Description of a representative of the flora, features of growing globularia in open ground, rules for breeding bloomers, difficulties arising during cultivation, curious notes, species.
| Family name | Plantains |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Evergreen, creeping |
| Reproduction | Seed and vegetative (cuttings or division of the rhizome) |
| Landing period in open ground | Rooted cuttings, planted in August |
| Disembarkation scheme | Depends on the variety |
| Substrate | Any slightly alkaline soil |
| Illumination | Open area with bright lighting |
| Moisture indicators | Moisture stagnation is harmful, watering is moderate, drainage is recommended |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | 0.05-0.3 m |
| Color of flowers | Silver-blue, blue-violet, white, pinkish |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Globular |
| Flowering time | May June |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Borders, rabatki, rock garden, rockeries |
| USDA zone | 3, 4, 5 |
Globularia (Globularia) belongs to the genus of representatives of the flora, which are attributed to the Plantaginaceae family. The native area of distribution of this plant falls on vast territories, which include the continent of Eurasia, the Crimean peninsula, the lands of the Caucasus and the northwestern regions of the African continent. In nature, it can be found in open areas where stony and rocky soil is present, such areas fall on talus and plains, the soil on which is predominantly alkaline. However, it is believed that globularia began its spread to the indicated regions of the planet from the Alps (the longest mountain range in Europe). Scientists have combined about 20 varieties into this genus.
The term in Latin, which characterizes the outlines of the inflorescence of the plant "globulus", which translates as "ball" has become the reason for the scientific name, and even among florists, the flower is called "bloomer".
Globularia has a long-term life cycle and, growing, can form dense clumps with its shoots (large areas completely covered with a plant). It has a shrub or semi-shrub form of growth. The root system is well developed with a fibrous type, which makes it possible to anchor the bloomer on talus and rocky ground. Plant height usually varies from 5 cm to 0.3 meters, which directly depends on the variety. Shoots, clinging to the surface of the soil, root easily, so they quickly fill the surrounding areas.
The leaf plates have a rich dark green color, their surface is dense to the touch. The foliage is attached to the branches with short petioles, the length of which is 1.5–3 cm. The shape of the leaves is obovate or lanceolate. A basal rosette is collected from the leaves, or they grow evenly along the entire length of the shoot.
During flowering, the formation of inflorescences with capitate outlines occurs. They are crowned with flowering stems, which vary in height within the range of 15–25 cm. The sizes of the inflorescence are rather large in diameter, they reach two centimeters. In their appearance, the flowers of the globularia are somewhat reminiscent of a dandelion, due to their fluffy appearance. The color of the corolla of flowers can take on various shades that range from pale blue to deep and rich blue-violet. But today, thanks to the efforts of breeders, bloomers have been bred, possessing the coloring of the inflorescences of a snow-white or even pinkish tone. The flowering process takes place from mid-May days to early summer. Flowers do not have a pronounced odor. When the inflorescences begin to wither, so that the plant does not lose its decorative qualities, it is recommended to cut the flowering stems.
The plant is not very demanding in care, but due to the fact that the central part of dense curtains begins to actively die off, rejuvenation will be required. Such an operation is recommended every 3-4 years.
Features of growing globularia in open ground
- Choosing a landing site. This perennial grows best in an open and brightly lit area. The plant can withstand partial shade, but then flowering will be scarce. But if the weather is very dry and hot for a long time, then shading will be required.
- Watering globularia. Sharovnik does not tolerate waterlogged soil and can withstand slight drought.
- Fertilizers for the plant, they are introduced only when planting is performed, dolomite flour is applied so that the soil becomes slightly alkaline. But complex mineral preparations are also used in the spring months. Overfeeding with nitrogen means will lead to foliage growth to the detriment of flowering. Globularia responds well to organics.
- Globular transplant and advice on soil selection. The plant should be transplanted only once every 3-4 years (this is especially true for the type of hairy blooming moth), since the central part of the curtain begins to die off strongly. But there is evidence that other species will require transplantation only once every 10 years. Drainage should be laid at the bottom of the hole.
- General recommendations for care. In order for the plant to continue to delight with its decorative appearance, it is necessary, after the inflorescences to fade, to cut the peduncles, if you do not need to collect seeds and this will contribute to the continuation of flowering. Although some varieties of bloomer are frost-resistant, when the winter is not too snowy, it is recommended to shelter with fallen leaves, spruce branches or agrofibre - usually this concerns the species Globularia punctata.
Globularia breeding rules
Both when caring for the bloomer and when propagating, the plant does not show special requirements. You can sow seeds, divide an overgrown rhizome, or root cuttings.
The seed method is used only in breeding work, since there is information that they do not germinate too willingly, and the resulting specimens will bloom only after a period of 2-3 years from the time of planting. Seedlings are grown from the seed material, which is collected after flowering from the inflorescences. At the end of summer, it is planted in flower beds in prepared soil. The best time to plant seeds is early spring. Since the seeds of globularia have the property of increased sensitivity to direct sunlight, they will need to be scattered on the surface of the substrate, which is preliminarily placed in a seedling box. Seeding is not recommended.
When germinating seeds, soil moistening must be carried out with the so-called "bottom irrigation", when water is poured into a tray on which the seedling container is installed. The germination temperature is maintained at 12–20 degrees. The first shoots can be seen already after 2-3 weeks after planting the seeds of the bloomer. After that, when the plants get stronger, they are transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
Since the shoots take root easily upon contact with the soil, the vegetative propagation method is most suitable. The branches can simply be pressed against the moistened substrate, and when root shoots appear, then such leafy rosettes are carefully separated from the adult plant and planted in the required place. With the help of cuttings, young globularia will begin to bloom most quickly and there is another way to obtain seedlings, carried out in spring or early June:
- a slightly lignified young shoot of the bloomer is selected, which has a pair, or preferably three buds;
- the largest leaf plates are recommended to be carefully removed;
- with a sharply sharpened and sterile knife, an incision is made obliquely;
- the planting of the cuttings goes into a light substrate, poured into pots or seedling boxes;
- then the seedlings are covered with a plastic transparent film;
- cuttings are taken care of, consisting of daily spraying of the soil from a finely dispersed spray gun, and at the same time ventilation is necessary to remove accumulated condensate.
After a month, rooting will be completed and it is recommended to remove the film so that accustoming to the conditions of the room goes on. You can plant young plants in a prepared place in the garden. Also, the globularia easily divides the overgrown rhizome. With the arrival of spring, the bush is dug out of the ground, then the soil is shaken off from the root system and with the help of a garden tool or a sharpened knife, you can cut the root system of the sharovnik. At the same time, it is important that each part of the plant has a well-developed shoot, roots and buds. After that, the sections are sprinkled with activated carbon powder and the plant parts are planted in a pot with a suitable well-moistened soil. If the root system is damaged too much, it is recommended to carry out treatment with a root formation stimulator. If the bloomer has not yet completed flowering, then division is strictly prohibited.
Difficulties arising from the cultivation of globularia and ways to solve them
It is glad that the bloomer is practically not affected by harmful insects. However, there is an observation that in especially lean years, small rodents, such as, for example, field mice, massively attack the globular clumps. If the summer is rainy and the soil is flooded for a long time, then slugs become a problem for the plant. It is recommended to carry out treatment with preparations like "Meta-Thunder" or with a similar spectrum of action, and between Globularia plantings crushed stone or expanded clay is poured, which will impede the movement of pests.
Also, excessive watering of the soil or the wrong location of the flower bed, that is, there is the possibility of stagnant water or the proximity of groundwater, becomes a problem for the sharovnik. Too acidic substrate is also harmful.
Curious notes about the bloomer, a photo of a herbaceous plant
A variety of globularia - Globularia alypum, is distinguished by its medicinal properties, and many people know it under the name Sharovnitsa anesthetic, since it is customary to prepare decoctions from its dried leaves. Some varieties are listed in the Red Book of Russia, since they have become very rare in nature, and are considered relict.
It is customary to plant next to phloxes or in a rose garden. The plant looks good next to other ground covers, such as stonecrops, rejuvenated, various geraniums and cereals, chamomile or yarrow will also be an excellent "neighbor". Globularia will be an excellent replacement for the bulbous representatives of the flora, which fade quite early. The bloomer is used because of its ground cover properties most often in group plantings than as a tapeworm. It is customary to decorate curbs, ridges and small meadows in the garden or flower beds with it.
Types of globularia
- Globularia punctata. The plant can reach a height of 20–25 cm. The basal leaf plates are collected in a powerful rosette. The flowering process occurs in mid-May and lasts until mid-June. On thick flowering stems, spherical inflorescences with a slight oblateness are formed. The color can be either lilac or snow-white. The species is distinguished by its increased resistance to frost, however, if the winter is snowless, then the decorativeness of the curtain drops very much, and therefore additional shelter (with agrofibre or spruce branches) is recommended.
- Globularia cordifolia often referred to as heart-leaved globularia. The native habitat is in the mountainous regions of the European continent. In height, this plant reaches only 7–10 cm, but with the help of its shoots it easily forms cushion thickets. The flowering process will last up to four weeks from the end of May. The leaf plates are shiny, not losing the saturation of a dark green color even after flowering, which lengthens the decorative time of the plant. The foliage is obovate, the surface is dense. The shape of the resulting inflorescences is hemispherical. They have a blue or violet-blue and lilac hue, but today, through the efforts of breeders, plants with a pinkish and snow-white color have been bred (varieties "Rosea" and "Alba", respectively).
- Hair globularia (Globularia trichosantha). This variety is the tallest, with creeping branches that root easily when in contact with the soil. Rhizome is strong with a multi-headed shape. Leaf plates with three teeth at the top. A basal rosette is formed from them, giving rise to a flowering shoot in June, measuring 30 cm in length. It is crowned with an inflorescence that does not exceed one and a half centimeters in diameter. The color of the fluffy inflorescence is dark purple or lilac blue. Flowers are single. This species, due to its rarity, is a relict one today, all because the territories of its growth are being developed for farmland. The plant is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
- Globularia dwarf (Globularia nana) or as it is also called creeping Globularia (Globularia repens). The variety is not only distinguished by its particular unpretentiousness, but also by a very small height, which reaches only 5–6 cm. It has a shrub form and evergreen foliage. The flowering process falls on May days and can last for almost a month. Loose fluffy inflorescences with a semi-ball shape appear on the peduncles. Their color can take on a light blue color with a purple tint. If the winter months were not very frosty and snowy, then the curtains continue to retain their decorative properties and features of the ground cover culture during this period.
- Globularia nudicaulis in height it can vary from 20 to 25 cm. A dense rosette is formed from the root leaf plates. During flowering, a thick flowering stem is formed, characterized by fleshy outlines, devoid of foliage. At its top, a spherical inflorescence is formed with a slightly flattened upper surface. Their color ranges from pale lilac to deep purple. Occasionally, white colors can also be found.
- Iberian Sharovnik dwarf has graceful forms and a height of about 5–7 cm. On the peduncle, a blue inflorescence, fluffy outlines, is formed on the May days. The length of the flowering stem is short.
- Globularia salicina differs in external characteristics from previous varieties. The foliage has an elongated obovate, green color. On a plump peduncle, an inflorescence is formed with two shades: the outer edge is whitish-blue, and the inner part is blue-violet.
- Fleshy globularia (Globularia sarcophylla) the leaf plates of this variety are the same shape as the previous species, but in the center they are slightly wider. In the inflorescence, there is a light blue shade, and the central part, highlighted in dark blue, occupies a rather small diameter.
- Anesthetic globularia (Globularia alypum) has a semi-shrub form of growth, reaching 60 cm in height. Shoots are straight and lignified over time. The foliage of a rich dark green color, taking an obovate shape with a strong pointed at the base. The size of the leaves is small. Flowers on fleshy flowering stems are blue-blue in color.
