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It is not difficult to imagine a meadow covered with flower carpet. Zhivuchka is a prominent representative of such a natural design. And perhaps the errant Bremen musicians from the old cartoon sang about it.
In its natural habitat, the plant is found in the African tropics, America, European forests and distant Australia. The cultured zhivuchka was first presented in England at the gardening exhibition in 1653.The show took place in London, where color lovers from around the world were present.
Description and features zhivuchki
The name of the plant was due to the amazing ability to survive in adverse conditions. It adapts wonderfully on barren or rocky soil. There are also other names for zhivuchki - ayuga, gorkusha and dubnitsa. In gardening, most often used ornamental varieties that cover the ground. They can grow for a long time in one area without losing the original beauty.
Sometimes at the beginning of spring, last year’s frost-bitten leaves and shoots appear from under the snow. But it is not scary, because young leaves and stems always have a fresh look. In addition, zhivuchka quickly restored. Active growth in this perennial begins in May, when the flowering period is over.
Ayuga has medicinal properties, therefore it is used in medicine. In the United States, it is specially bred near beehives, for honey inflorescences.
Experienced chefs use die-off as a seasoning for salads or fish dishes. Gardeners adorn her backyards, and designers create unique landscapes.
The description of the creeping buzz helps to present the plant in full beauty. It has a shaggy stem, tetrahedral shape. It grows to 35 centimeters, while able to firmly root on the surface of the soil. As a result, the plant is crawling on the ground, creating a living carpet.
Perennial leaves are oval, egg-shaped with jagged edges. Those that are at the roots - long-pebble with a blue tint. On the stems are large notched leaves.
The flowers of creeping zhivuchki single-lipped, resembling miniature fans, are located along the shoot in the form of an ear. There are blue or blue. Sometimes there are white and pink specimens. Perched above the leafy green carpet, they decorate it with bright colors. The flowering process begins in May and ends in June.
Fruits are the hairy nuts that appear inside the calyx of the bud. Ripening occurs in July or August. There are such types of decorative creeping zhivuchki.
Black Scallop
Plants of this species grow to 10 cm. The leaves are glossy, embossed. Along the edges have a wavy edging. Color - beet or purple.
Burgundy Glow
A creeping creeper of this type has shiny greenish-red leaves. The edges of their painted white or pink rim.
Zhivuchka Burgundy Glow during transplanting can change colors. This should be considered when designing the garden plot.
Brown Hets
A distinctive feature of the species is the dark leaves of brown or purple color. In the world they shine with a bronze tint. Blooms in blue buds on young shoots.
Variegata
The plant has green leaves with a shade of gray or silver. Along the edges they are decorated with white or cream figured edging.
Compared with other varieties, it does not grow so quickly. Feels good in pots and small rock gardens.
Ayuga belongs to the family of Light-colored plants. In nature, there are evergreen and deciduous species. In their genus there are up to fifty annual and perennial varieties. Gardeners use mostly creeping bugs to create a landscape design background. Perennials with burgundy, silver or bronze leaves are especially in demand.
The most famous varieties for decorating personal plots are bronze-brown, dark purple, greenish-brown leaf color. Some species are marked with a white pattern and an intricate edging.
The following photo zhivuchki invite to plunge into the wonderful kingdom of plants.
Popular types of life-giving beauty
Perennial groundcover flowers of survivors are able to survive in extreme conditions. They are not afraid of the summer heat, cold winter, wet or dry climate. The plant grows well on the slopes, among the stones and near the borders. Decorates the foot of trees and shrubs in the garden area. Fits perfectly into the interior as an ampelnaya plant. In gardening, there are more than 50 types of viable beauty.
Resident of Geneva
This species occurs in the chernozem belt of Russia. It can be seen on the steep slopes of the Caucasian and Crimean mountains. In European forests and Scandinavia. In Asia Minor and in the Mediterranean countries.
Zhivuchka Geneva Helena is a brush perennial plant. It has horizontal roots, from which shaggy-hairy shoots depart. On average, the stems grow up to 40 cm. At the base grow short stalked leaves, and on the shoot they are sessile, oblong with a toothed edging.
Flowers are in whorls from 2 to 6 pieces. Their upper part forms an ear. Calyx bud reaches 7 mm. The structure is hairy. Color - bluish, occasionally white. Flowering occurs in May or July.
The fruits of the plant appear as brown nuts with a wrinkled surface. Propagated by vegetative means or seeds.
Resistance pyramid
This particular species is found on the alpine meadows of Europe. It is a perennial plant. It grows from 15 cm in height to 30.
The pyramidal zhivuchalnaya has a huge number of shoots, which are characterized by:
- tetrahedral shape;
- upright position;
- shaggy coating.
Numerous leaves at the base grow up to 11 cm. The shape resembles an ellipse, narrowed in the petiole. Those that grow near the inflorescence, egg-shaped. The edges are slightly jagged. Color - dark green.
The buds are blue or pale purple, located along the stem. Remind original flower spike.
The plant loves moisture, so it is desirable to plant it in shady areas.
Resilient atropurpurea
The leaves of this perennial are dark with a red or brownish tinge. Grows 15 cm tall. Atropurpurea zhivuchki variety feature - has no creeping stems
As a result, always a compact view of the garden lawns. Loves a lot of light. Easily tolerates cold. It is applied in gardens with stony soil.
Glamorous variety - mahogany
The zhivuchka mahogany grows up to 10 or 15 cm. It has rounded glossy leaves of reddish color.
There are also instances with a dark maroon tint. Blossoms in blue buds located along an erect shoot. Loves the sliding shadow, but is not afraid of direct sunlight.
A variety of varieties of zhivuchki widely used in suburban areas. An incredibly beautiful living carpet, woven from elegant flower spikelets, will replace the grass lawn.
In the landscape design of the slopes, the tentacle is harmoniously combined with other plants. On the flowerbed ayuga is an original background for noble flowers that pleases the eye for a whole warm season.
