Plant hydrangea varieties with yellow foliage. Garden hydrangeas: an overview of the best varieties

Hydrangea is a genus of flowering plants in the Hortensia family. The family mainly includes small trees and shrubs. There are about 80 plant species. It grows in Asia, America, and most species are found in Japan and China. Some varieties have grown well in Russian gardens. The plant got its name in honor of Princess Hortense, sister of the Prince of the Roman Empire, Karl Heinrich of Nassau-Siegen. The Japanese name for hydrangea is Ajisai, which translates as "a flower that looks like a purple sun." Used mainly for decorative purposes.

Several dozen species of hydrangeas are known, most of them are low shrubs with large foliage, small trees or lianas. Due to its beauty, the plant can be increasingly found in Russian gardens. Gardeners identify several of the most common species in our latitudes.

Hydrangea paniculata

Hydrangea paniculata

This is an incredibly beautiful view, it is a small tree, the height of which does not exceed 10 m. It grows in China and Japan, in Russia it can be found on Sakhalin. In nature, paniculate hydrangea is found on the edges of forests and thickets of oak forests. The leaves of the plant are elliptical in shape, slightly pubescent above, more pubescent below. Their length reaches 12 cm. The flowers are collected in large panicles. They have a wonderful aroma, making them excellent honey plants.

Attention! The culture grows very quickly, so it needs periodic pruning.

It is preferable to plant a plant in a shady place, because in direct sunlight the inflorescences become small. You should also protect panicle hydrangea from the wind. Flowering is plentiful and long, comes in June and lasts until October. This species is resistant to frost, it can withstand up to -25 degrees. Therefore, it is perfect for growing in the central and northern parts of Russia. In the northern zones, it is recommended to plant hydrangeas in the spring. And in those regions where there is no severe frosts, you can land in autumn period. It reproduces well by cuttings. Hydrangea paniculata has an incredible number of varieties.

1. Grandiflora- a popular variety with large sterile flowers, gathering in wide pyramids. The flowering period is a little later than other representatives of the species. The flowers are cream-colored during the blooming period, later becoming snow-white, and greenish-red in autumn. This is due to the peculiarity of the variety.

   

   Grade Grandiflora

2. Brussels Lace- an elegant variety. It has a considerable number of flowers that bear fruit. A bit similar to Floribunda.

   

   Grade Brussels Lace

3. Kyushu- frost-resistant variety. But despite this, the young shoots of the plant can freeze. The flowers have a pleasant smell, have a white color. Some of them are sterile, others are fruit-bearing. Flowering occurs in mid-summer and lasts for 3 months.

   

4. Limelight- a variety with large inflorescences. Shrub with erect stems. Its height is only 2 m. The leaves are green, velvety. Flowers are collected in panicles, the length of which can reach half a meter. Initially they are green in color, but during the flowering period they become cream or white. Flowering begins at the end of July. Duration just over one month.

   

   Grade Limelight

5. Mathilda - interesting variety, changing the color of flowers during the entire flowering period. At first they are creamy, then turn white, turn pink and at the end of flowering become red-green.

   

   Variety Mathilda

6. Pinky Winky - perennial shrub with white flowers that gather in cones. Over time, they turn into a pinkish tint. Flowering from August to October.

   

   Variety Pinky Winky

7. pink diamond- a variety common in Europe and Russia. The flowers of the plant are divided into sterile and fruiting, initially their color is creamy white, later they turn pink and red.

   

   Grade Pink Diamond

8. Floribunda- a variety characterized by abundant flowering. It has round flowers on long pedicels.

   

   Grade Floribunda

9. Unique- low shrub. Grows fast. Flowering occurs in August and lasts until cold weather. Initially, the flowers of this variety are white in color, but then become rich pink. Frost resistant. Looks good in single and group plantings.

   

10. Dart's Little Dot- a bush about half a meter high. Ideal for small areas. Flowers of a pinkish color are collected in panicles.

    

    Variety Dart's Little Dot

Hydrangea large-leaved (or garden)

Garden hydrangea is an ornamental shrub, perennial. On average, it reaches two meters in height. It has erect stems, does not bear fruit. The flowers are pinkish, lilac, blue or white. Their color depends on the state in which the plant is located and the acidity of the soil. The leaves are simple, green. It is a fast growing species, demanding on the composition of the soil. Dislikes limestone. Flowering continues from August to November.

Heat and photophilous plant. It has an average frost resistance (up to -30 degrees). Therefore, it grows well in the south of Russia. Thanks to agrotechnical efforts, large-leaved hydrangea has reached suburban areas near Moscow. Mainly frost-resistant varieties of this kind.

Among the most popular varieties are the following:

Hydrangea

Also known as smooth and wild hydrangea. Undemanding plant. It is considered winter-hardy, thanks to which it has taken a special place in summer cottages in the middle latitudes of our country. Doesn't need cover. Bush of medium height (up to 2.5 m). Stems erect, bare. The leaves are smooth, rounded. Flowers are of different colors.

Prefers shady or semi-shady areas. The plant does not tolerate drought and loves abundant watering. Unpretentious to the ground. Flowering lasts from June to September. Tree hydrangea pruning is carried out annually in winter time. The fastest and most convenient way to propagate this species is cuttings.

The main varieties of hydrangea tree:

1. Annabelle- the most popular variety of hydrangea tree. It has high frost resistance. The height of the shrub is not more than a meter. The flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences. Perennial. The variety is photophilous, but can grow in the shade. Afraid of drafts. If you water the bush with dye, then its flowers will be painted in the appropriate shade. Blooms from July to September.

   

   Variety Annabelle

2. Sterilis- plentiful and long flowering variety. Flowering lasts from July to October. The flowers of the plant at first have a greenish-white hue, later - snow-white. Hydrangea branches bend under their weight.

   

   Variety Sterilis

3. Hayes Starburst- a bush with snow-white terry flowers. The height and width are about 1.5 m. It belongs to the 4th frost resistance zone, that is, it can grow at temperatures not lower than 34 degrees. Infrequently exposed to diseases and pest attacks.

   

   Variety Hayes Starburst

4. Invincibelle Spirit– innovation in the field of selection. The flowers are dark pink when they bloom, which later changes to bright pink.

   

   Grade Invincibelle Spirit

5. Incrediball- large-flowered variety. It has inflorescences in the form of huge balls of white color.

   

   Grade Incrediball

6. white dome- a dense shrub, whose height is 80 cm. The leaves are large, green. The flowers are cream, marginal - barren. Perfect for group and single plantings.

   

   Variety White Dome

Hydrangea petiolate (climbing)

A rare variety that is only gaining popularity in Russian gardens. It is a liana, the length of which can reach 25 m. In Russia, it is found in the Kuriles and Sakhalin. It grows vertically, curls along a support (if available). Leaves are smooth and green. Flowers of a snow-white and pink shade are collected in corymbs. It is an excellent honey plant. Grows in partial shade. Suitable for the southern regions of our country, and also grown in the middle lane.

petiolate hydrangea

Attention! Petiole hydrangea is demanding on the composition of soils - it prefers moist loams.

hydrangea oak-leaved

It is a perennial two-meter shrub. It has red shoots. It got its name due to its similarity with oak leaves. White flowers are collected in panicles. Flowering begins in June, and ripening in September.

hydrangea oak-leaved

Prefers rich soils without lime. Watering should be moderate. In central Russia, the bush may freeze, but with age the plant becomes more resistant to frost. Suitable for southern areas. Propagated by cuttings, layering and division of the bush. Pruning is done twice a year - in spring and autumn.

Hydrangea radiata

Shrub up to 2.5 m. Leaves oval-lanceolate, pointed at the top. The plant has many white sterile flowers collected in shields. Flowering begins in July and lasts only one month. Ripening occurs in September. Winter hardiness is low, so the roots should be covered with dry foliage or spruce branches. Grows very fast. Reproduces differently, but the best option is cuttings. Suitable for landscape design in the south of Russia.

Hydrangea radiata

Hydrangea ash (grey)

Shrub with straight stems. Its height is on average 2 m. The leaves are wide ovate. Moisture-loving plant. Before winter, faded inflorescences are cut off. Relatively winter hardy. Suitable as a hedge. Warm look. A great option for the southern regions of Russia. Inflorescences can be used as dried flowers.

Hydrangea ash (grey)

serrate hydrangea

Tree shrub. Its height can reach 1.5 m in height. Has a spreading crown. The leaves are oval, pointed to the top, bright green color. Annual. Inflorescences resemble the shape of a ball. Inside the inflorescence, the flowers are blue, closer to the edge - pale blue. After flowering they become pink. The color of the flowers depends on the acidity of the soil.

serrate hydrangea

The plant blooms from July to September. Hydrangea tolerates transplants well. Likes moderate watering. Preparation for winter is as follows: wilted inflorescences are cut and covered with a film. In care unpretentious. Not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. Looks great even as a herbarium. Suitable for landing in the middle lane of our country.

Hydrangea Sargent

The height of the shrub is 2-3 m. It grows rapidly in breadth. Blooms from August to September. Leaves large, opposite. Their length reaches 26 cm. Umbelliferous inflorescences. The flowers are lilac, purple, after flowering - blue and white. Prefers moderate watering. It is frost-resistant, but winters with shelter, therefore it is grown mainly in the southern regions of Russia.

Hydrangea Sargent

Hydrangea is a wonderful plant. Mostly floriferous. Demanding on soils, prefers moderate watering. It has become widespread throughout the world. Some varieties that are resistant to frost are grown in Russian gardens. Used in gardening.

All about hydrangea: video

Hydrangea varieties: photo

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 professional breeders of the Old World worked hard to bring this fragrant shrub into their gardens. TO late XIX century, the work was crowned with success, and fans of the plant received frost-resistant varieties that feel great in temperate climate.

Species and varieties

The hydrangea family has about 100 species. However, not all of them are suitable for landing on suburban area and in our garden 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: panicle hydrangea (White Moth, Floribunda, Unique varieties), tree hydrangea (Anabel and Snowball), serrate hydrangea (Bluebird variety (blue bird)), Sargent hydrangea, petiole hydrangea, oak-leaved hydrangea (Snow Queen and Snow Flake varieties), and the most common garden hydrangea, or large-leaved (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 forming a flat sphere. 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.

IN proper care hydrangea includes:

disembarkation

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

Advice!If root system 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 kidneys. 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) under the bush, urea at the rate of 20-25 g per one square meter, sulfuric potassium (30-35 g).

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. Branches well handle 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.

For decoration garden plot flowering plants have always been used, but hydrangea is still a rare guest in our gardens. Among some flower growers, there is an opinion that hydrangea is a heat-loving plant, not suitable for our gardens. In recent years hydrangea varieties and the types of new selections have become widespread and deserved love, more and more often you can find single and group plantings.

The beauty of hydrangeas is unique, among their species there are various forms:

• creepers;
• Trees;
• Shrubs.

But shrubs have taken root best of all in the gardens.

Types of hydrangeas

There are about 80 types of hydrangeas, which gave rise to the emergence of new varieties that are loved by gardeners and have become decorations for summer cottages and park alleys. To choose a plant suitable for a given site, you need to get acquainted with the characteristics of some. You can admire the unusual flowering of hydrangea from the beginning of spring heat to autumn cold.

Important. Some varieties of hydrangeas in the temperate zone of Russia should be covered for the winter with special material, spruce branches, dry leaves with straw. Timely removal of shelter in the spring will not allow plants to overheat with the onset of heat.

In the gardens of Russia, the following types of hydrangeas (clematis) are mainly used for breeding:

• Tree-like hydrangea, blooming from July to August with white inflorescences, originally from the eastern regions of North America. This view requires mandatory pruning, which must be performed in early spring or after the leaves have opened. Tree hydrangea. Tree hydrangea varieties are suitable for the southern and temperate regions of Russia;
• The ground cover species of the plant is native to China. Its second name is Hydrangea Bretschneider. It is a shrub with large oval leaves of intense green color reaching a height of over two meters. Clematis groundcover begins flowering in early July with white wide corymbose inflorescences. In the process of flowering, the color of the flowers changes, acquiring a pink hue; at the end of August, the flower caps become bright crimson. Varieties of ground cover hydrangea have good resistance to frost, not requiring shelter for the winter;

• A type of large-leaved hydrangea comes from the southern regions of Japan. It blooms with lilac inflorescences that bloom in the last month of summer. The leaves of the shrub have a bright green color. The shrub is very demanding on heat. In Russia, within its European zone, only varieties of cold-resistant breeding are used for cultivation. Hydrangea varieties of this species are used for indoor cultivation;
• The paniculate species of the plant grows in Japan, Korea, East China, and is found on the territory of Sakhalin. Panicle hydrangea bush is not very high, it grows within 1-1.5 meters. By the middle of summer, the bush is covered with greenish buds, which become white during the growing season. Buds open from the beginning of August and continue to bloom until late autumn. The color of the inflorescences gradually acquires a crimson color and purple-red with a purple hue.

The winter hardiness of the paniculate species is very high. For more lush flowering apply autumn and spring bush-forming preventive pruning.

Important. Right choice plot for growing hydrangeas determines the saturation of the color. A place to be well lit in any weather, protected from the wind. How weather warmer and good lighting prevails, hydrangea flowers acquire a richer and brighter color.

• Hydrangea climbing or petiolate, is still very rare in the gardens of Russia. This plant is a vine, the stems of which grow up to 25 meters. IN wild nature on the territory of Russia it is found on the Kuril Islands and on Sakhalin. The stems of the creeper are decorated with smooth leaves of bright green color. Climbing hydrangea blooms white and with pink tint corymbose inflorescences. Tolerates partial shade well. Varieties of petiolate hydrangea are excellent honey plants, popular in the southern and middle regions of Russia;
• The oak-leaved type of hydrangea is a shrub about two meters high. The leaves of the shrub resemble oak leaves, hence the name of the shrub. Inflorescences collected in panicles white color, bloom in June, seed ripening ends in September. Grows on the rich fertile soils no signs of lime. Demanding for watering, which should be moderate, without stagnant water. young plant can die from frost in the middle lane, so they require careful insulation using special materials. An older plant becomes more frost-resistant. Reproduction methods: cuttings, layering of young shoots, dividing the bush. For lush flowering, pruning is carried out in autumn and spring, forming a bush. Most of all, hydrangea plant varieties of this species are suitable for the southern regions of Russia;

• Radiant hydrangea - shrub species, whose height is about 2.5 meters. The radiant hydrangea blooms for only one month, blooming in July with white sterile flowers. Seed ripening occurs in September. The shrub has a very fast growth. Winter hardiness is weak, therefore, shelter is required in the winter with fallen leaves and spruce branches. The plant can be propagated by all options, but the cutting method is considered the most acceptable. On the territory of Russia, varieties of hydrangeas of this species are used to decorate the landscape of parks and gardens;
• Sawtooth hydrangea - annual low tree shrub up to one and a half meters in height. It has a very spreading crown with bright green oval, slightly pointed leaves. Inflorescences in the form of a ball in the middle have flowers of a bright blue hue, along the edge of the flowers are painted in pale blue. By the end of flowering, the inflorescences acquire a pink hue. The color of serrate hydrangea inflorescences is determined by the pH of the soil.

Flowering is quite long from mid-July to late September. The plant is unpretentious in care, easily takes root in a new place after transplantation. Winter cold transfers in shelter. late autumn after flowering, the inflorescences are cut off, the bushes are insulated with covering material. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests. The bred varieties of hydrangeas of this species grow well in the middle zone of Russian regions.

• Hydrangea Sargent - plentiful flowering plant. Flowering period from August to last days September. Umbrella inflorescences of lilac and violet color become blue and white by the end of flowering. The plant winters well in shelter. Frost-resistant varieties have also been bred that can be grown in the temperate zone of Russia.

Hydrangea varieties

In the current gardening, there are many varieties of hydrangeas. Selection is based on the use of species plants. Many of them have received properties that make it possible to grow hydrangeas not only in the southern regions of Russia. Thanks to flower breeders, varieties have been developed that tolerate the harsh winters of the Russian regions.

Important. In the eastern strip of Russia, varieties bred by European breeders take root and bloom better. They are able to withstand frosts within 20 ° C. To prevent the death of plants from possible more low temperatures, their shelter is recommended.

• Anabel is one of the first varieties of tree-like hydrangea. Compact, domed shrub about 3 m in diameter, no more than one and a half meters high. The gray stems of the hydrangea are bare, creating a crown, saturated green foliage, rather large, on average, the leaves grow up to 30 cm, the edge of the leaf is framed by small teeth. Hydrangea blooms from the first summer days until the end of September with spherical white inflorescences. This variety is characterized fast growth, stems grow 10 cm per year. Anabel prefers shady areas. It has good frost resistance.
• The variety Grandiflora is very sensitive to moisture; a lack of moisture is dangerous for it. This variety has moderate frost resistance, the variety is grown in the temperate and southern regions of Russia;
• Sterilis - a variety of clematis has a spherical shape of a bush about 3 meters high. The hydrangea of ​​the Sterilis variety blooms with greenish inflorescences in the shape of a hemisphere. In the process of flowering, the hydrangea brushes become white in color. The plant prefers fertile, well-drained soil, well-lit areas with little shade. The variety has medium frost resistance.

1. Varieties of panicled hydrangea are most adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia. Based on this species, the following varieties of hydrangeas have been developed:

1. Large-leaved or garden hydrangea has the largest number of cold-resistant varieties. Variety catalog large-leaved hydrangea presents a series of colors:

• The first variety to appear in Russia was Endless Summer. This variety was the result of a mutation of one of the American varieties, when buds appeared on new and last year's shoots after wintering. The variety has the ability to re-bloom;

• The variety of large-leaved hydrangea "Early Sensation" has even higher frost-resistant properties in comparison with the hydrangea "Endless Summer". After harsh snowless winters with sudden changes in temperature, the hydrangea of ​​this variety enters the stage of lush flowering in summer.

On the basis of these varieties, a series of large-leaved garden hydrangeas were bred. Today, the gardens of Russia are decorated with a huge range of colors and shades of hydrangea.

Planting hydrangeas is a great way to decorate your garden. beautiful plant, which blooms luxuriantly and exquisitely. It remains only to decide on the choice of type and variety. Next, we will find out which types of hydrangeas are suitable for growing in the domestic climate, and what kind of care they require.

is a flowering shrub grown in open field, some varieties, under proper conditions, tolerate wintering favorably. Flowering period - mid-summer - autumn. The color palette is incredibly wide, and the unusual shape of the flowers makes the hydrangea even more attractive. The types of hydrangeas are quite diverse and there are more than 70 of them. natural conditions This plant can be found in countries East Asia– Indonesia, Korea, Japan, China, as well as in South and North America. Modern varieties perfectly tolerate a temperate climate and are unpretentious in care. This culture is subject to active selection, due to which hydrangea is more and more common in our gardens.

Shrubs form the basis of all types of hydrangeas, but lianas and small trees can be found. All varieties have flowers, they are collected in large paniculate or corymbose inflorescences. The color is predominantly pink or white. The following are the names of species and varieties that are in demand among domestic gardeners and are suitable for growing in local climatic conditions.

This type(Hydrangea arborescens) of this culture is the most common and actively used in landscaping. Many are attracted by its abundant flowering and resistance to frost. The shrub reaches 1.5-3 m in height, the crown is rounded. It has slightly pubescent shoots with ovate or elliptical leaves ranging in size from 6 to 20 cm. The flowers are barren, often white or pink, collected in inflorescences, the diameter of which is 15 cm. From July to October, the plant blooms actively and profusely. Reproduction is available by dividing the bush, as well as layering or green cuttings. The soil should be fertile and well-moistened, a slight lime content is allowed. It can be left outdoors for the winter. There are several varieties of this species.

• Annabel is a shrub 1.5 m high, the crown diameter reaches 3 m. The leaves are bright green in color, 8-15 cm long. They remain green for autumn and winter. The flowers are white, collected in large 25-centimeter inflorescences. Blooms from June to September.
• Sterilis is a variety whose distinctive features are long and very abundant flowering. The inflorescences are so large that the branches bend under their weight. Throughout the flowering period from July to October, the flowers change color from greenish-white to white.
• Grandiflora reaches 2 m in height and 3 m in crown width. The leaves are large, 16 cm long, light green in color. Large creamy white flowers are collected in inflorescences with a diameter of 20 cm. The flowering period is from June to September.
• Hayes Starburst features flowers with a double texture.
• White Dome in terms of flowering is similar to viburnum, corymbose inflorescences outwardly resemble a scattering of cilia.
• Incrediball is a variety with incredibly large inflorescences on fairly strong branches.
• Invincibelle Spirit - a unique selection result recent years. This is a tree-like hydrangea, the color of the flowers of which is initially dark pink, but gradually acquires a brighter tone.

This variety (Hydrangea paniculata) is also common due to a wide range varieties. Paniculata hydrangea may look like a small tree or large shrub up to 10 cm high. The crown is high and rounded, the leaves are ovate or elliptical up to 12 cm long. The panicles of flowers are pyramidal in shape and reach 25 cm in length. At the age of 4-5 years, this culture gives the first flowering and fruiting lasting from June to October. The soil should be moist and fertile, urban conditions are tolerated by the plant favorably. This type of hydrangea is also frost-resistant, it is actively used by gardeners to create fantasy compositions, since the branches are durable and easy to shape. They make both hedges and trellises, as well as standard trees or balls. Reproduction by green cuttings is available.

Among the most popular varieties are the following:

• Grandiflora is distinguished by the presence of large sterile flowers, compared with tree view flowering is later, the length of the inflorescences can reach 30 cm. when blooming, the flowers have a cream color, eventually become snow-white, then pink and greenish-red at the end of flowering.
• Limelight is a variety whose paniculate inflorescences are the largest among the crops of this species. An upright bush can reach 2 m in height, the leaves are dark green and large, have a velvety structure. With proper care, the inflorescences reach 60 cm in length, they are really very lush and simply huge. On the initial stage flowering their color is greenish, but gradually it becomes creamy. Flowering period from late July to September.
• Brussels Lace has fruitful and sterile flowers in the inflorescence, the latter are represented by a smaller number. This variety looks very elegant and gentle.
• Kyushu has white flowers with a subtle, pleasant scent. As in the previous case, some of them are fruitful, and some are sterile. Flowering period from July to October. Frost resistant variety.
• Mathilda has inflorescences up to 25 cm long. At the initial stage of flowering, their color is cream, gradually the flowers turn white, then pink and at the very end greenish-red.
• Pink Diamond has large 30 cm inflorescences with sterile and fruiting flowers. Their cream color smoothly turns into dark pink and at the end of flowering turns red.
• Unique is characterized by long and abundant flowering with a pleasant aroma from July to September. The length of the inflorescences reaches 25 cm.
• Pinky Winky blooms from August to October with white flowers that turn pink in the final stage of flowering. The leaves are green in color, elliptical in shape, there is pubescence on the underside.
• Floribunda blooms very profusely, the flowers are large, rounded, concentrated on long pedicels.
• Variety Dart's Little Dot - perfect option for miniature gardens. This is a dwarf shrub up to 80 cm high with small inflorescences.

large-leaved

This culture (Hydrangea macrophylla) reaches 2 m in height with proper care, the shoots are erect, the leaves are bright green, ovate. The diameter of barren flowers reaches 3.5 cm, they are collected in 15 cm inflorescences. garden varieties have spherical inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter, which are formed at the ends of last year's shoots. The flowering period is from July to August. Among the color variations are bright crimson, blue, white and pink. You can choose lace, terry or bicolor varieties for your garden. This variety does not differ in winter hardiness and survives in winter only in the south of the country. The main difficulty lies not so much in the preservation of the bush, but in the preservation of flower buds. There will be no flowering if the buds fall off in frost. Resourceful gardeners for the winter transplant the plant into a container and transfer it to the room, winter Garden. Effective in the fight against frost, the use of covering materials - spruce branches or earth. Varieties of the Forever & Ever series are practically different continuous flowering, which begins on old shoots in early summer and continues in September on young growths. This series includes the following varieties up to 80 cm in height on average.

• Expression shrub with double flowers, deep pink with jagged edges.
• Red Sensation is a compact shrub with red flowers and double flowering on last year's and young shoots.
• Ever Peppermint is a variety with two-tone flowers with a blue or pink color in the middle, while the edges remain white. pink color obtained when grown on alkaline soil, blue - on acidic.
• Endless Summer is a variety with 16 cm spherical inflorescences with sterile blue or pink flowers. The acidity of the soil affects the resulting shade.

Climbing or petiolate

This type of culture (Hydrangea petiolaris) has special suckers, with which the plant is attached to a support at a height of up to 10 m. If there is no support, the hydrangea will spread along the ground. This variety has wide ovate leaves with long petioles, the base is pointed or heart-shaped, the color is dark green, they reach 8 cm in length. The diameter of the inflorescence is on average 20 cm, the flowers are white with a pink tint, honey-bearing. There is a slow growth in the first 2-4 years after planting, after which the intensity of hydrangea development increases. Only in well-lit open areas can one achieve abundant flowering, penumbra will worsen this factor. When choosing soil, it is necessary to focus on fertile, moist loams. Reproduction by layering or cuttings is allowed. Such a plant will decorate an arch, balcony, gazebo, wall or trunk of a tall tree.

This choice will be successful if you belong to the category of lazy gardeners, such a culture needs minimal care, it successfully tolerates frosty winters. This variety is also called Bretschneider hydrangea. Despite the fact that it belongs to the category of ground cover, in fact it is a bush up to 3 m high. The flowers are barren and sterile milky. At the beginning of flowering, they are greenish, and at the end they are purple.

Heat-loving species

Separately, it is worth talking about heat-loving species, which, although they can grow in frosty winters, require proper conditions for this.

• The oak-leaved hydrangea is presented in the form of a shrub with felt shoots of a reddish hue. It is not the inflorescences that are of interest in this variety, but the leaves - they have from 3 to 7 lobes and look like oak leaves. The length of the inflorescence is 10-30 cm, the color is initially white, but purple fragments appear as it blooms. In June, flowering begins, and by September, the fruits of the box ripen.
• Sargent - a variety of deciduous shrubs up to 3.5 m high is characterized by the active formation of root offspring, so the width of the culture also reaches a significant size.

Also thermophilic varieties include serrated, ashen and radiant hydrangea. The height of the shrub in all three cases reaches 2.5 m, the foliage is ovate or elliptical. The main advantage is abundant flowering.

- a real decoration of the garden plot, thanks to the lush inflorescences of various colors. But other garden plants can boast of the same decorative paniculate inflorescences.

In the arsenal of gardeners and landscape designers are a variety of shrubs, which, like hydrangea, boast lush, bright caps of inflorescences. The following plants are the most popular.

Pentas - evergreen shrub madder family native to Africa. Despite the southern character, the plant is successfully grown in temperate climates, and even in open ground. The plant is popular with gardeners because it blooms continuously from spring to mid-autumn.

Pentas is a shrub about 50 centimeters high with oval or lanceolate leaves of a bright green color. The plant blooms with lush inflorescences, consisting of many five-petal stars. Umbrella inflorescences of various colors, from white to bright red, resemble bright Christmas balls dotted with a compact bush.

Alyssum is a ground cover annual or perennial with a height of 20 to 40 centimeters. The natural range of the plant is Southern Europe. The spectacular variety of colors and amazing honey aroma of alyssum has made it popular with gardeners and landscape designers.

In early June, lush capitate constellations are formed on numerous shoots of the plant, consisting of small flowers of various shapes. Flowering continues until late autumn. Alyssum looks most impressive among stones and along garden paths.

Spirea is a deciduous shrub from the pink family up to 2 meters high. The plant is distinguished by a variety of forms of the bush and the nature of flowering (panel, spike-shaped, corymbose, paniculate). Varieties with paniculate inflorescences are similar to hydrangea.

The color of the flowers is also diverse - from pure white to deep crimson. Each spirea inflorescence consists of many small flowers. According to the timing of flowering, spireas are divided into 2 groups: spring-flowering and summer-flowering. In the first group, flowering is plentiful, but short-term. In summer-flowering, it is more extended in time.

Phlox - popular unpretentious perennials from the blue family. Breeders have bred several types of phlox. Of these, paniculate varieties are most similar to hydrangeas.

The color of phlox inflorescences is varied, but the colors of red and pink tones predominate. IN color scheme paniculate phlox is absent only yellow tint. Phlox inflorescences consist of many small flowers with a diameter of 2-4 centimeters. According to the timing of flowering, phloxes are divided into spring, early summer and summer-autumn.

Rhododendron (or rosewood) is a plant from the heather family. In its natural environment, the plant lives in Asia, America, Europe, Far East, Caucasus and Altai. Blooming rhododendron is a real decoration of the garden.

The branched bush is completely covered with lush inflorescences of the most different colors. The shape of the flowers is also different: bell-shaped. Tubular, funnel-shaped, wheel-shaped. Some varieties exude a subtle, pleasant aroma. Flowering shrub lasts about a month.

Buddleya is an ornamental shrub native to East Asia, South Africa and South America. The plant, which forms lush paniculate inflorescences, looks like a hydrangea or double lilac.

Panicles of buddley, from 20 to 45 centimeters long, consist of small flowers. The color palette is varied: bright purple, pale pink, white, lilac, purple, red, cream. The most decorative are varieties that combine several shades of color in inflorescences.

Verbena is an unpretentious herbaceous perennial that even the most inexperienced and lazy gardener. This heat-loving plant comes from South America, therefore it is grown as an annual in our latitudes.

Verbena stems from 20 to 100 centimeters high are straight or creeping, with rounded or oval leaves, sometimes almost leafless. The tops of the stems invariably end in umbrella inflorescences with small flowers of white, pink, lilac, purple color, sometimes with a spectacular white eye in the center.

Flowering begins in June and pleases the eye until the onset of frost.

Heliotrope is a plant from the borage family, represented by 250 species. In cultural floriculture, Peruvian heliotrope is mainly grown. The corymbose and stalk-bearing species are less common.

Heliotrope is a low shrub (no more than 70 centimeters) with pointed lanceolate leaves and straight, long peduncles. Heliotrope inflorescences up to 15 centimeters in diameter consist of small, fragrant flowers of dark purple or dark blue color. A bush blooms from early June until frost.

Trachelium is an evergreen perennial from the bell family native to the Mediterranean countries. The name of the plant comes from the word "trachelos", which means throat. The reason for this is that trachelium has medicinal properties: it can treat inflammatory diseases of the throat and respiratory system.

The resemblance to hydrangea is given to the plant by “caps” - inflorescences, effectively towering over dark green foliage in August-September. The flowers are mostly bright blue or purple shades, but there are purple, white, deep purple tones. Flowers exude a sweet aroma, which attracts many butterflies to the bush.