Hydrangea: main types, planting and care. Garden hydrangea Hydrangea garden planting and care 1

Hydrangea grows naturally in South Asia, North America and the Far East. Its life form is represented mainly by shrubs, but there are also liana hydrangeas. In total, there are almost a hundred types of hydrangeas in the world. They differ from each other in color, height and splendor of flowering. Large and attractive flowers leave almost no one indifferent. Therefore, this flower has taken its place of honor in landscape design and in summer cottages. In this review, we will talk about the proper planting and care of this flower.

In a cold climate, hydrangea is not able to grow to the size with which it pleases the inhabitants of southern Asia and Japan. Dense thickets of vines entwining trees, and evergreen varieties of shrubs will also not please the eye. But compact hydrangea bushes, with proper care, will look no worse than if they grew in their homeland.

The leaves of the hydrangea are quite large, the veins are clearly visible on them, the edges are often jagged, and the leaves are located opposite each other on the stem. Flowering occurs in early summer, and ends with the onset of frost. Flowers are large spherical or paniculate. Most varieties bloom with white flowers. But large-leaved hydrangea can change color depending on the level of soil acidity.

It blooms white when the acidity of the soil is neutral; lilac and pink when alkaline. And if the soil is acidic, then the flowers acquire a beautiful blue color.

The color of the plant is influenced by the aluminum in the soil, which plants are able to accumulate in themselves.

Another plant very similar to hydrangea is schizophagma. It is also called petiolate hydrangea. But it should be remembered that in fact it is not a hydrangea and belongs to a completely different genus.

Growing features

To change the color of large-leaved hydrangea inflorescences, it is necessary to adjust the acidity of the soil. To obtain blue flowers, the soil must be acidified, and for pink flowers, it must be deoxidized with lime or dolomite flour.

Hydrangea loves moisture very much, so you don’t need to spare water for it and water it abundantly enough.

Flowers love the sun in the morning, and at noon they need partial shade so that the petals do not burn out.
Hydrangea must be covered for the winter. This is especially true of large-leaved hydrangea, which blooms on last year's shoots.

But this plant is not affected by pests and diseases so often.

How to grow from seeds

Species hydrangeas can be grown from seeds. But, as you know, during seed propagation, the properties of the mother plant may be lost. Therefore, this method is used for breeding new species. Seeds are sown in autumn. The soil mixture for planting should consist of four parts of leafy soil, two parts of peat and one part of river sand.

Seeds should be sprinkled with a light layer of earth and moistened with a sprayer. Then the box with the sown seeds must be covered with a film or glass. Periodically, condensate is removed from them, and crops are also opened for ventilation and moisture. After all, the earth must always be moist. The most favorable temperature for seed germination is from 14 to 20 degrees. After a month and a half, shoots will appear.

After that, the glass is completely removed. As the plants grow, picks are carried out twice. For the first time, seedlings dive in the stage of cotyledon leaves. And in May, a second pick is carried out with the transplantation of each plant into a separate container with a diameter of 7 centimeters.

After the last pick, the seedlings begin to harden. They are carried out during the day to fresh air, protecting from direct sunlight, rain moisture and drafts. At night, hydrangeas are brought into the room. The first two years they will grow at home. In a cool and bright room in winter, and in summer on the balcony, but we must try to take them out into the fresh air. Buds should be cut off so that flowering does not weaken young plants.

Transplant to the ground

After two years, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the garden. Landing is done in early spring.

In autumn, plants are planted only in areas with a cold climate.

The landing site should be sunny, shaded during the midday hours. Hydrangea prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil, rich in organic matter and fairly loose. High-moor peat should be added to alkaline soil. Trees and shrubs should not grow near the landing site.

The size of the hole for the flower should be twice the size of the earthy coma of the hydrangea. Fertilizers, peat and soddy soil are introduced into the pit. Then you should take out the seedling, lightly shake off the earth and straighten its roots. Place the hydrangea in the hole so that the roots are located freely in it. Fill the hole with soil mixed with compost. The root ball should be slightly above the plot level. The soil around the plant is crushed, watered and mulched with bark or needles.

Video about planting hydrangeas in open ground

Care and cultivation

The main rule is very plentiful watering.

30-50 liters of water can be poured onto one adult plant if the weather is hot. Watering should be reduced if the soil around the bushes is mulched. Several times during the summer, the soil is loosened to a depth of 5 centimeters in order to improve its aeration. During flowering, faded shoots should be removed.

Fertilizer

Feed hydrangea 2 times a year. In the spring, 20 grams of urea is diluted in a bucket of water and the flower is watered with this solution. Three buckets must be poured onto one adult bush. And after flowering, the hydrangea is fed with a full range of mineral fertilizers.. In the summer, you can water the flowers with slurry, but it is very important not to overdo it, because too large inflorescences can break the stems. To avoid breaking the stems, it is better to tie them up.

pruning

The first four years of hydrangea do not require pruning. Further prune in early spring when the buds are slightly swollen. The paniculate is cut off by a third, the tree-like one - leaving from three to six buds, but the large-leaved one should not be cut off. This type of hydrangea blooms on the last year's shoots, so in the spring only old and inward-growing shoots are removed. Cuttings obtained by pruning can be rooted.

Reproduction by cuttings

There must be two knots on the handle: the lower cut is made oblique, and the upper one is straight. The distance from the cut to the node is about 2 centimeters.

Cuttings must be chosen healthy, strong, without damage.

They are planted in a small container with moist sandy-peat soil. The cuttings are deepened by three centimeters, you can first powder them in Kornevin to stimulate root formation. Seedlings should be watered and kept moist at all times. From above, the cuttings are covered with a film, from which condensate must be regularly removed. In about a month, rooting will occur and it will be possible to plant hydrangeas in a permanent place. In the first winters, even frost-resistant varieties will need shelter.

How to prepare flowers for winter in autumn

In autumn, plants growing in pots must be brought into the house. Garden hydrangeas mulch and spud. Inflorescences and lower leaves must be removed. Removing the lower leaves contributes to the woodiness of the shoots and improves their frost resistance. Ground cover and paniculate hydrangeas are the most frost-resistant and do not need shelter. Also in the central regions, tree hydrangea can do without shelter.

Hydrangeas should be covered in October after the first frost.

It is enough to cover young plants with a thick layer of dry earth and foliage. Boards are placed around adult plants and shoots are pinned to them. From above they cover with foliage, spruce branches, spandbond and boards. You can also put tree branches on the bushes so that the snow stays longer in this place. After winter, the shelter is removed gradually. Spandbond is harvested last, when there is no danger of a return frost.

Video about the shelter of paniculate hydrangea for the winter

A heat-loving shrub with huge caps of inflorescences came to Europe from Japan in the 18th century. For a long time, the hydrangea remained a home plant, but both amateur gardeners and Old World breeders worked hard to bring this fragrant shrub into their gardens. By the end of the 19th century, the work was crowned with success, and fans of the plant received frost-resistant varieties that feel great in temperate climates.

Species and varieties

The hydrangea family has about 100 species. However, not all of them are suitable for planting in the summer cottage and in the garden of our climate zone. We found out which types and varieties of hydrangeas for the garden take root well and grow successfully in our latitudes. Let's dwell on the most popular plants among gardeners. These include: paniculate hydrangea (White Moth, Floribunda, Unique varieties), tree hydrangea (Anabel and Snow globe varieties), serrate hydrangea (Bluebird variety), Sargent hydrangea, petiolate hydrangea, oak-leaved hydrangea (Snow Queen varieties). and Snow Flake), and the most common garden hydrangea, or large-leaved (varieties Quadricolor, Lilacina, Nigra, Grandiflora, Perfecta, Altona). A little more about each.

• Paniculata- white-cream flowers, collected in pyramidal inflorescences, in the process of flowering take on a pink hue, which by autumn acquires a density of shades. It grows very quickly, so it requires constant pruning. Gives long flowering in autumn.

• treelike- visually resembles viburnum, inflorescences are white-cream, spherical. It grows up to 2.5 m, the leaves are pointed, the flowers fit tightly to each other. Flowering continues from July to September.

• Serrated- this species loves the sun, relatively low (up to 1.2 m), the Bluebird variety is especially beautiful, with delicate blue flowers that make up a flat-shaped ball. Long flowering period (June to September).

• Sargent- leaves with a velvety surface, inflorescences are very large (up to 30 cm in diameter), with exquisite color transitions, from deep purple inside and pale pink borders along the edges. Can grow up to 4 meters. Flowering begins at the end of summer.

• Chereshkovaya- refers to curly species, leaves are dark green, stems are red-brown, prefers partial shade, blooms for several weeks in early summer.

• Oakleaf- the leaves are shaped like oak, grows up to 2 meters, the inflorescences are cone-shaped. By autumn, the rough foliage takes on purple and burgundy hues. The flowers are white, in the variety Snow Flake terry.

• Garden, large-leaved- bright green leaves of an oval shape, slightly pointed, with spherical inflorescences, grows up to 2 m. The flowers, depending on the variety, are painted in blue, white and pink shades. Heat-loving, it is necessary to cover for the winter.

Idea!Another species - ashy hydrangea - is often used as a hedge. It has small flowers and dull green leaves.

Features of care

Only with the right and serious approach to the requirements of the plant itself can a positive result be predicted.

Proper hydrangea care includes:

disembarkation

When choosing seedlings, carefully inspect the root system. The usual practice is to plant the plant in late spring.

Advice!If the root system of the bush is highly developed, then planting hydrangeas can take place in September. In two or three warm weeks of autumn, he will have time to gain a foothold in the soil and survive the winter well.

Soil preparation for planting consists of adding peat with sand and earth with needles. Dig a hole 50x50 cm, drain. Fill it with soil, if necessary (if the soil is alkaline), add an acidifying fertilizer.

When planting hydrangeas in the spring, the rhizomes should be slightly shortened and cut off annual shoots, leaving only 3-4 pairs of buds. After planting a bush in the soil, water it, wait until the water is absorbed, and mulch with peat or sawdust with a layer of 6-8 cm.

To create a hedge, seedlings are placed at a distance of 0.7-1 m from each other. If you want to get one, but thick and lush bush, take 4-5-year-old seedlings for planting, digging a hole a little less deep (35-40 cm) and 50-70 cm wide.

pruning

Pruning bushes is a mandatory procedure, no matter what kind of hydrangea plant. With uncontrolled growth, the branches of the bush grow so that they lose their aesthetic appearance. Please note that the first healthy flowering begins in the 3rd year after planting, cut off everything that appears earlier. This will allow the bush to develop properly.

For already established plants, a spring rejuvenating haircut is carried out, aimed at forming a bush. The procedure is carried out before the start of sap flow in the plant. If you notice that the hydrangea inflorescences are weakening and decreasing in size, cut the bush “on a stump” (when cutting, only the stems are left 15-20 cm from the ground). The plant tolerates such a cardinal manipulation well and grows rapidly, returning the splendor to the flowers.

Thinning pruning is also necessary for hydrangea hedges. Do it at your own discretion, but not before the bushes gain strength.

Advice!Do not peel the inflorescences by hand, cut them carefully with secateurs so as not to touch the upper part of the branches with buds.

Watering

The heat-loving flower hydrangea loves moisture. It is important that the soil under the bush is always in a state of light moisture. To do this, it is necessary to mulch the soil under the plant twice a year with the help of needles, leaf humus, shavings or bark.

Hydrangea bushes are watered 2 times a week in dry weather, and 1 time if it rained during the week. Under each bush you need to pour 30-50 liters. The water must be soft.

In autumn, on dry days, abundant watering is useful for the plant, it will help the hydrangea to calmly survive the frost.

Advice!With peat-mulched soil, abundant watering of the plant should be carried out less frequently, about 1 time per month.

make-up

Successful cultivation of hydrangeas is impossible without competent feeding. After planting, at the beginning of the growth of the seedling, add superphosphate (30-40 g), urea at the rate of 20-25 g per square meter, potassium sulfur (30-35 g) under the bush.

During the formation of buds, the plant needs additional portions of fertilizers: superphosphate (60-80 g) and potassium sulfur (40-45 g).

At the end of August, prepare the hydrangea for wintering by placing 15-20 kg of manure (rotted) or compost under each bush. Treat the branches well with Bordeaux mixture. Closer to mid-October, it is necessary to spud the bushes to a height of about 30 cm, and in November, the hydrangea branches must be bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches.

Photo in the interior

Hydrangea (Hydrangea) is a flowering plant of the Hydrangea family, popular all over the world. It is grown in the garden and on the windowsill. Among the many species there are shrubs and trees. The homeland of hydrangea is the latitudes of Japan, China, South and North America with a temperate continental climate. Important conditions for good development include high humidity, an abundance of diffused daylight and moist nutrient soil.

It grows at home to a height of no more than a meter, has the appearance of a bush. The lush crown is filled with ovate leaves with a jagged edge, the size of which ranges from 9 to 14 m in length. The most important advantage of the plant is large spherical inflorescences of various shades of white, pink, blue.

Be sure to look at the flowering plants and.

	High growth rate. Planted cuttings bloom the next year.
	Blooms from April to November.
	The plant is easy to grow.
	Perennial. Can be grown one year and cuttings.

Beneficial features

Hydrangea in a pot. A photo

Possessing a positive, light energy, the flower spreads calm peace. From the perspective of Feng Shui, it has many useful properties:

• extinguishes mutual hostility, softens conflict in communication;
• at home normalizes family relations, helps to achieve mutual understanding;
• contemplation of hydrangea relieves mental fatigue after an experienced incident or stress, helping to calm down;
• a flowering plant relieves a bad mood, the negativity of others, bad thoughts.

Did you manage to grow a Hydrangea?

While I'm tryingYes, it was very easy!

On a note. In order for the beneficial properties to be fully revealed, the optimal conditions for growth are selected for the flower.

Features of growing at home. Briefly

In order for the hydrangea to feel comfortable at home and systematically please with flowering, it needs good care.

Temperature regime	In summer up to 23ºС, comfortable - from 18 to 20ºС, in winter not lower than 7ºС, comfortable - from 8 to 10ºС.
Air humidity	Daily humidification of the air around the bush is necessary.
Lighting	In sufficient quantity. Prefers diffused light from eastern windows.
Watering	During the period of growth and flowering, make sure that the soil is always wet. During the dormant period, watering is reduced to once every 8 to 10 days.
Priming	A light, well-drained soil with a high content of sand or perlite is suitable.
Top dressing and fertilizer	The soil is fertilized from March to October once every two weeks with special liquid formulations diluted in water.
Transfer	An adult plant is transferred to a larger pot every two years after flowering.
reproduction	Three methods are used: propagation by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush.
Growing features	The indoor plant has retained some signs of a garden one, therefore it requires special care during the dormant period (temperature not higher than 100C), as well as the formation of a crown.

Hydrangea care at home. in detail

Bloom

At home, blooms in April, if she was provided with a dormant period from October to February.

Since March, the air temperature has been raised to 20 degrees, they begin to fertilize, water and actively spray.

Such procedures allow you to bring the flower out of hibernation, prompting it to bloom.

The bush blooms until November, revealing delicate buds collected in large inflorescences.

Depending on the variety, they are of several types:

• spherical;
• umbellate;
• racemose.

The flowers that make up the inflorescence vary in size. Larger ones bloom at the edge, and small ones fill the center.

Temperature regime

A flower at home needs to maintain the correct temperature regime. If the air in the apartment is hot and dry, then the plant is most likely to lose leaves, and then die. The most comfortable temperature for growth and flowering is 18 - 20 degrees.

Important! When the plant completes flowering, it is moved to a cool room and watering is reduced. At rest, the temperature should not exceed 10 degrees. If the hydrangea is left at normal temperature for the winter, it may not bloom in the spring.

spraying

If kept near batteries or exposed to bright sunlight, she will not feel well. Dry air is detrimental to not. Leaves should be sprayed daily with boiled or filtered water so that it does not leave a white coating on the surface. It is desirable that the spray does not fall on the buds.

Lighting

A young specimen is placed on a windowsill, an adult plant is placed on a stand near the window. The most favorable conditions are windows facing the east side.. On the northern windows, additional lighting is required, on the southern and western windows - shading.

Watering

Sensitive to the composition and amount of water. It is watered with soft water. Best filtered or thawed. Careful flower growers freeze water, and then thaw and water a capricious flower. So that the color of the buds does not fade, a few drops of lemon juice are added to the water once a month in the spring and summer.

During the active growth stage, the soil in the pot should be constantly moist. It is watered every other day, immersing the pot in water for half an hour. Excess water is allowed to drain. In winter, the soil is moistened no more than once every 10 days.

Priming

In order for water to leave the soil well during irrigation, it must be light and breathable. Part of the soil should consist of expanded clay, which is laid out on the bottom of the pot. The composition of the soil should be several components:

• sod land;
• vermiculite or perlite;
• peat;
• humus;
• sand.

Soil acidity is also important. It affects the color of the petals: in alkaline soil, they become pale in color (from white to pink or cream, depending on the variety), the more acidic the soil, the more the color of the flowers becomes purple or blue.

Top dressing and fertilizer

In order for the hydrangea to actively develop at home, it needs top dressing. The compositions are best suited for plants that prefer acidic soil (azaleas, rhododendrons). Liquid fertilizer is diluted in clean water and applied to the soil in late February - early March, when the first buds appear on the stems. With the onset of November, soil fertilization is stopped.

Transfer

If care is observed according to all the rules, then the plant lives for at least 4 years. During this time, it is transplanted several times into a new nutrient substrate.

For transplanting, choose a pot slightly larger than the previous one with large holes at the bottom. Nutritious soil is poured onto a layer of expanded clay, a plant is placed and its roots are sprinkled, pressing the soil well with your hands.

After transplanting, the soil is watered abundantly.

How to cut?

Indoor flower must be cut in the fall. After flowering, weak, dry branches are removed with a sharp sterile pruner or knife. They also cut off too elongated stems that spoil the decorative look.

Reproduction of hydrangea

Given the short lifespan, they propagate while the mother plant has not died out. Three methods are used for reproduction.

Reproduction by cuttings

During autumn pruning, long cuttings are not thrown away. They are good for rooting. The most acceptable length of the process is 8-10 cm. It should have 2-3 buds. Before planting, the base of the cutting is treated with a growth stimulator, the lower leaves are cut off, and the upper ones are shortened. The stems are planted in peat under a jar, providing high humidity and good lighting. When new leaves begin to appear on the stem, the jar is removed daily for 2 hours, and with the advent of spring they are removed altogether.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

For this method, an adult specimen is suitable for 3-4 years of age. During transplantation, it is divided into several parts. It is important not to damage the tender roots, otherwise new plants will not grow well. After transplantation, all specimens are watered with Kornevin. This method is the easiest and gives good results.

Growing hydrangeas from seeds

You can grow a flower from a bag of seeds.

To do this, a fertile mixture with a high content of peat is watered with warm water, seeds are laid on top.

The container is covered with glass. It is important that the soil is constantly moist. If it dries out, the seeds will not germinate.

When the first shoots appear on the surface, the glass is removed. Young growth dives when true leaves appear.

Diseases and pests

Dry air, excessive waterlogging or proximity to diseased specimens provokes the appearance of spider mites, thrips and aphids on stems, leaves and roots. At the first signs of the disease, the flower is treated with a specialized agent.

With improper care, the plant is sick:

• leaves wither hydrangeas — possible with insufficient watering;
• light spotting indicates over watering;
• dry edges of leaves hydrangeas are evidence of low humidity and poor soil moisture.

Varieties of home hydrangea with photos and names

Varieties differ from each other in the size and shape of the flowers, as well as their color.

"Red Sensation"

One of the most popular varieties. The bright burgundy-red color of the petals makes it stand out from the rest. The inflorescences are large, reaching up to 20 cm in diameter.

"Goliath"

It stands out among others with large spherical inflorescences. Adult specimens reach a height of up to 70 cm. In neutral soil, the variety has a pink color.

"Europe"

Differs in an abundance of flowers on a bush. A medium-sized plant is covered with large pink inflorescences, the diameter of which is at least 25 cm.

"Early Blue"

This is one of the common blue varieties. It grows up to a meter in height, requires systematic fertilization.

It develops well in a city apartment. With good care and daily spraying, it blooms for a long time, captivating everyone with its unearthly beauty.

Hydrangea, planting and care - are of no small importance when growing, since an unsuccessfully chosen place and soil composition of the soil can lead to illness and poor development, in some cases death. In addition, you need to properly care for the shrub after planting in order to achieve lush flowering and healthy growth ...

Site selection and soil preparation

When to plant hydrangea? The best time for planting is spring, the moment when the ground thaws, the buds have not yet blossomed, and autumn - in the month of September. When choosing a place for a decorative leafy plant, keep in mind that it is better to plant a hydrangea in the shade or partial shade, as the bright sun causes slow growth, as a result of which the inflorescences become smaller.

Some types of hydrangea can be grown in open sunny areas, but this requires abundant watering. It is desirable to protect young shrubs from the bright sun and high winds. It is not recommended to place under trees that absorb water heavily.

The soil for hydrangeas should be well-drained and moist, consist of a balanced mixture of humus, leafy soil, peat chips, river sand (2: 2: 1: 1). Regardless of the type and variety of hydrangea, remember that lime in the soil adversely affects development. The soil should be with a Ph level of approximately 5.0.

Planting hydrangeas in open ground

In the northern regions of the country, it is preferable to plant hydrangeas in open ground in the spring, in the southern regions, including the Kuban, the procedure is also carried out in the fall. It is recommended to equip a planting hole for a beautiful shrub, the dimensions of which are 0.4 m in diameter and a depth of 0.4-0.5 m. When planting, be guided by the size of the root system, if it is too large, increase the volume of the hole. It is worth noting that the roots of hydrangea are quite branched.

choosing a place and planting a hydrangea with a closed root system - in the photo

It is necessary to bring the prepared soil mixture into the pit and make a small mound, on which the seedling is then carefully placed and the roots are straightened, they fall asleep without deepening the root neck, which should be flush with the soil. A slight penetration is acceptable, but not more than 20-30 mm; a too deep landing can subsequently lead to neck rotting.

The soil in the near-trunk zone must be well compacted. Watering the hydrangea after planting is mandatory, it is necessary that the water seeps well to a depth of 30-40 cm. Watering is best done in the hole next to the plant.

Top dressing and mulching as the basis of care

To retain moisture after planting in a permanent place, the hydrangea is mulched in the trunk circle. Mulch also keeps weeds from growing and protects the roots from overheating. As a mulching material, peat chips, wood chips or bark are used, having a uniform layer of 8-10 cm.

Mulch will decompose over time and become part of the soil, slightly acidifying it. Mulching is best done in late spring, when the ground is warm but still damp.

watering hydrangeas - pictured

In order for the shrub to grow well and please with abundant flowering, garden hydrangeas are fed when planting, then in the spring in the third decade of May or in early summer - the first days of June. Use a solution of mullein or chicken manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Do not forget to fertilize with a complex of mineral fertilizers or add at least the most basic components - 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium nitrate and urea. Subsequent feeding of hydrangeas is carried out with an interval of 17-20 days and ends at the end of July, so that the young shoots have time to lignify by the winter.

For strong and flexible shoots, ornamental shrubs are watered with a solution of potassium permanganate of a faint pink color. In addition, garden stores sell special fertilizers for hydrangeas, which include magnesium and iron, which are necessary for the plant.

mulching hydrangeas with wood chips - pictured

Paniculata hydrangea, large-leaved and ground cover predominantly have pinkish, creamy colors that can be changed if desired. The color of the hydrangea is directly determined by the acidity of the soil. If the soil is slightly alkaline, then the flowering will be pink and raspberry in color; on acidic soils, the hydrangea blooms with blue flowers.

To obtain blue flowers in alkaline soil, the shrub is watered with solutions of iron salts. To get a more intense blue color under the hydrangea, rusty metal cans should be buried.

Hydrangea pruning - continue to care

Do I need to prune hydrangea and how to do it? In order for the care to be correct, it must be remembered that the pruning of large-leaved, serrate, prickly, Sargent, liana-shaped, oak-leaved hydrangeas is carried out taking into account the fact that flowers appear on the shoots of the second year, which means that you need to cut old branches and weak ones, to strong buds.

Pruning paniculate and tree hydrangeas involves removing old and faded shoots, which are also weak. At the same time, experienced gardeners do not recommend removing a large number of shoots at the same time, it is better to stretch the procedure for a year or two so that the plant does not lose strength and does not die from excessive cutting operations. The main branches, as a rule, do not touch, cut only those that are bad and grow inside the bush.

autumn pruning hydrangea - pictured

You can prune hydrangeas in spring and autumn, but preferably in autumn, as sap flow slows down, and cutting will help lush flowering in spring. In the spring months, improper pruning can slow growth and delay flowering. In addition, in the spring, processes begin to actively start at the shrub, juice is released during pruning, so be careful not to harm the plant. In spring, pruning is best done as early as possible, before the buds swell and constant heat is established.

Hydrangea pruning for the winter is carried out as usual, with only one difference - it is better not to touch young shrubs and let them winter without surgical intervention, otherwise you risk ruining the plant. Hydrangea, planting and caring for which is not at all complicated, will surely delight you with its lush flowering if you suddenly decide to grow an unpretentious plant in your garden.

Gotensias: related photos

Do you want to decorate your garden with unusual shrubs? Try to plant a hydrangea flower, planting and caring for which in the open field is simple, even novice gardeners can reproduce and grow hydrangeas. You can pick up a fantastically beautiful flower by reading the description of the variety and taking into account its combination with other plants in landscape design. In the photo, the hydrangea looks like the queen of the garden.

Varieties and varieties of hydrangea

Hydrangea is an undoubted favorite among flowers in summer cottages. A long flowering period, a variety of shapes and tones attract special attention to it from gardeners and designers, and more and more different varieties of this perennial are used in landscape design.

blue hydrangea

Hydrangeas can be spherical, racemose, and in color - white, lilac, red, two-tone. The most common in our latitudes is the hydrangea tree. Unpretentious, fairly easy to care for and grow, the plant is recommended for beginner gardeners. Breeders have bred several varieties of shrubs:

• "Bella Anna"- a new variety of tree-like hydrangea, has fairly large spherical inflorescences, the crown grows up to three meters in diameter, the color of the petals is from pale pink to purple-pink, blooms throughout the summer season and September;

Sort "Bella Anna"

• "Anabel"- a profusely flowering sprawling shrub about 1.5 m high, inflorescences in the form of a snow-white ball, blooms in early July and retains color throughout the summer season until September. After flowering, the leaves of the plant remain bright green all autumn. Variety "Anabel" is adapted for wintering, does not require special shelter for the winter, frost-resistant;

"Anabel"

• "Grandiflora"- differs in large crystal-white inflorescences, blooms for 4 months;

"Grandiflora"

• "Invincible Spirit"- a new variety of hydrangea with petals of pink shades;

"Invisibel Spirit"

• "Sterilis"- a variety with hemispherical, dense, heavy inflorescences, during the flowering period - from July to October - the petals radically change color: from pale green to crystal white.

"Sterilis"

Also quite common perennial variety - Paniculata hydrangea, planting and caring for which is quite simple. This flower is attractive with inflorescences of an unusual - paniculate - shape, frost-resistant, and is characterized by quick recovery even in adverse climatic conditions. An interesting feature of this variety of hydrangea is a particularly long flowering period, during which the inflorescence changes its color. Does not need mulching for the winter. The most common varieties of panicled hydrangea:

• "Vanilla Fraze"- a variety with pale white-pink petals;

"Vanilla Fries"

• "Limelight"- the plant blooms in autumn, it is distinguished by large inflorescences of a pale lemon hue;

"Limelight"

• "Pinky Winky"- hydrangea with pale red petals.

"Pinky Winky"

How to plant

Growing hydrangeas in open ground is within the power of even novice gardeners. If a hydrangea is chosen for the flower garden, planting and caring for it will never be a burden, they will become favorite activities. For planting a shrub, you should choose the right location. Hydrangea does not tolerate long shading, the best place to plant it is the sunny side. Propagation of hydrangeas is carried out by separate bushes or cuttings. It is recommended to plant a flower in spring (in May) or in autumn (in warm September).

Even a novice gardener can plant a hydrangea

To plant a hydrangea with a bush in open ground, it is necessary to dig a planting hole about 60 cm deep, about half a meter wide and long. The distance between the bushes is at least 1.5 meters. A flower, growing with proper care, will occupy a much larger area than when planted. Pits should be filled with a special mixture, including peat, sand, soil, humus (1:1:2:2) and fertilizers (landscape design experts recommend combining 20 g of urea, potassium sulfide, adding about 60 g of superphosphate in granules and 10 kg of humus ).

Attention: do not add lime to the soil mixture for hydrangea - it is detrimental to this plant.

When planting, it should be borne in mind that the root neck of the plant should be at ground level. After planting hydrangeas in open ground, it must be watered abundantly.

Suitable Care

Hydrangea care consists in weeding and loosening the soil around it, organizing a timely and correct watering regimen. In addition, to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the bush at the beginning of summer with peat or sawdust.

Fading flowers must be cut off so that they do not draw strength from the plant.

Perennial needs proper pruning. The plant should be pruned in the spring before the start of the growing season, removing old shoots and leaving young and strong ones, shortening them by 3-5 buds. Faded and dried inflorescences of the shrub must be removed. Old perennial bushes must be cut almost to the root, leaving only low stumps from which young shoots will develop.

Feeding and fertilizing hydrangeas

A hydrangea planted in prepared and fertilized soil for the first two years can not be fertilized or fed.
Then the order of feeding hydrangeas is as follows:

• in spring, it is necessary to apply a complex fertilizer containing micro- and macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen) under each bush;
• for the second time in a season, top dressing (potassium sulfate along with superphosphate) is applied during the period when buds appear on the bush;
• a couple more times it is advisable to feed the perennial with diluted chicken droppings or cow dung.

Hydrangea responds very well to top dressing.

Attention: an excessive amount of nitrogen applied as a fertilizer can lead to greening of hydrangea petals and problems with overwintering of the plant.

It should also be borne in mind that hydrangea responds well to lactic acid, therefore, when growing it, it is important to periodically water the bush with soaked sour bread, whey, sour milk, kefir.

Reproduction of hydrangea

Like other perennial shrubs, hydrangea can be propagated vegetatively (cuttings, dividing the bush, layering) and seeds.

To grow a shrub from cuttings, it is necessary in mid-July to cut the tops of young non-lignified shoots and root them in specially prepared soil, consisting of coarse sand and peat. Experts recommend taking measures to increase soil moisture under the cuttings. To do this, add sphagnum moss to it. Cuttings in such soil are planted slightly at an angle, at a small (up to 5 cm) distance and provide them with a temperature regime in the range of 16-20 ° C. 4-5 weeks are enough for rooting. After that, the hydrangea is planted in a permanent place of cultivation and provided with proper care.

Reproduction of hydrangea cuttings

When hydrangeas are propagated by dividing the bush, part of it is separated, while it is important that there are 2-3 buds on young shoots, dug up and transplanted to a new place.

To propagate hydrangeas by layering, it is necessary to bend one of the young shoots of a growing bush to the ground and dig it in a previously dug hole (up to 15-20 cm deep). In order for the shoot not to straighten, it can be fixed with brackets. Experienced gardeners recommend making an incision on that part of the shoot that will be in the ground to speed up the rooting process of the branch. It is necessary to regularly water the outlet, it can also be mulched. After the branch has its own root system, it is separated from the mother bush and planted in a new place.

Reproduction of hydrangea by layering

Diseases and pests

As a rule, hydrangea is quite resistant to various pests and diseases. However, it can also become infected with chlorosis, downy mildew, spider mites, and green leaf aphids may appear on it.

Chlorosis is expressed in a sharp lightening of the leaves of the plant, the loss of their natural color. The reason for its development is the excess content of lime or humus in the soil. To eliminate chlorosis, it is enough to water the plant with solutions of potassium nitrate and copper sulfate in turn with an interval of three days.

Hydrangea disease - chlorosis

The cause of hydrangea disease with downy mildew is excessive air humidity. For treatment, it is recommended to treat the leafy surface with a solution of copper sulfate with the addition of soap.

An infusion of garlic will help drive aphids off the plant. It is necessary to prepare a garlic infusion (200 g of chopped garlic per bucket of water, let it brew for 2 days), add laundry soap (40 g) and irrigate the perennial with this infusion every 5-7 days until the aphid is destroyed.

Hydrangea: combination with other plants

In a flower garden or garden, hydrangea is quite spectacular both on its own and in combination with other flowers. For example, paniculate hydrangea looks great next to curtains of purple-leaved barberries, viburnum vesicle. The beauty of the tree-like hydrangea is emphasized by daylilies, sheared barberry, juniper stunted.

Hydrangea in the design of the flower bed

Hydrangea is a fantastically beautiful flower that inspires the creation of beautiful compositions in landscape design. Taking into account the climatic conditions, in our latitudes it is recommended to plant tree-like, paniculate and petiolate hydrangeas. Hydrangea looks magical in the photo in large compositions, when it grows in the squares, surprising everyone with the size and beauty of its inflorescences. To emphasize the beauty of the hydrangea, you can surround it with borders of spirea, cotoneaster, and other shrubs. Hydrangea should be planted in a flower garden in the background so that it does not curtain other plants.

Hydrangea in landscape design

It is not recommended to combine hydrangea with yellow, red, orange flowers. Plants with bluish flowers, needles or leaves can successfully shade a shrub - for example, clematis, cereals, hosts, undersized junipers.
A combination of hydrangeas with pink phloxes with a round shape of inflorescences, thujas, microbiota is considered a classic of landscape design. Hydrangea is also used in mixborders to create compositions along garden paths, and can be grown as a hedge.

Hydrangea is the basis of a beautiful garden. With proper care, it will delight you for many years. Experiment with different varieties of this shrub, try decorating your gazebo with a climbing hydrangea, planting a tree along the paths, creating a living fence with a paniculata.

Care for garden hydrangea: video

Garden hydrangea: photo

Even on a very large garden plot, it is impossible not to notice a flower bed decorated with large and multi-colored hydrangea caps. This wonderfully beautiful plant is so mesmerizing that you simply cannot pass by it. There are more than 35 species of hydrangeas, among which there are varieties that grow well and winter in the Urals and Siberia. But no matter what latitude of our country your garden is, before buying a beauty, you need to study all the features of planting, caring for and growing it.

Garden hydrangea: photos, types, varieties

Most types of hydrangeas are shrubs, but there are creepers and small trees. All of them have beautiful large or small leaves, and flowers collected in paniculate or corymbose inflorescences. All inflorescences are located on the tops of the shoots and have barren or fertile flowers. Most often, their color can be white, pink or blue.

Among them, only arboreal and paniculate hydrangeas are grown as perennials in the gardens of central Russia.

Hydrangea tree - photo

The shrub, which grows up to one and a half meters in height, has large oval leaves, the length of which reaches 20 cm. Slightly pubescent leaf plates are distinguished by a heart-shaped notch at the base and notches along the edges. They are green above and bluish below. Large sterile and small fertile flowers are collected in corymbose inflorescences that bloom in the first half of July.

Most suitable for planting in the garden the following varieties of hydrangea tree:

1. Variety "White House" is a bush with a height of one to one and a half meters. At the ends of its shoots, large thyroid inflorescences are formed, consisting of snow-white sterile and creamy-white fertile flowers.
2. Variety "Invincibell Spirit" grows up to 0.9-1.2 m. Its large inflorescences consist of sterile flowers. At first, they have a bright pink color, and over time they fade to light pink.
3. The variety "Incrediball" is a shrub that reaches a height of 1.2-1.5 m, and has large spherical white inflorescences.
4. 'High Starburst' is a low bush with thin shoots that can break under the weight of large inflorescences. Inflorescences consisting of double flowers in diameter reach 25 cm.
5. Variety "Annabelle" blooms with white sterile flowers that form large inflorescences with a diameter of up to 25 cm.

Hydrangea paniculata - varieties, photos

Paniculata hydrangea differs from tree hydrangea in inflorescences, which consist of large sterile and small fertile flowers, and grow up to 20-25 cm in length. During flowering, they can change color. For the first time, the petals of the flowers are white, after a while they acquire a pink tint, and by the end of flowering they turn green. Large leaves of paniculate species are ovoid or elliptical in shape. Below they are strongly pubescent, and slightly above.

Garden varieties bloom from June to July, and bloom for a long time. Among them are:

Features of growing garden hydrangea

Those who decide to grow hydrangea in their garden plot need follow certain rules its planting, placement and care. It should be remembered that only tree-like and paniculate hydrangeas grow in Siberia.

Landing and care

The plant loves well-lit places with little shade. In sunny areas, hydrangeas grow well and bloom quickly, but from excessive heat they suffer from drying out of the soil and lose their turgor. In full shade, small inflorescences form.

The soil for planting shrubs should be acidic. plant on alkaline soil will suffer from chlorosis and bloom poorly. Neutral soil for hydrangeas is unacceptable.

Hydrangeas planted on nutritious loam will take root and grow well. Therefore, during landing at the bottom of the pit, it is recommended to add clay.

Hydrangea belongs to moisture-loving plants, however, it is not recommended to plant it in areas with a high level of groundwater. In addition, the wintering of the shrub directly depends on the moisture intake of the roots of the plant. The less moisture they accumulate in autumn, the better the plant will overwinter. That is why in autumn the soil around the bushes must be partially covered from precipitation.

Garden hydrangea is planted in spring in pits, approximate the dimensions of which should be 50x50x70 cm. The plant is planted after the last frost has passed.

Shop-bought plants with a closed root system can be planted until the end of summer, preparing deeper and wider pits for them. After planting, the bushes are well watered, and the soil around them is covered by 6 cm of sawdust or peat mulch.

The distance between plants should be from one to one and a half meters. If the group planting was conceived as a "living" hedge, then the bushes are planted more densely.

Watering and feeding

During the season in the open field, the bushes are watered once a week. In the hot months, the frequency of watering increases to 2 times a week.

Hydrangea care includes mandatory top dressing, which produced twice a year:

1. In May or June, during the budding period, the plant is fed with nitrogen fertilizers.
2. In summer, the bushes need potassium, which is applied according to the instructions.

It is better not to apply ash under hydrangea bushes, as it reduces the acidity of the soil.

Hydrangea pruning

When caring for hydrangeas, you need to be especially careful about pruning shrubs. Pruning is carried out every spring. Some flower growers cut the bushes very shortly, as a result of which the most flower buds. You can't do this. It is recommended to approach each bush individually.

First of all, the frozen parts of the shoots are cut out from the plant. If after this there are enough powerful shoots left, then last year's branches can be cut to the upper branch. With a small number of annual shoots, only inflorescences are removed from faded branches.

Too old and thickening bush shoots are completely cut out. Annual shoots are not recommended to be cut at all. It is worth noting that inflorescences for bouquets can be cut during the entire period until autumn.

What can I do to make the hydrangea change color?

Experienced flower growers know that by feeding bushes with pink inflorescences with certain fertilizers, as a result, you can get a plant that blooming with blue or blue flowers. To do this, starting from September, once every two weeks, the following is introduced into the soil:

• a solution of aluminum alum (2 pieces per 1 liter of water);
• iron or aluminum sulfate (20-50 g).

If fertilizers are applied irregularly, then both blue and pink inflorescences will begin to form on the shrub.

Preparing hydrangeas for winter

Unfortunately, without shelter in the Urals and Siberia, hydrangea will not be able to winter. Therefore, caring for it in regions with cold winters includes preparing the bushes for wintering.

Before sheltering the plants, it is necessary to feed them with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and remove all the leaves from them, leaving only the top ones. This will help speed up the process of lignification of the shoots.

Paniculata and tree hydrangea, grown in the southern regions, can simply pile high or cover with peat. For regions with unpredictable and cold winters, you can choose one of the proposed methods:

When growing hydrangeas, you should know that every year it winter hardiness increases. Therefore, in some regions, over time, sheltering bushes for the winter can be abandoned. But young plants must be covered.

Diseases and pests of garden hydrangea

The plant is resistant to diseases and pests, however, may be affected:

beautiful hydrangea plant suitable for single and group plantings, goes well with low conifers and looks great against the background of stones. With proper planting and caring for it, you can admire the magnificent flowering and be proud of your flower garden all summer until autumn.

garden hydrangea

At the sight of these flowers, there is a feeling of airiness and lightness, I want to pick a huge fluffy bouquet or plant whole rows

hydrangeas

So that multi-colored hats are on both sides of the garden

The plant belongs to the Hortensia family. More often these are small trees or shrubs, but there are even liana-shaped forms. The flowers are small, collected in large spherical inflorescences, without aroma. Thanks to these beautiful inflorescences, the hydrangea is impossible not to notice.

Hydrangeas It turns out that hydrangea is not only beautiful, but also healing! Read about its use for medical purposes in the article "Healing hydrangea".

Planting hydrangeas

Hydrangea planting is carried out in early spring or autumn. Desirable in cold climates spring planting seedlings so that they have time to take root well and it is easier to endure the harsh conditions of the first (after transplantation) wintering. A place for planting must be chosen in advance: all hydrangeas love acidic, well-moistened soil. They can grow both in the sun and in partial shade.

Planting hydrangeas Mineral and organic fertilizers, sand are added to the prepared hole measuring approximately 30x30x30 cm, mixed well with soddy soil. Then peat is poured. In a hydrangea seedling, the roots are slightly shortened. The root neck is not deepened. The planted bush is well watered and mulched with humus or peat. When planting in spring, annual shoots are slightly shortened by 3-4 buds.

Usually hydrangeas are planted singly or in groups on the lawn.

Hydrangea bush When planting in groups, the distance between plants should be at least 1 meter. You can read more about the planting process in the article Hydrangeas: a riot of colors in your garden.

Reproduction of hydrangea

cuttings

Cuttings are harvested in April-June: annual green shoots 10-12 cm long are taken from the crown, cut at a right angle. Leaves are removed from the lower part of the cutting, treated with a growth stimulator and planted in a fertile soil mixture - in a seed bed in a greenhouse. The first year after planting (already in a permanent place) they cover in the winter, cut the flowers.

Young hydrangea seedlings Winter cuttings can only be carried out with large-leaved hydrangea. To do this, in October, you need to dig up the parent plant and plant it in a pot, put it in a room with a temperature of 0 ... + 2 ° C. In January, the temperature is raised to +7°C ... +10°C. In February, the shoots of last year have already matured, cuttings with 2 internodes are cut from them. The lower leaves are removed, the upper ones are cut off, leaving half of the leaf plate. The lower cut is treated with a root formation stimulator, and the cuttings are planted in pots with a nutritious soil mixture. Cover them with plastic bottles, glass jars.

By dividing the bush

Hydrangea can be propagated by division in spring and autumn. The plant is dug up and divided into several parts so that each division has a renewal bud, after which it is planted in prepared places.

layering

Shoots no older than 1 year are bent to the ground and dug in, leaving a top about 20 cm long on the surface. In the spring or autumn of the next year, the rooted shoot is separated from the mother bush and transplanted.

Hydrangea is now rarely propagated by seeds and grafting.

Hydrangea Care

1. Top dressing with mineral fertilizers (it is necessary to fertilize in moderation, as bulky inflorescences can break or bend the branches of the bush).
2. Organic fertilizers: slurry, humus.
3. Watering. The acidity of water for irrigation is recommended not higher than 5.6 PH. Hydrangea is very moisture-loving, it should not be overdried.
4. Soil loosening: from 3 times per season to a depth of 5-10 cm.

Hydrangea Care

pruning

• Bushes are pruned in the spring when the buds are swollen.
• For a successful wintering, young shoots are cut to 4 buds.
• Old bushes are updated with root pruning.
• With purposeful formative pruning of cuttings for 4-5 years, you can get a beautiful little hydrangea tree.
• In the first year of flowering cuttings, flowers must be removed, this will help the plant gain strength and bloom profusely next year.

More details about the intricacies of pruning various types of hydrangea are described in the publications:

• Hydrangea pruning
• How to prune hydrangea paniculata
• The many-sided panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and an alternative look at the formative "classic" pruning. Part 1
• The many-sided panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and an alternative look at the formative "classic" pruning. Part 2

Changing the color of hydrangea flowers

Large-leaved and new varieties of hydrangeas can change their color. For this, various dyes are used, which are sold in departments with fertilizers.

• If you want to get blue shades, then 2 times a week when watering, use aluminum or iron crystals or aluminum sulfate (1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water).
• For a pink color, a solution of potassium permanganate is used.
• Peat can also affect the color change of hydrangea. To do this, you need to water the plant with an infusion of peat, besides, it is also a good fertilizer.

Special additives will help change the color of hydrangea inflorescences

Shelter for the winter

With a horizontal shelter of hydrangeas for the winter, you save the flower buds that are laid on the branches of the plant (in species that bloom on last year's shoots). Then the hydrangea will bloom early.

Problems

If trouble has happened to your hydrangea - a disease has overcome it or it does not bloom - take a look at the Hydrangea Questions section: there are answers from both experts and amateur gardeners.

The main garden types of hydrangea

Despite the variety of forms, this article discusses the species that take root and grow in our latitudes. Hydrangea suffers from intense heat, many species that love partial shade, slow down growth in the sun, their inflorescences become very small. But there are those who tolerate heat well.

blooming hydrangea

Large-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Flowering occurs in July-August. Flowers of ordinary forms are collected in corymbose inflorescences with a diameter of up to 20 cm, flowers of sterile forms are collected in lush spherical inflorescences with a diameter of up to 30 cm in white, pink, blue.

Large-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Bush up to 2 m tall with large broad ovate leaves. Heat-loving: in frosty winters it requires shelter, tolerates frosts down to -10 ° C. The most common garden form in the world. The original form for potted hydrangeas. When potassium salts and aluminum sulfate are added to the ground, it allows you to get blue and blue inflorescences.

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata)

Blooms from mid-summer to late autumn . The flowers are collected in dense panicles of pyramidal inflorescences up to 30 cm in length, color from light green to white, changing to dull purple in late summer. Shrub 2 to 5 m tall or small tree up to 10 m.

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata) Differs in durability, unpretentiousness (grows in boggy, gassy places), frost resistance.

Bretschneider's Hydrangea (Hydrangea bretschneideri)

The bush is compact, with a wide rounded decorative crown up to 3 m tall. Flowering from mid-July to August. The flowers are small, fruit-bearing, collected in wide inflorescences in the form of umbrellas with a diameter of about 15 cm. The middle flowers in the inflorescence fall off early, the marginal ones bloom for a long time. The color at the beginning of flowering is bright white, towards the end - purple or reddish. The leaves are dark green in color, ovoid, 12 cm long. Shoots are hairy, reddish, with peeling bark in the form of thin plates; completely woody by winter.

Bretschneider's Hydrangea (Hydrangea bretschneideri). Photo from the site en.wikipedia.org The most winter-hardy variety, drought-resistant. Can be propagated by seeds.

Hydrangea petiolaris (Hydrangea petiolaris)

Shrub liana is attached to the support with air suction cups, reaches up to 25 m in height, in the absence of support it spreads along the ground. Perfectly braids

arches

The flowers are white-pink, collected in corymbose inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter, quickly fall off.

Hydrangea petiolaris (Hydrangea petiolaris) Abundant flowering is observed in open places, but also grows well in the shade.

Hydrangea ash, or gray (Hydrangea cinerea)

Shrub, reaches a height of 2 m. Used as a hedge. Blooms until late autumn.

Hydrangea ash, or gray (Hydrangea cinerea). Photo from the site dachni-rady.com Flowers are sterile, small, in the form of numerous corymbs. The leaves are oval, membranous, dull green.

Hydrangea tree (Hydrangea arborescens)

A very beautiful shrub with many varieties. Bushes up to 3 m tall, with large oval leaves up to 20 cm long. Flowers are collected in fluffy inflorescences. It often freezes in winter, but quickly recovers in spring and blooms profusely. This form needs a heavy pruning (almost under the root) in April to keep the bushes in good shape.

Hydrangea treelike ‘Annabelle’ I have been growing for 10 years, blooming until late autumn, and in the flower garden it is more noticeable than many more elegant and bright flowers.

What hydrangeas grow in your garden? Tell!

Hydrangea is a lush and profusely flowering shrub that can become the main decoration of any site. The plant is especially demanding on the composition of the soil and on watering, and also requires annual pruning and protection in the winter. Let's find out how to grow this miracle in your garden so that you can enjoy the bright colors of fragrant inflorescences all summer long.

Hydrangea is a perennial flowering plant. In the garden, shrubs are most often grown, which can reach a height of 1 to 3 m and about 1 m in width. However, in the wild, there are such types of hydrangeas as creepers and even trees that grow up to 30 m in height. The plant can be evergreen, but given the Russian climate, only deciduous varieties of shrubs are grown in our country.

In their natural environment, they grow in mild continental and subtropical climates. This is found in the countries of East and South Asia, South and North America, in Japan, as well as in the Far East.

It is interesting! It is believed that this plant got its name in honor of the sister of one of the princes of the Roman Empire, whose name was Hortense. But it has other names. So, in Europe it is known as

hydrangea (hydrenja, which means "a vessel of water"), and in Japan - ajisai ("a flower resembling a purple sun").

Flowering of hydrangeas begins in early spring and ends with the onset of frost. At the ends of the shoots, inflorescences form in the form of a ball. They are either a whisk or a shield. In the center of the inflorescence, the flowers are small. In their place, fruits in the form of boxes will subsequently form. Along the edges of the inflorescence, the flowers are large, but sterile. Flower color can be white, red, blue or lilac. Inflorescences thin out a pleasant aroma.

Currently, over 600 different varieties of hydrangea have been bred, which are used in landscape design as an ornamental shrub. It is planted both alone and in a group with other plants. It is noteworthy that most artificially bred varieties produce barren flowers.

Species, varieties

There are about a hundred different types of hydrangea. But the following species are usually grown in the garden:

• large-leaved. This is the most common type, which is also known as garden hydrangea, or spherical. It can be grown not only in the garden, but also in containers, as well as at home. It forms shoots that do not have time to lignify by winter. Therefore, it winters poorly and requires the construction of a special shelter. The stems are densely covered with large leaves of bright green color. Flowers can be colored in different ways: it depends on the acidity of the soil. The following varieties are especially beautiful: Red Expression, Renata Steinger and Romance.

• oak-leaved. This is a kind of hydrangea, the leaves of which are vaguely reminiscent of oak leaves, and sometimes maple leaves. They are painted in bright green with a red or brown tint. Flowering begins in the first half of summer. Inflorescences up to 20 cm long paniculate type are formed from small white flowers, which subsequently acquire a purple color. The disadvantage of this species is poor winter hardiness. The plant needs winter shelter. The Amethyst variety looks especially beautiful.

• Paniculata. This type of hydrangea looks like a tall shrub or small tree, the length of which can reach 5 meters. It is a hardy plant that lives longer than 40 years. The buds begin to form in the first half of summer, but the flowers bloom only by the beginning of autumn. Pyramid-shaped inflorescences first have a greenish tint, then their color turns white, and in autumn - pink. By the end of flowering, the flowers acquire a brick hue, and then - again green. Popular varieties: Grandiflora, Kuishu, Vanilla Fraze and Tardiva.

• treelike. This is a bush hydrangea, the height of which can reach 3 m. Inflorescences are formed only on annual shoots. At first they are painted in a greenish color, then turn white. Subsequently, the color of the flowers may become cream. Popular varieties: Invisible Spirit, Annabelle and Sterilis.

• ground cover. Another name is variegated. This frost-resistant shrub forms a bush up to 2-3 m high. Large and long (up to 20 cm) leaves, painted in dark green, sit on the shoots. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth, and the lower surface is covered with thick fluff. Flowering begins in mid-summer. The flowers are collected in rare inflorescences in the form of a shield. Their color changes: at first it is white, and then becomes pink. The most common variety of this species is the Bretschneider hydrangea. It is characterized by abundant flowering, and its flowers are painted in the color of milk.

Attention! The photo shows the varieties of hydrangeas listed in the list.

Choice of location and conditions of detention

Let's figure out what conditions are suitable for growing hydrangeas.

Lighting and location

The need for sunlight depends on where the shrub grows. If in the south, then it should be placed in light partial shade. Otherwise, it will die from the burning rays of the sun. In the northern latitudes and the middle lane, the place for an ornamental bush should be sunny.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for growing hydrangeas is + 18 ... + 22 ° C. But with abundant watering, the shrub tolerates heat well at about + 30 ... + 35 ° C.

Not all types and varieties of hydrangeas can survive a frosty winter. Winter-hardy varieties can withstand a temperature drop of -26 ° C. The rest can die at a temperature of about -20 ... -15 ° C. Therefore, almost all types of shrubs need to be warmed before winter.

Air and humidity

Hydrangea loves high humidity (60-80%). You can not plant bushes in an open area where a draft walks.

Priming

The plant prefers to grow on loose, moist and fertile soil with an acidic reaction. Therefore, it is impossible to add substances to the soil that contribute to its deoxidation. These include wood ash, dolomite flour, lime, eggshells and bone meal.

Preparing for landing

Hydrangea seedlings must be prepared before planting. To do this, they are soaked in a 0.2% solution of Funlazol. This is necessary to kill fungi and prevent fungal infections. Instead of Fundazol, you can also use a pink solution of potassium permanganate. The duration of soaking is 2-3 hours. For quick adaptation of the bushes, it is recommended to sprinkle their roots with Epin or Zircon, Kornevin powder before planting in the ground.

Planting process

It is best to plant hydrangeas in spring (in April in the south or in May in the middle lane). Planting a shrub with a step by step description:

1. Prepare a hole 50 cm wide and 70 cm deep. If you plant several hydrangeas side by side, then keep a distance of 1.5 m between them. If you want to create a hedge, then dig a trench of the desired length instead of a hole.
2. At the bottom of each pit, pour 30 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium sulfate and 20 g of urea. If you have prepared a trench, then spread fertilizer evenly over it, taking them in an n-fold amount (n is the number of seedlings per trench).
3. Prepare the soil mixture in advance. It should consist of river sand, high-moor peat, black soil and humus. All components should be taken in the ratio 1:1:2:2.
4. Place the seedling in the hole, straighten the roots and fill the hole with the prepared soil mixture.
5. Tamp the soil and water each bush abundantly (2 buckets each).

Important! The holes can be made larger or smaller depending on the size of your seedling.

Rules for the care and cultivation in the garden

It is not difficult to take care of a shrub, but it is still impossible to call it unpretentious. Care for him consists mainly in watering, top dressing and pruning.

Watering

Hydrangea should be watered every week if there was no heavy rain the day before. Water consumption - 1 bucket for a small bush, 2 buckets for a large one. Street water, settled in a barrel in the sun, is suitable for moistening the soil: the bush loves warmth.

top dressing

Feed him twice a season. The first time was after the snow melted. To do this, use a solution of carbamide (1 bucket with 20 grams under a bush). After flowering, the plant is watered with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer (20-30 g of Agricola or Kemira per 1 bucket of water under a bush).

Advice! For a more saturated color of the inflorescences, it is necessary to periodically acidify the soil: the more acidic it is, the brighter the flowers will be. To do this, you can use the drug "Acid plus".

Loosening, mulching

The soil should be loosened whenever its surface is covered with a hard crust. It is convenient to mulch the soil with peat. It will prevent its compaction and provide constant access to the roots of the plant to the air.

Pinching, pinching, pruning

All hydrangeas that have reached the age of 3 or 4 years need pruning. Procedure rules:

• Tree hydrangea shoots are shortened so that 3 or 4 buds remain on them.
• Last year's branches of paniculate shrubs are cut by 30%.
• Large-leaved varieties almost do not need pruning. They only need light shaping, which consists in removing the shoots growing inward. Also, every 4th shoot is completely removed so that the bush is not too thick.

Cut the bushes in early spring before the buds open (but they should be swollen).

Transfer

Hydrangea does not need frequent transplantation, which is produced no more than 1 time in 10 years. Massive shrubs and trees in one place can be kept up to 40 years. An emergency transplant may be needed only if the location of the bush is unsuccessful, preventing its healthy growth and development.

How to propagate hydrangeas

The shrub is propagated in two ways:

• cuttings. This is the most common way to breed hydrangeas. Usually cuttings are harvested during the spring pruning of the bush.
• seeds. This species is only suitable for breeding species hydrangeas. Reproduction in this way may also be required if there is nowhere to get cuttings. Varietal seeds are sold only in the store. Harvested by hand will not have the same qualities as the parent plant.

Instructions for propagating hydrangea cuttings:

1. Cut the cut shoots with a sharp knife into pieces so that each of them has at least 2 knots. Cut so that the bottom cut is oblique, and the top is straight. Then the absorption of moisture will be maximum, and evaporation - minimum.
2. Prepare the box by pouring a mixture of peat and sand into it. All components of the substrate must be taken in equal amounts.
3. Stick the cuttings into the ground so that the lower end is 3 cm deep.
4. Moisten the soil generously and cover the box with cling film to create greenhouse conditions.
5. Place the crate in a warm and well-lit area.
6. If necessary, moisten the soil, ventilate the greenhouse every day and remove the moisture accumulated on the film.

When the leaves begin to form, it means that the cuttings have taken root. Then they can be transplanted either in open ground or in a pot. Most often, hydrangea is grown at home for 2 years, and then it is planted in the garden.

Instructions for propagating hydrangea seeds:

• Mix leaf soil, peat and washed sand in a ratio of 4:2:1 and fill a container with this mixture.
• Scatter the seeds over the surface of the soil, and on top - a thin layer of soil mixture.
• Moisten the soil with a sprayer.
• Cover the container with foil.
• Remove the film daily for 20-30 minutes, wipe it with a dry rag, and moisten the soil if it starts to dry out.
• Keep the temperature in the range + 14 ... + 20 ° C. Sprouts will appear in 4-6 weeks.
• After germination, remove the film.
• When the cotyledon leaves are fully formed, pick the seedlings into seedling pots.
• The second time the seedlings dive in May. To do this, use pots with a diameter of 7 cm.

Care of seedlings consists in watering and hardening. Take the pots outside during the day and bring them home at night. When buds appear, they must be removed. Then the shrub will grow faster. In winter, keep the plant in a cold but bright room. Transplant into open ground after 2 years.

Wintering

A small hydrangea is covered for the winter, filling them with a pile of dry leaves, peat or sawdust. A tall bush must be bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches, and on top with lutrasil or roofing material. Secure the shelter with bricks or other heavy objects.

The most difficult thing is to cover the hydrangea that formed the tree. It is wrapped with lutrasil or other material, and then a high frame is formed (above the bush itself). For this, sheet metal is suitable. The walls of the frame should recede 20-30 cm from the tree. The inner space of the frame must be filled with dry foliage.

Important! Shelter should be removed in late March or early April. You can not keep it for a long time, as this threatens the development of fungal infections.

Growing features

Hydrangea can suffer from infections and pests. Sometimes she is amazed:

• spider mite. It sucks the juice from the underside of the leaf. Therefore, yellow spots appear there, their color becomes like marble. Small brown cobwebs appear on the branches and leaves. Subsequently, they wither and fall away. The pest usually appears if it is hot outside (above +30 ° C), and the air humidity drops below 50%. If it gets cold outside (about 10 o C), and the air humidity rises to 80% or more, then the tick stops bothering on its own. Otherwise, insecticide treatment will be required (Aktira, Actellik, Intavir, thiophos).
• downy mildew. The first symptoms are the appearance of oily spots on the leaves, which later turn yellow. Over time, their size increases. On the lower part of the leaf and on the stems you can see a yellow coating. The disease develops in warm weather with high humidity. Spraying it with a solution of copper sulfate and soap will help save the plant (15 g of vitriol and 150 g of soap are taken for 10 liters of water).
• Chlorosis. The leaves of the shrubs become light, although the veins retain their original color. Usually chlorosis affects plants that grow not on acidic, but on neutral or alkaline soil. Sometimes the disease develops when too much humus is introduced into the soil. Treatment consists in watering with a solution of potassium nitrate (40 g is diluted in a bucket and poured under a bush). 3 days after watering, ferrous sulfate is bred (40 g per bucket of water) and also poured under a bush. A week later, watering with saltpeter and vitriol is repeated. Then repeat again (last).
• Aphids. This is the most common pest, which is easy to remove by spraying with a soap solution. Anabazine sulfate helps well against aphids. Take 20 g of the substance per 1 bucket of water.

To have a shrub or tree in your garden that blooms almost all summer with lush and bright inflorescences is the dream of any gardener. And you can realize it by planting a hydrangea on your site. Its cultivation is not the easiest, but even a novice summer resident can learn the rules for caring for her.