Säckelblume ∗ The 10 best care tips and varieties

origin

The sack flower, botanically Ceanothus, is also popularly known as the Californian lilac. Although it is not related to the lilac, this common name is at least a correct reference to its natural area of origin: Das The buckthorn family comes mainly from the American west coast, most of its 60 species from the sunny California. However, some species also occur in eastern and southern parts of the USA or across the border with Mexico into northern South America.

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In their home areas, the sacrum colonizes dry, stony, calcareous habitats, predominantly rocky forests and coastal areas. There it does not have to do with particularly strong frosts, which is why the plant is only partially hardy in our latitudes. The best-known variety in this country, 'Gloire de Versailles' of the hybrid species Ceanothus x delilianus, has usually grown in our winters.

Origin in brief:

Origin of most species California
Some species also distributed in the eastern USA and in Central and South America
Original habitat: stony, barren, calcareous forest and coastal areas
With us only partially hardy

growth

The many species of the saccharose sometimes show quite different growth characteristics - in this regard, some can be confused with the lilac. The hybrid form most frequently found in this country, the French sack flower (Ceanothus delilianus), has some similarities with the lilac, apart from the flowers, in terms of habit. It grows as an upright shrub with loosely branched, slightly overhanging branches and is about 1.50 m high and wide. In very warm and sunny conditions, it can also reach a height of 2 m.

Some Ceanothus species also grow as low cushions only a few centimeters high, and so on more intensive broad growth and are also predominantly used as ground cover in their home areas used.

Overview of growth characteristics:

Sacflower usually grows as an upright shrub with loose branches
Species cultivated in this country are usually around 1.50 m high and wide
Some species also cover the ground in low cushions

leaves

The leaves of most Ceanothus species have opposite or alternate, oval-shaped leaves about 1-5 centimeters long. Their edges are sometimes whole, sometimes lightly sawn or notched. In some species, a crumpled surface texture is formed by a deeply sunken veining.

This is not the case with the French hybrid saccharose, here the leaves are more finely textured, pointed at the front and, with a length of up to 8 centimeters, also somewhat larger. They start alternately on the branches, have a rich, medium green color and are tomentose on the underside. They do not show autumn colors and can stay on the bush in mild winters, but they are thrown off when it is cold.

Blade properties in brief:

Most species have rather small, oval, sometimes crinkly leaves
The hybrid species mostly cultivated here is somewhat larger, pointed and sensitive
Rich green color, no autumn color
Depending on the weather, summer green or winter green

blossoms

With its paniculate, bushy inflorescences, which also appear in bluish to purple, sometimes white or pink colors, the sacred flower is actually clearly reminiscent of the lilac. The approximately 6-10 cm long panicles are at the ends of the young, annual and lateral shoots and branch out loosely. The individual flowers are only about 5 mm in size and five-fold.

The flowers also develop a pleasant scent, but not as characteristically sweet and intense as the lilac. Of bees Bumblebees and butterflies are very popular and flown over them in large numbers.

Flower characteristics at a glance:

Sham-gold, 6-10 cm long panicle flowers in blue to purple, pink or white
Terminal or lateral, loosely branched
Slightly fragrant, valuable insect pasture

When is the flowering time?

The flowers of the sacrum open from July and can drift again and again until late autumn.

Which location is suitable?

According to its Californian homeland, the sacrum needs a warm, sunny location that is as protected from strong winds as possible. So it should not be too exposed, but best protected on a south-facing wall.

What soil does the plant need?

When it comes to planting ground, you should also orientate yourself to the origin of the sacrum. It prefers a rather poor, sandy, calcareous soil with a certain amount of clay. With a heavy one Garden soil you should definitely work in good drainage in the form of a layer of gravel and mix the soil thoroughly with sand. Otherwise there is a risk of too much wet, freezing cold on the root ball, especially in winter. A relatively high salt and mineral content is also good for the sackflower, which likes to grow near the coast.

Earth claims in brief:

Rather poor, sandy and chalky soil
Incorporate good drainage into heavy soils
Good: high salt and mineral content

What is the best time to plant?

It is best to plant a sack flower in spring. Because of their sensitivity to frost, which is even more pronounced in the young plant stage, it is advisable to wait even for the ice saints.

hedge

A pure hedge made of bag flowers can be a splendid sight in summer and autumn. At the same time, it is also an effective privacy screen. When planting hedges, you should place the individual specimens relatively close to each other, about half a meter apart. Work a good drainage into the soil and water the young plants well. Especially in the first winter, they need to be well protected from severe frost.
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Water the Saeckelblume

Sacred flowers do not need a lot of moisture - after all, their original habitat is also dry. As a rule, you do not need to water the shrub separately. Newly planted specimens should, however, be well watered and watered from time to time in the first few weeks. In particularly long, hot dry phases in summer, watering does not do any harm, of course. Waterlogging must be avoided as much as possible.

Fertilize Saeckelblume properly

The nutrient requirement is also not high in the sacrum. You should therefore refrain from fertilizing, including giving organic ones Slow release fertilizer like compost or Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) are not necessary.

Cut the saeckel flower correctly

In order to be able to enjoy a beautifully blooming and well-tended shrub, you should cut back the sacrum every spring. To do this, wait for the last heavy frosts. In order to promote a vital and shapely shoot, cut all last year's shoots by about half, so that a few buds remain. In the case of young specimens, you can prune back a little more forcefully.

During the flowering period from July to November, cut off faded panicles regularly to stimulate their regeneration.

Older specimens can also be rejuvenated a little more radically at intervals of about 3 years. This will prevent the shrub from looking bald and unkempt from the inside. When rejuvenating, cut old, lignified branches down to about 40 cm, always above one that is facing outwards eye.

Cutting rules at a glance:

Regular pruning in spring promotes abundance of flowers and a full-bodied shrub shape
Shorten old shoots down to a few buds
Always cut off flowers that have faded during the flowering period
Prune older specimens more thoroughly every 3 years to rejuvenate

Hardy

Winter hardiness is one of those things with the sacrum. Actually, she doesn't really know any noteworthy frosts from her homeland. The French hybrid form that we cultivate most frequently, a cross between the American and the Mexican sack flower, is considered to be winter-proof. As a precaution, however, you should cover the root base of the plant with fir branches when it is very cold. In addition, the following applies to the planting: Choose a location sheltered from the wind and ensure that there is sufficient drainage in the planting ground so that the root ball cannot freeze through.
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Frozen

If you have neglected the measures for winter protection, the bag flower can freeze you to death. If the shrub shows no signs of life in spring and you suspect winter damage, don't give it up right away. Often there were still spirits in the plant, which, however, take a while to awaken.

In order to check the vitality of the sacrum and to revitalize it, cut down the dead shoots thoroughly in the spring. As soon as it gets significantly warmer and sunnier, you can give the plant a boost with a little growth fertilizer. If nothing happens in May and June, the shrub can unfortunately no longer be saved.

To note:

Don’t give up on sackling that you think has frozen
Thoroughly cut down dead shoots in the spring
Give some (!) Growth fertilizer
Observe whether the shrub will still sprout by June

Yellow leaves

If the leaves of the sacrum turn yellow, this is usually an indication of too much moisture or too much nutrient intake.

Since it is very sensitive to waterlogging, insufficient drainage in the substrate can be quickly acknowledged accordingly. When planting, make sure that the soil is well drained and water, if at all, only when the drought is prolonged. Place a bag flower in the tub protected from rain.

If you want to revitalize a sackling that was believed to be dead with fertilizer, you can do so - but be extremely sparing! The less hungry plant cannot tolerate too much nutrients.
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Saeckelblume in the pot

You can also keep a sackling flower in a pot if you don't have a garden, but only a balcony or terrace. With the bucket culture you have to pay attention to a moderate but regular water supply without waterlogging. In winter, the pot must be protected from the cold, ideally by wrapping it in sackcloth and covering the substrate with fir branches.

Propagate Saeckelblume

The best way to propagate a sack flower is by cuttings or sinkers. In principle, seed cultivation is also possible, but it is much more complex and it does not promise any true-to-variety new plants.

Cuttings

For the cuttings method, it is best to cut a young side shoot that has not yet set in flowers in early summer. You can briefly insert the cut base, which has been slightly freed from the bark and the leaf roots Rooting powder before placing them in planters with seedlings or Cactus soil put. It is best to keep the cuttings evenly moist under foil. The ambient temperature should be warm (a good 20 ° C), the light available bright but not directly sunny. After about 4 weeks they should have taken root and can be transplanted into larger pots.

Cuttings propagation at a glance:

Cut young, not yet flowering side shoots in early summer
Debark and defoliate at the bottom
Dip in rooting powder and in Potting soil put
It is best to let it take root under foil at a good 20 ° C and without direct sunlight
After approx. Transplant for 4 weeks

Sinker

In the case of the sacrum, it is also quite easy to place lowerers. To do this, find a previous year's shoot close to the ground and deposit it in the surrounding soil. Make a wound cut to the place that is to be rooted and fix it with a metal hook. In the following spring, the sinker should have rooted and can be separated from the mother plant.
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Is Saeckelblume poisonous?

Fortunately, the sacrum is not poisonous. It is therefore not a danger in the garden for small children or pets.
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sorts

The sack flower varieties sold in this country are usually varieties of the hybrid form from American and Mexican sack flower. Hybrids from other species are also occasionally available. The best known variety is the 'Gloire de Versailles'.

Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles'

This variety is characterized by its loose, slightly overhanging growth and of course its beautiful panicle flowers, which appear in light purple-blue from July. They delight with their delicate fragrance and their persistence - they can drift into November again and again. The bushy growing shrub reaches a height of about one to one and a half meters.

Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria'

This sack flower variety belongs to the species C. Impressus. It blooms profusely and a little earlier than the Gloire de Versailles, around the end of May to June, in a deep blue. Its dark green foliage is also evergreen, so the variety is also a good plant for low hedges. With a maximum of about one meter, it is not as high as the Gloire de Versailles. But their habit is just as bushy. The C. i. Victoria is characterized by a good winter hardiness and therefore does not threaten to freeze to death as quickly. A good choice for everyone who lives in regions that are not so mild.

Ceanothus pallidus 'Marie Simon'

At Marie Simon of type C. Pallidus gets their money's worth: Because this variety adorns the garden from July through October with large, filigree flower panicles in a delicate old pink. Its growth is loose and bushy, like the Gloire de Versailles, it reaches about one to one and a half meters in height. Like them, however, Marie Simon is also less hardy and deciduous.