With its cylindrical inflorescences, the Ahrige Prachtscharte presents itself as an extravagant feast for the eyes in the perennial bed. For cultivation to be successful, no extensive gardening experience is required. The following answers to frequently asked questions explain all relevant details.
How do I care for a black-eared locust?
The Ahrige Prachtscharte is an extravagant perennial with cylindrical inflorescences that blooms from July to September. For successful cultivation, it requires a sunny location, fresh, moist, humus-rich and well-drained soil as well as regular irrigation and fertilization.
Plant the magnificent char correctly
Plant the Ahrige Splendorscharte in small groups in a sunny location with fresh, moist, humus-rich and well-drained soil. Here you create small pits at a distance of 25-30 cm, the excavation of which is optimized with compost and a little sand. After the still potted root ball has been thoroughly soaked with water, pot up the young perennial. Placed in the middle of the planting hole, fill the cavity with the substrate, press everything down well and water.read more
Care tips
Growth and flower splendor meet all expectations when the splendid perennial enjoys this care:
- Keep the soil constantly slightly moist
- Fertilize organically from May to August on a monthly basis
- Cut off wilted, brown inflorescences
- Cut the dead leaves down to the ground before the first frost
After the autumn pruning, cover the root disk with leaves or coniferous twigs so that constant winter wetness does not cause the rhizome to rot.read more
Which location is suitable?
If the Ahrige Prachtscharte looks for an adequate spot in the wild, it is usually a sunny, warm and wind-protected location. In the garden, the pretty perennial is grateful for nutrient-rich, slightly moist soil in which water does not accumulate. If you want to enjoy the elegant flower spikes on the balcony, you can do this in a sunny location in permeable compost-based potting soil.read more
What soil does the plant need?
If this shapely perennial is provided with nutrient-rich, fresh, moist soil, it will tolerate short-term drought without complaint during summer periods with little rain. The strong rhizome should not sink in water, because the plant reacts extremely badly to waterlogging. If in doubt, loosen compacted soil with sand, fine grit, leaf mold or compost. For pot-grown spruce loams, we therefore recommend potting soil with little or no peat content, as this material no longer stores water and compresses once it has dried.
When is flowering time?
The Ahrige Prachtscharte lets us take part in its flower spectacle from July to September. Don't miss the floral spectacle as the slim cylinders unfold from top to bottom in vibrant purple, crimson or white. After a few days, the entire flower candle is covered with countless flower heads, which in turn consist of tiny tubular flowers.
Cut the splendor correctly
As soon as a spruce plant flowers, the perennial loses its graceful appearance. Therefore, cut off wilted flower candles as soon as possible. From October onwards, the perennial plant pulls in its grass-like leaves, with the nutrients remaining in them being stored in the underground rhizome. Only after this process has been completed and the foliage has withered completely do you cut it down to the ground.read more
Water the splendor
Fluctuations in the water balance are tolerated well-naturedly, but if they occur repeatedly, they have a negative impact on vitality and lifespan. Therefore, water the Ahrige Prachtscharte regularly when the soil has dried to a depth of approx. 2 cm. Where the rain contributes to the water supply in the bed, this measure is less often the case than for a perennial in a pot.
Fertilize the splendor properly
Where there is always a supply of compost available in the naturally managed garden, the Ahrige Prachtscharte thanks you for a monthly ration from May to August with lush flowers. Alternatively, a single application of complete fertilizer in May is sufficient to cover the nutrient requirements for this season. If the perennial thrives in the pot, add a little liquid fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water every 14 days.
Wintering
The focus of he althy wintering is protection from permanent moisture, because the Ährige Prachtscharte can withstand frosty temperatures down to -34 degrees Celsius. It is important to use the following measures to protect the rootstock from excess moisture so that rot does not spread:
- Cut the perennial close to the ground in autumn
- Before the first frost, pile up the root disc thickly with leaves and conifers
- Relocate potted plants to a frost-free room after pruning
- Water from time to time in winter quarters so that the rhizome does not dry out
The winter protection is removed or the planter is cleared out again in good time before the new shoots appear.
Increase Magnificent Carrot
For propagation you can choose from two methods that are successfully practiced in hobby gardens. The simpler procedure is to divide the rootstock in spring or autumn. To do this, dig up the Ahrige Splendorscharte and cut it into two or more segments. You can easily plant each section in a sunny location in loose, humus-loose soil and then water regularly.
Sowing, on the other hand, turns out to be a little more complicated. Sow the very fine seeds on seed soil in March. After the seeds have been sifted very thinly with sand and watered with a fine spray, place the seed container in the partially shaded window seat. Germination progresses quickly at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. The seedlings are pricked out when they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. Planting time for seedling-propagated glories is from mid-May.
How do I transplant correctly?
Transplanting to a black-eared locust has a synergy effect in several respects. If you carry out this care measure every 4 to 5 years, it will significantly contribute to rejuvenation. At the same time, you have the opportunity to easily propagate the magnificent perennial. How to do it right:
- Lift the rhizome out of the ground in March/April or August/September
- Shake off the remaining soil from the roots to cut off stunted and rotten strands
- Cut the root ball with a sharp knife or ground spade
- Prepare the soil with compost and sand at the previous and new location to plant the segments
- The more precisely the previous planting depth is maintained, the faster the rooting will take place
When grown in pots, we recommend replanting the Ahrige Prachtscharte every 1 to 2 years. Once the container is completely rooted, you will no longer be able to avoid this work in early spring.
Beautiful varieties
- Kobold: Compact variety whose purple flower spikes stand out in the small garden; Growth height 30-40 cm
- Floristan: Feathery flowers in bright white characterize this splendid plum; Growth height up to 80 cm
- Callilepis: Its purple feathers stretch towards the sun from July to September; Growth height up to 90 cm
- Elegans: Noble garden rose, whose purple-red inflorescences sway gently in the summer wind; Growth height 60 cm
- Prairie Spectacular: Majestic variety whose flower spikes rise up to 150 cm above the narrow leaves
