Hydrangea Endless Summer
Content:
Thanks to the repeated flowering, the hydrangea Endless Summer is included in the list of the most used plants for decorating summer cottages or gardens. It is also able to withstand the harsh climatic conditions that are characteristic of the northern strip of Russia.
Origin and appearance
According to popular belief, the Endless Summer hydrangea was developed in 2003 in Minnesota, USA. In reality, work on selection began much earlier - at the end of the 20th century. It was then, in the winter of 1982, that breeders discovered the relationship between frost and germination of some species.
Origin and appearance
Hydrangea Macrophylla is the official name for the large-leaved hydrangea. The tall species can reach up to 2-3 m in height with a maximum crown width of 100 cm. The plant is characterized by dark green elliptical leaves with a toothed structure, which can grow up to 15 cm in length.
Despite the fact that the homeland of the species is the United States, Endless Summer has become widespread in Russia, which is primarily due to its unpretentiousness to growth conditions and the presence of beautiful inflorescences.
Flowering description
Before the flowering of a large-leaved hydrangea of the type Endless Summer, the petals of the inflorescences are collected in small shields with a diameter of 10 to 15 cm.Around the bud there are large sterile pink flowers, reaching no more than 2-3 cm.
Hydrangea inflorescences are characterized by a large spherical shape, which, after opening the main bud, increase to 20 cm in diameter. Mostly flower hats are composed of light blue, pink or red flowers.
The distinctive features of the species also include the possibility of re-flowering on last year's shoots, which occurs due to the formation of new buds every 40-50 days. In addition, the flowers are resistant to powdery mildew.
Transplant after purchase in open ground
Transplanting hydrangeas is best done on a cool day or just before the rain. The weather should be calm when the sun is not very bright. The best time to plant is April-May or October.
Plant transplant
What is needed for landing
Before planting hydrangeas in open ground, it is necessary to carry out a number of mandatory procedures that will reduce the risk of complications. It will also help to increase the survival rate of the bushes.
- Dig up the planting area, remove all weeds and roots from other plants.
- If possible, choose the most mature seedlings with closed roots in the nursery, which have been planted in a mixture of peat, sand and sawdust.
- Prepare a place for the bush, gradually digging up the soil and adding peat, turf, sand and humus to it in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1.
- Dig small holes with a diameter and depth of 50 cm, on the bottom of which to lay out gravel, crushed stone or crumbled brick in order to prevent excessive moisture.
- Cover the soil with plenty of water.
Choosing the best place
The choice of a place when planting a large-leaved hydrangea of the Endless Summer variety plays a particularly important role. Not only the health and appearance of the shrub itself depend on this, but also the ability to survive in the cold season.
Basic recommendations for choosing:
- Lighting. Since any large-leaved hydrangea variety is photophilous, it is necessary to plant a plant in well-sanctified areas. It is also impossible to choose a territory completely without shade, since the shrub will suffer from overdrying. The ideal solution is to plant in the soil near a low tree, the shadow of which covers the flower for 6-8 hours a day.
- Temperature. Planting a large-leaved hydrangea is possible only in warmed-up soil. At the same time, the plant also does not tolerate heat and requires timely shelter. The most favorable temperature in spring is 10-15 ° C.
- Humidity. Young seedlings should be protected in advance from excessively strong winds or frost. The plant likes well-ventilated places in which the air circulates in a free flow. However, it is not worth planting a hydrangea in a draft; the best option is to plant it near the fence or along the facade.
- Priming. The shrubs of the plant germinate well in soil with low to medium acidity (pH 5-5.5). It must be remembered that the soil should not be calcareous, otherwise the root system will often hurt or even die.
Since the color of the flowers also depends on the level of acidity of the soil, special attention should also be paid to this when choosing a place for planting. Therefore, if the inflorescences have grown of a different color than expected, there is no need to panic.
Step-by-step planting process
The next step after preparing and choosing a site is to directly plant the plant in the already prepared soil.
Planting process
To do this, you must follow the step-by-step recommendations:
- Clear the trunk and root system of the seedlings.
- Place the roots in the hole, gently spreading them out with your palms.
- Make sure that the root collar remains flush with the ground.
- Cover the roots with soil and tamp the resulting hill with your hands.
- Water each shrub with 18-20 liters of water.
- Mulch with sawdust, conifers or pine bark to a height of 7-8 cm.
Reproduction of hydrangea Endless summer
Propagating hydrangeas by cuttings is the most common method of growing a plant at home. For breeding purposes, a different method is mainly used - with the help of seeds.
Propagation by cuttings
For propagation of a plant by cuttings, the best planting material will be a 2-3-year-old seedling, which has at least three shoots. For flowering to be successful, its height must be more than 70 cm.
Small cuttings are best planted in May or early June. This will allow you to quickly start up the root system, which will make it possible to create a full-fledged bush from a small seedling.
Propagation by cuttings
The sequence of actions when planting cuttings:
- Clear the cuttings from the lower pairs of leaves.
- Plant them along the edges of a spacious pot 2-3 cm deep, inside which there should be wet sand. The distance between the shoots should be sufficient so that the leaves do not come into contact with each other.
- Cover the pot with a bag or plastic bottle to form a mini greenhouse and place in a bright place without direct sunlight.
- Water the seedlings periodically and keep the soil in medium humidity.
- After 3-4 weeks, transplant to the street.
If the cuttings are semi-lignified or were cut at the end of August, the planting technology will be different.In this case, the pot must be immediately dug into the ground, choosing the best place. During germination, periodically ventilate the mini-greenhouse, and with the onset of the first days of autumn, remove the bottle or bag. After that, the seedlings will have a good root system for further growth.
Growing from seeds
Despite the fact that with the help of seeds you can get a brighter flowering, this method of growing is the most laborious, due to the presence of several picks.
Next, you should prepare a nutrient mixture for soil from peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1. Fill a small container with the resulting substance and feed the first 2-3 weeks.
Hydrangea seeds are laid out on the soil surface and covered with sand. The pots are covered with transparent film or plastic products to create a microclimate. The diameter of the containers should be 6-7 cm. The plant is transplanted into open ground 1.5-2 years after germination of seeds.
Hydrangea care
After the direct planting of the hydrangea variety Eternal Summer, care and compliance with all preventive measures are required. This will significantly reduce the risk of disease or parasites, and will also delight the gardener with fast growth and lush flowering.
The main recommendations for plant care include watering, feeding, pruning, and many other important procedures.
Watering mode
Since the large-leaved hydrangea Endless Summer is a moisture-loving plant, it needs appropriate care to maintain the necessary soil moisture.
Irrigation water should be soft, without the presence of elements of lime, chlorine or any other chemical impurities. The most suitable option is to use rainwater. A tap water is also suitable, but in this case it is necessary to soak it in the sun in advance.
The hydrangea watering regime is quite simple: at least two buckets of water under the bush once a week. Lack of moisture is characterized by the following symptoms: sagging, curling and yellowing of the leaves. In some cases, a loss of stem elasticity is possible.
Top dressing
In one season, the plant is fed 3 to 5 times. Fertilization is often introduced in the spring and summer. This will allow the hydrangea to bloom more effectively.
Top dressing
In the spring, fertilizers are applied, which contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. In the absence of these microelements, long flowering should not be expected. ECOstyle and Green Bool products, which are sold in almost every flower shop, have proven themselves well. You can also use substances for feeding rhododendrons, azaleas, or prepare your own herbal infusion.
In order for the hydrangea to bloom all summer long, the fertilizer must have a sufficient amount of potassium and nitrogen. In early August, nitrogen supplements are excluded to prepare the shrub for wintering.
Features of care during the flowering period
The most important procedure during flowering is soil mulching. For this, it is better to use the bark of pine, conifers or dried leaves.Often, ordinary sawdust or peat is used.
During the flowering period, it is important to water the plant and, if necessary, remove wilted flowers.
Features of care during the rest period
After the end of flowering, you can prune and remove dried or weakened shoots. In order to rejuvenate the shrub, the so-called sanitary pruning is performed - cutting all branches by a third with a sharp pruner.
Also, during the dormant period, you can transplant the plant to a more suitable place for this.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that the Eternal Summer hydrangea is a frost-resistant variety and is able to tolerate frosts without additional measures, it is better to prepare the plant for winter in advance. If this is not done, flowering will occur much later.
Preparing for winter
Therefore, in order for the bush to please the owners with inflorescences in early spring, it is recommended to cover it even before the first cold weather begins. It is better to use greenhouse film, lutrasil or spunbond as a material. If there is nothing, you can cover the plant with branches and dried leaves. The base of the shrub must be wrapped in peat.
Due to its distinctive feature, the hydrangea inflorescence changes shade of inflorescences Endless Summer is an endless source of inspiration for any gardener. The plant is unpretentious in care and easily tolerates frost. Following simple recommendations will make it possible to get a beautiful hydrangea even for a novice gardener.
