Hydrangea: planting and care
Many gardeners grow hydrangea. This shrub begins to bloom in mid-summer, becoming almost completely covered with large inflorescences. The homeland of hydrangea is the subtropics. There it is capable of growing up to 4 meters in height, but in our latitudes its size is limited to a small bush.
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Planting hydrangea
Hydrangeas are planted in the spring. Since the plant will be in a certain area for several years, the soil must be thoroughly fertilize. To do this, organic matter and mineral fertilizers are added to the hole under the hydrangea. It can be compost or humus. If the soil is too heavy, you need to add sand. Clay is added to light soils. Since hydrangea roots grow greatly over time, make the planting hole large. Add fertilizer to the bottom of the hole and mix it with the soil, then add a layer of soil without fertilizer.
If you plan to make a hedge from hydrangea, then instead of a hole, make a trench 1 meter wide. Maintain a distance of 2.5 meters between seedlings. Lightly trim the root system of the seedlings. Also trim the branches slightly, leaving a pair of buds on annual branches. Place the seedlings in the hole and cover them with soil, compacting them well. Water the area around the trunk well after planting and mulch with peat or pine needles and pine bark.
Hydrangea varieties
From a large number varieties and types of hydrangeas that are best suited for cultivation in our climate are:
- The Annabelle variety is a small shrub, up to 1.5 meters high. This variety belongs to the tree variety of hydrangea. The crown of this hydrangea can grow up to three meters. The large and juicy leaves of this shrub never change their color. The inflorescences of this hydrangea variety are white.
- The Grandiflora variety is an extensive bush, completely strewn with cream flowers. It begins to bloom in June and ends in October.
- The Hydrangea paniculata variety Kyushu is distinguished by a very unusual fan-shaped crown structure. This variety tolerates frost well. Its white inflorescences do not fall until mid-October.
- The Symphony of Color variety has the ability to change the shade of flowers from cream to dark red during flowering. Flowering duration is from July until October.
Hydrangea: photo
Planting hydrangeas in open ground
Although it is customary to plant hydrangea in the spring, many gardeners are inclined to plant it in the fall. The reason for this is simple - the plant begins to bloom the following summer. The landing time depends entirely on climatic conditions. So in the southern regions you can plant hydrangea at the end of October, while in the north it is better to plant seedlings earlier.
If you planted hydrangea seedlings in the fall, be sure to cover them for winter protection from frost. It is better to do this a month before the first frost. Typically, hydrangea does not require abundant watering. She gets enough moisture from the rain. Recommended several times water planting with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to prevent the formation of mold.
Homemade hydrangea: care
This beautiful flower can also be grown as a house plant, and not just in the garden. For home hydrangea, you should choose wide pots, since the root system of this flower grows in breadth. Please note that every year it is necessary replant plant, choosing a larger pot.
Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the flowerpot and move the flower into it using the transfer method, filling the edges with fresh soil mixture. Once planting is complete, moisten the soil and lay a layer of peat mulch. Home hydrangea prefers bright places, but without direct sunlight. This flower is afraid of drafts and sudden changes in air temperature.
In summer, water the hydrangea daily and a lot. In spring and autumn, reduce watering, and in winter, only moisten the soil as needed. During active growth, fertilize twice a month with fertilizers intended for flowering plants.
Hydrangea transplant
Since the soil under the hydrangea is quickly depleted, it must be replanted to a new location every four years. To do this, dig holes 60 cm deep in a new location, keeping a gap of 1.5 meters between them.
A fertilizer of urea, superphosphate, potassium sulfate and organic matter is added to the pit. This will allow you to avoid adding fertilizer in the next two seasons. In subsequent years, it is necessary to regularly feed hydrangea during the active growing season. The first time fertilizing is done in the spring, when the bush begins to grow. The second feeding should be done during the formation of buds. Further fertilizing is applied in the summer months.
Hydrangea propagation
Hydrangea is usually propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings or seeds. The hydrangea bush can be divided in both spring and autumn. To do this, it is dug up and divided into three parts. At the same time, it is important to ensure that in each part there are several buds left from which new shoots will appear.
The most commonly used method of propagation is cuttings. This method does not cause difficulties and is the most effective. Cuttings are prepared from annual shoots. Then they are simply placed in moist soil made of sand and peat, stuck to a depth of up to three centimeters. Maintain a distance of 5 centimeters between cuttings. Cover the top of the cuttings with film and periodically moisten the soil. After 3 weeks, the film is removed. In spring, rooted cuttings are planted in open ground.
