Polygala MYRTIFOLIA

Polygala MYRTIFOLIA - Myrtle-leaf milkwort, September bush, Polygala myrtifolia.

Herbs, subshrubs, and shrubs of the Polygalaceae (Milkwort) family, numbering more than 500 species. Representatives of these plants are found both in Siberia and across almost all territories of Russia, but the greatest value is presented by species originating from the North Caucasus and Europe, which are distinguished by heightened ornamental appeal.

In height, all milkworts are rather modest: depending on the species, their sizes range from 10 cm (3.9 in) to half a meter (1.6 ft). Among them, one can find both deciduous and evergreen plants. Most often they develop as dense, strikingly compact cushion-clumps with ascending or erect shoots. Foliage is small, most commonly lanceolate, densely dotting the shoots. The flowers externally resemble legumes, complex in structure, with a keel or crest, gathered in terminal inflorescences of raceme or spike form. Even within the same species, petal coloration comes in diverse colors: red, yellow, lilac, violet, and mauve.

Polygala myrtifolia is an erect, densely foliated evergreen shrub from South Africa, 1-2.5 m (3.3-8.2 ft) in height and 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) in width (expanding with age). Leaves range from elliptic-oblong to obovate, from medium to dark green, 2.5-5 cm (1.0-2.0 in) long. The flowers are purple, 2 cm (0.8 in) long, with a crested keel, blooming from spring to autumn.

Seeds are soaked for 24 hours in warm water, and then embedded 1 mm (0.04 in) deep into a mix of perlite and peat. The air temperature should stay within +20 °C (68 °F). With regular watering, sprouts appear in 1.5-2 months. They can immediately be repotted into a pot placed closer to the light, and watered as the root ball dries out. Young plants are repotted into a larger container every spring, mature ones - no more than once every 2-3 years.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

During the period of active growth and budding, the plant is kept at normal room temperature; in autumn, the maintenance temperature is lowered, and in winter a cool dormant period is provided at a temperature of 5-12 °C (41-54 °F). Lighting should be good, as it affects the profusion of flowering - the plant should take sun baths in the morning and evening daily. The soil must be kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged in warm seasons, watering with softened room-temperature water. In spring and summer, the substrate can be allowed to dry 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) deep. In autumn and winter months, the watering frequency is reduced to a minimum in accordance with the room temperature. Air humidity is better increased. To maintain an attractive compact shape, the plant needs competent formative pruning. Soil - well-drained, loose nutritious substrates with high organic content. Feedings should be regular in spring and summer - every 2 weeks with mineral liquid fertilizers for flowering plants. In autumn and winter, feedings are not conducted.