Ankhuza is a delicate herbaceous plant, strewn with miniature flowers of white, yellow, blue or purple colors. The genus belongs to the Burachnikov family, it consists of annual and perennial species.
Botanical Description
More than 40 species of the genus spread in the subtropics from Western Europe to Asia, some varieties are found in southern Africa. Herbaceous, highly branched shoots of ankhuza form bushes from 25 to 100 cm high. The stems are straight, very dense, painted in light green tones, but can acquire brown or reddish hues. Leaves are pointed, lanceolate, light green. They sit tightly on the stem, but are rarely located along its entire length. On shoots and veins in the lower part of the leaf there are short, stiff hairs.
The root system is fibrous, contains a scarlet coloring pigment. For him, the plant got its name, which is translated from Latin as "makeup" or "cosmetics."
From May to July, sparse panicled inflorescences bloom on the main and lateral shoots. Each bud has a short peduncle. In the fused cup of a flower, up to 1.5 cm in size, there are 5 rounded or pointed petals. The core is embossed, acts as a small cylinder. By the end of summer, fruits in the form of round or ovoid nuts ripen. They are painted in light brown or gray and reach a diameter of 5 mm.
Plant species
The most popular annual varieties include Ankhuza Cape - an inhabitant of South Africa. The plant forms compact bushes 40-70 cm high. The pubescent stems begin to branch near the ground. The tops of the shoots are densely covered with small flowers, their size is 13-15 mm. Inflorescences consist of blue flowers with a white or pink eye. Each panicle reaches a length of 16-18 cm. As a result of the work of breeders, the following varieties were developed on the basis of this species:
- Alba - with snow-white inflorescences;
- BlendinBlu - sky-blue inflorescences cover a bush up to 45 cm high;
- Blue Angel - miniature bushes (20-25 cm) densely dotted with blue flowers;
- BlueBed - blue-violet flowers crowned with compact bushes 45 cm high.
Among gardeners, the Cappuccino Ankhuza seed mixture is popular. "dwarf dewdrop". Under this name, annual and biennial cold-resistant varieties blooming with blue, purple, cream flowers are combined. The height of the branching stems is 50-60 cm.
The long-term variety is also known - ankhuza italian, it’s also called azure. It is found in the temperate and subtropical climate of Russia, in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. This highly branched perennial with straight strong stems reaches a height of 80 cm with bushes about 50-60 cm wide. In places of branching, the stem is rarely covered with sessile dark green foliage. The leaf shape is lanceolate or oblong with a pointed end. Dark blue or blue flowers, up to 15 mm in diameter, are collected in rare paniculate inflorescences. Flowering begins in late May and lasts more than 2 months. The following varieties of this species are popular:
- LoddonRoyalist - bushes up to 90 cm with blue or blue flowers that bloom in mid-June;
- RovalBlue - bushes bloom with pale blue inflorescences;
- Opal - pale blue flowers crown the bushes up to 1.2 m high;
- MorningGlory - blue flowers have a white core;
- Dropmore - one of the highest varieties (about 1.5 m), blooms in deep blue;
- A drop of summer - bushes 80-100 cm tall have brown-red stems and bright blue flowers with a snow-white eye.
Of the new hybrid varieties popular Ankhuza dew drop. This perennial tall plant up to 1.5 m high, forms shrubs densely covered with dark blue panicles of inflorescences. The flowers have a reddish core.
In the Caucasus, in the temperate climate of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, another variety is widespread - Ankhuza officinalis. She prefers sandy slopes and shallows, as well as embankments near roads and landfills. The species lives for two years, has a branched stalk in the upper part. Rare leaves are located along the entire length of the shoots, their length reaches 5-10 cm, and the width is only 1 cm. The shoots are decorated with lush panicles of inflorescences up to 10 cm long. The flower diameter is 1 cm. Flowering occurs in June and July. The plant is considered a good honey plant.
Seed cultivation
To grow ankhuza in the southern regions, seeds are sown immediately in open ground in prepared ridges. Do it in the fall or early spring. Shoots appear in mid-April, and in May they can be transplanted to a permanent place. Between seedlings it is necessary to maintain a distance of 20-25 cm. Flowering is expected from mid-July to late autumn.
Seedlings are sown in large boxes in early March. Trays with moistened peat substrate are covered with a film and left in a room with an air temperature of + 18 ° C. Shoots appear after 2-3 weeks. With the advent of 2 real leaves, seedlings are cut in separate pots, and at the end of May they are planted in a flower garden.
It is important to remember that seed propagation is suitable for pure species of ankhuza. Hybrid and varietal characters in future generations are weakly expressed.
Vegetative propagation
At the end of April or May, bushes of perennial species are divided into several parts. The plant is dug up and the roots are cut so as to obtain part of the rhizome with a ground shoot. The places of cuts must be sprinkled with crushed coal, ash or chalk. Dividers are immediately planted in the ground and watered.
Plant care
Ankhuza does not require much attention. She prefers loamy or light, sandy soils with the addition of humus and deciduous humus. For normal development, the roots need good drainage. Prefers sunny areas of the garden or a very faint shadow. She is not afraid of cold and strong wind, but tall varieties can suffer from strong gusts of wind, so they need to provide support.
The plant normally accepts drought and does not need regular watering. During the summer, organic or complex mineral supplements are added once a month.
Wilted inflorescences are recommended to be cut to stimulate repeated flowering. Pruning is done carefully with protective gloves. Plant juice is toxic and may cause skin irritation.
Of the common diseases, powdery mildew is worth highlighting, aphid attacks are also possible. To control pests, a soap-alcohol solution or insecticides are used. Damaged shoots are cut and destroyed.
In autumn, the ground part is completely cut off. For perennial species, they prepare shelter from the spruce branches or mulch the soil with foliage.
Using
Abundantly flowering bushes look spectacular in group plantings. Low-growing varieties create a continuous carpet that perfectly adorns the high coast or hilly terrain from the south or east.
Suitable for compositions near the curb, in rockeries or for growing on balconies. Looks good in the neighborhood with thuja, daffodils, primrose, flax, marigolds, Iberis. Fragrant flowers attract many butterflies and honey insects.
Some parts of the plant continue to be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
