Hydrangea bobo planting and care in the open field in siberia

Living in Siberia, it is difficult to imagine growing lush gardens, given the local climate, but breeders have bred several types of hydrangea that you can grow even in difficult Siberian conditions.

It is important to follow all the instructions in this article so that your plant does not die, since the conditions do not favor the carefree cultivation of even such unpretentious flowers as hydrangea.

After studying all the tips for growing hydrangeas in Siberia, you will be able to decorate the garden with beautiful hydrangeas that are protected from diseases and pests.

And in Siberia, you can create a beautiful garden

By its nature, hydrangea is unpretentious and easily adapts to different conditions.But it is very difficult to grow hydrangea in Siberia or in other areas with harsh climatic conditions. The delicate plant is exposed to low temperatures and dies from this.

• Winter temperatures in Siberia often drop to -45 degrees, and many varieties of hydrangeas, such as large-flowered, oak-leaved, garden and petiolate, simply freeze out without waiting for spring.
• Recommendations for growing hydrangeas developed by gardeners are most often unacceptable for a specific Siberian climate.
• But experienced flower growers still grow hydrangeas in the difficult climatic conditions of Siberia and the Urals. They prefer more frost-resistant plant varieties. These include paniculate and tree-like hydrangea varieties.

Growing hydrangeas in Siberian conditions requires special skills, knowledge and proper care of the plant, as in such a climate it becomes "capricious".

Choosing a plant variety for Siberian conditions

To know for sure that the plant will delight you with abundant flowering, the best option is to purchase seeds or seedlings of the plant grown locally.

• You need to purchase it from experienced gardeners who have been growing hydrangea for more than one year in their area.
• Based on the experience of Siberian florists, we can safely say that tree-like and paniculate varieties of hydrangea withstand Siberian frosts well.
• Varieties of paniculate plant species feel especially good in the local climate - more than twenty of them have taken root in Siberia. These include the likes of Pink Diamond, Limelight, Magic Fire, Magic Flute. Each of these varieties has its own color and size of inflorescences.

If the grower has a small area, panicle hydrangeas of dwarf varieties - Sandai Fresh and Vanila Fresh - are suitable for him - they reach a height of one meter. There is also the smallest species, which reaches only 60-65 cm, and is called Bobo. These varieties are locally tested and thrive in them.

You can, of course, grow other types of large-leaved hydrangea, but this is a rather laborious work. If you leave hydrangeas of these varieties to winter at 30-40 degrees of frost in the open field, they may survive the winter, but they will not please with flowering.

Therefore, every autumn you will have to dig out the bushes and clean them in a cool room, and with the beginning of spring, put them up for germination and transfer them to open ground only when the danger of frost has passed.

Therefore, it is still better to choose paniculate or tree-like varieties adapted to the Siberian climate.

Types and varieties of hydrangea for Siberia

For cultivation in the harsh Siberian climatic conditions, only tree and panicle hydrangeas are used. Thermophilic varieties of large-leaved hydrangea do not withstand winter frosts. They can only be planted outdoors in summer.

Treelike hydrangea is a flowering garden shrub. This is a fairly large plant, reaching a height of 3 m. Its homeland is the east of North America. It is used for landscaping gardens in single plantings and shrub compositions. Blooms from mid-summer to late autumn.

Tree hydrangea gave rise to many popular varieties. The most spectacular frost-resistant varieties, suitable for growing in Siberia:

• "Anabel" is a low shrub, reaching 1.5 m in height. The diameter of the crown of this variety is up to 3 m, it has large white inflorescences;
• "Grandiflora" is a low, spreading bush, inflorescences are white with a cream shade, blooms throughout the summer;
• "Invincibelle" - is distinguished by large dark pink inflorescences.

Hydrangea paniculata - a very popular type for decorating gardens and parks. Its many winter-hardy varieties can be used in regions with harsh climates. It is a shrub up to 10 m tall, blooming until mid-autumn with large paniculate inflorescences.

Winter-hardy compact varieties of panicle hydrangea are very popular, suitable for growing in Siberia and the Urals:

• "Vanilla Fries" does not exceed 2 m in height, its inflorescences change from white to bright pink, and then turn purple-red;
• "Bobo" is a low-growing shrub, the height of which does not exceed 70 cm. Its inflorescences are greenish-white at first, then become creamy.

Types of hydrangeas that can be grown in Siberia

First of all, you should pay attention to exactly where the bush was grown. The most successful purchase will be those seeds or seedlings that were originally grown in the northern regions.

Two types are especially resistant to frost: panicle hydrangea and tree hydrangea. The former have especially good indicators of stability. So, in Siberia there are already more than 20 types of hydrangea of ​​this type. These include:

• Limelight;
• Pink Diamond;
• Magic Flame;
• Magic Fire.

All varieties differ in their color and the size of the inflorescences. But plants can also vary in growth. So, for those who have a small garden, it will be enough to grow on their site such a species as Bobo hydrangea. This variety is considered one of the lowest, and in full growth can only reach 65 cm.There are also those that are slightly larger, but are still considered dwarf: Vanilla and Sanday Fresh. Such a hydrangea does not exceed one meter in height.

The varieties presented above do not require special care for themselves, however, if you have a little free time, you can start planting weaker plants, which, if they survive frosts down to -35 °, then the likelihood that they can continue to bloom will become extremely small.

Because of this feature, panicle hydrangea of ​​weak species and other varieties of this plant are specially dug up in the autumn and stored all winter in a cool room, and when spring comes, they are planted again in open ground.

When is it better to plant a hydrangea and how to choose a seedling

When buying a seedling of a plant, you need to know that the roots must be in a coma of earth. Pay attention to this lump - the earth should not be overdried. The plant is very demanding on moisture, and the soil on the roots must be saturated with it, otherwise the plant will not take root.

The best time to plant a seedling is spring. After the soil has thawed and the frost time has passed, you can plant the hydrangea in the soil.

How to choose the right seedling

When buying seedlings, you should pay attention to the fact that hydrangea in Siberia always, even when sold, must be in the ground. In this case, the lump in which the roots are located should not be liquid or, conversely, too dry. Otherwise, you may be faced with the fact that the hydrangea, despite proper care, may not take root and die.
It is best, if the plant is kept in Siberian conditions, to acquire shoots just before planting begins. Therefore, it is best to go to the market or to the store for them in the spring, as soon as the last frosts are gone.

Where to plant hydrangea in the garden

In order for a hydrangea - it does not matter whether it is tree-like or paniculate - to take root in Siberia, before planting begins, it is worth deciding on the place where it will grow.

First of all, it is worth making sure that there will be no strong winds in the place of the future growth of the plant. In addition, the direct rays of the sun adversely affect it, therefore, a shadow should fall on the landing site for most of the day. The best option is if the hydrangea is located near the fence or wall of the house.

The soil at the site where the planting will be carried out also strongly affects how the bush will grow, how often it will need care, especially when it comes to Siberia. The ideal option for hydrangea is a slightly and medium acidic soil. The components of such soil should be:

• leaves;
• sand;
• peat;
• sod land.

The most undesirable is alkaline soil, since hydrangea takes root extremely poorly in it.

After the place is chosen, you should begin to prepare the soil for further planting of the plant.

Soil preparation

In order for the seedling to take root, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil for planting it. If the planting is carried out correctly, then the bush will require less care. First of all, it is worth digging a hole in the ground, which should correspond to the size of the plant.

Depending on the growth, it is necessary to dig holes of the following sizes:

1. for small seedlings, a square pit, 50 × 50 cm is needed;
2. if the plant has already grown, then in order for it to be freely planted, a wider pit with sides 80 × 80 cm will be required.

Depending on the size of the roots of the plant, the depth of the pit can vary from 40 to 60 cm.

In order for the hydrangea to take root better, it is necessary to pour 2-3 buckets of water into the pit, and then leave it overnight so that all the water is absorbed.

After the hole is dug, it must be filled again, but with a special mixture, which includes:

• 2/6 - peat;
• 2/6 - fertile soil;
• 1/6 - sand;
• 1/6 - humus.

Fertilizer can also be mixed with them, consisting of:

• 25 g of urea;
• 65 g superphosphate;
• 25 g of potassium sulfate.

In order to acidify it, you can add spruce or pine needles to the mixture and fill the entire hole with it. It is important that there is no lime in it, since its hydrangea does not tolerate it, and immediately begins to die.

Choosing a site and soil for planting

In order for the hydrangea to grow and bloom well in the harsh conditions of Siberia, it is necessary to choose the right planting site for it and prepare the optimal soil composition.

The plant needs bright diffused lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Therefore, it must be planted in a place protected from the sun under the protection of tree crowns. However, the bush should not be placed too close to large trees. Hydrangea loves moist soil, you need to choose a place so that moisture is absorbed as little as possible by the roots of the trees.

Hydrangea bush grows poorly in a windy place... To reliably protect the plant from the wind, you need to find a quiet area for it, preferably near a solid hedge.

The soil for the bush should be slightly acidic. It is unacceptable to use alkaline soils. Even a small amount of lime trapped under the roots can kill the plant. The soil for hydrangea should be fertile, contain peat and pine needles for acidification, as well as sand.

The best soil composition for planting is as follows:

• Humus;
• Leafy land;
• Sod land;
• Peat;
• Coarse sand.

All ingredients are taken in equal parts.

When and how to plant correctly

A newly acquired hydrangea seedling is planted in late spring. In Siberian regions, this can be done no earlier than mid-May, when the ground has already completely thawed and warmed up. Before planting, you need to prepare the planting hole and fill it with an earthen mixture.

• The planting pit, even for a small seedling, should be at least 50x50 cm in size and at least 40 cm deep. Then there will be enough space in it for the growth of the root system of a young plant.
• The prepared hole must first be spilled with water. 3 buckets of water are poured into it so that the soil around it is saturated with moisture. The next day, the pit is filled with earthen mixture for hydrangeas.
• After that, the plant is installed in the center of the pit and buried in earth, the earth is compacted. The seedling should not be deeply buried; its root collar should be at the level of the soil surface.

After planting, the bush is well watered. The surface of the earth around it is covered with a thick layer of mulch, which helps to retain moisture in it.

Planting a plant in the soil

Before you start planting, you should shorten the hydrangea roots a little and cut off excess shoots. So, the plant can have shoots up to a maximum of 5-6th buds.

The plant is set in a new place and buried in soil so that the neck of the hydrangea root is at ground level. The fact is that the bush does not like it when it is outdoors, but experienced gardeners do not recommend deepening it. To increase the chances of plant rooting, it should be watered again.

In order for the plant to take root well, after planting, a mixture of needles, leaves and peat mulch should be placed under it. This will keep the soil moist for longer.

If the place where the plant was planted is not illuminated by direct rays of the sun and is reliably protected from the winds, then the period during which it will take root will be much shorter.

How to keep hydrangea in winter

Since the Siberian frosts are famous for their strength, the hydrangea must be hidden from them, reliably covered.

The roots of the plant require insulation in the first place. They need to be covered with rotted manure - this is an excellent insulation for them. You can use peat or dry leaves, they are laid in a thick layer of 10-20 cm.

When the snow falls, they can also insulate the hydrangea bush by covering it with a large layer of snow. It will not only insulate the bush, but also saturate it with moisture when it melts.

How to winter hydrangeas without loss

For the winter, the plants are carefully covered, since without a special shelter, flower buds can freeze out and in the new season, flowering will be scarce. For this, agrofibre and a wooden box are used.

• The branches of the hydrangea are bent down and laid on a wooden box, covered with agrofibre on top and covered with spruce branches.
• The root part is covered with dry foliage. In this state, the plant will be able to winter safely and wait for spring.
• There is also a good way to protect the plant from the winter cold. To do this, the bush is tied, covered with spunbond.

At a distance of 20-25 cm from the bush, a wire frame is installed, in height exceeding the plant by 10-15 cm. The space between the frame and the bush is covered with fallen leaves. Under such a "fur coat" the hydrangea will feel good even in severe Siberian frosts.

Choosing a place for planting hydrangeas

When a variety of shrubs is selected, you can go to the definition of his place of residence, the harsh climate of Siberia must be very careful when choosing a place for planting hydrangeas.

• It is necessary to protect the hydrangea from the wind, so you can plant it near a solid fence.
• The plant loves light, but does not tolerate the open sun. It is necessary to find a shaded place for him.
• The soil in which it will be planted is very important for the shrub.

Hydrangea does not tolerate alkaline soil - the best option for it would be slightly to medium acidic. It should consist of leaves, sand, turf and peat.

Preparing the soil and plants for planting

When the location is chosen, you need to properly prepare the pit for planting.

1. The pit should be prepared of suitable size and taking into account what kind of soil the plant loves. A small hydrangea seedling will grow into a large beautiful bush in several years, therefore, a fertilized hole for it needs to be made rather big, it should be at least 50 × 50 cm in size, if small seedling. For a large seedling, the hole can be 80 × 80 cm in size. The depth of the hole should be from 40 to 60 cm - it depends on the size of the plant root.
2. 2-3 buckets of water are poured into the finished pit, and it is left overnight, so that the water soaks the ground well.
3. The pit soaked in water in the morning is filled with a mixture of peat and humus, mixed with sand and fertile soil in proportions of 2: 1: 1: 2, organic and mineral fertilizers are added to them (65 grams of superphosphate, 25 grams of urea, 25 grams of potassium sulfate Pine and spruce needles acidify the soil well, so they will not be superfluous either. This mixture should completely fill the hole.
4. You need to know that hydrangea does not tolerate lime, so if it gets under the roots, the plant will simply die.
5. The last preparatory step before planting is trimming the roots and excess shoots. The roots are slightly shortened, annual shoots are pruned to 5-6 buds.

Planting a plant

We install the hydrangea seedling in a new dwelling and add it with garden soil. The neck of the plant root should be at the same level with the ground, it should not be buried, but it is undesirable to leave it completely open.

For good rooting of the plant after planting, it is necessary to water it again, then pour a mixture of leaves, needles, peat mulch over the ground under the seedling.

This pillow will help keep the soil moist for a long time.

After planting, until the plant has taken root, it needs to create a comfortable environment, protecting it from the wind and sun.

Plant care

Hydrangea, after rooting, is considered an unpretentious plant. Caring for it is required the same as for other garden flowers, but with some peculiarities.

Shrub feeding

In order for the plant to please you with long-term flowering and large inflorescences, it needs feeding, and it is desirable to diversify it.

• Organic fertilizers - Liquid manure is very suitable for hydrangeas, but they need to be fertilized carefully, as an excess of it can harm the inflorescences.
• Mineral fertilizers added to the water during irrigation, for one bucket of water 20-30 grams of fertilizers, there should be 2-3 buckets.
• Special fertilizers for this shrub are sold; all the nutrients for hydrangeas are balanced in them.

The plant is fed four times during the spring-summer period:

• the first feeding - early spring, during the beginning of sap flow;
• the second - during the development and growth of buds of inflorescences;
• the third is the middle of summer;
• the fourth feeding is autumn, preparation for the winter period.

Hydrangea care

After planting, hydrangeas practically do not need care. But still, in order for the plant to be healthy and strong, some gardeners resort to a little trick.

First of all, it concerns watering. The soil around the bush should always be moist, because hydrangea loves water very much. You can add a little potassium permanganate to the watering can, but not more than a gram per liter. Such care for hydrangeas in Siberia helps the plant to bloom profusely.

To keep water in the soil as long as possible, the area around the bush can be covered with dry foliage and sawdust.

Also, care involves regular feeding of hydrangeas. This will help her to produce more lush inflorescences. Feeding can be done 4 times a season.

The bush does not like monotony, so two types of fertilizers can be used.

1. Organic. Liquid manure may work well as an organic fertilizer. But you should not overdo it with it, since a large amount of this fertilizer can adversely affect the inflorescences.
2. Mineral fertilizers. They are added little by little. One bucket takes 20 or 30 grams. In total, at least 2 buckets should be used for watering with fertilizers.

The fertilizer itself can be found at a garden plant store. They sell mixtures specially selected for care in Siberia.

Watering hydrangea

Hydrangea loves water very much, so the land around the bush should never be dry, of course, if you want to get an abundant flowering of the plant.

It is good to add potassium permanganate to the water for irrigation.

It is necessary to carry out regular mulching of the soil under the bush with sawdust and dry leaves, they retain moisture well in the soil.

Features of hydrangea pruning

To grow a flowering bush in early spring or mid-autumn, pruning should be done. This should be done only when the plant reaches 3-4 years of age. Previously, this should not be done, since the plant has abundant sap flow in the early years of life.

In order to improve the appearance of the bush and enhance flowering, it is necessary to cut the tops (about 10 cm) of the branches.If you cut two buds below the old inflorescence, there will be more flowers, but smaller. If you cut at the bottom and leave only two buds, the flowers will be larger, but in smaller quantities.

Hydrangea tends to grow rapidly and form heavy inflorescences. To prevent branch fractures, the largest bushes need to be tied up or propped up in advance.

If you want a well-formed hydrangea bush, you need to prune it correctly and in time.

• In autumn, after flowering, it is necessary to cut off all faded inflorescences.
• In the spring, at the beginning of sap flow, all shoots should be cut off from a tree hydrangea, leaving 3-5 buds. Pruning paniculate hydrangea occurs a little differently - the main shoots are cut to the desired height, 2-3 buds are left on the lateral shoots.
• Old hydrangea bushes need to be rejuvenated by cutting off all branches to a hemp of 7-8 cm, the growth of new shoots will not keep you waiting.

Feeding hydrangeas

Hydrangea is a very moisture-loving plant and therefore needs good organized watering and constant spraying of the leaves. With a lack of moisture, the hydrangea will freeze out. In regions of Siberia, summer is often dry, especially in the middle of summer, the sun is very active. During this period, the hydrangea must be watered every day, not allowing the earth to dry out.

At the beginning of growth, mineral fertilizers or humus are used to feed hydrangeas. Over time, nitrogen fertilizers can be added. In specialized stores on sale there are ready-made mixtures intended for fertilizing hydrangeas. 2-3 feeding per month is enough for the plant to thank with large beautiful inflorescences.

How hydrangea reproduces

Hydrangea can be propagated by cuttings and layering, but the desired flowering will have to wait 4-5 years. The easiest way to plant a hydrangea is with seedlings, which should definitely be bought with an adjoining lump of earth. So she can avoid stress when disembarking and take root faster. It is necessary to plant a hydrangea in late spring or early autumn, when the ground is warmed up.

A pit 50x50 cm is prepared for the plant, the soil is well fertilized. The seedling is placed in a hole and sprinkled with a mixture of black soil, humus, peat and sand. Inexperienced gardeners should take into account that hydrangea does not like ash and lime. Hydrangea does not tolerate direct sunlight and is afraid of the wind. Therefore, it is better for her to allocate a calm place in the garden with moderate lighting or even good shade.

Plants should be planted at a distance of 1.5 meters from each other and away from large trees, which will absorb a significant amount of moisture with their roots. The near-root part must be constantly loosened so that sufficient oxygen flows to the roots of the plant. If there is not enough time for loosening for some reason, you can add mulch to the soil during the first treatment.

Disease and pest control

All plants are susceptible to disease and pests, and hydrangea is no exception. But in order to preserve the bush, it is necessary to carry out its timely treatment. What diseases are the most dangerous?

Powdery mildew - This is the most common disease of all types of hydrangeas. When it appears, you need to spray:

the treatment of the plant is carried out with a mixture of water with a foundation, the proportions are for 10 liters of 25-30 g of the drug;
another method is to pour 80 g of Bordeaux liquid into 10 liters of water.
Aphid - this is another disaster for some plants, and hydrangea also falls into their number. Plant treatment for aphids is carried out with the following composition:

Peel 250-300 grams of garlic, chop, pour 10 liters of water, leave for two days, then add 50 grams of laundry soap to the tincture. It is necessary to spray the hydrangea with this solution until it is completely cured.

So, it is quite possible to plant and grow hydrangea in Siberia. But in order for it to grow and give lush inflorescences, you will have to work a little.

If you choose the right variety and give the sprout proper care, then it can grow and delight the gardener for several years.

Garden hydrangea care

When growing hydrangeas in Siberia, there are peculiarities of caring for it. The most basic and necessary procedures for caring for a garden hydrangea are:

• Watering;
• Top dressing;
• Pruning;
• Reproduction.

Watering and feeding

Hydrangea of ​​any kind loves moist soil. She does not tolerate dry air and requires regular spraying of the leaves. With a lack of moisture, the hydrangea withers, does not bloom and dies. And since the summer in Siberia is dry, special attention should be paid to watering the plant.

• With the onset of warm weather, it is necessary to provide the plant with regular watering so that the earth around the bush does not dry out. And in the hot summer with a lack of rain and increasing solar activity, you can water the bush daily.
• The plant is fed only in the spring and summer... With the onset of warm weather, hydrangeas are fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers to support the growing season.
• In summer, during the flowering period, as well as at the end of August, they are fed with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers for flowering and ripening of shoots.

Today flower shops sell special fertilizer for garden hydrangeas. It can be used twice a month throughout the entire feeding period.

Pruning

Formative pruning of hydrangea bushes is carried out in early spring to give them the desired shape and stimulate growth and flowering. Young plants are not pruned due to abundant sap flow at the beginning of the growing season.Pruning is carried out only from 3-4 years of age.

Winter-hardy hydrangea species blooming in Siberian regions form inflorescences on the shoots of the current year. Therefore, all well-developed shoots are shortened by 10 cm.

Dry branches, thin and underdeveloped shoots are subject to removal. In old plants with a very dense crown, it is recommended to remove 2-3 branches growing inside the bush every year.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate garden hydrangea, the most common of them are:

• Sowing seeds;
• Cuttings;
• Reproduction by layering.

The first method is rarely used by gardeners. This is the most laborious and time-consuming method; it will be possible to get a flowering plant only after a few years. And in the harsh conditions of Siberia, it is almost impossible to grow a hydrangea from seeds in the open air.

• For 2-3 years, seedlings need to be grown in pots, and only then planted in open ground. Vegetative propagation methods will help to get a young flowering plant faster.
• Cuttings are cut from the lignified shoots of the last year... In the summer, you can take green cuttings.
• They are rooted in greenhouses or outdoors. The dug-in cuttings are covered with foil to create a greenhouse effect.

In order for young plants to tolerate Siberian frosts well, they are not recommended to be left in the open field. Together with a lump of earth, they are transplanted into boxes and transferred to a closed cool room. The next spring they are planted in the ground. Young plants bloom in 2 years.

For the formation of a layering in the spring, an incision is made in the bark on the lower branch of the bush, after which the branch at the place of the incision is dropped into the ground near the mother plant. Layers take root well only after a year. The following spring, they are separated from an adult bush and planted in a permanent place.

You can read about caring for home hydrangea here.

Pests and the fight against them

In the summer, hydrangea often suffers from pests of garden plants.Spider mites and aphids usually attack the hydrangea.

Spider mites are small arachnids that feed on plant sap. You can see the tick only under a magnifying glass. On the shoots affected by the pest, you can see a cobweb that braids the youngest leaves.

Hot weather and low humidity contribute to the reproduction of spider mites.If the plant is affected by a tick, it is necessary to treat it with pesticides as soon as possible to completely destroy the pest. For this, drugs are used: acaricides or insect-acaricides.

Aphids on hydrangeas multiply in large numbers, which leads to drying out of the affected young shoots. Only insecticidal preparations will help to cope with this pest.

How to prepare a bush for winter and protect it from frost

Hydrangea in Siberia requires shelter for the winter. Even the most frost-resistant varieties, which can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C, cannot withstand the winter cold of this region without reliable shelter.

The plant is prepared for winter without waiting for the first frost. From the beginning of September, watering is completely stopped, and the lower leaves are removed so that the shoots begin to wood. Then, before the first frosts, all leaves are removed from the bush, except for the topmost ones, and the branches are carefully pulled together with a rope.

• The bush is wrapped with covering material in several layers... It is bent to the ground and fixed with stones or bricks, and covered with spruce branches on top and covered with dry foliage.
• Frame shelters are very popular. The bush is pulled together with a rope and wrapped in a covering material. A wire or mesh frame is made around it.
• It should be 10 cm higher than the plant. The frame is filled with dry foliage, and the top is covered with a waterproof material - roofing felt or film.

Many Siberian gardeners dream of growing hydrangeas on their plots. But is this possible in a harsh climate, where the winter air temperature often drops below -40 degrees? As it turned out, it is possible. And for this you just need to choose the right variety and take care of it thoroughly. It is not difficult, but it has its own subtleties in a harsh climate. We will talk about this in this article.

Types of hydrangea

Today, two types of this beautiful plant are most common:

• Hydrangea. In Siberia, planting and caring for it is carried out on a personal plot, although it feels pretty decent in a pot. This type of plant is a shrub. He loves moisture and light. The shape of the leaves and inflorescences can be different, since today there are many varieties of these flowers.
• There is another type - panicle hydrangea. In Siberia, planting and caring for this plant is more expedient indoors. This flower has a high pyramidal dense inflorescence located at the end of the branches. Leaves can be round, oval, sharply peaked. For example, the Darum variety is perhaps the smallest in the numerous hydrangea family. This is why many gardeners choose to grow it indoors.

Variety selection

Today in this harsh climate, garden hydrangeas are becoming more and more popular. Planting and caring for this plant in Siberia is associated with some difficulties. The usual frost of 35-40 degrees for this region can destroy the plant. Such low temperatures are especially dangerous for oak-leaved, large-flowered, garden and petioled hydrangeas.

Paniculate varieties of these flowers feel comfortable in a harsh climate. To date, more than twenty species have taken root here. Of these, Limelight, Pink Diamond, Medical Flute, Medical Fire should be distinguished. All of them differ in color and size of inflorescences.

For owners of small plots, dwarf panicle hydrangeas - Vanilla Fresh and Sandai Fresh, which do not exceed one meter in height, are suitable. The smallest (65 cm high) variety can also be planted. It's called Bobo. These plants are adapted to local conditions and feel comfortable in them.

Other varieties of large-leaved hydrangea can be grown, but this is a rather difficult and time-consuming job. The fact is that many varieties after a frosty winter in the open field are unlikely to please you with their flowering.Therefore, the bushes will have to be dug up in the fall, removed to a cool room, put up for germination in the spring, and only then transferred to open ground, when the danger of frost has completely passed.

When to plant a hydrangea?

Today, hydrangea is no longer a rarity in Siberia. Planting and caring for a plant in the north requires some knowledge. The gardener needs to know that the seedling he buys must necessarily have roots in a coma of earth. However, it should not be overdried. This plant is very demanding for moisture, so the bud on the roots must be nourished with it. Otherwise, the bush may not take root. The plant is planted in spring, when the soil has completely thawed and frost has passed.

How to protect hydrangea in winter?

Hydrangea looks unusual and especially attractive in Siberia. Planting and caring for it will require the owner to carefully monitor the condition of the plant, especially in winter. When preparing a hydrangea for winter, you need to take care of its roots. They should be covered with rotted manure, which is an excellent insulation. For this, you can use dry leaves or peat. The insulation layer must be at least 20 cm.

The fallen snow can also be used to insulate the bush, pouring it in a large layer and tamping it. It will have a double benefit: it protects the roots from frost and, when thawed, will saturate the bush with moisture.

Landing place

So, you have decided that a hydrangea should appear on your site. In Siberia, planting and caring for this plant is associated with certain features. We will tell you about them.

First you need to choose a place where you can "settle" the plant. This issue is especially important for Siberia. The bush must be reliably protected from the wind, so you can plant it near a solid hedge. It should be borne in mind that hydrangea loves light, but does not tolerate the open sun.

Hydrangea in Siberia is quite demanding on the quality of the soil. Planting and grooming will not give the desired effect if the plant grows in the wrong soil. Alkaline soil is categorically contraindicated for these luxurious flowers; they prefer slightly-medium acidic soil, consisting of sand, leaves, peat and turf.

Soil preparation

After the location has been chosen, it is necessary to prepare the planting pit. It should be the right size and filled with the soil the plant needs. A very small seedling will turn into a beautiful bush in a few years, so the hole for it should be at least 50 × 50 cm in size.Its depth is at least 40 cm.

Pour three buckets of water into the prepared hole and leave it overnight to soak the soil well. The next morning, fill the hole with a mixture of humus and peat mixed with fertile soil and sand. Mineral and organic fertilizers should be added to them. Spruce and pine needles acidify the soil perfectly, so they will not be superfluous.

Hydrangea does not tolerate lime at all, a small amount of it that has fallen under the roots is enough, and the plant will die. At the end of the preparation for planting, it is necessary to cut off excess shoots and roots.

Garden hydrangea: planting and caring for flowers

Place the seedling in the hole and bury it in the ground. Make sure that the neck of the hydrangea root is flush with the ground, it is not recommended to bury it, but you also cannot leave it completely open.

In order for the plant to take root well after planting, it must be watered abundantly, and then a mixture of leaves, peat mulch, and needles must be poured onto the ground under the seedling. This cushion helps to maintain soil moisture.

Protect the seedling from direct and scalding sunlight and wind gusts until it is fully rooted.

Care

We have already said that many Siberian gardeners are trying to breed garden hydrangeas. Not everyone knows how to plant and care for them. Therefore, we will tell you about some of the secrets of care.

After rooting, hydrangea can be considered an unpretentious plant. Caring for her has some features.Get to know them.

Top dressing

In order for this luxurious plant to delight you with large inflorescences and long flowering, it should be fed. Slurry is an organic fertilizer that is ideal for hydrangeas, but you should use it very carefully, as too much of it will harm the buds.

Mineral fertilizers are added during watering - 20-30 grams per ten liters of water. 2-3 buckets of solution are poured under one bush. Today, there are many special preparations on sale in which all the necessary nutrients are ideally balanced for this particular shrub.

Garden hydrangeas are fed four times during the spring and summer season:

• 1 top dressing - in early spring, when sap flow begins;
• 2nd - during the emergence and development of buds;
• 3 top dressing - in the middle of summer;
• 4 feeding is carried out in the fall, during preparation for winter.

Watering

Hydrangea in Siberia is in need of moisture. Planting and caring for this plant involves regular and abundant watering - the soil around the bush should never completely dry out, of course, if you need abundant flowering. It is advisable to add potassium permanganate to the water for irrigation.

Hydrangea bushes require regular mulching of the soil with dry leaves and sawdust - they perfectly retain moisture in the soil.

Pruning

The hydrangea bush should be shaped so that it always looks well-groomed. In autumn, after flowering is complete, it is necessary to remove the faded inflorescences.

In the spring, before the start of sap flow, it is necessary to cut off all the shoots from the tree-like hydrangea, leaving 5 buds each. The paniculate variety is cut a little differently - the main shoots are cut to the desired height, and the side shoots are reduced to three buds.

It is necessary to regularly rejuvenate old bushes, cutting off all branches and leaving hemp 7-8 cm - new shoots will appear very quickly.

Hydrangea in Siberia - planting and care (indoor)

This is a plant that requires decent and reverent care, regardless of where it is planted. This fully applies to a houseplant. It is very difficult to grow it from seeds, and using the cuttings method, even a not very experienced florist can do this.

In order to plant a hydrangea, you will need:

• pot;
• soil mixture;
• a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

It is advisable to select a pot from a dense material, since hydrangea is a perennial plant, it will grow in it for more than one year. Fill it 2/3 with soil mixture, carefully place the cutting in it, strengthen it with earth, water the seedling with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Reproduction, pruning and watering an indoor flower

You already know that it is more convenient to propagate a hydrangea by cuttings - the likelihood of growing a healthy plant in this case increases significantly.

This should be done in mid-spring and late autumn, before the first frost. You need to be careful with watering your indoor hydrangea. Do not allow excessive waterlogging and drying out of the soil in the pot.

Many plants find it difficult to grow and thrive in harsh environmental conditions, even with careful maintenance. However, planting hydrangeas in Siberia is quite possible. But not all varieties of this plant will be able to survive in such conditions. Therefore, before planting, you should carefully consider which type of this bush to buy.

Types of hydrangeas that can be grown in Siberia

First of all, you should pay attention to exactly where the bush was grown. The most successful purchase will be those seeds or seedlings that were originally grown in the northern regions.

Two types are especially resistant to frost: panicle hydrangea and tree hydrangea. The former have especially good indicators of stability. So, in Siberia there are already more than 20 types of hydrangea of ​​this type. These include:

• Limelight;
• Pink Diamond;
• Magic Flame;
• Magic Fire.

All varieties differ in their color and the size of the inflorescences. But plants can also vary in growth.So, for those who have a small garden, it will be enough to grow on their site such a species as Bobo hydrangea. This variety is considered one of the lowest, and in full growth can only reach 65 cm.There are also those that are slightly larger, but are still considered dwarf: Vanilla and Sanday Fresh. Such a hydrangea does not exceed one meter in height.

The varieties presented above do not require special care for themselves, however, if you have a little free time, you can start planting weaker plants, which, if they survive frosts down to -35 °, then the likelihood that they can continue to bloom will become extremely small.

Because of this feature, panicle hydrangea of ​​weak species and other varieties of this plant are specially dug up in the autumn and stored all winter in a cool room, and when spring comes, they are planted again in open ground.

How to choose the right seedling

When buying seedlings, you should pay attention to the fact that hydrangea in Siberia always, even when sold, must be in the ground. In this case, the lump in which the roots are located should not be liquid or, conversely, too dry. Otherwise, you may be faced with the fact that the hydrangea, despite proper care, may not take root and die.

It is best, if the plant is kept in Siberian conditions, to acquire shoots just before planting begins. Therefore, it is best to go to the market or to the store for them in the spring, as soon as the last frosts are gone.

Where to plant hydrangea in the garden

In order for a hydrangea - it does not matter whether it is tree-like or paniculate - to take root in Siberia, before planting begins, it is worth deciding on the place where it will grow.

First of all, it is worth making sure that there will be no strong winds in the place of the future growth of the plant. In addition, the direct rays of the sun adversely affect it, therefore a shadow should fall on the landing site most of the day. The best option is if the hydrangea is located near the fence or wall of the house.

The soil at the site where the planting will be carried out also greatly affects how the bush will grow, how often it will need care, especially when it comes to Siberia. The ideal option for hydrangea is a slightly and medium acidic soil. The components of such soil should be:

• leaves;
• sand;
• peat;
• sod land.

The most undesirable is alkaline soil, since hydrangea takes root extremely poorly in it.

After the location is selected, you should begin to prepare the soil for further planting.

Soil preparation

In order for the seedling to take root, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil for planting it. If the planting is carried out correctly, then the bush will require less care. First of all, it is worth digging a hole in the ground, which should correspond to the size of the plant.

Depending on the growth, it is necessary to dig holes of the following sizes:

1. for small seedlings, a square pit, 50 × 50 cm is needed;
2. if the plant has already grown, then in order for it to be freely planted, a wider pit with sides 80 × 80 cm will be required.

Depending on the size of the roots of the plant, the depth of the pit can vary from 40 to 60 cm.

Advice

In order for the hydrangea to take root better, it is necessary to pour 2-3 buckets of water into the pit, and then leave it overnight so that all the water is absorbed.

After the hole is dug, it must be filled again, but with a special mixture, which includes:

• 2/6 - peat;
• 2/6 - fertile soil;
• 1/6 - sand;
• 1/6 - humus.

Fertilizer can also be mixed with them, consisting of:

• 25 g of urea;
• 65 g superphosphate;
• 25 g of potassium sulfate.

In order to acidify it, you can add spruce or pine needles to the mixture and fill the entire hole with it. It is important that there is no lime in it, since its hydrangea does not tolerate it, and immediately begins to die.

Planting a plant in the soil

Before you start planting, you should shorten the hydrangea roots a little and cut off excess shoots. So, the plant can have shoots up to a maximum of 5-6th buds.

The plant is installed in a new place and buried in soil in such a way that the neck of the hydrangea root is at ground level. The fact is that the bush does not like it when it is outdoors, but experienced gardeners do not recommend deepening it. To increase the chances of plant rooting, it should be watered again.

Advice

In order for the plant to take root well, after planting, a mixture of needles, leaves and peat mulch should be placed under it. This will keep the soil moist for longer.

If the place where the plant was planted is not illuminated by direct rays of the sun and is reliably protected from the winds, then the period during which it will take root will be much shorter.

Hydrangea care

After planting, hydrangeas practically do not need care. But still, in order for the plant to be healthy and strong, some gardeners resort to a little trick.

First of all, it concerns watering. The soil around the bush should always be moist, because hydrangea loves water very much. You can add a little potassium permanganate to the watering can, but not more than a gram per liter. Such care for hydrangeas in Siberia helps the plant to bloom profusely.

Advice

To keep water in the soil as long as possible, the area around the bush can be covered with dry foliage and sawdust.

Also, care involves regular feeding of hydrangeas. This will help her to produce more lush inflorescences. Feeding can be done 4 times a season.

The bush does not like monotony, so two types of fertilizers can be used.

1. Organic. Liquid manure may work well as an organic fertilizer. But you should not overdo it with it, since a large amount of this fertilizer can adversely affect the inflorescences.
2. Mineral fertilizers. They are added little by little. One bucket takes 20 or 30 grams. In total, at least 2 buckets should be used for watering with fertilizers.

The fertilizer itself can be found in a shop that specializes in garden plants. They sell mixtures specially selected for care in Siberia.

So, it is quite possible to plant and grow hydrangea in Siberia. But in order for it to grow and give lush inflorescences, you will have to work a little.

If you choose the right variety and give the sprout proper care, then it can grow and delight the gardener for several years.

Hydrangea is a southerner, in Siberia it is found mainly in indoor conditions, but some gardeners manage to grow this plant in the open field. Our review will tell you about the secrets of care, proper planting, and the use of hydrangea in garden design.

Varieties, varieties of hydrangea

About 35 species of this beautiful perennial plant are known. You can only dream about growing most of them in Siberia and admire them in the photo. But on the other hand, there are many varieties of tree and panicle hydrangea that tolerate our frosts well.

Hydrangea paniculata

Cold-resistant varieties of panicle hydrangea

The following varieties should be distinguished here:

1. Hydrangea Silver dollar - blooms in large white, and by autumn - pinkish pyramidal inflorescences. A beautifully shaped bush, blooming from July to September, sometimes reaches 2.5 m in diameter and the same height.

   Silver Dollar grade

2. The largest inflorescences in the variety Phantom... The hue of the flowers changes - in July they are creamy, and closer to September they become light pink. The height of the bush is 2 m, the shoots are long.
3. Beautiful one and a half meter bushes of hydrangea paniculata Vanille fraise... It is interesting to observe how the color of the flowers changes: at first they are white, like cream, then gradually acquire a pink hue, turning to dark red by the end of the season.
4. Award winning variety Pinky winky Is a bush that grows up to 1.5-2.4 m.It is covered with white panicles of flowers, with which an amazing metamorphosis occurs - the base begins to turn pink, and then the growing inflorescence releases new white flowers. The panicles are large, two-colored, unusually beautiful against the background of dark green leaves.

   Pinky Winky cultivar

5. Hydrangea flowers have an interesting color Lime Light... At first they have a greenish tint, then they begin to lighten and become white with a slightly lemon tint.

Treelike hydrangea varieties adapted to Siberian conditions

Such varieties of tree hydrangea tolerate the winter well:

1. Strong annabelle - a perennial shrub about 1.5 m high with large leaves, rounded white inflorescences. Needs a good spring pruning, then the flowers grow and can reach 300 mm. In especially cold winters, everything that is not covered with snow freezes, but in the spring the bush lets out new shoots.

   Strong Annabelle cultivar

2. Grandiflora - a two-meter shrub with a 3-meter crown and light green leaves. It is covered with large, up to 200 mm, creamy white inflorescences in July and continues to bloom until September.
3. Annabelle - the variety is considered the best among tree hydrangeas. It grows quickly, has large symmetrical inflorescences, white with a cream shade.

   Annabelle cultivar

4. Invincibelle - new variety from Annabelle, more resistant, with strong shoots. Differs in abundant flowering, which begins in June and ends with the onset of frost.

Planting hydrangeas and proper care in cold climates

The best survival rate for seedlings at the age of 5 years. For their good growth, it is necessary to create a special microclimate: protect from the wind, plant in slightly or moderately acidic soil, consisting of leafy soil, turf, peat, sand, provide good lighting. Planting a hydrangea correctly means:

• prepare a seat 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 m in spring;
• leave a distance between the bushes of about 250 cm;

Hydrangea sapling

• shorten the roots, and cut the shoots, leaving a few buds;
• do not deepen the root collar;
• water abundantly;
• cover the soil with mulch.

Attention: hydrangea is also called hydrangia, which sounds like a "vessel for moisture". This speaks of her special love for water, so regular watering comes first.

Pruning frost-resistant hydrangea

Proper pruning is essential for hydrangeas. Pruning of varieties growing in Siberia is performed in the spring before bud awakening or in the fall after leaf fall, while:

Hydrangea needs to be pruned every year.

1. Remove old, mainly with weak shoots, branches and undeveloped shoots.
2. On strong shoots that have grown this year and coming from the ground itself, 4 to 5 buds are left.
3. Stems that have developed on old branches are shortened to 3 buds.

Tip: An old hydrangea bush can be rejuvenated by applying vigorous pruning and removing all shoots down to the old wood.

Fertilizers and feeding for hydrangeas

Top dressing will make the flowering abundant and long. Suitable for hydrangea liquid manure in moderation, balanced mineral fertilizers - 25 g per 10 liters of water when irrigated. 3 buckets are poured under an adult bush.

During the season, 4 top dressing is carried out: at the beginning of sap flow, during budding, in July, in autumn in preparation for wintering.

Shelter and preparation for wintering

Hydrangea will not overwinter without shelter. They arrange it like this:

1. Covering material or spruce branches are laid out under the branches, the stems are bent and covered.
2. Pour a 20 cm layer of peat or compost on top and cover with foil or slate.

Winter shelter for hydrangea

There is another way - a frame is arranged around the bush, the plant is covered with dry leaves, and a covering material is pulled on top.

Attention: you cannot completely open the bush immediately after the appearance of a positive temperature: the plant can be destroyed by recurrent spring frosts.

What diseases and pests threaten hydrangeas

Hydrangea is affected by the following diseases:

1. Peronosporosis. It manifests itself as oily spots on the leaves, yellow bloom on the stems and the lower part of the leaves. The timely use of a solution of copper sulfate and green soap helps - 15 and 150 g, respectively, per bucket of water.
2. Chlorosis, in which the leaves become discolored. The reason is unsuitable soil with an excess of lime. The plant is watered several times with potassium nitrate (40 g per 10 l of water), and after the last watering, also with iron sulfate (40 g per 9 l of water).

A change in the color of the leaves of a plant is a sign of a disease

Of the pests, a spider mite most often settles on hydrangeas, then the leaves dry up and fall off. Destroy it with a solution of thiophos (7 g per 10 l of water). Aphids may appear during the distillation period. Anabasine sulfate dissolved in water (20 g per bucket) will destroy it.

Application in landscaping in combination with other plants

Looking at the photo of a blooming hydrangea, it becomes clear why the rest of the flowers fade against its background. It is beautiful both in the form of a single plant, and in group tree-shrub plantings, and as a hedge, and in mixborders. It is simply indispensable for decorating rustic-style gardens, where there are many flowers planted in beds, flower beds, in buckets.

Hydrangea in landscape design

Hydrangea is also appropriate in oriental design, on flower beds, decorated in the form of patterns of flowers. Hydrangeas planted in containers and placed on gravelled areas will give the garden a Mediterranean feel. In the English style, hydrangeas look good in the center of a flower garden next to ornamental grasses, geraniums.

For different styles, they select their own types of plants. Treelike is the most suitable option for an English garden. Hydrangeas paniculata, liana-like, fit into the village garden. Large-leaved ones do well in containers.

Surround the beautiful hydrangea with care and attention and she will answer you with lush flowering.

Hydrangea care: video

Varieties and types of hydrangea: photo

Is it possible in the climatic conditions of Siberia, with temperatures in the winter of 30-40 degrees, or even lower, to grow a hydrangea? It turned out that this is a completely feasible dream.

The only thing to consider is the plant variety. It is worth talking about how to properly approach planting and growing this wonderful shrub.

Choosing a plant variety for Siberian conditions

To know for sure that the plant will delight you with abundant flowering, the best option is to purchase seeds or seedlings of the plant grown locally.

You need to purchase it from experienced gardeners who have been growing hydrangea for more than one year in their area.

Based on the experience of Siberian florists, we can safely say that tree-like and paniculate varieties of hydrangea withstand Siberian frosts well.

Varieties of paniculate plant species feel especially good in the local climate - more than twenty of them have taken root in Siberia. These include the likes of Pink Diamond, Limelight, Magic Fire, Magic Flute. Each of these varieties has its own color and size of inflorescences.

You can also read about some varieties suitable for the cold conditions of Siberia here.

If the grower has a small area, panicle hydrangeas of dwarf varieties - Sandai Fresh and Vanila Fresh - are suitable for him - they reach a height of one meter. There is also the smallest species, which reaches only 60-65 cm, and is called Bobo. These varieties are locally tested and thrive in them.

You can, of course, grow other types of large-leaved hydrangea, but this is a rather laborious work. If you leave these varieties of hydrangeas to winter at 30-40 degrees of frost in the open field, they may survive the winter, but they will not please with flowering.

Therefore, every autumn you will have to dig out the bushes and clean them in a cool room, and with the beginning of spring, put them up for germination and transfer them to open ground only when the danger of frost has passed.

Therefore, it is still better to choose paniculate or tree-like varieties adapted to the Siberian climate.

When is it better to plant a hydrangea and how to choose a seedling

When buying a seedling of a plant, you need to know that the roots must be in a coma of earth. Pay attention to this lump - the earth should not be overdried. The plant is very demanding on moisture, and the soil on the roots must be saturated with it, otherwise the plant will not take root.

The best time to plant a seedling is spring. After the soil has thawed and the frost time has passed, you can plant the hydrangea in the soil.

How to keep hydrangea in winter

Since the Siberian frosts are famous for their strength, the hydrangea must be hidden from them, reliably covered.

The roots of the plant require insulation in the first place. They need to be covered with rotted manure - this is an excellent insulation for them. You can use peat or dry leaves, they are laid in a thick layer of 10-20 cm.

When the snow falls, they can also insulate the hydrangea bush by covering it with a large layer of snow. It will not only insulate the bush, but also saturate it with moisture when it melts.

It will also be helpful to learn more about caring for hydrangeas for the winter.

Our recommendations on how to plant and grow tree hydrangeas.

Choosing a place for planting hydrangeas

When a variety of shrubs is selected, you can go to the definition of his place of residence, the harsh climate of Siberia must be very careful when choosing a place for planting hydrangeas.

It is necessary to protect the hydrangea from the wind, so you can plant it near a solid fence.

The plant loves light, but does not tolerate the open sun. It is necessary to find a shaded place for him.

The soil in which it will be planted is very important for the shrub. Hydrangea does not tolerate alkaline soil - the best option for it would be slightly to medium acidic. It should consist of leaves, sand, turf and peat.

Preparing the soil and plants for planting

When the location is chosen, you need to properly prepare the pit for planting.

1. The pit should be prepared of suitable size and taking into account what kind of soil the plant loves. A small hydrangea seedling will grow into a large beautiful bush in several years, therefore, a fertilized hole for it needs to be made rather big, it should be at least 50 × 50 cm in size, if small seedling.

   For a large seedling, the pit can be 80 × 80 cm in size. The depth of the pit should be from 40 to 60 cm - it depends on the size of the plant root.

2. 2-3 buckets of water are poured into the finished pit, and it is left overnight, so that the water soaks the ground well.
3. The pit soaked in water in the morning is filled with a mixture of peat and humus, mixed with sand and fertile soil in proportions of 2: 1: 1: 2, organic and mineral fertilizers are added to them (65 grams of superphosphate, 25 grams of urea, 25 grams of potassium sulfate Pine and spruce needles acidify the soil well, so they will not be superfluous either. This mixture should completely fill the hole.
4. You need to know that hydrangea does not tolerate lime, so if it gets under the roots, the plant will simply die.
5. The last preparatory step before planting is trimming the roots and excess shoots. The roots are slightly shortened, annual shoots are pruned to 5-6 buds.

Planting a plant

Keep the root collar flush with the ground

We install the hydrangea sapling in a new dwelling and add it with garden soil.

The neck of the root of the plant should be at the same level with the ground, it cannot be buried, but it is also undesirable to leave it completely open.

For good rooting of the plant after planting, it is necessary to water it again, then pour a mixture of leaves, needles, peat mulch over the ground under the seedling.

This pillow will help keep the soil moist for a long time.

After planting, until the plant has taken root, it needs to create a comfortable environment, protecting it from the wind and sun.

Plant care

Hydrangea, after rooting, is considered an unpretentious plant.Caring for it is required the same as for other garden flowers, but with some peculiarities.

Shrub feeding

In order for the plant to please you with long-term flowering and large inflorescences, it needs feeding, and it is desirable to diversify it.

Organic fertilizers - liquid manure is very suitable for hydrangeas, but they need to be fertilized carefully, as an excess of it can harm the inflorescences.

Mineral fertilizers added to the water during irrigation, for one bucket of water 20-30 grams of fertilizers, there should be 2-3 buckets.

Special fertilizers for this shrub are sold; all the nutrients for hydrangeas are balanced in them.

The plant is fed four times during the spring-summer period:

• the first feeding - early spring, during the beginning of sap flow;
• the second - during the development and growth of buds of inflorescences;
• the third is the middle of summer;
• the fourth feeding is autumn, preparation for the winter period.

Watering hydrangea

Hydrangea loves water very much, so the land around the bush should never be dry, of course, if you want to get an abundant flowering of the plant.

It is good to add potassium permanganate to the water for irrigation.

It is necessary to carry out regular mulching of the soil under the bush with sawdust and dry leaves, they retain moisture well in the soil.

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Pruning

If you want a well-formed hydrangea bush, you need to prune it correctly and in time.

• In autumn, after flowering, it is necessary to cut off all faded inflorescences.
• In the spring, at the beginning of sap flow, all shoots should be cut off from the tree hydrangea, leaving 3-5 buds. Pruning of panicle hydrangea takes place a little differently - the main shoots are cut to the desired height, 2-3 buds are left on the lateral shoots.
• Old hydrangea bushes need to be rejuvenated by cutting off all branches to a hemp of 7-8 cm, the growth of new shoots will not keep you waiting.

Disease and pest control

All plants are susceptible to disease and pests, and hydrangea is no exception. But in order to preserve the bush, it is necessary to carry out its timely treatment. What diseases are the most dangerous?

Powdery mildew - This is the most common disease of all types of hydrangeas. When it appears, you need to spray:

the treatment of the plant is carried out with a mixture of water with a foundation, the proportions are for 10 liters of 25-30 g of the drug;
another method is to pour 80 g of Bordeaux liquid into 10 liters of water.
Aphid - this is another disaster for some plants, and hydrangea also falls into their number. Plant treatment for aphids is carried out with the following composition:

Peel 250-300 grams of garlic, chop, pour 10 liters of water, leave for two days, then add 50 grams of laundry soap to the tincture. It is necessary to spray the hydrangea with this solution until it is completely cured.

Nov 18, 2013Viktor Sergeev

Ajisai - "a flower that looks like a purple sun", as the hydrangea is called in Japan. Indeed, the inflorescences of this plant, generous in beauty, shine for several warm months, resembling the polar luminary, for which they are especially loved by gardeners from different regions. Growing hydrangeas in Siberia requires some knowledge, choosing the right variety and proper care, but the effort is worth it, because with it, its tamed sun appears in the garden.

Winter-hardy varieties of hydrangea for Siberia

There are several dozen types of hydrangea, but in open ground in Siberia, only varieties related to two of them are able to winter and bloom profusely:

• tree-like;
• paniculate.

The cultivation of other species, including large-leaved hydrangea, is possible in a pot culture, or subject to the autumn digging of the plant and transferring it to a cool room for the winter period.Such bushes are put up for germination in the spring and transferred to open ground after reaching a stable above-zero temperature.

Treelike hydrangea. Photo

Among the varieties of panicle hydrangea, the following have proven themselves in the best way in Siberia:

• Silver Dollar;
• Lime Light;
• Phantom;
• Pinkie Winky;
• Reni / Vanilla Fraz and others.

Those who decide to opt for tree hydrangea should take a closer look at the following winter-hardy varieties:

• Anabel;
• Grandiflora;
• Sterilis;
• Pink Annabel;
• Strong Annabel.

Lovers of short shrubs can recommend the dwarf varieties Sanday Fresh and Vanila Fresh, as well as the Bobo variety, which reaches 60 centimeters in height. Of course, the final choice of a plant depends on its decorative properties and the gardener's taste preferences.

Landing dates

Hydrangea can be propagated by planting seedlings, cuttings or layering. Planting seedlings in open ground in Siberia is possible both in spring and early autumn, when the ground is warm. Cuttings are preferable to do in the spring, after the threat of recurrent frosts has passed, however, with such reproduction, the active flowering of the bush will occur in 4 - 5 years.

Regardless of the season, it is not recommended to replant the shrub during flowering, as it is very stressful for him. Now you know when to plant your hydrangea. Let's take a look at the landing technology.

Choosing a landing site

Let's first figure out where to plant a hydrangea, in the shade or in the sun? Hydrangea is a photophilous plant, but placement in direct sunlight is undesirable for it. The best option would be a place well lit by the sun in the morning and shaded in the hot afternoon hours.

To create a favorable microclimate for this shrub, protection from the winds is necessary - a fence, some kind of structure, high dense plantings of plants (hedge).

Hydrangea prefers fertile soils, with a slightly acidic reaction. It does not tolerate alkali at all, and therefore cannot be placed next to plants that need alkalization of the soil, this leads to a disease of the shrub.

If the area intended for growing hydrangeas has a high level of groundwater, it is better to plant in a raised bed or flower bed.

When choosing a seedling, you need to pay attention to the presence of a high-quality, moist earthen coma on its roots, it is better if the root of the plant is in a container or bag before planting, which protects it from drying out. Hydrangea is an extremely moisture-loving plant, and if the seedling dries up, the chances of its rooting and successful wintering are significantly reduced.

Landing in open ground

When preparing a pit for planting, it is necessary to take into account the acid-base reaction of the soil in a specific area, if necessary, acidify it. For these purposes, gardeners use a weak solution of vinegar, lemon with water, peat additives.

Hydrangea paniculata

The parameters of the planting pit depend on the size of the root system of the bush, for a small plant they are 50 x 50 centimeters, for a larger one - 80 x 80. On light sandy soils, loam can be placed on the bottom of the pit to better retain moisture at the roots of the plant.

Before planting a hydrangea on the site, 2 - 3 buckets of water are poured into the hole so that the soil is well wet. On the day of planting, the pit is filled with a nutrient mixture of humus, mature compost, and peat. The seedling is carefully removed from the container, unnecessarily long, damaged roots of the plant are removed, and annual shoots are also cut off to about the fifth bud. The roots of the plant are immersed in a hole, while the neck does not deepen, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly.

Since the plant is very moisture-loving, after planting it is recommended to mulch the soil with high quality, for which you can use peat, ephedra, foliage, and any other materials.

Hydrangea care in the country

The main thing in caring for a hydrangea is to provide it with a comfortable water regime. And if the plant may not respond to untimely pruning or lack of dressing, then systematic overdrying of the soil leads at least to a decrease in flowering, and often to winter freezing of weakened plants. Since in hot summer without rains, hydrangeas need to be watered 2-3 times a week, it is most convenient to arrange a drip irrigation system. This method will provide the necessary constant soil moisture without additional effort.

Top dressing of hydrangea paniculate and tree-like. In the spring, during the period of rooting and growth of shoots, the plant is responsive to the introduction of nitrogen - an infusion of bird droppings, cattle manure. In the summer, before budding, the plant is well fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer - a weak solution of wood ash, herbal tinctures, the use of nettle is especially favorable.

In autumn, the plant is pruned and prepared for wintering in accordance with the requirements of climatic conditions.

Hydrangea is one of the most luxurious perennial garden shrubs. Lush, large and vibrant flower inflorescences consist of large sterile flowers with four colored blende petals. On almost every site in our horticultural partnership, bushes of delicate flowers with huge heads grow, and we change varieties from time to time, since the price on the market is "biting", it is expensive to buy varietal seedlings.

Novice gardeners consider this beauty to be capricious, and do not risk cultivating it in the garden. Although soil and location selection, proper outdoor planting, and proper care will do the trick. And the bushes, hung with white, cream, pink, blue flowers, will delight you with a long and beautiful flowering.

Over the centuries, since the name of the flower in honor of Princess Hortense, more than 600 varieties have been bred, differing in shape, color of inflorescences and color of leaves.

A very interesting feature of this plant is the ability to change the shade of the inflorescences depending on the acidity of the soil. In this regard, an amusing incident comes to mind. The husband, having arrived after a long business trip, drove past the garden, because he did not recognize him, because the hedge had turned from a white bush into a pink one.

The content of the article

• Types and best varieties of garden hydrangea
• Outdoor cultivation and care
• When is it better to plant hydrangea: spring or autumn?
• Top dressing - when, what and how much to fertilize the shrub
• Winter preparation, pruning and shelter
• Reproduction of a perennial flower by green cuttings
• Why doesn't hydrangia bloom in the garden and the leaves turn yellow?
• Plant pests and control

Types and best varieties of garden hydrangea

According to the latest information, 52 types of shrubs are known, of which flower growers of the Moscow region and the Urals distinguish the most common:

• large-leaved
• tree-like
• paniculate
• petiolate
• oak-leaved

Large-leaved hydrangea - a shrub that grows up to 4 meters, inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter.In Russia, it grows in open ground only in the south, but recently, with the development of agricultural technology, it began to be cultivated in the middle lane, only with the introduction of plants for the winter indoors or with a good hiding place.

It grows well in light partial shade conditions. If there is not enough light, it will bloom, it will begin with a delay and with fewer inflorescences. It blooms in pink, red, white or blue from July to September. The leaves are simple, bright green.

It serves as a decor in the design of gardens and parks, it is distinguished by abundant and long flowering, by pruning shoots, you can form any shape of a bush.

The real flowers of this beautiful plant are small and inconspicuous, hidden under bright inflorescences and can only be seen upon close examination.

The best varieties: Decanter Kosel, Schloss Wakebays, Pepermint, Hod Red, Appengluchen, Airlie Blue, Red Baron, Adriapink, Bouquet of Roses, Magic Amethyst.

Hydrangea — shrub 1 to 3 m in height, actively growing in height and width, with spherical inflorescences up to 15 cm in diameter. Often used to create hedges. It is unpretentious to watering, tolerates short-term drought. Loves shading. Blooms from July to October.

Flowers form on new buds. Young growth often does not ripen and freezes out, but after a strong spring pruning, the bush grows back well. In the inflorescences, fertile flowers predominate, and there are few sterile ones.

Simple varieties: Anabel, Sterilis, White House, Peppermint, Endless Summe

Hydrangea paniculata -shrub or tree, up to 10 m high. Inflorescences are pyramidal, with dense hairy panicles. Flowers of honey plants, small with white petals, later turn pink. It blooms from mid-June to October.

The bush is planted in semi-shady places, the flowers lose their decorative effect from direct sunlight.

The best varieties: Grandiflora, Diamant Rouge, Vanilla Fraz, Anabel, Phantom, Polar Beer, Pinky Winky, Limelight, Sterilis, White House, Pepermint, Silver Dolar, Little Lime, Magic, Diamantino.

Stalked hydrangea- in fact, it is curly liana, and is fundamentally different from tree and paniculate. This is the only unique species, it grows well and quickly, it can reach a length of up to 25 m, the annual growth is up to 1 m, it needs props.

Paniculate inflorescences are flat, with creamy white small flowers along the edge, pleasing to the eye in June - August. Blooms from June to August. Flowering is accompanied by a pleasant honey aroma that attracts butterflies and bees to the garden. Leaves are rich green, on long petioles, round, shiny, numerous. Shoots are copper-brown with peeling bark.

Saplings are used for landscaping small gardens, gazebos, walls and fences. The variety is shade-tolerant, frost-resistant. To preserve its decorative appearance and better growth, the bush is pruned annually. The first flowering begins four years after planting. The intensity of the color depends on the type of soil— the brightest flowers appear on plants planted in an acidic substrate.

The best varieties: Miranda, Cordifolia, Petiolaris

Hydrangea oakleaf — decorative flowering shrub. The plant reaches 1.5-2 m in height, and the diameter of its crown is about 2 m.

The shrub has strong and tough shoots covered with multi-lobed leaves. The leaf blades resemble oak leaves in shape and reach a length of 20 cm. The foliage has a dark green tint, by autumn it changes to bright red or purple. This species blooms from mid-June to mid-September. Small flowers are collected in large paniculate inflorescences, which in some varieties reach a length of 30 cm. Resistant to negative weather conditions.

The best varieties: Snow White Domes, Snow Queen, Harmony, Ruby Slipper, Harmony, Tennessee Clone, Burgundy.

Outdoor cultivation and care:

When is it better to plant hydrangea: spring or autumn?

Gardeners in the middle lane of our country believe that it is possible to plant seedlings in the spring (early May), this will allow the young bush to grow, get stronger and easily endure the coming winter. And in the fall (end of September), so that before the onset of frost, the seedlings have time to take root.

Preparing the soil for planting. At the end of April, we dig up the soil, with the addition of 1 sq. m.— a bucket of peat, coniferous forest litter, humus, river sand, as well as organic fertilizers (1 tbsp. potassium sulfate and superphosphate, Agricola-7). We close up all the fertilizers introduced into the soil with a rake and leave it until planting.

Before planting, we make a depression of 40-50 cm and plant young plants. In this case, we leave the root collar at ground level. Seedlings with a closed root system, with a lump of earth, take root better. Therefore, try to purchase seedlings in containers or pots.

After planting, water the soil around the bush abundantly and mulch with peat or sawdust, at least 5 cm thick, this will preserve moisture.Hydrangea likes moist, compostable or leafy acidic soil, and it also doesn't like drafts, so choose a location that's sheltered from the winds.

I have one huge bush that grows in the sun, its leaves in sunny weather strongly evaporate water, and when there is a lack of water, they begin to fade. I water 3 buckets (30 liters) of water twice a week. Moreover, the water should all go to the root. It is better to water with settled and heated water during the day.

Correct and timely watering will increase the flowering time.

 During the growing season, garden care for hydrangeas consists of:

1. in regular loosening of the soil around the bushes;
2. weeding;
3. mulching the soil;
4. repeated feeding;
5. correct watering;
6. protection from diseases and pests;
7. in preparation for winter, pruning and shelter.

Top dressing - when, what and how much to fertilize the shrub

During the spring-autumn period, we feed the bushes 3-4 times.

Plants are responsive to organic and mineral fertilizers. Contraindicated - chalk, lime, dolomite flour, ash.

First feeding— in spring, for good growth: 1 tbsp. l. urea and potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water. This solution is enough for us for 2 bushes.

Foliar dressing - before budding and during the blooming of 1-2 inflorescence flowers, we spray the plant itself with the "Bud" preparation: 10 g per 10 l of water (1 l of solution per 8 sq. M.)

Second feeding- in June, when buds appear: 1 tbsp. l. nitrophosphate and "Agricola for flowering plants" for 10 liters of water.

Third feeding - for long flowering, when up to 5 flowers open on the inflorescence: 1 tbsp. l. organic fertilizer "Flower" and granular fertilizer "Agricola - Rose" for 10 liters of water. We spend on 2 bushes.

Fourth feeding- at the end of flowering, for the formation of new buds next year: 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate and superphosphate, per 10 liters of water. We spend 7 liters of solution per bush.

It should be remembered that excess fertilizer increases the mass of the leaves and reduces the number of inflorescences.

Winter preparation, pruning and shelter

We prepare different types of shrubs in different ways for wintering.

Treelike and panicle hydrangea, does not require reinforced shelter for the winter. It is enough to mulch them well and preserve the root system. They can easily tolerate low temperatures (down to -30 degrees), but they need protection from cold winds. The peculiarity of these varieties is that they have flower ovaries formed on one-year-old sprouts that appear in spring, so their flowering does not depend on wintering. In the fall, we do a strong pruning of shoots.

Large-leaved hydrangeas do not need pruning in the fall. We cut off only weak shoots and all faded inflorescences. If the shoots freeze in winter, then it will no longer bloom. Therefore, she needs good insulation, the same as for roses. The best time for shelter is the end of October. There are no exact dates, it all depends on the weather, the main thing is to be in time before stable frosts.

At the end of summer, we stop watering the bush, thereby giving the green shoots the opportunity to grow stiff faster.

After trying many hiding places, I stopped there. Quickly, accurately, with a minimum of available material. After harvesting the fallen leaves, we do not bend the branches to the ground, but tie them into a bunch.

To protect the roots of plants from freezing, we spud the soil with peat or sawdust at the base of the bush. We cover the tied bundle with a thick layer of dried plants, spruce branches, straw, or brushwood.

From above we wrap the bush in several layers with a covering material: plastic wrap, burlap, roofing felt, a dense spunbond cover (60 g / sq. M.)

It protects well against frost and rodents. Air permeable, does not damp, dries quickly, does not rot. Prevents waterlogging.

In the spring, in this species, we leave the strongest shoots, and cut them so that 5-7 buds remain.

Reproduction of a perennial flower by green cuttings

The hydrangea variety you like is most often propagated by green cuttings.We harvest them during the flowering period of the plant, cutting off the tops of the shoots of the current year. This is the most efficient and convenient way. It can also be propagated by layering, offspring, dividing the bush and very rarely do it by seeds.

Why doesn't hydrangia bloom in the garden and the leaves turn yellow?

Not all gardeners, it turns out, achieve lush flowering. The main reasons why the bush gives leaves, but does not bloom:

• improperly chosen planting site (near large trees; where there is no wind protection);
• insufficient watering;
• incorrect trimming;
• freezing of shoots;
• underdeveloped root system;
• some varieties do not have time to bloom in the short summer season;
• on alkaline soil.

The main reasons why the leaves of a garden hydrangea dry and turn yellow:

• excessive watering;
• lack or excess of lighting;
• lack of fertilizers;
• highly acidic or vice versa alkaline soil pH;
• sudden changes in temperature, drafts;
• various pests and diseases.

At the first signs of a change in the color of the leaves, we urgently take measures to eliminate unfavorable causes.

Plant pests and control

To preserve the beauty of your garden, you need to learn, in a timely manner, to take measures to combat pests and plant diseases.

1. Often the hydrangea is damaged by aphids: we dilute 1 tablet of the Iskra preparation per 10 liters of water, the consumption of 1 liter of solution per 10 square meters. m. You can also fight with Fitoverm or Actellik.
2. The spider mite infects the leaves from the underside, covering them with violent cobwebs, causing them to turn yellow and marbled, then dry out and fall off. Spraying the leaves with thiophos 6 g per 10 liters of water helps.
3. Against powdery mildew we spray with the preparation "Topas" (4 ml) or "Skor", 2 ml per 10 liters of water. We consume 1 liter of solution per 10 sq. m. You can also use a solution of Bordeaux liquid.
4. With very alkaline soil, hydrangea suffers from chlorosis (the leaves turn light green, spots appear on them, and they begin to fall off, and the flower ovaries become smaller). The flower should be fed with iron vitriol, iron chelate or iron sulfate.

That's all for now, my dear flower growers. In this article, I tried to give practical tips and tricks, tested on my own experience. Share your wishes in the comments, your opinion is very important!

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