Günsel demonstrates unbridled naturalness beyond the strict rules of formal garden design. The hard-working perennial is on the spot wherever it is necessary to green low-light locations or to cultivate a well-kept garden despite the short time available. The following answers to frequently asked questions show the potential of the pretty mint family.

Günsel is easy to care for and easy to grow

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant Guensel properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Cut Guensel properly
  8. pour Guensel
  9. Fertilize Guensel properly
  10. hibernate
  11. multiply evil
  12. Is Guensel poisonous?
  13. Beautiful varieties

    14. Plant Guensel properly

    The undemanding forest and meadow perennial already proves its frugality during planting. Choose a light to shady spot in slightly moist, loose garden soil that offers space for 3-5 specimens at a distance of 20-25 cm. There you prepare the finely crumbly soil and work in sifted compost or bark humus. Place the potted root balls only deep enough in the ground to maintain the previous planting depth. After a good sip of water has been given, a mulch layer of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch promotes rapid rooting.

    care tips

    The prudent choice of location sets the course for Günsel for vital growth without cumbersome maintenance expenses. Watering when it is dry and an organic initial fertilization in the spring meet all the requirements for the water and nutrient balance. So that the wild perennial does not waste energy on the growth of Klaus fruits, cut off the withered inflorescences in good time. Only cut off the evergreen leaves close to the ground shortly before the new shoots appear in early spring. The hardened perennial makes its way through the cold season on its own. Only in the pot should the root ball be protected from frost damage by a cover made of bubble wrap.
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    Which location is suitable?

    Günsel achieves its optimum in light to partially shaded locations. Uni-green species and cultivars accept a shady location as long as there is no Egyptian darkness dominating there. The sunnier the bed, the wetter the soil should be so that the herbaceous plant does not suffer from drought stress. In addition, deep, humus-rich and nutritious soil is beneficial for flowering and vitality.

    The right planting distance

    If you have intended Günsel to be used as a carpet-forming ground cover, we recommend a planting distance of 20 to 25 cm. In this arrangement, a dense, compact cushion of flowers and leaves develops within a short time, which reliably suppresses any weeds. If a tightly upright variety acts as a conspicuous solitaire or sets pretty accents in a small group, a planting distance of 30 cm has proven to be sensible in practice.

    What soil does the plant need?

    A look at the essential requirements for the floor does not come across any surprising aspects. Günsel thrives wonderfully in any normal garden soil, as it prevails in the classic perennial border. The crumb should be humus, rich in nutrients and fresh and moist, because the wild perennial does not like to be confronted with sandy dryness.

    When is flowering time?

    Creeping bugle's blue, purple, and white-lipped flowers herald spring in April and May. Much to the delight of bees, bumblebees and butterflies, who rave about the sweet contents of the flowers. Various upright species and varieties, such as Geneva bugle or pyramid bugle, bloom from June to August. A creative combination of plants with divergent flowering times guarantees cheerful splashes of color from spring until well into summer.
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    Cut Guensel properly

    Cut off faded stems promptly so that the perennial does not invest its energy in seed formation. With its foothills, it ensures a widespread spread anyway. The evergreen foliage, on the other hand, should stay on the plant until early spring as a pretty eye-catcher on gray days and natural protection of the root ball from frost and snow. Cultivate a bugle species with variegated foliage, consistently cut off tendrils with uni-colored foliage. Otherwise, sooner or later the distinctive leaf coloring will be lost.

    pour Guensel

    The light and temperature conditions determine the water requirement. Water Günsel in the bed and pot whenever the thumb test indicates dried substrate. In sunny locations with largely dry soil, this may be necessary every 1-2 days in summer, while the watering can is not used at all in the rainy season.

    Fertilize Guensel properly

    Every Günsel happily accepts organic start-up fertilization in spring. This can be a portion of compost with horn shavings (€32.93), bark humus, guano granules or nettle manure. Avoid using nitrogen-rich compound fertilizers, as these only encourage leaf growth at the expense of bud abundance. Therefore, administer worm tea or guano sticks as fertilizer in the pot and balcony box. Commercially available liquid fertilizer should be diluted at least by half with water.

    hibernate

    Last but not least, Günsel's robust character is expressed in its complete winter hardiness. No special precautions are required to ensure that the wild perennial comes through the cold season in good health. The only exception are plants in pots or balcony boxes, since the root ball could freeze to death in the freezing cold. A covering of bubble wrap or jute prevents this shortcoming.

    multiply evil

    The propagation of Günsel fits seamlessly into the uncomplicated cultivation. The simplest variant is achieved by dividing the root ball in spring or autumn. After lifting the plant from the ground, divide the rootstock. As long as a section has at least 2 buds, it turns into an adult plant. Plant the individual segments promptly after the soil at the new location has been upgraded with compost. In addition, the numerous offshoots act as vegetative material for the offspring. Put root pieces with a length of 10-15 cm in the semi-shady location in the humus rich soil, where they root quickly. Constant soil moisture is of crucial importance.

    Is Guensel poisonous?

    The popular name Gurgelkraut indicates that Günsel is more of a healing than a poisonous plant. In fact, the wild perennial contains valuable ingredients that give it a wound-healing, astringent effect. The leaves, prepared as a tea, can relieve a nagging sore throat. The pharmaceutical industry uses Günsel to make healing ointments for abrasions and other skin injuries.

    Beautiful varieties

    • Atropurpurea: Popular variety with blue-purple spring flowers, reddish-brown, evergreen leaves; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Frosted Jade: Decorative, upright bugle with blue flowers above white variegated foliage; Growth height 30-40 cm without runners
    • Black Scallop: Magnificent creeping variety with eye-catching dark red glossy leaves; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Alba: The white flowering variety harmonises wonderfully with Black Scallop as a colorful ground cover; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Toffee Chip: Small bugle whose cream-edged leaves shine even in shady locations; Growth height 5-10 cm
    • Geneva Günsel: Mighty, stiffly upright species that impresses with deep blue flowers and three-lobed leaves; Growth height up to 60 cm

Category:

Herbs