The sack flower is not only visually reminiscent of lilac. She is also just as great a bee magnet. In addition, it requires little care.
The bushy panicle flowers of Ceanothus are reminiscent of lilac. The trivial name "California lilac" has become common. However, there is no botanical relationship between sackcloth and lilac. The pretty small shrub can grow more than a meter high and surprises with an almost unbelievable abundance of flowers. Not only plant lovers, but also butterflies and bees are happy when the sackflower enriches the bed.
Origin of the sackbush
The buckthorn belongs to the buckthorn family and grows on the west coast of America. Most of the more than 50 species are native to the sunny state of California. A few other species are native to the southern United States or Mexico.
The natural occurrence of the sackweed are stony and rocky substrates in forests and near the coast. In our gardens, the blue sackflower feels particularly at home. This particular hybrid was bred from the American and Mexican sackflowers.
An overview of pretty varieties of the sack flower
In recent years, numerous hybrids have been bred from the American and Mexican sackcloth. Here are the three most beautiful varieties:
Blue sackcloth 'Glorie de Versailles'
| Blue sackcloth 'Glorie de Versailles' (Ceanothus delilianus 'Glorie de Versailles') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 20 - 40 cm a year |
| Growth: | 100 - 150 cm |
| Growth: | 60 - 100 cm |
| Flower: | blue-purple flowers from July to October |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | permeable, not too wet, likes chalk, humus |
Hessianum 'Victoria'
| Hessianum 'Victoria' (Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 10 - 40 cm a year |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 50 - 70cm |
| Flower: | deep blue flowers from late May to July |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | normal garden soil |
Pink Hessian Flower 'Marie Simon'
| Pink sackcloth 'Marie Simon' (Ceanothus pallidus 'Marie Simon') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 20 - 60 cm a year |
| Growth: | 100 - 150 cm |
| Growth: | 70 - 120 cm |
| Flower: | delicate pink flowers from July to October |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | permeable soil |
Planting the sack flower
Find the right location
Bassacs do best in a warm spot in full sun. A sheltered location is important. A house wall facing south offers the optimal growth environment.
The sack flower is often planted in the rock garden. Due to the long flowering period, the sack flower can create contrasts in the rose bed. The blue panicle flowers harmonize very well with yellow or white rose varieties.
Tip: The sack flower looks very appealing when planted as a low hedge. This is where the sea of flowers comes into its own.
Selecting the ideal substrate
In its original homeland, the sackcloth grows near the coast, but does not like to be too wet in the bed. Therefore, the soil should be well-drained. Heavy clay soil would encourage waterlogging and should therefore be upgraded with sand or gravel and made looser.
Preference is given to poor sandy soil with a lime content. A higher s alt content of the substrate is also tolerated. On the other hand, the sack flower should not be planted in heavy soil without introducing drainage in the form of a layer of gravel in the soil.
Planting sackcloth - step by step
The sackflower should be planted in spring to early summer. The location should be chosen with particular care, as it is not recommended to transplant the sackwort after it has taken root.
1. Determine the location2. Prepare the substrate and loosen it
3. Take the sac flower out of the planter
4. Dig the planting hole
5. Bring in the drainage6. Fill in some substrate
7. Put the buckhorn in the planting hole
8. Fill up the substrate completely
9. Press the soil down well
10. Water the buckhorn
Anyone who has opted for the hedge planting mentioned above should plant the plants more densely in the ground. The sackcloth can spread up to 1.5 meters. A planting distance of 50 to 60 centimeters is advisable to ensure a complete picture. The young plants need plenty of water and stable winter protection in the first year.
Caring for the sackcloth
Watering the sack flower properly
Young plants are watered abundantly. Once the plant has become accustomed to its location, the need for liquid decreases. The sack flower only needs to be watered when there is no rain for a long time on hot summer days.
Fertilize the sackflower properly
Since the sackcloth grows on poor soil, the need for nutrients is low. Fertilization is not necessary for these plants. The hobby gardener does not have to use organic long-term fertilizers such as compost or horn shavings either.
Pruning the sack flower
The flowers of the saccharine form on the new wood. For a compact growth, the plant can be cut back in spring. The cut can be made similar to that of summer lilac. The old shoots are cut back except for a few eyes.
Tip: Regularly removing faded panicles in summer promotes the formation of new flowers.
Propagating the sackcloth
The sackflower can be propagated by the following methods:
- Cuttings
- Lowerer
Propagating the sack flower by cuttings
The right time for the cuttings is early summer. A fresh shoot is selected that has not yet formed flowers. The leaves and bark are removed from the base of the cut.
Tip: The sprouting can be accelerated if the cut surface is dipped in rooting powder.
The cutting is placed in a planter filled with potting soil and kept evenly moist. Rooting should take place at room temperature. The planter is placed in light, but not in full sun. After about a month, new roots should have formed and the plant can move to a larger plant pot.
Propagate the sacking flower by lowering
For this type of propagation, a shoot from the previous year that almost reaches the ground is selected in spring. The spot that will later form roots is scored with a knife, fixed to the ground and covered with soil.
The following springthe planter should have its own root system and can now be separated from the mother plant and transplanted separately.
Discover diseases and pests on the buckhorn
The sackcloth is not susceptible to diseases - provided no gross care mistakes have been made. In dry and hot weather, an infestation with spider mites can occur. These are easily recognizable by their white webbing. Frequent hosing down with water will increase humidity and help reduce infestation.
Leaf bugs are also seen more frequently on the buckhorn. These suck on the young leaves and pierce them. However, greater damage to the plant is not to be feared.
Overwintering the sackcloth
The sack flower needs some support during the cold season. If leaves or brushwood are spread out at the base of the bush, the plants are well protected from frost. Potted plants are best to overwinter indoors. If this is not possible, a sheltered location and garden fleece cover is recommended.
Is the cinnamon poisonous?
The plant is non-toxic. Nothing stands in the way of planting in a garden frequented by children and pets.