Plant guensel correctly
The undemanding forest and meadow perennial already proves its frugality in the context of the planting. In the light to shady location in slightly moist, loose garden soil, choose a place that offers 3-5 specimens at a distance of 20-25 cm. There you prepare the soil to make it finely crumbly and work in sifted compost or bark humus. Only put the potted root ball deep enough into the soil that the previous planting depth is preserved. After a good sip of water has been given, a mulch layer of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch promotes rapid rooting.
also read
- Günsel - the almost forgotten edible wild herb
- Günsel - beautiful ground cover with little maintenance
- Günsel convinces with a long flowering time
Care tips
The careful choice of location hires Gunsel the course for vital growth without cumbersome maintenance. Watering when it is dry and starting organic fertilization in spring meet all the requirements for the water and nutrient balance. So that the wild perennial does not waste energy on the growth of Klausen fruits, cut off the withered inflorescences in good time. Cut the evergreen leaves close to the ground just before the new shoots in early spring. The hard-nosed perennial manages the way through the cold season on its own. Only in the pot should the root ball be protected from frost damage by a cover made of bubble wrap.
Continue reading
Which location is suitable?
Günsel achieves its optimum in light to partially shaded locations. Uni-green species and varieties accept a shady location as long as no Egyptian darkness dominates there. The sunnier the bed, the more humid the soil should be so that the herbaceous plant does not come under drought stress. In addition, a deep, humus-rich and nutritious soil is beneficial for abundance of flowers and vitality.
The correct planting distance
If you have intended Günsel as a carpet-forming ground cover, we recommend a planting distance of 20 to 25 cm. In this arrangement, a dense, compact cushion of flowers and leaves develops within a short time, which reliably suppresses any weeds. If a stiffly upright variety acts as an eye-catching solitaire or sets pretty accents in a small group, a planting distance of 30 cm has proven to be sensible in practice.
What soil does the plant need?
A look at the essential requirements for the floor does not come across any surprising aspects. Günsel thrives wonderfully in any normal garden soil, as it does in the classic one Perennial bed prevails. The crumb should be humic, rich in nutrients and fresh and moist, because the wild perennial does not like to be confronted with sandy drought.
When is the flowering time?
The blue, purple and white lip flowers of Kriechendem Günsel ring in spring in April and May. Much to the delight of bees, Bumblebees and butterflies that are wild on the sweet contents of the flowers. Various upright species and varieties, such as Geneva Günsel or Pyramiden Günsel, bloom from June to August. A creative combination of plants with divergent flowering times guarantees cheerful splashes of color from spring until well into summer.
Continue reading
Cut guensel correctly
Cut off faded stems promptly so that the perennial does not invest its energy in seed formation. With its foothills, it ensures widespread expansion anyway. The evergreen foliage, on the other hand, should linger on the plant until early spring as a decorative eye-catcher on gray days and natural protection of the root ball from frost and snow. Cultivate a Günsel species with brightly colored foliage, consistently cut off single-colored leafy vines. Otherwise, sooner or later the distinctive leaf color will be lost.
Pour Guensel
The light and temperature conditions determine the water requirement. Always water Günsel in the bed and pot when the thumb test indicates that the substrate has dried on. In sunny locations with largely dry soil, this may be necessary every 1-2 days in summer, while the watering can is not used at all in rainy seasons.
Fertilize Guensel properly
Every Günsel happily accepts organic fertilization in spring. A serving of compost can do that Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) be, bark humus, guano granules or nettle liquid. Avoid reaching for nitrogen-stressed Complete fertilizerbecause this only drives the leaf growth, which is at the expense of the abundance of flowers. Therefore give worm tea or guano sticks as fertilizer in the pot and balcony box. Commercial liquid fertilizer should be diluted at least halfway with water.
Overwinter
The robust character of Günsel is expressed not least in its perfect winter hardiness. No special precautions are required for the wild perennial to get through the cold season in good health. The only exceptions are plants in pots or balcony boxes, as here the root ball could freeze to death in the freezing frost. A coating of bubble wrap or jute prevents this shortcoming.
Increase Guensel
The propagation of Günsel fits seamlessly into the uncomplicated cultivation. The simplest variant is achieved by dividing the root ball in spring or autumn. After you have lifted the plant out of the ground, cut up the rhizome. As long as a section has at least 2 buds, it will turn into an adult plant. You plant the individual segments in a timely manner after the soil has been upgraded with compost at the new location. In addition, the numerous runners act as vegetative material for offspring. Put root pieces with a length of 10-15 cm in the partially shaded location in the humus soil, where they quickly take root. A constant soil moisture is of crucial importance.
Is Guensel Poisonous?
The popular name gargle herb signals that Günsel is more of a healing than a poisonous plant. In fact, the wild shrub contains valuable ingredients that give it a wound-healing, astringent effect. So the leaves, prepared as tea, can soothe excruciating sore throats. The pharmaceutical industry uses Günsel for the production of healing ointments for abrasions and other skin injuries.
Nice varieties
- Atropurpurea: Popular variety with blue-violet spring flowers, red-brown, evergreen leaves; Growth height 10-15 cm
- Frosted Jade: Ornate, upright Günsel with blue flowers over white-variegated foliage; Growth height 30-40 cm without runners
- Black Scallop: Magnificent, creeping variety whose dark red, glossy leaves ins eye fall; Growth height 10-15 cm
- Alba: The white flowering variety harmonizes wonderfully with Black Scallop as a colorful ground cover; Growth height 10-15 cm
- Toffee Chip: Small Günsel, whose cream-colored leaves shine even in shady areas; Height 5-10 cm
- Geneva Günsel: Mighty, upright species that convinces with deep blue flowers and three-lobed leaves; Growth height up to 60 cm
