Garden hydrangea is a decorative culture, which, depending on the species, can be an evergreen or deciduous shrub, tree or vine. Thanks to this, the plant has been widely used in landscape design. At the same time, it looks spectacular not only in a luxurious garden, but also in a small personal plot, cottage, as well as in a pot. But in order for hydrangea garden to please lush flowering, it is necessary to provide favorable conditions for it.
The history of the origin of garden hydrangea
Judging by the excavations, the hydrangea flower appeared in North America about 40-70 million years ago, and in East Asia - 25 million years. But he came to European countries only in the second half of the 18th century, which was actively promoted by the American botanist John Bartram.
Hydrangea Garden - a luxurious perennial shrub
Initially, a tree-like form of culture was introduced. And only in 1776, thanks to Dr. Karl Peter Tunberg, seconded to the islands of Japan, it was possible to obtain seedlings of large-leaved and panicled hydrangea.
European gardeners took the appearance of a new flower very cool. And only at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the French exhibition, hydrangea was appreciated. This event was the starting point of the popularity of this plant. After him, programs for the propagation and cultivation of hydrangea flowers began to be actively introduced.
Botanical Description
In botanical directories, hydrangea is called Hydrangea, which translates as a "vessel with water." This indirectly indicates that the plant is very fond of moisture.
Most flower species are shrubs, the height of which varies from 1 to 3 m. But at the same time there are hydrangeas creepers climbing trees. The plant is a perennial and in the presence of favorable conditions can grow in one place for 20 years.
For reference! In Russia, bush hydrangea has become widespread.
It forms erect shoots that are lignified in the second year. And it is on them that flower buds are laid in the fall. Therefore, to preserve them in the winter, shelter is necessary. The root system of the plant is not deep, but branched. Therefore, planting and care of hydrangea should be carried out taking into account this feature.
The leaves are large, oval, pointed at the ends. They are located opposite to the shoots. In some species, the plates are serrated along the edge and with a noticeable venation. Their shade can be light or dark green, depending on the variety.
The large-leaved variety of hydrangea affects a variety of colors
Hydrangea flowers can be spherical or paniculate. They are formed at the tops of shoots. In most species, they consist of two types of flowers: fertile, which are localized in the center, and sterile, located along the edge. But there are also varieties whose inflorescences are uniform.
Important! Garden hydrangea is characterized by prolonged flowering - from the beginning of summer to frost.
This plant is classified as moderately toxic, since all its parts contain cyanogenic glycosides. Therefore, hydrangea should not be eaten.
Varieties and varieties of garden hydrangea
Despite the fact that the genus Hydrangea includes about 35 species, only 3 of them are especially popular. These include a tree, paniculate, large-leaf variety. But thanks to selection, highly decorative varieties based on them were also obtained.
Tree hydrangea is a sprawling shrub, the height of which reaches 1.5 m. The plant is able to bloom from July to the end of October. It is characterized by increased drought and frost resistance, therefore in winter it does not need shelter.
The flowers of the tree-like variety are fertile, the diameter of the inflorescences is 15 cm. It is recommended to plant this hydrangea, like many other species, in the shade of the garden, since in the sun the bush grows smaller and loses decorativeness.
Popular varieties of hydrangea tree:
- Invincibelle Spirit;
- Hayes Starburst;
- White Dome;
- Incredibal;
- Annabelle.
Panicled variety of culture is a large shrub. But it can also look like a small tree, reaching a height of 3 m.
Her flowers are collected in pyramidal panicles, which appear in the second half of June. Culture easily tolerates urban conditions. Blossom begins at 4-5 years after planting.
Popular varieties:
- Grandiflora;
- Brussels Lace;
- Kyushu;
- Limelight
- Pink Diamond.
Large-leaf hydrangea is characterized by compact bushes about 1-1.5 m high. It forms spherical inflorescences, consisting of large barren flowers with a diameter of about 3.5 cm.
Attention! This variety can be grown as a street or home plant.
It has a diverse color of flowers, but it is characterized by a low level of frost resistance, which requires mandatory shelter for the winter.
Common varieties:
- Expression
- Ever Peppermint;
- Red sensation;
- Endless Summer.
If we talk about a plant such as garden hydrangea, planting and care in the open ground, regardless of species, should take into account the characteristics of the culture, the characteristics of a particular variety. Therefore, in order for the plant to fully develop and delight with lush flowering, it is necessary to study some information.
Planting bush spherical hydrangea in open ground
Hydrangea planting can occur in spring and autumn. The first option is preferable, since before winter the seedling will be able to grow stronger.
In the conditions of the Moscow Region, the procedure can be carried out in the second half of April, when the air temperature will confidently keep above + 5 ... +7 degrees. In Siberia and the Urals, hydrangea can be planted only in May.
Autumn planting can be used for the southern regions. The procedure should be performed in the second half of September or early October.
Important! When planting hydrangea in the fall, it is necessary that at least 3 weeks remain before the frost - only in this case the plant will have time to take root.
Where to plant
Most hydrangea varieties require well-lit areas with a slight shade in the afternoon. If exposed to direct sunlight, burns may appear on the foliage.
It is not recommended to plant a plant under the canopy of trees, as in this case hydrangea will lack nutrition and moisture.
Soil requirements, its preparation
Planting bush hydrangeas, as well as other types of crops, should be carried out in well-drained soils with a high level of acidity.
The plot for the bush should be prepared in advance. To do this, dig it to the depth of the shovel and make 1 square. m 10 kg of humus, 40 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulphide.
Important! You can not grow garden hydrangea on sandy soil, as the shrub will constantly experience a lack of moisture.
Landing technique
For planting hydrangea, it is necessary to prepare a pit 50 cm wide and deep. If fertilizers were not applied during the preparation of the site, then they must be added now, carefully mixed with soil.
It is possible to grow garden hydrangea, both a single culture, and in a row. In the latter case, seedlings must be placed at a distance of 1 m from each other.
Detailed instructions on how to plant hydrangea:
- In the center of the landing pit, make a slight elevation.
- Put a seedling on it, spread the roots.
- Fill the voids with earth without deepening the root neck of the plant.
- Compact the soil at the base.
- Water abundantly.
For planting, seedlings with a closed root system should be purchased
Garden Hydrangea: Outdoor Care
Plant care is not difficult, but requires compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology. Some rules and regulations are the same for all varieties and varieties.
Important! The color of the hydrangea flowers directly depends on the acidity of the soil: with an increased level - blue or blue, with a neutral one - white or cream, and in slightly acidic soil - pink or lilac.
Watering
Care for garden hydrangea is primarily in the proper watering. This plant belongs to the category of moisture-loving, therefore, drying of the topsoil should not be allowed.
The ground must always be kept slightly moist. Drying periods are recommended once every 3 days.
Top dressing
During the period of active vegetation, the shrub should be fertilized with organics. To do this, you can use chicken litter 1:15 or mullein 1:10.
Then, during the formation of buds and flowering, it is recommended to add superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (30 g) to a bucket of water.
Important! With a lack of nutrition, the plant is affected by chlorosis.
Mulching and cultivation
Understanding the question of how to properly care for hydrangea, we must not forget the loosening of the soil and mulching of the trunk circle.
When growing this ornamental plant, after each watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil at the base and timely remove weeds in the root circle. This will improve the breathability of the soil.
In particularly hot periods, it is recommended to cover the soil with mulch to prevent excessive evaporation and crusting. To do this, you can use humus or peat.
Pruning
Garden hydrangea does not need cardinal pruning, since in most species flower buds are formed on the tops of shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to remove only branches thickening the bush, as well as broken and damaged.
In autumn, it is recommended to cut off wilted inflorescences.
Features of care in the first year after planting
In the first year, it is important to monitor moderate soil moisture, since a lack of moisture can cause the death of a seedling.
Top dressing is not necessary, since all the necessary nutrients were added during planting. If single buds form on the plant, they should be removed.
Winter preparations
Growing hydrangea, like many other shrubs, will not be difficult even for a beginner. The main thing is to properly prepare the shrub for wintering. To do this, young specimens should be bent to the ground and laid on the spruce branches, and covered with a non-woven material from above.
For large-sized, it is recommended to build a frame of wooden planks. And then wrap it with roofing material or agrofibre. It is also necessary to warm the root system with a layer of humus with a thickness of 5-7 cm.
Important! It is necessary to cover hydrangea in dry weather in late October or early November.
Breeding
Garden hydrangea can be propagated in many ways. Each of them has its own characteristics, which are recommended to be taken into account.
Seed cultivation
This method allows you to get a lot of young seedlings, but is considered the most time-consuming. During seed propagation, the species properties of hybrid varieties are not preserved.
You need to sow seeds in seedlings without embedding in the soil. After this, the containers should be covered with a film and rearranged in a bright place with a temperature of +25 degrees. Sprouts germinate in 20 days. Seedlings should be grown for 2 years, and only for 3 years they can be planted in a permanent place.
Cuttings
This method is considered the fastest and most effective. Cuttings are recommended to be cut in July when buds appear. Young lateral shoots of last year are best suited for this.
Each stalk should have 2-3 leaves, while the bottom should be removed, and the top should be cut in half. Before planting, cut the slice with any rooting agent, and then plant it in the soil mixture from peat and sand in an equal volume.
Rooting of seedlings occurs in about a month. They can be planted in open ground only next spring.
Cuttings retain all the species qualities of the mother bush
Layering
This method does not cause much difficulty. For reproduction, it is necessary in spring, before buds open, to loosen the top layer of soil under the bush and make furrows 5-7 cm. After that, lay the side shoots in them and pin them to the ground. Sprinkle on top of the ground, leaving only the top on top.
Important! Separate layering from the mother bush is possible only next spring.
Dividing the bush
This method is used when replanting a bush in the spring. It is suitable for all types of garden hydrangea except paniculata.
Before the procedure, the bush should be abundantly watered per day. Then dig and thoroughly clean the roots from the ground, wash.
After that, divide the bush into parts so that each delenka has 2-3 shoots and well-developed root processes. After the procedure, parts of the shrub should be planted in a permanent place, after having shortened a bit of the branch and roots.
Garden hydrangea is a perennial shrub that can decorate any site, flowerbed or garden with its appearance. And when planting plants in pots can be used for landscaping balconies, terraces, arbors. But, in order to achieve a lush and long flowering culture, it is necessary to consider its basic requirements.
