The Montbretie is an elegant flower that looks just as good in a perennial bed as it does in a natural cottage garden or in a vase. The attractive garden flower proves to be relatively easy to care for if you pay attention to a few things when planting.
How do you plant Montbretia correctly?
To plant Montbretien correctly, choose a warm and sunny location, plant the rhizomes in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil from the beginning of April and provide a drainage layer. Maintain a planting distance of at least 30 centimeters and a depth of about 10 centimeters.
The right location
The Montbretia originally comes from South Africa and therefore prefers a warm and full sun location. It thrives particularly well near walls and walls that radiate some heat at night and provide protection from the wind.
When will we plant?
You can plant the Montbretie rhizomes outdoors from the beginning of April. Cover the planting site with a three to four centimeter thick layer of compost to protect the sprouting plants from late frosts.
Which substrate does Montbretia prefer?
Montbretia prefer nutrient-rich and well-drained soils. For this reason, heavy or heavily compacted soil should be made more permeable by adding a little sand. A drainage layer of sand or gravel a few centimeters thick ensures good water drainage.
How to plant?
Dig a separate hole about ten centimeters deep for each tuber. The planting distance should be at least thirty centimeters.
When does Montbretia bloom?
The Montbretia impresses with its unusually long flowering period for tuberous plants, which extends from summer to autumn.
Do Montbretias need to be transplanted regularly?
Since the Montbretia is a heavy feeder, depending on the soil conditions, it may be necessary to move it to a new location every three to four years. If you fertilize the plants sufficiently, transplanting is always necessary if you want to remove the small bulbs or notice that the plant has turned green inside and only produces flowers in the edge areas.
How can Montbretia be propagated?
The rhizomes of the Montbretia grow numerous breeding tubers, which you can carefully remove and use for propagation. However, they only bloom after about two to three years. Sometimes the Montbretias also produce seeds that you can harvest and sow.
Tip
Caution is advised when doing any gardening work in the immediate vicinity of the rhizomes. The tubers, which sit close to the surface of the earth, react very sensitively to injuries and often no longer sprout if they have been accidentally damaged.