Kolnik (Phyteuma) – ornamental grass

HomeAll flowers that start with KKolnik (Phyteuma) - ornamental grass

Kolnik (Phyteuma) is a genus of perennial rhizomatous herbs of the Campanulaceae family, growing in the temperate zone of Europe. Some species are grown in ornamental gardens, mostly in rock gardens.

  • Family: bellflowers.
  • Origin: Central and Southern Europe.
  • Rootstock: thick, fleshy.
  • Stem: erect or drooping.
  • Leaves: sessile or petiolate, alternate.
  • Fruit: oblong capsule.
  • Reproductive ability: propagated by dividing the bush or seeds.
  • Illumination: partial shade or open sun.
  • Watering: rare.
  • Keeping temperature: hibernates under light cover.
  • Flowering time: 20-30 days in June, July or August depending on the species.

Kolnik plant in the photo during the flowering period

Kolniks are herbaceous perennials from 5 to 90 cm high with a thick rhizome, straight stems and alternate leaves with a serrated, rarely entire edge, larger at the base, small and narrow closer to the top.

The flowers are small, collected in apical inflorescences of a racemose or almost spherical shape. The kolnik flower has an original shape – a curved corolla, divided into five narrow, spike-like petals, for which in Germany the culture is often called “Devil’s Claw”, which can be translated as “devil’s claw”. The color of flowers is usually purple, sometimes white or pale blue, rarely yellow or pink.

The fruits are capsules with small shiny seeds.

The natural habitat of the plant is mainly the foothills and mountainous areas of Central and Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, some species are found in meadows and forest glades in the flat part of the continent.

There are more than 30 species in the genus, many of which can be found in ornamental gardens, mostly in rock gardens and rocky gardens, as well as in borders and mixborders.

Scheuchzer’s kolnik and other types

Scheuchzer ‘s kolnik (Ph. Scheuchzeri) is an alpine species, in culture since 1813. Perennial with straight or drooping stems up to 60 cm high, linear stem leaves and oval-ovate or elliptical basal, formed into a rosette. The color of the leaves is bright, bluish-green. The flowers are purple-blue, collected in spherical inflorescences up to 3 cm in diameter. In the garden, it requires a sunny location and soil rich in calcium, does not tolerate waterlogging. Blooms in the first half of summer. It is used in stony gardens and rock gardens.

Crested kolnik (Ph. Comosum) – compact, not higher than 15 cm, perennial, with gray-green oval leaves and hemispherical inflorescences, painted purple below, purple-purple above and surrounded by long narrow bracts. An inhabitant of the Southern Alps, where it occurs in rock crevices and even on sheer surfaces, requiring a minimum amount of calcareous soil. A fairly whimsical plant in culture that needs shading from the sun, calcareous soil and good drainage. Despite the difficulties in growing, the flower is very decorative and is in constant demand among rock garden lovers. Blooms in late summer.

Kolnik hemisparericum (Ph. Hemisphaericum) – even smaller than the previous species, grows no higher than 5-10 cm. Blue, yellowish or white flowers appear in July-August. The natural habitat is also the Alps, however, unlike the kolnikov described above, the flower prefers an acidic soil reaction and sufficient moisture in the summer. Grown in partial shade, for the winter requires protection from wetting.

Share with your friends

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Other flowers
Other people actively read

Saintpaulia care: watering the uzambar violet

Wasps with a bizarre flower shape and chimeras with a unique...

Brovallia (Browallia) american and magnificent – cultivation and care

Description: annual (some species are perennial ), flowering, shrubby plant of...

Flowers in an inexpensive hotel in Moscow: budget floral decor

It was Jack Trout, the world-class marketing guru, who said that...
Tuesday, November 7, 2023