Hydrangea Polar Bear (Hydrangea Paniculata Polar Bear) - variety description

In order to give aristocracy and charm to any garden, flower bed or flower garden, a new variety was bred - the Polar Bear hydrangea. For breeding, 2 varieties were crossed: Limelight and Grandiflora. The shrub reaches from 0.5 to 1.5 m, its crown is compact and airy, thanks to dense cone-shaped inflorescences. It is in them that the main feature of the variety is.

Well-organized care is important for the polar bear panicle hydrangea. At the same time, the plant is unpretentious to growing conditions and has a distinctive resistance to many pests and diseases, as well as high and low temperatures.

Lovely hydrangea polar bear

Origin and appearance

The Polar Bear variety is a Dutch novelty, the result of the fruitful work of breeders in 2013. It was obtained by crossing the variety of panicle hydrangea Grandiflora and varieties of panicle hydrangea Limelight. The distinctiveness of the Limelight variety is in the pistachio color, which by autumn changes to a pink hue. Grandiflora is famous for its lush large inflorescences. The resulting hydrangea variety Polar Bear has the best characteristics of its parents and has practically no shortcomings and weaknesses.

The plant itself is an ornamental powerful shrub, capable of reaching even 2 m in height. The shoots are straight, strong and tough, which large inflorescences are unable to harm. The foliage is oblong and has a rich green color that lasts until late autumn.

The most important characteristics of the variety:

• frost resistance (up to -40 ° С);
• unpretentious care;
• ability to recover in the shortest possible time in case of damage;
• strong immunity that allows the plant to resist the effects of diseases and pests.

Hydrangea inflorescences have the shape of a cone, a dense long structure, reach a length of 35 to 40 cm. They are filled with small fertile flowers that quickly fall off. The diameter of the flowers can range from 3 to 4 centimeters. The color of the inflorescences initially has a pistachio hue, which by the middle of the flowering phase is replaced by snow-white. In the final phase of flowering, the color acquires a pale pink tint.

All inflorescences are evenly spaced over the area of ​​the shrub, outwardly creating the appearance of a huge airy bouquet. Flowering begins in mid-summer and ends in late autumn.

Transplanting hydrangea after purchase outdoors

In order to plant the Polar Bear hydrangea in open ground, you will need to prepare the site and follow the planting algorithm.

What is needed for landing

The polar bear hydrangea is planted in spring and autumn. When choosing an autumn planting, the time must be selected taking into account the fact that the plant should fully root before the cold weather, but not start growing. Otherwise, the plant will die under the influence of negative temperatures. In addition, it is important to take care of a protective shelter for the plant during the winter cold.

The spring planting of hydrangeas is characterized by greater reliability.This is due to the fact that severe frosts during this period are no longer expected, and light frosts are incapable of harming the plant. With proper care, after 3 years the flower will delight you with a gorgeous airy bloom.

Optimal location

In order for the Polar bir hydrangea to feel comfortable in the open field, you will need to choose a place that is well lit by the sun and protected from through winds. At the same time, young seedlings must be protected from sunlight at lunchtime.

In addition to the plant's moisture requirements, no less attention should be paid to the composition of the soil. For planting, it is necessary to prepare a composition consisting of the following components:

• 2 parts of humus;
• 2 pieces of leafy land;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand.

Planting hydrangeas on poor or calcareous soil requires the mandatory introduction of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or peat.

Step-by-step planting process

The step-by-step process for planting a polar bear hydrangea is as follows:

1. In the selected area, you need to prepare a hole, which will be 2 times higher than the parameters of the root system of the seedling.
2. If the occurrence of groundwater is high, then an arrangement at the bottom of a drainage layer will be required, which will prevent stagnation of water.
3. On top of the drainage layer, put the seedling along with the earthy clod.
4. Fill the rest of the space with the prepared soil composition.
5. The area around the trunk must be carefully compacted, watered, then mulched with sawdust, pine needles, straw or film.

Landing features

Before planting, the root branches must be shortened a little, cut off the shoots, leaving from 3 to 5 buds.

Reproduction of hydrangea Polar bear

Hydrangea can be propagated in all known ways. The most effective is the cuttings method.

Features of the reproduction of hydrangea

Cuttings

In the process of caring for the shrub (pruning), you can pick up branches for reproduction. With them, you need to carry out the following actions:

1. Put in water for 3 days.
2. On each cutting, the number of internodes must be at least 4.
3. The lower part of the cutting must be treated with a special compound - a growth stimulator.
4. Plant each stalk in a specially prepared composition, where 1 part of peat, 1 part of sand. At least 2/3 of the length of each cutting should be in the soil.
5. It is important to cover containers with cuttings with polyethylene film.

Growing from seeds

Propagating this variety by seed is not easy and practically pointless. In rare cases, the resulting plant will retain all varietal characteristics.

Hydrangea Polar bear, description of growing from seeds:

1. There is no need to stratify the planting material.
2. Place on the surface of the soil and sprinkle lightly with sand.
3. It is important to regularly spray crops from a spray bottle.

The first sprouts will appear within the first month after planting. To speed up the germination process, it is necessary to regularly fertilize crops with a solution of complex fertilizers.

Care

Hydrangea Bear polar is not considered a capricious plant, but for proper development, you need to follow some rules of cultivation and care.

Watering mode

Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant and requires regular moistening of the trunk circle.On hot days, it is necessary to pour at least three buckets of water under each bush. Reduce the amount of watering during periods of intense rainfall.

Top dressing

In order for the bush to please with abundant flowering, it will need regular feeding. To do this, you should pay attention to the following scheme:

• the application of organic fertilizers will be required in the spring;
• when buds appear, you need to add a mixture consisting of superphosphate, urea and potassium;
• in mid-summer (July), the plant will need complex fertilizers, which can be actively combined with watering;
• preparing hydrangeas for winter involves the introduction of special mineral fertilizers.

During flowering

Hydrangea blooms from mid to late July. In order for this process to occur correctly, you will need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Correct and balanced nutrition. It is very important not to overdo it with the introduction of organic fertilizers - it is better not to supplement.
2. Scattered sunlight. The plant develops easily, being in partial shade or under the crown of a spreading walnut. When exposed to open sunlight, the bush will also delight with its flowering, but not for long, because the petals will soon burn out.

Also, for a long and intense flowering, a loose and acidified soil rich in humus is needed.

During the rest period

Bush pruning should be done in the spring. In the fall, it is only necessary to remove wilted inflorescences from the branches.

Pruning before bud break. To rejuvenate old bushes, you need to cut out large branches in early spring.

Preparing for winter

Hydrangeas Polar bear frosts can be harmful, so do not delay preparing the plant for winter. This must be done immediately after flowering. To do this, in the fall, remove all the foliage, collect the branches in a heap and wrap them in a material special for shelter. Then tilt them to the ground and cover with branches of coniferous trees. In the spring, release the bush only after the frost ends.

How to prepare a polar bear hydrangea for winter

With proper planting and proper care, the Polar Bear hydrangea will delight you with an unforgettable show of its flowers. This applies to the very height of flowering, when numerous panicles, densely filling the bush, delight with their beauty and airiness. Such a plant will become an indispensable element in many landscape compositions.