The flower world is vast and beautiful. Our garden plot is decorated with a variety of flowers from early spring: perennials, biennials and, of course, annuals. It is the latter that cause the most trouble in the spring, but every summer they make flowerbeds and borders unique and charming. Nemesia, snapdragon, venidium, lobelia, godetia, marigolds, gypsophila, zinnia, alyssum, lavatera, petunia, dimorphotheca, marigolds, ageratum, iberis, asters… It seems it’s time to stop. But every summer something new appears in the family of my annuals. Last year it was brachycome. I accidentally saw a packet of seeds of the Blue Star variety and decided to tame the stranger.
I sowed the seeds in light soil in early April, sprinkled them with a little river sand. A week later, the shoots appeared. I carefully watered them with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. Here appeared the first pair of leaves, the second, the plant resembled dill with its delicate feathery foliage. In early May, I transplanted the babies into disposable cups, several in each. It turned out that the plant tolerates transplantation without problems. Until mid-June, the brachycoma lived in a tomato greenhouse. By the time of planting in open ground, some plants had formed buds and even bloomed with charming sky-blue flowers with a bright yellow center. The transplantation was tolerated well, and very soon the flowerbeds and borders were unrecognizable: the plants quickly grew, turning into fluffy bushes, completely covered with miniature charming flowers. Others opened to replace those that were fading; the brachycoma delighted us with its blooms until the end of August, even on cloudy and rainy days.
Brachycome is a wonderful border plant. It bloomed next to the carmine snapdragon Tom Thumb, nemesia Carnival and King’s Mantle, phlox Star Rain and Twinkling Star, carnations, verbena, marigolds and viola. And to the flowerbed where the hybrid tea rose bloomed against the background of white gypsophila, brachycome gave a special charm.
This graceful plant loves light and heat. It achieves its greatest decorative effect on light, nutritious soils. In an open sunny place it requires frequent watering and blooms faster, and blooms longer and more abundantly in partial shade. Tame the brachycoma, and it will not disappoint you!
