The bell of nettle leaf (photos are presented in the article) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Bellflower family. Occasionally annual bells are found. The flower is common in meadows, fields, as well as in the mountains. For many years, the plant has been of interest to breeders. Connoisseurs have flowers of unusual shape and color. Currently, there are varieties with double flowers, as well as edible species.
Bell of nettle leaf: description
The plant can reach a height of one meter. The stem is straight, reddish, the roots are thick. The middle and lower leaflets are petiolate, ovate at the edges, and the upper ones sessile. On small pedicels, which are in the axils of the upper leaves, there are two or three flowers.
They can be blue, white or blue-violet. Flowers are usually large. Flowering begins in June and lasts until the end of August. The nettle-leaf bell prefers shady forests, ravines or thickets in central Russia. Gardeners have cultivated this species for a long time. Terry bells are quite common among garden forms. The flower is undemanding to the soil, it feels good in the shade. Also loves moisture bell nettle. His varieties are few, these are:
- Bernice is a wonderful variety with purplish-blue color double flowers collected in beautiful inflorescences. Leaflets are serrated, dark green. It blooms for a long period of time.
- Alba - perfect for a summer cottage. Has flowers in diameter of 4-7 centimeters at the edges of white, and pink inside. The leaves are shaped like hearts.
Planting a bell
The bell is planted in partial shade or shadow. The plant is adversely affected by stagnation of water and closely located groundwater. In winter, close proximity to stagnant water will result in the death of the bell. The plant develops well and grows rapidly in light soils. Lean soils are fed with fertilizers, and in heavy soils you can add river sand and decayed grass.
A landing site is recommended to be prepared in advance. Initially, they dig a plot, remove all weeds, and fertilize. And besides, you should take care of a good outflow of water. The bell of nettle leaf is planted in the ground with a neutral reaction of the medium. However, there are species that require slightly alkaline earth. Gardeners do not recommend adding peat and fresh manure to the soil, since there is a high risk of developing fungal diseases. If a weakly acidic soil is present on the site, it is diluted with wood ash.
Bell care
The bell is nettle-leafed, the landing and care of which does not cause difficulties, needs moderate and regular watering. In the spring, when the plant grows, it should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. From time to time it is necessary to mulch the soil near the bell with rotted manure. Low concentration mineral fertilizers are used before buds appear. Regular weeding and loosening will benefit the bell. In order to prolong the flowering period, it is necessary to remove wilted peduncles. Brown seed boxes should be cut to prevent self-seeding.
Breeding
Bells can propagate by seed or vegetatively depending on the species. For example, annuals propagate exclusively by seeds, and two-year-olds by cuttings and seeds in the spring. Perennial species in most cases propagate vegetatively, with the exception of those species whose rhizome shape is similar to a brush or rod. They are vegetatively motionless, for this reason reproduction occurs exclusively by seeds. Bells with a long root system are propagated by root segments. Plants with short, branched roots propagate vegetatively and seeds.
As soon as the seed boxes become brown, they are collected and dried, then their pores open and small black seeds fall out. They can be sown in the fall before the onset of cold weather or in the spring. Seeds are sown two centimeters apart. Then they are sprinkled with moist earth. In the spring, the seeds germinate after about three weeks. Also, seeds can be planted on seedlings. When three leaves appear and after spring frosts they are planted in the soil.
If you propagate the bell vegetatively, you get a flower similar to the mother and it will retain all the best signs. Such propagation is necessary for terry and semi-double species, as well as southern forms of plants, since their seeds do not have time to ripen. Starting from the third year of vegetation, the bell can be divided. When dividing, one must remember that the plant must have time to take root. How to divide the plant? First you should dig up the mother bush, then cut the shoots of the aerial parts. After that, you need to divide the rhizome into divisions with kidneys of renewal. Then they are planted in a recess so that the kidney of renewal was on the surface.
Diseases and Pests
The bell of nettle leaf (photo and description was given above) is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests. However, if the growing conditions are not observed, fungal diseases, rust, powdery mildew may develop. To prevent the further development of diseases, soil should be treated with foundationazole or a solution of copper sulfate. In rainy weather, snails, slugs, aphids can attack the plant. Superphosphate, as well as various chemicals, are suitable for fighting.
Application
The grass of the bell of nettle leaf is widely used in alternative medicine. For medicinal purposes, leaves and stems are used. Fresh leaves are poured with boiling water and insist for three minutes.
To warm sick joints, medicinal raw materials of the bell in the form of poultices are used. With hoarseness, sore throat and other inflammations of the throat, tincture of dry grass successfully helps. The roots and leaves of the bell are used to make salads, and the young leaves are used for cabbage soup.
Interesting Facts
According to legends, the bell brings happy love to girls, and the elderly bring calm old age. In ancient times, this plant was considered a powerful love spell. To attract the beloved girl, it was necessary to pick a flower at dawn, and then attach it to the shutter. Bouquets of wild bells wilt almost instantly.
The choice for every taste
There is a huge variety of bells, so you can always choose the most suitable for your flowerbed. Most bells will look great in sunny flower gardens. They bloom en masse in the summer and are not lost in combination with large and bright colors. The bell is great for both group and single landings.
Nettle-bells are one of the largest and most beautiful herbaceous plants that will serve as decoration for any summer cottage.