Unpretentious, sunny-bright heliopsis flower is increasingly found in domestic gardens and cottages. Due to the minimal need for care and resistance to weather vagaries, the plant has gained a strong position in the ranking of gardeners. Its application is universal: the flower is equally effective in the garden, mixborder or on an alpine hill. Compact varieties are suitable for container planting.
What does heliopsis variegated look like?
Perennial, rarely annual heliopsis - a herbaceous plant, a representative of the Astrov family (Compositae). Some famous perennials (majors (zinnia), sunflower, rudbeckia) are his close relatives.
The plant was brought to Europe from Central and North America.
Heliopsis in mixborder
Depending on the variety, the plant grows to 0.5-1.6 m, forms a bush wide up to 1 m. Shoots are straight, branched with age lignified. Pointed oval toothed leaves. The flower is actually a complex inflorescence, consists of false reeds located along the edge, and tubular small flowers in the center.
The name of this bright, festive plant is directly related to the sun. From Greek “helios” is translated as “sun”, and “opsis” is “similar, similar”, which means “sun-faced, sun-like”.
For your information! In the UK, a flower has been repeatedly honored by garden societies. Superiority in world plant breeding is disputed by Germany, Holland and the USA.
Species of Heliopsis perennial (Heliopsis Helianthoides)
The genus (Heliopsis) has more than 10 different species. For breeding new decorative varieties, breeders use heliopsis sunflower.
Heliopsis variegate
Helianthus Heliopsis (Heliopsis Helianthoides) is a perennial species, varieties can be compact or tall. A characteristic feature is the elongated-heart-shaped leaf shape, in some varieties the leaves are slightly pubescent.
Note! Heliopsis variegated is called variegata for the variegated color of foliage. Unusual color is provided by mutant cells lacking the ability to produce chlorophyll. In places of their accumulation, light lines and spots appear.
Species rough Heliopsis (Heliopsis Helianthoides) is the most frost-resistant, adult plants can winter without shelter. This is a highly decorative variety due to long plentiful flowering.
Heliopsis rough
Popular varieties
The color of the inflorescences of the plant varies in shades of yellow, orange and brown. The habitat of the bush, the diameter of a single inflorescence-basket give room for use in the landscape. Yellow flowers can be flat, semi-double, but terry heliopsis is most decorative. Below are the most popular varieties:
- heliopsis Loraine Sunshine. Another name for the Winter Sun variety. This is a compact, not more than 1 m long bush. Silvery foliage and yellow, similar to daisies, heliopsis inflorescences are effectively combined. The variety likes regular watering. It is recommended to mulch the basal area. The more contrasting the shades of variegated foliage, the more compact the plant itself.
- Goldgefeder - large powerful bush (1.5 m), lush, bushy flowers with elongated extreme petals;
- Sonnenschild (up to 1 m) is translated from German as "sun shield", as it accurately reflects the abundance of a flowering bush. The flowers are densely doubled, the petals are bent from the center. At the peak of flowering, the bush is drenched with flowers. Leaves are almost invisible;
- Hohlspiegel (1.2 m). The flowers are large, orange-yellow, non-double;
- Prairie Sunset (1.4 m) - fiery yellow heliopsis with a reddish tint in the middle. Over time, the inflorescences brighten to muffled yellow. The variety has a characteristic contrasting color of shoots and leaves, purple streaks can be seen on them;
Variety Venus
- Spitzentaenzerin (1.4 m) - a slender elegant bush with dense foliage. In semi-double large flowers, the extreme petals are graceful, as if twisted at the ends;
- Summer Nights (1.2 m). The inflorescence is non-double, the bright orange-scarlet center does not fade, the peduncles are brown-red, the leaves have an elegant bronze color;
- Tuscan Sun (0.5 m) is one of the most compact varieties. Bright, densely leafy variety with abundant flowering;
- Summer San (Summer San). The variety is drought tolerant. Reaches a height of about 1 m. Terry inflorescences of heliopsis of a camomile with a diameter of 7 cm of saturated yellow color;
- Goldgruenherz. The plant is tall (1.2 m); it is distinguished by a unique emerald color in the center of a strongly terry golden inflorescence.
How heliopsis propagates
In order to propagate perennial heliopsis in the garden, it is recommended to plant parts that are separated from the adult plant.
Bush division
Heliopsis perennial must be periodically planted, as an adult bush is difficult to keep in the allotted framework. The root system grows actively, consists of many branches. They divide the bush in the spring, the adult plant is cut in such a way that 2-3 awakened buds remain at the roots.
Important! In mono-planting, strong bushes will oppress the young, in mixborders, overgrown flowers will drown out the rest of the plants.
Heliopsis root system
Seed cultivation
You can plant a plant seedlings grown from seeds. To increase seedling germination, the seeds are stratified for a month. Shoots appear at a temperature of 25-27 ° C. To do this, the container with crops is covered with a film or glass. Seedlings are determined in a permanent place after warm weather sets in without the threat of freezing frost.
Features of home care
For such an unpretentious culture as heliopsis, planting and caring for it will not be difficult, even for inexperienced gardeners. The flower grows in natural conditions on dry badlands. He calmly tolerates a prolonged absence of rain, is not afraid of the burning sun.
Nevertheless, it is worth taking into account that hybrids are cultivated in gardens, they are more tender than wild species, so do not completely neglect the care. It is as follows:
- For planting, you should choose a sunny, open area. Unlike most garden plants, the flower is not afraid of midday heat;
- it is better to bloom heliopsis on loose sandy loamy soils of neutral or slightly acidic. Loam and chernozem for planting should be diluted with sand;
- water the plant should be in a particularly dry period, at another time there will be enough rain water;
- feeding on humus-rich soils is better not to introduce, the plant will produce blind (fattening) shoots without flower buds;
- throughout the season, the bush is formed using scraps. For tillering, pinch the shoots in the upper part, stimulate the growth of lateral peduncles;
- young heliopsis of tall varieties is recommended to be tied up, shoots from the wind or the severity of flowers can break.
Heliopsis Asahi
When and how it blooms
Heliopsis reveals flowers from the beginning of summer, continuing to bloom until frost. Preparing for winter is pruning the bush at ground level. An adult plant does not need shelter even in the northern regions, it is recommended to cover a young plant in the first winters with lapnik.
Possible problems in growing
Heliopsis planting and outdoor care are not burdensome. The plant is practically not damaged by diseases. With improper care, when the plant is waterlogged, white powdery mildew may appear on young leaves. Against it, solutions of fungicides help.
Some species of aphids can be pests. In isolated cases of the appearance of insects, garden flowers are treated with a soap solution. If there are a lot of pests, you should treat the beds with an insecticide.
The landscape design of any site should be diversified by the bright sunny colors of heliopsis. In group plantings, in a duet with lavender and purple flowers, its flowering will create a special attractive accent.
