Pushkinia blooms in the garden one of the first. Its white-blue inflorescences fascinate with its beauty. Puskinia belongs to the Liliaceae family. You can meet her on the arid rocky slopes of the Caucasus and Asia Minor. The plant is named after the Russian geologist Count Musin-Pushkin. It was he who at the beginning of the 19th century discovered amazing flowers on the slopes of Ararat. The advantage of Pushkinia is a more abundant and lush flowering, therefore, among other primroses it occupies a leading position. This unpretentious plant can be planted in the most uncomfortable places, and it will certainly take root.
Botanical characteristics
Pushkinia is a herbaceous perennial plant with a bulbous root system. Oblong bulbs are covered with brown scales and are 2-2.5 cm long. The height of flowering specimens is 15-20 cm. Immediately after the snow melts above the ground, a rosette of root leaves grows. Linear dark green leaves have a dense structure. In total, 2-3 leaves grow from one bulb.
After 10-12 days, a dense erect peduncle appears. On it, bell-shaped flowers bloomed in raceme blossoms bloom. The length of the brush is 12 centimeters. Flowering occurs in March-April and lasts from 10 days to 3 weeks. On one inflorescence can be up to 30 drooping buds. Corolla consists of six oblong petals, fused at the base into a short tube. On white or pale blue petals there is a blue longitudinal strip. In the center of the flower is an elongated column with ovary and stamens. During the flowering period, Pushkin exudes a rather sharp aroma. It attracts bees and other pollinating insects.
Ripe fruits in the form of seed boxes with fleshy green walls contain rounded light brown seeds. A few weeks after flowering and fruiting, the entire growth of Pushkinia begins to wither. By the beginning of summer, the plant completely disappears and goes into a dormant state until next spring.
Types of Pushkinia
The genus Pushkinia is represented by only two species. Both are successfully cultivated in Russia.
Pushkinia hyacinth widespread in the Caucasus and northern Iran. The miniature plant reaches a height of 15 cm. Linear leaves up to 2 cm wide are opened first. Strong stems later appear with dense oval inflorescences. From each bulb, 2-4 peduncles grow per season. In the inflorescence are 12-15 bluish drooping bells. The diameter of the corolla is 1.5 cm. There is a bright blue stripe on the pale blue petals. Flowering lasts 11-20 days.
Pushkinia forest-like found in Iran, Turkey and Lebanon. Linear foliage grows 12-15 cm in height. Thick fleshy leaves are painted in dark green color. On a peduncle 20 cm long are white or pale blue bells. The diameter of the flower is 1.5-2 cm. The flowers exude a more delicate and pleasant aroma. They are collected in racemose inflorescences 12 cm high. Flowering begins in the first days of May and lasts up to 25 days.
A variety of Pushkinia Lebanese is popular. It differs in larger snow-white flowers with a serrated edge at the petals.
Breeding
Pushkinia is propagated by sowing seeds and dividing the bush. Seed propagation is more labor intensive. Seedlings bloom only in the fourth year after planting. Crops are produced immediately in open ground in September-October. Shoots will appear in early spring. At first, they will be barely noticeable and weak. It is important to immediately identify the place of planting of Pushkinia seeds, so as not to accidentally confuse seedlings with weeds.
Every year, children are formed on the mother's bulb. Every 4-5 years it is recommended to plant them separately so that the plants feel more spacious. All planting work is carried out in August-September, when Pushkinia goes into a dormant state. It is necessary to carefully dig out the entire curtain, free the bulbs from an earthen coma and dry them in the shade. Sorted onions are stored until the end of October in a cool, ventilated area and only then planted in the ground.
Seat selection and landing
Pushkinia is planted in open areas or in partial shade. You can plant it under deciduous trees, because during the period of growth and flowering, their crown still does not cover the sun. It is advisable not to place the bulbs near water bodies or in places where groundwater approaches the surface.
Pushkinia grows well on loose and fertile soils. It is necessary to add more compost and sand to heavy clay soils. Bulbs are planted to a depth of 5-7 cm, the distance between plants should be 10-15 cm. Before planting, the soil must be well moistened and leveled so that there are no large clods of earth.
Plant care
Caring for Pushkin is quite simple, due to its short life cycle. Plants rarely need watering, since they get enough moisture when snow melts. If the soil is very dry and cracked, it is necessary to water the plant with a small portion of water.
Delicate miniature flowers cannot defeat weeds on their own. They often suffer from their aggression. In order for the Pushkini thickets to be strong, and the roots receive enough air, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil near it and remove weeds.
In early spring, when the snow had just melted, you need to feed Pushkin with mineral complexes with nitrogen and phosphorus ("nitrophoska"). Dry powder is scattered on the surface of the earth. In mid-autumn, the plant is prepared for wintering: planting sites are mulched with rotted manure and peat. They will protect the bulbs from frost and excessive waterlogging of the soil. In the spring, the mulch is not removed; it will protect the soil from drying out.
To prevent self-seeding, it is recommended to prune wilted inflorescences. Leaves are left to dry completely to allow the bulbs to stock up with essential nutrients for future wintering.
With improper care and frequent flooding of the soil, bulbous and gray rot are affected by pushing. Damaged plants need to be burned. You cannot use them for compost. The most common plant pests are rodents and root mites. From parasites, pickling of bulbs and the use of special chemicals for application to the soil helps.
Garden use
Delicate highly decorative Pushkinia is suitable for decorating alpine slides, mixborders and rockeries. Islands with lush and dense inflorescences attract special attention, because there are not so many spring flowers in the garden. Using group landings, you can create a solid lush carpet. Pushkinia is good in the vicinity of crocuses, hazel grouse, anemones and hyacinths. It is recommended to plant bulbs along with later flowering plants. They protect greens and bulbs from the hot summer sun. In this case, the flower garden will delight with bright colors until late autumn.
Pushkinia is also good as a pot culture. If you plant the bulbs in containers in the winter, then by the beginning of spring they will already bloom profusely. Such a gift for many will be more enjoyable than the usual bouquet of flowers.
