Worth knowing:
The lady’s smock or cuckoo flower is one of the native wild perennials. In spring it can transform entire meadows into a sea of flowers. The plant is perennial and reaches a growth height of between 30 to 50 cm during the flowering phase from April to June. Its white, light pink or pink-violett colored flowers are rich in pollen and nectar and very popular with bees, butterflies and other insects. After flowering, it develops narrow, upright pods and can hurl its seeds out of the pods by over two meters. The spring bloomer is ideal as a cut flower for spring bouquets, but should be cut at the bud stage because it will fade rather soon.
Natural Location:
Lady’s smock has a range from Europe to the arctic climate zone in North Asia and North America.
Cultivation:
Since Lady’s smock is quite fast reproducing, mostly it is enough to just sow the seeds in a cool place. April would be the best time to do that.
Place:
The cuckoo flower prefers a semi-shaded location. However, it will also grow in full sun as long as the soil is moist enough.
Care:
Lady’s smock needs a fertile and moist soil and is sensitive to aridity, but also to waterlogging. In the right location it doesn’t need any special care. You may cut back the plant after flowering. On a flower meadow, the cut is done automatically with the first mowing. Harvest: cut and bundle the plant when it is in full bloom and hang the bundle to dry in a partially shaded place. Spread a cloth or paper underneath to catch any fallen flowers. It can then be stored well in paper bags in a cool and dark place.
During the winter:
Lady’s smock is winter-hardy up to -28° Celsius. Cut off the withered parts of the plant in late winter and use them as natural winter protection.
Picture credits:
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © About © : Contact SAFLAX - - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
