Description of the Iberis plant, planting and growing on a personal plot, how to propagate, combating possible pests and diseases, notes for flower growers, species.
Iberis (Iberis) can be found under the name Iberian. This plant belongs to the genus of herbaceous flora from the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae families. In nature, they can be found in the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine (mainly Crimea), as well as on the lands of Asia Minor and southern Europe. Iberises are especially fond of growing in mountainous areas, but they feel great in the lower reaches of rivers (for example, the Don). Of all 40 species, there are 3-4 that grow wild in the Caucasus.
| Family name | Cabbage or Cruciferous |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Herbaceous, ground cover, semi-shrub |
| Reproduction | Seed or vegetative |
| Landing period in open ground | Seeds - April or October, seedlings - in the second half of May |
| Disembarkation scheme | Seedlings of the same species are placed at a distance of no closer than 15-25 cm to each other |
| Substrate | Sandy, stony or loamy |
| Soil acidity, pH | 6, 5-7 (neutral) 7-8 (slightly alkaline) |
| Illumination | Sunny accommodation, partial shade possible |
| Moisture indicators | Watering is moderate, but regular, especially needed in drought. |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious care |
| Plant height | Up to 0.4 cm |
| Color of flowers | Snow white, pink, red, lilac or purple |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Umbrella of brushes |
| Flowering time | May or August |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Alpine slides, rockeries, border planting, as a ground cover, for cutting |
| USDA zone | 4–9 |
The plant got its name in Latin due to natural growth, which fell mainly on the lands of the Iberian Peninsula, which in ancient times was called Iberia. Since the external outlines were very reminiscent of other representatives of the flora, this was reflected in popular nicknames - for example, peppers, and the names of a ragweed or stennik indicated the properties and characteristics of growth. In some Western European countries, the term "candytuft" is used, but the roots do not go back to the word "candy" in English, meaning sweetness (candy), but to Candia - a city that existed in ancient times, known today as Heraklion, the capital of Crete.
Iberises can be annuals or perennials, take both herbaceous and semi-shrub forms. The root system of the plant is rod-shaped, going deep into the ground, so transplants are extremely undesirable for it. The location of the shoots depends directly on the species, since they can be upright or spread over the soil surface. The height of the bush is about 40 cm, but there are also shorter specimens, only 10-15 cm. In bare shoots, strong branching is pronounced. The surface of the stems is smooth, mostly devoid of foliage. In the root zone, lignification is observed and then the surface of the stem acquires a brown tint.
The leaf blade of the stennik is simple, its surface is smooth, the color is saturated tones of green, but mostly the leaves are dark green. The foliage is small, in length it rarely exceeds 7 cm. The shape of the leaf is lanceolate or obverse-lanceolate. They can be located in the opposite order, mainly in the upper part of the shoots.
The main difference between Iberis in the cruciferous family is the umbrella-shaped clusters of inflorescences, which is not characteristic of such plants. The inflorescences are composed of small flowers, in which the sepals do not have the shape of a bag. The color of the petals can be white, pink, lilac, red or purple. There are two petals in the flower, they have deep cuts and large sizes, which gives the impression that there are four of them. Corolla with zygomorphic outlines. Filaments are simple and grow freely. In the flower, on both sides of the shortened stamens, there is one honey gland with a triangular shape.
The diameter of the flower reaches only 1 cm, but a lot of them open, so that the foliage is almost completely covered with inflorescences. The flowering process can occur in late spring or summer. The flowering period reaches 8 weeks. During this period, a strong fragrant aroma hovers over the Iberian plantings, attracting pollinating insects. At the same time, it was noticed that the flowering of annual varieties is longer than of perennials.
After pollination, the fruit ripens, which has a rounded or oval shape. The fruit is a pod, characterized by a pair of valves and flattened on the sides. At its top, there is a more or less deep recess, and there is also a narrow partition. The outlines of the valves are keeled, often in front of them or around you can see a leathery winglet. Seeds growing in pods remain suitable for reproduction for 2–4 years.
The plant looks quite decorative and, due to its unpretentiousness, is hotly loved by landscape designers and flower growers.
Growing Iberis in the open field - planting and care
- Choosing a place for planting the Iberian. Since the native lands are mainly located in warm climatic conditions, then in the garden you should choose a place that is well protected from wind and drafts, and also so that it is illuminated by direct sunlight. But the plant can feel comfortable in partial shade, which is created by the lacy crowns of trees, but in this case the flowering will be less. The main thing is to exclude the possibility of stagnation of melt water or moisture from precipitation.
- Councils for the choice of soil. Again, it is worth taking into account the natural preferences of the variegated, here it is better to choose light or stony substrates, loams are suitable. It is in such soil that moisture will not be able to stagnate, both after the snow has melted and after heavy and prolonged rains. If the soil in your area is heavy, too fertile, then it is recommended to mix river sand and fine expanded clay into it before planting. The acidity of the soil should be in the pH range 6, 5–8, that is, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline. Otherwise, when planting, it is better to add lime to the substrate.
- Planting Iberis. In open ground, you can sow seeds in mid-spring or before winter. Seedlings are also planted when the soil warms up enough, around the end of May, at which time the threat of morning frosts has already passed. At the bottom of the hole, you can put a little drainage material - expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone - with the first layer. Such a layer will protect the roots from waterlogging and will retain moisture for a longer time in summer drought. The seedling is carefully removed from the pot (if it is not peaty), it is important not to injure the root system, so planting by transshipment is suitable here. In this case, the planting capacity is cut and the earthen lump with roots is not destroyed. They try to keep the distance between the seedlings of Iberis in the range of 12-15 cm. After the seedling is placed in the hole, soil is poured into it and it is slightly squeezed. Then you need to thoroughly water the plant. If several varieties of Iberia are planted nearby, it is better to leave a larger distance between them (about 15-25 cm), since over-pollination is possible. When planting seedlings or seedlings, the root collar does not deepen.
- Watering the stencil. When caring for Iberis, it is recommended to carry out regular moistening of the soil, but especially the plant will need watering in the summer, during the period of drought. The indicator for moisture is the top layer of the soil, it should not dry out, but keep in mind that excessive flooding will lead to rotting of the root system.
- Fertilizers for Iberis. Since the plant in nature mainly settles on sandy and depleted soils, it is possible not to feed the variegated at all. However, it was noticed that she gladly responds to 1-2 times fertilization during the growing season. You can use complex mineral preparations, for example, Kemiru-Universal. It is desirable that the agent is in liquid form to dissolve in the irrigation water. It will be good to replace one of these dressings with a mullein solution.
- Wall trimming necessary after the end of the flowering process. It is important to shorten the shoots of the plant by a third of their length, this will stimulate further branching and the establishment of a larger number of flower buds. The pruning procedure will also serve to shape the shrub.
- General tips for caring for an Iberian. When flowering occurs, it is recommended to remove wilted inflorescences, which will prolong this process, and pruning performed at such a moment may cause re-flowering at the end of summer, since young flower buds will form on the overgrown branches. If the plant has reached the age of five, it is better to plant it, since the already medium-sized flowers will begin to shrink.
- How and when to harvest Iberis seeds. In places where flowers previously bloomed, you can soon notice pods filled with seeds. Since the flowering process at the stencil is extended in time, they do not ripen at the same time, and therefore the collection can be carried out constantly. After collecting the pods, they are left to dry in a warm and dry place, such as an attic. It is important that ventilation is present there, as evaporating moisture can negate all efforts and the fruits of Iberia will rot. When the pods are thoroughly dry, it is easy to open them and remove the seed. The seeds are stored until sowing in a dry, cool and dark place. You can fold them neatly into a paper bag. The plant can self-propagate if the seeds are not harvested. And when young seedlings of variegated petals are visible in the new spring, they just need to be thinned out.
- Iberis wintering. Despite the fact that the plant shows resistance to frost, with the arrival of November, it is better to provide for the shelter of the bushes. For this, spruce branches, dry foliage or non-woven material (for example, spunbond) are used. But before you cover the Iberian, it is necessary to cut off the entire aerial part of the bush.
- The use of Iberian in landscape design. It is best to plant variegated on the rocky soil of rockeries, rock gardens or similar slopes. It is not bad to decorate curbs with undersized species, as well as plant balconies, planting bushes in garden containers. Various conifers look good next to the lush inflorescences of Iberis. Bells and gazanias, phloxes and marigolds will be good neighbors. When cutting, a bouquet from a wall frame in a vase will last up to 10 days. In some countries, florists use flower shoots to create bridal bouquets.
How to propagate Iberis?
In order to get a new Iberis bush, you can apply both the seed and the vegetative method (dividing the bush, rooting, cuttings).
- Division of the bush. When the plant reaches 5 years of age, its flowers may become smaller, then it is best to divide the overgrown bush. In early spring, while the juices have not yet begun to move in the branches, they carefully remove the Iberis from the soil, cut its root system with a sharp knife and sprinkle all the cuts with crushed charcoal or activated charcoal. After that, the cut is quickly transplanted to an already prepared place in the garden, watered abundantly. It is important that in this case the plants are not in direct sunlight at noon, as this will interfere with rooting.
- Iberis cuttings is also a method of vegetative propagation. During the summer period, you can cut and root branches from the tops of the shoots. The length of such cuttings is about 8–10 cm. Twigs are planted in pots with moistened peat-sandy soil and covered with cut plastic bottles (without a bottom). Airing and watering will be required during the rooting process. As soon as it is noticed that young shoots have appeared on the cuttings of the Iberian, the seedlings are transplanted into the open ground by the transshipment method.
- Layers you can propagate those types of stennik in which the shoots grow lodging. Then it is easy to bend a healthy branch to the soil, dig in with soil and take care of it like a mother bush. As soon as it is noticed that young roots have grown, the layers are carefully separated and planted in their own hole. This operation is possible throughout the summer.
- Seeds Iberis is propagated most often. But here, too, options are possible: sowing directly into the ground in mid-spring or before winter, as well as growing seedlings.
In open ground, Iberian seeds are sown in mid-spring. The sowing site should be sunny, and the soil fertile (peaty-sandy). Since young seedlings will begin to bloom already 2-3 months after the shoots appear, many growers recommend sowing in several stages with a gap of 20-30 days. Thanks to this, it is possible to get both early flowering plants and later flowering plants. For sowing, shallow grooves are prepared and seeds are distributed in them. Then they are carefully sprinkled with soil and if it is too dry, then gently watered. When seedlings of variegated petals appear, it is necessary to carry out thinning so that the distance between the seedlings remains 12-15 cm.
To grow seedlings, you need to use seedling boxes of shallow depth. Peat-sandy soil is poured into them and seed is distributed on the surface. Iberis seeds are pressed into the soil using a wooden plank. They are not sprinkled with a substrate on top. A piece of glass is placed on the box or the container is wrapped in plastic wrap. The place where the seeds will germinate should be with bright, but diffused lighting and a temperature of about 15-18 degrees. Just as with cuttings, it is necessary to periodically air and spray crops from a spray bottle with warm water. When 7–30 days have passed, the shoots of Iberis will appear and then it is recommended to remove the shelter. After a pair of real leaves unfold on the seedlings, a pick is performed in separate pots. It is better to take peat, which are immediately installed in the hole during transplantation. This will help not to injure the root system.
Iberis seedlings are transplanted into open ground only from mid-May, when morning frosts pass. If you live in the southern regions, this time will come sooner. The distances between plants are maintained depending on their type - within 15-25 cm.
Fight against possible pests and diseases of Iberis
The plant is quite persistent, but if agricultural technology is violated during its cultivation (for example, the soil is flooded or the soil is too heavy and moisture stagnates), then fungal diseases are possible. Then the foliage turns yellow, and the root system gradually decays. If this disease is detected, all parts that look damaged must be removed, and then transplanted to a new location. In this case, pre-treatment with fungicides is carried out.
Iberis pests can be considered aphids, mealybugs or earthen fleas. Then the leaves look eaten, whitish lumps resembling cotton wool are formed on them, or small bugs are clearly visible, leaving behind a sticky coating (pad). In this case, it is recommended to carry out treatment with insecticidal and acaricidal agents, such as Fitoverm or Aktara.
Notes for growers about Iberis
It is curious that there are countries in which young sprigs of Iberis are usually used for food, their taste is sweet and somewhat similar to broccoli cabbage.
In addition, Iberis is well known to folk healers and modern pharmacology. Preparations based on it are prescribed for diseases of the cardiovascular system, problems with the gastrointestinal tract (for example, for ulcers or gastritis). The plant has choleretic properties, relieves pain in kidney disease and helps with uterine tumors. Decoctions or tinctures of Iberian can help whet the appetite.
It is good to use remedies based on stencil for sore throat or bronchitis, they are recommended for pneumonia. Topically used to quickly heal wounds or to treat gout.
Contraindications are pregnancy, lactation and childhood.
Iberis species
Iberis bitter (Iberis amara)
The plant with its shoots reaches a height of 30 cm. It is an annual. There is pubescence on branched shoots originating from the root collar. Foliage - obverse-lanceolate. There are denticles on the edge of the leaves, the arrangement of the leaves is alternate. The diameter of the flowers is 1, 5–2 cm. The flower petals are white, but there are also delicate lilacs. Inflorescences racemose with columnar outlines. Cultivation began in the 16th century. The most famous varieties are:
- Tom Tumb or Thumb Boy (Tom Thumb) in height varying in the range of 12-15 cm with snow-white inflorescences.
- Hyacinthenbluit Risen. A shrub that grows up to 35 cm in height. Flowers with lilac petals.
- Weiss Reese. Bushy, with shoots reaching 30 cm in height, snow-white bloom.
Iberis umbrella (Iberis umbellata)
The height of this annual can approach 40 cm. The surface of the branched shoots is glabrous and smooth. The foliage grows in succession and has a lanceolate outline. When flowering, it emits a fragrant aroma. Umbrella-shaped inflorescences are collected from flowers, the petals of which can take on all shades from snow-white to lilac. If you sow the seeds of this variety, then it takes 2–2, 5 months before the buds begin to open. The flowering period extends over 8 weeks. In culture since the beginning of the XVI century. The favorite varieties of florists are:
- Fairy Mixtche or Fairy Mixtche - shrub plant with a height of about 20–25 cm. Often represented by a mixture of seed with various colors.
- Red Rush or Red rash (Red Rash). The shrub does not exceed 30 cm in height. It blooms with carmine-red flowers.
- Pink Dream or Pink Dream. The size is small, the color of the foliage is dark green. In numerous inflorescences, bright pink flowers are collected. Can easily survive short-term frosts.
Iberis evergreen (Iberis sempervirens)
has a semi-shrub form, a perennial. Shoots are measured in height in the range of 30–40 cm. The foliage is oblong, the length of the leaf plate reaches 7 cm. The surface of the leaf is smooth, the edge is solid, the color is dark green. When flowering, the diameter of the umbellate inflorescences is 5 cm. There are many flowers in the inflorescences, but they are small with a diameter of only 1.5 cm. The flowering process is extended for 20 days, often in August there is a repeated one. In culture since the 17th century. The most favorite varieties are recognized:
- Zwergschneeflocke - a variety of dwarf sizes, only 15 cm in height with a total width of the bush of 30–40 cm. It is planted as a ground cover in rock gardens and rockeries. The flowers have snow-white petals.
- Snowflake or Snowflake - an evergreen shrub with a height of no more than 25 cm. The foliage is narrow, dark green, smooth. Umbrella inflorescences are collected from short flower brushes. The color of the petals is white. Blooms in May or early summer.
- Findall - a shrub with shoots reaching a height of 20 cm, while the diameter of such a curtain is close to 80 cm.
- Dana it is distinguished by abundant flowering, but the height does not exceed 15 cm.
- Little Jem a ground cover plant not exceeding 12 cm in stems. Possesses snow-white inflorescences.
Video about growing Iberis:
