Hydrangea Candelite: variety description
The height of the bush reaches an average of 1.5 meters. The height of the trunk is 60 cm. The crown is spreading, round, dense. Shoots are strong, durable, beautiful burgundy color. The inflorescences first have a yellow-green color, then the flowers acquire a golden gamut, and by autumn it changes to pink and even red shades. The plant is decorative throughout the season. Blooms profusely on the shoots of the current year, from July to October. Inflorescences are very large, conical, consisting of small fruiting and multiple larger sterile flowers.
Leaves are elliptical, deep green or dark green, with noticeable venation, dark green. The edge of the leaf is serrated. Fruits are very small capsules with seeds, ripening in late August - September. During the growing season, the shrub is picky about watering and needs additional feeding. Light partial shade is ideal for growing Candy Light, although the plant does just as well in the sun. The soil should be light, moderately moist, drained, and acidic.
Advice! It is better to mulch the root zone with peat, bark or other organic materials, this will allow the soil to retain moisture longer.
The plant is highly frost-resistant. Lush flowering, long-lasting - from July to frost. Does not lose its decorative effect in the fall. Dried inflorescences are good for creating winter bouquets.
The Sandlelight hydrangea prefers fertile and well-drained soil. Sunny areas are more suitable for her, but it can bloom in partial shade. The variety is winter-hardy, but it is recommended to cover young plants for the first 2-3 winters.
In order for Hortense Candy Light to please for a long time with lush and beautiful flowers, it is necessary to plant it correctly and subsequently take care of it. The place for planting hydrangeas is chosen sunny, protected from drafts. The soil for planting must be fertile and acidic. When the soil is alkalized, the plant loses its decorative effect. Panicle hydrangea develops poorly in sandy soil.
New varieties of garden panicle hydrangeas
'Levana'
Height 3 m or more. Spectacular foliage. Inflorescences are narrow, large, up to 50 cm tall. The shoots are powerful.
‘Magical Moonlight’ (‘Kolmagino’)
Translated into Russian, the name of the variety sounds like "Magic Moonlight". One of the most beautiful panicle hydrangeas. Height 2-2.5 m. Stiff shoots. Dense "stuffed" elongated white-green inflorescences. Improved 'Limelight' variant. In a sunny place in a continental climate, the flowers turn white quickly.
‘Big Ben’
Plant height 1.8 m. Shoots are bright red, inflorescences are large, conical. Differs in abundant flowering and strong aroma. By autumn, the flowers of this paniculate hydrangea acquire a dark pink color.
‘Polar Bear’
Obtained by crossing two varieties: 'Limelight' and 'Grandiflora'. Height up to 1.5-2 m. The main feature of this variety is very dense conical inflorescences up to 40 cm high on hard, strong stems. The flowers are immediately slightly pistachio, then white and cream, by the end of summer they have a pale pink tint. The inflorescences of this new variety of panicle hydrangea are evenly distributed throughout the bush, giving the impression of a huge blooming bouquet. Bloom from July to late autumn.
‘Diamand Rouge’
A novelty in 2011. Awarded a silver medal at the Plantarium 2011 competition (Holland). The bush is dense, compact. The autumn shade of inflorescences and leaves is unique. Inflorescences by autumn become red-purple, almost with a purple tint, and the leaves are deep orange.
'Candlelight'
In 2013, the Candlelight panicle hydrangea was awarded a silver medal at the Plantrium exhibition.Shoots are upright, strong, beautiful dark red color. Inflorescence panicles - yellow-lemon, by summer - pastel, creamy-white-yellow, large, up to 20 cm, pointed. This new panicle hydrangea begins to bloom quite early and lasts from mid June to late August - early September. Shrub of average height 100-120 cm, with pronounced vertical growth.
'Fire Light'
This 2015 variety is the new standard for evaluating the benefits of all panicle hydrangeas. The upright, strong buds transform from pure white to deep garnet pink very quickly. Thick, very sturdy stems keep the heavy inflorescences upright without issue. Very early flowering: early summer. The flowers turn a deep garnet red before other varieties bloom. High winter hardiness. The height of the bush is 1.5 - 1.7 m.
'Shikoku Flash'
A variety for an amateur. This curiosity is grown for the sake of the original foliage. The green leaves at the beginning of the growing season are covered with cream and white strokes and specks. In July, the leaves become chartreuse. How abundant flowering is is still unknown. The variety appeared in our country relatively recently.
‘Angel Blush’
New hardy variety, height 2.5-3 m. Shoots are strong, numerous, large inflorescences up to 25 cm, turn red early. In 2011, the variety received an award at the FLORALL exhibition.
Here you can see photos of varieties of panicle hydrangeas, the names of which are given on this page:
Do not rush to accuse everyone in the world of fraud and throw the "uninvited guest" out of the garden. Chances are, your plant is simply not mature enough. In many hydrangeas, varietal characteristics may not appear immediately, for this sometimes several years must pass. Incidentally, this feature is characteristic of the classic ‘Grandiflora’. 'Limelight' can also be naughty. This beauty needs special lighting, diffused light. By planting a shrub in full sun, you may never expect a lime color at all. The same can happen when planting in dense partial shade.
The next section of the article is devoted to how to care for panicle hydrangeas in the garden.
Diseases and pests
This type of hydrangea and its stems are able to sustainably endure the attack of insects and the influence of various diseases. However, with improper care, a number of problems can arise. In the case when the nutrient soil mixture was mistakenly made alkaline, the plant will develop chlorosis. With a lack of nutrients, the shoots will begin to grow more slowly, the leaves will begin to become stained and wither. These symptoms are similar to the spread of fungal diseases, so you need to examine very carefully.
When planted in sunny areas, the leaves can be strongly exposed to the sun, which can lead to burns. Deterioration of flowering occurs due to improper pruning or cold winds. To prevent insect infestations, the plant should be treated with copper sulfate mixed with laundry soap. You can save yourself from aphids with wood ash. Nematodes are afraid of potassium permanganate, the bush should be watered with a weak solution periodically.
If the hydrangea is hit by a spider mite, insecticides will come to the rescue.
Growing conditions
Growing hydrangea "Limelight" does not require much experience from the gardener. The variety is relatively unpretentious, withstands planting in the sun and in the shade, but needs careful care of the roots. In addition, the woody shrub does not need a garter and support of the branches, it keeps the shape of the crown well and does not break under the weight of the inflorescences, like other types of hydrangeas.
Lighting
The panicle hydrangea variety Limelight is not overly sensitive to the amount of light and can thrive in the shade. But for the full disclosure of its decorative properties, it is still recommended to use illuminated places for planting.In this case, the hydrangea will give abundant flowering and will be decorated with lush panicles throughout the warm season.
But at the same time, it is important to protect the plants from drafts, strong winds, which can damage the shoots.
Temperature and humidity
The hydrangea variety "Limelight" is considered frost-resistant, but it does not tolerate a drop in temperature to -29 degrees and below. If the temperature is colder in winter, cultivation in a greenhouse is recommended. This shrub belongs to deciduous species, after shedding the foliage, it is recommended to take shelter. It also does not tolerate extreme heat, drought - during such periods, you need to be especially careful about the condition of the soil in the root area.
Moisture is what really matters to this hydrangea. The variety is hygrophilous and needs frequent abundant watering, but places with a high level of groundwater are contraindicated for it.
This can lead to decay and death of the roots. If the hydrangea is planted in a lighted place, the earth will have to be protected from drying out.
The soil
Soil type is also important. Limelight grows well in soils with low or high acidity. Neutral soils are not suitable for growing it; when preparing a site, you can improve the composition by adding a significant part of the peat to it. It will increase the acidity and create conditions for the normal growth of the shrub. Alkaline soils are completely unsuitable for this plant - hydrangea quickly dies on them. The optimal soil mixture for planting this variety will consist of 2 parts of humus, the same amount of leaf soil and 1 part of peat and sand. Liming of the soil must not be allowed.
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Hydrangea paniculata "Mega Mindy"
(Hydrangea paniculata "Mega Mindy")
A new valuable fast-growing variety, which is distinguished by large conical inflorescences, at first white, then colored
bright cherry red shades. A beautifully flowering shrub up to 1.25-1.75 m high with a dense compact crown, vertical shoots,
which do not fall apart under the weight of large inflorescences. Leaves are elliptical or ovoid, up to 10 cm long, green, yellowish by autumn.
Growing fast.
The timing of flowering and ripening of fruits
Flowering is profuse and long lasting. In a dried state, the inflorescences can persist throughout the winter.
Blooms from July to October. The flowers are large, white, then painted in rich crimson shades, most of them are sterile, collected in cone-shaped inflorescences.
Optimal growing conditions
Winter hardiness is high, but it is better to cover young plants for the winter. Requires a location protected from wind. Moisture-loving. Photophilous.
Smoke and gas resistant. Tolerates transplantation well.
Planting is recommended in sufficiently illuminated places with fertile, rich in organic matter, well-drained, loose, slightly acidic soils.
It blooms better with light pruning, but sanitary pruning is necessary once every 2-3 years - old and dead shoots are removed at the root.
Pruning is recommended in early spring. In dry years, they need abundant watering.
Breeding methods and planting rules
Hydrangeas reproduce well by dividing the bush. It is held in spring or autumn. After planting, it is necessary to water abundantly, it is advisable to add
root former. Also, hydrangeas are well cut with winter cuttings.
Application
A wonderful specimen that looks good on the lawn. Can be used in complex compositions with conifers or other
ornamental shrubs. When cut, they retain their shape and color for a long time, they can be part of winter bouquets.
Breeders never cease to amaze gardeners with new varieties of plants. When it became clear that hydrangea is one of the main decorations of summer cottages, its varieties came into fashion. Among the popular varieties that have been specially bred, the panicle hydrangea "Mega Mindi" is of particular interest. She has not only an interesting name, but also a bright, unique appearance.
Description of hydrangea "Mega Mindy"
In general terms, we can say the following about this flower - novelty in everything. It belongs to fast growing plants. Inflorescences are large, conical. At first they are white, but over time, the color changes to cherry red.
The shrub blooms very beautifully. Its height does not exceed 1.75 m, if you count the lush crown. The upright shoots are strong enough to support large inflorescences. The shape of the leaves is elliptical. The color is green, by autumn it changes to yellowish.
Hydrangea "Mega Mindy" - planting and care
The way of reproduction is by dividing the bush. This option is the most optimal. The right time is spring or autumn. After planting, it is recommended to water abundantly and add a root former. The place is chosen sunny. The soil should be fertile, with organic matter. Loose, is also suitable.
The variety is hygrophilous, tolerant of transplantation. According to the advice of experienced gardeners, old shoots should be cut once every 2-3 years. The procedure is carried out in early spring. In drought, watered abundantly. Although hydrangea "Mega Mindy", whose winter hardiness is high, tolerates low frosts well, it is better to cover young plants.
The bush can be found on the lawn of any area. It goes well with coniferous compositions. If you cut off the branches, give the plant a shape, then it will keep it for a long time. You should enjoy flowering from July to October, there are always a lot of inflorescences. When dried, they will delight others throughout the winter.
By planting a panicle hydrangea "Mega Mindy" in your garden, you will receive a bright and unusual decoration of the site.
Reproduction methods
Traditionally, hydrangeas are bred by cuttings, dividing and rooting cuttings, and petiole varieties are no exception.
Experienced gardeners prefer to propagate a climbing shrub by cuttings, the cutting procedure is carried out on summer days - for this, shoots are taken from the top of a plant with two internodes. To plant a twig, you need to remove the 2 lower leaves, and then soak it in a growth biostimulator. For hydrangeas, a substrate containing peat, humus and sand is suitable. The cuttings are placed in a nutrient mixture and covered with a film, after which they ventilate and moisten the soil for about a month.
Seed propagation is also feasible, but does not guarantee a plant identical to the mother. The seeds are sown in small pots with soil mixture and drainage 2 cm thick. The seeds are not buried, but sprinkled with a thin layer of nutritious soil and covered with polyethylene. When seedlings appear, the film is removed and the soil is regularly moistened. The grown seedlings can be rooted next year.
Planting varieties in the ground
Planting a variety is a key moment in the cultivation and cultivation of decorative flowers. With the beginning of early spring and the opening of the summer cottage season, it is necessary to start planting Candelite in open ground. At this time, sap flow did not begin, so adaptation will occur as gently and quickly as possible.
Important! Some plant Candelite hydrangea in the fall, but it is important to consider that there is a high probability of the bush dying.
Choosing the right place
The right place for hydrangea paniculate candelight guarantees vigorous growth and lush flowering. This variety does not tolerate drafts, is patient with the sun, but still prefers to stay in partial shade.
The best solution would be to plant a bush near fences or near the wall of the house. The thick shade will protect the delicate petals from the direct rays of the sun.
Important! Candlelight's description of the hydrangea says to avoid areas near trees. Their powerful root system will take up all moisture and nutrients.
Well preparation
It is also important to consider that Candelite is a hydrangea that does not tolerate excessive moisture. When determining the future place, it is imperative to check it for the presence of groundwater.
Soil for hydrangea Candelite
Highly acidic soil is ideal for this ornamental shrub. Avoid areas with sand and alkaline compounds. In them, the plant will not be able to develop and bloom correctly.
Experienced flower growers note that the most lush flowering is observed in the inhabitants of the clay soil. To prevent moisture from evaporating quickly, a layer of peat or tree bark mulch is laid on the surface.
Hydrangea as an element of garden design
Planting process
First you need to prepare the holes. They should be large enough to accommodate the entire root system. The recommended diameter and depth is at least 40-50 cm. When planting several bushes in a row, a distance of about 2.5 meters must be observed between them.
It is advisable to prepare a soil mixture from:
- fertile soil;
- peat;
- humus.
The components are mixed in a 2: 1: 1 ratio, laid out on the bottom and moistened abundantly. When the moisture is completely absorbed and the soil settles, you can add the first top dressing of potassium sulfate (20 grams), superphosphate (60 grams) and urea (20 grams).
When the hole is completely ready, you need to tackle the bush. All roots are carefully straightened and evenly distributed along the bottom. The earth is poured on top and compacted.
Important! The root collar should rise above the surface by no more than 3-4 cm.The surface is abundantly moistened and, if necessary, add more earth
The trunk circle is mulched with needles, leaf humus or peat. This will prevent drying out. For the adaptation period, which lasts a week, it is necessary to provide the flowers with a thick shade.
The surface is moistened abundantly and more earth is added if necessary. The trunk circle is mulched with needles, leaf humus or peat. This will prevent drying out. For the adaptation period, which lasts a week, it is necessary to provide the flowers with a thick shade.
Planting and reproduction of plants
If the flower was placed incorrectly in the ground initially, then even with the best care, the garden plant will wither, so planting is key in breeding hydrangeas.
It is better to use not young seedlings, but those that have already reached the age of 5 years. This will prevent rotting of the root system, which is still sensitive in young flowers.
Planting is recommended in the spring, when the warm days have just begun. It is necessary to catch the moment when there will be no sap flow yet. This will help the plant adapt faster and take root in a new place.
Some gardeners prefer to plant the hydrangea in the ground in the fall, but planting during this period is always a risk. There is a possibility that Candlllight will not be able to adapt to the cold and will die.
The ideal place to place a flower in the ground is near trees. They will provide protection from the wind and cover the delicate petals from the sun.
Plant propagation is carried out using several options. Each gardener can choose anyone, depending on the possibilities.The most common is division, but for this the parent shrub must be large. This can only be done with hydrangea that has reached the age of 5.
A popular method of propagation is cuttings. Their peculiarity is the preparation time. The material is taken in the middle of summer - at another period they may be unsuitable for planting.
It is important to remember that 3 pairs of buds must be present on the cuttings. Hydrangea of this species practically does not reproduce by seeds.
This happens because the variety is lost - the plant does not have its own specific shade.
How to take care of it properly?
Hydrangea "Fries Melba" is not a capricious plant, does not require any special painstaking care and responds well to constant care with amazing lush flowering. Care consists of the usual agricultural techniques - watering, feeding, loosening, mulching, pruning.
Watering
This variety, like all hydrangeas, is a moisture-loving culture, therefore, proper watering is the most important element of agricultural technology. In a dry summer, the bush will dry out without watering. Abundant watering is required 3-4 times a week. In hot dry weather, you will have to water every day. However, waterlogging of the soil should also not be done in order to prevent root rot. In rainy weather, depending on the intensity of the rains, watering is reduced or stopped altogether.
Mulching
Mulching the near-trunk zone with crushed tree bark, dry sawdust, and peat chips helps to retain moisture in the soil and protect against weeds. The mulch should be periodically changed to fresh so that the rhizomes do not rot under the compacted old layer.
When changing mulch, carefully shallow loosening so as not to damage the roots
Top dressing
The feeding rules are general for horticultural crops. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, in the fall - potassium-phosphorus fertilizers according to the norms on the packages of fertilizers. Aqueous solutions of fertilizers are applied under the root of the plant. The peculiarity of this variety is the need for calcium for the growth of strong stems, therefore, together with mineral dressings, it is recommended to add a little lime once a month, but not to allow excessive liming of the soil. Mineral dressings alternate with organic, during the growing season the optimal frequency of dressings is 2 times a month. From organic matter, humus or slurry can be used. "Fries Melba" responds well to mulching with rotted manure mixed with coniferous sawdust.
Pruning
The rules of this procedure cannot be ignored, since pruning stimulates the formation of new inflorescences on plants, the intensity of flowering of the hydrangea "Fries Melba" depends on it. It is necessary to prune the bushes in spring and autumn according to the following types:
- shaping - in the spring, before bud break, the shoots of small young seedlings are shortened to 20–25 cm, larger bushes are cut by 1/3;
- sanitary - in the fall, after flowering, dried and damaged shoots are eliminated during the summer, faded inflorescences are cut off, and nearby 2-3 buds are removed along with them;
- thinning - excess thickening stems that disturb the structure of the bush are removed in order to prevent the formation of a beneficial environment for diseases and parasites.
Wintering
The high frost resistance of the variety allows bushes to winter without shelter in temperate latitudes. It is enough to huddle the bush high and mulch it for the winter to protect the roots from freezing. In these areas, only young immature plants take refuge for the winter. In cold regions, where it is colder than -30 degrees in winter, the bushes are covered with traditional materials: fallen leaves, peat, coniferous spruce branches, burlap. Nowadays, in garden centers you can buy modern covering materials - spandbond, geotex. Special arcs are sold under them, from which you can build a frame and throw agrotextiles on it. Snow caps will cover the frame and protect the bushes from the cold.Under such a shelter, in a snowy winter, the tall stems of the bushes will not break under the weight of the snow.
