Tree hydrangea anabel planting and care in the open field

When decorating their personal plot, gardeners are trying to acquire charming plants. Especially if this beauty does not create a large number of worries. The impressive popularity of this combination is the hydrangea species. It is better to start acquaintance with this wonderful plant with the Anabel tree hydrangea variety. Such a shrub will inspire novice gardeners and delight experienced ones.

Description of hydrangea Anabel

The plant is a dome-shaped deciduous shrub. The height of hydrangea reaches up to 1.2 m. The crown span is on average 1.5 m in diameter, and adult bushes can grow up to 3 meters.

The bush is densely covered with rich green oval leaves, pointed at the end, with uneven edges, up to 20 cm long. The brightness of the greenery remains until the very frost.

Flowering begins by the end of June. It lasts quite a long time, up to September-October. Flowers are collected in large balls with a diameter of 20 cm, and sometimes up to 25 cm. Formation occurs due to the combination of a large number of small inflorescences, the circumference of which is about 2 cm. Each flower contains 4 petals. At the beginning of flowering, the hydrangea has a light green hue. And as it ripens, it acquires a rich white color.

The shrub grows rapidly. During the season, the bush can grow by an average of 20 cm. The age of the Anabel hydrangea is 40-50 years.

Planting hydrangeas

Each gardener determines the planting time independently. The end of spring is ideal. If planting occurs in the fall, then preferably not late. Otherwise, the hydrangea may not have time to take root and adapt before the onset of frost. It is better to give the plant extra time.

In order for the shrub to please with its beautiful view, you need to responsibly approach the choice of a landing site. Hydrangea does not like transplanting, so you need to immediately choose a permanent place of its habitat.

It is better not to use sunny places for shrubs. Heavy shade is also not suitable. Planting anabelle tree hydrangea is best done in light partial shade. Light, non-aggressive rays will have a beneficial effect on abundant flowering.

Basically, plants of this kind are planted away from large plants. This is due to the absence of a struggle for moisture, since hydrangea belongs to moisture-loving plants.

The main stages of planting hydrangeas:

1. Before planting, it is recommended to soak the root of the seedling in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure will disinfect the bush and provide nourishment.
2. A landing pit 40x40 cm is dug. The depth should be about half a meter.
3. With poor soil, peat, humus and river sand are introduced in equal proportions.
4. Gently spread the roots and sprinkle them with earth. The near-root space needs to be pressed a little. The root collar should be above the soil.
5. Experienced gardeners recommend mulching the soil. This allows you to keep moisture longer. Mulch also protects against weeds and makes it easy to loosen the soil.

After the end of all the actions, the hydrangea is watered abundantly with water.

You also need to know that it is strictly forbidden to introduce ash or lime into the soil. Hydrangea does not tolerate alkaline reactions.

If the Anabel hydrangeas are planted in a row, then you need to leave the necessary spacing between the bushes of about 1.5-2 m. This will provide freedom for the correct formation of the bushes.

Features of hydrangea care

Correct planting of hydrangea Anabel and caring for the shrub is a guarantee of beauty and a beautiful view of the garden area. The ability to create compositions of individual bushes or group them together gives a lot of room for imagination.

The main care is pruning and feeding. Even without these manipulations, an unpretentious shrub will develop and bloom. But the correct formation and nutrition of hydrangeas is also very important.

The peculiarities of the variety include the unusual ability to color the buds in different shades. Gardeners achieve this magic by sprinkling with colored water. Gaining some experience in a similar procedure, you can create several flowers on one bush. It looks very impressive and unusual.

The shrub tolerates winter well and can withstand 40-degree frosts. Young shoots are more vulnerable and can freeze if the temperature drops below 20 degrees.

Watering hydrangea

Hortense Anabel will patiently survive the drought. But the plant belongs to the moisture-loving species, therefore, in order to avoid wilting of the foliage, it is recommended to moisten the soil artificially, by periodic watering. This is especially true for young bushes. With intensive growth, for proper formation, abundant watering is simply necessary.

The need for feeding

Some gardeners do not feed regularly. And the hydrangea develops well and blooms. But the impressive size of the bushes and flowering caps in this case is not expected.

Top dressing for the season takes place in several stages.

1. In early spring, before mulching the soil at the root, fertilizer is applied for intensive growth. It should be dominated by trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
2. During the formation of inflorescences, a second feeding is carried out, based on the content of phosphorus and potassium.
3. In the spring, you can spray the plant with a solution of potassium permanganate 2-3 times. This increases the strength of the shoots, which is extremely necessary for the hydrangea. The branches bend towards the ground under the weight of the buds.

Some try to tie the branches to the support. But this action completely changes the whole greatness of the bush.

Correct pruning

The tree-like hydrangea Anabel is beautiful, the care of which means basically correct pruning. This process must be approached responsibly. Improper pruning can completely destroy all the beauty of the plant.

Young bushes should not be pruned until they are 4 years old. From this period, branches should be pruned in early spring. Cuts are made from the ends of the branches, retreating by an average of 15 cm. Young shoots on an adult plant can be cut off by a third. This is necessary for the formation of lush flowers. In the absence of pruning, the buds begin to shrink over time.

Shrub propagation

It is not necessary to buy seedlings. You can take planting material from friends or neighbors. And later, if necessary, multiply.

The breeding process is fairly standard and simple.

There are mainly three methods used:

• growing cuttings;
• reproduction by layering;
• division of the bush.

The latter option is rather risky. If there is no such experience, it is better not to risk it. This is due to the large diameter of the bush. Therefore, dividing the root can damage the main bush. In this case, the damaged plant may start to hurt.

The first two methods are very easy to follow and are ideal for inexperienced gardeners.

The method of grafting consists in cutting off young shoots 10-15 cm long. It is necessary to carry out manipulations in early spring before bud break.It is better to make a cut obliquely. This will create a large area for the root system. After the cuttings are placed for 2 weeks in water or immediately in fertile soil. The temperature for the first time should be above 20 degrees. Cuttings need to get enough moisture on a regular basis. Thus, the cuttings grow for two years, after which they are transplanted into open ground to a permanent place.

The method of propagation by layering is the simplest and most hassle-free. During the period of bud formation, an extreme strong shoot is selected. It needs to be bent to the ground in the middle of the rod and fixed. In the place of the fold, dig it in with earth and water it regularly. The next year, roots will form at the fold. At the base of the mother bush, the layers are carefully cut off with a secateurs and transplanted to a permanent place.

Diseases and pests

Despite the simple planting and maintenance, the Anabel hydrangea can be subject to several diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out regular maintenance work. For this, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is effectively used. It is poured abundantly at the root.

Major diseases:

• chlorosis;
• powdery mildew.

The first variant of the disease occurs on too alkaline soils. The leaves begin to brighten, the veins remain dark. If you do not take action in time, the bush will begin to die.

At the initial stage of powdery mildew disease, yellow spots appear on the foliage. Over time, a brown tint appears. Leaves wither and fall.

The formation of untimely yellowed foliage and the presence of cobwebs indicate the presence of a pest - a spider mite. If the pest is identified at the initial stage of appearance, then you can get by with a solution of laundry soap. When the state is neglected, one cannot do without chemicals: Fitoverm, Vermitic and others.

Preparing the plant for winter

Hydrangea Anabel is a frost-resistant plant. But it is better to cut young bushes at first.

To prepare the bush for the winter period, you need to remove all the foliage and remove old or damaged branches. The trunk circle is generously insulated with shavings, sawdust or coniferous needles. The bush is pressed against the ground and covered with spruce branches. Some gardeners, out of inexperience, use polyethylene for shelter. This is not worth doing. The plant can "suffocate" and stifle.

Variety reviews

Planting hydrangeas Anabel and leaving in the open field, judging by the reviews, do not present any difficulties. Even novice gardeners are delighted with these flowers. With a rather insignificant care, an extraordinary decorative effect of the site is created.

Having planted Anabel hydrangea on your plot, everyone will be satisfied. The uniqueness of the decor with the romantic notes of the backyard space will be the envy of the neighbors and the admiration of the guests. Hydrangea bushes can be used as hedges. She looks amazing on the lawn. It is harmoniously arranged with irises, phloxes, roses and many other flowers.

Hydrangea Annabelle is the original representative of its species. The main feature of this subspecies is the unique ability to change the color of its inflorescences. Watering the bush with a special composition allows you to change the tone of the flowers to purple, blue or pale pink. Experienced gardeners can achieve multiple color changes in a single season. It is worth noting that the Anabel pink variety, which is popular among gardeners, can be obtained in this way.

Tree hydrangea anabel not famous for its height, the average indicators among adult shrubs rarely go beyond values ​​of more than one and a half meters. But with a relatively small growth, the annabelle can reach a width of more than three meters. In early spring, the shrub begins to grow deciduous and form future buds. Annabelle blooms from mid-summer to early fall.The flowers cannot be called large, but they are arranged quite densely and form hemispheres about thirty centimeters in diameter. With lush flowering, the weight of the inflorescences is able to tilt the branches of the bush to the very ground.

Anabel is distinguished by its strong tree-like trunks, thanks to which the plant is able to endure negative external factors. The shrub can be considered a long-liver, the anabel hydrangea, which is planted and cared for, taking into account all needs, is able to decorate the garden plot for fifty years. An important condition for the well-being of a plant is a permanent location, annabelle negatively perceives transplants and a sharp change in conditions of detention.

Shrub planting

When choosing a place for planting a plant, it is recommended to give preference areas near tall trees... It is in shaded areas that the hydrangea will be able to reveal its full natural potential and please its owners with more lush flowering. In addition, nearby trees will be able to protect the bushes from sudden gusts of wind and drafts, the latter are an extremely negative factor for hydrangeas.

You should not choose places for planting located in the lowland of the site, large accumulations of water can harm the root system and provoke its decay. If the entire site is located in a lowland, then the landing site must be equipped with good drainage. Pebbles, crushed stone, small fragments of bricks or expanded clay can be used as a drainage system. An important condition is the acidity of the soil, acidic soils are the most preferred for planting.

The first half of spring is considered the best time for planting. It is necessary to wait for the period of bud formation on other plants, it is at this time that the ground will be warmed up enough for planting a shrub.

Landing is carried out in several stages:

1. Soaking the seedling in warm water.
2. Preparation of the landing pit 50x50x50 centimeters.
3. Equipment for the drainage layer in the fossa.
4. Filling the landing site with soil. The soil is prepared from peat and humus soil with the addition of mineral fertilizers. The hole is not completely filled, but about one third.
5. Shrub planting. When planting, it is necessary to evenly distribute the root system over the entire volume of the fossa. After that, the roots are covered with soil and slightly tamped.
6. Watering. Use warm, settled water, preferably the temperature is several degrees higher than outside. For watering after planting, 15–20 liters will suffice.

Important! When planting, pay attention to the position of the root collar, it should not be completely covered with soil.

Bush care

Hydrangea anabel is quite unpretentious in care; even novice gardeners can cope with its maintenance.

It is enough to adhere to three basic rules of care:

1. Shrub does not tolerate drought... Regular abundant watering is required. In hot weather, it is recommended to water several times a week. For irrigation, use warm, settled water. Experienced gardeners recommend collecting water in the morning and exposing the buckets to the sun, so the water gets rid of elements harmful to the plant and warms up.
2. The plant needs regular pruning... The best times for pruning are early spring and late fall. The top stems are cut by about ten or fifteen centimeters. When pruning in the spring, it is important to have time to cut the stems before the juice begins to move. If the juice has gone, then it is better to refuse pruning as it can seriously harm the shrub and significantly slow down its development.
3. Mandatory mulching... The procedure allows you to exclude overheating of the plant and protect it from weeds. To maintain the desired acidity, it is recommended to add peat, the layer thickness is at least eight centimeters.

It is widely believed among experienced florists that it is better not to let the shrub bloom in the first two years and cut off the buds that are forming. The fact is that the plant spends a lot of energy on flowering, and if this period is artificially excluded, then the energy will be spent on the formation of the bush itself. Thanks to this, the subsequent flowering will be lush, and the shrub itself will be stronger and healthier.

Fertilizers

An important issue in caring for a shrub is correctly selected fertilizer... Top dressing is applied throughout the entire period of active growing season. Complex preparations for flowering plants are well suited. After the beginning of flowering, fertilizers should be applied with caution; with excessive feeding, the flowers may acquire a greenish tint.

Breeding methods for tree hydrangea

There is nothing difficult in the propagation of a plant, the annabelle hydrangea reproduces well by seeds, cuttings and division of an adult bush.

Propagation by cuttings

It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to propagate tree shrubs. Cuttings are cut from young shoots during the flowering period, it is better to cut off the side ones. Rooting is carried out in a mixture of equal parts of peat and coarse sand; stimulants can be used to speed up the process of root formation. The cuttings are kept in a dark room, to maintain the necessary humidity, they are covered with a jar or a transparent plastic bag. After rooting, you can transfer the young plant to a bright room.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Division is done at the beginning or end of the season... The shrub is dug up and divided into several separate plants. The division is carried out in such a way that each new bush has several buds and a good root system. The roots must be given special attention, try not to damage the small roots, and treat the cuts with charcoal or cinnamon.

Hydrangea from seed

This method is suitable for breeding work.... Hobbyists try not to grow shrubs from seeds as it is quite difficult and requires certain skills. Seeds are planted in boxes with acidified nutrient substrate. The substrate is prepared from equal parts of peat, leaf and humus soil. To make it friable, you can add coarse river sand. The soil is regularly moistened and complex fertilizing is applied. With proper care, young plants up to 20-25 centimeters in height grow by the end of the season.

Preparing for winter

Treelike shrubs of the annabelle species are distinguished by their frost resistance and even tolerate severe frosts well. They do not require protection or additional shelter, but young plants can still be insulated.

Experienced gardening tips:

• be sure to cut off dead branches and remove the foliage;
• sprinkle the ground around the shrub with sawdust or dried grass;
• press the rest of the plant to the ground and press it with a board;
• cover the plant with a wrap or burlap with the pressed down.

It should be noted that the bending of the plant should be done smoothly, without sudden jolts and excessive efforts.

How to change the color of inflorescences in a hydrangea tree

For similar experiments it is worth choosing an adult shrub... Young plants are not yet sufficiently strong and can react extremely negatively.

To give the flowers a blue tint, it is necessary to increase the acidity of the soil, and periodically add preparations with a high aluminum content. Watering is carried out with acidified water, the recommended acidity values ​​should exceed pH 5.5. It is in an acidic environment that aluminum compounds become soluble and can enter the plant along with nutrients. Phosphorus prevents the dissolution of aluminum compounds, therefore, preparations containing it should be discarded. Do not expect a quick reaction from hydrangea, sometimes it takes a whole season to change color.

For a pink tint, popularly called "pink", it is necessary to lower the acidity of the soil to neutral values. For these purposes, lime or chalk can be added to the water for irrigation. Additionally, top dressing with a high nitrogen content is applied.

It is worth noting that the repainting of inflorescences from pink to blue occurs quite quickly, but the reverse color change can take a lot of time.

With proper maintenance and care, anabel tree hydrangea can become a decoration of any garden. Caring for it is easy and even an inexperienced gardener can grow a beautiful healthy plant. You just need to choose a suitable landing site and follow the simple tips from our article. The annabelle shrubs are beautiful and elegant and are often used to decorate gardens and create hedges.

> Hydrangea tree Annabelle

Hydrangea is still one of the most popular ornamental shrubs. The love of gardeners is primarily due to the stunningly lush flowering, huge leaves (up to 30 cm in length) and relative unpretentiousness in care. Most species still prefer a warm climate, which makes it difficult to grow shrubs, for example, in the middle lane or in the Urals. However, the Anabel variety is a rather frost-resistant hydrangea. Growing it doesn't cause a lot of hassle.

Description of the variety

If compared with other varieties and varieties, then Anabel has perhaps the most sprawling spherical bush. A lot of shoots are formed, which gives the impression of splendor. Height varies depending on natural conditions and can reach 1-1.5 m, and up to 3 m in width. Hydrangea flowers are small, only 2 cm in diameter. But the thing is that they are collected in spectacular spherical inflorescences, which can be up to 30 cm in volume. Flowering begins in mid to late June and lasts until September. Anabel is a long-lived hydrangea, and one bush can delight you for more than one decade, which is also an indisputable plus.

This variety is very versatile in terms of landscape design. A place for hydrangeas can be found anywhere. It goes well with conifers, irises, roses. If you wish, you can even make a real living wall out of it, which will be covered with fragrant white flowers from year to year.

There is another variety of this variety - this is the Pink Anabel hydrangea. It differs not only in a pink shade of flowers, but also in stronger and more wind-resistant shoots, increased frost resistance. The care is the same as for the Anabel hydrangea with white flowers.

How to choose a landing site?

To begin with, it is worth noting that planting Anabel hydrangea or any other variety should be carried out in the spring (in May) or in the fall (in September), with the first option being preferable. Buy seedlings in specialized stores, pay attention to the root system. Hydrangea at the time of planting may have buds, but should not bloom. The optimum age for seedlings is 2-3 years.

Choose a place for the bush, sheltered from drafts, in partial shade, where direct sunlight is only a few hours a day. There should not be too large trees nearby, as they will pick up moisture.

Hydrangea tree-like Anabel is not very demanding on soils, but still prefers acidic and with good water permeability, drained.

Preparing the landing site

After the landing site is selected, you need to dig a hole. The size depends on the seedling, approximately 50 x 50 cm and the same depth. The hydrangea has a superficial root system. If you are doing a group planting, then the distance between the seedlings should be about two meters.

It is recommended to pour several buckets of water (4-5) into the prepared hole and leave it overnight to absorb it.Further, a small drainage layer is poured onto the bottom, and then prepared nutrient soil (leafy earth, peat, humus and sand in equal quantities). In no case do not add lime and wood ash, the tree hydrangea Anabel does not like this.

Lower the seedling into a well-moistened soil and sprinkle it so that the root collar is at the level of the soil. The earth must be tamped tightly and watered again. The near-bore soil must be mulched after that. Use peat, sawdust, pine needles or spruce branches, and foliage. If you have a lawn, then you can apply grass that is in sufficient quantity after mowing it. Mulching protects the roots of hydrangea from overheating and limits the growth of weeds, in addition, organic matter over time decays and acidifies the soil, which is very beneficial for the plant.

Hydrangea Anabel: care

The shrub grows fast enough. Hydrangea care consists in timely watering, loosening and mulching the soil, pruning.

The plant is very moisture-loving, the fact that it does not have enough water will be evidenced by slightly wilted leaves. The best watering option is 1-2 times a week, 3-4 buckets for each bush. It is desirable that it be gradual and slow, for example, a drip irrigation system. Watering frequency can be reduced to one every 10 days if the soil is mulched. It is best to do this in the spring and several times over the summer, while not forgetting to slightly loosen the soil in the near-stem circle.

Anabel is a hydrangea that loves feeding, she needs them for long and abundant flowering. The first time fertilization is applied the next spring after planting. For one square meter, the following nutritional composition is recommended:

• 40 g superphosphate;
• 20 g of urea;
• 30 g of potassium sulfate.

You can use ready-made complex fertilizers, for example, "Kemira-flowers", while strictly following the instructions. At the moment when the hydrangea Anabel is gaining buds, the second feeding is carried out (50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate). In addition, it is recommended to water the shrub 2-3 times over the summer with a weak (light pink) solution of potassium permanganate.

Anabel is a hydrangea that is quite resistant to various kinds of diseases, but sometimes it can be damaged by spider mites, downy mildew, chlorosis of leaves or aphids. All cases require special treatment.

Hydrangea bush formation

Only shrubs older than five years are subject to pruning, until that time they do not need to be touched. The best time is early spring. Adult shoots are cut 10-20 cm, and annuals can be shortened by 1/3 of the length. Broken, old and often growing branches are subject to removal. You should not cut off weak bushes, since spring is a time of active sap flow, and a painful plant may die.

Propagation of hydrangea

Hydrangea Anabel reproduces very successfully in a vegetative way - by cuttings and layering. In the first case, young shoots are used. Cuttings 10-15 cm long should be cut during the flowering of the hydrangea. Then slightly dry the cut, treat with "Kornevin" and root in light fertile soil. For the formation of roots, cuttings need high humidity and a temperature of 20-25 degrees. In the second case, a strong and healthy shoot is buried in the fall. Already next spring, he will give roots and form a separate bush.

Do you want to change the color of the inflorescences of an ornamental shrub yourself? Planting anabel tree hydrangea gives you plenty of room to experiment. If you plant a few bushes near the house, in the summer they will be covered with lush white caps of flowers. You can keep this beauty in its original form, or you can water the plants with special preparations so that the clusters acquire the most varied colors. Experienced growers can force the same bush to release inflorescences of different colors.In the northern regions, perennials often cannot stand harsh winters; they have to be insulated or dug up and moved indoors. Hydrangea is not afraid of frost, so it is ideal for the design of summer cottages in cold latitudes, and caring for it is not at all difficult.

The beauty of a short bush

The tree-like "anabel" hydrangea does not reach a great height, the bush stretches only up to one and a half meters, but it grows up to 3 m wide. In spring, the plant is covered with bright leaves the size of a palm, then it releases clusters of buds. Small flowers adhere tightly to each other and form snow-white balls up to 30 cm in diameter. In early spring, the bush adorns the area with bright greenery, and from July to autumn - with lush inflorescences. Proper planting and maintenance makes the bunches so heavy that the branches tilt to the ground.

Got a new suburban area? Take your time to make a wooden fence, you can plant a tree-like "anabel" hydrangea around the perimeter. The bushes grow very quickly, caring for them will not take much time, and soon your territory will be surrounded by a decorative hedge. The bushes planted along the beds will protect the planting from the wind, in winter they will hold the snow and prevent the soil from freezing.

It will be necessary to plant a hydrangea tree-like "anabel" only once: it is a long-liver. Proper care will help the bushes decorate the site for almost half a century, and your grandchildren will already be replacing them with new ones. Be careful when choosing a place: these plants do not tolerate transplanting well.

Reproduction of hydrangea

If you want to get planting material yourself, use one of the following methods:

• dividing the bush;
• cuttings;
• growing from seeds.

The latter method is rarely used. Hydrangea seeds are very small, they need to be sown in acidic soil, and sprinkled with sand on top. In autumn, the sprouts are planted in a permanent place and in the first winter they are closed from frost.

You can divide the bush in spring or autumn. Cut off a part of the plant with a shovel so that there are enough shoots on both the main specimen and the separated part, and transplant to a new place. It is best to take cuttings for rooting during the flowering of the bush. If you treat the slices with a root growth stimulant, the shoots will take root in 3 weeks.

Planting hydrangeas outdoors

Hydrangea tree-like "Anabel" grows well on acidic soils. For a lush and vibrant bloom, plant the bushes in light shade from the crown of tall trees. It is advisable to protect the plantings from drafts. The plant does not tolerate wetlands; in the lowlands, make good drainage.

The root system of shrubs is located in the upper soil layer. At a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other, dig holes 40 cm deep and in diameter. Prepare food for the roots for the first time.

Take in equal proportions:

• black soil;
• garden land;
• sand;
• peat.

Add complex fertilizers to the mixture and pour half a bucket of the composition into each well. Such preparation will facilitate the subsequent care of the plantings.

Advice

Never add ash, chalk, lime or other substances with an alkaline reaction under this hydrangea tree. On neutral and alkaline soils, water the bushes with acidified water.

The bushes take root best if they are planted in May or September. In the spring, the seedlings themselves will tell you when it's time for them to go to the ground: the buds should already appear, but not yet bloom. Spill each well well, wait for excess moisture to be absorbed into the ground. Take a seedling, spread the roots so that they are evenly distributed over the bottom of the hole, and cover with soil. Make sure that the root collar is not underground. Mulch circles near bushes with sawdust or fallen leaves of last year. Peat is considered the best material for mulch; it increases the acidity of the soil.

Plant care

Worst of all, hydrangea "Anabel" tolerates drought, the main care is reduced to watering. Keep the soil moist at all times and water abundantly.While the bush is still small, it must be protected from pests. Water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, spray with insecticides. Hydrangea is resistant to disease, but for prevention it can be sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. Hot sunrays and strong winds are dangerous to young plants, protect them from adverse influences until they get stronger.

The bush needs nutrients especially in the spring after wintering, when it begins to actively grow and release foliage, and during the formation of buds. Apply complex fertilizers, manure, compost. During flowering, do not overfeed the plants, excessive care will lead to the fact that the petals will acquire a greenish tint. When choosing fertilizers, see that the composition includes magnesium and iron, these trace elements are necessary for tree hydrangea.

Advice

If, in a severe cold, some hydrangea shoots freeze, do not remove them. During the warm season, they will recover, and next year they will be covered with lush inflorescences.

Until the age of two, it is better not to let the "Anabel" bloom, all the strength and nutrients should be spent on the development of a strong bush. Cut off the resulting buds, you will still have time to enjoy the beauty of the snow-white inflorescences. Adult plants that are already 3 years old need to be rejuvenated every spring. Leave about a dozen of the strongest shoots and shorten them by a third. Cut out the excess processes. In the fall, remove all dead buds and shoots that have not released buds.

Changing the color of the petals

There are different reviews about the results of experiments on changing the color of flowers of hydrangea tree-like "anabel". For some growers, everything happens quickly and easily, while others struggle for years, but they do not succeed. There is nothing surprising in this: a plant is a living organism, each specimen has its own characteristics. Try it, you might be lucky. Do not experiment on young, fragile bushes, they may not survive such stress.

If you want to get a blue tint of the petals, increase the acidity of the soil and add aluminum preparations under the bush. Usually, there is enough of this element in the ground, but in a neutral and alkaline environment it is found in insoluble compounds. Water the soil with acidic compounds, make sure that the pH is no higher than 5.5. Do not feed the hydrangea with phosphorus fertilizers, they can interfere with the transition of aluminum compounds into a soluble form. Do not expect the color change to happen quickly, you will have to wait several years.

To obtain a pink shade of the petals, bring the acidity of the soil closer to neutral reaction. Do not overdo it with the introduction of chalk and lime, from their excess, the hydrangea tree-like "anabel" can die, no care will save. Feed your plants with fertilizers that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus but low in potassium. If you want to change the color several times, first achieve a pink tint, and when you get tired of this tone, change it to blue. Reversing the color change is much more difficult.

Conclusion

Hydrangea can be planted in any climatic zone. These plants perfectly tolerate severe frosts, almost never get sick and are not affected by pests. Caring for the Anabel tree hydrangea is not difficult at all. Only drought is terrible for the bushes, but if you install a drip irrigation system, this problem will be solved.

Experimental lovers can try to change the color of the petals. Note that these tests use chemicals. Avoid treating plants that are near vegetable beds. Remember that after the destruction of the bush, edible crops cannot be planted in this place, and other ornamental plants may not take root in the poisoned soil, despite excellent care. If you nevertheless decided to get an unusual shade - we wish you success!