Hydrangea paniculata limelight care planting and care in the open field

Hydrangea Limelight is a spectacular decorative deciduous shrub. Due to its tall and strong shoots with large flowers, it has gained high popularity both among Russian and foreign florists.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight - description

Hydrangea limelight can be described as follows:

1. Height 1.5 meters or more.
2. Spreading crown.
3. Ovate leaf plates of rich green color.
4. Shoots are brown with peeling bark.

The flowering period of this hydrangea lasts from mid-summer to the second half of September. With good care, this variety is characterized by very abundant flowering.

Limelight inflorescences can be characterized as follows:

1. Length 25-30 cm.
2. Pyramidal shape.
3. In the phase of dissolution, lemon green.
4. In the autumn with a pink tint.

Of the advantages of the variety, strong shoots should be noted, which easily hold large caps of flowers, which is not typical for other paniculate varieties.

Planting panicle hydrangea in open ground

The place for planting Limelight hydrangeas should be sunny or, in extreme cases, slightly shaded. This culture prefers loose soils with good air and moisture permeability. They should also be fertile enough with a high humus content.

How and when to plant?

Spring is considered the best time to plant panicle hydrangea. If you immediately want to admire the flowering, then a 2-3 year old seedling should be purchased for planting. Younger plants will bloom only after a year or a year and a half.

Planting Limelight hydrangea is as follows:

1. A pit of 50 × 50 cm is laid with a depth of about 30-35 cm. More precise dimensions depend on the size of the seedling.
2. All roots of the seedling are cut.
3. All shoots are shortened to 2/3 of the length. The main thing is that at least 2-3 pairs of viable buds remain on each of them.
4. The seedling is placed in a pit, while ensuring that its root collar is at the level of the soil surface.
5. The trunk circle is watered abundantly after planting.
6. The soil surface under the bush is mulched abundantly with a 6-8 cm layer of peat.

In regions with warm winters, planting hydrangea bushes can be planned for the fall. The procedure is the same.

Limelight hydrangea care

Panicle hydrangea does not require very difficult care. The main thing is to observe the agrotechnical measures described below.

Watering and feeding

Regular and abundant watering of hydrangea bushes contributes to the development of the largest inflorescences.With a lack of moisture, plants form small and ugly buds.

Timely feeding is also very important for this culture. The first time the hydrangea is fed in early spring, immediately after the snow melts. For this, urea is used. A solution is prepared from it at the rate of 15-20 grams per bucket of water. One adult bush will need at least 2-3 buckets of fertilizer.

Fertilizing with urea in early spring promotes better growth of shoots after a period of winter dormancy. Later, before the budding phase, the hydrangea is fed again. For this, complete mineral complexes are used. They should be bred according to the attached annotation.

Pruning

Hydrangea care must include pruning. It is carried out in two terms: in spring and in autumn.

Autumn pruning

During this period, all drying inflorescences are cut out on the bushes, thereby relieving the plants from unnecessary stress.

Spring pruning

The main purpose of spring pruning is to form full-fledged bushes. It should be started as early as possible, while it is imperative to be in time before the kidneys swell. First of all, all shoots frozen in winter are cut to a healthy place. Then last year's branches are shortened to 4-5 buds. And last of all, they begin to dilute the crown. To do this, cut out all the shoots growing inside the bush.

In the spring, rejuvenating pruning of old plants is also carried out. To do this, they are simply cut "on a stump". Limelight blooms on the shoots of the current year, so flowers will appear on it this summer.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the pruning of inflorescences from young hydrangeas. In most cases, such specimens bloom for 2 years after planting. By this time, the bushes have not yet had time to grow enough, and discarded inflorescences only inhibit their development. Therefore, for 2 years, they should be plucked out in the budding phase.

How to care for hydrangea in autumn, winter

Adult, well-developed hydrangea bushes winter well without any shelter. Even with freezing of their shoots, flowering occurs in the same summer.

One-year bushes for reinsurance should still be covered. For this, a non-woven covering material of the Spunbond type is used. They just wrap the bushes in several layers.

Reproduction

The panicle hydrangea of ​​this variety reproduces well by cuttings. In this case, you can use both lignified and green cuttings. Lignified cuttings are cut in the spring at the time of bud swelling. Their preparation can be combined with spring pruning.

Each stalk must have at least 2 nodes. Moreover, the lower cut is made directly under the lower kidney, it is performed obliquely. The upper cut is straight, it is performed just above the upper kidney.

Hydrangea cuttings prepared in this way are planted in a small greenhouse from a plastic 5 liter bottle. For ease of use, its top is cut off only on three sides. The result is a makeshift lid that effectively traps moisture.

The soil for planting should be loose and fertile enough. For example, you can use a 1: 1 mixture of river sand and peat. If there is no opportunity for self-compilation of the soil mixture for planting, you can use the soil for growing seedlings.

Cuttings are planted to a depth of no more than 3 cm, while the lower bud is necessarily buried in the soil. After the end of planting work, the soil is abundantly watered with warm, settled water. For greater efficiency, a root formation stimulant can be added to the water. For example, Kornevin powder is suitable for these purposes. The technique of its use can be found directly on the packaging.

If the conditions are met, after about a month, leaves begin to develop on the cuttings. After another month, they can already be planted in open ground. Plants grown in this way bloom for 2-3 years from the moment of planting.

Protection against diseases and pests

Hydrangea diseases are extremely rare. But pests in some years can annoy her very much. Spider mites and aphids are especially common on it.

Spider mite

Spider mites are a common sucking pest. A characteristic sticky cobweb-like coating serves as a sign of its appearance. In the absence of appropriate treatments, this pest can severely damage the bushes. To combat it, special acaricidal agents are used. The use of ordinary insecticides against it is ineffective.

To treat hydrangeas against spider mites, you can use Actellik or Fitoverm. Dilute them according to the attached instructions. Processing must be carried out in dry, calm weather. After 10 days, spraying is repeated.

Aphid

Aphids are a widespread sucking pest. Depending on the type, it can be green or black. It is very easy to deal with it. With a small number of pests, just one treatment with a solution of laundry soap will be enough.

If the aphid population is large enough, spraying with an insecticide solution is used. For example, you can use "Alatar", "Commander" and the like.

Use in landscape design

Hydrangea Limelight is great for both single compositions and group plantings. At the beginning of its growing season, it is still not very decorative, therefore, it is recommended to plant spring-flowering bulbous plants with it: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths.

In addition, it goes well with a number of other perennial plants: peonies, irises and lilies. Blooming Limelight hydrangea bushes effectively decorate unsightly fences and walls of buildings. They will also be a great backdrop for almost any flower garden.

Girls are often given flower names at birth. For example, each of us has an acquaintance or friend named Rose, Lily, Camilla, Jasmine. However, Limelight panicle hydrangea can tell about itself something else, just the opposite happened to it. In the 18th century, while traveling in Japan, the French botanist and naturalist Philibert Commerson saw a gorgeous bush. But none of the local residents could tell him what the plant is called after all. Then he decided to name him in honor of his beloved - Hortense. Since then, the name has firmly stuck to the flower, because the snow-white bush very much resembles a blond girl with clear charming eyes.

The Hortensia family includes 70 to 80 species. This number includes a subspecies of paniculata. The plant can reach two meters or more in height. Green buds appear on it by mid-summer. And the flowering period can last until the end of autumn. The plant has high winter hardiness. Loves moisture. Because of what it needs frequent watering, especially in hot summer. She needs to do pruning twice a year. First in the fall to remove the faded inflorescences, and then in the spring to form a beautiful bush.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight description and care

At the moment, breeders have bred an uncountable number of varieties of this vast family. And anyone who wants to have a huge flowering bush in their garden can plant Hydrangea paniculata Limelight. It has very strong shoots and reaches a height and width of up to two meters. This variety was bred by Dutch specialists. And he has already been awarded the highest awards. For example, in 2006, Limelight was awarded by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (USA). And in 2008, the work of Dutch breeding specialists received an award from the Royal Society of British Gardeners. Also at the flower show in Philadelphia - USA, Pennsylvania - a composition of airy inflorescences was awarded the highest award. The main advantage of paniculate Limelight is its strength and durability.The stems of the bush are very strong, never fall apart and keep their shape perfectly. Therefore, it does not need props or stands.

Thanks to the inflorescences of bright green (or lime color), the variety got its name. Over time, the color of the flowers changes from pale green to completely white. And at the end of flowering, as a rule, it turns velvety pink. Some also noticed one pattern: a shrub growing in the shade has green inflorescences, and white in the sun. Hydrangea paniculata Limelight blooms continuously from July to September. And if you put it in a place protected from the cold wind, then it will delight you with its beauty right up to mid-autumn. The foliage of the bush is very dense, so the shoots are practically invisible. The leaves of the garden enchantress are pleasant to the touch, with a velvety texture of dark green color. They effectively complement the lush, pale green flowers of the plant.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight pruning

Limelight grows well when pruned correctly. Shoots should be shortened by 2/3. It is better to do this in early spring, before sap flow begins in the plant. Such pruning will give an impetus to the formation of new shoots. And so that winter snowfalls do not cause irreparable harm to your bush, it is advisable to cut off wilted inflorescences, as well as dry, fragile branches in late autumn. If pruning is done at the wrong time, then the shrub can weaken and get sick.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight watering

Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant. Its botanical name Hydrangea is translated from ancient Greek as "a vessel of water", which indicates the need for frequent watering. In order for the bush to be beautiful and blooming, it is very important to keep the soil moist. But if there are frequent rains in your area, watering must certainly be limited. Limelight also loves a refreshing shower. If watering is not enough, the shrub will bloom with small and rare inflorescences, which will not please you.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight planting

Planting paniculate "limelight" is best done in spring. In this case, the nature of the soil should be taken into account. Before planting a plant, the soil must be loosened and fertilized. Black soil is ideal, as well as loam (soil with a lot of clay and sand). After planting, cover the soil surface with sawdust, peat or coniferous soil. Sandy and calcareous soil for a garden pet is contraindicated. It is necessary to fertilize the plant often enough, especially during the flowering period (approximately once every 15 days).
Although the plant is quite shade-resistant and will not die in a darkened space. To obtain a richly flowering individual, you need to plant it in a well-lightened place, protected from drafts.

Hydrangea paniculata "Little light"

The Limelight variety has been loved by all gardeners for a long time. It looks like a huge blooming bouquet. It has large, strong shoots. And with proper pruning, you will get a gorgeous bush up to two meters high. But unfortunately, not all gardeners have the opportunity to have it at home. Many of them have small plots.

Therefore, breeders bred a dwarf copy of the shrub Hydrangea paniculata Limelight - "little light".

Little Light blooms as beautifully as Limelight. Only she has a miniature shape and grows a little more than a meter.

It is impossible not to admire your acquisition. Even one bush will transform and decorate your garden until the very frost. She amazes with subtle charm and only her inherent zest.

Hydrangea limelight can be called a gem any flower garden. It attracts gardeners with its unpretentiousness, large fragrant inflorescences that can delight the eye until late autumn.

The article tells about the features of the variety, the rules for growing this wonderful plant.

Description of the variety of hydrangea paniculata Limelight

Hydrangea limelight - a lush, rounded shrub, which is characterized by:

• height up to 2 meters;
• 10 cm leaves;
• 30-centimeter pyramid inflorescences.

Usually paniculate varieties have to be tied to a support, since they have a thin shoot that does not support the weight of the inflorescence.

However, in hydrangea Limelight, it is very durable, she does not need props... This was achieved by Dutch breeders in 2002, when this variety was bred.

According to the description, the plant got its name from its greenish, lime-like color at the beginning of flowering.

Over time, in a sunny area, the inflorescences become snow-white, and when blooming, they can turn pink. When grown in the shade, they remain light green.

The shrub blooms well in acidic soil (pH 4-5.5). Does not tolerate calcareous soil.

The plant can be grown even in the harsh Siberian climate.

Flowering hydrangea Limelight:

Advantages and disadvantages

This shrub has a number of undoubted advantages over other varieties:

• frost resistance;
• fast growth;
• high strength of stems-shoots;
• the continuity of flowering of the bush for 2-3 months;
• resistance to various diseases.

Disadvantages of the variety are insignificant: Mainly it is the need to keep the soil moist within a radius of 1-1.5 meters, as well as monitoring the acidity of the soil.

It is recommended that in the absence of rain, be sure to water the entire bush from a watering can, simulating rain.

Advantages of the variety: frost resistance, high strength of stem-shoots, resistance to various diseases

Planting and leaving

Pick-up location must take into account the characteristics of the variety:

• be in partial shade or on the east side;
• be protected from winds (eg hedges, buildings);
• have a loamy soil characterized by high humidity and fertility.

The most common breeding method is dividing the bush (own or purchased). Seedlings obtained in this way are placed in a permanent place in the spring.

For this:

1. Pits are prepared with a diameter of 50-80 cm and a depth of 40-50 cm.
2. Complex fertilizers are introduced.
3. The earth is mixed with peat, humus and pits with seedlings are covered.
4. Water abundantly.

Spring planting should be carried out before the bushes begin to produce juice. If the deadline is missed, then it is recommended to mulch the soil with needles or peat with an acid reaction. Sawdust is contraindicated for first-year girls!

For autumn planting the shrub is propagated by rooting cuttings. To do this, in the summer, a young shoot bends down and digs in so that roots appear.

Spring planting should be carried out before the start of sap flow

Hydrangea limelight care includes watering the soil and the whole plant, pruning, feeding.

Pruning is divided into:

• sanitary - carried out in March to remove dead branches;
• forming - carried out in the spring (shortened by the length of those buds) and in the summer to give the crown a beautiful appearance.

From April to July, inclusively, once every two weeks, they are fed with urea and mullein. You can also use special fertilizers for hydrangeas.

In August-September, experienced gardeners water the bushes with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. This will help strengthen the branches and roots of the plant.

Growing problems

The main problem of growing hydrangea limelight is compliance with the requirements for soil acidity... Acidity is determined by a special litmus paper or pH test.

If the pH is greater than 6, then it is best to mulch the soil with pine needles. Ammonium sulfate can also be added.

A threat to plants of this variety - direct sunlight, as well as dryness of the soil. From this, the leaves wilt and flowering worsens.

Preparing for winter

Since the plant is frost-hardy, then preparation for winter of adult bushes is not carried out... The exception is young bushes.

The soil around them should be mulched with peat or covered with manure. It is better to cover small plants with snow.

Young bushes for the winter are mulched with peat, covered, covered with snow

Protection against diseases and pests

Usually, hydrangeas growing on the street are not susceptible to disease and are not afraid of pest attacks.

but when grown in greenhouse conditions, this shrub can develop chlorosis, the cause of which is a lack of nutrients.

It is necessary to take care of feeding with special complex fertilizers in advance.

The second danger of hydrangeas from greenhouses is spider mites and aphids.... Special remedies based on feverfew and the "Fitoverma" remedy are recommended against them.

A danger to young limelight hydrangeas growing in the open field is slugs that can eat leaves and twigs and destroy the plant.

It is necessary to clear the area of ​​debris, logs, stones in humid places so that these pests have nowhere to hide. Autumn digging can also help.

Pests and diseases of greenhouse hydrangea: chlorosis, spider mites and aphids

So that such a unique plant like hydrangea limelight amazes with its magnificence, you must follow the rules for caring for him.

And then, from mid-summer until late autumn, the garden will be filled with the delicate aroma of its inflorescences.

Hydrangea Limelight, belonging to the paniculate species, is an unusually beautiful plant. This variety, obtained as a result of breeding work by Dutch specialists, is rightfully considered one of the best representatives of its kind. Dutch growers have successfully solved the problem of insufficient strength of the shoots of paniculate hydrangeas, so the Limelight variety can be successfully grown without using additional support for them. Subject to all the rules and careful care, Limelight hydrangea will become a real decoration of the summer garden.

1 Plant description

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight (hydrangea paniculata Limelight) is, according to the description, a shrub that reaches two meters in height. For a year, with careful care, the growth can reach 30 cm. The dark green ovoid leaves have a velvety texture. The foliage grows very densely and almost completely hides strong shoots with peeling bark. In autumn, the leaves turn purple, which makes this hydrangea even more attractive.

This variety of panicle hydrangea was named Limelight because of the characteristic color of the inflorescences. At the very beginning of flowering, the inflorescences have a bright green color, reminiscent of the color of lime. Then the color of dense conical inflorescences lightens and acquires a soft lemon or pure white tint, and by the beginning of autumn the inflorescences become pinkish. Flowering of the Limelight variety begins in July and continues continuously until September. With proper care, the plant blooms very profusely. Provided that it is grown in a place protected from drafts, the shrub of this variety will bloom until October.

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2 Choosing a location

This variety is quite shade resistant and will grow in partial shade or even in a highly shaded area. But in order for the flowering of the shrub to be abundant and long, you need to choose a well-lit area for planting, protected from drafts. Since hydrangeas are long-livers, you need to choose a planting site so as not to transplant the plant for several years. This is due to the fact that the widespread root system of the bush is inevitably injured during transplantation, and after that the culture is sick for a long time.

On the site where it is planned to grow Limelight garden hydrangea, there must be fertile soil. The ideal option would be acidic black soil or carefully fertilized loam. Sandy or limestone soils are not suitable for growing this plant; in such land, the shrub does not develop well and may die.

Most often, young plants are planted in late April or early May, when warm weather sets in and there is enough rain.At this time it is already warm, but there is still no sweltering summer heat, and the seedlings are well acclimatized.

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3 Planting hydrangea Limelight

For planting in the open field, you should select grown seedlings at the age of 2-3 years, then there is a high probability that flowering will come this year. Landing is carried out as follows:

1. 1. To do this, dig a hole with sides of 50 cm and a depth of 35 cm.
2. 2. The roots of the seedling are cut to the size of the hole.
3. 3. Shoots are cut by a third. In this case, it is important to make sure that 2-3 living kidneys remain on the remaining part.
4. 4. The seedling is placed in a prepared hole, placing the root collar at the same level with the soil surface.
5. 5. The roots are covered with earth and watered abundantly after planting.
6. 6. The trunk circle is carefully mulched with a thick layer of peat.

If necessary, you can plant Limelight hydrangea in the fall, but only if the winters in the region are quite warm.

Care for large-leaved hydrangea outdoors

4 Care

Plants of this variety do not require complex maintenance. It is only necessary to water the shrub on time, feed it and regularly carry out sanitary pruning. The soil under the bush should be moist all the time, so watering should be regular, but not too abundant so as not to flood the root system. Under the condition of a dry summer, it is necessary to water the entire bush from a watering can, simulating rain.

With timely, moderate watering, hydrangea forms lush inflorescences. If there is not enough moisture, then the flowers will be small and ugly.

Timely feeding is an important part of grooming. Immediately after the snow melts, the first feeding is carried out using urea for this. The solution is prepared at the rate of 20 grams of fertilizer per 10 liters of water. One bush will need, depending on its size, from 20 to 30 liters of solution. This composition contributes to the active growth of shoots after winter dormancy.

During the budding period, the shrub is fed with complex mineral fertilizers, spreading and using according to the instructions on the package.

4.1 Cropping

Pruning is also an important step in the care of your Limelight hydrangea. It is carried out in spring and autumn. After the end of flowering, pruning is carried out, in which the plant is eliminated from drying inflorescences. Thus, the bush is freed from unnecessary stress.

In the spring, pruning is carried out, the purpose of which is to form full-fledged bushes. It is carried out as early as possible, until the bush wakes up and sap flow begins. First, they get rid of the shoots frozen over the winter, cutting them out to a healthy place. Then cut off last year's branches, leaving 4-5 buds on each of them. In the last turn, the crown is thinned out, for which all the shoots growing inward are cut off.

Pruning hydrangeas in spring and fall

To rejuvenate old hydrangeas, spring pruning "on a stump" is used. To do this, cut off all the shoots completely. Since the Limelight variety blooms on young shoots, the inflorescences will bloom this summer. From young hydrangeas, whose age has not yet reached 2 years, it is necessary to cut off the inflorescences at the budding phase. This stimulates the development of shoots.

Hydrangea Limelight on the trunk

It is very rare for gardeners to find standard hydrangea. This is due to the fact that the formation of the trunk takes about three years. In fact, such a plant in the form of a small tree looks very attractive. To obtain this type, only one shoot is left. After a few years, the lower part is covered with a thick layer of bark and no longer gives off lateral shoots. The development of new branches occurs only in the upper part. The result is a small tree with a lush crown.

4.2 Preparing for winter

The Limelight variety of panicle hydrangea is distinguished by good winter hardiness, so there is no need to prepare adult plants for wintering.Only in regions with frosty winters is it necessary to cover an adult shrub with a special material.

Shelter hydrangea for the winter with special material

Young plants need to be covered for the winter. To do this, first mulch the soil under them with peat or lay a thick layer of manure. From above, the bushes are covered with a special material. Very small bushes can be covered with snow on top.

5 Use in landscape design

Limelight hydrangea is often used in landscape design both as a single plant and for creating flower arrangements. At the beginning of the growing season, the bushes are still unattractive, so they will look good next to spring bulbous flowers, for example, daffodils, hyacinths or tulips.

Hydrangea bush paniculata Limelight in the garden

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight in landscape design

You can plant other perennial plants next to this shrub: peonies, lilies or irises. Adult Limelight shrubs will be the perfect backdrop for a flower garden or hide unsightly buildings or fences.