Have you ever heard that you can "bend" a flower? This is possible with the joint flower. Read more about it here.
The red, pink and white flowering joint flower (Physostegia virginiana) has a very special characteristic, which is how it got its name. This is because they can bend their buds one at a time while maintaining that desired position. This results in a perfect flowering structure that can hardly be achieved with any other perennial. The joint flower is also suitable for planting in the Mediterranean garden, as it gets along very well with lavender bushes. How this flower is now planted and how to properly care for the joint flower, read in this article.
Plant joint flower
One advantage of the perennial joint flower is that you can plant the plant in the garden bed for practically the entire gardening season (from March to October). You should choose a sunny to light, partially shaded location in nutrient-rich, always slightly moist and well-drained soil.
Warning:
Choose your location wisely. The joint flower spreads generously by itself. If you want to prevent this, you must remove the flower spikes before seed formation. The flower spikes are then suitable for vase cutting.
Proper care of joint flower
➤ Promote flowering:
From July to September your joint flower, which can reach a height of up to 120 centimetres, will delight you with its lush flowers. However, you should immediately remove wilted parts of the flower so that the flower panicle can form new flowers immediately.
➤ Casting:
During the season, you should water the joint plant regularly, as it loves a slightly damp environment.
➤ Pruning:
You should completely cut back the perennial every year in autumn so that it can sprout fresh again in spring.
➤ Fertilize:
It is best to supply the joint flower with compost in early spring, as this significantly promotes its growth and abundance of flowers. A further application of fertilizer is only due if necessary.
➤ Fight disease:
From time to time the plant is also affected by a wide variety of mold sporesinfested, which can usually be eliminated quickly with natural sprays. Otherwise, you can also use a chemical spray in small quantities.
➤ Propagation:
You can multiply or divide the hardy joint flower about every 2 years (ideally always after the flowering phase). To do this, you should carefully divide the plant with a spade and then replant it in a new location.