Features of chamomile
Chamomile is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, and is widely distributed on all continents. They are found in over a hundred species. Some varieties can reach a height of up to 90 cm while others are much smaller (5-10 cm). A branched erect stem, 20 to 90 cm high. The leaves are light green, elongated-toothed. Flowers, normally white in nature, can be of different colors if they are the result of human hybridization.
Regardless of height or color, plants share common characteristics: root type, horizontal stem, propagation methods, inflorescence structure, flowering period and cultivation needs.
Additional Information! The flower head is an inflorescence with two types of flowers: small yellow tubular flowers that form the center and white petals. They are numerous and fragrant, can be simple and lush. Closed on rainy days or with little sunshine.
Chamomile Care
Growing chamomile is quite simple, but you need to follow some simple rules. They are planted in flowerbeds in spring or autumn (you can plant until the soil freezes). Choose permeable, nutrient-rich garden soil. We protect the roots with mulch from drying out and from frost.
It needs a lot of light, ideally placed in a very sunny spot.
It is better to choose a corner of the garden, protected from the wind and not exposed to the hot midday sun.
How often to water chamomile?
This perennial is fairly drought tolerant, tolerating short dry periods well. It should be watered from the beginning of the growing season until the beginning of autumn during a severe drought. Keep the substrate moist but avoid standing water. Wet soil damages the plant, it rots easily, so water carefully.
They do not need fertilizer, but in order to bloom profusely, a slow-release granular product can be introduced in early spring.
Note! To stimulate flowering, it is necessary to gradually remove flowers and dry branches, and after flowering, cut off the stems and tops.
Chamomile reproduction
Chamomile propagates very easily, it can be grown in many ways: by dividing the bush, cuttings. You can also get seeds from your own plants.
Sowing is the simplest and most commonly used method, which can be carried out in the spring directly into the ground. The soil must be prepared by digging and loosening. The surface should be level, free of stones and weed roots. Sowing is carried out scattered or in rows at a distance of 40 cm. Reproduction of plants can also be spontaneous, spread by themselves.
If many seedlings have appeared, it is recommended to thin them out a little, leaving about 15 cm between them so that they can branch well. While the plants are small, they are often watered. Later, reduce the interval between waterings, given that this species is drought tolerant.
During the second or third year, the bushes are divided and transplanted, because they will begin to bloom worse, and may even disappear completely.
Divide and transplant bushes
Chamomile bushes are transplanted into the planting hole, so that all the roots freely fit. Irrigate immediately after.
A common propagation method is cuttings. Use the top of the shoot or its middle part, which is planted in the ground. With this method, plants will have hereditary characteristics.
Best propagated by cuttings in spring or autumn. The optimal length of the cuttings is 10 – 12 cm. Before planting, the cuttings are placed in water. The ideal germination temperature is between 18 and 22°C, without direct sunlight on the cuttings. Once established, they can be planted anywhere. In autumn, the stems are cut to the ground. Varieties prone to freezing cover. Flowering could be seen the following spring.
Diseases and pests of garden daisies
The plant is hardy and usually not attacked by specific diseases, however it can be affected by aphids. In this case, the use of special insecticides, preferably of biological origin, is recommended.
Chamomile wilting is of fungal origin, affects the vascular system of the plant and is difficult to get rid of. First, the upper part of the plant becomes lighter, then grayish. The plant stops growing and gradually dries completely. It is necessary to remove the infected plant, as well as the soil, to protect other plants around. Caterpillars infect the leaves, reducing the vitality of the plant.
Garden chamomile: types
In flowerbeds, a large decorative chamomile is most often found. A large number of varieties have been developed that differ in height, shape of leaves and flowers of different sizes and colors.
In culture, the most common types of garden daisies are common daisy – a large-flowered form. It grows up to 60–70 cm in height, and the inflorescences are 6–7 cm in diameter. It blooms for 2 months, starting from the beginning of June. The largest leucanthemum has more than a dozen varieties, which differ in the doubleness of the flower, the shape of the petals.
Chamomile garden name:
- Crazy Daisy with double lush flowers with a diameter of 10 cm. They reach a height of 90 cm. Blooms in July.
- “Snow Lady” The diameter of a simple flower reaches 17 cm. The variety does not tolerate winter cold well, it is prone to freezing, so it is often grown as an annual.
- Viral Supreme grows to a height of 90 cm. It blooms from July to September with white double flowers, the middle is yellowish. Winter-hardy plant, unpretentious.
- In the Real Neat variety, the bushes reach 45 cm in height, and the flowers have unusual tubular white petals that bifurcate at the ends and create a corrugated edge. The bush looks very original at the time of flowering.
Feverfew is known as Caucasian chamomile. It differs from leucanthemum in the structure of its leaves, they are fern-like.
Caucasian chamomile
This garden chamomile has varieties with simple and double flowers, differing in color.
- The Robinson variety (up to 80 cm) has large carmine or pink flowers with a diameter of 12 cm. It blooms from mid-June and pleases with flowers for a month. The variety is winter-hardy and tolerates a slight penumbra.
- “Paradise” with corrugated petals, from white to crimson.
- Hybrid “Terry Pink” grows up to 50 cm. Flowers 5-6 cm in diameter, densely double, pink-crimson.
- On the borders looks great “Pyrethrum maiden, which is easy to recognize by the color of the leaves. They are yellow-gold in color.
- “Golden Ball”. Small (3-4 cm) yellow, double flowers of spherical shape are strewn with the entire bush. A low-growing plant reaches a height of only 20-25 cm, looks great in borders or edging flower beds.
- ‘Carlos’ is a low growing plant with fragrant white flowers. The lower petals are slightly longer than the rest and frame the flower.
- Larger, white, spherical flowers are distinguished by the variety “Snowball”.
Garden perennial daisies are suitable for growing in almost any garden, even in portable containers on the terrace. They look great in flower beds along with bright flowers. Perennial plant, lives relatively short. It is usually grown as a biennial because it tends to go wild. In order for these pleasant plants to bloom in the garden, new specimens are constantly planted.
