Primula
Primula
The primrose is the first flower to bloom in winter! Although a low-growing herbaceous perennial flower, the primrose is mainly planted as an annual ornamental and gives us its wonderful flowers from early January to late spring. The primula has characteristic lanceolate foliage that grows in the form of a rosette and is an ideal plant to plant in a pot on the balcony, as well as in the garden to create impressive color compositions. The name primrose comes from Latin and means first, confirming its early flowering in the heart of winter. There are, of course, some varieties of primrose that bloom in the autumn months. The leaves of the primrose resemble lettuce leaves, which is why many call it “lettuce”. There are many types of primroses with a wide variety of colors to choose from, from white, red, purple, yellow, pink, orange, blue, as well as striking bi-color varieties that have been created in recent years.
In order to thrive and give us rich flowering, the primrose needs frequent watering, as it has increased needs for soil moisture. We water twice a week in the spring and autumn, while in the hot summer we water every 2 days. However, it is necessary to remove the water from the pot because otherwise rotting may occur in the root system of the primrose. Regarding its nutrient requirements, primrose does not need large amounts of fertilizer. Specifically, we add liquid fertilizer for flowering plants to potted primrose plants once a month, from early spring to late fall. For primrose plants planted in the garden, it is enough to apply a complete granular fertilizer in early spring, summer and autumn. Let’s look at the most important tips for primrose care to enjoy its wonderful flowers in the garden and in a pot. Primula needs a cool environment and moisture to thrive, so we mostly prefer semi-shaded planting locations protected from the strong midday sun. We must be aware that hot and cold air currents can cause drying of primrose leaves and flowers. Primroses have a superficial root system, which is why they are planted in shallow pots and planters as they do not need much depth to grow. A distance of about 20 cm between primrose plants is ideal for planting them. We incorporate into the soil materials that retain moisture, such as perlite and zeolite, and at the same time we add compost to the soil mixture. For planting the primrose, we use general-purpose potting soil or special potting soil for flowers.
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Balsamina
BalsaminaBalsamina is a decorative, small and herbaceous plant of medium growth, with intense foliage and flowers in red and pink shades.
Balsamine (Impatiens balsamine) is also known as balsamine, impatience or love. This plant is preferred for gardens and terraces as it is easy to grow and does not need much care, it has a characteristic multi-month flowering and makes the most of shady places. The planting of the balsamina should be done in shady places and not have direct contact with the sun’s rays. In combination with plenty of water, the balsamina blooms both on the branches and throughout its central trunk.
Passiflora
PassifloraPassiflora, the flower of passion that impresses with its distinctive shape. Passiflora is a climbing plant that grows very quickly and is a beautiful way to cover fences and pergolas. The impressive flower of the passionflower resembles the shape of a clock, which is why in several regions of our country it is known as a clock. Passiflora is native to South America. It can reach a growth of up to ten meters and gives us its wonderful flowering in the summer. There are hundreds of species of Passiflora, most climbing, although there are also some shrubs and trees among them. A well-known species of Passiflora (Passiflora edulis) is our well-known Passion fruit, whose fruits are eaten.
Gaillardia
GaillardiaGaillardia is an impressive flower with characteristic green-grey foliage and beautiful flowers that resemble daisies in shades of red, yellow and orange. Gaillardia is characterized by abundant and prolonged flowering that lasts from early summer to mid-autumn. It comes from America and belongs to the same family as the sunflower with several varieties, some annual and others perennial and a height varying between 30-90 cm. Gaillardia is an ideal choice for planting in a flower bed, in a rock garden, as well as in a pot on the balcony. The Gaillardia plant gives a wild flower feel to our garden and is also one of the plants that attract butterflies and birds. Gaillardia needs sunny positions to give us its impressive flowering. It wants light and sandy soil that has good drainage, as young Gaillardia plants are sensitive to excess moisture. To plant it in a pot on the balcony, we prefer places with southern exposure and relatively sheltered, as it is sensitive to low temperatures and strong north winds. In any case, we put a layer of gravel at the base of the pot to drain away the water and not to close the holes of the pot due to soil compression.
Portulaca
PortulacaPortulaca, also known as silk, is an annual ornamental plant ideal for ground cover in rock gardens, but also for planting in hanging pots on the balcony. Portulaca originates from Brazil and is characterized by creeping vegetation and fleshy oval leaves. The impressive flowering of purslane lasts from spring to autumn, with single or double flowers, monochrome, two-color and even three-color, in shades of yellow, pink, orange, red and white. Portulaca has no particular soil requirements, although it prefers fertile soils with good drainage.
Cactus
CactusCacti need full sun exposure, with very few exceptions, and a long warm season exceeding 6 months to grow. The intense activity of the cacti takes place during the spring and summer period, during which, in addition to growth, they also give their unique flowering. As for winter, a period of dormancy, cacti seek temperatures of 5-15°C, although some of them can withstand sub-zero temperatures for a while. Cacti need coarse, sandy, draining soil to grow. An ordinary general-purpose potting soil is not suitable for cacti, as it retains a lot of moisture. That is why we use specialized potting soil for cacti enriched with nutrients. Cacti definitely need fertilization, especially during the spring and summer when they do most of their growth. Specialized fertilizers for cacti, water-soluble with enough trace elements, are needed to improve growth and give their wonderful flowering. We add water-soluble fertilizer to the cacti twice a month for the spring and summer periods.
