Hydrangea on a stem - how to grow and shape

Hydrangea is a flowering plant whose branches form a bush. The shoots have bright green leaves, and the tops of the branches are decorated with large inflorescences. This shrub can decorate any garden or local area, but the hydrangea on the trunk will look even more original.

Standard hydrangea paniculata: description

Under the stem in botany, it is customary to understand the section of the tree trunk, which begins at the neck and ends near the skeletal branches. In most trees, this trunk is small, therefore those plants in which the trunk was artificially lengthened are called standard.

Hydrangea on a stem

This method of formation is often used not only for trees, but also for shrubs, creeping juniper varieties, plants with soft (weeping) branches. Hydrangea is often used to obtain an ornamental tree. In this case, only one of several main shoots is left. The crown formation process takes several years, but the result is a tree with a dense crown, covered with a large number of large inflorescences.

Due to the fact that growing hydrangeas in the form of a tree is a long process, this is done in nurseries. However, if desired, every gardener can do it with his own hands.

Stamp hydrangea in landscape design

Stamp hydrangea has been widely used in landscape design. Experts in the field note that all tree and paniculate varieties can be used to create Japanese-style gardens.

Such trees look no less impressive in mixborders of any style. In addition to hydrangeas, you can choose any flowering plants, both low-growing grasses and shrubs. It is only important to choose them in such a way that the flowering of the border continues from early spring to late autumn.

Pinkie Winky, Vanilla Fries, Phantom, Annabelle, White House and many other varieties organically look like tapeworms on mowed lawns, near gazebos, by the porch or veranda. However, you should not give up the neighborhood with other deciduous, evergreen and conifers.

Stamp hydrangea is widely used in landscape design

How a hydrangea turns into a beautiful tree

It will take a long time to grow a standard plant.

In this case, the gardener needs to pay increased attention to caring for the seedling and the formation of its correct crown. However, such works are not in vain. The average life span of a hydrangea reaches 40 years, so after hard work there comes a time when the plant requires minimal care.

Choosing a landing site

All representatives of the Hortensiev family are light-loving, but not all are well tolerated by direct sunlight. Most varieties prefer diffuse rays or partial shade. You should familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of plant care even before planting in open ground, since the appearance of flowers directly depends on the conditions of detention.

For planting in southern areas, select areas that are in the shade of buildings or other trees. If we are talking about Central Russia, then the most suitable site will be the northern side of the buildings. In the first year after planting, young plants need increased protection from strong winds and the sun.

Hydrangeas feel as comfortable as possible on acidic soil. Under these conditions, they grow faster and produce brighter flowers. If there is an alkaline or sandy soil on the site, then it should first be acidified by adding coniferous litter, high peat, ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate.

How to form a panicle hydrangea on a trunk

To understand how to form a panicle hydrangea on a trunk, it is necessary to study the main methods and nuances of this procedure.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. The correct choice of shrub shrubbing method. The success of the entire campaign depends on this.
2. Careful selection of hydrangea seedlings. An adult tree is capable of adopting all the characteristics of the donor.
3. Choosing a landing site. This will affect not only the appearance of the local area, but also the attractiveness of the plant itself.
4. The need for regular pinching. The appearance of the tree and the shape of its crown will depend on the quality of the work done.
5. Timely watering, loosening the soil and top dressing.

Ways to grow a standard plant

There are two ways that you can turn a shrub into a standard tree:

• grafting onto the trunk of another tree;
• crown formation, which is based on one branch of the bush.

Vaccination as a way to obtain a standard form

Grafting is one way to grow a hydrangea tree. This option is considered more difficult and time consuming, so it is not recommended for beginners to use it. At the same time, grafting also has advantages - it works well for most trees and shrubs.

The stem tree obtained as a result of grafting can be divided into two parts. The lower part is a stem. It is a smooth, tall, strong trunk without branches. As a basis, plants are most often used that are related to the one that needs to be obtained in the end. For example, a rosehip trunk is used to obtain a standard rose.

The upper part of the tree is a scion, crown. This is the plant that they plan to make the standard plant (in this case, hydrangea).

The vaccination process is as follows.

1. A plant with an even trunk at the desired height is cut. This procedure must be performed using a sharp knife.
2. In the upper part of the trunk, a vertical cut (split) is made, the depth of which is 3-4 cm.
3. A scion is prepared, which is a hydrangea stalk with several buds. The cut should be smooth and healthy. The lower part of the scion is made wedge-shaped with a knife.
4. The stalk is inserted into the cleft and tightly bandaged this place with a film.
5. The upper part of the scion (above the upper bud) is cut off, after which this place of cut is carefully treated with garden varnish.
6. To create the correct globular crown, it is necessary to prune regularly.

After 3-4 years, the formation of the standard tree will be completed.

Grafting is an effective way to form a stem tree

Getting a trunk using shaping

It is better to choose a formation if the gardener did not previously have experience in growing standard hydrangea, planting and caring for such a tree is minimal. As a disadvantage, the duration of the process is called.

Formation takes place in several stages.

1. For planting hydrangeas, you need to choose the most even seedling, devoid of knots and curved places.
2. Immediately after planting, a support (a peg made of wood or metal) is installed next to the sprout. For the most reliable fixation, the seedling is tied to a support in several places along its entire length.
3. As it grows, the top is tied to a peg. All lateral shoots that appear at this time must be removed immediately.
4. When the seedling reaches the desired length (about 1.5 m), pinch the top. This will lead to the fact that in the upper part of the trunk, from 4-5 lateral buds, shoots will begin to grow - skeletal branches.
5. The next year, last year's lateral shoots are also pinched, leaving 2-4 pairs of eyes on each branch.
6. The next year, the pinching procedure is repeated with those branches that appeared last year. This allows you to grow a dense, fluffy crown.

Pinching hydrangeas when forming a crown

Preparing for winter

Treelike and paniculate varieties tolerate the winter cold well, however, in the first years after planting, young plants need additional insulation. This is especially true for areas with a harsh climate.

When to apply top dressing

Lack of regular feeding of the plant will lead to a deterioration in appearance. Paniculate hydrangea on a stem will grow slowly and produce fewer inflorescences. You need to start fertilizing the tree from the beginning of June. In this case, it is permissible to use different types of feeding - root and leaf. In the latter case, drops of funds can spoil the attractiveness of flowers, therefore, it is better not to use such types of fertilizers during the period of vegetative activity.

Good growth and flowering performance can be achieved with the following types of feeding:

• infusion of mullein;
• urea.

The last fertilization procedure should be carried out no later than the end of August. This will prevent a new growth period and help the plant through the winter well.

Despite the attractive appearance and popularity of hydrangea on a trunk, not every gardener knows how to grow such a tree. Meanwhile, even a beginner can cope with this task. It is enough just to follow the recommendations of experts and regularly take care of the plant.