These beautiful unpretentious flowers - one of the first heralds of spring. The scientific Latin name of the plant comes from the Greek word "cons" - the helmet, and it is associated with the appearance of the flower. The crested hen is a plant belonging to a genus that numbers more than 300 different species, as regards its description, here it is necessary to list its numerous advantages: it is frost-resistant, immune to diseases and pests, does not need specific care, is a magnificent honey plant, and also very easily multiplies. Let's talk about it in more detail.
Botanical description
A perennial herb from the family of Smoky. On average, the height reaches no more than 30 cm. The leaves are green or bluish in color, divided into lobules. Small flowers, which consist of 4 petals, form racemes in the apex of the stem. 
The inner and outer colors are different, which adds a certain charm to the plant. The color palette of colors is very diverse. At the end of flowering fruits are formed - dry pod-shaped boxes.
Did you know? The crested crest is widely used in traditional medicine. Due to the high content of alkaloids in it, it is used to normalize pressure, hormonal levels in women and in the fight against malignant tumors. Also considered a good painkiller.
Popular species
The most common and unpretentious forest and alpine species of this plant are considered to be: Bush crested chicken, Caucasian crested chick, Kashmir crested crested bird, Marshall's covered crested chickpea.
All of them are connected by the fact that they are tuberous ephemeroids, that is, their roots are rounded and grow, forming tubers that are updated annually (the old one dies off and the young one replaces it). 
There are also rhizomatous perennial species that are undeservedly less popular: yellow crested crest, noble crested crest and gray-yellow crested crest.
Their undoubted advantage over the tuberous species is that the growing season lasts much longer, and they do not lose their decorative effect from the beginning of summer until the end of autumn
Like the crested bird, the Dymiankov family belongs to the center.
Where to plant a crested bird?
The choice of a landing site directly depends on the species. Despite the fact that plants are unpretentious, you should take into account certain nuances. 
Location and lighting
Slightly shady corners of a deciduous garden are better suited for forest tuberous ephemeroids, they are not very fond of open sunshine.
In landscape design, they are often used for decorating lawns, as herbaceous plants bloom very early, and go into a state of rest just as early as all ephemeroids.
Important! Tuberous species should be planted on flat areas, and rhizomatous - on the hills and high beds. This will help ensure the most comfortable conditions regarding soil moisture.Do not be afraid for the subsequent lawn mowing, it will not be able to harm the "asleep" tubers.
For rhizomatous species suitable as the sun and light areas, and shaded. It all depends on the goal, for example, in a well-lit area a grassy shrub will bloom longer and more abundantly, and in the shade forms a plush green carpet of leaves, but flowering will be moderate.Perennial herbaceous plants also include a hedgehog team, an Asian swimsuit, a yasenets, an army, and Rhodiola.
The soil
As in the choice of a place for planting, the choice of soil must be guided by the preferences of the plant species. Forest crested hens are best planted on loose clay or sandy soils.
They absolutely do not tolerate drought. As for rhizomatous species, a well-drained, loose, sandy soil is suitable for them. Prefer dried soil, do not tolerate stagnant water. 
How to plant a crested bird: breeding methods
Absolutely all species reproduce perfectly by seeds, which must be harvested and sown immediately after the end of the growing season. In forest ephemeroids, seed pods ripen around June, and then you need to start sowing. In rhizomatous species, flowering continues throughout the summer.
Do not remove the flowered inflorescences, giving the opportunity to ripen the seed box. The seeds of these plants are strictly not recommended to be dried, and they should be planted as soon as they are ripe.
Tuberous plants can be transplanted, both during the rest period, at the end of the growing season, and during flowering. They multiply mainly by seeds (this method is considered the most productive), and in very rare cases, the division of tubers. 
Rhizome species also tolerate transplantation very easily, even during flowering.
Did you know? In Japan, the stems and tubers of the crested hen are eaten, added to soups and vegetable dishes.
Care features
The crested crest is an exceptional plant that does not require certain skills, both when planting and caring for it in open ground. It is necessary to ensure timely watering, taking into account the peculiarities of the species, as well as to maintain the aesthetics of your plot, cut off the yellowed leaves after the plant enters a state of rest.
Primrose distillation
For cultivation in room conditions, only one species is suitable - the crested hen is dense. 
For this, a medium-sized tuber is placed in a pot with soil to a depth of no more than 5 mm, then the plant must be placed in a dark and cool place, with an air temperature not higher than 8 ° C for 9 weeks.
Important! Like all tuber and bulbous plants, the crested hen is at risk of being damaged by moles or mice.For these purposes, the refrigerator is best suited, only it is advisable to pre-cover the pot with a dark package. After the set time has elapsed, the container should be moved to a warmer room (up to 12 ° C) and watering should be added.
It is necessary to ensure that the plant does not dry out, but at the same time and be wary of excess moisture. During flowering, a comfortable temperature for a grassy shrub is 18-19 ° C. At the end of the growing season, stop watering and move the pot to a cool place again. 
The chickens and all its numerous species have long been highly valued by gardeners for their simplicity and ease of care. The decorativeness of this plant is not a bit inferior to the most capricious.
Its indisputable advantage is that it will not be difficult to grow a flower from seeds, and charming flowers will delight with their flowering with the appearance of the first sun rays.
