- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is artichoke poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply joint flower
- sowing
- cuttings
- The right planting distance
- Joint flower in the pot
- balcony
- Water the joint flower
- Fertilize joint flower properly
- Cut the joint flower correctly
- hardy
- fungus
- sorts
Joint flowers have conquered many gardens as free-flowering perennials. They are robust and prolific. Proper care is therefore of great importance so that the magnificent perennial retains its attractiveness for many years. It is not only an enrichment for the human eye.
The joint flower can move its flowers
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is artichoke poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply joint flower
- sowing
- cuttings
- The right planting distance
- Joint flower in the pot
- balcony
- Water the joint flower
- Fertilize joint flower properly
- Cut the joint flower correctly
- hardy
- fungus
- sorts
- Tawny Aster
- Indian nettle
- lavender
- scabious
- Pennisetum grass
- Place the pot on an insulating surface
- Wrap buckets in several layers of fabric
- Moisten the substrate on frost-free days
- Crystal Peak White: Brilliant white flowers, from June to September. Reaches heights of growth between 30 and 40 centimetres.
- summer snow: Tight, upright growth. Pure white flowers between August and October. Reaches heights of growth between 70 and 80 centimetres.
- Bouquet of roses: Blooms in pink between August and October. Grows between 80 and 90 centimeters high.
- 'Vivid: flowers purplish-pink, from September to October. Grows between 60 and 70 centimeters high.
origin
The species Physostegia virginiana, which belongs to the mint family, hides behind the joint flower. It is the only plant within the genus of the same name that has ornamental value. Their original range extends across eastern North America. Here the plant grows on river banks, on damp meadows and in bushes. There are numerous varieties that differ in shape, color and size.
growth
Joint flowers grow as perennial herbaceous plants. They develop an underground rhizome from which shoots grow between 30 and 150 centimeters high. The tuber forms stolons, which the plant uses to spread over large areas. It does not occur across the board, but develops isolated clumps. Your above-ground shoots are square. Articulated flowers reach growth widths between 60 and 90 centimeters.
leaves
Physostegia virginiana develops stem leaves that are paired opposite. The leaf pairs of two superimposed knots are crossed to each other. The leaves are elongated and appear lanceolate. They are dark green in color and reach a length of up to 12.5 centimeters. Your leaf margin is serrated to toothed.
blossom
The terminal flowers appear between July and September, crowding together in long spikes. Articulated flowers develop tubular lipped flowers that can change orientation. It seems as if they are connected to the drive by a joint. This property gave the plant its German name. The color palette of the flowers ranges from white to burgundy to pink and purple.
use
Joint flowers are suitable for group planting in flower beds and perennial borders. With its picturesque growth, the flowering ornamental plant enriches damp areas in water gardens. In the natural garden, the nectar and pollen plants provide a valuable food source for butterflies and bumblebees. The plant embellishes terraces and balconies or potted gardens in pots. The inflorescences can be cut off and used for bouquets.
Ideal plant partners:
Is artichoke poisonous?
There are no indications of toxic ingredients. You can safely plant the labiate plant in gardens where there are children or pets.
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Which location is suitable?
The joint flower prefers a wind-protected place. It grows in sunny to semi-shady locations. With a lack of light, the perennial develops thin stems and flower development is restricted. Choose the location carefully, because the plants' willingness to spread can quickly become a burden in unfavorable places.
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What soil does the plant need?
Physostegia virginiana grows in well-drained soil that is moderately nutrient-rich. The shoots shoot up on very humus-rich soil. They are not very stable and need support. Thin heavy soils before planting by mixing in sand. Fresh to moist conditions provide the joint flower with optimal growth conditions. The pH can be in the slightly acidic to slightly alkaline range.
multiply joint flower
Joint flowers are divided every two years and dense stocks are thinned out in this way. The division takes place in the autumn after the flowering period. Cut out the root ball with a digging fork and lift it out of the ground. The roots should not be injured so that the sub-plants can grow well after the measure.
Separate the rhizome into several pieces in the young growth area. Each root part should have a pronounced fine root system and several leaves. Cut back unclean cuts and remove injured parts of the plant. Place the subplants immediately in the prepared planting holes and water the substrate thoroughly.
sowing
The seeds of the joint flowers belong to the cold germs that are sown in early spring. For optimal germination, lower temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius are optimal.
You can distribute the seeds directly in the bed or sprinkle them in a freezer bag with some damp sand. The bag is stored in the refrigerator for two to four weeks. In the freezer or in the freezer, the cold shock destroys the seeds. After stratification, the seeds are sown on nutrient-poor growing substrate or in beds. Keep the soil evenly moist.
cuttings
Joint flowers can be propagated via head cuttings. Cut shoots four to six inches long just below a knot. Remove the bottom leaves and put the shoots in potting soil. The cuttings need high humidity to root. You can pull a plastic film over the container or wet the substrate together with the shoots with water every day. As soon as the shoots have developed new leaves, they can be repotted.
The right planting distance
Plant between eight and eleven plants per square metre. Joint flowers develop optimally at a distance of 30 centimeters from the next plant. To stop the spread, you should work a rhizome barrier into the soil when planting. Joint flowers can be planted from spring to autumn.
Joint flower in the pot
The flowering perennial is suitable for embellishing large planters. Choose the pot size according to the size of the root ball. The pot should offer enough space so that the non-rooted substrate can store excess water. Drainage holes and drainage are essential to prevent waterlogging in the substrate. If you use rustic clay pots without holes in the bottom, you should only spray the substrate with water and not use a watering can. This way you can better control the pouring amount.
balcony
In the pot, the joint flower embellishes sunny areas on the balcony. It also thrives on west- or east-facing balconies. The lamiaceae reacts to shady locations with reduced flower development. Be sure to moisten the substrate regularly. The substrate dries out faster on airy and sun-drenched balconies.
Water the joint flower
Physostegia virginiana requires regular watering during the summer months to keep the root ball from drying out. Water the plant continuously during long periods of drought. Regular mulching has proven to be a sensible maintenance measure. The layer protects the substrate from excessive evaporation. Due to the good water storage capacity, a mulch layer prevents waterlogging.
Fertilize joint flower properly
Before the growth phase of the plants begins, they are supplied with fresh compost in the spring. This ensures a long-term supply of nutrients so that you no longer have to fertilize in the same year.
Cut the joint flower correctly
Regular pruning is necessary to ensure that joint flowers remain attractive for many years and do not spread uncontrollably in the garden.
Cut back after flowering
When the flowers have completely withered, artichokes are cut back. Cut off the faded spikes down to the top pair of leaves. This promotes the formation of new shoots and prevents self-reproduction via seeds that have been sown. The stock is better ventilated, so that diseases are prevented. Faded inflorescences can be removed at any time. This measure ensures that the plant remains permanently attractive.
fall pruning
In late autumn, joint flowers are cut back radically. Cut off stems close to the ground and remove diseased parts of the plant. This measure increases the vitality of the plant and prevents wilted leaves from rotting between stands.
rhizome division
You can restrict wild growth by cutting back dense stands after a few years and dividing them after digging up. Place the young rhizome pieces in their original location. This will rejuvenate the plant and promote flower development.
hardy
Joint flowers prove to be frost hardy. Additional winter protection is required in harsh locations or during snow-free winter months. Cover the ground with fir branches or brushwood. When layering, make sure the branches are close together. Spruce twigs have proven to be effective. The branches shed their needles in the spring, giving the plants more light again.
When the lamiaceae grow under evergreen trees such as rhododendrons, conifers or cherry laurel, the foliage serves as a natural protection against the cold. Joint flowers are also better protected in winter when growing directly on the south wall of a house.
How to protect potted plants:
fungus
Suboptimal site conditions lead to fungal spores settling on the plants. Often weakened plants are affected, whose vitality was disturbed by incorrect care measures.
Wrong mildew
When stands become too dense, a humid microclimate develops. Under these conditions, downy mildew can spread. When planting, make sure you keep enough distance. Plant strengtheners have a preventive effect. In the event of an infestation, the affected parts of the plant should be removed generously. Fungicides should only be used in late stages.
gray mold
In humid conditions, shoot tips, buds, stems and leaves tend to rot. They become soft and offer gray mold spores a perfect breeding ground. The fungus spreads preferentially on plants that are set too densely. A low permeability in the substrate promotes the spread of gray mold. When watering, be careful not to get the leaves too wet. Rock flour (€14.13) and horsetail decoction have proven to be effective against an infestation.
tips
Joint flowers provide colorful accents in the late summer garden. Here the lamiaceae cut a fine figure between the brown-leaved 'Chocolate' daphne and rich-flowering phlox varieties.