To sweeten our farewell to the garden's summer blossom festival, the bearded flower presents us with bright blue, delicately scented flowers in autumn. So that the picturesque ornamental tree takes over the flower scepter without any problems at the end of the gardening season, it only requires a little care. Explore all the important details about proper cultivation here.
How do you properly care for a beard flower?
Optimal care for the bearded flower includes moderate watering when the soil is dry, organic fertilization with compost and horn shavings or liquid rose fertilizer, removing withered flowers and cutting back to 15 cm in early spring. In winter, root protection should be ensured by a layer of leaves or compost.
Care tips
In order to enjoy the autumnal blossom magic of a bearded flower, the following care measures are required:
- Water the ornamental tree moderately when the soil has dried out
- Fertilize organically with compost and horn shavings or with liquid rose fertilizer in the pot
- Clean up wilted flowers for a neat appearance
- Prune to 15 cm in early spring
A thick layer of leaves or compost aims to protect the root ball from frost and moisture in winter. In the pot, the bearded flower moves to its frost-free, not too dark winter quarters.read more
Which location is suitable?
The bearded flower would like to flirt with the sun all day long. The sunnier and warmer the location, the more magnificent the flowers, surrounded by a seductive scent. The ideal location is completed by a humus-rich, sandy-loamy soil that should not be too moist.read more
The correct planting distance
Arrange the ornamental trees with 3 to 4 specimens per linear meter. To plant a larger area with bearded flowers, we recommend a density of 4-6 plants per square meter. The lower the expected final height and width, the smaller the distance to the bed neighbor.
What soil does the plant need?
The bearded flower feels at home in loose, humus-rich and well-drained soil. The top priority for vital growth and lush flowering is soil without waterlogging. The flowering tree copes much better with dry soil in the gravel bed, on the roof garden or in the heather garden than with permanently moist substrate near water.
What is the best time to plant?
For young plants in containers, planting time is throughout the entire growing season. If you plant bearded flowers in the ground between mid-May and mid-September, neither delayed ground frost nor an early onset of winter can harm the ornamental tree. However, during summer heat periods, you should refrain from planting.
When is flowering time?
The bearded flower delights us with its splendor when numerous flowers and perennials are already preparing for winter. If you want lush colors from August to October, then this ornamental tree is a perfect choice. If you clean out withered flowers promptly, re-blooming will follow.
Cut beard flower correctly
A courageous pruning will be rewarded with opulent flowers and bushy, compact branching. Since the ornamental tree only flowers on this year's wood, you shouldn't be squeamish about using secateurs. When the frost recedes in early spring, the best time has come to cut bearded flowers. How to do it right:
- Cut back all he althy shoots to 15 cm
- Cut dead wood and frozen branches at the base
If you cut off wilted flowers regularly in late summer, the flowering period will extend until the first frost. The last shoots remain on the bush until February as additional winter protection.read more
Watering beard flower
The bearded flower favors an alternately moist substrate with intermittent drying periods. Only water the ornamental shrub when the surface of the soil is completely dry. Experience has shown that you should water more often in the bucket than in the bed. It is an advantage if the water is poured directly to the roots, as overhead irrigation affects the beauty of the flowers.
Fertilize bearded flowers properly
The nutrient requirements of a beard flower are at a low level. In the spring after pruning, fertilize with compost and horn shavings as starter fertilizer. If you repeat this process every month until the end of the flowering period, the ornamental tree will be satisfied. In the tightly limited substrate volume of the bucket, the energy reserves are used up more quickly. Fertilize in pot culture every 2 weeks with liquid rose fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon) in diluted concentration.
Wintering
Since the bearded flower can only tolerate frost down to -15 degrees for a short time, the plant usually freezes back to the point of woodiness or even close to the ground. Since the flowering tree is cut back heavily in early spring and sprouts again, this property does not require any special precautions. Nevertheless, winter protection is advisable so that the root area is not affected. How to do it right:
- Do not cut off the bearded flower in the bed before winter
- Hill the tree disc thickly with leaf mold, brushwood or peat waste
Cultivated in a bucket, the frost-sensitive ornamental tree moves to cool winter quarters in good time. At temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, only water enough to prevent the root ball from drying out. The bearded flower is not fertilized in this phase.
Propagate Beardflower
When it comes to propagation, the bearded flower is a little tricky. Even pure breeding using cuttings takes 2 to 3 years. Half-woody shoot tips with a length of 10-15 cm are cut in June/July. With the lower part defoliated, place each cutting in a small pot with lean substrate and water regularly. At 16 to 18 degrees Celsius on the partially shaded windowsill, repot the young bearded flowers repeatedly until they are mature enough to be planted in the bed.
If you grow new specimens by sowing seeds, it will take an even longer time until the first flowering occurs. Sown behind glass and cared for at a constant 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, after germination at 15 to 17 degrees, it takes at least 5 years of patience to get the bearded flower ready to bloom.read more
Beard flower in pot
On the sunny balcony, the bearded flower in the pot sets autumnal accents if it is treated to a high-quality, structurally stable potted plant substrate. Drainage made of pottery shards prevents harmful waterlogging at the bottom of the pot. Check the soil with a thumb test every 2-3 days to water in dry conditions. We recommend a liquid rose fertilizer to provide nutrients. Clean out withered flowers regularly so that the bearded flower always catches the eye as if it had been peeled off. Just before the first frost, cut the shoots back to 15 cm and move the potted plant to its frost-free, bright winter quarters.
Beautiful varieties
- Blue Sparrow: Compact growing variety that impresses with dark blue flowers in late summer; Growth height 60-70 cm
- Heavenly Blue: Primus among bearded flowers thanks to its bright blue flowers and proud stature; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Summer Sorbet: Light blue flowers are decoratively accompanied by yellow-edged foliage; Growth height 70-80 cm
- Symphony in Blue: This variety does what the name promises. Beautiful rose companion; Growth height 50-80 cm
- Arthur Simmons: Premium variety with dark lavender blue flowers and silvery branches; Growth height 80-120 cm
