Hydrangea paniculate planting and care in the open field in St. Petersburg

Hydrangea paniculata is an unusual plant of amazing beauty, which has many species. It can be grown both at home in large pots and in your garden. Today we will tell you everything about planting and caring for hydrangea paniculata in the open field.

Botanical description

In the wild, panicle hydrangea is found in the form of shrubs and small trees up to 10 m in height. Natural habitats are the southern shores of Sakhalin, China and the islands of Japan. Here hydrangea grows in the form of trees.

In our latitudes, hydrangea also grows well, but not more than 3 m in height. She is accustomed to the heat of the south of the country, and to the frosts of the Urals and Siberia. However, the territory of central Russia, the Moscow region, is especially well suited for its cultivation. With proper care, the bush will add 25-30 cm every year.

The panicle hydrangea in the garden looks very picturesque. Flowering begins in early July and lasts until the first frost. Inflorescences up to 30 cm long in shape resemble panicles. Small flowers grow on them, which can be of 2 types:

• bisexual (small in size, after pollination, the petals quickly fall off);
• sterile (about 3 cm, do not fall off for a long time).

In many species of this plant, the petals change color. At first they are creamy, then gradually turn pink, then turn green or red.

The leaves are oval in shape, rather large - they reach 10-12 cm in length. They have a velvety texture, and there is also a slight pubescence. Leaf plates cover the branches abundantly.

Hydrangea paniculata is considered a long-liver. On average, it grows for about 60 years.

The following varieties of panicle hydrangea are most optimal for growing in our territory:

• Pinky Winky;
• Grandiflora;
• Polar bear;
• Kyushu;
• Tardiva;
• Limelight;
• Vanilla fries;
• Phantom;
• Mega Pearl.

Hydrangea varieties are updated every year. You can always choose a suitable variety and plant it on your site.However, before doing this, be sure to find out whether it is suitable for growing in your climate or not.

Hydrangea propagation occurs by seeds, cuttings and layering. This can be done at home, but keep in mind that planting in open ground will not occur until two years. This is a very time consuming and slow process. It is best to buy ready-made seedlings for planting.

Getting ready for landing

Planting hydrangea paniculata, as well as the subsequent care of it, does not require special skills. The shrub grows quickly, begins to bloom for 2-3 years. But still, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules in order to properly plant a hydrangea in open ground. These include:

1. Landing site. Choose areas that are sheltered from strong winds and with good lighting. It should be borne in mind that it blooms best in partial shade, that is, it will be great if a shrub or tree grows nearby. Best planted on the east side of the garden.
2. Planting dates for hydrangeas. In cold climates, seedlings should be planted in early May, in southern regions in September.
3. Soil and acidity. Hydrangea grows very well on fertile and clay soils that are rich in humus. It grows worse on red soil. Sandy soils are completely contraindicated. The optimal acidity index is pH 5.3-6.0. That is, the soil should be slightly acidic, so you can ensure the maximum brightness of the inflorescences. On neutral soil, the inflorescences are pale in color, and the bush grows slowly.
4. Purchase of seedlings. Give preference to seedlings only with a closed root system, as it is less likely that they are susceptible to any diseases. Seedlings can be purchased at garden shops and flower fairs.

Step-by-step instructions for planting a panicle hydrangea

The technology of planting paniculate garden hydrangea is as follows:

1. 2-4 weeks before planting, completely clear the area of ​​plant debris and dig it onto the bayonet of a shovel.
2. Dig holes 40-50 cm deep and 70 * 70 cm wide. If you plan to make a hedge, then dig a solid groove of the same size. The distance between the holes can be from 1 m to 2.5 m - it all depends on the specific variety.
3. Prepare your potting mix. The composition includes leafy land, sod land, peat and humus in equal amounts. Nutrients should also be added there: 25 g of potassium sulfate, 70 g of superphosphate and 25 g of urea. Under no circumstances should you add chalk, lime and wood ash.
4. Fill the planting holes with the prepared potting mix.
5. Dig the holes again after 2-4 weeks. For planting, take seedlings of hydrangea 3-4 years. If they were with open roots, then they should be slightly shortened.
6. Place the seedling on the cone of the potting mix at the required depth and carefully fill the hole. The root collar should be at ground level, a maximum of 1–2 cm lower. Tamp the soil with your palms.
7. Water the bush with 10 liters of warm, settled water and mulch. Sawdust, bark or peat work well as mulch.

Below is a photo of planting hydrangea paniculata:

Garden hydrangea is a heat-loving plant that needs fertile soil and sufficient moisture. If you want to grow a strong and healthy shrub, you shouldn't ignore these instructions.

Care after landing

It is impossible to grow panicle hydrangea without proper care. It includes several factors, each of which will be analyzed in more detail:

1. Watering. Hydrangea is a moisture-loving flower. In the absence of a sufficient amount of moisture, developmental disruption occurs, therefore drought is strictly contraindicated. It is recommended to water 20 liters of water once every 2 weeks, in hot weather - once a week, and in a rainy summer - once a month.

2-3 g of potassium permanganate can be added to the water for irrigation to prevent the development of rot. It should be watered in the near-trunk circle in the morning or in the evening, when the scorching sun is not standing.Do not forget to loosen the soil 5 cm deep after each watering and remove weeds.

2. Mulching. After watering, sprinkle the soil with peat chips or pine needles. This will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.

3. Top dressing. It should be applied often enough, as the shrub is fast flowering. In the spring, water the hydrangea with a urea solution (20 g per 10 liters of water). Pour in at least 20 liters under large bushes.

At the beginning of the growing season, a good result can be achieved by introducing nettle infusion, and then immediately buckets of water. Add mullein solution every 2 weeks. It is simple to prepare: pour a bucket of manure with 3 liters of water and let it brew for 3 days, after which dilute 1 liter of infusion in 10 liters of water and water the bush. When the first buds appear, add 2 mineral dressings (70 g of superphosphate + 45 g of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water) with a two-week break between each dressing.

4. Pruning in spring and fall. All varieties of panicle hydrangea need pruning. In November, all dry inflorescences should be cut off so that they do not create additional weight on the branches in winter. In the spring, until sap flow has begun, you should completely get rid of incorrectly located and weak shoots. Frost victims should be pruned to a healthy location. Annual shoots should be shortened by a third. On time and correctly cut hydrangea blooms very profusely.

5. Shelter for the winter. After removing the faded inflorescences, it is necessary to prepare for the winter. Treelike panicle hydrangeas do not need to be covered. They are hardy - simple mulching is enough for them. In the conditions of the Moscow region, the Middle zone, the North-West, Siberia and the Urals, the hydrangea must be covered.

To do this, the bush is spud with soil, and the trunk circle should be mulched with needles, rotted manure or peat. After the branches, bend very carefully to the ground so that they do not break. Cover them with spruce branches, sawdust or dry leaves. Place a box or box on top of the bush. Tie large bushes neatly, make a frame shelter (a kind of "hut") and pour dry foliage there. The winter shelter should be disassembled gradually, you can start in April.

Caring for a hydrangea is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to water and feed on time, then the risk of disease and pests will be minimized. Do not forget about pruning, then lush flowering will be ensured.

Panicle hydrangea is able to fit into any landscape design. From it you can grow a hedge, plant in pairs. It will also look great as a single plant.

Hydrangea is a beautiful garden flower with fluffy multi-colored caps. They are represented by several types: by the type of shrubs up to 3 m high, small trees and vines that can braid a tree up to 30 m in height. The hydrangea will bloom from spring to frost, delighting with its globular inflorescences. However, there are species for which this time is shorter.

Hydrangea planting rules

You can plant a hydrangea in early spring or fall. In this case, the first option will be preferable. For hydrangeas, you need to choose the right landing site. She prefers acidic soil with good moisture. With regard to lighting, these flowers can feel comfortable both in the sun and in partial shade.

The whole planting process can be divided into several stages:

1. It is necessary to dig a hole 40-50 cm deep and 40 cm in diameter. If the hydrangea bushes or outgrowths are small, you can make the hydrangea slightly smaller.
2. Now you need to prepare a soil mixture consisting of fertile soil, humus and peat. It is advisable to add 50 g of mineral fertilizer to it. If possible, such a mixture is left in the pit for 15 to 30 days. If the soil at the planting site is rich and fertile, then the plant can be planted directly into it without prior preparation.
3. The prepared seedling must be placed in the center of the planting pit so that its root collar is not deeply buried. Around the plant should be carefully covered with soil and tamped so that the roots are well pressed and there is no void around them.
4. The planted bush should be watered abundantly. It is advisable to additionally sprinkle the soil on top with sawdust, bark or peat.

After planting a hydrangea bush, it is better to cover it from sunlight for a few days. This will allow the plant to take root faster. Hydrangea can be planted both singly and in groups. In this case, the distance between the bushes should be about 1 meter.

Basic rules for caring for hydrangea

Hydrangea care comes down primarily to proper watering, timely feeding, pruning and loosening. If you do everything right, the bushes will be lush, and the inflorescences will be large and bright.

Watering

Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant that requires frequent watering. It should be plentiful, 15 - 20 liters for each adult bush. In hot weather, this should be done once a week. In hot and dry summers, watering can be increased up to twice a week. In this case, you need to focus on the condition of the soil, given how quickly it absorbs moisture and dries out.

For watering, it is best to use settled soft water at room temperature. Periodically, you need to add a little potassium permanganate to it, which will prevent the appearance of rot. Water the hydrangea in the morning or evening, when it is not too hot.

Top dressing

For good development and lush flowering, hydrangea needs to be fed. For this, both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable. Their use is especially important during periods of intensive growth. You can buy ready-made fertilizers that are rich in magnesium and iron. Feeding in the form of a solution of poultry droppings with water in a ratio of 1:10 in combination with a mineral composition of 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of nitrate and 10 g of urea has a good composition. You can use any slurry as a fertilizer, just observe the measure, otherwise the buds will be too large, which can cause fragile branches to break.

It is necessary to fertilize hydrangea not only during planting, but periodically as it grows. The first such feeding should be done at the end of May. It should be repeated after two weeks. You can fertilize flowers throughout the summer, but in August it is advisable to stop feeding so that the shoots can become woody for winter.

Mulching

Thanks to the mulching of the trunk circle, the roots of the hydrangea will be protected from overheating and rapid growth of weeds. You must first make an organic mulch, consisting of wood chips or peat. It should be scattered evenly around the bush. This will help make the soil more acidic, which is what hydrangeas need. This mulch will gradually become part of the soil.

It is best to apply mulch under the bushes in late spring, when the soil is well warmed up. Mulching is also possible in late autumn, when temperatures are below zero. Periodically, the shrubs need to be loosened so that the soil is more moisture-permeable.

Pruning

Pruning is done on plants that are 3 to 4 years old. This should be done in early spring - before sap flow and budding begin. If done too early, the cuttings will be unsuitable for further rooting, and if it is too late, the plant may die. This is why it is important to prune when the buds are just starting to swell.

When pruning in mature plants, cut 3/4 of the height of each shoot with a pruning shear. In this case, 2 - 3 pairs of kidneys should remain on them. Old bushes can be renewed at the root. Everything will depend on the condition of the bush or tree. You need to cut off old or frozen shoots. During pruning, you can form a beautiful small tree with a certain shape. In the first year of the hydrangea's growth, its flowers should be removed.this will encourage more abundant flowering next year.

Preparing hydrangeas for winter

Hydrangea belongs to heat-loving plants, so it must be protected in the winter season. Young shoots and insufficiently winter-hardy varieties need special protection. If the bush is very young, you can simply cover it from above with earth, fallen leaves or sawdust. Older plants must be bent to the ground and covered with roofing material or lutrasil. To prevent the wind from blowing it away, you need to press down the covering material with bricks.

Mature bushes require more cover. We must try not to break them. The bush should be tied up, and then covered with spunbond or lutrasil, after which a frame of metal mesh or other materials at hand can be built around it. It should be about 20-25 cm away from the bush. The free space must be filled with dry foliage. Such an insulated frame will protect the hydrangea well even in severe frosts. You can remove it in the spring, when there is a stable above zero temperature.

Propagation of hydrangea

Hydrangea is propagated in several ways:

1. Cuttings. Reproduction in this way is best done in mid-spring or early summer. One-year lateral shoots must be used as blanks. They should be about 10-12 cm long. Cuttings should be cut at right angles. From the bottom they need to remove the leaves. To root cuttings, you need to prepare the soil. For this, a light substrate is used, consisting of fertile soil, peat and sand. You need to plant cuttings in it, placing them at an angle. Each individual plant should be 5 cm apart. It will take about a month to root the shoots.
2. By dividing the bush. It can be propagated both in spring and autumn. To do this, the plant must be dug up and divided into several parts so that each individual bush has a bud of renewal. After that, the plant is simply planted in the prepared places.
3. Layers. For the propagation of hydrangeas by layering, you need to select young shoots, which will not be more than a year old. They should be bent to the ground and dug in so that a small top of 20 cm remains on top. The next year, the shoot will take root and it can be separated from the main bush and planted in another place.
4. Seeds. This is a rather troublesome process, so this breeding method is rarely used. The seeds need to be grown at home. To do this, they are planted in pots and only lightly sprinkled with sand. They need to be watered and fertilized frequently as they grow.

Popular types of hydrangea

Before planting a hydrangea, you need to decide on the choice of a suitable type. Each of them has its own growing characteristics that must be taken into account when planting and caring for. The most popular among gardeners: Large-leaved Hydrangea, Panicle Hydrangea, Petiole Hydrangea, Treelike Hydrangea.

Large-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

It will delight with flowering in July-August. This hydrangea has bright, dense foliage. The shoots of the current year look herbaceous, which is why the plant has a low cold resistance. The flowers are umbrella-shaped. They can have different colors depending on the variety, the intensity of which depends on the acidity of the soil. The more acidic it is, the brighter the hydrangea will be. The height of the bush reaches up to 2 m.

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata)

It blooms from mid-summer until the onset of cold weather. Inflorescences of this type have a pyramidal shape. They can reach a length of up to 30 cm. Panicle hydrangea grows as a shrub, which can reach a height of 5 m or in the form of a small tree up to 10 m. This species is considered more frost-resistant and unpretentious.

Stalked hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

It is a shrub vine. It will require an additional support to which it will be attached with air suction cups. It grows in length up to 25 m.This is a suitable species for planting near arches and arbors. Inflorescences have a corymbose shape up to 25 cm in size.

Hydrangea tree (Hydrangea arborescens)

It grows up to 3 meters in height. The flowers are predominantly white or cream in color. There are several varieties of this species, differing in different colors. In winter, the plant can freeze slightly, so it must be carefully wrapped. In April, the bushes need to be heavily pruned. The flowers grow in large fluffy inflorescences.

Ground cover hydrangea (Hydrangea heteromalla)

It is also called the Bretschneider hydrangea. This species is considered hardy and unpretentious. The bush reaches 2 - 3 m in height. The inflorescences are corymbose. At first they are white, and at the end of flowering they turn pink. Such a hydrangea blooms in the middle of summer.

Recommendations for planting and caring for hydrangea in the garden - video

Do you want to decorate your garden with an unusual shrub? Try planting a hydrangea flower, planting and caring for which in the open field is simple, reproduction and growing of hydrangea is possible even for novice gardeners. You can find a fantastically beautiful flower by reading the description of the variety and considering its combination with other plants in landscape design. In the photo, the hydrangea looks like the queen of the garden.

Varieties and varieties of hydrangea

Hydrangea is an undoubted favorite among flowers in summer cottages. A long flowering period, a variety of shapes and tones attract special attention to it from gardeners and designers; more and more often, various varieties of this perennial are used in landscape design.

Blue hydrangea

Hydrangeas can be spherical, racemose, and white, lilac, red, two-colored in color. The most common in our latitudes is the tree hydrangea. Unpretentious, fairly easy to care for and grow, the plant is recommended for novice gardeners. Several varieties of shrubs have been bred by breeders:

• Bella Anna - a new variety of tree hydrangea, has rather large spherical inflorescences, the crown grows up to three meters in diameter, the color of the petals is from pale pink to purple-pink, blooms throughout the summer season and September;

Bella Anna variety

• "Anabel" - a lush blooming, spreading shrub about 1.5 m high, inflorescences in the form of a ball of snow-white color, blooms in early July and retains its color throughout the summer season until September. After the end of flowering, the leaves of the plant remain bright green throughout the fall. Variety "Anabel" is adapted for wintering, does not require special shelter for the winter, frost-resistant;

"Anabel"

• "Grandiflora" - differs in large crystal-white inflorescences, blooms for 4 months;

"Grandiflora"

• Invincibel Spirit - a new variety of hydrangea with pink petals;

"Invisibel Spirit"

• "Sterilis" - a variety with hemispherical, dense, heavy inflorescences, during the flowering period - from July to October - the petals radically change color: from pale green to crystal white.

"Sterilis"

Also, a fairly common perennial variety - Panicle hydrangea, planting and caring for which is quite simple. This flower is attractive with inflorescences of an unusual - paniculate - shape, frost-resistant, characterized by rapid recovery even in unfavorable climatic conditions. An interesting feature of this hydrangea variety is the particularly long flowering period, during which the inflorescence changes its color. Does not need mulching for the winter. The most common varieties of panicle hydrangea are:

• Vanilla Freise - variety with pale white and pink petals;

Vanilla Fries

• "Limelight" - the plant blooms in autumn, differs in large inflorescences of a pale lemon shade;

"Limelight"

• "Pinky Winky" - hydrangea with soft red petals.

"Pinky Winky"

How to plant correctly

Growing hydrangeas in the open field is possible even for novice gardeners.If a hydrangea is chosen for a flower garden, planting and caring for it will never be a burden, they will become favorite activities. The correct location should be chosen for planting the shrub. Hydrangea does not tolerate long shading, the best place to plant it is on the sunny side. Hydrangea propagation is carried out by separate bushes or cuttings. It is recommended to plant a flower in spring (in May) or in autumn (in warm September).

Even a novice gardener can plant a hydrangea

To plant a hydrangea with a bush in the open ground, it is necessary to dig a planting hole about 60 cm deep, about half a meter wide and long. The distance between the bushes is at least 1.5 meters. A flower, growing with proper care, will occupy a much larger area than when planted. The pits should be filled with a special mixture, including peat, sand, soil, humus (1: 1: 2: 2) and fertilizers (landscape design experts recommend combining 20 g of urea, potassium sulphide each, add about 60 g of superphosphate in granules and 10 kg of humus ).

Attention: do not add lime to the soil mixture for hydrangea - it is detrimental to this plant.

When planting, it should be borne in mind that the root collar of the plant should be at ground level. After planting the hydrangea in open ground, it must be watered abundantly.

Tip: For the first two flowering seasons, it is recommended to pick off the inflorescences. The root system of the plant will get stronger and grow, which will subsequently give the bush strength and splendor.

Suitable care

Hydrangea care consists in weeding and loosening the soil around it, organizing a timely and correct irrigation regime. In addition, to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the bush in early summer with peat or sawdust.

Fading flowers must be cut off so that they do not pull strength from the plant.

A perennial needs proper pruning. The plant should be pruned in the spring before the beginning of the growing season, removing old shoots and leaving young and strong ones, shortening them by 3-5 buds. Faded and dried bush inflorescences must be removed. Old perennial bushes must be cut almost at the root, leaving only low stumps, from which young shoots will develop.

Fertilizing and fertilizing hydrangeas

The hydrangea planted in prepared and fertilized soil for the first two years can not be fertilized or fed.
Then the procedure for feeding hydrangeas is as follows:

• in the spring, it is necessary to apply a complex fertilizer containing micro- and macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen) under each bush;
• the second time in a season, top dressing (potassium sulfate together with superphosphate) is applied during the period when buds appear on the bush;
• a couple of times it is advisable to feed the perennial with diluted chicken droppings or cow dung.

Hydrangea responds very well to feeding

Caution: Excessive fertilization of nitrogen can lead to greening of hydrangea petals and problems with the wintering of the plant.

It should also be borne in mind that hydrangea responds well to lactic acid, therefore it is important when growing it to periodically water the bush with soaked sour bread, milk whey, sour milk, kefir.

Propagation of hydrangea

Like other perennial shrubs, hydrangea can be propagated vegetatively (by cuttings, dividing the bush, layering) and seeds.

To grow shrubs from cuttings, it is necessary to cut the tops of young non-lignified shoots in mid-July and root them in specially prepared soil, consisting of coarse sand and peat. Experts recommend taking measures to increase soil moisture under the cuttings. For this, sphagnum moss is added to it. Cuttings are planted in such soil a little at an angle, at a small (up to 5 cm) distance and provide them with a temperature regime in the range of 16-20 ° C. For rooting, 4-5 weeks are enough.After that, the hydrangea is planted in a permanent growing area and provided with proper care.

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings

When the hydrangea propagates by dividing the bush, part of it is separated, while it is important that there are 2-3 buds on the young shoots, they are dug up and transplanted to a new place.

For the propagation of hydrangeas by layering, it is necessary to bend one of the young shoots of the growing bush to the ground and dig it into a previously dug hole (up to 15-20 cm deep). In order to prevent the shoot from straightening, it can be fixed with staples. Experienced gardeners recommend making an incision on the part of the shoot that will be in the ground to speed up the rooting process. It is necessary to regularly water the branch, it can also be mulched. After the formation of its own root system at the branch, it is separated from the mother bush and planted in a new place.

Propagation of hydrangea by layering

Diseases and pests

As a rule, hydrangea is quite resistant to all sorts of pests and diseases. However, it can also become infected with chlorosis, downy mildew, spider mites, and green leaf aphids can appear on it.

Chlorosis is expressed in a sharp lightening of the leaves of the plant, the loss of their natural color. The reason for its development is the excessive content of lime or humus in the soil. To eliminate chlorosis, it is enough to water the plant with solutions of nitric acid potassium and copper sulfate in turn with an interval of three days.

Hydrangea disease - chlorosis

The cause of hydrangea disease with downy mildew is excess air humidity. For treatment, it is recommended to treat the hardwood surface with a solution of copper sulfate with the addition of soap.

Garlic infusion will help drive aphids from the plant. It is necessary to prepare a garlic infusion (200 g of chopped garlic in a bucket of water, let it brew for 2 days), add laundry soap (40 g) and irrigate the perennial with this infusion every 5-7 days until the aphids are destroyed.

Hydrangea: combination with other plants

In a flower garden or garden, hydrangea is quite effective both by itself and in combination with other flowers. For example, panicle hydrangea looks great next to clumps of purple-leaved barberries, viburnum vesicle. The beauty of the tree-like hydrangea is emphasized by daylilies, sheared barberry, undersized juniper.

Hydrangea in the design of the flower bed

Hydrangea in landscape design

Hydrangea is a fantastically beautiful flower that inspires beautiful compositions in landscaping. Taking into account the climatic conditions, in our latitudes it is recommended to plant a tree-like, paniculate and petiolate hydrangea. Hydrangea looks magical in the photo in large compositions when it grows in the squares, surprising everyone with the size and beauty of its inflorescences. To emphasize the beauty of hydrangea, you can surround it with borders of spirits, cotoneaster, and other shrubs. The hydrangea should be planted in a flower garden in the background so that it does not obscure other plants.

Hydrangea in landscape design

It is not recommended to combine hydrangea with yellow, red, orange flowers. Plants with bluish flowers, needles or leaves can successfully shade a shrub - for example, clematis, cereals, hosts, stunted junipers.
A classic landscape design is the combination of hydrangea with pink phlox with a round shape of inflorescences, thujas, microbiota. Also hydrangea is used in mixborders to create compositions along garden paths, can be grown as a hedge.

Hydrangea is the basis of a beautiful garden. With proper care, it will delight you for years to come. Experiment with different varieties of this shrub, try to decorate your gazebo with climbing hydrangea, plant a tree-like one along the paths, create a living fence using a paniculata.

Garden hydrangea care: video

Garden hydrangea: photo

Hydrangea, planting and care are of no small importance when growing, since an unsuccessfully chosen place and soil composition of the soil can lead to diseases and poor development, in some cases death. In addition, after planting, you need to take care of the shrub correctly in order to achieve lush flowering and healthy growth ...

Site selection and soil preparation

When to plant a hydrangea? The best time for planting is spring, the moment when the earth thaws, the buds have not yet blossomed, and autumn is in the month of September. When choosing a place for an ornamental deciduous plant, keep in mind that it is better to plant a hydrangea in the shade or partial shade, since the bright sun causes slower growth, as a result of which the inflorescences become smaller.

Some types of hydrangeas can be grown in open, sunny areas, but abundant watering is required. It is advisable to protect young shrubs from the bright sun and strong winds. It is not recommended to be placed under trees that strongly absorb water.

The soil for hydrangea should be well-drained and moistened, consisting of a balanced mixture of humus, leafy soil, peat chips, river sand (2: 2: 1: 1). Regardless of the type and variety of hydrangea, remember that lime in the soil has a negative effect on development. The soil should have a Ph level of about 5.0.

Planting hydrangeas outdoors

In the northern regions of the country, it is preferable to plant hydrangea in open ground in the spring, in the southern regions, including the Kuban, the procedure is carried out in the fall. It is recommended to equip a planting hole for a beautiful shrub, the dimensions of which are 0.4 m in diameter and a depth of 0.4-0.5 m.When planting, be guided by the size of the root system, if too large, increase the volume of the hole. It is worth noting that the roots of the hydrangea are quite branched.

choosing a place and planting a hydrangea with a closed root system - in the photo

It is necessary to introduce the prepared soil mixture into the hole and make a small mound, on which the seedling is then carefully placed and the roots are straightened, they fall asleep without deepening the root collar, which should be flush with the soil. A slight deepening is permissible, but not more than 20-30 mm; too deep landing can subsequently lead to decay of the neck.

The soil in the near-trunk zone must be well tamped. Watering the hydrangea after planting is mandatory, it is necessary that the water seeps well to the depth of the roots of 30-40 cm. Watering is best done in the hole next to the plant.

Top dressing and mulching as the basis of care

To retain moisture after planting in a permanent place, the hydrangea is mulched in the trunk circle. Mulch also inhibits the growth of weeds and protects the roots from overheating. Peat chips, wood chips or bark are used as a mulching material, having a uniform layer of 8-10 cm.

Mulch will decompose over time and become part of the soil, slightly acidifying it. Mulch is best laid in late spring, when the ground is already well warmed up but still damp.

watering hydrangea - pictured

So that the shrub grows well and pleases with abundant flowering, the garden hydrangea is fertilized when planting, then in the spring in the third decade of May or in early summer - early June. Use a solution of mullein or chicken manure diluted 1:10 with water. Do not forget to fertilize with a complex of mineral fertilizers or add at least the most basic components - 20 grams of superphosphate, 10 grams of potassium nitrate and urea each. Subsequent feeding of hydrangea is carried out with an interval of 17-20 days and ends at the end of July, so that the young shoots have time to woody by the winter period.

For strong and flexible shoots, an ornamental shrub is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate of a weak pink color. In addition, garden stores sell special fertilizers for hydrangeas, which include magnesium and iron, which the plant needs.

mulching hydrangea with wood chips - pictured

Panicle hydrangea, large-leaved and ground cover are predominantly pinkish, creamy colors that can be changed if desired. The color of the hydrangea is directly related to the acidity of the soil. If the soil is slightly alkaline, then the flowering will be pink and crimson; on acidic soils, the hydrangea blooms with blue flowers.

To obtain blue flowers in alkaline earth, the shrub is watered with solutions of iron salts. To get a more intense blue color, rusty metal cans should be buried under the hydrangea.

Pruning hydrangeas - continue to groom

Do I need to prune a hydrangea and how to do it? In order for the care to be correct, it must be remembered that pruning of hydrangea large-leaved, serrated, prickly, Sargent, liana-shaped, oak-leaved is carried out taking into account the fact that flowers appear on the shoots of the second year, which means that you need to cut off old branches and weak ones, to strong buds.

Pruning panicle and tree hydrangea involves removing old and faded shoots, also weak. At the same time, experienced gardeners do not recommend removing a large number of shoots at the same time, it is better to stretch the procedure for a year or two so that the plant does not lose strength and does not die from excessive cutting operations. The main branches, as a rule, are not touched, only those that are bad and grow inside the bush are cut off.

autumn pruning hydrangea - pictured

You can prune hydrangeas in spring and autumn, but it is preferable in the autumn period, since sap flow slows down, and a haircut will contribute to lush flowering in spring. In the spring months, improper pruning can slow growth and delay flowering. In addition, in the spring, the processes begin to actively start at the shrub, juice is released during pruning, so be careful not to harm the plant. In spring, pruning is best done as early as possible, before the buds swell and constant heat is established.

Pruning hydrangeas for the winter is carried out as usual, with only one difference - it is better not to touch young shrubs and let them overwinter without surgery, otherwise you risk ruining the plant. Hydrangea, planting and caring for which is not at all difficult, will certainly delight with its lush flowering, if you suddenly decide to grow an unpretentious plant in your garden.

Gotense: related photos

In our climate, two types of hydrangeas have shown themselves perfectly: tree-like (H. arborescens) with flowering white caps and paniculate (H. paniculata) - with pyramidal inflorescences drooping and turning pink by autumn.

Hydrangeatree-like (H. arborescens) 

Hydrangeapaniculate (H. paniculata)

Both of them grow in my garden and are invariably the object of admiration of the guests. Hydrangeas love water, slightly acidic soil, grow well in the sun and in partial shade. Decorativeness will depend on the fertility of the soil: the size and number of inflorescences, the height and spreading of the bush. Flowering occurs on the shoots of the current year, even if the bush freezes over during severe frosts, it will still grow and flourish in the same year. Pruning of hydrangeas is always done in the spring, leaving dry inflorescences on the bushes in winter, they cover the leaf buds at the ends of the shoots. In the spring, once every 5–7 years, shrubs can be divided, having received quite a lot of planting material. Hydrangeas are also excellent cuttings and propagate by layering. Mature shrubs build up a fairly heavy mass, especially during the flowering period. At this point, you need to prepare in advance by building a circular support from a thin bar on racks, or buy ready-made metal "one-legged" supports. A garter to a stake is very ineffective: the bush ceases to be sprawling symmetrical, falls on one side, and flowering caps fall into a heap.

Hydrangeas are good both in solitary plantings and in mixborders with shrub roses, gray spirea, perennials.For wet areas, this is perhaps one of the best shrubs along with black elderberry and turf.
There are other types of hydrangeas, from bush it isLarge-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), but it is very unstable in our region, blooms on last year's shoots and does not bloom at all if wintering is unsuccessful. True, there are loyal fans of this magnificent bush and work wonders. Moreover, modern varieties, as the suppliers assure, bloom on young shoots.
Varieties of tree hydrangea:

"Annabelle" with large, up to 20 cm in diameter, white globular inflorescences. Young bushes should be tied up, since under the weight of the inflorescences the shoots are inclined to the very ground. Leaves retain their green color in autumn.

"Sterilis" with exceptionally abundant and long flowering. Inflorescences are dense, hemispherical, branches bend with their weight. They consist of sterile flowers that turn from whitish-green to pure white and do not turn pink. Blooms from July to October.

"Invincibelle Spirit" - 2010 Young inflorescences consist of small, dirty red buds and do not seem to bode well. However, when the buds open, it turns out that the inside of the petals are painted in a bright pink color, which eventually turns into an amazing pale pink with gleams of light green. The inflorescence becomes large, dense, attracting everyone's attention.

Hayes Starburst a new hardy variety from the famous hydrangea "Annabelle". Amazing hydrangea with double-colored double flowers, collected in inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter. It blooms much longer than "Annabell", due to the appearance of new petals in the center of the flower. Flowering time July-October. The height of the bush is 1.5 m, the width is 1.5 m.
Varieties of panicle hydrangea:

"Grandiflora" - the most beautiful and winter-hardy variety with cream cone-shaped inflorescences. Flowering lasts at least two months, and during the entire period the flowers change their color several times, acquiring red and brown shades in the fall.

"Pink Diamond" in summer, it is decorated with large pinkish inflorescences, which acquire a bright pink color in autumn, retaining their color even in winter.

"Kyushu" - a spectacular shrub with long, loose inflorescences. The flowers are pure white with a pleasant scent.

"Sundae Fraise"(height 100-120 cm). This hydrangea is exceptional for its size, perfect for small gardens. Height 1-1.3 m., Width 1-1.2 m. Its red-burgundy tough shoots perfectly hold numerous brushes of flowers of various colors (starting from white at the beginning of flowering and gradually changing color to pink-lilac).

"Vanille Fraise" (height 150-170 cm). The inflorescences are huge, the flowers are first creamy white, then turn pink, by the end of flowering they become dark red, the shades depend on the place, weather conditions and soil, blooms in July-September, the bush is upright, 150 cm high and wide, requires a sunny or semi-shady place and wet soil.

"Limelight" - differs in dense inflorescences of sterile flowers with a distinct greenish tint, turning pink by autumn. Shrub more than 1-1.5 meters high with a rounded crown. In severe winters, young plants freeze to the level of snow cover; with age, winter hardiness increases. Prefers moist, fertile, light, acidic soils. Does not tolerate lime in the soil. Landing in sunny, wind-protected places. Winter shelter for young plants.

"Great Star" - height 2 m, width can reach 3 m, fast growing. The flowers consist of two types: large ones with elongated "propeller-shaped" petals, about 5 cm in diameter, and small, fertile, white, odorless flowers. Blooms from July to September.

Early Sensation- a special type of hydrangea that blooms even in cold regions. Inflorescences are large racemose composed of pink flowers. Prefers slightly acidic and neutral substrates. For abundant flowering, it is necessary to shorten the shoots by 2/3 annually.

"Magiсal Flame" - an amazingly beautiful variety! The inflorescences are conical, 12x10 cm in size, at first creamy white, then burgundy red and purple-pink at the end of flowering. Sterile flowers 3.2 cm in diameter. The bushes are compact, 90-120 cm high, 130 cm wide. Blossoms in July-August.

Growing hydrangeas in the northwest

The owners of summer cottages have long been planting not only vegetable beds, but also trying to ennoble their garden with various flowers and ornamental shrubs. One of these representatives of dacha beauty is hydrangea.

This shrub does not grow higher than one and a half meters, and planting and caring for a panicle hydrangea is not difficult and does not entail difficulties. It is because of its unpretentiousness that hydrangea gained its popularity, that even the choice of beginners is in favor of the presented plant.

Features of the plant and its origin

Panicle hydrangea is the most successful and correct option for self-planting in a summer cottage. In height, as already mentioned above, the bush does not even reach one and a half meters, but its flowers will envelop all the branches.

There is a similar article on this topic - Tree hydrangea: planting and care.

During the flowering period, the shrub envelops spherical inflorescences with dimensions of 25-30 cm.In diameter, one flower grows on average to 2-3 cm.

The panicle hydrangea today includes several dozen varieties, although even during the Soviet era there were no more than 5 of them.

The presented fact is primarily associated with high-tech developments, or, simply put, with the hybridization process, thanks to which today you can enjoy inflorescences of a wide variety of shades.

Hydrangea came to summer cottages from the Far East, where the shrub went through a period of "domestication" after wild life in China and Japan. By the way, now you can still find wild-growing hydrangeas in these countries, however, their growth does not even reach 1 meter.

The appearance of the garden varieties of the presented shrub allows it to be used in summer cottages in landscape design, since, if desired, the bush can be given a suitable shape with the help of timely pruning.

Varieties of panicle hydrangea with photo

Varieties of hydrangea paniculata can be listed for a long time. In the last year, several more varieties of newly bred representatives have appeared, which are not yet used by gardeners on a grand scale. Of the most widely known, the following varieties are cited:

Hydrangea Bobo - the most popular, was bred by Belgian biologists. Its height reaches a maximum of 70 cm, which makes it especially popular, because in this case it is much easier to allocate a planting site on the garden plot. This variety belongs to the early representatives - the flowers begin to bloom and turn pink in May. The appearance of the bush is quite dense with a rich green color.

Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Freise - the shrub reaches a height of one and a half meters, but this does not take away the well-deserved popularity of the plant. Experienced growers are in awe of the density of the pyramidal inflorescences. In addition, the inflorescences always acquire two colors - the top is painted with a white tint, and the bottom becomes pale pink. As a result, the appearance is more like an ice cream cone.

Hydrangea Weems Red - tall shrub, at least one and a half meters high. The variety has gained popularity due to its color of flowers. In the process of flowering, the shade of the inflorescences changes from white to bright red, burgundy. In addition, this variety is frost-resistant, therefore it is suitable for planting in any region of Russia. True, in Siberia and the Far East, additional cover for the bushes will be required for the winter.

Hydrangea paniculata Grandiflora - refers to late varieties, which is actively used for planting in summer cottages in warm regions. Hydrangea Grandiflora changes the shade of its inflorescence several times. At the very beginning of flowering, the flowers are creamy white, and then become just white. At the end of the season, you can admire the cone-shaped inflorescence of red-green color.

Hydrangea paniculata Diamond Rouge - the shrub variety grows up to one and a half meters in height.Shades of flowers turn from white to pale pink, and the foliage itself, with the onset of autumn, turns from a rich green hue to orange.

Hydrangea Lightline - a new variety that was bred by American scientists and went on sale only in 2014. According to the creators, the height of the grown shrub does not exceed one meter. The popularity of the presented variety is still small, but the beauty of the inflorescences delights.

Hydrangea Pinkie Winky - the flowering time of the variety is from mid-July to September. The cone-shaped inflorescences are colored in two shades - the top is white and the bottom is purple. The inflorescences themselves are not so dense, so you can see the beauty of each flower. Leaves, on the other hand, acquire a rich yellow tint in the fall.

Hydrangea Pink Diamond - the popularity of this variety was won in Europe due to the height of the shrub. The average length of a hydrangea is 2 meters. In Russia, these representatives are also planted, but mainly in large areas.

Hydrangea Sunday Fries - notable for its spreading crown, which is rather difficult to "collect" into a bush and give the necessary shape. However, this variety is also popular in Russia, because its inflorescences tend to change color from pale green to pink.

Hydrangea paniculata Silver Dollar - a sprawling bush with a maximum height of one and a half meters. Conical inflorescences of a pale yellow hue. During the flowering process, the yellow color is completely lost and turns into a pure white color.

Hydrangea paniculata Phantom - the variety belongs to the late representatives, because its flowering is observed only from mid-August to early October. The height of the presented shrub reaches about 2 meters. The crown of the hydrangea is spreading, and the flowers are white with a pale lilac tint.

This is just a small list of all the varieties available. Some representatives have not even "reached" the gardeners of Russia yet, since they have just been bred and are only being tested in planting in their own country.

Varieties of hydrangea paniculata, video:

Planting and caring for panicle hydrangea

Despite the wide selection of varieties of the presented ornamental shrub, the basics and principles of planting and caring for a plant are practically the same.

The actions described in the following are easy to cope with and a beginner who has just decided to refine and decorate his summer cottage.

Correct planting of hydrangea paniculata

At the initial stage, you should decide on the choice of time for planting the shrub. This process can be carried out both in spring and autumn.

It is better, of course, to plant a seedling in the spring. In the summer, he will get used to it faster, he will have more chances to settle down in the climatic conditions provided to him.

Planting hydrangea paniculata in autumn will require the gardener to take additional steps to cover the seedling for the winter. This process must be carried out without fail, even if the planted variety turns out to be frost-resistant.

Now you need to decide on the choice of location. Most varieties prefer partial shade. However, such a planting is fraught with a partial "loss" of beauty during flowering. So, planting in a sunny area, but with protection from the wind, will provide full and abundant flowering and bud dissolution.

When choosing a place for landing, preference should be given to ordinary soil with a slightly acidic environment. Do not plant the seedling in sandy soil.

Correct transplant of panicle hydrangea

Planting and transplanting hydrangea paniculate in autumn is carried out in accordance with the sequence:

1. For planting, you should prepare a hole at least 40 cm deep and 50x50 cm in size.For some varieties, whose root system exceeds the standard dimensions, you will have to dig a hole up to 60 cm deep and 80x80 cm in size.
2. The entire planting or transplanting process takes at least two days. On the first day, a hole is dug and 2-3 buckets of water are poured into it.In a similar state, the workpiece is left until the morning. It is important that the moisture saturates the soil well.
3. Before planting, it is necessary to throw suitable fertilizers into the pit. Here peat and fertile soil are mixed in equal quantities, as well as humus and sand separately. After thorough mixing, mix the first and second composition in a ratio of 2: 1, respectively.
4. Urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added to the resulting mixture. These organic fertilizers are used depending on the variety chosen for planting.
5. The resulting compositions fill the pit almost completely. Now a seedling is planted in the resulting composition, they add the remaining earth after digging a hole.

A transplant for panicle hydrangea is necessary in the event of an initially incorrect selection of soil and a place for planting. As a rule, even a hydrangea transplanted in autumn should be covered for the winter.

Hydrangea paniculata care

Caring for the presented ornamental shrub is necessary, since without the active participation of the gardener it is impossible to achieve the desired beauty that should grow from a newly planted seedling.

Proper care is concluded in three important procedures, which are carried out according to the given rules and features.

1. Watering the newly planted shrub is necessary for the root system to quickly adapt to the new area. In hot weather, watering is carried out with the calculation of 30 liters of liquid per 1 m2 of soil.

Such abundant watering is carried out once a week. In rainy times, the frequency or volume of fluid should be reduced.

Gardeners must observe one important rule when watering: the soil under the ornamental shrub must always be moist.

To achieve the appropriate moisture content during the week, you can resort to mulching the soil with sawdust. A small amount of potassium permanganate can be added to the water intended for irrigation. In this case, the water should achieve a slightly pink hue.

2. Top dressing is carried out for the entire flowering period 4 times:

1. The first feeding is carried out in the spring at the stage of inflorescence formation. It is better to use organic fertilizers such as slurry.
2. The second feeding is carried out already during the ripening of the buds. Various formulations are used here with the content of urea, superphosphates and potassium.
3. In the third top dressing, a mineral fertilizer complex is used. The time for complementary foods depends on the degree of flowering of the shrub. Take a closer look, if all the buds have blossomed, then you can start the procedure. Such actions will significantly increase the flowering time of the hydrangea.
4. During the preparation of the bush for the winter period, a fourth feeding should be carried out. Here it is better to use special chemical compositions for hydrangeas, which are easy to purchase in a specialized store.

All the actions presented will ensure normal growth and timely flowering of an ornamental bush, which means they will delight gardeners throughout the summer period.

3. Pruning hydrangea paniculata is carried out as needed in order to give the plant the correct and neat shape during the period of growth and flowering.

But often it is requiredpruning hydrangea paniculata in autumn while preparing the plant for winter.

Here the goal of rejuvenating the shrub is pursued, therefore, the removal of old shoots is required. The cut is made in such a way that 5-6 cm hemp is left.

If the answer to the question of how to prune a panicle hydrangea in the fall is clear, then most novice gardeners remain confused, not imagining the pruning procedure for forming a bush.

In the spring, identify 5-10 strong shoots on each bush. Cut them to length so that only 3-5 buds remain. Thus, the nutrient components will contribute to the growth and strengthening of only young shoots, which means that the bush during flowering will delight with new and bright inflorescences.

Spring pruning hydrangea, video:

Preparing for the winter of panicle hydrangea

An important question for beginners and experienced gardeners remains,is it necessary to cover the panicle hydrangea for the winter? Despite the ability of the planted variety to easily endure the winter, it is still better to cover the shrub.

Pay attention to this material - Hydrangea: planting and care in the open field.

There is no need to use covering material. Such actions are resorted to only in the case of planting a young seedling in the fall. Rooted shrubs do not need this process. Only the root system is subject to shelter.

You will be interested in this article - Honeysuckle: planting, care, reproduction.

Shelter is carried out in the following ways:

• Use rotted manure. Spread it around the bush in a small layer.
• You can use peat or fallen leaves. But then the covering layer will need at least 15-20 cm.
• If you are worried about the frost resistance of the branches, build a frame around the shrub that will hold the snow on itself and thereby create a kind of greenhouse for the hydrangea.

Additional steps in preparing the bush for the winter are not required. It is only important to carry out timely pruning and shelter, without waiting for severe frosts.

As for the propagation of panicle hydrangea, there is a method of grafting.

The cut parts of the branches should be placed in water for three days, and then a cutting with at least 3 internodes should be made from them. The lower cut of the cuttings made is treated with a growth stimulant and planted at home in pots to a depth of 2/3.

It is better to grow cuttings in regular indoor pots until next spring. In the warm season, you can safely plant the grown bushes in your summer cottage.

Panicle hydrangea does not require complex and long-term care. But all of the above actions will ensure excellent flowering throughout the entire period for the variety.

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Delicate and bright airy hydrangea inflorescences will give the garden its own style and mood of comfort. An ideal option for realizing your design fantasies is panicle hydrangea. In addition to the fact that the plant blooms profusely and is very unpretentious, it lends itself well to formation. Even standard forms can be created from bushes of this type, which will remain for many years. This feature of the panicle hydrangea makes it ideal for decorating any garden area. In this article, we will look at the best flower varieties and talk about the features of growing them outdoors.

Description, photos and types of hydrangeas

To date, there are more than eighty types of hydrangeas, of which more than a hundred hybrid varieties have been bred by breeders. There are erect and curly, evergreen and deciduous, tree-like and dwarf, thermophilic and frost-resistant hydrangeas.

The leaves of the plant can be oval or round, with jagged edges or wavy. Depending on the type and variety, the inflorescences are formed in the form of a panicle, cone, umbrella or ball. At the edges of each inflorescence are sterile flowers with four petals, and in the center are fruiting flowers. Hydrangea blooms for a long time with white, red, lilac, blue, purple, bright crimson or deep pink flowers... Their palette can have transitional shades or consist of two colors.

The most popular hydrangea is large-leaved with globular inflorescences, which in the 18th century came from Japan to Europe, where it made a sensation. This plant was grown only at home, as it was thermophilic. Since then, breeders have developed the widest selection of varieties and types of hydrangeas that are hardy and can grow in open ground in almost any latitude.

Hydrangeas: species and varieties for Russian gardens

In the gardens of our climatic zone, hydrangeas are widespread and winter well: tree, paniculate and serrate.

Treelike or wild hydrangea is a bush up to 2.5 meters high with pointed leaves and huge dense inflorescences of different colors. The species is considered winter-hardy and unpretentious, due to which it is widely used for decorating garden plots in the middle latitudes of our country. She does not need shelter, prefers semi-shady and shady areas.

Serrated hydrangea is medium-sized tree-like spreading shrub up to one and a half meters high... Its bright green oval leaves are pointed towards the top. Inflorescences in the form of a ball consist of blue flowers. The brightness of their color depends on the acidity of the soil. Fading, the petals turn pink. The serrata hydrangea flowers bloom in mid-summer and bloom until September. The species is suitable for growing in the middle zone of our country, but requires shelter for the winter. Loves moderate watering and tolerates any transplants well.

Panicle hydrangea is an incredibly beautiful plant and is one of the most popular species in garden culture. A small tree in the open field will grow from two to five meters. Cold resistance is given to it by shoots, which quickly grow stiff. The pubescent leaves up to 12 cm long are elliptical. Panicle-shaped inflorescences are composed of fragrant flowers that are excellent honey plants. Flowering begins in June and lasts until frost. The species is suitable for cultivation in the central and northern part of Russia, since without shelter it can withstand frosts down to -25C. Hydrangea paniculata has a large number of various varieties, among which it can be noted:

1. Variety "Grandiflora" - it is a massive shrub with oblong velvety leaves and large, white inflorescences that turn pink over time. On fertile, light and well-moistened soils, it grows up to two meters. Does not like strong winds, but tolerates frosts well.
2. Variety "Vanilla Fries" is a spreading bush up to two meters high. The lush blooms are composed of white flowers that later turn bright pink. It begins to bloom late. Loves light and moisture. It easily tolerates severe frosts.
3. Variety "Great Star" it is distinguished by oval shiny leaves and small inflorescences with large flowers. Their four petals create a propeller-like appearance and bloom in the second half of summer. The variety is frost-resistant, but requires shelter for the winter.
4. Variety "Bobo" refers to dwarf forms that do not grow up to one meter. Blooms in the second half of summer with lush inflorescences of pink, white and light yellow shades. For the winter, it is mulched with leaves. Suitable for decorating flower beds and small front gardens.
5. Variety "Unique" grows up to two meters and decorates gardens with its exquisite appearance. The sprawling bush is covered with boiling-white inflorescences, which turn pink by the end of flowering. Young plants take cover for the winter.
6. Variety "Phantom" is such a profusely flowering shrub that, due to its large white inflorescences and creamy flowers, almost no leaves are visible. To make the flowering even more magnificent, in the spring the shoots are cut shortly.

Different varieties of hydrangea paniculata

Planting hydrangeas in open ground

Hydrangeas are planted in well-lit areas without direct sunlight. They grow best in partial shade on well-drained, loamy, structural soils. The soil should have an acidic or neutral reaction, since on alkaline soils the plant gets sick, grows poorly and practically does not bloom from a lack of iron.

Flower seedlings are planted just before the buds are set. A mixture of manure and bone meal is introduced into the holes prepared according to the size of the root system or ready-made feed for hydrangeas. The plant is carefully removed from the container and placed in the hole together with the earthen lump. The roots are covered with soil and pressed slightly. After planting, the hydrangea must be watered abundantly.

The color of flowers directly depends on the acidity of the soil. To obtain bright blue inflorescences, aluminum salts are added to the alkaline soil. In acidic soil, pink flowers can be obtained after adding limestone.

Panicle hydrangea: care

The shrub is unpretentious, therefore, special knowledge and skills are not required when caring for it. Translated from Greek, the name of the flower means "a vessel with water", which speaks of the main conditions of its life. Therefore, it is necessary to water the hydrangea often and abundantly. The ground should be constantly wet, but so. So that there is no stagnation of water in it.

To facilitate care when planting moss or hydrogel can be added to the hole along with the root system... They are able to retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out during the hot season.

Fertilizing hydrangea

When caring for a plant, one should not forget about its fertilization, on which active growth and flowering depend. Three dressings are made during the season:

1. In the spring, at the beginning of the growing season of the plant, the bushes are fed with nitrogen fertilizers. Young bushes are fertilized a few days after planting.
2. Before flowering, around June, nitrogen fertilizers are again applied.
3. In September, when the plant begins to fade, the garden hydrangeas are fed with potassium salt.

Pruning bushes

Pruning the shrub is a very important part of maintenance, as improperly performed shrub can damage the shrub or lead to poor flowering.

Features of hydrangea pruning:

1. Old inflorescences are removed until healthy and strong buds.
2. In hydrangea paniculata last year's shoots are cut off only by a third.
3. Too densely spaced and weak branches are cut under the root.
4. In relatively mild climates, pruning is recommended before the start of the active growing season in the spring. This is due to the fact that dried hydrangea inflorescences not only look beautiful in the winter garden, but also protect new buds from frost.

Preparing hydrangea paniculata for winter

Frost-resistant shrub survives frosts well. However, in regions with harsh winters, it must be sheltered. Frozen shoots in the spring quickly recover and grow back, so you can only cover the root system. For this, the base around the bush is earthed up and covered with mulch.

In winters with temperatures below -35C, the whole bush is insulated... Mature plants are bound and wrapped in spunbond or lutrasil. Then a frame is built around them, the inside of which is filled with dry foliage or straw. Young plants are pressed to the ground and covered with roofing material, which is pressed down with bricks or boards.

Caracas is removed from the bushes in April, and the covering material only after the last frosts have passed.

Reproduction of hydrangea paniculata

Reproduction is carried out in three ways:

• layering;
• cuttings;
• shifts.

Cuttings

During the pruning of the plant, there are sections of shoots that can be rooted. To do this, they are first put in water for several days, and then cuttings are cut. In a soil consisting of sand and peat, cuttings are planted two-thirds of the entire length... The container is covered with polyethylene and placed in a cool place. Cutting care involves keeping the soil moist. It shouldn't dry out. Thus, the cuttings are rooted and stored until spring. Young plants planted in open ground must take shelter for the winter for three years.

Green cuttings cut in summer are rooted in an earthen mixture with a top layer of sand. The twigs should not reach the peat.

Reproduction by layering

To get a young plant, a depression is made in the soil next to a large bush. The soft young shoot is bent down and sprinkled with a layer of earthen mixture. Placed next to the support to which the middle part of the retracted shoot is tied... It will be possible to separate the young plant from the mother bush only after the twig gives roots and begins to grow. This will not happen earlier than in a year.

In order for cuttings and shoots to take root well and quickly, it is recommended to use a growth stimulator when rooting.

Seed reproduction

Species hydrangeas propagate by seeds. Sowing is carried out in the fall in seedling containers filled with an earthen mixture consisting of leafy soil, peat and coarse sand (4: 2: 1). The seeds are sprinkled with a small layer of soil and moistened with a spray bottle. In order for the seedlings to sprout together, it is recommended to cover the containers with foil or glass. The mini greenhouse is placed in a warm place with an air temperature of 14-20C. The film or glass must be removed for half an hour every day, ventilating the substrate. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that it is always wet.

The first shoots appear no earlier than a month later. The film is immediately removed, and the containers are placed in a well-lit place... When the first true leaves appear, the seedlings dive for the first time. The second time they sit in separate pots at the end of spring.

As soon as young plants get stronger, they need to start hardening. On warm days, the bushes are exposed to fresh air in a place protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain. So that young plants are not weakened by flowering, the buds that appear are removed. In open ground, the hydrangea grown from seeds is planted only two years after sowing.

In the garden of a real owner, who will love the plant and take care of it with pleasure, panicle hydrangea will surely take root and give the flower garden a unique look.

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