Hydrangea serrata - description of the best varieties, planting and care
Content:
Hydrangea serrata is a shrub that is very popular among flower growers. This plant is one of the varieties of large-leaved hydrangea.
Origin
The serrated hydrangea is native to Japan. It was from her at the very beginning of the 19th century that the plant was brought to Europe and began to be used to decorate gardens in the homes of the nobility. Initially, these were only two types of flowers: in scarlet and white colors.
The serrated hydrangea has a very unusual appearance.
Today there are many varieties of shrubs, including hybrid ones. They are available for planting to everyone.
Description of the flower
The serrate hydrangea has erect shoots, the height of which can reach one and a half meters. In width, the plant grows on average by 60 cm. The variety is characterized by dark and light green leaves with a slight reddish tint and lush, somewhat lace-like inflorescences. Depending on the specific variety taken, they can be convex or concave.
Fertile flowers are white or blue, barren flowers are pink or blue. Flowering occurs from June to September.
The flowers of the serrated hydrangea will not leave you indifferent
Every shrub owner appreciates the serrated hydrangea not only for its ease of care, but also for the fact that the flowering of the bush occurs when most of the other flowers have time to bloom.
Types and varieties
The most popular varieties of serrated hydrangea among domestic gardeners include:
- Bluebird;
- Koreana;
- Preciosa.
Bluebird
Hydrangea Bluebird was created by Japanese breeders. The name of the variety is translated into Russian as "blue bird". It belongs to the type of milky-serrated hydrangea. The plant is a branched shrub that grows up to 120 cm in height and up to one and a half meters in width.
If you read the description about the flower hydrangea finely sawed Bluebird, it will be impossible to confuse it with another variety. The shrub has oval leaves with small teeth of bright green color, petals of blue, deep blue or even purple shades.
Bluebird
Bluebird serrated hydrangea is characterized by superficial bedding of roots. The variety is quite winter hardy, but it is not suitable for cultivation in Siberia. Bluebird hydrangeas are able to withstand cold temperatures of at least -20 degrees.
The flowering period of the Bluebird serrated hydrangea is quite long. It lasts from July to September inclusive.
In the case of the Bluebird hydrangea, planting and care is carried out in the same way as other varieties of shrubs. More information on growing Bluebird hydrangea with a detailed description can be found on numerous sites on the Internet.
Koreana
Hydrangea Koreana is one of the varieties of garden serrated hydrangeas. This is not too tall, spreading shrub, the main feature of which is the presence of beautiful variegated inflorescences in the form of a thyroid panicle, with a diameter of about 8 cm.
Hydrangea Koreana
The central fertile flowers are usually variegated white-pink or white-blue, the extreme ones (without reproductive organs) are four-leafed one-color blue or pink.
The trunk of the shrub is branchy, very strong and covered with bark, behind numerous lush inflorescences and rich foliage, it is practically invisible.
Koreana has average winter hardiness.For growing in regions with a relatively harsh climate, the plant should be carefully insulated during the cold season. In snowy regions, it is highly recommended to cover the plant with snow over the insulation.
Preciosa
Hydrangea Preciosa is a fairly compact shrub that grows up to 1.5 meters. This variety is characterized by a very original color of inflorescences.
Hydrangea Preciosa
Sterile flowers begin to bloom yellowish-green, then turn pink and blue, towards autumn they acquire purple and burgundy hues. The foliage, which at the beginning of summer has a bright green color, changes color to burgundy red by autumn. The variety usually blooms from July to September.
The frost resistance of the Preciosa hydrangea is relatively low, but in the Moscow region and central Russia, the cultivation of this culture is carried out quite successfully, provided that the shrubs are provided with additional shelter for the winter period.
Open ground transplant
To plant a plant in open ground, you will need to prepare a soil composition of fertile humus, rotted foliage, peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. Landing holes should be dug in advance, their depth should be about 35 centimeters. The distance between plants must be at least one meter. The landing procedure itself is quite simple:
- A previously dug hole is thoroughly spilled with water.
- An escape intended for planting is neatly placed in it.
- The landing site is covered with earth.
- The soil around the plant is tamped.
- Plentiful watering of the hydrangea seedling is carried out.
- Mulching planting with sawdust or needles to a height of 10 cm.
Reproduction of serrated hydrangeas
The serrated hydrangea can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, dividing or layering.
Most often, cuttings are used in practice. Cuttings are usually cut from young bushes of young shoots. The middle parts of the shoots should be used, which do not have flowering tops and lower leaves. In order for the roots to form faster, the cuttings should be held in water with any root former.
The leaves of the serrated hydrangea acquire simply amazing shades in the fall.
You can use folk remedies. For example, add natural honey to the water at the rate of 1 teaspoon per glass of water. Cuttings are planted in the ground under a shelter, in the spring they are transplanted to a permanent place.
When propagating by layering, an adult bush must be used to obtain planting material. Its lower branches with the onset of spring, before bud break, are added dropwise, securing it with spears. By the beginning of autumn, young shoots grow on the layers, which with the onset of spring will be ready for transplanting into open ground.
Care
In order for the plant to develop well and delight with its gorgeous flowers for the longest possible time, it needs to provide proper care.
During flowering
During the flowering period, especially close attention should be paid to such procedures as weeding, watering and feeding.
As for feeding, in the first two years it will not be required at all, since the serrated hydrangea is planted in pre-fertilized soil. Then, during the formation of buds, you will need to feed the plant with superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Fertilization with organic matter - for example, chicken dung or cow dung, will also be beneficial during the flowering period.
During the rest period
When the plant fades and enters the resting phase, the hydrangea shrub is necessarily cut off. Not only dried inflorescences are subject to removal, but also extra shoots, broken or old branches.The procedure is an indispensable integral part of the autumn hydrangea care.
Preparing for winter
Preparing serrata hydrangea for winter begins with feeding it.
Preparing for wintering is an important step in hydrangea care
At the beginning of autumn, the shrub should be fertilized with manure, adding 20 kg under each bush. Manure not only nourishes the soil with useful substances, but also reliably protects the root system from the effects of low temperatures. Closer to winter, it is additionally recommended to feed the hydrangea with potassium sulfate.
Even if the indicators of winter hardiness of hydrangea are high, it will not be superfluous to cover it for the winter. So the plant will soon come out of hibernation in the spring. Spruce branches or foliage are perfect as a covering material.
