Garden hydrangea - planting and care in the open field for beginners
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Garden hydrangea is an ornamental crop, which, depending on the species, can be an evergreen or deciduous shrub, tree or liana. Thanks to this, the plant is widely used in landscape design. At the same time, it looks spectacular not only in a luxurious garden, but also in a small personal plot, a summer residence, and also in a pot. But in order for the garden hydrangea to please with lush flowering, it is necessary to provide it with favorable conditions.
The history of the origin of garden hydrangea
The hydrangea flower, judging by the excavations, appeared in North America about 40-70 million years ago, and in East Asia - 25 million years ago. But he got to European countries only in the second half of the 18th century, which was actively promoted by the American botanist John Bartram.
Garden hydrangea is a luxurious perennial shrub
Initially, a tree-like culture was introduced. And only in 1776, thanks to Dr. Karl Peter Thunberg, seconded to the islands of Japan, it was possible to obtain seedlings of large-leaved and panicle hydrangea.
European gardeners took the emergence of a new flower very cool. And only at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the French exhibition, the hydrangea was appreciated. It was this event that became the starting point of the popularity of this plant. After him, programs for the reproduction and cultivation of hydrangea flowers began to be actively introduced.
Botanical description
In botanical reference books, hydrangea has the name Hydrangea, which translates as "a vessel with water". This indirectly indicates that the plant is very fond of moisture.
Most of the flower species are shrubs, the height of which varies from 1 to 3 m. But at the same time, there are hydrangea-lianas climbing trees. The plant is a perennial and, given favorable conditions, can grow in one place for 20 years.
It forms erect shoots that lignify in the second year. And it is on them that flower buds are laid in the fall. Therefore, in order to preserve them in winter, shelter is necessary. The root system of the plant is not deep, but branched. Therefore, planting and caring for hydrangea should be carried out taking into account this feature.
The leaves are large, oval, pointed at the ends. They are located oppositely on the shoots. In some species, the plates are serrated along the edge and with noticeable venation. Their shade can be light or dark green, depending on the variety.
Large-leaved hydrangea variety amazes with a variety of colors
Hydrangea flowers can be spherical or paniculate. They are formed at the tops of the shoots. In most species, they consist of two types of flowers: fertile, which are localized in the center, and sterile, located at the edge. But there are also varieties whose inflorescences are uniform.
This plant is classified as moderately toxic, as all parts of it contain cyanogenic glycosides.Therefore, hydrangea should not be eaten.
Varieties and varieties of garden hydrangea
Despite the fact that the genus Hydrangea includes about 35 species, only 3 of them are especially popular. These include a tree-like, paniculate, large-leaved variety. But thanks to selection, highly decorative varieties were also obtained based on them.
Treelike hydrangea is a spreading shrub, the height of which reaches 1.5 m. The plant is able to bloom from July to the end of October. Differs in increased drought and frost resistance, so in winter it does not need shelter.
The flowers of the tree species are fertile, the diameter of the inflorescences is 15 cm. It is recommended to plant this hydrangea, like many other species, in the shade of the garden, since in the sun the shrub becomes smaller and loses its decorative effect.
Popular varieties of tree hydrangea:
- Invincibelle Spirit;
- Hayes Starburst;
- White Dome;
- Incredibal;
- Annabelle.
The paniculate variety of culture is a large shrub. But it can also look like a small tree, reaching a height of 3 m.
Her flowers are collected in pyramidal panicles, which appear in the second half of June. The culture easily tolerates urban conditions. It begins to bloom 4-5 years after planting.
Popular varieties:
- Grandiflora;
- Brussels Lace;
- Kyushu;
- Limelight;
- Pink Diamond.
Large-leaved hydrangea is characterized by compact bushes about 1-1.5 m high.It forms spherical inflorescences consisting of large sterile flowers with a diameter of about 3.5 cm.
It differs in a varied color of flowers, but at the same time it is characterized by a low level of frost resistance, which requires mandatory shelter for the winter.
Common varieties:
- Expression;
- Ever Peppermint;
- Red Sensation;
- Endless Summer.
If we talk about such a plant as garden hydrangea, planting and care in the open field, regardless of the type, should take into account the characteristics of the culture, the characteristics of a particular variety. Therefore, in order for the plant to fully develop and please with lush flowering, it is necessary to study some information.
Planting bushy ball hydrangea in open ground
Planting hydrangeas can occur in spring and fall. The first option is preferable, since the seedling will be able to get stronger before winter.
In the conditions of the Moscow region, the procedure can be carried out in the second half of April, when the air temperature will confidently keep above +5 .. + 7 degrees. In Siberia and the Urals, it is possible to plant hydrangeas only in May.
Autumn planting can be applied to the southern regions. The procedure should be carried out in the second half of September or early October.
Where to plant
Most hydrangea varieties require well-lit areas with light shade during midday hours. Foliage may be burned in direct sunlight.
It is not recommended to plant the plant under the canopy of trees, as this will cause the hydrangea to lack nutrition and moisture.
Requirements for the soil, its preparation
Planting bush hydrangeas, like other types of crops, should be carried out in well-drained soils with an increased level of acidity.
The shrub site should be prepared in advance. To do this, you need to dig it up to the depth of the shovel and add it to 1 sq. m 10 kg of humus, 40 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfide.
Landing technique
To plant hydrangeas, you need to prepare a hole 50 cm wide and deep.If fertilizers were not applied during the preparation of the site, then they need to be added now, thoroughly mixed with the soil.
It is possible to grow a garden hydrangea, either as a single crop or in a row. With the latter option, it is necessary to place seedlings at a distance of 1 m from each other.
Detailed instructions on how to plant a hydrangea:
- Make a small elevation in the center of the landing pit.
- Put a seedling on it, spread the roots.
- Fill the voids with earth without burying the root collar of the plant.
- Compact the soil at the base.
- Water abundantly.
For planting, seedlings with a closed root system should be purchased.
Garden hydrangea: outdoor care
Caring for the plant is not difficult, but it requires compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology. Some rules and regulations are the same for all varieties and varieties.
Watering
Caring for a garden hydrangea is primarily about proper watering. This plant belongs to the category of moisture-loving, therefore, the topsoil must not be allowed to dry out.
The ground must always be kept slightly moist. Watering in dry periods is recommended once every 3 days.
Top dressing
During the active growing season, the shrub should be fertilized with organic matter. To do this, you can use chicken droppings 1:15 or mullein 1:10.
Then, during the period of bud formation and flowering, it is recommended to add superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (30 g) to a bucket of water.
Mulching and loosening
Understanding the question of how to properly care for a hydrangea, one should not forget about loosening the soil and mulching the trunk circle.
When growing this ornamental plant, it is necessary after each watering to loosen the soil at the base and promptly remove weeds in the root circle. This will improve the breathability of the soil.
During particularly hot periods, it is recommended to cover the soil with mulch to prevent excessive evaporation and crust formation. For this, you can use humus or peat.
Pruning
Garden hydrangea does not need to be drastically pruned, as in most species, flower buds form at the tops of the shoots. Therefore, it is recommended to remove only branches thickening the bush, as well as broken and damaged ones.
In autumn, it is recommended to cut off wilted inflorescences.
Features of care in the first year after planting
In the first year, it is important to monitor the moderate moisture content of the soil, since a lack of moisture can cause the death of the seedling.
There is no need for top dressing, as all the necessary nutrients were added during planting. If single buds form on the plant, then they should be removed.
Preparing for winter
Growing a hydrangea, like many other shrubs, will not be difficult even for a beginner. The main thing is to properly prepare the shrub for wintering. To do this, young specimens should be bent to the ground and laid on spruce branches, and covered with non-woven material on top.
For large-sized people, it is recommended to build a frame from wooden planks. And then wrap it with roofing material or agrofiber. You should also additionally insulate the root system with a layer of humus 5-7 cm thick.
Reproduction
Garden hydrangea can be propagated in a variety of ways. Each of them has its own characteristics, which are recommended to be taken into account.
Growing from seeds
This method allows you to get a lot of young seedlings, but it is considered the most laborious. During seed propagation, the species properties of hybrid varieties are not preserved.
You need to sow seeds in seedling boxes without embedding in the soil. After that, the containers should be covered with foil and rearranged in a bright place with a temperature of +25 degrees. The sprouts germinate in 20 days.Seedlings should be grown for 2 years, and only for 3 years can they be planted in a permanent place.
By cuttings
This method is considered the fastest and most effective. Cuttings are recommended to be cut in July when buds appear. Young side shoots of the last year are best suited for this.
Each stalk should have 2-3 leaves, with the lower one removed, and the upper one should be shortened by half. Before planting, powder the cut with any root former, and then plant it in a soil mixture of peat and sand in an equal volume.
Rooting of seedlings occurs in about a month. They can be planted in open ground only next spring.
Cuttings retain all the specific qualities of the mother bush
Layers
This method does not pose any particular difficulties. For reproduction, it is necessary in the spring, before bud break, to loosen the top layer of soil under the bush and make furrows 5-7 cm. After that, lay side shoots in them and pin them to the ground. Sprinkle with earth on top, leaving only the top on top.
By dividing the bush
This method is used when transplanting a bush in the spring. It is suitable for all types of garden hydrangea except paniculate.
Before the procedure, the bush should be watered abundantly per day. Then dig up and thoroughly clean the roots from the ground, wash.
After that, divide the bush into parts so that each division has 2-3 shoots and well-developed root processes. After the procedure, parts of the shrub should be planted in a permanent place, having previously shortened a little of the branches and roots.
Garden hydrangea is a perennial shrub that can decorate any plot, flower bed or garden with its appearance. And when planting plants in pots, they can be used for landscaping balconies, terraces, gazebos. But in order to achieve a lush and long flowering culture, you need to take into account its basic requirements.
