Hydrangea Levana (Levana) paniculata - description

The magnificent Levana hydrangea is able to decorate any garden plot or adjoining territory. Delicate white flowers with an amazing aroma will cheer you up and create a sense of celebration.

History of the origin of the variety

According to the results of numerous excavations, the Levana hydrangea grew in North America more than 70 million years ago. The flower was introduced to Asia about 25 million years ago. The seeds of this unusually beautiful shrub were brought to Europe by the self-taught botanist D. Bartram only at the end of the 18th century.

How Levan's hydrangea blooms magnificently

Description of Levan's panicle hydrangea

Hydrangea paniculata Levana is characterized by the following features:

• the Levana variety belongs to fast-growing shrubs. An adult plant reaches a height of 2-2.5 m, but can grow up to 3 m;
• powerful bushes with a wide spreading crown and strong stems;
• leaves are large, dark green, with the arrival of autumn they turn purple.

Hydrangea Tim Van Leeuwen color description has the following:

• at the beginning of summer, long (up to 50 cm in length) cone-shaped inflorescences begin to form on the hydrangea bushes;
• large (5-7 cm in diameter) snow-white flowers bloom on each of them;
• closer to autumn, the flowers acquire a cream or pale pink color;
• in shape, the flowers are similar to the spread wings of butterflies;
• flowering shrub lasts from June to early October;
• the flowers have a strong honey aroma, which makes them even more charming.

The shrub is able to withstand a drop in air temperature down to -35 ºС. But, despite the frost resistance, the bushes must be covered for the winter, otherwise freezing of the root system and further death of the plant are possible.

This variety is moderately resistant to infection by fungi and bacteria, therefore it needs to be treated with special preparations.

Young bush in bloom

Planting hydrangeas outdoors

To enjoy the beautiful and fragrant flowers of hydrangea for many years, you should not only follow the correct agricultural techniques, but also choose a suitable place for planting, prepare the soil and adhere to all stages of planting.

Seat selection

For planting hydrangeas, the eastern or southern side of the site is suitable, where the sun will shine on it in the morning or evening, and during the day the plant will be in the shade. Hydrangea loves moisture very much, so it is important that the area where it grows is constantly moist, but without swampiness.

Land preparation

Hydrangea Levan prefers loose, acidic and fertile soil. If the soil is alkaline, it must be started to acidify about a month before planting. For this, slurry, dry needles, rotted sawdust or peat are suitable.

Planting a young bush of hydrangea

Landing

It is better to plant a hydrangea in open ground in early spring, so it can get stronger and take root well in a new place before the onset of cold weather. Planting is best done early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is not so active. Before planting, it is worth keeping the seedlings in wet soil or clay, so the roots will not be weathered and the plant will not wither.

Planting process step by step:

1. A day before planting, a hole is pulled out in the ground with a diameter of at least 70 cm and two buckets of water are poured into it so that it soaks the soil well.
2. Fill the hole 1/3 with rotted manure, garden soil and peat. All are taken in equal proportions. You can also add 100 ml of urea.
3. Place the seedling in the hole and spread the roots.
4. The hole is covered with earth (it is important not to deepen the root collar of the plant) and tamped around the trunk.
5. The planted plant is watered abundantly (it will take 5-10 liters of water per bush).
6. For better moisture retention, the trunk circle is mulched. Straw, hay or dry peat are used as mulch.

Planting hydrangeas outdoors

Features of planting a purchased hydrangea seedling

When planting a purchased seedling in open ground, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• a few days before transplanting, the plant must be watered abundantly with water;
• when transplanting a flower from a pot into open ground, you do not need to remove the old earthen lump and cut off the roots;
• it is necessary to add garden soil to the prepared hole, mixing it with the one in the flower pot, so the plant adapts faster to a new place;
• during the adaptation period (about 2-3 months), it is necessary to alternately feed the bush with mineral fertilizers and organic matter every two weeks.

Transplanting hydrangea from a pot into the ground

Reproduction of hydrangea Levan

Hydrangea paniculata Levana can reproduce by cuttings, dividing the bush and layering.

Cuttings

Grafting method in stages:

1. During spring pruning (April-June), young annual shoots about 10 cm long are searched for and cut at right angles. It is important that three pairs of kidneys remain on them.
2. All leaves are removed from the bottom of the shoots, and a root growth stimulator is applied.
3. It is deepened by 2/3 into the prepared mixture of sand and peat (in a ratio of 1: 2).
4. For the rooting period, the planting is covered with a film. When the cuttings take root, the shelter is removed.
5. Cuttings are sprayed and moistened every day.
6. For wintering, seedlings are harvested in a cool place, and with the arrival of spring they are planted in open ground.

Levan's hydrangea stalk

By dividing the bush

This method is possible if there is already an adult hydrangea bush on the site. In this case, it is dug up and divided into several parts. It is very important that each section has a kidney for further growth. Further, all parts of the bush are planted in open ground.

Growing from cuttings

In early spring, young annual shoots are pressed to the ground and buried. At the same time, it is important to leave a top of at least 20 cm on the surface. Layers are watered at least twice a week. When the shoots take root, they are separated from the parent bush and moved to a new location.

Shrub care after planting

Hydrangea is easy to care for. But in order for the shrub to please with lush flowers, it is important to follow certain rules of care.

Watering

Hydrangea loves moist soil very much. The plant must be watered every other day with 5-10 liters of water for each bush. For irrigation, you must use filtered or settled water for five days.In a period of intense heat, the amount of water should be increased to 15 liters under one bush.

Watering from a watering can

Top dressing

Top dressing is important for the shrub, they are brought in once every two weeks. Organic (liquid manure and bird droppings) and mineral complexes for flowering plants are used as fertilizers. They are brought in one by one, so the plant will develop and bloom better.

Pruning

Pruning is carried out in early spring, immediately after all the snow has melted. On young bushes, all stems are cut to the level of 2-3 pairs of buds; on adult plants, one pair is left. After pruning, a new shoot will grow from each bud, at the top of which an inflorescence will appear. Also, remove all thin and weak branches, as well as stems that grow inside the bush. So along with pruning, the bush is molded.

Pruning hydrangea Levan

Features of care during flowering

During the active growth of hydrangea, it is important to water the bush with organic fertilizers. For this, it is better to use an infusion of mullein or bird droppings. Nettle infusion is also suitable. During the period of bud formation, at a frequency of twice a month, it is necessary to use mineral complexes for hydrangeas. In addition, it is important not to forget and promptly remove all shoots and lateral growth.

Dormant bush care

After the shrub has faded, it should be fed with fertilizers with a high phosphorus content, this will help it to grow stronger before the winter cold. It is also necessary to mulch the trunk circle with rotted manure, which will protect the roots from freezing.

Preparing for winter

The root system of the hydrangea is not very deep underground, so it is necessary to prepare the shrub well for wintering so that it does not freeze out during the cold season. To do this, the bushes are well spud and cover the trunk circle with a thick layer of mulch. In young plants, all branches are bent to the ground, sprinkled with earth with sawdust or dry leaves and covered with burlap or a thick film. The branches of adult bushes are not easy to tilt to the ground, so they are tied with a rope and wrapped around the bush with foil.

If you adhere to all the recommendations for planting, cultivation and care, the Levan variety will be a wonderful decoration for any garden for many years.