If the water daffodil is planted in a location that meets its requirements, it will remain an easy-care perennial for the next few years.
The garden pond comes to life when the blooms of the Wasserdost become a playground for butterflies and insects in summer. The uncomplicated garden perennial feels at home in moist, nutrient-rich soil. Depending on the location and care, the water hemp, which by the way has no direct relationship to the cannabis herb, can reach heights of growth of up to almost two meters. Find out below how to best care for the ornamental plant, which is also used for medicinal purposes.❏ Pour the water can properly
The water daffodil (Eupatorium) needs a moist location. In its natural environment, water daffodil grows on the edges of water, in swampy areas or on shady edges of forests. If you own a garden pond, you will have no problem providing the plant with the ideal growing conditions.
But even if there is no water point in your garden, you don't have to do without planting the aster family. However, it is then important to prepare the soil accordingly and line it with a mixture of sand and clay so that the liquid stays in the soil longer. The Wasserdost needs regular watering. You really can't go wrong with this, unless you forget to water the plant completely.
➔ Tip: Water daffodil is one of the rare plants that is not sensitive to waterlogging.
How to properly pour water in keywords
- water regularly
- offer wet location
- wash in plenty
- Compact soil with sand-loam mixture
❏ How to properly fertilize the water plant
If you have placed the plant in nutrient-rich garden soil, regular fertilization is not absolutely necessary. The need for nutrients is particularly high during the flowering period. In rather barren soils, regular application of perennial fertilizer is recommended. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer in spring. Compost and horn shavings are also suitable as organic fertilizers.
Container plants should be fertilized regularly, since the water volume in the planter is limitedrange of nutrients is available.
➔ Attention Use perennial fertilizer in twice the dilution as indicated on the packaging, otherwise the young shoots could be damaged.
Fertilize correctly in keywords
- relatively high nutritional requirements
- Slow-release fertilizer can be given in spring
- Use heavily diluted perennial fertilizer
- Fertilize potted plants weekly during the growth phase
❏ Does the water box have to be cut?
The water daffodil is a vigorous plant. If the location is right, no special care will be necessary. So that the water hemp does not grow too much for you, it can of course be cut back. If you want to slow down the plant's urge to spread, cut back the side shoots in spring. You can shorten the shoots as you like and thus determine the growth form of the plant.
If wilted flowers are regularly removed, the plant will often bloom again. After flowering, the shrub can also be pruned more radically. On the other hand, if the plant is to grow more vigorously, it is pruned again vigorously in autumn.
➔ Tip: In order to avoid frost damage, the water daffodil should only be cut back by the end of September.
❏ Wasserdost - maintenance measures at a glance
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • How often it needs to be watered depends on the location. • If the water lavender grows at the edge of the pond, the substrate is moist and therefore ideal for the plant. • Water lavender in the bed should be watered regularly. |
| Fertilize | • During the flowering period, the need for nutrients is increased. • You can supply the water box with slow-release fertilizer or give highly diluted perennial fertilizer. • Container plants should be given a weak concentration of fertilizer weekly during the growth phase . |
| Cut | • Pruning is not absolutely necessary. • If the plant grows too much, it can be cut back radically after flowering. • The growth habit can be determined by shortening the side shoots. • Faster growth is encouraged by fall pruning. |
❏ Wasserdost species at a glance
More than 40 species of water daffodil are known, including:
Albumwort Album - grows to 1,000 feet in height
A.Gray´s A. Gray - found in New Jersey and New York
Cronquist - Eastern United Statesfound
Britton waterbush - grows in Alabama, Florida or Georgia
W alter waterbush - thrives up to 100 meters high
❏ Wasserdost - the most beautiful varieties
Grand Waterbush Phantom
The plants grow up to 80 centimeters in height and have green, lanceolate leaves. The ideal bank plant grows bushy and attracts bees and butterflies. The reddish flowers appear particularly attractive. The easy-care plant goes very well in cottage gardens and is particularly impressive in combination with jasmine and lilac.
Double Flowering Water Damsel Plenum
This variety impresses with rich flowering. The small pink umbel flowers are a popular bee pasture. In a light and partially shaded location, the double-flowered water daffodil plenum blooms all summer long. The plant grows up to one meter in height and spreads up to 80 centimeters. Asters, knotweed or grasses are popular plant neighbors.
➔ Tip: This attractive variety is also popular as a cut flower.
Red Dwarf Spotted Dwarf
The Red Dwarf grows rather low. The flowers are an attractive dark pink in color. The plant looks attractive at the edge of the pond as well as in the perennial bed. The long flowering period between July and September speaks in favor of the plant. This water box is very suitable for group plantings. The flowers are used in dried bouquets. The growth height is about one meter.
Chocolate Brown-Leaf Damsel
The brown-leaved chocolate daffodil comes from North America. This ornamental variety thrives in sun and partial shade. The white flowers, which adorn the garden until autumn, form a pretty contrast to the dark brown foliage.
➔ Tip: If the location is too shady, the attractive coloring of the leaves will be lost.
❏ Recognize diseases and pests in the water branch
These are usually robust plants that rarely get sick in the right location. Occasionally an infestation with aphids can occur. The small pests hardly stop at any plant in the bed. You can successfully counteract a slight infestation by treating it with a hard jet of water. Nettle manure, which is sprayed over the entire plant, is also very suitable for combating this.
If you notice a coating reminiscent of flour on the leaves of the water daffodil, the plant is infested with powdery mildew. Here you should react quickly and remove all affected parts of the plant anddiscard.
➔ Attention: Plant parts affected by powdery mildew do not belong in the compost. They should be incinerated or disposed of with household waste.
❏ Hibernate the water drop correctly
There is no danger to perennials grown outdoors. The Wasserdost is absolutely hardy there and does not need any special protection. Temperatures down to - 25 degrees are tolerated.
Potted plants are at risk, however, because the pot offers little protection for the plants. In addition, the soil must always be kept moist, even in winter. Smaller planters in particular can quickly freeze completely. Potted plants should therefore be protected with leaves, brushwood and garden fleece.
➔ Tip: You can also place the plants outdoors in autumn and overwinter there. Then you do not have to worry about any special protective measures. In the spring the water drop can move back into the bucket.