae. A little earlier, all the varieties that are now included in this genus were included in the genus Chrysanthemum, but the difference between the plants is that the daisies are devoid of pubescence of a grayish hue and aroma inherent exclusively to chrysanthemums. The genus includes about 70 different species, both annuals and perennials. But, despite such a number, it is customary to use only a small number of them in gardening.
In natural conditions, daisies are widespread in Europe and some regions of Asia with a temperate climate. On other continents, if species of this genus grow, then they are invasive. So meadows with daisy are found on the North American and Australian continents, the islands of New Zealand.
| Family name | Astral or Compositae |
| Growing period | Perennial or annual |
| Vegetation form | Herbaceous |
| Breeding method | Seed or vegetative (dividing the bush) |
| Landing period in open ground | From the end of May |
| Landing rules | Recommended distance between plants 40-50 cm |
| Priming | Lightweight, well-drained, nutritious |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 6, 5-7 (neutral) |
| Lighting degree | An open and well-lit place |
| Humidity parameters | Moderate and regular watering |
| Special care rules | Drought intolerant |
| Height values | 0.3–1 m |
| Inflorescences or type of flowers | Single inflorescences of a basket |
| Flower color | Tubular (central yellow), marginal (white or yellowish) |
| Flowering period | From late spring to late summer |
| Decorative period | Spring-summer |
| Application in landscape design | Flower beds and mixborders, when forming Provence-style flower beds, for cutting |
| USDA zone | 4–8 |
The Nivyanik clan bears its name in Latin due to the combination of such words in ancient Greek as "leukos" and "anthemon", which means "white" and "flower", respectively. The term in Russian is associated with the favorite growing places - cornfields. You can often hear how the plant is called garden or meadow chamomile, whitehead and belyushka, as well as white flowers or tooth grass, hinting at the outlines of foliage and medicinal properties.
All types of daisy are rhizomatous representatives of the flora with a straight stem, which is occasionally branched. Plant height can range from 30 cm to 1 m. Bright green leaf plates unfold on the stems. Their outlines can take both serrated, pinnately dissected, and lobed forms. In this case, the leaves in them are oblong or obovate contour. Their petioles are elongated, and the arrangement of the leaves is alternate.
During flowering, which occurs at the end of June, single inflorescences-baskets bloom on the stems, consisting of inner tubular flowers, usually painted in a bright yellow, canary shade. The outer marginal flowers are snow-white or yellowish in color. The difference between meadow chamomile and other representatives of the Asteraceae family is that the inflorescence baskets are larger, their diameter can reach 14 cm. Today there are garden forms, both with simple inflorescences and lush (double), in which the edge flowers are arranged in 2-3 rows. At the same time, the petals have a dissection, a twisted or ruffled apex.
Some species may bloom twice during the growing season. So the first wave is observed in the last month of spring, the second falls in August. When flowering, a delicate pleasant aroma spreads nearby. After the flowers are pollinated, the fruits of meadow chamomile ripen, which look like a box filled with a large number of seeds. At the top, the box has a one-sided crown. The size of the seeds is quite small, so there are about 650 of them in 1 gram. The outlines of the seeds are oblong. They do not lose their germination over a 3-year period.
Garden chamomile is not a particularly capricious plant and even a novice florist can handle it, the main thing is to adhere to the rules of agricultural technology below.
Nivyanik - growing in the open field, care rules
- Landing place the daisy should be as illuminated and open as possible, this is the only way to get a lush and long flowering. If you plant a whitehead in shade, then varieties with high stems will bend, flowering will become scarce.
- Soil for the nivyanik it is required to select fertile and with high rates of drainage. The acidity of the soil should preferably be within 6, 5–7 pH, that is, the substrate was neutral. Meadow chamomile will not grow on acidic, dry, heavy (clay) soil. The thickness of the nutrient layer on the bed should not be less than 25-30 cm. A good choice would be black soil, where peat chips and compost (humus) are added.
- Planting a nivyanik. The best time for planting meadow chamomile seedlings is the last days of May, since return frosts will not destroy young plants. It is recommended to immerse the seedling in the planting hole so that its root collar remains at the same level. After the seedling is set in the recess, a soil mixture is added to the sides, which is slightly squeezed. Then abundant watering is required so that the soil is completely moistened.
- Watering for meadow chamomile is an important aspect, since the lack of moisture is rather difficult for it to tolerate. It is especially necessary to monitor the condition of the soil in the summer heat and drought. Moistening the substrate should be regular, but it is not recommended to overmoisten it, as this will entail the occurrence of diseases caused by the activation of a fungal infection. Also, the constantly flooded soil will contribute to the degeneration of the whitehead, its poor wintering and the resistance of the variety.
- Fertilizers it is important for the daisy to apply regularly, as this will be the key to good development and subsequent flowering. Apply a solution based on mullein or compost. You can use humus as a mulching layer, which will also be a good help with the growth of garden chamomile. Peat chips, sawdust, cut grass or wood chips can also act as mulch. You can use nitroammophoska twice every 30 days, alternating it with organic matter, or use any complex mineral fertilizer for flowering plants, for example, Fertik.
- Wintering of meadow chamomile. Many varieties of daisy can withstand a drop in temperature quite firmly, even down to -29 degrees of frost. However, this does not apply to hybrid plants that need to be covered for the winter. To do this, the entire part above the soil surface of the whitehead is cut off, and the bush itself is covered with a good layer of dried foliage. The thickness of such a shelter should not be less than 10–15 cm. When the early spring comes, the shelter must be removed immediately, since the bushes may dry out.
- General advice on care. Meadow chamomile, although an unpretentious plant, still requires some care. So it is recommended to periodically loosen the soil next to the bushes after watering or rain, so that its surface is not taken by a crust. Carry out weed control, but the latter is not needed if you mulch the daisy with sawdust. Such a layer will serve to prevent the soil from drying out quickly, but the weed will not multiply too abundantly. If the inflorescences begin to fade, and the seeds are not required, then it is better to immediately remove the flower baskets. This will stimulate the duration of flowering.
- The use of the nivyanik in landscape design. Since the color of meadow chamomile inflorescences can be combined with any other flowering plants, such plantings can be used to decorate any flower bed or mixborder. The belyushka looks good next to cereal and meadow representatives of the flora, for example, such as yarrow. In flower beds, delphiniums and bells, sage and liatrice, gypsophila and catnip will be wonderful neighbors. Burnet and erythematosus can be placed next to the cornflower. If a variety of chamomile plantings are collected in the mixborder, which differ in different periods of opening the buds, then the flowering period can be quite significantly extended. Designers propose to take any cereal as a basis and plant nearby for dilution not only garden chamomiles, but also rudbeckia, echinacea and geleniums.
The meadow chamomile also behaves well in cut, because of its large inflorescences, the plant is ardently loved by florists.
See also tips for planting and caring for a dahlia in the garden
Recommendations for breeding daisy
To get new whitehead bushes, it is recommended to sow seeds or use vegetative methods (cuttings or division of an overgrown bush).
Propagation of the daisy by dividing the bush
If a meadow chamomile is in one place for more than 3-4 years, then it grows along the edges, from which the central part suffers, over time it dies. For separation in the summer, an adult three-year-old shrub is removed from the soil using a garden fork. Then it is carefully examined and dried or rotted root shoots are removed. After that, the bush can be divided into parts, and in such a way that each of the divisions has a sufficient number of stems, roots and has points of renewal. Sections are immediately sprinkled with crushed charcoal, if this is not the case, then you can apply pharmacy activated. Disembarkation is carried out immediately on a prepared place in a flower bed and then they are thoroughly watered. The distance between the seedlings is almost 40-50 cm.
Propagation of the daisy by cuttings
This operation is carried out, as well as division during the summer period. Since meadow chamomile acquires a large number of basal processes, they can be carefully separated. Such processes should have a full-fledged leaf outlet and a not very overgrown rhizome. Using a sharp blade, the root process is cut off and the slices are sprinkled with crushed charcoal, after which it is necessary to immediately plant. The fossa should be such that the placed process is at the same level as before. The soil around it is poured and slightly compacted. Then you need abundant watering.
Propagation of the lemongrass using seeds
From seed material, you can grow seedlings or immediately place it in open ground. Sowing in the latter case is carried out in November or mid-spring. For this, shallow pits are formed in the soil, placing them at a distance of 20 cm from each other. The spacing of the rows should not exceed 25–30 cm. The depth of seed placement is maintained no more than 2 cm. After sowing, abundant watering is carried out using a watering can with a sprinkler nozzle so as not to wash the seeds out of the soil.
After 14–20 days after the snow melts in the spring, you can see the first seedlings of the cornflower. The rate of their growth is not very fast at first. When the seedlings grow up a little, they are carefully broken through, leaving the most powerful specimens. The distance between the remaining plants is about 8-10 cm. If you do not want to throw away the given seedlings, then they can be planted in another place and, despite the smallness and weakness, they will take root perfectly. During the first growing season, meadow chamomile will grow its root system and deciduous mass. Flowering in such plants can be expected only with the arrival of the second spring. When the seedlings grow up, you can transplant them to the desired place in the flower garden, placing the plants at a distance of 40-50 cm from one another.
Propagation of a daisy seedling method
If there is a desire to enjoy flowering earlier, namely in the very first year of cultivation of meadow chamomile, then it is worthwhile to grow seedlings. To do this, at the end of winter, namely in February days, it is recommended to sow whitehead seeds. Sowing is carried out in seedling boxes filled with peat-sand soil mixture. The depth of seed placement can vary within 1-2 cm. After that, good watering of the soil is needed. To create greenhouse conditions, cover the container with crops with a plastic transparent film or put a piece of glass on top.
The temperature at which germination is carried out should be within 22 degrees, and it is also recommended to ventilate for 10-15 minutes daily to remove condensation accumulated on the shelter. If the soil begins to dry out from above, then you need to carefully spray it using a fine spray gun. After 15–20 days have passed, you will be able to see the first sprouts of the daisy. The shelter can then be removed, and the container with the seedlings moved to a place where the lighting is provided quite good, and the temperature is reduced to the limits of 17-20 degrees. This is due to the fact that at higher heat indicators, the seedlings will stretch and quickly weaken. The same will happen with insufficient lighting.
When three true leaf blades appear on the daisy seedling, you can engage in a pick. For this, it is more convenient to use separate cups made of peat, since this will then facilitate transplanting into open ground. It is recommended to mix the soil for transplanting into individual containers with humus from the foliage. Only in mid-May, when the return frosts have passed, can the seedlings of meadow chamomile be transplanted to a prepared place in the garden. The distance between them should be left at least 40 cm.
However, 3-4 weeks before transplanting into open ground, it is recommended to start hardening meadow chamomile seedlings. For this, containers with seedlings are taken out into the open air from the first days of May and left there at first for 10-15 minutes. The time spent in the air should be gradually increased by 15–20 minutes until it becomes around the clock. In this case, the plants transplanted to the flowerbed will adapt faster and will not hurt.
Read more about cymbalaria breeding
Methods of combating diseases and pests when growing a daisy
The plant is resistant, however, if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, and in particular the incorrectly chosen planting site or waterlogging of the substrate, infections of fungal origin are activated. Among them, there are such as downy mildew and leaf spot, rust and fusarium, various rot. Symptoms of these diseases are manifested by the appearance of marks on the leaf plates in the form of specks or covering parts of the plant with a grayish bloom. In any case, the whitehead stops growing, the leaves fall off, and ultimately the daisy will die. In order to prevent diseases of this kind, it is recommended at the first manifestations to remove all affected parts and treat the bush with Fundazol or Bordeaux liquid.
If meadow chamomile is infected with bacterial cancer, which usually affects the root collar of the plant, where growths are formed that rot after a short period of time. For treatment, it is recommended to use a 3% solution of zinc sulfate, which is sprayed on the bushes. If such formations are removed, then the places of their formation are treated with 15% copper sulfate.
Of the pests, nivyaniki are affected by thrips, aphids or chrysanthemum miners. Pests suck nutritious juices from the plant, its foliage turns yellow and flies around, subsequently the bushes of meadow chamomile can simply be lost if no measures are taken to destroy the "uninvited guests". It is usually recommended to carry out treatment with insecticidal preparations such as Aktara, Actellik or Karbofos. After 7-10 days, spraying is repeated to finally remove all insects and their laid eggs.
Curious notes about meadow daisy flower
If we talk about the medicinal properties of the whitehead, then there is a variety of common daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Although the plant is not recognized by official medicine, folk healers have long known about its effect on the human body. Meadow chamomile has the ability to relieve pain, is characterized by anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects. Flowers and foliage at the same time become material for the manufacture of decoctions and infusions.
Such drugs, since they work as an expectorant, are prescribed to patients suffering from colds, among which are pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis and tuberculosis. For diseases of the digestive system, preparations based on the sycamore act as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, if the kidneys or urinary system are affected, they work as diuretics.
Whitehead is able to cleanse the circulatory system of toxins and cholesterol, lower sugar levels (which is important in diabetes mellitus) and blood pressure (recommended for hypertension). If the patient suffers from hemorrhoids, diseases of a dermatological nature, then lotions based on the leaves and stems of garden chamomile will help him. For gynecological problems in women (leucorrhoea, absence of menstruation), healers prescribed the use of spraying douching on the basis of an ordinary ditch.
It has been noticed that in case of disorders of the nervous system, insomnia or an increased feeling of fatigue, decoctions and tinctures on the grass of meadow chamomile are used. When administered in an ointment made on the basis of butter, powdered dried plant foliage, such a remedy will help eliminate scabies, skin rashes and lichen.
However, with all this, there are also contraindications for the use of nivyanik, such as:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- hypotension;
- childhood.
Description of the species and varieties of the daisy
Common cornflower (Leucanthemum vulgare)
the most common variety, which can be popularly found under the names forest maryasha, meadow chamomile, as well as path and popovnik, ivan's color. Perennial, the stems of which reach a height of 80 cm. Leaves with a shiny surface and a jagged edge flaunt on them. When flowering, a simple inflorescence-basket in diameter can be equal to 6-8 cm. The marginal petals in it are snow-white, tubular in the center - bright yellow, soft. The flowering period is in mid-summer, usually from June to July. The cultivated varieties of this species have the largest flower sizes, even surpassing the parameters of the most basic one. The following varieties have earned popularity among flower growers:
- Maxima Kenig can reach up to a meter with stems, they are crowned with large basket inflorescences, opening up to a diameter of 12 cm.
- May Queen or May Queen not so large, the parameters of its stems in height barely exceed half a meter. The inflorescence is characterized by a semi-double structure.
- Mastern forms dense thickets of stems, which can reach a height of 0, 6 m. They are decorated with simple snow-white flowers with golden cores.
Leucanthemum maximum
also a long-term representative of the Astrovs, who have the most spectacular outlines. However, it can grow for only three years, then it will be necessary to transplant the bush and divide due to the fact that it grows. The stems are usually extended to a height of 1 m. The rhizome of the variety is located horizontally in the ground and is characterized by spreading root processes. The foliage has no petioles, the outlines of the leaf plates are lanceolate, with a crenate edge. The color of the leaves is dark emerald.
In summer, the stems are crowned with basket-type inflorescences, opening up to 10–12 cm in diameter. The structure of the inflorescences can be either simple or lush (double), which becomes similar to chrysanthemums. The flowering process stretches from the last week of June until the first frost hits. It experiences winter in the form of a leaf outlet, which is recommended to be covered with a dry layer of foliage.
The best garden varieties are recognized:
- Alaska the most frost-tolerant plant. The inflorescences-baskets have a simple shape, while the maximum diameter can be 10 cm.
- Snow Lady or Snow Lady, is an annual plant with rather high stems, crowned in summer with basket inflorescences, the diameter of which reaches 17 cm. The marginal flowers in them with lush petals and the same double center of tubular flowers.
- Wirral supreme has stems reaching a height of 0.8 m, while they are crowned in summer with large double-shaped inflorescences-baskets.
- Little Princess or Little Princesses, characterized by dwarf parameters of the stems (only 20-30 cm in height), while its baskets are simple.
- Silver princess is able to form thickets by means of stems with a height of about 0.4 m. They are covered with carved spectacular leaves of a dark green color with a glossy surface. At the tops of the stems, simple basket inflorescences open, the diameter of which is 6 cm.
- Broadway Lights or Broadway Lights differs in the average height of the stems, decorated with simple inflorescences-baskets with pale yellow petals.
Leucanthemum x superbum
is a complex hybrid plant obtained by crossing species such as the common and the largest. It was obtained at the end of the 19th century (in 1890) by a gardener from America - Luther Burbank. The variety is characterized by the presence of a large number of very spectacular varieties with stem heights ranging from 0.9 to 1.2 m. In the root zone, the stems are covered with dark green leafy plates, the length of which can be 30 cm. The outlines of the leaves usually take a lanceolate or ovoid shape. The inflorescence has the property, it opens up to a diameter of 15 cm, it is decorated with thin elongated petals. There are garden forms intended for landscaping curbs, since the stems do not exceed 25-30 cm in height. Their inflorescences-baskets are notable for their small size, their diameter is no more than 8 cm.
The flowering process occurs from mid to late summer. Differs in high frost resistance, since the plant is not afraid of frosts down to -29 degrees. The most spectacular is the variety Fiona goghill since on its stems about 0.75 m high, lush inflorescences are formed. In such a basket inflorescence, elongated thin petals begin to gradually decrease towards the middle part. Their color is a delicate whitish-cream shade. The central part of tubular flowers is lemon-yellowish.
Related article: Planting ageratum and caring for it in the open field
Video about growing a daisy or garden chamomile in open ground:
