The flower is a plant with a height of 40 to 90 cm, decorated with bright fragrant inflorescences. Inflorescences consist of fairly large flowers of white, yellow, purple or lilac. Under the inflorescences there are several tiers with bright green leaves of a heart-shaped form.
The name of the flower Lunar came to us from the Latin Luna, that is, "moon". Lunaris, or in Latin lunaria, belongs to the Cabbage family. Among the representatives of this family, both annual and perennial plants are present.
What does a lunar flower look like?
At the end of flowering, the lunar forms fruits in the form of pods with a diameter of 3-5 cm, where the seeds ripen. To the British, the fruits of the lunar resemble money, coins with their silver tint. Pennieflower, Moneyflower or Money Flower are also names that got flowers growing in the UK. And the transparency of their pods is associated with the British with honesty and truthfulness. Therefore, they also call it Honesty (Honesty), which is translated from English as "honesty." There is another name for "Moonwort" or "moon grass."
What does a lunar flower look like?
Bright panicle inflorescences of the lunar look nice on the flower beds, can become an enviable decoration for a personal plot or garden bed, and this is also a good option for designing a park zone.
Description of perennial plant species Lunaria
Lunaria or lunaris occurs in two forms:
- annual lunar (Lunaria annua);
- Lunaria rediviva (Lunaria rediviva).
Annual lunar
Lunaria annual blooms a lot and beautifully, but less actively than biennial. The plant can grow up to 1 meter in height. First, stems and leaves develop. Then brushes with flower buds are formed. Flowers bloom in May and flowering continues until the end of June. Then begins the period of development and ripening of the fruits of the moon. Silver-colored oblong fruits ripen in August.
This type of plant is used for growing at home, for the design of flower beds, parks, summer cottages or house adjoining territories.
Types of lunar
Lunar is alive
This type of lunaria is more often found near ponds, among shrubs, in a wooded area. This species can be found in coniferous and deciduous forests.
The plant is biennial. In the first year, stems and leaves grow. In height, the lunar rises from 30 cm to 1 meter. Bright green leaves are arranged in several tiers. The lower tiers contain leaves in the form of expanded hearts. The upper tier of leaves takes an oval shape. Do not be surprised if the plant throws inflorescences. But flowering, if it takes place in the first year of life, is not very active. Abundant flowering and fruit formation begins in the second year of the growth of the living lunaria. When the last fruit ripens, the lunar finishes its development.
On a note! In decorative cultivation, gardeners prefer lunaria to come alive.
The most popular varieties
Bright inflorescences of Lunaria can be seen from afar. Many amateur gardeners distinguish lunar varieties by color. As already mentioned, there is a white moonflower, lilac, lilac and pink in more or less bright colors. From the point of view of professional gardening, there is lunaria:
- Alba
- Variegate;
- Perple;
- Manstead Perple.
Alba is a plant with white inflorescences. This plant variety cannot be confused with Variegata or Perple and other varieties.
In Variegata inflorescences have a lilac-pink hue. The leaves of the plant are bright green. This distinguishes Variegata from other varieties of lunar lilac shades.
The inflorescences of Perple and Mansted Perple are lilac, only Perple has a more abundant flowering and fragrant aroma.
How does the lunar perennial reproduce?
There are two ways to grow a lunar:
- from seeds;
- cuttings.
It is possible to grow from seeds both an annual plant and a biennial. You can plant directly in open ground, or do this with seedlings.
Lunar Seeds
Annual lunar seeds are planted in the ground with the onset of spring heat. The main thing is to avoid spring frosts on the soil. The standard size of one seed reaches an average of 5 mm in diameter. Shallow grooves in the soil should be prepared before sowing. Keep the distance between the seeds within 30 cm. This will avoid thinning seedlings. If the seeds are planted more often, then, so that they can develop normally, they will have to be thinned. Usually the first shoots appear on the 7th day after planting.
Yellow moonflower flower
If you grow a lunar with seedlings, then you need to sow the seeds in the month of March in a place inaccessible to the cold. Here they develop until the month of May.
On a note! In May, seedlings are transplanted into the open ground. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the temperature regime of May nights so that the seedlings do not die from frost.
Lunaria annual grows well and blooms in areas where there is a lot of sunlight.
A two-year-old plant or lunar alive can be planted in two ways:
- deep autumn in open ground; it should be borne in mind that the lunar may be reluctant to grow in drafts; the place should be sufficiently shaded and calm.
- in spring when it gets warmer; before planting, for 6 weeks it is necessary to stratify or "harden" the seeds - place them in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment; when the seeds germinate, thin out the seedlings, the distance between the plants should be at least 30 cm.
Living Lunaria reluctantly grows in brightly lit places, the plant prefers partial shade or shaded places under the crown of trees.
Features of the care of the lunar
Plant care
Watering a plant
Like all plants, the lunar requires watering. Lunaria develop well and bloom, subject to the rules of moderate watering. Abundant moisture can cause root decay, from which the plant can die.
Lunaris is watered early in the morning until the sun is active, or in the evening, when the sun approaches the horizon and the coolness begins to drop. On hot, dry days, you can water the plant in the morning and evening, trying not to overmoisten the soil and not create puddles.
For irrigation, it is preferable to use well-defended non-cold water. Tap water can cause discomfort.
Spraying
Lunaris does not need spraying or any additional processing of leaves, flowers or root system.
The plant is quite resistant. But during a period of prolonged rains or in a dry period, lunaria can be affected by the attack of a flea, cabbage butterfly or aphid. In this case, spraying of plants with insecticides will be required, possibly even several times.
Priming
An annual plant is less whimsical and to plant it is not required to create special conditions. It grows well in different soils. Grows in the sun and in partial shade. Periodically, it is required to water the soil so that it does not dry out.
Lunaria is reviving (perennial) whimsical in choosing soil. The soil should be loose and fertile with additives of humus and lime. The depth of digging the soil should be at least 20 cm in order to achieve harmonious circulation of air and water in it, to ensure constant access to minerals and vitamins needed by the roots of the plant.
On a note! After planting seeds or seedlings, it is necessary to water the soil.
Periodically, loosening the soil, removing weed grass and diseased or dead plants.
Lunaria reluctantly grows and blooms in the soil, where plants such as radishes, cabbage, rutabaga, horseradish, and mustard were planted before.
Top dressing
Top dressing can be carried out in spring and summer by applying appropriate organic and mineral fertilizers to the root system. One feeding per month is enough.
When and how does lunaria bloom
Types of flowers
As already mentioned, there are 2 species - annual lunaria and lunarium, which comes back to life in two years, as well as 4 varieties of lunaris: Perple, Manstead Perple, Variegatta and Alba.
On a note! Inflorescences with white flowers are represented by Alba. Lilac-pink inflorescences has a variegatt. In addition, the plant has quite motley green leaves.
Perple and Manstead Perple have purple inflorescences. Manstead pearl blooms more abundantly and has a brighter aroma.
Flower shapes
The flowers have 4 petals of oblong shape. When flowering, the plant unfolds completely. Flowers collected in inflorescences. Inflorescences are attached to the stem with leaves in the form of an elongated triangle or, more simply, in the shape of hearts.
Flowering period
An annual plant usually blooms closer to August.
Biennial begins to bloom in May and blooms throughout May and June. Under comfortable living conditions, a living lunar can bloom again in the month of August.
Changes in care and flowering period
During the flowering period of the plant, as well as during its development, the plant needs watering. Only it is better to water under the root so that a water stream does not destroy or damage the inflorescences. An annual plant is less demanding for watering, but, like many others, it is difficult to tolerate dry periods. A biennial plant must be watered regularly during the growth period.
Transplant after purchase and during reproduction
Perennial Lunaria can grow for a long time without transplantation and maintain an attractive appearance. Annual species should be transplanted every year.
On a note! A transplant is best done in August, when the flower has already bloomed and the seeds have ripened.
To propagate a perennial plant, it is enough to sow seeds at a certain distance. Reproduction of an annual lunar is carried out by seeds or cuttings. When transplanted with seeds, they wait for the full ripening of the fetus, pluck it and plant it in a prepared soil.
For propagation by cuttings, it is necessary to cut off the shoot and put it in water until the roots appear, and then plant it.
Possible problems in growing
Diseases and Pests
Pests
Lunaria is considered a very resistant plant, but if grown in places not suitable for the growth of this species, aphids, cruciferous fleas and cabbage butterflies can settle on the plant. As soon as the appearance of pests, it is immediately worthwhile to conduct treatment with insecticides.
Disease
If you plant a lunar in places where cruciferous plants previously grew, it can become ill. Due to stagnation of water in the soil, a fungal infection of the plant may develop, it should be treated with a fungicide.
Signs of improper care
The appearance of yellowness, wilting, weakness of the stems is a sign that the plant is watered too much.
On a note! The appearance of diseases and pests indicates that the habitat is not suitable for the plant.
Drying of leaves and falling off of buds that never opened means that there is insufficient watering and too much direct sunlight.
Use in landscape design
Lunaris is an original, loving shadow plant that does not require special care. Thanks to these qualities, it is ideal for landscape design. Lunaria can be planted as individual small bushes, or together with other flowers, large format flower beds.
Landscape use
As a result, lunar is a popular plant, unpretentious in care. The main rule is not to plant it too close to others (the lunar loves freedom). With a lack of space, it blooms rarely and pale.
