Content
Evergreen Iberis (Iberis sempervirens) is a low-growing perennial, which is one of the first to please with its flowering with the arrival of spring heat. This culture is a member of the Cruciferous family. She comes from Spain, which in ancient times was called Iberia, for which the plant got its name. Despite its southern origin, the perennial has taken root well in countries with more severe climatic conditions. Planting and caring for evergreen Iberis is not difficult, but it is worth paying attention to some details when growing this plant.
Iberis evergreen exudes a pleasant aroma during the flowering period
Description of evergreen Iberis
This plant is characterized by low-growing bushes, the height of which does not exceed half a meter. Iberis evergreen forms numerous highly branching shoots. As they grow, they lignify at the bottom, and remain flexible in the upper part. Evergreen Iberis branches are spreading, erect or creeping, depending on the species.
The leaves of the plant are oblong, narrow. Their length reaches 3-5 cm, and their width is no more than 0.5 cm. Evergreen Iberis shoots are densely leafy, with a short step between the nodes, therefore, the impression of a solid fluffy hummock is created. The plates have a dark green tint with a sheen.
Flowers of evergreen Iberis are simple, no more than 1.5 cm. They are collected in umbellate inflorescences. Their diameter is about 5 cm. Depending on the variety, the shade of the petals can be white, pink, lilac. There is also the Gibraltar evergreen Iberis, which has a beautiful lilac shade of petals.
The plant forms numerous buds. The first lush bloom occurs in May. Its duration is 8 weeks. Under favorable conditions, the perennial can bloom again in August, but not so luxuriantly.
Iberis evergreen fruits are bivalve pods of an oval or round shape. They are slightly flattened on the sides and have a small notch at the top. Inside each one there are numerous seeds of a dark brown hue. When ripe, the pods burst and pour out the contents. This is how self-seeding of a plant can occur.
During the period of flowering leaves, the plant is practically invisible
The best varieties
There are about 40 types of this culture. They are the basis for the development of new varieties. All species are similar to each other and have a high decorative effect.
Evergreen Iberis Tahoe
This variety is characterized by compact shrubs up to 30 cm high and up to 40 cm wide. Tahoe has an earlier flowering period, which occurs 2 weeks earlier than other species. The shade of the petals of this variety is white.
Evergreen Iberis Tahoe is characterized by increased frost resistance
Evergreen Iberis Snowflake (Snowflake)
Low-growing variety of culture. The height of its bushes reaches 25 cm and the width is about 45 cm.Undemanding to the composition of the soil, but needs good drainage when planting in heavy clay soil. The evergreen Snowflake Iberis is distinguished by its snow-white, aromatic flowers.
This variety is capable of wintering without shelter in the southern regions.
Evergreen Iberis Whiteout
A novelty variety characterized by voluminous bushes. The height of the plant does not exceed 25 cm, but the diameter reaches 60 cm. The leaves are dark green up to 7 cm. The size of white flowers reaches 1.5 cm, they are collected in umbellate inflorescences, each 6 cm. The Whiteout variety is ideal for a rock garden.
The name of the evergreen Iberis Whiteout means "Whiteout"
Evergreen Iberis Fire Ice
A lush-flowering variety with snow-white flowers, which are collected in umbellate inflorescences with a diameter of 5 cm. It forms bushes up to 40 cm high and about 50 cm wide. During the flowering period, leaves are not visible. The plant begins to form buds at the end of May. The duration of budding in Fire Ice Iberis is 20-25 days.
Fire Ice prefers sunny, open areas
Evergreen Iberis Snowfall
Another variety with snow-white and fragrant flowers. The plant forms umbellate inflorescences with a diameter of about 6 cm. The height of the Snowfall perennial does not exceed 30 cm, and the width is about half a meter. Duration of flowering 25 weeks in the presence of favorable conditions.
Evergreen Iberis Snowfall remains decorative throughout the season
Findall
Variety with compact, low-growing bushes, up to 25 cm high. The plant grows up to 40 cm wide. The variety is characterized by white flowers with a purple tint. The diameter of the inflorescences of the Findel variety reaches 5 cm.
Evergreen Iberis Findall needs shelter for the winter
Little Jam
One of the shortest cultivars. The height of the plant does not exceed 12 cm, but the diameter can be 40-45 cm. It forms umbellate inflorescences consisting of white flowers up to 1 cm in size. The Little Gem variety shows the maximum decorative effect when planted in loamy or stony soil.
Iberis Little Jam can form up to 200 inflorescences at the same time
Dana
Another dwarf variety of evergreen Iberis. The height of the bushes does not exceed 15 cm, and the diameter is about 50 cm. The Dana variety is distinguished by small flowers no more than 1.0 cm in size, which are collected in inflorescences. During the budding period, the leaves are completely hidden behind them.
Dana has a flowering time of about 6 weeks.
Application in landscape design
Evergreen Iberis is popular with budding gardeners and professional landscape designers. This is due to its ability to fit perfectly into any composition and create a bright accent in group and single plantings.
The plant can be used:
- as a foreground in a multi-level flower bed;
- for framing garden paths;
- on the alpine slides;
- for curbs, ridges;
- in rockeries.
Evergreen Iberis is also suitable for planting in pots, which can later be used for landscaping balconies, terraces, the entrance to the gazebo, on the stairs.
Iberis evergreen looks great in combination with rocky boulders
Breeding features
Evergreen Iberis is easy to propagate by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush. Each of these methods has its own characteristics that must be taken into account.
For propagation by seed, you can collect the planting material yourself. To do this, it is necessary to cut off the perennial fruits at the stage of technical maturity. Then dry on the windowsill, wrapped in paper to keep the seeds inside.
For propagation of evergreen Iberis by cuttings, it is necessary to cut them from the tops of last year's shoots 5-7 cm long. After that, remove the leaves at the bottom, and powder the cut with any root former. Plant in a mixture of peat and sand, pre-moisten it.
The division of bushes is used in early spring, when the growing season of a perennial begins. During this period, it is necessary to dig up an evergreen Iberis bush, cut the shoots by 1/3 of the length, and then divide them into 2-3 parts with a knife or a shovel. After that, immediately plant in a permanent place and water abundantly.
Growing seedlings
To get well-developed seedlings by the beginning of the season, it is necessary to plant Iberis evergreen seeds in early March. To do this, you need to prepare wide containers, up to 10 cm high with drainage holes. They should be filled with a soil mixture of turf, peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1.
Before planting, the surface of the soil should be leveled and watered abundantly. After that, spread the seeds of evergreen Iberis at a distance of 3 cm from each other and sprinkle with a layer of sand no more than 0.5 cm thick. Cover the containers with foil to create a favorable microclimate, and place in a dark place with a temperature of +22 degrees. After sprouting, after 10-14 days, the containers should be placed on a sunny windowsill. Seedlings should be watered sparingly when the soil dries out.
It is best to use a spray bottle to water the seedlings.
Planting care for evergreen Iberis in the ground
In order for this perennial to fully develop and annually please with its flowering, it is necessary to plant it correctly on the site and choose the optimal place. You should also familiarize yourself with what problems you may encounter when growing.
When to plant
It is necessary to plant young seedlings of evergreen Iberis in a permanent place when the earth warms up well to a depth of 20 cm and the threat of return frosts passes. Therefore, in the southern regions, planting should be carried out in early May, and in areas with a temperate climate - at the end of this month.
Site selection and preparation
For evergreen Iberis, you need to choose sunny open areas, since even with light shading, the decorative effect of the plant decreases, and the bushes become loose. At the same time, this perennial is not very picky about the composition of the soil. The main thing is that it is loose and has good moisture and air permeability.
2 weeks before the procedure, you need to dig up the area to a depth of 20 cm, carefully remove the roots of perennials. You should also add humus to the soil at the rate of 5 kg per 1 sq. m. After that, level the surface.
Landing algorithm
Planting a plant is carried out according to the standard scheme, so a novice gardener can easily cope with it.
Algorithm of actions:
- Prepare holes 10 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
- Water and wait until moisture is absorbed, sprinkle with wood ash.
- Carefully remove the seedling together with a clod of earth from the container.
- Place it in the center and sprinkle with earth.
- Compact the surface at the base.
Watering and feeding schedule
This perennial does not require special care. It is necessary to water it only as a last resort in the absence of rain for a long time, since waterlogging negatively affects the development of evergreen Iberis.
Top dressing should be applied in early spring at the beginning of the growing season. During this period, you can use organics. It is recommended to apply fertilizers a second time when forming buds. At this time, it is necessary to apply phosphorus-potassium mineral mixtures. This will not only prolong flowering, but also increase the frost resistance of evergreen iberis.
Pruning
Faded peduncles should be removed in late autumn. It is also recommended to cut off all broken and damaged shoots of Iberis evergreen. In addition, during the season, it is recommended to periodically cut the tops of the shoots that stand out from the total mass.
Preparing for winter
In the southern regions, this perennial does not need shelter for the winter. It is necessary to insulate the plant only when grown in the central regions. To do this, lay the mulch with a layer of 3 cm of peat or humus on the soil under the bush, and cover it with spruce branches on top.
Diseases and pests
Iberis evergreen has increased resistance to diseases and pests. But in the case of a cold and rainy summer, the plant's immunity decreases.
Possible problems:
- Cruciferous keel. Soil fungus that forms growths on the roots. As a result, the Iberis stops growing and blooming. The leaves turn yellow and the bush withers completely. Diseased plants cannot be treated. For prevention, you need to use the drug "Maxim".
- Late blight. Brown spots appear at the base of the shoots, disrupting metabolic processes in tissues. This leads to wilting of the affected branches. It is recommended to use Bordeaux mixture for treatment.
- Cruciferous flea. Small pest of black color. It feeds on young tops of shoots and foliage. This leads to stunted growth and lack of flowering. For the fight, the drug "Actellik" should be used.
- Mealybug. A small pest that reproduces in the upper soil layer. Affects the aerial part of the plant. It can be determined by cotton pieces that are localized at the base of the leaves. To fight, you should use "Inta-Vir".
The need for a transplant
Iberis evergreen is able to grow and bloom luxuriantly in one place for about 10 years. In the future, the plant bushes are recommended to be updated, since their decorative effect and resistance to negative factors decreases.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for evergreen Iberis is easy. Therefore, this plant can be recommended to all gardeners who have no experience in growing ornamental crops. A perennial is able to delight with its annual flowering even in the absence of fertilizing and timely watering. The main thing is to plant it in an open area, away from tall plants.
