Magic Carpet Yellow

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Plantaginaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Mecardonia

Species

hybrida

Description

A seasonal ornamental herbaceous plant with a compact growth habit, it reaches an average height of 10–15 cm, making it suitable as a hard-wearing ground cover. It adds a unique decorative touch to balconies and terraces in hanging planters and baskets, as well as to gardens, where it creates dense foliage covered with numerous small flowers in bright colours. It thrives in a warm climate and in sunny positions, provided the growing conditions do not allow water to become waterlogged.

Variety description

A splendid ground-covering, creeping plant, it flowers profusely and continuously throughout spring and summer, producing small lemon-yellow flowers that are clearly visible due to their sheer number. It can easily withstand being walked on.

Curiosities and special features

The generic name, Mecardonia, was given by the botanistsHipólito Ruiz LópezandJosé Antonio Pavón in honour of the Marquis Antonio de Cardona y de Luna, who, in the 15th century, donated the land on which the Barcelona Botanical Garden was established.

Origin and distribution

Hybrid obtained by crossing species belonging to the same botanical genus Mecardonia, native to South America.

Leaf

Leaf has an oval lamina.

Leaf colour

Plain-coloured, in perfect colour harmony with the shade of the flowers.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 0.1 and 0.15 m, making it perfect for creating dense, cushion-like clumps of foliage dotted with numerous small flowers.

Lifespan

Ornamental herb cultivated as a seasonal.

Where to plant

Versatile, due to its developed habit and spectacular blossoming, it is suitable for ornamenting borders, flower boxes, outdoor tubs.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous; this variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a bell-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from early spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 120 and 180 days. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

A compact-growing variety.

Plant habit

It develops abushy habit, can be used as a ground cover and is also hard-wearing.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for highly ornamental results.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic soil or substrate pH between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, dig the soil to a depth of 20–30 cm, removing any weeds, residues from previous crops and large stones. To improve drainage of excess water, thereby preventing harmful waterlogging, proceed by creating a raised bed by gently mounding the soil; finally, add a layer of professional-grade growing medium to the surface, approximately 5–10 cm thick, and level it carefully.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun. For better flowering, it is recommended not to place it in areas with too much shade.

Ideal climate and temperature

It copes well with hot summer weather. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 22 °C. The temperature within which it can survive is between 5 and 38 °C.

Use

Its well-developed habit and profuse flowering make it particularly popular for:
Outdoor ornamental use

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness.

Soil

It prefers a medium-textured, well-drained soil; for outdoor planters and pots, use a high-quality, specialist potting mix for spring-flowering plants, containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

The fact that it is extremely easy to grow and requires little maintenance makes this variety even more valuable.

Growing tips

To ensure better vegetative growth and abundant flowering, specific measures and cultivation guidelines are set out below:
Avoid over-watering Keep the growing medium consistently moist It prefers a hot, dry climate

Planting

We recommend planting each seedling in a raised bed with the root collar above the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and ensuring that the root ball is not completely buried; it should be well moistened. Finally, water immediately after planting – preferably in the morning – whilst taking care to prevent waterlogging.

Propagation

Vegetative propagation can be carried out using apical cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or via an irrigation system. Immediately after transplanting, water thoroughly to help the plant settle properly into its new location, whilst taking care to avoid waterlogging. Thereafter, keep the growing medium or soil moist with moderate, localised watering, avoiding waterlogging which can cause yellowing as well as the development of fungal diseases leading to root rot.

Always check the soil moisture level before watering; furthermore, it is advisable not to water the above-ground part of the plant in the evening or at night. Avoid over-watering and waterlogging in the pot.

Fertilising

During the spring and summer months, approximately 3 or 4 weeks after repotting, add a liquid fertiliser specifically designed for ornamental plants to the potting mix or soil, diluting it in the watering can without exceeding the recommended dose or frequency.

Do not fertilise when the potting compost or soil is dry.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

An unassuming pot plant, but once transplanted into planters or into the ground, it produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers. Do not grow or place it in areas that are too shady.