Sonnenauge ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips

origin

The sun eyes represent a genus with the scientific name Heliopsis, which comprises between 14 and 18 species. The composites are originally from Mexico. Their distribution area extends into the southern USA and across central America to Bolivia and Peru. In Central Europe, Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra is an important ornamental plant. The variety comes from the ordinary Sun eye away.

growth

Sun eyes are one to two years old or persistent. The garden forms are cultivated for several years. They reach heights of between 30 and 170 centimeters. Their stems grow upright or slightly overhanging. The plants expand to 60 to 80 centimeters in width. They branch at their base just above the ground and grow bushy and loose. Perennial plants survive with the help of an underground rhizome.

leaves

Heliopsis helianthoides develops opposite leaves with ovate and pointed leaf blades. Its edge is sawn. The base of the blade narrows and gradually merges into the stalk. The dark green leaves are hairy on the top and bottom.

blossom

Between June and October, the sun's eyes develop strikingly large, yellow to gold-colored flower heads. They stand on long stems that are terminal or leaf axillary. The flower heads consist of the outer ray-florets and the inner ray-florets. These are colored light or dark and form an aesthetic contrast to the yellow ray flowers.

Their appearance earned the genus the scientific name Heliopsis, which translates as "sun-like". The numerous varieties can develop simple, semi-double or double flower heads.

fruit

After fertilization, the flowers turn into nut-like fruits, which botanists call achenes. They are brownish to black-brown in color and usually have a feather-like hair cup. Not all varieties develop fruit. Half-filled or filled solar eyes cannot be fertilized.

use

The loosely bushy to narrow habit makes the sun eye the perfect plant for small beds. It takes up little space and prefers a location in the foreground of perennial plantings. Put the plant in small groups to intensify the aesthetic effect. The ornamental flower decorates beds, borders and flower meadows.

In addition to high flaming flowers, half-height grasses and asters, the sun's eye comes into its own. You can plant Heliopsis species to shade low-growing perennials that prefer partially shaded conditions. Due to the late flowering period, the plant is an important source of nectar and pollen in late summer and autumn. The flower stems are suitable as cut flowers for bouquets and vases.

Sun eyes are suitable for:

• wild natural gardens
• species-rich cottage gardens
• colorful flower gardens
• sandy rock gardens

Which location is suitable?

Sun eyes prefer a location in full sun. In the light Penumbra do they thrive less magnificently. The species grows in its original range on dry and warm slopes or on moist meadows.

What soil does the plant need?

A nutrient-rich substrate enables ideal growth conditions for the sun's eye. Although the plants naturally grow on dry soils, they prefer fresh to moist conditions. The sun's eye tolerates alkaline or slightly acidic soils. They grow on normal garden soil as well as on stony, sandy or loamy soils. The substrate should have a high permeability, because the roots do not tolerate waterlogging.

The correct planting distance

You can plant Heliopsis helianthoides in the bed between spring and autumn. Since the plants develop dense clumps over time, you should ensure that there is sufficient spacing when planting. There is space for between four and six plants on one square meter. A distance of 45 centimeters is ideal. Use the expected growth width as a guide for the planting distance. The minimum distance should be half the height.

Preparations for planting:

• Loosen the soil and remove old parts of the plant
• Improve very sandy soils with compost
• Mix heavy clay soils with sand

Propagate the sun's eye

If older perennials are blooming or grow too dense, the stands can be rejuvenated and thinned by division. The measure is also suitable for propagation and can be done every two to three years in spring.

Dig up the root ball and split the rhizome with one spade in several pieces. Dead roots are removed before the partial plants are placed in the prepared planting hole. After transplanting work, water penetratingly and mulch The floor. In the following two weeks, the plants need a lot of water.

sowing

The seeds are low in nutrients six weeks before planting Potting soil preferred. As a substrate you can Cactus soil or use coconut fiber. The seeds are sown from late March or early August and lightly pressed. Ideal germination conditions prevail in the Mini greenhouse,(€ 25.14 at Amazon *) because temperature and humidity are high here.

When the seedlings are three to four centimeters high, they are separated in pots and gradually accustomed to the outside temperatures. The young plants can then be planted outdoors. If planted in autumn, the plants will develop flowers for the first time in the second year.

Sun eye in the pot

Smaller varieties are suitable for planting in pots. In order to cultivate tall sun eyes in the planter, you need sufficient space. Plant sun eyes in deep clay pots equipped with drainage. Drain holes prevent water from building up in the bottom of the pot. Place the tub in a sunny and sheltered place so that the tall stems bloom magnificently and do not kink. Bamboo sticks are recommended as a support.

Water the sun's eye

Heliopsis species are drought tolerant. Fresh conditions ensure healthy and vigorous growth, so you should water the plant regularly during long periods of drought. As soon as the top layer of soil has dried, the next watering takes place. You can mulch the soil to protect it from excessive drying out.

Fertilize the sun's eye properly

The nutritional requirements of sun eyes are moderate. If the soil is humus, you don't need much fertilize. When planting out, work compost into the soil. This measure can be repeated every spring. Sun eyes feed on the nutrients all summer, so no additional fertilization is required.

If the plants grow in tubs or on poor soil, they enjoy a regular supply of organic-mineral fertilizers. Give the plants a low concentration of liquid fertilizer in spring and just before flowering. Overdosing will result in the perennials developing long shoots and lots of foliage but no flowers.

Cut the sun's eye properly

Cut off faded stems regularly to encourage the development of new flowers. In this way you can extend the flowering period until the first night frosts appear. If necessary, radical pruning can be carried out in spring before the new shoots, when the perennial looks unsightly and grows sparsely.

Cut the stems back to a hand's width above the ground. The plant then sprouts again and forms denser branches. Once the sun's eye has developed leaves, it should not be pruned back. Pruning measures in autumn mean that the plant can no longer store sufficient energy in the rhizome.

Hardy

Sun eyes turn out to be frost-hardy plants that do not need winter protection. Container plants should be protected from ground frost accordingly. The substrate freezes faster in the pot than in the bed. Winter the pots in a protected location near a south-facing house wall. Make sure that no rainwater or snow collects in the bucket.
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Pests

Sun eyes are robust against diseases or pests. Pest infestation rarely occurs if the plants grow in suboptimal locations or are weakened by incorrect care measures.

Aphids

Sick and weakened plants are occasionally attacked by aphids, which spread en masse in spring. Remove the pests with a cloth and spray the plant with an oily solution. Make sure there is good ventilation after treatment.

Snails

In spring, the freshly sprouting leaves and shoots are a valuable source of food for snails. Spread pebbles or coffee grounds on the substrate. The pests target certain varieties in particular. The 'top dancer' seems to be a real treat.

Fungal attack

In very humid years, the sun's eyes can be wrong mildew be infested. They leave whitish-gray or brown coatings on the underside of the leaves. Yellow to brownish spots form on the upper side. Cut off diseased parts of the plant and spray the plant with a solution rich in silica. It promotes the cell tissue so that the spores can no longer penetrate the organism.

Instructions for a horsetail brew:

• Pour 750 g of fresh cabbage with five liters of rainwater
• Let the brew steep for 24 hours
• Boil for 30 minutes and then strain
• Mix the brew with water in a ratio of 1: 5
• Let it rest for a few days until no more foam forms
• before use, dilute again with water at a ratio of 1:10

sorts

• Gold green heart: Yellow ray-flowers, green center. Blooms from July to September. Reaches heights of between 100 and 120 centimeters.
• Top dancer: Does not proliferate. Flowers double, golden yellow, sterile. Blooms from July to September. Grows between 100 and 130 centimeters high.
• Venus: Flowers simple, golden yellow. Flowering time from July to September. Between 120 and 140 centimeters high.
• Summer Nights: Leaves tinged reddish. Flowers simple, golden yellow with a dark red center. Grows to 120 centimeters high.

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