The spur flower (Centranthus), with its mainly white, red and pink subspecies, has become native to many Central European gardens due to its rather undemanding care. The plant, which is quite hardy in itself, can also die in some locations without freezing temperatures or after a certain lifespan.

Spur flowers are hardy but very short-lived

Sun-loving flowering plant of Mediterranean origin

The various subspecies of the spur flower actually come from areas in the Mediterranean region, but were already cultivated in many monastery and castle gardens in the Middle Ages. The plant, which often grows in barren rock crevices in its area of origin, is usually completely hardy in Central Europe without winter protection. The specialist trade usually specifies a winter hardiness of up to minus 20 degrees for cultivars, since the plants overwinter in the ground anyway and sprout again every year. However, the perennial plant is rather short-lived, which is why it is possible for individual specimens to die off after a few years of life.

Self-sowing ensures a regularly rejuvenated plant stock in the garden

Since the subspecies of the Centranthus genus generally self-seed relatively heavily, the short lifespan of some specimens is actually not a problem. Depending on the time of sowing (in the case of Centranthus, two flowering phases are possible by cutting after the first flowering), the seeds germinate either in autumn or not until spring. If you allow the plants to self-seed in the garden, you not only benefit from the permanent rejuvenation of the plant population. It can also be quite attractive in cottage gardens and natural perennial beds if the specimens of the spur flower look for a well-suited location themselves.

Do not choose the time for sowing too late

With a targeted sowing of the seeds for the first flowering in the following year, the spur flower should be sown in September at the latest. Then the young plants can spend the winter sufficiently strengthened and start the new gardening season already strengthened. Sow the seeds as directly as possible in the bed, as plants cultivated in pots may otherwise need frost protection due to their exposure to the winter cold.

tips

If the plant of the genus Centranthus in your garden does not get through the winter well or not at all, even without very pronounced minus temperatures, you should take a closer look at the soil at the location. Since the spur flower can only grow well on well-drained soil, compacted, loamy soil and waterlogging are often the reason for stunted growth or death over the winter.

Category:

Herbs