Whether in the bed, as a border or in the balcony box: the liver balm is a versatile ornamental plant. The semi-shrub or dwarf shrub is valued above all for its colourful, long-lasting blaze of colour. The tubular flowers, arranged in clusters, appear in bright blue, but also in white, violet, pink or red.

The beautiful liver balm comes from Mexico

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. flowers and flowering time
  5. toxicity
  6. Which location is suitable?
  7. soil/substrate
  8. planting
  9. Pour liver balm
  10. Fertilize liver balm properly
  11. Cut the liver balm correctly
  12. Multiply liver balm
  13. hibernate
  14. diseases and pests
  15. species and varieties

    16. origin and distribution

    Liver balm (bot. Ageratum houstonianum or A. mexicanum) originally comes from Mexico, where it occurs wild in humid, wooded or bushy regions as well as in meadows and pastures at altitudes of up to 1000 meters. The pretty, warmth-loving plant can also be found in many places in Guatemala, Belize and the south of the USA. In its tropical to subtropical homeland, liver balm, which belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), is a perennial plant, but we usually only cultivate it once a year.

    use

    The intended use of the liver balm depends largely on its growth height. Low and compact growing varieties look particularly pretty in window boxes (€109.00) and as a border or underplanting of beds and borders. In addition, they are often suitable as perennial flowering ground covers, which cleverly cover up the lower bare areas in perennial and shrub borders or serve as gap fillers. Higher varieties are also very suitable for group plantings, with the typically blue-violet flowers especially in combination with yellow-flowered marigolds and marigolds (calendula), but also with verbena, suneyes, rudbeckia or coreopsis (damsel's eye). Grove flowers (Nemophila), snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus), bellflowers (Campanula medium) and ornamental tobacco (e.g. Nicotiana x sanderae) are attractive companions.

    In addition, taller growth forms of liver balm (e.g. the blue-flowering 'Schnittwunder') are popular cut flowers for vases.

    appearance and growth

    From a botanical point of view, liver balm is a semi- or dwarf shrub that only grows to a height of between 30 and 60 centimeters and is woody in the lower part of the stem. Most varieties grow rather compact and form dense cushions. The leaves, which are between five and seven centimeters long, are slightly downy and have a pretty heart shape. The leaf margin is typically notched or wavy.

    flowers and flowering time

    The fine flower heads, which are only up to 14 millimeters in size, appear in great numbers between May and October and form dense clusters with up to 40 individual tubular flowers. The short-stalked flowers sit just above the foliage leaves and are usually blue, blue-violet, or violet in color. But there are also white, pink and even crimson cultivars that add variety to the flower bed. When the flowers have faded, tiny, inconspicuous achenes (close fruits) form, which contain the numerous seeds.

    toxicity

    All plant parts of the liver balm are poisonous and can trigger typical symptoms of poisoning such as headaches, dizziness and nausea up to cramps, vomiting and diarrhea when consumed. Neither leaves nor flowers (or any other part) may be used for meals, no matter how attractive they may look. Children and pets should also be kept away from the plants.

    Which location is suitable?

    In order for the liver balm to grow healthily and vigorously and to form numerous flowers, it needs a location that is as sunny and warm as possible. If it gets at least five hours of direct sunlight a day, you can also put it in the light penumbra. Only with sufficient brightness does the flower bloom. In terms of rain and wind, however, it is quite insensitive.

    soil/substrate

    The liver balm only develops its magnificent abundance of flowers in the right soil. This should be rich in nutrients, humic and well drained. The plant thrives particularly well in loamy, loose and fresh soil. The ideal pH is neutral to slightly acidic between 5.5 and 6.6. Potted liver balm is best planted in a high-quality compost-based potting soil or standard soil. Make sure there is good drainage in both the garden bed and the planter, for example using gravel or expanded clay (19.73€) because liver balm is very sensitive to waterlogging.

    planting

    For a particularly compact and dense growth, you should plant liver balm in groups of five in the bed. Loosen up the planting area and dig planting holes at regular intervals. These should be about twice as large as the roots of the plants. Mix the excavation with compost, horn shavings and, if necessary, sand to loosen up rather heavy soils.

    planting time

    Since the liver balm has its home in the warm climes of this planet, it does not tolerate frost. Therefore, only plant it after the ice saints, as soon as no more night frosts are to be expected. However, you can prefer the plant in pots on the windowsill.

    planting distance

    The optimal planting distance depends on the selected variety and is between ten and 40 centimeters.

    Pour liver balm

    With regard to the optimal water supply, the liver balm needs a lot of attention, as it only develops a few flowers with an insufficient supply. Therefore, water the plant regularly, which is very important, especially in rather dry locations as well as in hot weather and on well-drained soil. At the same time, however, the liver balm also reacts sensitively to waterlogging, which is why it is important to ensure good drainage, especially with potted plants. Don't let the plant dry out, but don't overwater it either.

    Fertilize liver balm properly

    In addition to an adequate water supply, liver balm also needs an appropriate supply of nutrients for lush flowering. Fertilize potted plants about every two to four weeks with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, added to the irrigation water. Liver balm in the bed is supplied with a suitable long-term fertilizer when planting, but you can also mix compost and horn shavings into the excavation and then mulch the plants with mature compost.

    Cut the liver balm correctly

    To ensure that the flowering period of the liver balm is extended as long as possible, you should regularly remove faded shoots. If this does not happen, the plant develops seed-bearing incipient fruits and ends flowering prematurely. However, you can leave individual shoots to collect seeds.

    Multiply liver balm

    You can easily sow liver balm yourself on the windowsill from February and bring it forward. And this is how it works:

    • Fill a seed tray with nutrient-poor seed substrate mixed with sand.
    • Spread the seeds on the substrate and press them down lightly.
    • However, do not cover the seed with soil as it is a light germinator.
    • Dampen the substrate using a spray bottle.
    • Cover the seed tray with cling film or a translucent hood.
    • Place the vessel bright and warm at at least 20 °C.
    • In the first few days, the container should be as warm as possible at at least 25 to 28 °C.
    • Ventilate daily and always keep the substrate slightly moist.

    The first seedlings appear after just a few weeks and can be pricked out after around four weeks and planted in groups of three in small pots (diameter at least nine centimetres). Keep young plants warm at temperatures between 16 and 20°C and in light but not direct sunlight. After the ice saints, plant the liver balm outdoors, either in the garden bed or on the balcony. Before doing this, slowly acclimate the plants to the brighter location.

    Alternatively, propagation via cuttings is also possible, but is rarely practiced due to the difficult winter storage of liver balm.

    hibernate

    Since liver balsam is not frost hardy here, it is not usually overwintered. The easiest way is to only cultivate the small shrubs once a year and to sow them again every spring.

    diseases and pests

    The main problem with liver balm is excessive moisture or even waterlogging, which is soon shown by missing or browning flowers, brown leaves and general signs of wilting. To avoid this, good drainage is immensely important both in the bed and in the pot. However, brown leaves often indicate a pest infestation, with aphids, spider mites and aphids being particularly common. Strengthen the plants and prevent infestation by watering bedding plants with nettle broth from time to time. This also provides additional valuable nutrients. In addition, brown or otherwise unhealthy parts of the plant should be removed as soon as possible.

    tips

    If the leaves of the liver balm appear mottled, there is usually no fungal disease behind it. Instead, the plant develops such symptoms when it is too cold or when it is too dark. In this case, transplanting to a sunnier location will help.

    species and varieties

    There are many different types of liver balm available on the market, either as an F1 hybrid or as a true-to-seed variant. Only from the latter can you collect the seeds and use them for re-sowing. These varieties are particularly suitable for gardens and balconies:

    • 'Arielle Blue': growth height between 20 and 30 centimeters, blue-violet flowers
    • 'Blaue Donau': grows to a height of approx. 20 centimetres, medium blue flowers
    • 'Blue Fields': low growth, dark blue flowers
    • 'Capri': growth height between 20 and 30 centimetres, blue-violet flowers
    • 'Madison': low growth, mid-blue flowers
    • 'Old Grey': growth height up to approx. 50 centimetres, grey-blue flowers
    • 'Pacific': low growth, bright purple-violet flowers
    • 'Royal Hawaii': low growth, dark blue flowers
    • 'Schnittperle': between 50 and 70 centimeters high, large, dark blue flowers
    • 'Schnittwunder': between 50 and 80 centimeters high, deep blue flowers
    • 'White cut': growth height up to approx. 60 centimetres, pure white flowers
    • 'White Hawaii': low growth, white flowers

    In addition, there are native perennials with similar names that are also well suited for garden planting. These, however, have different requirements in terms of location and care:

    • Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis): low growth up to 15 centimeters high, blue-violet flowers, perennial, hardy, for partially shaded to shaded locations
    • Alpine liver balm (Erinus alpinus): also alpine balm, low growth up to 20 centimeters high, cushion-forming, red, pink or white flowers, for dry and sunny locations

    Similar pretty blue flowers, but also perennial and more robust than the liver balm is the small periwinkle (Vinca minor), which blooms persistently between April and September, quickly covers the ground with a dense carpet and is also perennial and hardy.

Category:

Vegetable garden