Gemswurz ∗ The 10 best planting and care tips

Characteristics

• Scientific name: Doronicum
• Genus: Chamois with 35 species
• Family: daisy family (Asteraceae)
• Occurrence: Europe, Asia, North Africa
• Growth type: perennial
• Growth height: 10 cm to 60 cm
• Leaf: elliptical, lanceolate, ovate
• Flower: cup-shaped
• Flowering time: March to June
• Toxicity: non-toxic
• Hardiness: hardy
• Use: ornamental plant, cut flower, bee pasture

growth

the gemseed is a popular and rewarding perennial from the daisy family (Asteraceae). The natural beauty is native to the temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa. More than 30 beautiful Doronicum species come together in the genus Chamois and announce spring everywhere with bright yellow flowers. Worth knowing key growth data explain why hobby gardeners like to plant the pretty early bloomers:

• growth type: perennial herbaceous perennial.
• growth habit: clumps or stolons, basal and/or alternate leaves on strong stems, on which daisy-like flowers are enthroned.
• stem: predominantly simple, sometimes little branched, downy hairy.
• growth height: 10 cm to 60 cm, rarely up to 90 cm high, occasionally up to 150 cm.
• root: fleshy rhizomes.
• Horticulturally interesting facts: hardy, non-toxic, easy to care for, tolerates pruning, bee-friendly.

Various spellings and synonyms make the rounds in trade and in gardening language: gemswurz, chamois root, chamois root or spring marguerite.

blossom

Large, cup-shaped inflorescences shape the appearance of a chamomile. Gemswurz blossoms can be recognized without a doubt by these characteristics:

• inflorescences: solitary (frequent) or as a whole inflorescence (rare).
• inflorescence sheath: hemispherical to campanulate, 21 to 30 erect bracts in 2 to 3 rows.
• single flower: Flower head with yellow ray florets on the outside and up to 250 tubular florets on the inside.
• flower diameter: 4 cm to 8 cm depending on the species.
• heyday: March to June or June to August.

Experience gemswurz flowering in the monastery ruins of Lindow

Sheet

The leaves add decorative abundance to a gemsbore perennial. Depending on the species, the arrangement and shape vary. These are the most important facts:

• leaf shapes: stalked or sessile, elliptic, lanceolate, cordate or ovate, rarely spatulate or violin-shaped.
• leaf edge: smooth, dentate or notched.
• leaf area: glabrous, sometimes glandular-hairy.
• position, arrangement: basal and/or alternate on the erect stem.
• leaf color: light green

After the first frost, the leaves wither without autumn colour. Doronicum species with basal leaves do not thrive with structured leaf rosettes as you would expect from succulent perennials houseleek (Sempervivum) or bitterroot (Lewisia) know. Rather, the leaves cluster loosely and tuft-like around the striking inflorescence.

species

The genus of the chamois root gives the creative hobby gardener these garden-suitable species for beds, tubs and flower box:(€29.00 at Amazon*)

A look at the flowering period reveals: use a clever combination of different Gemswurz species the perennials bright yellow spots of color in the bed and on the bed from early spring to late summer Balcony. Our care tips will tell you which simple measure you can use to extend the flowering period by several weeks.

Plant chamomile

The best time to plant chamomile is in late summer and autumn. At this time, ready-to-plant perennials can be bought inexpensively at nurseries and garden centers. Balcony gardeners sow spring daisies in pots or flower boxes at the beginning of April. These planting tips explain important details:

Location, soil, substrate

At this location, chamois thrive undaunted and full of flowers:

• Sunny to shade (the abundance of flowers suffers in partially shaded or shady places).
• Normal, nutrient-rich soil, fresh, moist, permeable, without risk of waterlogging.

Commercial potting soil without peat content is suitable as a substrate for pots and boxes. additives such as coconut earth, expanded clay(€19.00 at Amazon*) or lava granules optimize structural stability and permeability.

Planting – Tips & Tricks

In the context of sowing and planting, the Gemswurz proves its undemanding nature. Simple measures set the course for a perennial, flowering perennial life:

• sowing: Sow normal germs seed deep, keep slightly moist in a bright spot.
• Planting in the bed: Dig the planting hole, enrich the excavation with compost, plant and water the water-soaked root ball.
• planting in a container: Create drainage from expanded clay, fill in the substrate up to 3 cm below the edge, form a hollow, insert the water-soaked perennial in the middle, press on the soil and water.
• planting distance: 25cm to 35cm.

Gemswurz comes best in perennial bed to advantage, socialized with other spring bloomers, such as crocus (Crocus), March Breakers (Leucojum vernum), memorial (Omphalodes verna), tulips (Tulipa) and daffodils (Narcisus).

digression

Bees would plant chamomile

Cultivate chamomile

The chamois root is very easy to care for. Cornerstones of easy care are regular watering, organic Fertilize and a pruning at the right time. Propagation and winter protection do not cause a headache even for the beginner. Here is a brief answer to important questions about the best gemswurz care:

Pour

• when to water: When the surface of garden soil or potting soil feels dry (finger test).
• how to water: Run water from the watering can directly to the root neck (wet leaves are susceptible to powdery mildew).
• Water with what?: Suitable water qualities are normal tap water, collected rainwater, drained pond water.
• Pay attention to what?: Chamois root tolerates neither waterlogging nor drought stress.

Fertilize

• When to fertilize in the bed?: The best time is in spring or autumn.
• When to fertilize in the planter?: Fertilize spring marguerite once a month from March until the end of the flowering period or by eye if there are signs of deficiency (yellow leaves, few flowers, stunted growth).
• Fertilize with what?: In the bed with compost soil fertilize, liquid on the balcony flower fertilizer(€15.00 at Amazon*) put in the water.

To cut

• when to cut: When Gemsbane stops flowering for a rebloom. perennial pruning either after the first frost or in late winter.
• how to cut: After the first flowering period, cut off wilted stems and leave basal leaves. Cut back all dead plant parts to 10 cm in autumn or late winter.

propagation

For perennial chamois, propagation and regeneration go hand in hand. The best time is after flowering. The following brief instructions explain how to do it correctly:

1. Cut off faded inflorescences.
2. digging fork slide under the perennial.
3. Lift root ball out of the ground.
4. Cut the rootstock into several parts on a firm surface.
5. Cut off dead, senile plant parts and compost.
6. Plant sections in the new location, press on the soil and water generously.

hibernate

Gemswurz is hardy down to – 28° Celsius. Wet and cold weather shakes the certified frost hardness. If the perennial thrives in a planter, it can overwinter outside provided winter protection is provided. How to overwinter chamois correctly:

• Overwinter in the bed: Cover the perennial loosely with spruce branches to drain away rain and snowmelt.
• Overwinter in pots and boxes outside: Cover the container with jute, fleece or a potato sack and place it on a piece of wood in front of the house wall.
• Overwinter chamomile indoors: Place the pot and window box in a frost-free winter quarters, do not allow the substrate to dry out, do not fertilize.

Popular Varieties

These premium varieties have emerged from the top 5 of the most beautiful, garden-suitable Gemswurz species:

• Little Leo: Dwarf chamois, compact, erect clumps, beautiful as underplanting or groundcover, growth height 10-40 cm.
• Magnificum: bright yellow early bloomer with 8 cm large capsicum flowers, excellent cut flower, height of growth 40-70 cm.
• ostrich chamois: golden yellow variety of the species Doronicum pardalianches, ideal for naturalizing in natural gardens, flowering period from May to June, growth height up to 80 cm.
• finesse: Gemswurz rarity with filigree, fine-rayed flowers from April, height of growth at the flowering time up to 50 cm.

FAQ

Is chamois poisonous?

The Gemswurz is friendly to the gardener, because toxic ingredients are not present. Thanks to this property, the perennial is perfectly suited to the family garden with pets.

Can the creeping chamomile displace other perennials?

The creeping chamomile can thrive in a partially shaded location with fresh, moist soil. The numerous, strong runners displace small early bloomers, such as springcyclamen (Cyclamen coum), March crushers (Leucojum vernum) or snowdrop (Galanthus). By socializing Doronicum pardalianches with fast-growing hostas (Hosta) or lavender spars (Astilbe), the problem is solved decoratively and with plenty of flowers.

When is chamomile flowering time?

North of the Alps 10 to 12 Gemswurz species with different flowering times thrive. The dwarf chamois (Doronicum orientale) is a popular early bloomer from March to June. Yellow ray flowers of spring chamomile (Doronicum plantagineum) adorn beds and balconies from May to July. Large-flowered chamois (Doronicum grandiflorum) and Austrian chamois (Doronicum austriacum) take it slower and bloom from June to August.

Are chamomile hardy?

Gemswurz species native to Europe are hardy down to – 28° Celsius. This frost tolerance suffers a severe setback when the perennial suffers from waterlogging in winter. A cover made of brushwood, straw or fir branches solves the problem. Cultivated in pots and window boxes, winter hardiness drops to – 5° Celsius. In this case, a fleece winter coat and an insulating wooden foot can help.

Is Gemswurz suitable as a cut flower?

With its taut stems and yellow ray flowers, the chamois is perfect for cutting in vases. Cut off the prettiest stems when the flower heads have recently unfurled. Please use sharp, disinfected cutting tools. Make the cut above the basal leaves. A positive side effect is that you also stimulate the perennial to bloom again.