Doronicum or gooseberry is a perennial flower for the spring garden. Summer residents call it “sunny daisy”. The plant is unpretentious, lives in one place for a long time, requires very little care and is perfect for beginning gardeners. Before you start growing Doronicum, it would be useful to learn more about planting this flower and caring for it.
Botanical description
Doronicums are herbaceous plants for open ground, growing for many years in a row. They have basket-shaped inflorescences typical of the aster family, which can be hemispherical or bell-shaped. Usually the inflorescences are placed singly on the branches, but in some species they are collected in groups of up to 8 pieces.
The diameter of the corolla reaches 12 cm. The inflorescence wrapper is green, the leaves are arranged in 2-3 rows.
The flowers of Doronicum themselves are yellow, similar to chamomile, and can be of two types. The first are tubular bisexual, multi-rowed in the center of the inflorescence. Along the edge there is a row of ligulate flowers of a female structure.
The fruits of Doronicum are called achenes. They have an elongated shape and longitudinally located ribs. When ripe, the fruits are dark, when unripe they are cream or light green. The seeds are small - up to 6000 pieces in one gram. Germination lasts up to 2 years.
The rhizome lies in the surface layer of soil and has a fibrous structure. The stems are straight, short, and have almost no branches. In some species of roe deer their length reaches 1 m.
The leaves are triangular, arranged alternately. Near the soil there is a rosette of plates on elongated petioles. They differ from other leaves by having more rounded edges.
The vegetative parts are slightly pubescent. Along the edges of the plates there are glands that secrete droplets of water and essential oil, thanks to which the plant smells pleasant. In folk medicine, doronicums are used to prepare cough medicine.
Types and varieties
The genus Doronicum has about 40 species. Some grow in our country as wild plants. The rest are inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Europe, Asia, North America, where they grow along the banks of rivers and streams in the alpine and subalpine zones.
European and Asian species of roe deer:
- Altai (Altaicum);
- eastern or heart-shaped (Orientale) - varieties: Spring beauty with double inflorescences, Golden Dwarf, Lion Cub;
- hawse (Clusii);
- Columnae – the Golden Strauss variety is distinguished by particularly abundant flowering;
- plantain (Plantagineum) – there is a large-flowered form up to 150 cm high, varieties: Miss Mason, Harpuf Crewe;
- oblong-leaved (Oblongifolium);
- Turkestan (Turkestanicum).
Doronicum Plantagineum
In cultivation, the most common is Oriental Doronicum - planting and caring for it in the open ground are the same as for other types of roe, but the flowers of the Oriental are larger.
Doronicum eastern in the photo:
Reproduction
The plant is propagated by division and sowing.
Seeds are sown in the spring or before winter immediately in a flower garden or at home for seedlings. Seeds germinate at temperatures from +16 degrees. Seedlings appear on the soil surface a week after sowing. They are picked into separate pots and grown until the end of June. When planting in a permanent place, a distance of 20-25 cm is left between seedlings.
The bush is dismantled into pieces in September.
Bush division:
- dug up along with the ground;
- divided by hand into several parts;
- the pieces are planted immediately.
Usually the plant tolerates division well and quickly grows in a new location.
Transplantation and care
The plant is not afraid of cold weather, overwinters without shelter, and even in a flowering state tolerates short-term drops in temperature to negative values without harm. However, in areas with harsh winters with little snow, the roots of Doronicum should be covered with fallen leaves in late autumn.
Kozulnik loves light, but in bright sun it shrinks. To make the flowers larger and stay open longer, the plants are placed in some shade. The exception is Doronicum plantain. This species can only grow in sunny places. In strong shade - under trees, next to trunks - flowers do not grow at all.
When planting roe grass, the soil must be cultivated to a depth of 20-25 cm and well fertilized with humus. In such cases, the plant will bloom most luxuriantly.
Doronicum does not require care. Once a year it needs to be fed. Fertilizers are applied in early spring, before flowering, in the form of an aqueous solution containing the main macroelements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. On well-fertilized soil at the end of summer, roe deer can bloom again.
It is very important to water the kosulnik abundantly during flowering, but waterlogging should not be allowed. In mid-summer, the plant fades and enters a dormant mode, in which it tolerates even severe drought.
In early spring, to preserve water in the soil, it is recommended to mulch the bushes generously - this will eliminate the danger of drying out the roots and stopping flowering. Since the rhizome is located superficially, it is not recommended to dig up the soil next to the stem or loosen it deeply.
The flower is capable of dispersing on its own, so you need to immediately cut off the wilted buds from the bushes, not allowing them to set seeds.
Kozulnik must be protected from snails, aphids and nematodes.
The plant can “sit” in one place for about 10 years, but gradually thickens and begins to suffer from powdery mildew, and the corollas become noticeably smaller. In such cases, a transplant saves.
The bush is dug up, divided and planted in a new place, adding a little manure to the sandy soil, and sand to the heavy clay soil. After planting, it is enough to water the plant once - it will not require any special care.
Doronicum in landscape design
Flowers are planted in groups against the backdrop of bushes and placed in rocky gardens.
Kozulnik blooms early. In the middle zone, already in mid-spring, the first bright daisies open at the ends of the shoots. On the bare black soil after winter, the bright yellow islands look especially impressive.
After flowering ends, the bush dries out, the leaves wither, and the plant loses its attractiveness. To camouflage drying bushes, doronicum is planted with other annual plants, which are still in the form of seedlings in June.
Doronicum flower is suitable for cutting. Many people specially grow roe deer to add it to spring bouquets.
Bushes intended for floristry are divided annually and grown in well-fertilized soil with abundant watering. In such conditions, yellow doronicum daisies will be especially large and bright, with long, strong peduncles, but there is a risk of fungal infection and freezing of the bushes in winter.
Doronicum goes well with other early flowering plants: bulbous,. It can be planted among early flowering varieties and.
At the beginning of summer, islands of white cornflower, pink cornflower and plantain plant look very beautiful. You can add bright red splashes of oriental poppy to this group. This composition will be the best decoration for a dacha in May-June.
Tall species are beautiful only during flowering - in early spring. Then they lose their attractive appearance. To eliminate this drawback, they are planted in bushes, the leaves of which will hide the bare stems.
Doronicum in landscape design, photo:
With the onset of spring, in city flower beds and garden plots you can notice bright yellow flowers that bloom earlier than others. Popularly, these plants are called “kozulniki” or “sunny daisies.”
In fact, the flower is called Doronicum, and belongs to the rhizomatous plants of the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. In the wild, it grows in mountainous areas and foothills, and is unpretentious, hardy and incredibly resistant to the effects of the scorching sun or winter frosts. There are about 40 species of these perennials, bred in the process of breeding, however, not all varieties have gained popularity.
Description and photos of common varieties of Doronicum
In the Doronicum plant, the rosette is formed from basal foliage, and shoots with buds are formed on the stem leaves, which subsequently turn into bright flowers. Depending on the variety, the height of the plant can reach 140-150 cm, but there are also tiny varieties, from 10 to 15 cm.
The color of the inflorescences ranges from light yellow to orange, and just like the size of the stems, their diameter varies. Depending on the variety, it can be from 4 to 12 cm.
The most common types of Doronicum include the following varieties:
On a note. With good care, some varieties of Doronicum can bloom again at the very end of summer.
Diseases and possible diseases of the plant
Doronicum is hardy, unpretentious, resistant to winds and frosts, and caring for it does not require serious effort. However, like any plant growing in open ground, this flower is susceptible to insect attacks.
Its leaves are to the taste of both snails and aphids, and you will need to spray the plant with special preparations in a timely manner.
In addition, it is important to monitor soil moisture, since excessive dampness can lead to powdery mildew damage to the flower.
How to plant doronicum: choosing time and place
Doronicum should be planted in open areas well lit by the sun. Since this plant is adversely affected by a lack of sunlight, and only some of its species can grow in partial shade, it is better not to place it under tall shrubs and trees.
Doronicum can be planted directly into the ground.
To plant Doronicum, you can use two methods. In the first case, sowing is carried out directly into the ground when the air temperature reaches +16 degrees. Most often this time occurs in mid-April.
It will be necessary to prepare the bed 10-14 days before planting so that the soil can settle. The depth of the rows should be 10-12 cm, and the distance between them should be at least 20 cm. When the first seedlings emerge, they will need to be thinned, leaving a gap of 7 to 9 cm.
After this, when the flowers grow to 11-12 cm, they must be planted in a flowerbed, maintaining a distance of 25 to 30 cm.
You can also grow seedlings by starting this in mid-March. After planting the seeds, when the seedlings are covered with 2-3 leaves, they need to be distributed into separate cups, ensuring moderate watering and full sunlight.
You can transplant seedlings into open ground after the frosts have subsided, maintaining a distance of 30 cm between plants.
For your information. It is unlikely that Doronicum will bloom in its first year. During this period, the plant only grows and builds up its root system.
Caring for doronicum: watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning and preparing for cold weather
Proper care of doronicum is simple and consists of the following activities:
By following these rules, you can ensure that bright flowers will delight the eye every season for many years.
Methods of propagation of Doronicum
This flower can reproduce in several ways, namely:
- By seed method. Growing from seeds will not be difficult, since they are found in abundance in the dead inflorescences of Doronicum, and if measures are not taken in time, the flowers will quickly spread throughout the entire area. You need to sow seeds in spring or autumn, placing them immediately in a permanent habitat, or by first growing seedlings in greenhouse conditions.
- By dividing bushes. This should be done at the end of September, immediately after the replacement rosettes grow.
- Method of cutting rhizomes. This breeding option is similar to the previous one and is also carried out in early autumn.
Whatever method of growing doronicums is chosen, it is important to follow the basic rules of planting, feeding and caring for plants.
All types of Doronicum flower have different shades of yellow and dense dark green foliage. They are somewhat similar to daisies and are ideal for group plantings, creating bright, sunny islands. In the middle zone, Doronicum Caucasian, tall, Klusi and cordate are most often grown.
Doronicum Caucasian, tall, Clusi and cordate
A perennial relatively tall plant - up to 50 cm in height, belongs to the Asteraceae family. The flower stem is leafless, the leaves are only in the basal rosette. The root system is voluminous, the roots are fleshy. Flower baskets are large, up to 8 cm in diameter, with radiant yellow reed flowers. About 40 species of Doronicum are known, but only a few are used in culture.
Doronicum Caucasian. Plant height 40-50 cm, blooms in May, yellow inflorescences.
Look at the photo - the doronicum flower of this species is very reminiscent of the nivaria daisy:
Doronicum tall - plant up to 80 cm in height. It blooms a week later than the Caucasian one.
Doronicum Clusi grows on wet rocky hills, near ponds and garden pools. It reaches a height of approximately 40 cm. It has one yellow basket on its peduncle, the diameter of which is up to 6 cm. The involucre consists of pubescent leaves. The lower leaves are retained during the flowering period; they are heart-shaped. Blooms in July-August. Most often propagated by dividing bushes, less often grown from seeds. Planting and caring for this doronicum flower is practiced in rock gardens in large group plantings; it is also decorative as a single plant, planted in front of tall grasses and next to water pools.
Doronicum cordate. Reaches a height of up to 30-70 cm. The lower leaves are usually one pair - ovate-heart-shaped, collected in a rosette; during the flowering period they are preserved. There are 5-8 stem leaves. Golden yellow flower approximately 4-6 cm in diameter.
Planting and caring for doronicum flowers in open ground
Grows in deep, permeable and moist garden soil. Sufficiently frost-resistant. Develops in partial shade, not on the south side of the rock garden. Propagated by dividing bushes, usually in spring. Due to the fact that this is a tall species, it is used in rock gardens in single plantings. Can also be used for cutting.
It is propagated mainly by dividing the bush, although it can also be produced by seeds. It is better to divide in the spring, planting them 15 cm apart. Another peculiarity of Doronicum is that already in July the roots begin to protrude to the surface of the earth. They must be covered with loose soil, being careful not to damage them.
The general rule for planting and caring for dronicums in open ground is moderation in the technology of their cultivation. Namely - on the one hand, unpretentiousness to soils, on the other - the manifestation of high decorative qualities only on nutritious, moist, loose soils. Moreover, there is a special need for organic fertilizers. In this regard, spring feeding with mullein is recommended. When planting, it is good to add humus and wood ash to each square meter of area.
They are moisture-loving, and at the same time, young seedlings do not tolerate waterlogging. They are sun-loving and demanding of light, but bloom longer in light shade. They are winter-hardy, but in harsh and snowless winters they require light shelter. In spring, the cover should be removed as early as possible to avoid damping off.
Look at the photo of planting and caring for dronicum in your garden:
Doronicum is widely used for bouquets. Flowers are cut in half bloom. It is also good in flower beds in combination with daffodils, primroses, and also on alpine hills. Planted in the background, as plants quickly lose their decorative effect after flowering.
Russian name. Doronicum, (yellow chamomile). In some regions of Russia it is called kozulnik.
Latin name. Doronicum orientalis comes from the Arabic word "doronish" - the name of an unknown poisonous plant.
Types and varieties. Doronicum plantain ( Doronicum plantagineum), Doronicum eastern ( Doronicum orientale), or Doronicum Caucasian ( Doronicum caucasicum).
Motherland. North America. Grows wildly in the Ciscaucasia, Transcaucasia, Central Europe, Mediterranean, Asia Minor.
Variety. There are 2 known varieties: Spring Beauty (Fruhlingspracht)- plants 45 cm high, bright yellow inflorescences, double and Gold Dwarf - early flowering dwarf plants only 15 cm high. In recent years, US breeders have obtained a low, compact variety of this species - "Little Leo", 30-35 cm high
Description of the plant. One of the first flowering herbaceous perennials. The flowers are up to 10 cm in diameter, the peduncles are 100-120 cm high. About 40 species are known, distributed in the mountains of temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Perennial plants. The stems are simple or poorly branched. The lower leaves are collected in a basal rosette on long petioles; stem - often stem-encompassing, arranged in alternate order. The inflorescence is a basket, usually solitary, on a thin, almost leafless peduncle, sometimes 2-6 in a corymbose inflorescence. The marginal flowers are ligulate, yellow, the middle ones are tubular, yellow. Achenes are smooth or hairy, oblong.
Care. After flowering, the stems are cut at the root; the clumps must be rejuvenated (divided) every 3-4 years. Winter hardiness is high, shelter for the winter is not required. It is very important to ensure sufficient watering during the flowering and dormant stages. Overmoistening of the soil is not allowed. After flowering, during the dormant period in June-July, it tolerates any drought well. To retain moisture in the soil, it is recommended to mulch the plantings. It is best to use wood chips, but shavings or grass clippings can also be used. After flowering ends, it is recommended to cut off the shoots, as they quickly dry out and spoil the appearance of the plant. Under favorable conditions, Doronicum plantain may experience a second flowering at the end of summer. Doronicum rhizomes are located close to the soil surface; loosening and digging it is not recommended. Fertilize a little. It is very important to ensure sufficient watering during the flowering and dormant stages.
Reproduction. Mature bushes are propagated by division in spring or August. Propagation by seeds is possible - both by seedlings and without seedlings. Seeds for seedlings are sown in March, in open ground - no earlier than April. The seeds are very small - there are more than 6000 seeds in 1 g; seedlings appear in about a week.
Bloom. Beginning of May - June, but sometimes blooms again in summer. Flowers last for more than 30 days.
Fertilizer. Complex mineral, mullein
Place and soil. Any garden soil, preferably slightly acidic and light. Place in the garden - sun - partial shade. Secondary plant. Pairs well with cornflowers, tulips, spring phlox, irises and daffodils. To obtain larger inflorescences and long flowering, plants are planted in semi-shaded areas. Only Doronicum plantain is a plant in sunny places. Doronicums do not grow under trees near trunks.
Doronicum eastern decorates your garden only in the spring, and then loses its decorative effect. Therefore, tall fern bushes with a long decorative period can be planted in its spots: ostrich, hosta, Volzhanka, Rogersia.
Diseases and pests. Susceptible to powdery mildew. Snail protection is required. It is affected by leaf and root-knot nematodes and aphids.
This is interesting. Many gardeners specifically grow these flowers for cutting. It is important to get a long peduncle and a large inflorescence. This is achieved in two ways: firstly, by frequent and almost annual division of the bush, that is, by its constant rejuvenation. Secondly, growing flowers in well-manured, abundantly watered areas. Unfortunately, it is these plants that are most often susceptible to fungal diseases and are less winter-hardy.