Hydrangea garden planting and outdoor care cuttings

Planting garden hydrangeas and care have their own characteristics. To admire the beautiful and lush flowering, we will learn how to properly care for this plant.

Garden hydrangea - species and varieties

There are many types and varieties of this ornamental shrub. Most of them prefer to grow in partial shade, but there are some that do well in sunny areas. The height of the bushes and the flowering period are very different and depend on the variety.

The most common types:

• Large-leaved. It blooms in the second half of summer with lush inflorescences in the form of balls. Flowers can have a different shade. Height - 2 m.Requires shelter in winter, maximum tolerates temperatures up to - 10 ° C
• Pereshkovaya. Variety of creepers. It blooms with white-pink inflorescences. Requires support, otherwise it will creep along the ground. A good option for arbors and arches.
• Tree-like. The flowers are snow-white. Height - up to 3 m. It looks very impressive, but freezes in winter. The plus is that the plant recovers quickly. Requires strong spring pruning.
• Paniculata. It blooms from July to late autumn with dense panicles 30 cm long. The shade of the inflorescences varies from white to greenish. The height of the bush is 3-4 m. An unpretentious and frost-resistant variety.

On the basis of these species, many different varieties have been created, each of which is beautiful in its own way. Depending on the type, hydrangeas can be deciduous or evergreen, but in our area they are most often grown in the first version.

Growing features

Interestingly, the shade of the inflorescences can be adjusted independently by adding certain fertilizers to the soil. On neutral soil, the flowers will have a beige or cream shade. A soil with a high alkali content gives flowers a pink or lilac color, acids - a blue one.

Bright lighting is very important for the shrub, but the scorching rays of the sun are destructive for it, as well as deep shadow. Therefore, it is best to plant a flower where there is shade at lunchtime, and the rest of the time - the sun.

It is important not to overfeed the seedlings with organic matter. They will grow green mass, but are unlikely to bloom.

Landing in open ground

Hydrangea is a demanding flower. Therefore, before landing, you need to think carefully about all the nuances.

Site and soil preparation

The landing site must be prepared in advance - about 2 weeks in advance. The soil should be acidic and well moisturized. Acidity can be adjusted independently with the help of special preparations. Depending on the variety, the flowers can grow in partial shade or in the sun. The best place for planting is light partial shade; in a strong shade, the plants will not bloom.

The hole should be small: 40 cm deep and 40 cm wide. If a group planting is planned, then the distance between the bushes should be at least 90-100 cm. Sand and fertilizers are added to the pit, mixing well with the ground. The next layer is poured a little peat.

How and when to plant?

Planting is done in early spring or autumn. It depends on the climate of each region. In cold areas, it is better to plant the bushes in the spring so that they can give new roots, get stronger and be able to survive the harsh winter. In warmer regions, planting can be done in the fall. If planting is done in spring, then annual shoots should be shortened by at least 3 buds.

It is advisable to shorten the roots of the seedling a little. When planting, you need to make sure that the root collar is not covered with earth. The planted bush is abundantly watered and mulched with peat. When watering, care must be taken that a strong jet of water does not erode the soil near the roots.

As soon as new leaves appear on the plant, this indicates that the process of the formation of new roots is in full swing.

Phantom hydrangea care

Hydrangea Phantom is one of the most beautiful of the paniculata family. It blooms magnificently throughout the season with long panicles and exudes a pleasant aroma. The variety is resistant to root diseases and frost, quickly recovers after freezing. The bush can grow in one place for many years without requiring a transplant.

Watering and feeding

"Hydrangea" translated from Latin means "yearning for water." The flower is very hygrophilous, therefore, in no case should the soil dry out. Watering should be regular and abundant. As soon as the topsoil dries a little, the plant needs to be watered again. If the ground around the bush is mulched with peat, you can water less often, since the soil does not dry out so quickly. In the first years, 7-8 liters of water are poured under each seedling, in subsequent years - at least 18 liters.

Watering is the best time to feed. In early spring, the plant needs nitrogen fertilization, during the budding period - in potassium and phosphorus.

It is useful to water the bushes with acidified water once every 2 weeks. For 10 liters of water, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. citric acid. The solution is poured directly under the roots. In addition, in the spring-summer period, once every 3-4 weeks, you need to loosen the ground in order to improve aeration.

How to transplant and prune?

The plant tolerates pruning well. If you do not cut it, the bush will lose its decorative effect, and the flowering will be weak. It is best to do this procedure in the spring, when the buds are swollen. If the bushes are too old, they can be easily renewed by cutting them almost to the root.

All types of hydrangeas can be divided into two groups:

• To the first category includes those species and varieties, the flowers of which are formed on the shoots of the last year (petiole, prickly, large-leaved, serrate). They do not need special pruning, it is enough to remove old, dried and improperly growing branches.
• To the second category includes species that form flowers on the shoots of the current year (paniculate and tree-like). These bushes require strong pruning, all shoots should be shortened in early spring to 2-3 pairs of buds.

When the hydrangea is going to bloom for the first time, you need to immediately cut off all the buds so that the plant gains strength and can bloom profusely next year. Formative pruning of the bush within 5 years will produce a beautiful little tree.

It is necessary to transplant Phantom hydrangea only in extreme cases. It grows well in the same place for years.Therefore, the transplant is justified if an adult bush needs to be divided into parts and transplanted in other places.

Flower care in autumn

Garden hydrangea care in autumn consists in pruning the inflorescences, while removing at least 3 buds from the top of the shoot. This must be done so that suddenly falling wet snow does not freeze on them and break fragile branches. The base of the bushes must be huddled high, and the ground around them must be well mulched. This will protect the superficial root system from frost.

How does hydrangea winter?

In the middle lane, the shrub tolerates winter well. But for a safety net, it is still better to cover it with spruce branches. In the northern regions, the flower is taken to a room with a positive temperature for the winter, since severe frosts can destroy it.

Sometimes the bushes are neatly tied up, wrapped in spunbond and a mesh frame is erected near them. The space between the covering material and the mesh is filled with dry foliage. With the first breeze of heat, the leaves are removed, but the spunbond is removed only after a constant positive temperature is established.

How does garden hydrangea reproduce?

The easiest way to propagate a hydrangea is cuttings. They are cut in the spring from annual green shoots. It is necessary to cut at right angles. The length of the cuttings is no more than 12 cm. Leaves are removed from the bottom, treated with preparations to stimulate growth and planted in a greenhouse or boxes.

A good option is to multiply the flower by dividing it. This can be done both in spring and autumn. The bush is carefully dug up and divided into 3-4 parts, so that each one has several renewal buds. The workpieces are planted in pre-marked places.

Also, without much effort, you can propagate the hydrangea by layering. Young shoots are gently bent to the ground, fixed and buried in the ground, leaving the top (about 20 cm). As early as the next spring or autumn, the root cuttings can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted.

Sometimes the shrub is propagated by seeds or grafting, but these are too laborious methods. Knowing how the garden hydrangea reproduces, you can choose the appropriate method in advance and do it in a timely manner.

Protection against diseases and pests

Hydrangeas rarely get sick, while the lion's share of the disease is transferred with seedlings. For this reason, you only need to buy new plants from proven nurseries. Other causes of diseases are called thickening of plantings, lack of nutrients and high humidity.

Many fungal diseases can be fought with copper oxychloride.

One of the most common diseases is chlorosis. Due to the lack of iron, the leaves turn yellow, while the veins remain green. For treatment, drugs Agricol, Brexil are used. As a preventive measure, plants need to be fed with iron-containing fertilizers in a timely manner.

Use in landscape design

Hydrangea looks great both in single plantings and in group plantings. You just need to design in advance its location at a decent distance from other plants. Over time, the bushes grow strongly and require a lot of space.

The flower can be planted as a soloist in the front garden if it is located on the north side of the house. When choosing hydrangea companions in a mixborder, you need to take into account their characteristics. Similar requirements for moisture, lighting and soil acidity in astilba, hosts, cuffs. If the site is large, you can plant a composition of several bushes. Their sprawling shape will create an expressive accent in the garden. These shrubs are often used to restrict areas of the garden.

Hydrangeas work well with a variety of garden styles, so anyone can grow them.

Hydrangea, or hydrangea, belongs to the hydrangea family. This vast family includes up to one hundred plant species. It includes both deciduous and evergreen plants.There are frost-resistant species here, and there are thermophilic ones. There are quite large representatives, and there are dwarf ones. This means that any gardener will find a hydrangea to his heart.

The homeland of the plant is the Far East, China, Japan. Hydrangea got its name from the Greek words: water and vessel. This is inherent in another less common name for hydrangea - hydranta ("hydra" means "water"). The shrub, whose name is found in descriptions of old parks, is now in vogue again, thanks to the abundance of hybrid varieties.

Description of hydrangea

Hydrangea in landscape design photo

The most common hydrangea is a deciduous, beautifully flowering shrub. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, simple, with denticles along the edge, rather large. The flowers are small, collected in inflorescences in the form of panicles, umbrellas and balls located at the ends of the branches.

The flowers are white, blue, pink, lilac, purple or reddening. In the center there are flowers from which seeds are formed, and the outer ones with four petals are decorative. In floriculture, the following are often used: panicle hydrangea (garden) and hybrid hydrangea.

The hydrangea has an interesting property: the color of flowers of one variety changes depending on the level of acidity of the soil.

How to care for hydrangea in the garden

Hydrangea loves frequent, abundant watering. In dry hot weather, the plant is watered almost daily. In order for the soil under the bush to dry out more slowly, it is mulched with sawdust, wood chips, humus from the leaves. For hydrangeas, mulching with spruce and pine needles is preferable, since the plant loves acidic soil.

The ideal place for a hydrangea in the garden would be one that is located in the shade of large trees (walnut, catalpa, maple, linden) or near a fence where there is shade. A small number of plant species grow in an open, sunny area.

Hydrangea responds positively to frequent feeding. They contribute to the growth of the bush, its abundant flowering. For feeding, they use balanced complex preparations that are sold in the store. But organic fertilizers in combination with watering with acidified water are also suitable.

The soil for planting a bush is chosen fertile, loose, drained. It should be acidic or neutral (this can be checked with an acidity indicator). Planting the bush in alkaline soil will result in poor growth due to lack of iron. To solve this problem, artificially acidify the soil or dig a hole for planting and fill it with acidic soil. Hydrangia is also grown in separate containers (pot, barrel, tub).

Hydrangea usually tolerates low temperatures. But some varieties need to be covered for the winter, and some breeding varieties hibernate only indoors.

How to plant hydrangea outdoors

Planting hydrangeas in open ground photo of seedlings

When to Plant or Transplant Hydrangea? Spring is considered the best time to plant a bush. By the fall, the plant will take root, grow the root mass. But if you missed the spring planting time, you can transplant the bush in the fall.

Both single hydrangea bushes and groups are planted. For a single planting, a square hole is dug on the long side of 59-70 cm and a depth of 40-45 cm. For group planting, in order to form a hedge, the plants are planted at a distance of 1.5-2.5 m. The main criterion is the hydrangea variety. An important rule is that the volume of the planting pit is not less than the volume of the crown of the plant.

To transplant an adult plant (from 4 years old or more), they dig a planting hole with a depth of at least half a meter. At the same time, it is taken into account that the bush will grow comfortably if the distance from its center to neighboring plants is one meter.

When transplanting, the soil is enriched with the following additives:

• urea;
• leafy earth, humus, compost;
• potassium sulfate, colloidal sulfur to increase acidity;
• superphosphate.

After transplanting, the plant is not fed for two seasons, and then the feeding is resumed up to 3-4 times during the spring and summer.

Feeding hydrangeas

How to feed hydrangea in spring

In early spring, as soon as the buds begin to bloom, feed the hydrangea with nitrogen and potassium. This will allow the plant to actively grow green mass and bloom more actively.

We take:

• a tablespoon of urea or saltpeter
• a tablespoon of potassium sulfate

This mixture is diluted in 10 liters of water and consumed per square meter.

Lovers of natural fertilizers can be advised to use fermented slurry diluted with water. As usual, the concentration is 1:10. We also water: a bucket per m2 of area.

A barely pink solution of potassium permanganate is used three times per season, and feeding is useful not only for the roots: you can douse the plant from above to process all the green mass.

How to feed hydrangea in summer

Abundant flowering all season is a good load for any plant. Therefore, gardeners need to support the beauty with complex fertilizers, for example, "Kemira blooming" will provide all the necessary substances for hydrangeas.

The same organic matter will not be superfluous: slurry and bird droppings. Poultry droppings are diluted even more, since the nitrogen concentration there is much higher. Therefore, ferment the droppings first for two weeks and use a 0.5L can of concentrate in a bucket of water.

A good feeding of hydrangeas will be whey or yogurt containing lactic acid. However, you should not get carried away: 2-3 such dressings are enough for the entire season.

If you have any remaining pieces of bread or crackers, soak well in water and buried in the ground around the hydrangea. The beauty will not forget such a "dinner" and will thank you with beautiful flowers on strong branches.

How to feed hydrangea in autumn

Autumn feeding with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers will help to prepare for a successful wintering, to lay more flower buds.

We take:

• a tablespoon of potassium sulfate
• a tablespoon of superphosphate

We dilute the mixture in a bucket of water and pour 7 liters under each bush.

I would like to warn against the introduction of natural organic matter and nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers in the fall: the hydrangea will begin to actively grow young branches, which will take away the strength from the plant and will not allow the existing branches to ripen. So the bush will become brittle and poorly overwinter.

The advice does not apply to already rotted humus, compost or fall leaves, where the nitrogen content is very low. Such mulching is even necessary to cover the hydrangea for the winter and prevent the roots from freezing.

How to propagate hydrangea

Hydrangea propagation methods are traditional: propagation by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush.

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings video

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings in summer

Cutting hydrangea in summer photo

• Green cuttings are cut in early summer from the apical shoots.
• Cuttings are planted in open ground in a shady place in loose light soil (a mixture of peat and coarse sand).
• Apply moderate watering. To reduce moisture evaporation, soil mulching is used between cuttings.
• Cut shoots are planted shallowly, obliquely, at a distance of 5-10 cm.
• After a month, the rooted plants are dug out with a clod of earth and planted in a permanent place.

Hydrangea cuttings photo

Reproduction by layering

• To obtain cuttings in early spring, the lower branches are attached to the ground with wire rings and covered with fertile soil, with the exception of the top, which is fixed in a raised state.
• The next spring, the rooted layers are planted in a new place.

Dividing the bush

The division of the hydranthea bush is performed as needed at any time. To do this, dig out a bush, divide it into parts, which are planted in the place of growth. It is important to divide the plant so that on each "beginner" 2-3 buds remain near the base of the stems, from which new shoots will form.

For breeding work, propagation methods are used: seeds and grafts. These methods are laborious and not widely used.

Hydrangea bloom

Surprisingly, hydrangea blooms all summer. At first, her inflorescences are green, then they are painted in different colors depending on the variety. Closer to autumn, the flowers fade, but do not fly around, but, gradually drying out, remain on the bush. But even dried inflorescences are beautiful.

Hydrangea differs from other shrubs by the simultaneous flowering of both male and female flowers. Hydrangea flowers are most often white or pink in color. Various shades of blue, purple, reddish can be seen on hybrid varieties. Abundant flowering of the bush is possible due to frequent feeding. They also contribute to the establishment of healthy buds for flowering in the next season.

Pruning a hydrangea or how to make a hydrangea bloom

The branches of the hydrangea are brittle. To enhance the strength of the shoots, watering with a solution of potassium permanganate is recommended. And so that the bush does not lose its decorative effect, it must be cut twice per season: in spring and autumn.

Spring video crop

Pruning time: before bud break.
Pruning procedure: remove frozen and broken shoots, thin branches that have not formed, shorten annual shoots to 4 buds.

The purpose of pruning: to reduce the amount of leaf mass, to promote abundant flowering of the shrub.

Pruning hydrangeas in the fall

Pruning terms: late autumn, after leaf fall.
The order of pruning: cutting off dried inflorescences, thinning the shrub.
The purpose of pruning: preparing for the winter so that the bush does not break from the weight of the snow.

There are also types of pruning - for rejuvenation of the bush and standard. To rejuvenate the old plant, you need to keep 3-7 of the strongest shoots, and remove all the rest by cutting them at the root. Already in the next season, the hydrangea will again become a lush and abundantly flowering bush. The standard form of hydrangea is rarely used and the goal here is to form a bush in the shape of a tree, leaving only one central shoot.

How hydrangea winters Shelter for the winter

Only thermophilic, hybrid varieties of hydrangeas need shelter for the winter. In order for them to endure the winter without loss, it is necessary to bend the shoots to the ground and carefully cover them with spruce branches and fallen leaves. If it is impossible to bend the branches, a "hut" of kraft paper, dense agrofibre or other insulation materials is built over the bush. For tree varieties, mulching of the soil around the plant is used as insulation. Mulch - fallen leaves of shrubs, peat, sawdust, spruce branches and more.

If a thermophilic variety grows in a separate container, foliage is expected to fall off and the container with a bush is transferred to a cool, damp room for the winter: a cellar or basement.

A plant left to winter in the garden, even when covered, is likely to die or be severely damaged.
In the spring, the hydrant is opened or taken out of the basement after the onset of a stable above-zero temperature.

Hydrangea pests and diseases

Common shrub pests are spider mites and leaf aphids. To cope with the problem, spray the plant with drugs against these insects, which can be bought at the store. How to properly prepare the solution, read the instructions for the preparation.

Among the frequent diseases of hydrangeas, chlorosis is distinguished. This disease is indicated by a change (lightening) in the color of the leaves. The reason may be insufficiently acidic soil or frequent watering with tap water. As an emergency measure, watering with a solution of potassium nitrate and ferrous sulfate is used. Each component is separate, 3-4 days apart. For prevention, the plant is watered with acidified water.

Also, the shrub can be affected by downy mildew. Due to the high humidity in the rainy period, bushes growing in the shade are sick. Yellow spots appear on their leaves. Over time, the spots change color from yellow to dark brown.Treatment: spraying with a solution of copper sulfate with the addition of soap.

In gardens, hydrangeas are planted singly or in groups to create hedges, in the background of flower beds, in flower beds, in flower containers and in greenhouses or in rooms as a pot plant.

So the conclusions. For the proper growth and development of hydrangea, the plant needs:

• frequent watering;
• planting in acidic soil in a shaded area of ​​the garden;
• feeding several times per season;
• spring and autumn pruning.

If these operations are not carried out, the hydranthea gets sick, blooms poorly and does not look well-groomed. But since the hydrangea recovers well, even such a plant can be saved by transplanting it and completely renewing it.

Hydrangea paniculate planting and care in the open field photo

Hydrangea large-leaved planting and care photo

Hydrangea in garden design photo of flowering

Until recently, garden hydrangea was not very popular among domestic gardeners. However, in recent years, hydrangea flowers are increasingly appearing not only in the summer cottages of amateur flower growers, but also in landscape projects of professional designers.

In recent years, flowers have increasingly appeared in landscape projects of professional designers.

Breeders regularly delight connoisseurs of this plant with new varieties of incredible shapes and colors, which can become a worthy decoration of any park or flower garden. In this article, we will introduce you to the most popular specimens suitable for Russian gardens, as well as consider the basic recommendations regarding cultivation and care.

a common part

Most of the hydrangeas are shrubs, but there are also vines and even standard trees. They can be deciduous and evergreen, huge and dwarf. On the territory of Russia, tree-like and paniculate species are mainly grown that can withstand the harsh Russian winters.

Stalked hydrangea is used for vertical gardening

Many gardeners successfully breed petiolate varieties suitable for the milder climates of East Asia. This type is used for vertical gardening, its stems grow in the form of vines, which firmly braid the supports, gazebos or walls of buildings. To protect plants from freezing at low negative temperatures, in winter, the stems should be removed and carefully insulated with a covering material.

Paniculata hydrangea in most cases is a deciduous shrub with broad-pyramidal inflorescences about 25 cm long, but it can also grow in the form of a tree. However, in recent years, breeders have bred varieties with larger panicles, sometimes reaching 40 cm.The leaves are green, oval, 10-12 cm long.

Treelike hydrangea is a shrub that reaches 3 meters in height, with spherical or hemispherical inflorescences.

Popular varieties

Consider the most popular types and varieties:

• Pinky Winky

  Sometimes the tree-like deciduous Pinkie Winky hydrangea, bred in 2003 by breeders from a Belgian university, is called Sakhalin

Sometimes the tree-like deciduous Pinky Winky hydrangea, bred in 2003 by breeders from a Belgian university, is called Sakhalin. For a decade and a half, she has gained incredible popularity among gardeners. Unlike other varieties, panicle hydrangea has strong stems that do not bend under the weight of large inflorescences. She absolutely does not need to install supporting elements during the flowering period, which has a positive effect on the appearance of the plant.

The crown is dense, spherical, well-kept in shape, with a diameter of up to 200 cm.The height of the plant reaches 200 cm, the average annual growth is about 30 cm.

The cone-shaped inflorescences, which bloom in early June, gradually change from their creamy white color to purple.The rich green foliage turns red in the fall, and the bush stands out as a bright spot of fire against the background of the entire garden.

• Bella Anna

  Hydrangea Bella Anna is another new variety of tree hydrangea, the spherical inflorescences of which are painted in bright pink

Another new variety of tree hydrangea, the spherical inflorescences of which are painted in bright pink. Flowers bloom in early summer and bloom before autumn frosts.

The bush is compact, the height rarely exceeds 130 cm. The crown is round, dense, dark green oval leaves on the lower side have a lighter color. In autumn, the foliage turns bright yellow. The plant is frost-resistant, does not require shelter in the cold season.

• Anabel

An old variety, well known since 1746. Deciduous shrub with a spreading crown up to 300 cm in diameter, about 250 cm high.

Flowering period - from July to October, massive hemispherical inflorescences, up to 25 cm in diameter, milky white. Under the weight, the branches fall to the base of the soil and need to be installed.

• Vanilla freise

The brainchild of French breeders. Panicle hydrangea 200 cm high and similar in diameter. Vanilla freise belongs to frost-resistant varieties, withstands in snowy winters up to - 29 degrees Celsius without shelter.

Anabel is an old hydrangea variety well known since 1746

Inflorescences are pyramidal white at the top, and strawberry pink at the base. The brushes are massive, some up to 40 cm in length.

• Jomari

A low shrub, rarely exceeding the 80 cm mark, with rounded lilac-pink peduncles.

• Limelight

An old variety known since 1829. Wide-pyramidal inflorescences of white color with a light lime tint with the onset of autumn change their color to pale pink. Limelight withstands partial shade well, being in the shade for most of the daylight hours does not affect the quality of flowering.

• Nikko Blue

A medium-sized variety with a height of 120-150 cm. Inflorescences are spherical, slowly changing color during the season from white to blue.

The soil

Hydrangea Nikko Blue

In order for a flowering bush to delight you with long flowering, it is necessary to provide it with comfortable conditions for growth. All varieties are very demanding on the composition and acidity of the soil, they absolutely do not tolerate alkaline and slightly alkaline soils. They bloom profusely, only growing on acidic substrates with a pH of more than 6. Otherwise, the quality of inflorescences deteriorates, hydrangea flowers become smaller, their color does not correspond to that inherent in this species.

Therefore, before planting in a summer cottage, it is imperative to check the acidity of the soil. Nowadays, litmus indicators are available at any gardening store, with the help of which it is easy to determine the pH at the planting site. In case of discrepancy between the indicators, acidifying components should be added. Of the most commonly used, citric acid can be used by dissolving 1 gram in 1 liter of water, a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If for some reason this method does not suit you, you can add a part of the land from the territory of coniferous plantations to the substrate.

The soil composition for planting is prepared from deciduous soil, humus, peat and sand in a proportional ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. If the soils are scarce, preliminary application of mineral and organic fertilizers is required.

The flower should be planted in sunny areas. In some cases, it is allowed to plant hydrangeas in open ground in light partial shade, but the shading period should not exceed more than half of the daylight hours. It is desirable that the period of exposure of the plant to the sun's rays falls on the first half of the day.

Watering

If the soils are scarce, preliminary application of mineral and organic fertilizers is required.

Hydrangea responds well to watering and does not tolerate drying out of the topsoil very badly.In dry periods, it is necessary to irrigate the plant several times a week, and young seedlings may need more frequent moistening of the root zone. The best option for retaining moisture would be preliminary mulching of the near-stem space.

However, when the rainy season comes, the mulch layer should be removed to prevent root decay.

Pruning

Pruning hydrangeas is a prerequisite for high-quality flowering of the bush. In addition, regular cutting of the bush gives it a neat decorative shape and increases the density of the branches.

In autumn, after the cessation of flowering, the main pruning is carried out, removing all inflorescences so that fragile branches do not break under the weight of the snow layer. If necessary, remove excess density, cutting out obsolete branches at the root and thus rejuvenating the bush.

Stamp forms are cut off not only at the end of the season. To maintain the decorative shape of the tree, root shoots are regularly cut out.

Wintering

Pruning hydrangeas is a prerequisite for high-quality flowering of the bush

In central Russia, most hydrangea varieties are prone to freezing in snowless winters. Ice rains during the period of temporary warming can also cause significant damage to the integrity of the plant. To minimize the likelihood of the death of a seedling, a set of measures should be taken to insulate it.

Hydrangea prefers soils with high acidity, so a shelter with spruce branches will come in handy. In addition to keeping it in the cold, crumbling needles will significantly improve the quality of the soil in the root zone.

Warming procedure:

• The trunk circle is mulched with a layer of sawdust or bark.
• Lay a layer of spruce branches near the trunk.
• Bend the branches of the plant, laying them on the spruce paws.
• The branches of the hydrangea are covered with spruce branches, straw, stalks of corn or Jerusalem artichoke.
• Additionally, cover with a layer of agrofibre, fix around with stones and leave in this form until the cold weather stops.

Reproduction

Hydrangea garden flowers can be propagated without much difficulty:

• taps;
• cuttings;
• division.

• Bends

Reproduction by branches is not difficult for almost any summer resident. The strongest healthy branch is chosen for this. However, if there is a desire or need for rapid reproduction, several branches can be pinned simultaneously on one plant. Rooting begins in the spring.

Rooting order:

• dig a small depression in the ground near the plant;
• bend the prepared branch and sprinkle it with soil mixture on top;
• additionally fixed with a stone or pinned with a wire bracket;
• regularly moisten the soil at the rooting site;
• in the fall, a new seedling is cut off from the mother plant, followed by transplantation at the chosen place.

  To minimize the likelihood of the death of a seedling, a set of measures should be taken to insulate it

• Dividing the bush

You should not be afraid to plant this amazing plant with a beautiful name on your site. Garden hydrangea, planting and caring for which does not require special agronomic knowledge, will decorate any site.

Reproduction by dividing the bush is usually carried out at the beginning of the summer season, before the leaves appear. At the same time, it is absolutely not necessary to dig up the entire bush, which is almost impossible when the plant reaches a significant size.

For division, it is necessary to separate part of the branches and cut them off with a shovel at the junction. When digging up the separated part, you need to be very careful, because the root system protrudes far beyond the crown. And the more accurately the fragment of the plant is separated, the faster it will take root in a new place. If there is a possibility, the roots are not freed from soil residues, but are transplanted to a prepared place along with a lump of earth.

• Cuttings

Reproduction by cuttings has a fairly high survival rate and is about 80%. Cuttings are started in spring or early summer, later dates do not allow rooting of the shoot before the onset of cold weather.

Reproduction of hydrangea

• Young side shoots are chosen for cuttings. Moreover, you can choose both branches with inflorescences and without them. Divide each branch into fragments with 3 internodes in each. The uppermost part is usually not used, since the probability of rooting is very low.

• The 2 lower sheets are carefully separated, and the upper one is shortened.

• For better engraftment, a root formation stimulator (Heteroauxin or Kornevin) is used, treating the lower cut of the cuttings with it according to the instructions. The most commonly produced form of Heteroauxin is 0.1 gram tablets. One such tablet is dissolved in 5 liters of water and the prepared cuttings are immersed in it for 12-15 hours.

• Rooting is carried out in a mixture of sand and peat or in an ordinary container with water.

If you have chosen the method with a sand-peat mixture, be sure to ensure that the substrate does not dry out. Otherwise, the likelihood of the formation of a full-fledged root system is reduced.

Reproduction by cuttings has a fairly high survival rate and is about 80%

• To create a humid microclimate favorable for root formation, each container is covered with a glass jar or cut plastic bottle. To create a mini-greenhouse, you can use a transparent container, in which all containers with cuttings are installed simultaneously, and covered with glass or a sheet of transparent polycarbonate on top.

• In the evening hours, mandatory airing, watering and irrigation from a spray bottle are carried out in order to increase humidity.

• After 3 weeks, the seedlings can be transplanted to an experimental growing bed. Do not place young rooted shoots in a sunny area to avoid burns. The flower is transferred to a permanent place at the age of 3-4 years.

Planting and care in the open field

Hydrangeas will give you a lot of pleasant hassle. An incredibly beautiful flowering shrub that looks great not only as single plantings, but also as hedges. No less interesting are the standard forms, which can be resorted to in order to save space in cases where the area for ornamental plants is limited in area.

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A variety of private territory, giving it a certain style and beauty - that's what every owner of his own land needs so much. Therefore, hydrangea in the open field is a great option for lovers of abundant flowering shrubs. A large number of species and varieties will help to create various compositions not only by color, but also by shape. Shrubs of this genus have a large number of colors, which gives them a special uniqueness.

The ability to properly care for the plant, to create suitable conditions for their life is important. These include: planting hydrangeas in open ground, a variety of cares and reproduction. One of the main activities is planting in a specific place, choosing the right location where the plant will feel comfortable for a long time.

Location of hydrangea in a private area

Most plants of this species prefer sunny places, which does not quite apply to garden hydrangea. This means that the shrub feels great in partial shade or in the shade, and the area near a building or structure is an ideal place for planting them. It is advisable to plant the plant in acidic soils, then it will be beautiful, bright and lush. If the soils are neutral or alkaline, then they require additional acidification.Very often old nails are buried in the ground for this purpose, which do an excellent job with it.

Hydrangea is very demanding for planting and care in the open field, so these issues should be carefully studied in advance.

Planting hydrangeas and features of their reproduction

The ideal time to plant this kind of plants is spring or autumn. And preference is given to the colder period when the plant will not experience excessive moisture loss. High temperatures also negatively affect plant survival.

Planting a hydrangea bush does not always give a positive result, as it is quite anxious and difficult task. Therefore, most gardeners prefer to purchase already grown specimens. This is due to long-term adaptation to external conditions (after about four years, you can plant a hydrangea in open ground - this is considered a very long time in gardening).

How to plant a garden hydrangea on your own territory?

Hydrangea seedlings are planted in pre-prepared pits, about 35-40 cm deep, at least 50 cm wide.If a hedge of shrubs is planned, then the strip should have a width of at least 1 meter. It is also worth remembering about the planting step - the plants are located at a distance of about 2 meters from each other. Hydrangea in the garden is very stylish and modern, gives a certain specific effect, combined with a large number of other shrubs and trees. Therefore, the correct fit is the key to the beauty and health of this species.

How to propagate hydrangea?

There are several main ways to reproduce and grow hydrangeas that are especially attractive and loyal:

• Propagation of a hydrangea shrub by layering. This method is based on the rooting of a young shoot, which is specially bent to the ground in a pre-prepared hole (its depth is about 15 cm). Before bending the branch, it is necessary to make an incision, a match is inserted inside. It is in this place that young roots are formed. Throughout the rooting time, the hole should be watered, you can cover it with a film. When the root system develops, you can grow a young hydrangea, and in the future you will get the same beautiful and lush bush.
• Shrub propagation by cuttings - this option is used only in the summer. A stalk is pre-cut from a hydrangea, green annual, 10 cm long. Only the upper leaves and buds are left on the shoot. To make the rooting process faster, the base of the cuttings is treated with a growth stimulant. They can be purchased at almost any specialty store. The soil is prepared in advance - sand, peat and sod land (ratio 1: 1: 1). You can not only prepare it yourself, but also purchase it at the appropriate trading place. A cutting is planted in the ground at an angle, about 5 cm deep. Maintenance requires constant spraying with clean water. The entire rooting process takes about a month.
• In the country, the best option (in the presence of an adult plant) is to divide the bush. Garden hydrangea will take root quickly enough, the main thing is to leave several renewal buds on the excavated plot. The roots should also be treated with a stimulant. After planting, the shrub requires abundant and timely watering. It is sometimes necessary to process the plant for preventive purposes - from the appearance of pests or various bacteria.
• Seed reproduction is the longest and most troublesome way. Seeds are planted in March with follow-up care activities. This is what hydrangea seeds look like.
• At home, you can grow a plant yourself - in the water. The shoot is cut off and placed in clean water, which must be constantly changed to prevent the death of the hydrangea.After 3-4 weeks, the first roots will appear, after which the cuttings are planted in the ground, preferably in a small glass with soil, the composition of which is indicated above. Young plants require regular watering, warm conditions and partial shade. In winter, the plant should be moistened only once a week, otherwise the process of root rotting or the development of harmful bacteria and viruses may take place.

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings and seeds is the most difficult method of propagation, however, the young plant is the most adapted and strongest as a result. The process itself is quite complicated, which is why not everyone is able to bring the job started to the end.

Hydrangea care activities in the garden

For a plant to be beautiful, lush, healthy, it is necessary to create certain conditions for it. To ensure them, you need the following:

• Fertilization with organic matter, which includes humus or slurry.
• Top dressing about 1 time in 2 weeks with mineral fertilizers during the period of active growth. Fertilization has a beneficial effect not only on plant growth, but also on abundant flowering. It is not advisable to use this event during the flowering period. If it is wrong to feed hydrangeas, then this can greatly develop foliage, which will not leave room for the formation of inflorescences. Therefore, it is worth taking this issue seriously.
• Any plant requires regular weeding and loosening. The latter is performed 3 times during the whole season. The depth should be from 5 to 10 cm. Weeds should be removed as soon as they appear, in summer, only in the evening or morning. In dry times, there is no need to do this, because you can lead the plant itself to death.
• Watering is frequent and abundant. The complete drying of the earthen coma should not be allowed. Mulch is often used, which protects against excessive evaporation of moisture and overheating of the soil.
• Pruning refers to an important event that directly affects the quality and scale of inflorescence formation. In the fall, you need to get rid of faded flowers. Old plants are subject to complete renewal, which means that they are cut almost at the root. And young ones - in the spring, are pruned to the formation of buds. In the first year of flowering, it is better to break off only the tied inflorescences, which contributes to the development of more of them over time.
• Protection of hydrangea in winter - shelter with various materials - burlap or spruce branches, sawdust.
• Hydrangeas have a unique feature - the ability to change the color of the inflorescences. In specialized stores, original solutions are sold for these purposes. For example, to obtain pink flowers, potassium permanganate or peat is used. To make the shrub grow blue, aluminum sulfate or iron crystals are used. The blue hydrangea tree is shown in the photo.

Hydrangea is tree-like, paniculate, gardening in planting and care is quite difficult, but the result cannot but please. That is why this plant has become so popular for modern landscaping.

The presented photos perfectly prove this fact.

Hydrangeas are used not only for landscaping in areas near the house, but also in street landscaping. They make wonderful hedges, just group plantings, beautiful compositions.

Article author: LadyPlace