The exotic-looking sun eyes attract attention during their late flowering period. In order for the plants to develop lush flowers, they need a special location. Once the perfect spot has been found, further care is easy.
What are the best conditions for growing bluegills?
Suneyes (Heliopsis) are attractive, long-lasting and easy-care perennials that are characterized by their large, yellow-gold flowers from June to October. They prefer a location in full sun, nutrient-rich, permeable soil and regular watering without waterlogging.
Origin
The suneyes represent a genus with the scientific name Heliopsis, which includes between 14 and 18 species. The daisy family originally comes from Mexico. Their distribution area extends to the southern USA and across central America to Bolivia and Peru. In Central Europe, Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra is an important ornamental plant. The variety comes from the common suneye.
Growth
Suneyes are annual or biennial or perennial. The garden forms are cultivated perennial. They reach heights of between 30 and 170 centimeters. Their stems grow upright or slightly overhanging. The plants expand to 60 to 80 centimeters wide. They branch at their base just above the ground and grow bushy and loose. Perennial plants survive with the help of an underground rhizome.
leaves
Heliopsis helianthoides develops oppositely arranged leaves with ovate and tapered leaf blades. Their edge is sawn. The base of the blade narrows and gradually merges into the stem. The dark green leaves are hairy on the top and bottom.
Bloom
Between June and October, suneyes develop strikingly large and yellow to gold-colored flower heads. They stand on long stems that have terminal or leaf axils. The flower heads consist of the outer ray florets and the inner ray florets. These are light or dark colored and form an aesthetic contrast to the yellow ray flowers.
Their appearance earned the genus the scientific name Heliopsis, which translates as “sun-like.” The numerous varieties can develop single, semi-double or double flower heads.
Fruit
After fertilization, the flowers turn into nut-like fruits, which botanists call achenes. They are brownish to black-brown in color and usually have a feather-like calyx of hair. Not all varieties develop fruit. Half-double or double sun eyes cannot be fertilized.
Usage
The loosely bushy to narrow habit makes the suneye the perfect plant for small beds. It requires little space and prefers a location in the foreground of perennial plantings. Arrange the plants in small groups to intensify the aesthetic effect. The floral ornamental plant decorates beds, borders and flower meadows.
In addition to the tall phlox, half-height grasses and asters, the sun's eye comes into its own. You can plant Heliopsis species to shade low-growing perennials that prefer partial shade conditions. Due to the late flowering period, the plant is an important source of nectar and pollen in late summer and autumn. The flower stems are suitable as cut flowers for bouquets and vases.
Sun eyes are suitable for:
- wild natural gardens
- variety-rich cottage gardens
- colorful flower gardens
- sandy rock gardens
Which location is suitable?
Suneyes prefer a location in full sun. They thrive less beautifully in light partial shade. In its original distribution area, the species grows on dry and warm slopes or on moist meadows.
What soil does the plant need?
A nutrient-rich substrate provides the suneye with ideal growth conditions. Although the plants naturally grow on dry soils, they prefer fresh to moist conditions. Alkaline or slightly acidic soils are tolerated by the suneye. They grow on normal garden soil as well as on stony, sandy or clay soils. The substrate should be highly permeable, as the roots cannot tolerate waterlogging.
The correct planting distance
You can plant Heliopsis helianthoides in the bed between spring and autumn. Since the plants develop dense clumps over time, you should ensure there is sufficient spacing when planting. There is space for between four and six plants per square meter. A distance of 45 centimeters is ideal. The planting distance should be based on the expected growth width. The minimum distance should correspond to half the plant height.
Preparations for planting:
- Loose up the soil and remove old plant parts
- Improve very sandy soils with compost
- mix heavy clay soils with sand
Propagate suneye
If older perennials become lazy or grow too densely, the stocks can be rejuvenated and thinned out by division. The measure is also suitable for propagation and can be done every two to three years in spring.
Dig up the root ball and use a spade to divide the rhizome into several pieces. Dead roots are removed before the partial plants are placed in the prepared planting hole. After transplanting, water thoroughly and mulch the soil. In the following two weeks the plants need a lot of water.
Sowing
The seeds are grown in nutrient-poor potting soil six weeks before planting. You can use cactus soil or coconut fiber as a substrate. The seeds are sown from the end of March or the beginning of August and lightly pressed. Ideal germination conditions exist in the mini greenhouse because the temperature and humidity are high.
When the seedlings are three to four centimeters high, they are separated into pots and gradually acclimated to the outside temperatures. The young plants can then be placed outdoors. When planted in autumn, the plants develop flowers for the first time in the second year.
Suneye in a pot
Smaller varieties are suitable for container planting. In order to cultivate tall growing sun eyes in planters, you need enough space. Plant bluegills in deep clay containers that have been equipped with drainage. Drainage holes prevent water from pooling in the bottom of the pot. Place the pot in a sunny and wind-protected place so that the tall stems bloom magnificently and do not break. Bamboo sticks are recommended as support.
Pouring the sun's eye
Heliopsis species are drought tolerant. Fresh conditions ensure he althy and vigorous growth, so you should water the plant regularly during long dry periods. As soon as the top layer of soil has dried, the next watering takes place. You can mulch the soil to protect it from excessive drying out.
Fertilize suneye properly
The nutrient requirements of sun eyes are moderate. If the soil is humus, you only need to fertilize a little. Work compost into the soil when planting. This measure can be repeated every spring. Bluegills feed on nutrients all summer long, so no additional fertilization is required.
If the plants grow in pots or on poor soil, they enjoy a regular supply of organic-mineral fertilizers. Give the plants liquid fertilizer in low concentrations in spring and shortly before flowering. An overdose causes the perennials to develop long shoots and lots of foliage but no flowers.
Cut sun eye correctly
Cut off spent stems regularly to encourage the development of new flowers. This way you can extend the flowering period until the first night frosts appear. If necessary, a radical pruning can be carried out in the spring before new growth if the perennial appears unsightly and grows sparingly.
Cut the stems back to a hand's width above the ground. The plant then sprouts again and forms denser branches. Once the sun's eye has developed leaves, it should no longer be cut back. Pruning measures in autumn mean that the plant can no longer store sufficient energy in the rhizome.
hardy
Suneyes prove to be frost-hardy plants that do not require winter protection. Potted plants should be appropriately protected from ground frost. The substrate freezes faster in the pot than in the bed. Overwinter the pots in a protected location near a south-facing house wall. Make sure that no rainwater or snow collects in the bucket.read more
Pests
Suneyes are robust against diseases or pests. Pest infestations rarely occur when plants grow in suboptimal locations or are weakened by incorrect care.
Aphids
Sick and weakened plants are occasionally attacked by aphids, which spread en masse in spring. Remove the pests with a cloth and spray the plant with an oil-based solution (€29.00 on Amazon). Ensure good ventilation after treatment.
Snails
In spring, the freshly emerging leaves and shoots are a valuable source of food for snails. Spread pebbles or coffee grounds on the substrate. The pests particularly target certain varieties. The 'top dancer' seems to be a real treat.
Fungal infestation
In very wet years, bluegills can be affected by downy mildew. They leave whitish-gray or brown coatings on the undersides of the leaves. Yellow to brownish spots form on the top. Cut off diseased parts of the plant and spray the plant with a solution rich in silica. It promotes the cell tissue so that the spores can no longer penetrate the organism.
Instructions for a horsetail decoction:
- Pour 750 g of fresh cabbage with five liters of rainwater
- Let brew brew for 24 hours
- Boil for 30 minutes and then strain
- Mix broth with water in a ratio of 1:5
- Let it rest for a few days until no more foam forms
- Before using, dilute again with water in a ratio of 1:10
Tip
Plant smaller perennials between group plantings with the suneye. The low species provide a natural support for the often tall varieties, so that the long shoots do not lean too much towards the ground.
Varieties
- Goldgreenheart: Yellow ray flowers, green center. Blooms from July to September. Reaches heights between 100 and 120 centimeters.
- Top Dancer: Does not grow. Flowers double, golden yellow, sterile. Blooms from July to September. Grows between 100 and 130 centimeters high.
- Venus: Flowers simple, golden yellow. Flowering period from July to September. Between 120 and 140 centimeters high.
- Summer Nights: Leaves have a reddish tint. Flowers simple, golden yellow with a dark red center. Grows up to 120 centimeters high.
