Hydrangea - beautiful flowering bush arnica and a favorite of gardeners. It blooms from mid-summer to late autumn, covered with huge inflorescences, behind which no leaves are visible.
There are several dozen types of hydrangeas, and all are deciduous shrubs and vines. At home in the subtropics, plants reach 4 meters in height, but as they move north, their sizes become more modest. Hydrangea in a garden of a temperate climate looks like a small bush with a height of a meter and a half.
In recent years, flower growers have been promoting the highly decorative plant further north, leading winter hardy varieties and practicing new technologies for winter shelters. The cultivation boundary runs along middle lane.
In the middle lane, you can grow 3 types of hydrangeas:
- tree-like;
- paniculate;
- large-leaved.
Paniculata is a large bush or tree on a trunk with huge white, pink, burgundy or lilac inflorescences in the form of a pyramid with a wide base. A feature of the species is the ability of inflorescences to change color during the season. They can be white at the beginning of flowering, then turn pink, and become transparent light green by autumn.
New varieties of plants appear every year. In the gardens of our country, the Grandiflora variety with white inflorescences reaching a quarter of a meter in length is more common. In this group, Kyushu is worth noting as the only cultivar with a scent.
The flowering of this species is long lasting. Mass bloom begins in July, but there is early varieties blooming in June.
Tree-like in our climate, it is grown in a wide bush about a meter high. Its ball-shaped inflorescences reach a diameter of 25 cm. The most popular variety is Annabelle, with white round inflorescence caps.
Large-leaved or garden- the plant is sold in garden centers as pot plant, we see her in flower beds, coming to rest in Gagra, Sochi and others resort towns the Black Sea coast... It is popular in southern Europe - in rare garden Spain or France does not have this plant.
In hydrangea large-leaved flowers are collected in round inflorescences from large, up to 3 cm in diameter flowers. Inflorescence diameter at the best varieties reaches 20 cm. The flowers are snow-white, pink or blue, open from mid-summer to September.
The subtropical plant, through the efforts of enthusiasts, moved north and is grown in the Moscow region only under winter shelters. Hydrangea cannot be called a plant for beginners, as it requires careful maintenance and some special knowledge.
This species is easier to grow in the garden in a container culture, bringing the plants into the room for the winter in a free temperature.
Preparing for landing
All types of hydrangeas love acidic soils, so soil preparation begins with the introduction of sour high-moor peat into the planting pit. Need to stock up on pine needles and bark conifers for mulching.
Planting holes for hydrangeas are prepared before planting in the spring. The size of the pit depends on the size of the seedling. The root system should fit freely in the hole with the roots spread out.
Seedlings of hydrangea paniculate and tree-like are purchased in garden centers, therefore preparation for planting consists only of choosing a place and digging a planting pit.
These species love light and look great as tapeworms. For them, they choose the most prominent place - on the lawn or at the entrance to the building. The main thing is that it is in the light and protected from the winds.
Treelike hydrangea can grow in partial shade, but it does not tolerate strong shading.
Before planting, the seedling is taken out of the package and the roots are soaked for several hours in warm water or in a weak solution of trace elements. This technique speeds up survival and the plant will bloom faster, possibly as early as next year.
Large-leaved hydrangea is demanding on soil and moisture. The place for planting is chosen carefully, since the peculiarities of the microclimate affect the overwintering and the possibility of flowering. It happens that a plant grows in one place for years and does not bloom, but transplanted to a lowland, where more snow accumulates in winter, and is always humid in summer, it begins to bloom.
The area for these hydrangeas should be lit. In partial shade, the plant will bloom later and not as abundantly as in the sun.
For a large-leaved plant, planting begins in mid-May. When choosing a time for planting specimens that have wintered indoors on flower beds, you need to keep in mind that if there are late spring frosts to 0 and below, the flower buds will die, and the plant will not bloom this year.
The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of sand and high-moor peat using green cuttings. Roots are formed at a temperature of 16-21 C after 3 weeks.
All kinds of seeds can be bought in stores. They are sown in February in bowls with acidic soil: the purchased tofogrunt "Hortensia", "Azalea" and "Cypress" will do. After sowing the seeds, the substrate must not be allowed to dry out, therefore the bowls are covered with glass and the soil surface is moistened daily from a spray bottle.
Seedlings dive into pots, and with the onset of warm weather, they are transplanted into the garden to a permanent place. Propagating hydrangea by seed is troublesome and unreliable, since there is no guarantee of compliance with the grade.
Planting hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are planted only in spring. Compost or humus is added to the pit, heavy soils are loosened with sand, and clay is added to the bottom of the pit on the lungs.
Paniculata
When planting, the garden soil is abundantly filled with organic matter and mineral fertilizers, given that the plant will remain in one place for several decades. The pit is prepared voluminous, since the roots of the plant will grow strongly over time. Fertilizers are poured onto the bottom of the pit and mixed with soil, then covered with a layer of unfertilized soil.
When laying a hedge, they do not dig holes, but a meter wide trench. There should be a distance of 2.5 m between the seedlings. If the hedge needs to be obtained earlier, then the plants are planted every meter, and when they grow, they are thinned out.
In seedlings, before planting, the tips of the roots are cut off so that they branch better, and the one-year growth is shortened, leaving 2-3 pairs of buds on each branch. Barrel circle after planting, they are poured with water and mulched with peat, needles or pine bark.
Sometimes for landscape design it is important that the hydrangea bloom quickly in the open field. Then they acquire a 5-year-old specimen and plant it in a pit 70 cm in diameter and 40 cm deep. The plant will bloom in the year of planting if transplanted with a clod of earth.
Large-leaf
It is planted in the spring in planting pits 30x30x30 cm. The distance between adjacent specimens is 100 cm. The pit is filled with fats and organic matter and fertilizers are mixed with the ground. The roots of the seedling are shortened a little, the root collar is not buried. After the hydrangea runs out garden planting, cut off the shoots, leaving 2 pairs of buds. The bush is poured with water and mulched with needles, peat or bark.
Tree-like
Planting a hydrangea tree in open ground begins in early spring, since the plant is not afraid of cold weather. Seedlings overwintered in the nursery can be planted immediately after the soil thaws, and grown in greenhouses - only when the threat of frost has passed. The pit should be spacious. On sandy soils, clay is placed on the bottom so that the water stagnates slightly.
It is important for this species that groundwater did not reach the roots, therefore, if their height exceeds 1.5 m, then the seedling is planted at the highest point of the site. Add to the pit 50 g each of phosphorus, potash and nitrogen fertilizers and half a bucket of humus. Fresh manure cannot be added. If the seedling has a pronounced stem, then it is planted to the level of the bark neck. It is better to plant seedlings in the form of a bush with a slight deepening.
Hydrangea care
Care different kinds will be different. The only common thing is that all species are in dire need of watering. No wonder the second name of hydrangea is hydrangia, which translates as "a vessel with water".
Paniculata
In autumn, plants are fed with complex fertilizers, and in spring with urea: 2 tbsp. l. on an adult bush, dissolve in 2 buckets of water and water. This allows them to develop and form large panicles.
Decorating your own site is a rather painstaking process. One of the main conditions for creating an attractive landscape is the choice suitable species plants. Hydrangea is always popular with many gardeners, appearance lush inflorescences which brings a feeling of lightness, airiness and extraordinary beauty. Before making your own choice, consider what the hydrangea looks like in the photo to make sure that your decision is correct, and familiarize yourself with the basic rules of growing.
Hydrangea inflorescences are globular and large enough. They consist of many small flowers. According to the principle of growth, hydrangea is:
Important! Thanks to this feature, with the correct combination of varieties, it is possible to use it to decorate various landscape forms.
Types of hydrangea
In the current selection, 35 types of hydrangea are distinguished, the care of which is not particularly difficult. 
The most suitable options for mid-latitude are represented by the following groups:
- Large-leaved. The shape of the flowers of this species is common. The sizes of spherical inflorescences, slightly flattened on top, reach a diameter of up to 30 cm. Such a hydrangea grows in the form of a shrub up to 2 meters high with wide large ovoid leaves. All varieties of this plant are thermophilic, although they firmly tolerate frosts up to 10 degrees, therefore, when planting on open area require mandatory winter shelter.
- Paniculata. The inflorescences of this species are distinguished by an original pyramidal shape, the length of which varies between 20-30 cm. The flowering period is quite long - from July to November, while the shade of flowers gradually changes, acquiring a more intense purple color. The height of such a shrub is from 2 to 5 meters, and some tree varieties reach 10 m. An excellent solution for areas with not very favorable conditions- boggy or an abundance of gas formation. High frost resistance provides constant popularity for decorating adjoining and summer cottages in northern latitude.
- Pereshkovaya. This hydrangea belongs to the group of lianas, therefore special suction cups grow on its stems for fastening. The length of the shoots reaches 25 meters, moreover, it can develop in height in the presence of support or creep along the ground in the absence of support. This variety is favorably distinguished by a dense dark green saturated mass of leaves, the shape of which is ovoid with smooth finely toothed edges. The diameter of the inflorescences ranges from 20-25 cm, but they quickly fall off. For growing hydrangeas of this type, shady areas are more acceptable.
- Bretschneider. The varieties of this species are favorably distinguished by their high resistance to unfavorable conditions - droughts and frosts. The flowering period usually lasts about 1 month - from mid-July to mid-late August. Inflorescences are formed in the form of umbrellas up to 15 cm in diameter, quite lush, collected from small fruiting flowers. The color changes from bright white to purple as flowering is complete. Grows in the form of a compact shrub, up to 3 meters high, with a rounded decorative crown. In addition to ovoid long (up to 12 cm) leaves, hairy shoots with characteristic lamellar bark exfoliation are also formed.
- Tree-like. This variety is distinguished not only by lush inflorescences, but also by large long oval leaves. When choosing varieties of tree hydrangea, please note that such shrubs will need regular, high-quality pruning to maintain their beautiful appearance and ensure full development. Such plants tolerate winter frosts rather poorly, but recover quickly in spring.
- Serrated. All varieties of this hydrangea are very sun-loving, so only open areas are suitable for planting. With development, the shrubs reach a height of 1.2 meters. Inflorescences are rather large and dense spherical in shape. The main advantage over other species is the very long flowering period, from early summer to late September.
- Sargent. The special appeal of such shrubs lies in the huge lush inflorescences, consisting of a combination of 2 tones and thick velvety foliage of a dark green hue. The height of the plants with proper care reaches 4 meters. The opening of the inflorescences occurs at the end of summer.
- Oak-leaved. This hydrangea flower is unusually original due to the specific shape and texture of the crown. Outwardly, rough leaves resemble oak leaves, from which the name of the species was formed. The cone-shaped inflorescences bloom in the middle of summer and do not fall until autumn.
Important! Watch a detailed video overview of the varieties and varieties of hydrangeas to determine the right type for your site.
Shades of hydrangea
Wide color palette- one of the most significant advantages of choosing this plant for planting in your own area. 
It is presented in multiple variations of the following tones:
Popular varieties
Before planting a hydrangea, pay attention to those varieties that are in constant demand among amateur gardeners and professional landscape designers:
When to plant a hydrangea?
In order for the hydrangea planting to be carried out correctly, first of all, determine in advance the right time... The best options for such work:
Important! Please note that autumn planting suitable only for growing hydrangeas in warm climates. If the site is located in northern latitude, give preference to the spring season to ensure good survival of the seedlings. 
Where to plant hydrangea?
The full development of shrubs of this species largely depends on how well the conditions for growth are met. 
Therefore, if you set out to increase the attractiveness of your adjoining territory using hydrangea, be sure to consider the following requirements when choosing a planting site:
Important! With regard to the amount of access to sunlight, adhere to the recommendations attached to a particular variety, since for some species open areas are preferable due to their excessive thermophilicity, others feel more comfortable in full shade.
Landing rules
The basic requirements for planting hydrangeas are not much different from the standard procedure for planting shrubs.
Proceed as follows:
Video
Watch the video with an example of planting a hydrangea in an open area in order to clearly imagine the whole procedure in advance and organize your time correctly.
How to care for hydrangea?
Hydrangea care includes all the usual stages of procedures when growing any other plant:
- When using mineral fertilizers, be sure to observe moderation of feeding, as excessive development of inflorescences can lead to breakage of branches.
- As organic fertilizers use slurry or humus.
- Provide enough watering - 1-2 times a week.
- Loosen the soil on time and regularly to prevent cracking of the soil after watering in hot weather.
- In the fall, trim the inflorescences; in the spring, trim the shoots until the buds appear.
Important! Watch the video, which explains all the nuances of the hydrangea pruning procedure and clearly shows an example of this work.
- Mature shrubs are occasionally renewed with full root pruning in spring to ensure uniform development and abundant flowering.
- In the first year after planting, remove all inflorescences to allow the shoots of the shrub to grow stronger.
- To change the shade of the inflorescences, fertilize with watering 2 times a week with the following substances:
- Renew the mulch at least 2 times a year:
- For the winter, be sure to create an additional horizontal cover for the hydrangea shrub from film or spruce branches.
Important! This approach will help preserve the formed buds and ensure the hydrangea blooms early next year.
- When deciding to propagate hydrangea on your own, do it by harvesting cuttings, layering or dividing the bush - seeds and grafting for the formation of new shrubs are not relevant today.
Important! Watch the video, which details all the necessary information on propagating hydrangeas in the most popular way - cuttings.
Conclusion
Regardless of which variety and species you prefer, you will not have to regret your decision to grow hydrangea. You will certainly appreciate the extraordinary landscape beauty of your site and, over time, most likely diversify your species range by decorating other areas of the entire landscape with hydrangea in combination with other, no less bright and original flowering plants.
Would you like 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 can be done even by novice gardeners. Can be matched 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 on summer cottages... Long flowering period, variety of shapes and tones attract Special attention to her from gardeners and designers, more and more often different varieties this perennial is 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 - new variety treelike 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 wildly flowering, 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, is distinguished by its rapid recovery even in unfavorable climatic conditions. An interesting feature This hydrangea variety has a 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 cannot stand long shading, the best place for planting it is 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 field, you need 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 at proper care, will take a lot large area than when landing. 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.
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 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 this season feeding ( potassium sulfate together with superphosphate) is introduced 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 wintering of the plant.
It should also be borne in mind that hydrangea responds well to lactic acid, so it is important when growing it to periodically water the bush with soaked sour bread, milk whey, sour milk, kefir.
Reproduction 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 temperature regime within 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 hydrangea 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). To prevent the shoot from straightening, it can be fixed with staples. Experienced gardeners to speed up the rooting process, it is recommended to make an incision on the part of the shoot that will be in the ground. 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 different kinds pests and diseases. However, it can also become infected with chlorosis, powdery mildew, spider mite, green leaf aphid.
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 at intervals 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.
An infusion of garlic 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 destruction of the aphid.
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 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.
The combination of hydrangea with pink phlox with round shape inflorescences, thujas, microbiota. Also hydrangea is used in mixborders to create compositions along garden paths, can be grown as a hedge.
Hydrangea is the foundation of a beautiful garden. With proper care, it will delight you for years to come. Experiment with different varieties this shrub, try decorating your gazebo curly hydrangea, plant a tree along the paths, create a live fence using a paniculata.
Garden hydrangea care: video
Garden hydrangea: photo
Morphological features of hydrangea
Many gardeners like hydrangea. It is lushly tall flowering plant, most of whose species are capable of wintering in the open field. Inflorescences delight the eye from mid-summer to early October. Hydrangea belongs to the hydrangea family, which contains not only shrubs, but even many types of lianas and stunted trees.
Interesting: Hortense got its name in honor of the ancient Roman princess. She also has the Latin name Hydrangea, which was already awarded to her by scientists for her excessive love for high humidity(literal translation - "container with water"). The Japanese have their own name - "adzisai", which translates as "flower - purple sun".
Only a few varieties of hydrangea are adapted for growing at home, while the rest are not compact and can only live in open ground. In nature, shrubs can reach 3 m in height, some species are evergreen, others are deciduous. In the middle lane, mainly deciduous hydrangeas are found. Its leaves are mostly large, oval, with a pointed tip, pronounced venation and jagged edges. Flowering begins in mid-spring and continues until early autumn. Inflorescences have a spherical, corymbose or paniculate shape and consist of two types of flowers: small fertile ones, which are located closer to the center of the inflorescence, and large sterile (decorative), scattered around the edges. But there are species in which all flowers are small and fertile (differ in small decorativeness). It is noteworthy that most types of hydrangea bloom in white, but some, for example, large-leaved hydrangea, give cream, red, lilac and pink colors... In this case, the color does not depend on the characteristics of the variety, but on the chemical composition of the soil. About landing large-leaved hydrangea and control of its color, we will tell you a little later. Hydrangea bears fruit in 2-5-chamber capsules with seeds.
Types of hydrangea
Before you start planting hydrangeas in the garden, it is a good idea to choose suitable grade bush. Each of the species requires its own agrotechnical conditions, so when choosing, start from your own experience and the ability to provide them.
Types of hydrangea:
In addition to the above species, radiant, rough, petiolate, ash hydrangea and the Sargent variety are bred in the gardens. In the latter, the shoots do not bend, so you shouldn't even try to bend them to the ground - you will break them. To protect the Sargent hydrangea from the cold, wrap the crown with paper or other covering material. Remove cover and mulch in early spring after severe cold weather. It is best to choose a cloudy, wet evening for this, so as not to injure the weakened plant with bright sunlight.
Growing hydrangea
Now that you have decided on the type of hydrangea that you can grow, you can talk about the features of planting, care and reproduction. In most cases, hydrangea does not cause problems, so both beginners and experienced gardeners can cope with it equally well.
Planting hydrangeas
Planting garden hydrangeas can be done by seed and seedlings. In the first case, it is most successful to propagate plant species for breeding experiments. You need to sow seeds in autumn time by plowing them into a substrate of leafy and peaty soil with fine river sand in a ratio of 4: 2: 1. Spray the soil well with a spray bottle and cover the container plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. Periodically, it will need to be removed for ventilation and additional moisture - the soil should not be allowed to dry out. For germination of crops, it is necessary to maintain the temperature from + 14C to + 20C. In 30-45 days after the appearance of the first shoots, the film can be removed. When the cotyledon leaves develop, the seedlings can be dived. A repeated dive is carried out in May, planting each plant in a container with a diameter of 7-8 cm.After that, the young hydrangea needs to be hardened, exposing it to Fresh air in a shaded area without drafts. At night, the seedlings need to be brought into the house.
Hydrangea seedlings can be planted outdoors 2 years after home cultivation and regular hardening. When choosing a place for a plant on a site, take into account the fact that most species need good lighting, but there are some that can feel great in the shade, for example, Sargent's hydrangea or rough. It is best to choose a soil that is slightly acidic or neutral; it should be fertilized with organic matter and have a loose structure so that oxygen can penetrate to the roots. To acidify the soil, use peat or a special acidifier "Esid +". It is necessary to ensure that crops with a shallow root system, like the hydrangea itself, do not grow near the place for the hydrangea. Otherwise, they will constantly fight for nutrients and moisture.
To plant hydrangeas in the garden, you need to dig a hole, the dimensions of which should be twice the size of the earthen coma on the seedling. Add peat, mineral and organic fertilizers to the pit, mix everything with the soil. Lower the seedling and cover it with soil mixed with compost so that the root ball rises slightly above the ground. Lightly compact the soil, water and mulch with needles to protect the roots from overheating during the adaptation period, and also to reduce the development of weeds. Spread organic mulch around the plant in a layer of up to 10 cm. Later, it will decompose and oxidize the soil, which will be very beneficial for the hydrangea. Experts recommend adding mulch at the end of spring, since the ground is still quite wet, but at the same time it has managed to warm up properly. In the fall, mulch is applied after stable cold weather has settled.
In order for the hydrangea to develop rapidly and bloom magnificently, it is necessary to fertilize from time to time. On sale you can find special formulations fortified with iron and magnesium. They are added just before planting and during intensive development. The first feeding falls on the end of May or the beginning of June and is a liquid fermented chicken manure diluted with water 1:10. It can also be a mineral fertilizer made from superphosphate, urea and potassium nitrate in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. Further feeding should be done every 2-3 weeks. Fertilizers cease to be applied at the end of July so that the plant “calms down” and prepares for wintering. If this is not done, the shoots will not have time to stiffen.
Hydrangea care
To look after garden hydrangea not difficult, but there are mandatory points that require strict implementation. The most important condition for caring for a plant is careful and correct watering- the water should be warm and settled. Each adult hydrangea needs about 40 liters of water twice a week during the hotter period and once a week during the more moderate period. If the soil contains peat mulch, you can water a little less often, since this material perfectly retains moisture.
To improve aeration of the roots, it is recommended to periodically loosen the soil around the plant to a depth of no more than 5 cm. Faded shoots should be cut off. As for diseases and pests, hydrangeas rarely fall prey to them. Spider mites can sometimes be seen on the leaves, which can be easily removed. soapy water... When grown in trays or pots, leaf aphids can develop. If the year turned out to be wet, young shoots and foliage may appear powdery mildew... If you notice that the leaves have become lighter, this may indicate chlorosis, which is caused by excess lime or humus.
Highlights of hydrangea care:
- the plant loves moisture very much, but it is not only the amount of water that is important, but also its quality (warm and settled);
- for the lush and colorful flowering of hydrangeas, a lot of sunlight is needed, however, the leaves will fade under direct rays, so it is best to plant it in a place where there will be weak partial shade from 12:00 to 15:00;
- in second place after watering is regular and correct pruning, which we will talk about a little later;
- you should not overfeed the hydrangea with organic fertilizers, otherwise it will only grow rapidly, but at the same time it will not give a lush color (all the energy will go into growth);
- even if you have planted a frost-resistant species, this does not mean that it does not need to be covered for the winter. If the plant is frozen over, give it time - it is quite possible that it will recover on its own during the growing season;
- if you bought and planted blooming hydrangea, observe the proportions of the underground and above-ground parts - the root system and the hole dug for it should not be smaller than the above-ground part of the plant. If the roots are much inferior in size to the ground flowering part of the hydrangea, this indicates that the plant was kept on drip irrigation and fertilizers to give the proper look. When planting such a plant in open ground, you should not rinse the earthen ball and release the roots, as is often advised on the Internet. This will only harm the root system and weaken it;
- if you planted a flowering hydrangea bush, but after a couple of weeks it began to wither, then the plant cannot adapt to the new conditions. In the nursery, most likely, he was kept on powerful fertilizers, and he did not have to make an effort to extract nutrients from the soil and water with the help of the root system. It is necessary to gradually train the roots of such a hydrangea, weaning off potent fertilizers. For the first couple of months after planting, fertilize every 10-14 days.
Fertilizer for hydrangea
To make the color of the hydrangea as magnificent as possible, you need to carry out complex feeding at least twice a year. The first is carried out before flowering, the second after. In April, it is necessary to water the hydrangea with a solution of 20 g of urea, diluted in a bucket of water. One adult plant will need 3 buckets of this fertilizer. When the hydrangea fades, it needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers. During the season, you can occasionally apply slurry, but not too much (which happens with an excess of organic fertilizers, you already know).
When planting hydrangeas tree-like, large-leaved or ground cover, you can change the color of the inflorescences by varying the acidity of the soil. If desired, the white and cream flowers can turn blue, blue and even purple. Pinkish and crimson flowers are obtained from a weak alkaline reaction, they acquire a blue color on acidic soil. Creamy and pink flowers change color faster, which cannot be said about pure whites, whose color is very difficult to change.
If you create an alkaline environment, then the hydrangea will be unable to accept iron from the soil, and it is this element that affects the color of flowers. Iron can be absorbed exclusively in an acidic environment. If the soil in your garden is alkaline and you want a blue color, water the plant with an iron salt solution. To enhance the blue, bury under each bush metal shavings or unnecessary small metal objects such as nails or scrap. It may happen that multi-colored inflorescences bloom on one bush. Also, blue can appear in bushes planted in peat soil, but there is a high probability that the color will be "dirty".
You can only cut off those bushes that have reached 3-4 years old. Species blooming on the shoots of the current year should be pruned in early spring until the moment when the juices begin to move and the buds bloom. Otherwise, the plant may well die from the leakage of juices through the cuts. However, it is not worth pruning too early - you will get cuttings that are unsuitable for rooting. The ideal time for pruning is when the buds swell a little and begin to "come to life". The tree hydrangea should be pruned first, because it "wakes up" earlier than others. Cut off its shoots at a height of 3-4 buds, and divide the segments into cuttings. With panicle hydrangea, you should be a little more careful, cutting off the shoots of the last year by only a third. The large-leaved species is almost not cut off, only slightly rejuvenated by removing each 4 shoots, especially if it is directed inside the bush.
Reproduction of hydrangea
As you might have guessed, hydrangea is propagated by cuttings, dividing a bush, seeds or grafting. We have already talked about the seed method above. Optimal time for petiole planting hydrangea is mid-July when it blooms. Cuttings can be cut from not too large annual lateral shoots, which are quite enough on any bush. Shoots should be young and not break when bent. Those that are older and have already managed to stiffen take root much worse. Cutting can be carried out before flowering, but then when cutting the cuttings at the base, it is necessary to preserve a small part of last year's shoot by cutting off the cutting "with the heel".
To root cuttings, prepare a light, moist substrate from a 2: 1 mixture of peat and coarse sand. Peat gives a slightly acidic reaction, which accelerates the growth of the root system. To increase the water holding capacity, it is recommended to add small pieces of sphagnum moss to the soil. Treat the cuttings with "Kornevin" and deepen into the soil by 2-3 cm, keeping a distance of 5 cm from each other. Full rooting should occur in 20-27 days, and during this time, the temperature should be maintained from + 16C to + 20C. Plants should be in light shade. It is very easy to propagate a hydrangea by dividing a bush. To do this, you need to dig up a bush in early spring before sap flow or in autumn after flowering, divide it into 2-3 parts so that each of them has at least 3 buds.
The video about planting a hydrangea shows in detail all the subtleties of the process:
Hydrangea wintering
After the end of the flowering period, you can begin to prepare the hydrangea for wintering. Young seedlings that grow in boxes and pots need to be moved to a house or shed, and from garden plants remove dried inflorescences. If this is not done and the inflorescences are left for the winter, snow can adhere to them and ice form, which will lead to breaking off the shoots. In addition to pruning, it is necessary to huddle the bushes high at the bases and mulch the ground around them so that the root system does not freeze. The most frost-resistant are ground cover and paniculate species. Their young shoots quickly become covered with bark, so they can tolerate relatively warm winters even without shelter. Tree hydrangea and can even survive a harsh winter without insulation, but still it is better not to take risks and take care of the plants, since no one can predict to what mark the thermometer will drop.
It is better to cover the hydrangea for the winter with the onset of the first night frosts, which usually appear in October. Young bushes can simply be covered with dry soil. Older plants must be carefully bent to the ground and pinned, then covered with roofing material or lutrasil and pressed down on the material with bricks. With adult bushes, you will have to tinker a little longer: the shoots must be carefully tied and wrapped with covering material (lutrasil, spunbond). After that, a rounded steel mesh frame should be built around each bush so that its inner walls are at a distance of at least 20 cm from the bush. The upper edge of the mesh should be 10-15 cm higher than the bush. The remaining inner space fill with fallen leaves or needles. With the onset of spring, the mesh can be dismantled, and when the frosts finally stop, the covering material can also be removed.
Planting hydrangeas: photo
Planting hydrangeas in spring will give you a lush decoration for the garden, and finally we suggest looking at a small selection of the most original varieties and colors:
The enchanting beauty of hydrangea is not easy to resist. Lush bushes with large inflorescences the most varied colors decorate the garden until autumn. Most often, deciduous plant species are grown, but there are also evergreen varieties that, even in winter, will dazzle with bright leaves against the background of snowdrifts.
The flowering shrub has a docile character and when correct fit care for him will be minimal. How to do this and when to plant a hydrangea so that it pleases with its flowering?
Boarding time
Most often planted in the ground in the spring, at the beginning of May. There is an opinion among florists that spring planting allows you to get a stronger and healthier shrub. Over the summer, it will grow up and mature, the twigs will become lignified and easily endure wintering.
However, if the seedlings are healthy and have a well-developed root system, you can plant them in the fall. But this should be done no later than September, otherwise the bushes will not have time to take root before the onset of stable frosts.
For planting, it is better to choose seedlings at least 3 years old. Younger hydrangea takes root very reluctantly and is more likely to get sick.
Where to plant?
Hydrangea is one of those plants that will grow even better in light shade than in bright sun. The east or west side of the plot along the house or outbuildings is the most the best option planting bush. There he will not suffer from the scorching rays of the sun and drafts.
What kind of land does hydrangea like?
The plant has one requirement for the soil: it must be acidic. When a flower is grown in an alkaline or neutral soil, it begins to suffer from chlorosis and does not develop well.
Based on this, it is strictly forbidden to bring lime or lime into the ground during planting.
If the soil on the site is slightly acidic, before planting, you can add one of the following components to your choice:
- sawdust;
- brown peat;
- coniferous land.
How to plant?
When planting seedlings, it should be borne in mind that the hydrangea grows strongly, so the distance between them must be made at least 1 m. Dig a hole up to 50 cm deep and with the same diameter. Add a little humus and sand to this soil and pour it back into the hole, forming a mound in the center. Place a seedling on it, straighten the roots and sprinkle it with earth so that the root collar protrudes slightly above the soil surface.