Hydrangea Little Lime (Little Lime) paniculata

Hydrangea Little Lime paniculata got its name from the several dozen small flowers that form a panicle. This variety is bred from Limelight Variegated and an unknown species of hydrangea paniculata. Gardeners liked Little Lime due to the unusual white-green inflorescences, which eventually acquire a pink color, as well as their compact size.

The origin and appearance of the plant

First, Europe got acquainted with the large-leaved hydrangea. It happened in the XVIII century. French scientists brought it from the island of Mauritius. A member of the expedition was the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, who named this flower after his sister.

Hydrangea Little Light

The Little Lime dwarf shrub was born quite recently - in 2012. The plant delighted gardeners with its attractive appearance. Hydrangea Little Lime is described differently from other varieties:

• it is very compact and is formed at the request of the owner, therefore it can grow like a bush or like a tree;
• the height of the plant does not exceed 70 cm, and in width it can reach 1 m;
• green leaves have a velvety texture, pleasant to the touch. Their edges are slightly serrated;
• the stem of the flower is erect, does not need a garter;
• the root system is very branched, but does not go deep underground;
• the crown of the bush is dense, almost invisible.

Flower descriptions

In autumn, large rounded inflorescences appear on hydrangeas. At first, they have a greenish color, thanks to which the flower got its name Lime. Over time, this color gradually changes to white, beige and even purple.

The size of the inflorescence ranges from 10-13 cm.

Green inflorescences

Transplant after outdoor purchase

After the purchase, the Little Lime hydrangea is planted in open ground, mainly in the spring. In latitudes with a temperate climate, this is done in April, and in the northern regions - in early May, when the soil warms up well. In the southern regions, where warm winters, the shrub can be planted in September, but this is provided that the hydrangea already has a well-formed and developed root system.

What is needed for landing

To plant a plant successfully, you need to find a good place, stock up on peat, turf soil, humus, pine sawdust and water.

Choosing a landing site

Choosing a place to plant a shrub is not at all easy. An ideal area will be a site where the plant will be in the sun in the morning and in the evening, and the flower will be able to stay in partial shade for the main part of the day.

The hydrangea is planted at a distance from the garden paths, as the bushes will grow and will interfere with walking. It is also necessary to take care that Little Light does not grow under the crowns of trees that will shade it.

You should not plant a flower close to the house. In winter, snow and icicles will fall from the roof and injure the plant.

Step-by-step planting process

Although planting is a simple process, you still need to adhere to some recommendations from experienced gardeners:

1. To begin with, dig a planting hole of about 40 × 40 cm.
2. Peat mixed with humus is suitable for cultivation. Such a mixture should not exceed 1/3 of the pit, the rest of the space is covered with turf soil.
3. If the plant has an open root system, you need to put it on a tubercle and spread it out.
4. The shrub is covered up to the root collar. In this case, you need not to overdo it: if you deeply deepen the stem, then it will begin to rot.
5. The soil is lightly tamped.
6. Watering is carried out in the center of the bush and along the edge.
7. If the soil subsides, it can be poured and watered again. This procedure is repeated several times.
8. Hydrangea paniculate Little Lime loves acidified soil, so you can pour 2 tbsp around it. tablespoons of colloidal sulfur and on top mulch the soil with peat or pine bark.
9. The crown of the inflorescence is well pruned: the lower it is done, the better it will take root.
10. The remaining hemp is also lightly covered with soil.

Planting a plant

Reproduction of hydrangea Little Lime

You can propagate a flower in different ways: by dividing an adult bush, cuttings and seeds.

It is necessary to divide the bush very carefully so that both the root and small branches remain in the small sprout. This is not so easy to do, so they often use Little Lime hydrangea propagation using cuttings.

Propagation by cuttings

In order for the cuttings to take over and develop successfully, you need to adhere to certain rules:

• cut the cuttings so that two internodes remain on them;
• the tip of the twig is treated with root;
• planting material in a pot with nutritious soil and covered with a jar.

The shoot takes root within 30 days. It is recommended to keep it in the shade all this time.

Growing from seeds

Seed propagation of Little Lime hydrangea takes a long time, therefore this growing method is mainly used by breeders in order to obtain new varieties.

Although the process of growing by seeds is very long, it is not at all difficult.

1. You need to pick up a small container.
2. Sow seeds into the soil and press them a little into the soil.
3. Cover the entire pot with plastic wrap.
4. When the seeds germinate, they are opened.
5. Further, you just need to observe the sprouts and water them periodically.
6. When they are old enough, they dive two or three into one pot.

Little Lime Hydrangea Care

The shrub is completely undemanding to care for. However, the most elementary rules for watering, feeding, lighting and pruning must be followed.

Watering mode

Little Lime is very fond of moisture. In Japan, this flower is even called "weeping on the water." If the soil under the bush is dry, it must be watered. Hydrangea needs watering at least once a week.

Top dressing

If, when planting a shrub, the soil was correctly selected and all the necessary micronutrients were introduced, the plant will not need feeding for another two or three years.

Basically, Little Lime panicle hydrangea is fertilized in four stages.

• Top dressing begins in early spring. In order for the bush to please with thick foliage, you need to provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
• The next stage of fertilization begins with the formation of buds. During this period, the shrub needs potassium and phosphorus.
• Provide Little Light with fertilizing during flowering. During this period, you need to feed with potassium-phosphorus substances.
• The last stage of fertilization begins when the plant has faded. This happens in late August or early September. After flowering, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added. Such top dressing will help the shrub survive the winter well and acquire a lush flowering next year.

Fertilizer

Features of care during the flowering period

Young plants bloom in the second year of life. During this period, they are not yet sufficiently strong, and the resulting flowers will only slow down their development. To prevent this from happening, as soon as the buds still appear, they are cut off.

Features of care during the rest period

In the spring, when the plant has not yet acquired buds, pruning must be carried out. It is imperative to eliminate all frostbitten branches, removing them to a healthy place. Then, up to the fifth bud, last year's branches are shortened and, finally, they are taken for the crown. To thin it out, cut out all the shoots that grow inward.

If the shrub is already old, it should be rejuvenated. To do this, in the spring they are cut off, leaving only hemp.

Preparing for winter

One of the main characteristics of this species is frost resistance. The shrub tolerates temperatures down to -34 ° C. However, in order for the Little Lime hydrangea to survive the winter well, you need to take care of it a little:

• remove inflorescences;
• if the bush is very lush, then it must be tied in two bunches;
• cover the flower with burlap. Such protection will not only save the plant from frost, but also from hares that are not against eating them.

Shelter with burlap

Hydrangea Little Lime, due to its compact size, serves as an excellent decoration for summer cottages. Recently, it has been used in the landscape design of city parks and flower beds. She feels good both in large flowerpots and in the open field. Also, the shrub can be used as a hedge.