Gelber Leberbalsam seed

LATIN NAME: LONAS ANNUA

COMMON NAME: Golden Feather

The golden feather buttons the branched stems with the finely divided, feathery leaves and the dense, rounded clusters of the small, golden-yellow flowers through the summer, the whole plant carrying the bright, airy look of the daisy family. The flower clusters hold together like the little golden buttons, and they dry well for the winter bunches. The plants grow into the tidy, branching mounds, and they keep blooming through the warm months. It likes the sun, and the light, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

In the daisy family, the golden feather has a small but recognised place in the studies of the dried flowers and the cutting-garden annuals. The research covers the flowering biology and the way the clusters hold their colour when dried, along with the seed biology, while the florists value the golden buttons for the winter bunches. The horticulturists note the long bloom, and the growers of the cutting-garden annuals keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the sunny border and the cutting garden, the golden feather fills the vase all summer. The golden buttons cut and dry well for the winter bunches, holding the bright colour for the ages, and the flowers draw the bees and the hoverflies through the warm months. It grows well in the light, well-drained, sunny ground. Bright, airy and generous.

The golden feather seeds germinate readily in a fine, sandy mix kept bright and cool. The seeds need the light, so press them into the surface without the covering. The seedlings show through within a couple of weeks, and they grow on fast. Prick them out into the light, well-drained, sunny bed once they are big enough, and give them the full sun. The golden buttons come within the first summer.

To grow the golden feather from seed, scatter the seeds across the smooth surface of the fine, sandy flat, then press them in lightly, keep the flat in the bright, cool spot and mist gently. The seedlings thread up within a couple of weeks, and they grow on fast. Grow the young plants in the sunny, light ground, and the golden buttons will fill the vase through the summer.

Uses: Medicinal. , Ornamental