How to plant a hydrangea. Garden hydrangea, planting and care, what she loves

Hydrangea (lat. Hydrangea) belongs to the Hortensia family, and has more than 70 species. It is valued for its variety of colors and unpretentiousness and many ways of self-breeding.

How to propagate hydrangeas

There are several ways to breed hydrangeas: green cuttings, layering, dividing the bush. The seed method is less commonly used, since growing a seedling takes about 2 years.

Propagation of hydrangeas with green cuttings

The cuttings are cut in July, when the buds are formed:

• choose the lower lateral last year's shoots;
• cut the rod in the morning;
• then the shoot is divided into parts, leaving 2-3 pairs of leaves on each;
• finished cuttings are placed in a solution of a root growth stimulator for a couple of hours;
• then they are planted in peat soil and cover with glass jars.

Cuttings should be watered regularly. In a month, new leaves will appear on them.

Reproduction of hydrangea by layering

Layering is recommended to be done in the spring, before bud break. The soil around the bush is dug up and leveled, furrows are formed into which the lower side shoots. They are pinned to the ground, and sprinkled with povoi. By October, the layers will form roots and sprout young shoots - then they can be separated.

Division of a hydrangea bush

The method is not applicable to paniculate hydrangea. In early spring, the bush is well watered, dug up, and washed off the soil from the roots. Then it is divided into several parts, and immediately planted in a new permanent place.

Seed propagation method

Growing from seeds begins in the fall:

• garden soil, peat and sand 4:2:1 are used as a substrate;
• sowing cover thin layer soil mixture, moisturize, and cover with glass;
• planting is regularly ventilated and irrigated;
• the first shoots appear after 4-6 weeks;
• at the stage of development of the first leaves, the first pick is carried out;
• in May, a second pick is carried out, planting the plants in individual containers with a diameter of at least 7 cm.

During the summer, young sprouts are hardened in the fresh air, but without drafts and direct sunlight. So the seedlings grow for 2 years, regularly removing the buds - this will preserve the strength of the young sprout. AT winter time flower seedlings are kept in a bright, cool place.

Growing hydrangeas in the garden

You can start boarding in early spring when the soil is warm enough. Depending on the climate, this period may occur in late April - early May, and in the northern regions it is recommended autumn planting seedlings in the ground - in September.

Choosing a place to grow hydrangeas

Culture loves moisture and sunlight. Well, if close to the surface of the soil are located ground water. Nutritious clay soil ideal for growing, unlike sandy.

The best neighbors for a sprawling flower garden there will be shrubs and trees. The lower tier can be filled with hosta and ferns.

Having chosen a place, you can begin to prepare the soil, oxidizing or deoxidizing it to required level and adding essential minerals. This is done to change the color of the hydrangea buds to suit overall design garden.

Soil preparation for hydrangea

The most main feature plants in that inflorescences can change their color depending on the acidity of the soil:

• the plant may have white and beige flowers- if the soil has a neutral pH level;
• lilac and pink inflorescences are characteristic of alkaline soil;
• blue and blue - for sour.

Brightness blue shades depends on the level of iron in the soil, the more it is, the more saturated blue the flowers will be. To enhance the shade, the soil under the bush is watered with solutions of iron salts, and sprinkled with metal shavings.

In alkaline soil, iron is not absorbed by plants, so flowering becomes tender. pink tones. White inflorescences practically do not change their shade.

Planting hydrangea seedlings

The seedlings are placed in the soil along with earthy clod, respectively, the size of the hole should be 2 times larger than it. A mixture of peat and soil is added to the recess with the addition of minerals and organics.

The roots of the seedling are slightly straightened, and planted so that top part The root system was just above ground level. Then the planting is sprinkled with soil, watered and mulched with bark.

How to care for hydrangeas in the garden

The soil under the hydrangea bush should always be moist. In hot summer time, irrigation should be carried out twice a week with warm settled water in the amount of 30-40 liters under an adult bush.

Using mulch will retain moisture longer, so you can reduce the frequency of watering. The surface root system needs oxygen, so in spring and summer the soil should be loosened several times to a depth of 5 cm.

Fertilization under hydrangeas

• before flowering: 20 g of urea per bucket of water, the consumption rate is 3 buckets per mature plant;
• after flowering: top dressing with a complex mineral composition.

During the summer it is good to fertilize the soil with organic matter. It is important not to overdo it, as plants can activate uncontrolled growth.

Pruning various types of hydrangea

Plants that have reached 3-4 years of age are subject to pruning. The procedure is carried out in the spring before the start of active sap flow.

Tree varieties pruned before others: shoots are shortened at a height of 3-4 buds. The cut remains can be used as cuttings.

In paniculate hydrangeas, only last year's shoots are cut, shortening them by a third. plant residues used for reproduction.

Large-leaved subspecies slightly rejuvenate and thin out: every 4th shoot is cut out to avoid thickening. Remove diseased, broken and growing shoots inside the bush.

Diseases and pests of hydrangea

Growing hydrangeas in the garden is rarely accompanied by disease. They are mainly associated with improper care, or depleted soil.

Hydrangea diseases

Hydrangea chlorosis - occurs when there is a lack of iron in the soil. The leaves turn yellow, the buds shrink. With chlorosis, the bushes should be watered with soft rainwater, and fed with iron-containing preparations.

white rot - fungal disease, leading to rotting of the plant, the leaves and shoots become brown, and are covered with a white bloom, similar to cotton wool.

When affected by septoria on the leaves are formed brown spots rounded shape, which gradually merge. The affected leaf dies.

In case of fungal diseases, plants are treated with Fitosporin or blue vitriol.

Ring spot: a viral disease. Black spots of necrosis in the form of rings protrude on the leaves. There is no cure for viral hydrangea diseases.

Hydrangea pests

The most common hydrangea pests:

• snail grape and amber;
• spider mite;
• gall nematode.

Insects feed on leaves, buds and roots of plants. To combat them, insecticides and acaricides are applicable: Typhos, Lightning, Vermitek. Snails and their clutches are destroyed mechanically.

Prevention of diseases and pests of hydrangea

• compliance with the rules of care;
• acquisition of quality planting material;
• timely removal of dried and diseased plants;
• weed control;
• processing in the spring with 1% Bordeaux mixture.

Preparing and sheltering hydrangeas for the winter

The culture has a superficial root system, which is prone to freezing. In autumn, it is necessary to prepare the flower garden for wintering. Bushes should be high up and well mulched.

In October, you need to take care of winter shelter. Young bushes are bent to the ground, and covered with roofing material, pressing the edges of the sheet with stones or bricks.

Adult bushes are tied and wrapped with spunbond. Around them, frames are constructed from a grid in the form of cones. The space between the net and the shelter is filled with dry leaves.

Outcome

Growing hydrangeas in the garden is very easy. An unpretentious culture develops well on different soils, has high winter hardiness, and gets sick a little. Unique feature plants - change the color of the inflorescences depending on the acidity of the soil, allows you to use it in the design of any garden design.

Blooming hydrangea in the garden at the cottage

In today's material, we will talk about how to plant and grow hydrangeas in the garden in the country. I already had information on planting and growing hydrangeas, but there are always some nuances that have not been announced before. That is what happened this time as well. Therefore, I invite you to plunge into the world of hydrangeas!

Beautiful flowering bush hydrangeas

Planting hydrangeas

Hydrangea is one of those plants that simply basks in the sun, so it is recommended to plant it only in well-lit areas. Yes, there is an opinion that it can grow in partial shade, but what kind of bush will it be? No top dressing will help ... Therefore, I recommend only sunny places.

Thickets of wild hydrangea

The optimal time for planting is in early May, you can also plant hydrangea in the fall, in early September.

bushes blooming hydrangea near the fence

Rest corner in the country - a bench among hydrangea bushes

The pit should be filled with a mixture of humus, leafy soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2-2-1-1. When mixing the soil, add 20 grams of urea, 20 grams of potassium sulfate and 60 grams of granular superphosphate to it. But you can’t mix lime, the plant is not “friendly” with it.

Try to plant bushes in such a way that the root neck is flush with the ground, does not go deep and does not protrude from it. After landing, make sure young plant not overwhelmed by wind or rain. I usually tie a seedling to a stick for the first season.

I also recommend protecting from the sun for the first time, since until the roots take root, the hydrangea will wither in the heat. If the plant decides to bloom in the first year, then remove the inflorescences, this The best decision. All substances should go in the first year for the development of roots, so it makes no sense to spend energy on flowers.

Hydrangea bush in a tub - container gardening

Top dressing hydrangeas

Please note that if you filled the planting hole according to the instructions above, then you do not need to feed the hydrangea in the first two years. But starting from the third year, feeding should be done according to the schedule.

Pink hydrangea near the wall of the house

First feed: produced in early spring, during the awakening of the bush. I give a complex - minerals and trace elements 30 grams per 10 liters of water. There are many names, choose in the store at your discretion, there are even special ones for hydrangeas - this is generally perfect option. You can also do it the old fashioned way - by 1 square meter 20-25 gr. urea, 30-40 gr. superphosphate and 30-35 gr. potassium sulfate.

Blooming hydrangea near the porch in the country

Second feed: produced during bud formation. I also give complex, but it is also possible with mineral fertilizers at the rate of 60-80 gr. superphosphate and 40-50 gr. potassium sulfate per square meter of planting.

You will feed your hydrangea and you will also grow such beauty

Third and fourth dressing: belongs to the number of nourishers, they should be carried out using a solution of mullein, or green fertilizer - an infusion of herbs on water. It’s more convenient to insist on herbs, because where can you find these cakes ... Now you won’t meet cows in the fields ... Both mullein and green manure bred in a ratio of 1 to 10, for an adult bush 10 liters will be just right.

pink hydrangea bushes

Watering hydrangeas

Hydrangea loves moisture and responds well to watering. I water every three days in the heat, two buckets of water per bush. My soil is loose, the water leaves quickly and therefore such frequent watering. In general, once a week, two buckets for each adult bush. If it rains often in summer, then watering can be reduced, up to once every two weeks. Of course it general recommendations, you still monitor the state of the bush. If the leaves begin to soften, then arrange at least sprinkling.

How to grow hydrangea in a country garden

soil care

It would be useful to regularly loosen the soil around the hydrangea bush. I loosen every time after watering. A hoe to a depth of 3-5 cm. This is very well reflected in the state of the bush. It literally brims with life!

Beautiful hydrangeas in tubs

Alternatively, you can mulch the trunk circle of the hydrangea with peat or rotted sawdust. The layer of mulch should be 5 centimeters. This will retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out into a crust. By itself, in this case, loosening is not necessary. Mulch is scattered in the spring and can not be loosened until autumn. But since I like to mess with plants, I loosen, I do not leave my favorites.

Proper hydrangea pruning

In March, and in the Moscow region in April, hydrangeas are pruned. The strongest shoots should be left, from 7 to 15 per bush, but everything is individual. The larger and older the bush, the more you can leave. Eliminate thin shoots, do not let the bush spray its strength. In the left strong shoots, the top should be cut off into three buds, this will stimulate the plant to bloom abundantly.

Decoration of the front garden with hydrangeas

When autumn comes, all inflorescences should be cut off; it is not recommended to leave them on the bush in winter, as snow can break the trunks.

Hydrangeas and daisies in the flower bed in front of the house

If your bush is already very old, then it can be rejuvenated by cardinal pruning. I did this with one of my centenarian bushes. Now he looks like a hedgehog - hemp 5 cm high, with one lower kidney. I think this season the bush will be beautiful! The beauty of pruning a strong adult bush is that it literally immediately gives flowering shoots, yes what!

Hydrangea in the garden at the cottage

Protection of hydrangeas from diseases and pests

In general, hydrangea rarely gets sick, my bushes in my memory have never suffered from anything. In rare cases, it can be affected by powdery mildew. If this happens, then spray the victim with a solution of foundationol - 20 grams per 10 liters of water. Bordeaux liquid is also suitable - take 100 grams of Bordeaux per 10 liters of water.

In conclusion, I propose to get acquainted with the material.

GROWING HYDRANIA

Even those who do not know the name of this magnificent flowering shrub must have come across hydrangea in botanical gardens, dendoaparks, at dachas, garden plots or indoors in pots.
But even flower lovers may not suspect that there are more than 70 types of hydrangeas that grow in various climatic conditions. All of them make up the genus Hydrangea (Hydrangea). Each of them requires an individual approach during cultivation. Only on the basis of the large-leaved Hydrangea species, breeders have created hundreds of varieties, and the number of varieties of all types is difficult to imagine. All of them may also require compliance with some of the nuances in the care that are peculiar to them.
From the lips of gardeners who have successfully grown hydrangeas, diametrically opposed opinions are often heard. Some argue that the hydrangea prefers to grow in partial shade and shade, others say that only under the direct rays of the sun does the hydrangea bloom most abundantly and does not suffer from it at all. Where is the truth? Under what conditions is the cultivation of hydrangea most successful?
Photo: Hydrangea paniculata, frost-resistant species.

BEAUTIFUL LEGEND ABOUT HYDROENSIA

According to Japanese legend, hydrangea is a gift given for fidelity and love.
Once in the garden, a brave warrior who knew battles, victories and glory met a beautiful girl and immediately fell in love with her. But the girl disappeared as suddenly as she appeared. The next day, the guy again came to the garden, located near the temple, hoping to meet beautiful stranger and waited for her! The girl appeared again suddenly, but this time she did not disappear, but spoke to the warrior. They met and fell in love with each other, and the warrior could no longer imagine life without his beloved. Each time she said goodbye to him without leaving the garden, and disappeared as soon as the sun began to go down.
The persistent guy, who did not know how to lose and was used to achieving goals, wanted to marry the girl at all costs, but first he decided to find out her secret. Saying goodbye and pretending to leave, he hid in dense thickets and watched. He noticed how the girl went towards the temple, and rushed after her. When the beloved had already crossed the threshold, the warrior caught up with her and grabbed her hand. At that moment, the last ray of the sun disappeared over the horizon, and the girl disappeared into the air along with it, becoming only a picture on the wall. In the end, her lips said: “Farewell, darling, we will not meet again! In memory of myself and our love, I will leave you a flower. The heartbroken warrior left the temple and saw that a magnificent bush with pale pink inflorescences, reminiscent of the skin of his beloved, had blossomed on an empty green lawn. It was a hydrangea.

CONDITIONS FOR GROWING HYDROANGIA

Temperature Photo: Large-leaved hydrangea, requires shelter for the winter
Hydrangea, including evergreen species, is a seasonal plant. She needs a rest period. At this time, its growth partially or completely slows down, it does not form flower-bearing shoots and does not bloom. This fact is also important when growing hydrangeas in apartments or houses. One of the reasons why the plant does not bloom indoors may be precisely the lack of a dormant period with a low temperature of + 10-13 °.
Definitely, hydrangea cannot be attributed to heat-loving or frost-resistant plants, since some species begin to freeze already at -3-5 °, while others, for example, paniculate hydrangea, withstand temperatures up to -40 °.
Most popular among decorative species hydrangea large-leaved is the most demanding on temperature. Even specially bred cold-resistant varieties need to be covered in winter. They tolerate without damage to health only a temperature of 8-10 ° and withstand in snowless winters its short-term decrease to - 20 °. Growing heat-loving hydrangeas is impossible without sheltering them for the winter. Like roses, long shoots are bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches or covering material.
However, the hydrangea also does not like strong heat, because of this the leaves of the plant can droop and the buds crumble. A temperature of + 20-23 ° is considered comfortable for her.

Lighting
Without exception, all types of hydrangeas love good lighting, although they can grow in partial shade. Despite the love of light, most do not tolerate direct sunlight. Summer midday sun can be dangerous for the plant, burns form on the leaves from it.
A good option arrangement of hydrangeas - under the protection of neighboring plants in light shade. Growing hydrangeas near buildings is also justified. Planting hydrangea in this case should be carried out in such a way that it receives a maximum of morning or evening sunlight, but not midday.
When growing hydrangeas on a south window in the summer, it should be shaded, for this it is suitable sheer curtain. When growing hydrangeas in greenhouses in the summer, a special net is pulled over them or the glass is whitened with lime.

substrate
Successful cultivation of hydrangea is possible in certain soil. For normal growth good development and abundant flowering hydrangeas need a rich nutrient substrate, loose enough to avoid stagnant water, but not sandy. Otherwise, the water will immediately go into the depths, bypassing the roots of the plant.
Hydrangeas are pronounced mycotrophic plants. They grow well only in the presence of soil microscopic fungi, which in turn require an acidic reaction of the substrate. Therefore, the acidity of the soil for growing hydrangeas must necessarily be below 7, optimally pH 5.0 - 5.5.
If the substrate is made independently, then peat, humus (or compost) will be required leaf ground(or forest soil), sand in a ratio of 2:2:2:1. ash never applied to the soil, it reduces acidity.

HYDRANIA CARE

Humidity and watering Photo: frost-resistant hydrangeas tree and paniculate

Hydrangea loves moist soil, but, as befits a princess, she is very naughty:
The water should not be too cold;
Water should not be hard, because when watered with such water, the soil can gradually change its acidity (become neutral or alkaline);
Water should not stagnate, so as not to cause rotting of the roots;
You need to water only when the sun is not too active (in the evening or in the morning);
Water should not fall on flowers and buds when watering;
Water should not be from the tap, even settled water causes leaf chlorosis in hydrangeas due to the high content of chlorine.
Mulching facilitates hydrangea care, it reduces the frequency of watering. To avoid moisture loss, the soil under the shrub is mulched with hay, chopped straw, sawdust or needles. Mulching is usually carried out in early spring, after the first fertilizing. Plants planted nearby also help to retain moisture, covering the soil with leaves from moisture evaporation.
Hydrangea care in the fall may include re-mulching. This will help retain moisture in the spring when the snow melts.
If the cultivation of hydrangea takes place indoors, watering should be reduced if the air temperature drops.

fertilizers
Growing hydrangeas requires fertilizers, they improve the decorative qualities of the plant and contribute to the formation of beautiful inflorescences. Adult hydrangeas must be fertilized with mineral and organic components. Start feeding with early spring but not before the plant begins to vegetate. Complex fertilizers contribute in liquid form, watering the hydrangea with dissolved potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Organic fertilizers are applied a week or a half later.
During active growth buds, it is advisable to once again apply mineral fertilizers.
With the introduction of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds, you need to be very careful, they can cause the growth of green mass at the expense of flowering. They are mainly applied in early spring.

We advise you to read : Spireas: planting, care, reproduction, pruning barberry hedges
Rose care in the area snow berries

Hydrangea pruning
When growing hydrangeas, be sure to prune the shrub. At different types hydrangea flowers can form on various shoots: last year's and this season. Depending on this, hydrangea pruning is possible in spring or autumn.
In large-leaved hydrangeas, Sargent and serrate inflorescences grow on the shoots of the second year. Therefore, during spring pruning, the shrub will not bloom. Hydrangea pruning of these species is carried out in the fall, and in the spring only dead or damaged branches and last year's dry inflorescences are removed.
Hydrangeas drooping (paniculate) and tree-like form inflorescences at the ends of new shoots. These hydrangeas require spring pruning, it will stimulate the growth of shoots and increase the number of inflorescences.

REPRODUCTION OF HYDENSIA

Photo: Large-leaved hydrangea, varieties with pink and blue inflorescences

A beautiful plant that has taken root in your garden will definitely want to propagate. Like all flowering plants, hydrangeas have two main types of reproduction: vegetative (using vegetative organs) and generative (using seeds).
Growing hydrangeas from seeds is a very long and laborious process. In addition, many hydrangea seeds do not have time to ripen due to the cool climate. And most importantly, the majority varietal hydrangeas there are no fertile flowers from which seeds are formed. This happened because, as a result of selection, scientists created more decorative inflorescences with a predominance of sterile flowers. They are brighter, larger, attract insects and human attention. Generative reproduction of hydrangeas is mainly carried out by scientists who create new hybrids and varieties.
Vegetative propagation of hydrangeas is easy and fast way receive SEEDL. It could be:
The division of the bush;
Cuttings of annual green shoots ();
Cuttings of lignified shoots (2-3 years old);
Cloning (performed only in the laboratory).
It is better to divide the bush in the fall, then plant it in a new place. But you can first plant the hydrangea in a container, and in the spring plant it in open ground.
If, when planting hydrangeas, mineral fertilizers were applied to the substrate (and this is desirable to do), then the next year or two the hydrangeas are not fed, they only mulch and add organic matter to the soil.

Video: Growing hydrangeas

PROBLEMS IN GROWING HYDROANGIA

At proper care garden hydrangeas rarely get sick. With high humidity and a decrease in temperature, they can become infected with fungal infections that affect mainly flowers and leaves. The most common fungal disease is powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust fungi.
In order to prevent hydrangea can be processed Bordeaux mixture. But to treat an already diseased plant, a more effective specialized fungicide .
When growing hydrangeas in open ground, the plant can infect aphids. In this case, you can use folk methods: treatment with infusion of tobacco or garlic (100 g per 5 liters of water, leave for two days). In such tinctures, it is better to add a little soap so that the solution sticks to the leaves. If you do not want to mess with tinctures, you can use a modern insecticidal preparation.
Slugs and snails can be a real disaster. The best way fight against them - mechanical collection and destruction.
When grown indoors, hydrangea is often affected by red spider mite . This pest is very dangerous and difficult to destroy even by special means. In this case, important preventive measures: take out hydrangea on Fresh air, spray with water, ventilate the room.
Knowing types and varieties of hydrangeas , and following the rules for caring for them, growing hydrangeas will turn out to be a rewarding activity for you - a garden princess named Hortensia will demonstrate her beauty every year and bring aesthetic pleasure to you and guests at home.

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Garden hydrangea planting and care have their own characteristics. To enjoy the beauty and lush bloom, learn how to properly care for this plant.

Species and varieties of this ornamental shrub a bunch of. Most of them prefer to grow in partial shade, but there are those that do well in sunny areas. The height of the bushes and the flowering period are very different and depend on the variety.

The most common types:

• large-leaved. It blooms in the second half of summer with lush inflorescences in the form of balls. Flowers may vary in color. Height - 2 m. Requires shelter in winter, the maximum tolerates temperatures down to -10 ° C
• Chereshkovaya. Liana variety. It blooms with white-pink inflorescences. Requires support, otherwise it will spread along the ground. A good option for gazebos and arches.
• Treelike. Flowers are snow white. Height - up to 3 m. It looks very impressive, but it freezes in winter. The advantage is that the plant recovers quickly. Requires heavy spring pruning.
• Paniculata. It blooms from July to late autumn with dense panicles 30 cm long. The shade of the inflorescences varies from white to greenish. Bush height - 3-4 m. Unpretentious and frost-resistant variety.

Based on these species, many different varieties each one is beautiful in its own way. Depending on the type of hydrangea, they can be deciduous or evergreen, but in our area they are most often grown in the first version.

Growing features

Interestingly, the shade of the inflorescences can be adjusted independently by adding certain fertilizers to the soil. On neutral soil, the flowers will have a beige or cream hue. Soil with a high alkali content gives the flowers a pink or lilac color, acids - blue.

Bright lighting is very important for a shrub, but the scorching sun's rays are detrimental to it, as well as deep shadow. Therefore, it is best to plant a flower where there is shade at lunchtime, and the rest of the time - the sun.

It is important not to overfeed seedlings with organic matter. They will grow green mass, but are unlikely to bloom.

Landing in open ground

Hydrangea is a demanding flower. Therefore, before landing, you need to think carefully about all the nuances.

Site and soil preparation

The landing site must be prepared in advance - about 2 weeks in advance. The soil should be acidic and well-drained. Acidity can be adjusted independently with the help of special preparations. Depending on the variety, flowers can grow in partial shade or full sun. The best place for planting - light penumbra, plants will not bloom in strong shade.

The hole should be small: 40 cm deep and 40 cm wide. If a group planting is planned, then the distance between the bushes should be at least 90-100 cm. Sand and fertilizers are added to the pit, mixing well with the ground. The next layer is poured a little peat.

How and when to plant?

Landing is done in early spring or autumn. It depends on the climate of each region. In cold areas, it is better to plant bushes in the spring so that they can give new roots, get stronger and be able to survive the harsh winter. In warmer regions, planting can be done in the fall. If planting is done in the spring, then annual shoots should be shortened by at least 3 buds.

In a seedling, it is desirable to slightly shorten the roots. When planting, you need to make sure that the root neck is not covered with earth. The planted bush is abundantly watered and mulched with peat. When watering, make sure that a strong stream of water does not wash away the soil near the roots.

As soon as new leaves appear on the plant, this indicates that the process of forming new roots is in full swing.

phantom hydrangea care

Hydrangea Phantom is one of the most beautiful of the paniculate family. It blooms profusely throughout the season with long panicles and exudes a pleasant aroma. The variety is resistant to root diseases and frost, quickly recovers after freezing. The bush can grow in one place for many years without requiring a transplant.

Watering and feeding

"Hydrangea" in Latin means "yearning for water." The flower is very moisture-loving, so in no case should the soil dry out. Watering should be regular and plentiful. Once upper layer the soil dries out a little, the plant needs to be watered again. If the ground around the bush is mulched with peat, you can water less often, as the soil does not dry out so quickly. In the first years, 7-8 liters of water are poured under each seedling, in subsequent years - at least 18 liters.

Watering - the best time for feeding. In early spring, the plant needs nitrogen fertilizer, during the budding period - in potassium and phosphorus.

It is useful to water the bushes with acidified water once every 2 weeks. For 10 liters of water you need to take 1 tbsp. l. citric acid. The solution is poured directly under the roots. In addition, in the spring and summer, once every 3-4 weeks, you need to loosen the ground to improve aeration.

How to transplant and prune?

The plant tolerates pruning well. If it is not cut, the bush will lose its decorative effect, and flowering will be weak. It is best to do this procedure in the spring, when the buds swell. If the bushes are too old, they can be easily updated by cutting them almost to the root.

All types of hydrangeas can be divided into two groups:

• To the first category includes those species and varieties whose flowers are formed on the shoots of the previous year (petiolate, prickly, large-leaved, serrated). They do not need special pruning, it is enough to remove old, dried and improperly growing branches.
• To the second category includes species that form flowers on the shoots of the current year (paniculate and tree-like). These bushes require heavy pruning, all shoots should be shortened in early spring to 2-3 pairs of buds.

When the hydrangea is about to bloom for the first time, you need to immediately cut off all the buds so that the plant gains strength and can bloom profusely next year. Formative pruning of the bush for 5 years will help to get a beautiful little tree.

Phantom hydrangea should be transplanted only in extreme cases. It grows well in the same place for years. Therefore, a transplant is justified if an adult bush needs to be divided into parts and planted in other places.

Flower care in autumn

Hydrangea Care garden autumn consists in pruning inflorescences, while removing at least 3 buds from the top of the shoot. This must be done so that suddenly falling wet snow does not freeze on them and break fragile branches. The base of the bushes should be high up, and the ground around them should be well mulched. This will protect the superficial root system from frost.

How does hydrangea winter?

In conditions middle lane shrub tolerates winter well. But for safety, it is still better to cover it with spruce branches. In the northern regions, the flower is removed for the winter in a room with a positive temperature, as severe frosts can destroy it.

Sometimes the bushes are neatly tied, wrapped with spunbond and a mesh frame is built near them. The space between the covering material and the mesh is filled with dry foliage. With the first breath of heat, the leaves are removed, but the spunbond is removed only after a constant positive temperature is established.

How does garden hydrangea reproduce?

The easiest way to propagate hydrangea cuttings. They are cut in spring from annual green shoots. Cut at a right angle. The length of the cuttings is no more than 12 cm. Leaves are removed from the lower part, treated with preparations to stimulate growth and planted in a greenhouse or boxes.

A good option is to propagate the flower by division. This can be done both in spring and autumn. The bush is carefully dug up and divided into 3-4 parts, so that each has several renewal buds. Blanks are planted in pre-marked places.

Also without special efforts Hydrangeas can be propagated by layering. Young shoots are carefully bent to the ground, fixed and dug in with earth, leaving the top (about 20 cm). Already next spring or in the fall, layering with roots can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted.

Sometimes the shrub is propagated by seeds or grafting, but these are too time-consuming methods. Knowing how garden hydrangea breeds, you can choose in advance suitable way and do it in a timely manner.

Protection against diseases and pests

Hydrangeas rarely get sick, while the lion's share of the disease is transferred with seedlings. For this reason, you need to buy new plants only in proven nurseries. Other causes of diseases are called thickening of plantings, lack of nutrients and high humidity air.

Many fungal diseases can be combated with copper oxychloride.

One of the most common diseases is chlorosis. Due to the lack of iron, the leaves turn yellow, while the veins remain green. For treatment, drugs Agricol, Brexil are used. As a preventive measure, plants need to be fed with iron-containing fertilizers in a timely manner.

Use in landscape design

Hydrangea looks great both in single plantings and in group. You just need to design in advance its location at a decent distance from other plants. Over time, the bushes grow strongly, and they need a lot of space.

A flower can be planted as a soloist in the front garden if it is located on the north side of the house. When choosing companion hydrangeas in a mixborder, you need to take into account their features. Similar requirements for moisture, lighting and soil acidity in astilba, hosta, cuff. If the plot is large, you can plant a composition of several bushes. Their sprawling shape will create an expressive accent in the garden. Often these shrubs are used to limit garden areas.

Hydrangeas go well with different styles garden design, so everyone can grow them.

- a plant of amazing beauty, numbering many species, each of which finds its admirers.

Hydrangea is grown in pots on balconies, it decorates home and city flower beds.

If you have a place at home or in the country that you want to transform, pay attention to this beautiful flowering plant.

Hydrangea paniculata: plant features

Hydrangea paniculata can hardly be called a flower, it is rather a shrub or tree reaching a height of up to 10 m. It has unusual pyramidal inflorescences about 25-30 cm in length, similar to fluffy panicles.

Hydrangea flowers are sterile, that is, they do not bear fruit. The plant blooms from June to October, changing the color of the inflorescences throughout the season. At the beginning the flowers are creamy white, then pure white, gradually turning into pink. And by the end of flowering, in October, panicle hydrangea changes its color to reddish with green blotches.

The plant has more than 25 varieties, of which the most common are Matilda, Kyushu, Unik and Grandiflora. These varieties have the largest, brightest and most fragrant flowers.

The plant can rightly be called oriental beauty, since the birthplace of paniculate hydrangea is China, Japan and the south of Sakhalin. The flower takes root well and in moderate climatic zones, calmly enduring the winter cold and summer heat.

Did you know? Hydrangea inflorescences can be used as a dried flower in crafts, flower arrangements and home decorative compositions. For this inflorescence, you just need to cut it off at the stage of flowering when you like the shade of the flowers, dry them in a suspended state down with a cone. After drying, the inflorescences can be used in winter bouquets.

How to plant hydrangea outdoors

Paniculata hydrangea lovers claim that it is quite simple to grow this plant on their site, its planting and care do not require special skills. The plant grows quite quickly, inflorescences are born on the shoots already in the year of planting.

Paniculata hydrangea lighting

For planting panicled hydrangea, you need to choose areas with good illumination, but it blooms best in partial shade. Bright sun she also loves and grows well under its rays, but then the hydrangea flowers lose their unique “chameleon” color, fade and turn pale.

Soil for growing a flower

For a good, lush color, planting a paniculate hydrangea is recommended. on fertile, loamy, red earth soils. He does not like sandy, calcareous soils and feels bad on neutral ones - the color of the inflorescences turns pale, and in general the plant will be weak.

On the acidic soils hydrangea blooms brightest and best, therefore, if the soil is not acidic enough, you need to add brown peat, sawdust, coniferous soil (spruce or pine compost) when planting. An option is possible, such as planting a hydrangea in trunk circles ground cover plants: mossy saxifrage, various stonecrops.

Important! Ash, lime and chalk are contraindicated for all hydrangeas. Alkaline soil can cause leaf chlorosis in the plant.

What should be the humidity for successful growth

Hydrangea paniculata loves moisture very much, it can even live on marshy soil. Therefore, for good growth, abundant flowering and normal life of the plant, it needs to provide moist soil within a radius of about 1.5 meters.

Planting hydrangea paniculata in open ground: a description of the process

The planting time determines which year the hydrangea paniculata blooms. If climatic conditions allow, it can be planted in early spring (March), then the plant will please with its lush color already in the year of planting. In the northern regions, it is better to plant when the soil has already warmed up enough (April) so that it takes root well and takes root. An autumn version of planting a hydrangea is also possible, but then it will need to be insulated for the winter, and it will bloom the next year.

Panicle hydrangea seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of four or five. root system plants grow in breadth much more than the crown, that is, the landing site must be prepared based on the size of the root and seedling.

Experienced gardeners who know how to properly plant paniculate hydrangea , it is advised to make holes with dimensions of 50 × 50 cm. But sometimes, with highly developed roots, the depth landing pit it can reach up to 80 cm. The distance between plants is left about 2-2.5 m.

Then, up to 3 buckets of water are poured into the pit and left overnight so that the moisture is absorbed into the ground. The next morning you need to fill the pit with substrate from fertile soil, peat, humus and sand in the ratio: 2:2:1:1, and also add a mixture of mineral and organic fertilizers(65 g of superphosphate + 25 g of urea + 25 g of potassium sulfate).

Before planting, you need to slightly trim the roots and annual shoots, leaving only 3-5 pairs of buds. Then the seedling is placed in a hole, crushed with soil, mulched with a compost layer, peat.

Tips for caring for panicled hydrangea outdoors

Hydrangea paniculata is completely unpretentious and can grow even in harsh conditions, such as gassed places near highways. But in order to get a healthy hydrangea in a garden with large flowering pyramids different shades, it is still necessary to provide the plant with proper care.

Features of watering paniculate hydrangea

The plant is very fond of an abundance of moisture, therefore, the soil around the bush must be constantly moistened. Especially during a hot dry summer, the soil under the hydrangea should not be allowed to dry out.

You need to water the plant once a week, very abundantly, spending up to 30 liters of water per square meter of soil around the bush. During rainy periods, watering is reduced. It is recommended to add potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) to the water when watering. Also, to preserve moisture in the soil, you need to regularly mulch the soil under the bush.

Did you know? The fact that the hydrangea is a very moisture-loving plant, says one of its names. Latin name hydrangea hydrangea is translated as "a vessel for water": hydor - water and aggeion - a vessel.

Plant nutrition

Top dressing for hydrangea paniculata is applied quite often. This fast flowering shrub needs a lot of nutrients. In autumn - mineral fertilizers, in spring - a solution of urea (20 g per bucket of water, 2 buckets per plant).

At the beginning of the growing season, the plant will benefit from green fertilizer (for example, from young nettles), diluted with water 1:10. For a two-meter hydrangea there is 1 bucket of solution.

In addition, once every two weeks, when watering, an infusion of mullein is introduced (3 liters of water are poured into a bucket of manure and insisted for three days). Before use, 1 liter of infusion must be diluted in a bucket of water.

During the formation of inflorescences twice make mineral fertilizer completely with an interval of 14-15 days.

How to prune a hydrangea bush

Care paniculate hydrangea involves mandatory regular pruning of the plant. The inflorescences that have survived until late autumn are cut off so that the branches do not break under the snow. Regular pruning in the spring, before flowering, also has a beneficial effect on the lush and long-lasting color of the hydrangea.

Weak shoots and those that impede the growth of the plant as a whole are removed completely. Shoots that have died out during the winter are pruned to healthy wood, and they bloom in the same year. Choose annual shoots, about ten of the strongest, cut them to 3-5 pairs of buds to form nice shape bush. If pruning is late, the plant develops poorly and may not bloom.

Old bushes can also be rejuvenated by pruning to the stump. This will allow the second year to restore the decorativeness of the bush and preserve the possibility of further reproduction of hydrangeas.

How to save hydrangea in winter

Although panicled hydrangea has good resistance to temperature extremes and cold weather, it is better to take care of its safe wintering in advance. To do this, the roots - the most vulnerable part of the plant - should be carefully covered.