Arabis (lat. Arabis), or rezha - grassy perennial of the family Cruciferous or Cabbage. The origin of the name is associated with the meanings of "Arabia" or "Arabia", according to other sources - with the Greek "arabos", which translates as "grinding".
The mountain regions of Europe, Central and East Asia are considered to be homeland. It grows in the tropics of mountain Africa, and in the cool climate zone. The second name - the flower was given to the bush for hard hairs, hairy leaves of a green tint and wounding sensitive skin.
They plant it everywhere in various flower beds. The flower is grown both as an annual and as a perennial.
Description and features of arabis
In appearance, it is a creeping grass with a height of up to 30 cm. On the ground cover easily taking root stems are leaves that look like hearts. Small flowers are collected in neat, compacted brush-type inflorescences.
The color is diverse: pink, white, purple, yellow. It blooms long and festively, exuding a fragrance that attracts a huge number of insects. Like all cruciferous plants, after flowering, the fruit forms in the form of a pod, the seeds have a flat shape, in some species of arabis they are winged.
The growing conditions of the plant are absolutely simple, so it is very popular with gardeners for use in decorating flower beds.
Types and varieties of arabis: Caucasian, alpine and others
In floriculture, various types of flower are applicable, some of them have varieties.
| View | Description | Height, cm | Varieties | Leaves |
| Alpine (Arabis alpina - Arabis flaviflora) | Distributed in the Far East, in northern Scandinavia, in the Polar Urals, in the highlands of North America and Western Europe. Reproducing branches end with loops pressed against the soil. | 35 | SchneeShaube. White flowers. Height up to 25 cm, 2 cm in diameter. The length of the flower brush is 15 cm. | The oval shape of the basal leaves ends with stem - swept-cordate. |
| Terry. Large brushes resembling left-handed. Reaches 20 cm in height and 2 cm in diameter. The length of the flower brush is 12 cm. | ||||
| Pink. Pink flowers. Up to 35 cm. | ||||
| Sunny bunny. Silver-white leaves, fragrant flowers, snow-white hues. Propagated by seeds. | ||||
| Bruise (Arabis bryoides) | Alpine regions of Albania, Greece and Bulgaria. Perennial, white flowers, 3-6 of them form a loose corymbose brush | 10 | Do not emit. | Small, egg-shaped, with felt fluffy villi collected in sockets. |
| Caucasian (Arabis caucasica) | Perennial, known since 1800. Distributed in the Caucasus, Crimea, the Mediterranean, Central and Asia Minor. Flowers are white in color, with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm, a flower tassel is up to 8 cm. It blooms gradually from the beginning of June, some until the end of August. The fruit is in the form of a long narrow cone. | 30 | Flora captivity. Blooms luxuriantly, on the elongated tassels double flowers of white color. | Small, gray-green hue, elongated, coarse toothed along the edge, in a thick pubescence of silver color. |
| Variegata. Leaves of yellow tint along the edge, white flowers. | ||||
| Rosabella. Pink flowers. | ||||
| Grandiflorose. Pinkish flowers, lush brushes. | ||||
| Schneehaube. Low bush, white, double flowers. | ||||
| Runner Out (Arabis procurrens) | Distributed in the Balkans. The flowers are faded. Practiced to strengthen the collapsing slopes. Frost-resistant, unpretentious perennial, but preferably with shelter. | 12 | Variegata. Flowers in the form of a bunch, gradually become light. | Small, in the form of sockets. A green hue with a wide border of white at the edges |
| Undersized (Arabis pumila) | Distributed in the Apennines and in the Alps. White flowers, inconspicuous, no decorative appeal, blooms in May or June. Seeds are used for propagation. | 5-15 | Do not emit. | Simple small oval-elongated, grassy hue. |
| Breakthrough (Arabis androsacea) | It is found in the mountains of Turkey at an altitude of up to 2300 m. White flowers. A brush like a loose shield. | 5-10 | Small, rounded type, with a pointed tip, forming rosettes. | |
| Ciliary (Arabis blepharophylla) | It grows on California hills at an altitude of up to 500 m. Ground cover bush with a diameter of up to 25 cm. Flowers of dark pink tones. | 8 | Rout Sensation. Elongated leaves, flowers of bright pink shades. | Gray-green color. |
| Frühlingshaber. Small leaves, pink flowers. | ||||
| Ferdinand of the Coburg Variegat (Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii Variegata) | Semi-evergreen bush, diameter up to 30 cm. White flowers. Long flowering. Withstands temperature drop during the construction of reliable drainage. | 5 | Do not emit. | Light green shades with a border of white, yellow or pink. Sockets in the form of volumetric pillows are appreciated. |
| Arends (Arabis x arendsii) | A hybrid obtained by crossing the Caucasian and Obrician arabis in the early twentieth century. | 10-20 | Freshness. Volumetric inflorescences, flowers from light to dark pink tones. | Grayish-green, densely pubescent, in the form of an elongated heart. |
| Frosty rose. Raspberry flowers with a blue tone. | ||||
| Compositions. Flowers in bright colors. | ||||
| Rosabella. Leaves of a bright green shade in combination with light cream flower tassels. |
Landing and care
The agricultural technology of arabis is simple, just remember some of the nuances.
Growing arabis from seeds
Usually, the casing is propagated by seeds. The best method is late autumn sowing in the ground. In early spring, sowing is carried out in specially prepared seedlings filled with soil with a sand admixture or pebbles for drainage. Each seed is laid out to a depth of 0.5 cm.
Crops are left in a room with a temperature of +20 ° C, covered to preserve humidity. After germination of the first leaves, the shelter is removed. Further maintenance of seedlings requires a warm, lighted location.
In no case should the drying of the soil surface be allowed. For this, timely watering and careful loosening are performed.
For subsequent cultivation in the form of an individual plant, peaked seedlings are planted in prepared pots, for a ground-cover culture they dive immediately into the ground at a distance of 30 cm. Before planting seedlings on the street, preparation is required. Temper it for 10-12 days, in the morning leave it for 1-2 hours on the street, excluding drafts.
Landing arabis in the open ground
Planting flowers in the garden is carried out when a third pair of leaves appears. Usually this is the end of May-beginning of June. For cultivation, a sunny, fairly ventilated place is preferred. Fluffy, sandy soils with the addition of any additives for better drainage are suitable.
For good development and demonstration of the best decorative qualities, it is necessary to fill the soil with organic and mineral substances. On sour soil, the creeper feels bad and doesn’t scrub well.
Arabisa seedlings like to grow between stones on an alpine roller coaster. The planting scheme of the flower is 40x40 cm. For abundant tillering, 3-4 plants are well placed in one hole. The creeper blooms for 2 years.
Arabis is easily damaged during transplantation. Therefore, a number of rules should be observed:
- dig holes for planting with a depth of 25 cm;
- shed soil with a bush until moderate wetting;
- loosen the ground and beat out the plant with all the lump;
- put in a hole, sprinkled with soil, squeeze and spill with water.
Care for arabis in the garden
Feeding is done once a year with the beginning of the growing season. Apply mineral fertilizers. Possible addition of rotted compost or manure. Top dressing is also introduced before blooming in the root zone.
During the season, the bushes pinch to create a beautiful shape. At the beginning of the growing season, old branches are removed and long branches are cut. With the growth of young shoots, a second flowering is possible.
Cropped long shoots are often used for subsequent breeding of plants.
Methods of breeding arabis
The cuttings 10 cm long remaining after trimming are cleaned of low leaves. Then at an angle of 45 ° they plant in the soil with a sand base. Within 20 days, while root regrowth occurs, observe the regime of watering and spraying.
The casing is also bred by the layering method. Pinch the point of growth of the stem, at the ground level, press and water all summer. In the fall, a good seedling and a uterine plant are separated.
Arabis after flowering
Blossoms blooms for 15-30 days in early spring. Even at the end of flowering, the plant retains its attractive appearance. During the summer, arabis is moderately watered in the event of dry weather. In September, repeated flowering may occur on overgrown young shoots.
In late August, ripened seeds are removed. Full flower brushes are cut off and left to ripen in a shaded place, with a temperature of + 20 ... +23 ° C. When completely dried, the seeds are threshed. Store in a dry, dark place.
Preparing for the winter
The plant is winter-hardy, but only during mild winters it then vegetates well. Therefore, it requires special measures to preserve its decorative properties. The bushes are cut at a height of 3-4 cm and covered with fallen leaves or any other similar materials.
Diseases and pests
Like all flowering plants, the bush is susceptible to disease and is attacked by pests.
| Disease / pest | Signs | Control measures |
| Viral Mosaic | Dark growing spots on the leaves. | Not treated. Dig up and destroy the bush. |
| Cruciferous flea | The appearance of holes in the leaves. | To treat with Intexicides:
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Mr. Dachnik recommends: arabis in landscape design
A modest plant is popular for its universal use. The ground cover shrub is unpretentious and is characterized by rapid growth, therefore, for a short period it creates green corners where many other plants are not able to develop. He is comfortable in the flowerbed, between trees and shrubs in the garden. Noteworthy are not only tassels of flowers, but also carved pubescent foliage.
Very often, Arabis is used for landscaping an alpine hill, where it is good between the stones. Strong roots penetrate deep into the soil, planted in a dry place of the casing can decorate it.
When planting, remember the love of Arabis for the sun and light. In the illuminated area, the bushes are more decorative, the flowering is brighter. In the shade, the plant is noticeably extended. When planting on flower beds, it is taken into account that arabis looks good in group plantings among stunted perennials, as well as marigolds, marigold, nasturtium, alissum.
