From a distance, the magnificent candle appears as if it were swarmed by whirling butterflies. In fact, there are countless flowers that bloom above lanceolate, dark green leaves. Are you wondering how to properly cultivate the summer perennial? Then read the following answers to frequently asked questions.
How do you properly care for a magnificent candle?
To successfully cultivate a magnificent candle, plant it in a sunny location in sandy, dry soil in spring. Water regularly, fertilize if necessary and cut back dead flowers. Protect the plant in winter with leaves and brushwood.
Plant a magnificent candle correctly
With a spring planting you can strengthen the floral back of a magnificent candle, because this way the perennial has enough time to root before winter. From the beginning/mid of May, prepare the loose, sandy-dry soil in a sunny location. Since the butterfly flower looks great in small groups of 3-5 specimens, create the appropriate number of planting pits at a distance of 35-40 cm. How to proceed:
- Enrich the excavation with sand, fine grit and a handful of compost
- Unpot the young prairie candle and plant it while maintaining the previous planting depth
- Press the soil with your hands and water it
A mulch layer made of inorganic materials, such as gravel or chippings, keeps the soil warmer for longer and promotes growth.
Care tips
In the first few weeks, magnificent candles require increased attention, as a regular supply of water is essential for rooting. Therefore, always water the bed and pot when the substrate surface has dried. Once the perennial has established itself, care is limited to the following program:
- Watering a magnificent candle when it is dry
- No fertilization is necessary in suitable soil
- Fertilize potted plants liquidly once a month from May to August
- Clean out wilted flower clusters every few days
In autumn, cut the butterfly flower back to a hand's width above the ground to protect the root disk from the rigors of winter with a thick layer of leaves, straw and pine fronds. If the perennial thrives in the planter, it will survive the cold season in the frost-free winter quarters.read more
Which location is suitable?
In a sunny, warm location, the magnificent candle perfectly demonstrates why it is also called butterfly flower. The more hours of sunshine a prairie candle has, the more lush and bright the flowers shine. Since the perennial also favors a sandy, dry to gravel-like substrate, it is predestined for the rock garden, prairie or roof garden.read more
What soil does the plant need?
If the magnificent candle had a say in the choice of location, it would choose a sandy-dry to gravelly soil that is lean and permeable. In addition, the perennial feels comfortable in the humus-loose soil along a sun-drenched edge of the wood. If the prairie candle functions as a summer pot flower, the potting soil should consist of 30-40 percent sand, fine grit, perlite or lava granules.
When is flowering time?
The magnificent candle presents its tightly upright, bushy silhouette with lush flower clusters in an elegantly overhanging position from July to October. Wherever the sun shines for more than 6 hours a day and the soil is sandy, loose and poor, the perennial likes to join in with other summer bloomers and is not above filling gaps. Their neat appearance is maintained throughout the long flowering period if withered flowers are cleaned out regularly.
Cut the magnificent candle correctly
If you consistently cut out anything that has withered or faded, the magnificent candle will always look immaculate. In addition, this way you create space for additional flowers. In autumn, cut the butterfly flower back to 10 cm above the ground. Then spread a thick layer of leaves and brushwood over the root disk, because the perennial is not completely hardy.read more
Pouring a magnificent candle
The watering requirement for a magnificent candle is at a low level. The watering can is only used in the bed if there is no rain for a long period of time. If the soil surface dries, apply water directly to the root disc in the morning or evening. Avoid overhead watering as rippling water will significantly affect the beauty of the butterfly flower. When the sun's rays hit the delicate flowers, the water drops turn into small burning glasses. If the plant thrives in a pot or balcony box, check with your finger every 2-3 days whether the potting soil has dried out. If the top 2 cm of the substrate feels dry, water.
Fertilize magnificent candles properly
If the site conditions correspond to expectations or are close, the magnificent candle in the bed does not require fertilizer. Where the soil is extremely poor, the magnificent perennial is grateful for a little compost at the beginning of the growing season. For potted plants, we recommend applying liquid fertilizer at half concentration every 30 days from May to August.
Wintering
The magnificent candle is not completely hardy. Nevertheless, you have the best prospects of a he althy winter if you take the following precautions in the bed:
- Cut the perennial in autumn to 10 cm above the ground
- Heap the root disc thickly with leaves, straw and needles
- You can optionally cover the magnificent candle with garden fleece
In the pot, also cut back the butterfly flower. Then put the container in the frost-free winter quarters. Water the root ball once a week to prevent it from drying out completely.
Increase the magnificent candle
Since the magnificent candle turns out to be short-lived in practice, it is not suitable for the usual perennial propagation by division. Instead, experienced hobby gardeners use sowing to grow more specimens. If you want to avoid the unpredictability of direct sowing in May, it's best to follow this quick guide:
- Sowing behind glass is possible all year round
- Fill a seed tray (€35.00 on Amazon) with peat sand
- Mix the fine seeds with bird sand and scatter
- Sift thinly with substrate and spray with water
In the heated indoor greenhouse at 20 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 2-3 weeks. It usually takes 4-6 weeks between germination and pricking out. Then your patience will be required again, because another 6-8 weeks will pass before planting. During this time, keep the substrate constantly slightly moist without causing waterlogging.
Is the magnificent candle winter hardy?
Unfortunately, the magnificent candle is not completely hardy. If the thermometer drops below -10 degrees Celsius, the root ball can be so affected that no shoots appear next year. To prevent this shortcoming, cut the perennial back to approx. 10 cm above the ground in autumn. Then cover the root disk 20-30 cm high with leaves or straw and place needle sticks over itread more
Beautiful varieties
- Whirling Butterflies: The perennial impresses with white butterfly flowers that sprout pink buds; Growth height 50-70 cm
- Gambit Rose: The crimson flowers shine towards the sun on curved stems; Growth height 50-60 cm
- Summer Breeze: A majestic candle with white-pink flowers and robust stability; Growth height 80-120 cm
- Koralee Petite: The intense pink flowers harmonize wonderfully with the dark foliage; Growth height 80 cm
- Siskiyou Pink: The variety impresses with bright pink flowers that grow in dense clusters; Growth height 40-80 cm
