Hollyhock (Iberis sempervirens)

The flowers of the Iberis sempervirens are white

Having a potted plant and getting it to produce a large number of flowers each year may seem like a somewhat difficult goal to achieve at first, but the reality is that there are many species that can brighten our day. One of them is the iberis sempervirens, a perennial that does not grow much, and is also very easy to care for.

During spring and summer its leaves are hidden behind a large number of white flowers, and although in winter it can have a bit of a bad time if there are intense frosts, withstands cold reasonably well.

Origin and characteristics of iberis sempervirens

View of the Iberis sempervirens

Image - Wikimedia / Chrumps

Our protagonist is a perennial or perennial plant native to southern Europe popularly known as carraspique or silver basket, and by the scientific name iberis sempervirens. It belongs to the genus Iberis. Grows to a height of 30 centimeters and a diameter of 40 centimeters, which is why it is a great option for growing in pots, as well as in gardens.

The leaves are oblong in shape, dark green, glabrous and somewhat leathery. From early spring to late summer it produces flowers clustered in clusters about 3-4cm long, and they are white.

What are their cares?

If you dare to grow a holm oak, we recommend you take care of it as follows:

Location

It is a plant that It must be outside, in full sun. Its roots are not invasive, so you can have it in the corner that you most want. But yes, it is important that, once you have chosen the place, you do not change it, since otherwise it will never finish adapting to the specific conditions of your area.

For the rest, if you want to have it in the garden you can create low hedges that delimit the paths, planting only specimens of iberis sempervirens or mixing it with other perennials with similar needs and that reach more or less the same size, such as gazania or dimorphic libraries for example.

Earth

  • Flower pot: fill with universal substrate, but first of all it is interesting to add a layer of about 3 centimeters of clay or volcanic clay in order to facilitate the rapid exit of water that has not been absorbed by the earth.
  • Garden: it is not demanding as long as the soil has good drainage. Tolerates limestone.

Irrigation

View of the Iberis flowers

Image - Flickr / carmona rodriguez.cc

It is a highly valued plant in the Mediterranean, as it resists drought well. Puddling harms it, which is why the waterings have to be rather scarce, but without going to the extreme of letting the earth dry out completely. As usual, During the summer it will be watered an average of 2 times a week, while the rest of the year it will be done every 7 to 10 days.

You have to bear in mind that the warmer and drier your climate is, the more frequently you will have to water since the earth will dry out faster; On the contrary, the cooler and more humid, the less water it will need.

Subscriber

Subscribing is usually one of the forgotten topics, but it is together with irrigation one of the most important. Plants, in addition to water, need nutrients. When they are grown in pots, the substrate runs out of them from the first moment in which the roots begin to absorb them; On the other hand, when the cultivation is in the garden, the soil of the same also loses fertility, especially if we are one of those who collect the fallen leaves.

If we do nothing, eventually the iberis sempervirens it will begin to slow down its growth rate, and it may even come to a halt. In addition, your defense system will weaken, and as you do so, you will inadvertently attract insects and microorganisms that cause pests and / or diseases respectively. How to avoid it?

Very easy: paying it during the spring and summer months, for example with guano, which is a natural fertilizer that is very rich in nutrients and has a fast effectiveness. To do this, you must follow the instructions specified on the package, because although it is organic it is highly concentrated, so there could be a risk of overdose if you do not take into account what the manufacturer indicated on the product label.

Other highly recommended fertilizers are compost or mulch, but these are only advised to apply if the plant is in the garden. You pour a handful or two around it, and it mixes a little with the dirt. So once a month.

Multiplication

View of the Iberis in bloom

Image - Flickr / Bernard Blanc

It multiplies by seeds in spring. These should be planted in plastic seedbeds with drainage holes with universal substrate placed in a sunny corner, and avoiding piling them up.

They will germinate in about 15 days.

Pruning

In late winter you can remove dry, diseased or weak branches, and trim those that are growing too much.

Plagues and diseases

It is quite resistant, but can be affected by trips, and if it is watered in excess, by the fungus mildew.

The former are removed with diatomaceous earth or potassium soap; instead the fungus is treated with a copper-based fungicide.

Rusticity

It resists frosts of up to -7ºC.

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