With its white or purple-reddish inflorescences, the splendid butterfly (Liatris spicata) attracts many majestically floating butterflies to your own perennial bed between July and September. The exotic-looking plant is much less difficult to care for than you might think.
How do you properly care for the splendor?
When caring for the Prachtscharte, you should water moderately every 2-3 days, repot it in spring and fertilize it every 2-4 weeks until August. Pruning is possible after flowering and frost protection is sufficient for potted plants in winter.
How often should you water the splendor?
Since the spruce tree does not tolerate the waterlogging that often occurs in heavy soils very poorly, locations with compacted subsoil should first be loosened up a little with compost, sand or gravel. However, the underground part of the plant should never dry out completely. In longer dry periods, it is therefore advisable to water moderately at least every two to three days.
When can the Prachtscharte be repotted?
Specimens cultivated in pots should, if possible, be repotted in spring after the last night frosts.
When and how is the splendor cut?
The splendor can generally be cut as a cut flower, but the wilted leaves can also be removed in autumn or spring with sharp secateurs (€56.00 on Amazon). Pruning immediately after flowering can potentially result in a second period of flowering in the same year.
Which pests and diseases occur in the glossy charcoal?
The robust spruce tree is usually spared from any pests and diseases. Deficiencies can usually be caused by a problem with the following growth factors:
- too little light
- a location that is not warm enough
- lack of nutrients in the substrate
- Waterlogging
Do you have to fertilize the splendor?
If potted species are repotted, a long-term fertilizer can be mixed into the substrate in the same step. Otherwise, it is sufficient for the Prachtscharte to administer a complete fertilizer every two to four weeks (only up to a maximum of August) or to regularly use compost and mulch as a source of nutrients.
How does the Prachtscharte get through the winter without problems?
Since the survival organ of the Prachtscharte lies below the surface of the earth, it is also easily hardy in this country when grown outdoors. To ensure that the potted plants, which ideally overwinter outdoors, are not so badly affected by frost temperatures, it is important to ensure that the internal volume of the plant pots used is as large as possible. If the roots of the glossy cleft are very close to the inner side of the braid wall, the following protective factors can make survival of the winter break more likely:
- placing a polystyrene plate between the pot and the ground
- a correctly dosed water supply (especially in relation to cold frosts or waterlogging)
- wrapping in garden fleece or protective film
- the timely unpacking of the magnificent char in spring
Tip
You can significantly reduce the watering effort for the magnificent species in the garden if you apply a layer of mulch to the ground at the chosen location before planting. This not only stores a certain amount of moisture, but it also better protects the soil from drying out due to wind and sun.
