Хебенштретия

Family Scrophulariaceae. An undemanding annual plant originating from South Africa.

Хебенштретия appeals to those who prefer elegant, compact plants, as it has small but exquisitely beautiful flowers. The corollas reach only a few millimetres in length and appear white, although on closer inspection they have an orange tint. The flowers are borne at the tops of shoots about 50 cm high, so as they grow the flowering zone lengthens and the inflorescences as a whole extend by about 8 cm. When stems reach their final length, they are cut to stimulate the formation of new shoots. The period of intense bloom lasts from late July to September.

Its seeds are sown indoors in March–April or outdoors starting from late April. The tips of the seedlings are pinched to encourage bushiness. Seedlings are planted in their permanent location at the end of May, choosing a warm sunny site. Хебенштретия is ideally suited for edging borders in a white colour scheme, although it will look appropriate in any composition, giving it lightness and airiness. In the evening the flowers emit a delicate fragrance, while during the day they attract numerous insects. The most popular cultivar of хебенштретии is 'Attraction'.