Husarenknöpfchen not only have a cute name, their character is also simply adorable thanks to their simple, cheerful appearance and their unpretentious nature. Whether as a hearty pot plant, as a comforting grave plant or as a cheerful ground cover - you will definitely get a grateful plant here.
What distinguishes hussar buttons as garden plants?
Husarenknöpfchen, botanically Sanvitalia, are annual plants that are characterized by uncomplicated care and sun-loving growth. With sunny yellow, miniature sunflower-like flowers, they are a pretty eye-catcher in gardens, pots or hanging baskets and are well suited as ground cover.
Origin
The hussar buttons, botanically Sanvitalia, form their own genus with 7 different species, of which Sanvitalia procumbens, the so-called miniature sunflower, is particularly cultivated in Central Europe. They and their conspecifics originally come from the Central American area, especially from Mexico, where they mainly inhabit slightly higher altitudes around 1000 m. The distribution area of Sanvitalia procumbens also extends a little beyond the southern border of Mexico to Guatemala and Costa Rica. In their home areas, hussar buttons are considered to be more of a weed.
Other Sanvitalia species are also common in further northern areas, in the southern and western parts of the USA such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
Due to their warm and sunny origins, Hussar buttons are best cultivated in warm, sunny conditions in this country. Outdoor cultivation is also possible without any problems, as it is an annual plant anyway.
Origin at a glance:
- The 7 types of hussar buttons come from Central America and the South and West USA
- Appropriately warm, sunny original habitat
- Can be easily cultivated outdoors in this country (annual anyway)
Growth
The various species of the Sanvitalia genus either grow as perennials or are annuals. However, the persistent species do not have a particularly long lifespan. The Sanvitalia procumbens, popularly known as the miniature sunflower, is an annual species. So it dies off towards winter.
Their growth is characterized by a prostrate, richly branched habit. The Sanvitalia procumbens forms a dense plant cushion with slightly overhanging shoots. This is why it is also a popular ground cover variant. Overall, the plant reaches a height of 15 to 30 centimeters.
Growth characteristics in keywords:
- Type mostly cultivated in this country, annual
- Low-lying, branched growth
- Forms a dense plant cushion, therefore suitable for ground cover
- Growth height 15-30 cm
leaves
The leaves of the Hussar Button are opposite and on short petioles on the shoots. Their shape is elongated oval to lanceolate and pointed at the front; they have entire edges on the outside. In terms of color, they are a rich, deep green.
Flowers
The flowers are the most beautiful decoration of the hussar button and also give its name to the common name miniature sunflower. In fact, with their bright, sunny yellow color, brownish-black pistil and their plate-shaped, open appearance, they are reminiscent of the large sun worshipers. They also look like little suns with their fanned out petals like rays. Above all, they stand out very attractively from the lush green foliage and this is how they get their cheerful character. The flowers are cup-shaped and are attached to the ends of the stems.
Flower characteristics in brief:
- Small, sunny yellow basket flowers
- Reminds me of sunflower blossoms
- Wide-open, plate-shaped appearance
When is flowering time?
You can enjoy the sunny yellow flowers for a long time: the flowers open from June and usually last until October. Therefore, they also offer a valuable color decoration for the autumn garden, especially for those who are nostalgic for summer. In order to keep the flowering period as lush and attractive as possible, you should clean the hussar button regularly.
Fruit
In autumn, small, brownish fruits form from the flowers.
Which location is suitable?
According to its origins, the Hussar Button prefers a warm, sunny place. Both in balcony box and container culture, as well as when planted outdoors, you should provide it with a location where it can get a lot of sun and where it can also be stored. A hussar button also feels very comfortable in the rock garden, for example, where stones can serve as a cozy heat accumulator. But it also does quite well in partial shade, but will only produce fewer flowers there. The hussar button is pleasantly insensitive to wind and rain.
If you want to cultivate the Sanvitalia procumbens in a planting arrangement in a pot, it is advisable to plant it on the edge. This means its slightly overhanging shoots come into their own. In addition, its low growth makes it a structurally attractive border.
To remember:
- Husarenknöpfchen needs a sunny, warm location
- Can also cope with partial shade
- Recommended: space in the rock garden
- Plant on the edge of the pot arrangement
read more
What soil does the plant need?
When it comes to planting substrate, the Hussar Button is even more frugal than when it comes to location. It does not have an excessively high nutrient requirement and does not require any special conditions such as particularly high or low pH values. For planting in the pot or balcony box, you can use commercially available potting soil, which is either slightly richer in humus from the outset or which you enrich with a little compost. In addition, the substrate should have a certain amount of sand - there should be good permeability to avoid waterlogging.
When planting outdoors, this is even more important if the planting soil is rather heavy and clayey. If necessary, work some coarser gravel into the soil bed here.
To remember:
- Husarenknöpfchen overall quite undemanding when it comes to substrate
- Relatively high nutrient requirements - but a little compost in standard potting soil is enough
- Incorporate drainage made of sand or gravel both in the pot and in outdoor planting
Water hussar buttons
You should supply the Hussar Button with water regularly and thoroughly. Especially if you keep it in a pot, the substrate must not dry out completely. When there are long, hot, dry phases in summer, reaching for the watering can every day is essential. However, waterlogging should be avoided - so do not water if the substrate is still wet or if there is even water in the saucer.
In the open air, the need for water is of course not quite as acute. But here too you should make sure, especially in summer, that the little hussar button doesn't have to suffer from thirst.
Casting practice in brief:
- Water regularly and relatively generously, especially when growing in containers
- Less urgent in the open field, here especially in dry summer phases
- Avoid waterlogging
Fertilize hussar buttons properly
Fertilizing is not absolutely necessary for the little hussar button, who is not particularly hungry. In order to keep it in good condition and keep the flowers lush, regular cleaning is usually enough, which saves the plant from having to feed dying parts of the plant. If you want, you can help with balcony box cultivation with a little liquid fertilizer over the summer months. However, a time interval of around 2 to 3 weeks should be observed.
Hussar buttons in the pot
Husarenknöpfchen are, on the one hand, very suitable as ground cover thanks to their low, cushion-forming growth. On the other hand, they can also be kept wonderfully in a pot or balcony box - either alone or as an accompaniment to a larger planting arrangement. The latter is particularly possible due to the sufficiency of the hussar button on the substrate. In an arrangement with several plants in a large pot, the Hussar button is particularly suitable as a low border plant. It gracefully surrounds other, taller ornamental plants with its dense, green foliage and summer carpet of flowers.
Due to its overhanging growth, planting in a hanging basket arrangement together with other cascading balcony plants such as hanging petunias is also recommended.
The location or hanging place for the bucket should of course be in a sunny, warm place. South-facing terraces or balconies are ideal.
To remember:
- Hussar buttons, in addition to ground cover use, are also well suited for pot and balcony box cultivation
- Especially as a marginal accompaniment in large planting arrangements
- Also great for hanging basket arrangements together with other cascading plants
hardy
Wthe Sanvitalia procumbens is an annual plant - so the question of its winter hardiness doesn't even arise. It dies in the fall and has to be replanted or sown again in the spring if desired. Other species in the genus are perennial but difficult to obtain commercially. The chances are most likely to be found on the British network.read more
Wintering
Overwintering a Sanvitalia procumbens plant is therefore not possible given its annual status. Of course, you can collect the seeds from your specimen in the fall and store them over the winter. These can then be sown and brought forward in the following early spring.read more
Propagate hussar buttons
Hussar buttons are propagated exclusively by growing seeds. You can get seeds either by remembering to collect them from the ripe fruits in good time in autumn or by purchasing them from specialist retailers. Store seeds you have collected yourself in a cool, dry place over the winter.
You can sow from the end of February. Place the seeds in a planting bowl with a peat-sand mixture or potting soil and place it in a bright place. The ambient temperature does not have to be excessively high, around 18°C is ideal. For an evenly moist and protected microclimate, cover the planter with foil; a mini greenhouse is even better. The seedlings should appear after about 1 to 2 weeks.
You can continue to cultivate these on the windowsill. The young plants can be planted out around May, when the Ice Saints are over.
Seed cultivation at a glance:
- Harvest seeds yourself in autumn from ripe fruits or purchase them from specialist retailers
- Store self-collected seeds in a cool and dry place over the winter
- Sowing from the end of February
- Germination within 1-2 weeks under foil or mini greenhouse lid, temperature approx. 18°C
- Pre-breeding on windowsill
- Planting out in May after the last danger of frost
read more
Diseases
The hussar button also gives the hobby gardener little cause for concern when it comes to diseases and pest infestations. He is virtually unaffected by aches and pains, which makes his grateful, carefree character perfect. Even snails show little interest in its green leaves. The most that can harm the plant is excessive waterlogging. If you water too much or forget to empty saucers that have been rained on for a long time, this can lead to root rot or even the growth of fungi, such as botrytis fungus. However, that really rarely happens.
Is hussar button poisonous?
As good-natured and trusting as the little hussar button appears, that's also how it is in its nature. It contains no toxins and is therefore completely safe to plant in households with small children and curious cats or dogs.read more
Varieties
Many different cultivars of the species Sanvitalia procumbens are available in the plant trade. However, these differ less in the color of the flowers than in their growth. Finally, the cheerful sunny yellow of the flowers is also one of the most characteristic features of the Hussar button. However, there are a few varieties with a slightly darker, orange tint.
Sanvitalia procumbens 'Gold Carpet'
This variety has sunny yellow, small and very numerous flowers typical of Hussar buttons. A special feature is that they appear a little earlier than other varieties, in good weather as early as May.
As its name suggests, the variety is characterized by dense, creeping growth, which forms a cushiony carpet of plants - with a wonderful yellow pile over the summer. It is therefore very suitable as a ground cover. Their height is around 15 to 20 centimeters.
Sanvitalia procumbens ‘Starbini’
The variety S. p. Starbini has bright yellow flowers that appear in June and persist until October. In this respect, it offers the typical sunny and cheerful look of the hussar buttons.
Characteristic of this variety is its strongly overhanging growth, which is why it is very suitable for hanging baskets.
Sanvitalia procumbens ‘Superbini’
The flowers of the S. p. variety also shine in a beautiful sunny yellow. Superbini. They open from June and stay until autumn if you regularly remove dead flowers and old branches.
Unlike most other varieties, this variety grows more upright and bushy. It can therefore be used well for edge planting in beds and borders.
Sanvitalia procumbens ‘Mandarin’
The name of this variety suggests it: This is a variant whose flowers have a rich, tangerine-colored tone. This gives it a very warm, southern flair. In addition, the flowers here have tongue edges. As with most varieties, the flowering period begins in June and continues until October.
In terms of growth, the S. p. Mandarin bushy and reaches a height of around 20 to 30 centimeters.
Sanvitalia procumbens ‘Plena’
One little attraction at the end: the variety S. p. Plena has something special to offer and that is double flowers. Although it loses a little of the typical mini-sun character, it looks a bit more artistic and elegant. So it is something for those who are fascinated by extraordinary flower structures. The flowers appear in June and can also remain until early autumn.
The growth of the variety S. p. Plena is quite bushy and compact, so it is also well suited for borders or as a ground cover.
