Xeranthemum is reminiscent of endless summer steppes. Xeranthemum - dried flower plants. Growing and care
Among the countless varieties and hybrids of sweet peppers, there are those, such as the Ramiro pepper, whose popularity is literally worldwide. And if most vegetables on supermarket shelves are nameless, and it is almost impossible to find out about their variety, then the name of this pepper “Ramiro” will certainly be on the packaging. And, as my experience has shown, this pepper is worth letting other gardeners know about it. In connection with which this article was written.
Autumn is the most mushroom time. It is no longer hot, and heavy dew falls in the mornings. Since the earth is still warm, and foliage has already attacked from above, creating a completely special microclimate in the ground layer, the mushrooms are very comfortable. Mushroom pickers are also comfortable at this time, especially in the mornings when it is cooler. It's time for both to meet. And, if you haven’t introduced yourself to each other, get to know each other. In this article I will introduce you to exotic, little-known and not always edible mushrooms that look like coral.
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Pepper ajvar - vegetable caviar or thick vegetable sauce from bell pepper with eggplants. The peppers for this recipe are baked for quite a long time, then they are also stewed. Add to ajvar onions, tomatoes, eggplants. To store eggs for the winter, they are sterilized. This Balkan recipe is not for those who like to make preparations quickly, undercooked and underbaked - not about ajvar. In general, we approach the matter in detail. For the sauce, we choose the ripest and meatiest vegetables on the market.
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Tomato sauce with onions and sweet peppers - thick, aromatic, with pieces of vegetables. The sauce cooks quickly and is thick because this recipe contains pectin. Make such preparations at the end of summer or autumn, when the vegetables have ripened in the sun in the garden beds. Bright, red tomatoes will make equally bright homemade ketchup. This sauce is a ready-made dressing for spaghetti, and you can also simply spread it on bread - very tasty. For better preservation, you can add a little vinegar.
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Pinjur - Balkan-style eggplant caviar with sweet peppers, onions and tomatoes. Distinctive feature dishes - eggplants and peppers are first baked, then peeled and simmered for a long time in a roasting pan or in a thick-bottomed pan, adding the rest of the vegetables specified in the recipe. The caviar turns out to be very thick, with a bright, rich taste. In my opinion, this cooking method is the best known. Although it is more troublesome, the result compensates for the labor costs.
Xeranthemum is a beautiful unpretentious annual flower, which has long been used as an ornamental plant in landscape design and for decorating flower beds. Find out about botanical description flower and the process of growing it at home.
Botanical description
Xeranthemum is an annual plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It began to be grown at home at the end of the 18th century in the southern regions of Europe, but it soon spread throughout the world, thanks to its unpretentiousness to growing conditions and its unusual beauty, which remains even after drying. The flower is characterized by the presence of an erect stem that can reach a height of 60 cm. Narrow, long lanceolate leaves are alternately planted on the stem. They reach about 3 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width. The stem is covered with white fibers. 
The inflorescences look like baskets and are represented by hemispheres. Decorative types of this plant with double or semi-double inflorescences can be white, purple or pink flowers. The flowers are small, no more than 3 cm in diameter. Blooms from early July to September. Flowering is friendly and abundant. The seeds on the flower ripen at the end of summer. The seeds are quite small, grayish, more than 700 pieces are concentrated in one gram, they remain viable for up to 3 years. The genus Xeranthemum has 6 species, but in floriculture only Xeranthemum annua is used.
Distribution and habitats
The habitat of xeranthemum is the southern and western parts of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Asia Minor. Plants grow best in the steppe, on chalk outcrops; they prefer dry slopes and low mountains; they can also be found on sandy soils.
Use in landscape design
Xeranthemum is a fairly popular plant and is often used in landscape design. They decorate flower beds, rock gardens, and are also used to create living borders. Thanks to its bright double inflorescences, xeranthemum allows you to decorate any area. The plant can be planted either separately or in combination with other flowers, creating beautiful compositions. 
Xeranthemum is combined with astrantia, salvia, and yarrow. The plant is often chosen as a decoration for a flower bed, since the flower is easy to care for and does not require special conditions for growing. In addition, after flowering ends, it continues to please the eye.
Use in floristry
Often, xeranthemum is grown for cutting to create compositions and bouquets, both fresh and dried. Thanks to its excellent preservation, the flower dries out after cutting, without losing the color of the buds and maintaining the shape of the flower. In order for the xeranthemum to be preserved as well as possible, it is cut off at a time when the buds have not fully opened.
After the plants are cut, they are collected in bunches and recommended to be hung with the buds down. Xeranthemum should be dried in dark, dry rooms - only in this case will it be possible to preserve the plant. Xeranthemum in dry form is capable of long time, maintain the bright color and shape of the buds for at least 2 years.
Did you know? It is possible to make dried flowers brighter by using a solution hydrochloric acid. To prepare it, take hydrochloric acid (1 part) and water(12 parts), mix everything thoroughly and dip freshly cut buds for 4-5 seconds in this liquid. Next, gently shake and hang dry.
Xeranthemum is often combined in bouquets with other dried flowers, annuals and perennials. Annual dried flowers that can be added to a bouquet with xeranthemum include helichrysum, helipterum, and kermek. Among the perennials that are combined with this plant are anafalis, gypsophila, yarrow, pearl mussel, lavender and astilbe. You can add spikelets of wheat to bouquets, ornamental garden grasses - briza and lagurus; the bouquet will be well complemented by lunaria and physalis. Growing and caring for the plant
Xeranthemum is an unpretentious flower, so it can be grown at home without any problems. Let's take a closer look at where to plant and how to care for an ornamental plant.
When growing xeranthemum outdoors, it is necessary to provide it with a sufficient amount of sunlight, so the plant should be planted on the sunny side of the site, or in an area with light partial shade. If growing seedlings indoors, place the container on a south window. Select a shallow container, up to 10 cm in height; you can sow seeds in pots at least 9 cm in diameter. 
Soil and fertilizers
When growing xeranthemum seedlings indoors, the container must be filled with light, loose, moist soil; it is better to purchase it in a specialized store. A universal substrate for purchase is suitable flowering plants. Xeranthemum in open ground prefers to grow on light nutritious soils. Sandy loam and sandy soils with neutral acidity.
In order to stimulate the formation of buds, it is recommended to fertilize the plant with special complex fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium. This fertilizer is purchased in specialized stores and used according to the instructions indicated on the container with the fertilizer.
Watering and humidity
Xeranthemum is drought-resistant plant, so air humidity and watering are not particularly important. It is recommended to water the plant only during the process of growing seedlings and after planting them in open ground, until they finally take root. At this time, the flower is watered regularly, after the top layer of soil has dried. Stop watering completely after the plant has grown green mass. 
Important! The flower can be watered during the flowering period only in case of prolonged drought in extreme heat.
Relation to temperature
In order for the seeds to germinate simultaneously, the temperature must be at +20 degrees. It is worth remembering that seeds can die during light frosts. The plant is cold-resistant, so it can withstand temperature fluctuations up to +5 degrees. Since the flower is an annual, it is sown for 1 season, that is, wintering is excluded. If the seeds were not collected on time and fell into the soil, then next year self-seeding is possible if they do not die in winter. It is possible to achieve germination of seeds that fell into the soil in the fall only if xeranthemum is grown in southern regions with warm winters. 
Reproduction
The flower can be propagated by seeds. Growing xeranthemum is most effective seedling method, therefore, initially the seeds are sown in containers that are placed in a well-lit place. Sowing occurs at the end of March, and seedlings are planted in open ground in the first month of summer. It is also practiced to sow seeds in open ground: in this case, it is necessary to sow in mid-to-late May, when a strong drop in temperature at night is excluded. If the seeds are sown in open ground, then the area is covered with film until the first shoots appear. For sowing, small grooves are made in the soil (up to 3 cm deep), sprinkled with soil on top.
Important! It is necessary to understand that when growing seedlings in open ground, it is possible to achieve xeranthemum flowering only in the last month of summer.
When growing seedlings in an apartment, choose a container that is not deep; it is filled with purchased substrate up to 8 cm in height, while the seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 0.5 cm. Cover the container with film or a glass jar. Sprouted seedlings require thinning both when grown indoors and outdoors. In the case of growing seedlings in large containers, young seedlings are picked in groups of 3, transplanting them into a separate pot with a diameter of at least 9 cm along with earthen lump. When grown outside, seedlings are not planted; then the area is covered with a dense carpet of xeranthemum. 
Xeranthemum is annual crop from the Asteraceae family. The plant has been known since the end of the 16th century. It comes from the southern regions of Europe. However, in Russia it has become very widespread due to its unpretentiousness.
Xeranthemum is also called dried flower. This is due to the fact that it is usually used in bouquets of dried flowers. The crop is a sun lover and cold tolerant.
The erect stem is about 60 cm high. It is covered with whitish fibers. Inflorescences are represented by single baskets. These baskets are shaped like a hemisphere. Ornamental plants usually have double or semi-double inflorescences. Available colors: white, purple or pink. The flowers have small sizes, their diameter does not exceed 3 cm. The alternate leaves usually have an elongated shape. They can also be lanceolate.
Flowering begins in July and ends in September. Flowering is abundant. Even after drying, the flowers retain their shape and color for a long time. Xeranthemum is often used not only for bouquets, but also for decoration garden plots and flower beds.
The seeds of the plant ripen at the end of summer. They are very small in size. There are usually about 700 seeds in 1 g. They are able to remain viable for up to 3 years.
Types and varieties
Xeranthemum has 6 types.
The most common and interesting for gardeners is the annual type of this crop (lat. Xeranthemum Annuum). This variety is commercially available as plain and terry varieties. The height of the flowers does not exceed 60 cm. Colors: white, pink, purple, red or lilac. Flowering occurs from July to September in temperate climate. The diameter of the inflorescence is no more than 5 cm. The leaves have a lanceolate shape and a slightly silvery tint.
Among the varieties of xeranthemum, the following should be highlighted:
- Rose- This is an unpretentious variety. Its height is about 50 cm. The scaly flowers have a beautiful pink color. Terry inflorescences. Their diameter is about 3.5 cm. Flowering occurs in July-August. The variety requires abundant watering;
- Carmine- another plant variety. Grown to create winter bouquets and dried flower arrangements. Also used in the design of flower beds, borders and mixborders. The stems are about 60 cm high. The flowers have a rich purple. Even after drying, the inflorescences do not lose color. The variety is resistant to cold and prefers sun. Flowering - from July to September.
Carmine
Mixtures of this crop are usually commercially available. The table below shows the most popular variety mixtures that can be easily found and purchased.
| Mother of pearl bouquet. This mixture is valued by florists. Perfect for creating dry bouquets, they are also used in the design of flower beds. The inflorescences can be purple, white or pink. The diameter does not exceed 4 cm. The variety loves the sun. Also resistant to cold. |  |
"Gavrish" |
| Winter Tale- terry annual plant of Russian selection. The mixture is colorful. The height of the branched stems is no more than 60 cm. Double inflorescences are pink, lilac, purple and crimson in color. A cold-resistant and light-loving variety is used in decorating borders and rockeries, but its main use is cutting winter bouquets and dried flower compositions. |  |
NPO "Gardens of Russia" |
| Cossack- another popular mixture sold in Russia. Terry inflorescences. Colors: white, pink. The colors and shades are very rich. Grown for cutting and for flower beds. The variety prefers the sun and is not afraid of cold weather. |  |
"Sedek" |
Growing from seeds
To grow seedlings you will need wooden box or plastic container. It will be better if the container is shallow. Seeds need to be sown in March or April. The soil should be loose and moist.
Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm. After sowing, the container must be covered with film.
When the seedlings reach a height of 3 cm, they are planted in shallow pots. Their depth should be no more than 10 cm. If the climate is warm, then diving can be avoided by planting the seedlings directly in open ground. However, this should only be done when warm time so that the plants do not die. Planting in open ground is required in May or early June. 
Planting and care
Planting in open ground is carried out no earlier than May. The main thing is that the time is warm. Xeranthemum is not picky about soil, but it is better to choose nutritious and light soil. It is necessary to plant seedlings in places that are rich in sunlight, since the plant loves light very much.
During the growing season, it is important to ensure that the soil is moist. But during the period of bud formation, you should not water the plant abundantly. It is desirable that the soil is dry. Also during the flowering period, the watering process should be limited.
Flowering occurs in July or closer to August. If the climate is warm, then it is better to sow the seeds directly into open ground, since xeranthemum does not like transplanting.
In addition to watering, it is also necessary to loosen the soil and regularly remove weeds.
Use in landscape design
Xeranthemum is used for decoration and creation. Bright double inflorescences will perfectly decorate any garden plot. It is used to decorate rose gardens. It is great in single plantings. Also goes well with crops such as:
Xeranthemum in bouquets, collecting and drying
The crop is usually grown for cutting. With its help, beautiful flower arrangements dried flowers and winter bouquets. They are able to retain color and shape after drying.
Plants are cut at a time when the buds have not yet fully opened. They are collected in bunches and hung to dry. The drying area should be dark and dry.
For several years, dry xeranthemums retain their bright color and shape. If you want to give the flowers more bright shade, then you can use this recipe: before drying, dip the buds for a couple of seconds in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid. To 1 part hydrochloric acid you need to take 12 parts water. Then shake the flowers and dry them in the usual way.
Bouquet of dried xeranthemum.
Video review
Detailed description on video with detailed photos.
Xeranthemum - decorative decoration for creating original bouquets
Xeranthemum comes from the southern latitudes of Europe, like ornamental plant used to decorate bouquets. A genus of the Asteraceae family, it grows on rocky and mountain roads.
Description of the plant
The crop is annual, with straight branched stems, up to 60 cm high. The leaves of the flower are sessile, lanceolate, the inflorescences are solitary, collected in small baskets. The inner leaves of the plant are hard and supported on thin peduncles.
Source: Depositphotos
Xeranthemum is used in bouquets as decoration
The fruit is an achene, ripens at the end of August, the seeds remain viable for several years. The plant can reproduce by self-sowing. Xeranthemum has been cultivated since 1570. The most common varieties include:
- "rose" - with double inflorescences;
- "purple" - with crimson inflorescences.
The xeranthemum flower looks good both in individual and group plantings and is suitable for cutting and making dry bouquets. The color of the inflorescences can be pink, white, purple.
Growing and care
The plant reproduces by seeds; to do this, in early spring you need to fertilize part of the soil, moisten the substrate, make drainage to a depth of 0.5 cm, sow the seeds, cover the sowing area with film to create a greenhouse.
After 2–3 weeks, seedlings are planted in separate containers or planted in open ground, carefully transporting the root system with a lump of earth. Under favorable weather conditions, the plant will bloom in the same season.
Plant care criteria:
- light nutritious soil;
- moderate watering;
- weeding;
- loosening the soil.
Xeranthemum should be grown in sunny areas, but it is cold-resistant. To the north, it is better to use the seedling method, otherwise the plant may not bloom at all.
Xeranthemum from seeds quickly takes root; at first it requires regular watering, after which this procedure can be stopped altogether and watered only on dry, hot days. The plant looks great with astrantia, salvia, yarrow, mixed type as a border crop.
The plant is not damaged by pests. Withstands temperatures up to +20 °C. IN winter period requires insulation, does not tolerate even mild frosts in open ground - root system dies.
Dried flowers retain their shape for several years. The photo of xeranthemum attracts with its riot of flowering, bright color, lush leaves and strong stem. This is an ornamental plant for decoration landscape compositions and original flower bouquets.
Ends quickly blooming summer, and they only remind about him bright photos and dry bouquets. Dried flowers have long been successfully used not only by florists, but also by ordinary amateur flower growers.
In autumn, the extinct garden is decorated with bright lanterns of perennial physalis, teasel cones, and silvery inflorescences of lunaria, and from mid-summer to autumn, annual dried flowers delight: helichrysum, molucella, statice. Several years ago I planted a xeranthemum and fell in love with it for its delicate appearance and unpretentiousness.
Xeranthemum is an annual plant, native to the southern regions of Russia, the Mediterranean, in middle lane does not hibernate. The stems are straight, highly branched, reaching about 60 cm in height. The elongated leaves are arranged in an alternate order. Inflorescences-baskets with a diameter of up to 5 cm are hard to the touch, simple or semi-double, they are white, pink, red and purple. Several terry forms are also known in culture. Xeranthemum blooms from July to October, the seeds ripen in September and remain viable for up to 3 years.
The culture is cold-resistant, but is afraid of frost, so it is better to grow it in seedlings and plant it in the ground at the end of May. You can sow it directly into the ground in May, but then it will not bloom until August. I sow xeranthemum seeds in April in a greenhouse along with cabbage, and by mid-May excellent seedlings grow. By the way,
xeranthemum produces a small amount of self-seeding, so in the spring you can find ready-made plants at the site of last year’s planting.
Xeranthemum does not like transplanting, so I plant the seedlings carefully, with a clod of earth. It is better to plant several specimens together in one hole to create a lush bush.
Xeranthemum is not picky about soils, but feels better in light, nutritious soils in sunny conditions. open place. To obtain vigorous shoots in the initial growing season, it requires sufficiently moist soil, but with the appearance of buds and the beginning of flowering, it prefers drier conditions and does not need watering. Care is not at all complicated and consists mainly of weeding and loosening the soil around the plants.
Xeranthemum is good in border plantings, flower beds and rock gardens, but is mainly used for cutting. Plants are cut at a time when the baskets have not fully opened. Dry them by hanging them in bunches in a dry, shaded place. However, when dried, the flowers turn pale. Therefore, experts recommend dipping the inflorescences for 2-3 seconds in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid (1:12) before drying, then gently shake and dry in the usual way. The color will become more vibrant. In my opinion, xeranthemum annual is one of the best plants for making dry bouquets.
