The plant Vespernitsa Matrona (Hesperis matronalis) aka Hesperis, Night violet, Night beauty has been living in Russian gardens for over 200 years. This unpretentious perennial is an excellent honey plant, especially appreciated by gardeners for its entrancing smell. In the Middle Ages, the yellow evening gown was used in medicine, and now it is simply planted for beauty.
What does the matron evening look like?
Hesperis is a herbaceous perennial of the Cruciferous family. Over 50 species grow in vivo in Europe, Asia, Siberia and the Caucasus. The name of the flower Hesperis among the Greeks means "evening." This is due to the fact that the incomparable aroma of a plant tends to intensify after sunset.
Flowering hesperis
Varieties of Hesperis matronalis are cultivated mainly in gardens. The plant blooms in early summer on straight, branching shoots of 0.5 - 1.2 m. The leaf of the evening tree is elongated, serrated, the stem is strong, slightly pubescent.
In the form of a cylindrical inflorescence, the evening party resembles another popular perennial - phlox. The difference is determined by the number of petals, in cruciferous four. Phlox flower consists of five petals.
Hesperis blooms small (1.5-2 cm), depending on the variety, flat or double flowers. By nature, the conceived evening party palette is represented by shades of white, pink, purple and violet. By the end of summer, hesperis forms pods (5-6 cm) in which seeds ripen.
For reference: flower lovers read the Latin name of the matron's evening party in different ways: hesperis or hesperis. Even experienced florists do not undertake to claim which name is correct.
Description of varieties derived from Hesperis matronalis
Vespers is a plant that blooms in late spring, ahead of other garden flowers. Hesperis is usually planted in places where its bewitching smell can be enjoyed comfortably. It will be appropriate to place it along the paths, by the window or near the gazebo.
Classification of the most decorative species:
- Hesperis Sibirica or Siberian supper: Siberian endemic plant 0.3–1.30 m high, shoots and foliage pubescent with coarse hairs, pink-purple inflorescences, milky white, flowering begins in mid-summer;
- Hesperis Tristis - an evening party sad or dark: a compact bush of 0.25 - 0.60 m, characterized by an unusual color of inflorescences - at the beginning of dissolution they are chocolate-purple, gradually change color to fawn yellow. Flowering early, from late spring to mid summer.
On a note: The aroma is most intense after sunset and on cloudy days. In drought, the aroma noticeably weakens.
Varieties of Hesperis matronalis are used to create fragrant flower beds:
- Lilacina Flore Pleno - lilac-pink;
- Albiflora - lilac, terry variety;
- Nana Candidissima - a plant up to 50 cm high with white fragrant flowers;
- Purpurea Plena - Hesperis with double flowers of a purple hue.
- Malinovaya - large inflorescences of a juicy color, the bush is tall, low leafy used in the company of ornamental herbs;
- Rodmoskovnye vechera - tight elongated inflorescences are painted in pale pink and white;
- Lirika large flowers of all colors characteristic of the hesperis are gathered in loose brushes.
Varieties with terry flowers are suitable for cutting. In the vase, they last 10 to 12 days and all this time they delight with a bewitching aroma.
Inflorescence of the Evening Matron
Seed cultivation
A two-year bush with ripe fruit pods is enough to simply lay it on the ground and cover it with spruce branches or covering material. In the spring, under the shelter, there are many seedlings ready for transplanting.
From mid-spring, you can plant evening flowers with the seedling method:
- Acquired seeds are sown in a shallow container, filled with a drainage layer by a third.
- A fertile layer is laid on top. If the land for sowing is taken from the garden, it is recommended to spill it in advance with potassium permanganate or foundationazole to avoid infection of the seeds with fungal diseases or viruses.
- Seeds are distributed on the surface of the soil, they are not buried, only slightly sprinkled with a substrate, after which they are shed with warm water and covered with a film.
At a temperature of 18 - 20 ° C, the first seedlings can hatch in three weeks.
Seedling care consists in airing the seedlings and regular moisturizing. Gentle sprouts are recommended not to be watered, but sprayed from a spray bottle. Loosen the soil around the roots with a match or a toothpick.
With the appearance of 3 to 4 true leaves, young plants dive into separate containers, if necessary, while continuing to monitor soil moisture.
Young violets are planted in a permanent place in late summer - early autumn, with a distance of 30 - 40 cm from each other.
Important! In the first year after planting, seedlings form the beginnings of flower rosettes, full flowering occurs in the late summer of next year.
Although the plant is a perennial under natural conditions, it is cultivated for no more than 2 years to obtain seed material. After 3 years, the quality of seeds for species reproduction is deteriorating.
Important! Night supper needs aeration of the roots after watering, in the absence of loosening, young plants can die.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Varietal hybrids cannot be grown from seeds. Plants purchased in specialized stores, nurseries or at exhibitions are propagated by dividing the bush. Vespers are unpretentious and easily adaptable even with a poorly developed root system.
Unlike most flowers, hesperis can withstand transplantation in open ground without removing inflorescences. True, for this, it must be abundantly watered in the first days after planting.
Features of home care
The plant is viable, not demanding to care. It is better to plant an evening party in well-lit places, in extreme cases, slight shading is possible. The soil needs slightly alkaline, structural, optimal lightweight loam sand.
The flower is hygrophilous; in dry weather it is necessary to provide additional watering. Waterlogging and high occurrence of groundwater does not tolerate hesperis. After watering, the root area should be loosened.
The plant has high winter hardiness, it can easily tolerate temperature changes, does not require shelter. In especially snowy winters, with a long melting of snow, the aboveground part may vytryat.
Fertilizer
Before flowering, the evening party can be fed with complex fertilizer. She does not need regular feeding. If organic matter is introduced, it is important not to overdo it so as not to get a riot of green without flowers.
The bushes branch well, so the planting of the evening party is prone to thickening. To preserve the duration and decorative flowering, faded inflorescences are pruned.
Important! The flower is not poisonous, but in allergy sufferers it can cause unpleasant symptoms: itching, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, allergic rhinitis.
Evening flowers in the flowerbed
Possible problems in growing
Hesperis is little affected by external factors.
It is believed that the plant may suffer from characteristic diseases of cruciferous crops. In fact, the party can be damaged in the lower part of the slug or cruciferous fleas. And those and others do not like ash, fleas do not tolerate moisture.
Important! If vegetables are grown on the site, then the pests will probably prefer radish and cabbage.
Like all garden plants, party can be affected by fungal and viral diseases. It is important to understand that diseases and pests appear subject to non-compliance with the agricultural technology of culture and preventive measures on the site.
It is believed that the party is a flower that is indispensable as a companion for lilies and roses. Its fragrant white, lilac or pink cloud will shade their rich beauty and complement the home garden with a night aroma of smells. Beginning lovers of flowers, you can try to plant this plant on the site to surprise relatives and friends.
