Hydrangea types and varieties for growing in the country. Hydrangea paniculata: varieties, cultivation, pruning

Adult plants of this species do not tolerate transplantation well, so the place in which the seedling will grow and develop must be permanent.

The landing site must be protected from strong winds And well lit; light shading possible.

The landing site should not be in danger of layers of snow falling off the roof: fragile wood will not withstand the additional load.

Priming

The soil should be slightly acidic, moderately loose and sufficiently nutritious.

Its composition can be as follows: peat, humus, turf, leaf soil and sand in equal quantities.

They also use an “equal” mixture of peat, humus and garden soil.

Best time for disembarkation at open ground – spring. Bushes that have overwintered in the ground can be planted immediately after the soil has thawed, while greenhouse bushes that have leaves can only be planted in late spring, after the frosts have ended.

The size of the planting hole should provide sufficient space for the growth of the root system of the seedling. Typical sizes are from 0.5 to 0.8 meters in length and width. The depth may be slightly shallower, since the roots of paniculate hydrangeas grow wider rather than deeper.

If the soil is clayey, a drainage layer of pebbles, expanded clay, brick or ceramic scrap is laid on the bottom.

Sandy soils, on the contrary, are compacted with a layer of clay at the bottom of the planting hole.

If groundwater stand high, landing on a hill is required.

A layer of soil mixture and a carefully straightened, moistened root system are placed in the prepared planting hole.

Add soil, carefully compacting it. As a result the root collar should be flush with the soil surface– but not deeper.

Water then the surface of the earth is mulched peat chips or crushed bark. This last operation is necessary to ensure that the soil under the bush retains moisture longer.

Optimal irrigation the water should be soft, perfect option- watering with rainwater.

Water from water supply network should sit well and warm up, but from time to time it is useful add a small amount of lemon juice or vinegar.

Paniculate hydrangea, unlike many other species of this plant, is relatively drought-resistant, but in dry summers systematic, abundant watering is required.

Top dressing

The plant responds well to mineral fertilizing with a complex for heathers, rhododendrons and azaleas. The best option – special mixtures designed specifically for hydrangeas. They can be used from time to time supplement with organic compounds.

The timing of fertilizer application takes into account the main phases of growth and development:

spring feeding promotes the formation of young shoots;
June promotes abundant formation of buds;
summer, during the heyday, prolongs flowering and is carried out twice a month. Potassium and phosphorus components should be added to these fertilizers, and the nitrogen component should be reduced.
Autumn, before the dormant period, consists of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

Trimming

These fast growing bushes can and should prune in both autumn and spring, since flower buds open on the shoots of the current year.

Moreover, heavy pruning up to the level of four to six or even up to two or three kidneys stimulates the mass formation of powerful shoots with large inflorescences.

Thoughtful pruning also helps form this hydrangea as attractive trees.

In this case, a vertical leading shoot and 4-5 lateral shoots are selected on a young plant, the remaining shoots are cut out, the remaining lateral shoots are pinched and the “leader” is allowed to grow 1-1.5 meters.

After this, its top is cut off, stimulating the formation of skeletal branches of the crown, and the lateral “support” is removed.

How to cover for the winter?

Adult panicle hydrangeas do not need winter shelter, but young plants better bend to the ground And cover with spruce branches.

For mature bushes having fragile wood, heavy snowfalls are dangerous.

To prevent the branches from breaking off, they are tied together and attached to a reliable support.

Bloom

The abundant flowering of fragrant “panicles” begins in mid-summer and continues until autumn

Coloring inflorescences depend on their age (the older, the pinker) and on the acidity of the soil: Flowers that are white in neutral soil take on pink hues in acidic soil..

This property is widely used, especially since acidified, soft the water is flowing for the benefit of plants.

Some varieties at a young age they do not form lush inflorescences, however, with age, flowering intensifies and reaches the proper forms.

Blooming “panicles” last a long time when cut. Even when dried, they retain their shape, color and partly their aroma.

Mandatory pruning all inflorescences before the first heavy snowfalls, since heavy snow caps on these “brooms” will create a load that may become unbearable for fragile branches.

Seeds of paniculata hydrangea often do not ripen in the middle zone, and their germination does not last longer than a month. That's why they reproduce it vegetatively: layerings and cuttings.

Reproduction by layering. In spring or late summer, bend a suitable branch to the ground, fix it in the middle, slightly deepen it and dig it in this place. The top of the branch is tied to a support to give it a vertical position. Within a year, the buried part forms a sufficient root system, after which the new plant can be separated from the mother plant.

Propagation by cuttings And. This method has two optimal timing: spring, in which cuttings are prepared from waste after pruning and summer, June.

Spring cuttings 3-5 internodes are cut from selected branches, previously kept in water for two to three days. The lower sections are treated with a root formation stimulator and planted in a mixture of sand and peat, buried to about two-thirds of the length. Landing is covered plastic film, moisturize, ventilate and keep at a temperature of 14-17 degrees. Rooting usually occurs within a month.
Summer cuttings- a riskier material for rooting, since at this time the plant tissues contain much less moisture. However, the period from June 10 to June 15 is considered the most successful for this type of breeding. The material for ten-centimeter cuttings is young shoots without flower buds in the lower part of the bush. They are broken out with a “heel” and the core at the fracture is treated with a root formation stimulator. Keep the top 3-4 leaves and remove the bottom ones. Planted in the ground and covered; maintain humidity, ventilate and, until the first new shoots form, protect from direct sunlight. Rooting usually takes 20-30 days.

Diseases and pests

Hydrangea in a site with optimal conditions for it is resistant to diseases.

If the soil is limed or oversaturated with humus, the plant may develop chlorosis, in which the leaves, with the exception of the central vein, become yellowish-light.

In this case, watering is carried out potassium nitrate solution with a concentration of 4 g/l, and after 3 days - ferrous sulfate solution the same concentration.

False powdery mildew , in which dark, oily, gradually spreading spots form on the leaves and stems, affects hydrangea at a temperature of 18-20 degrees in combination with high atmospheric humidity.

An effective remedy for this disease is spraying with copper-soap solution: 15 g of copper sulfate and 150 g of green soap per bucket of water.

Gray rot, which also develops in summer at high air humidity, requires removal of affected leaves and shoots and treatment of the bush fungicides.

If air humidity is low, they can settle on the plant. aphids and spider mites, which can be removed with soapy water.

However, the most effective way in such cases is to use systemic insecticides.

As a preventive measure, you should get rid of weeds that serve as a haven and breeding ground for these pests.

Paniculata hydrangea is one of the most unpretentious and hardy “princesses” of open ground. She withstands not only winter cold, but also significant atmospheric pollution.

Suitable landing place easy care and sufficient watering will ensure long-term, perennial, fragrant flowering of these bushes and trees in open ground conditions in the middle zone.

Photo

Hydrangea paniculata is one of the most beautiful shrub plants. There are a huge number of different varieties in the world. From mid-summer until almost autumn, the bush is covered with large flowers, behind which the leaves are practically invisible. One of the main positive aspects of garden hydrangea is its frost resistance. Its homeland is the subtropics, where it can reach up to 4 meters in height.

Planting and caring for hydrangea paniculata is not particularly difficult. It is important to know when it is better to plant hydrangea in open ground and how exactly to care for it.

Hydrangea is perfect for growing by beginning flower growers and gardeners. It was thanks to her unpretentiousness that everyone loved her so much. To choose the best varieties, you need to study their characteristics.

Popular varieties

Varieties of hydrangeas can differ in the color of the flowers, the size and height of the bush, frost resistance and flowering period.

The peculiarity of this species is that the inflorescences have the shape of a high pyramid.

The most beautiful and popular types of hydrangeas:

Bobo

It is a dwarf species, which allows it to be planted not only in open ground, but also in containers on the balcony. It reaches a height of up to 70 cm. The width of the bush is up to 50 cm. Flowering is very abundant, the shade of the petals changes from white-yellow to delicate pink color. The inflorescence is lush. It is best to plant bushes in a semi-shaded place. If you plant them in the sun, the flowers will be very small. It’s good if the bushes are sufficiently protected from gusty winds.

It begins to bloom in July and ends in September. Despite the fact that the flower is frost-resistant, it is advisable to mulch the roots of recently planted bushes for the winter. It is best to choose fertile and acidic soil for planting.

Vanilla Fraise

This variety garden hydrangea differs in that the bush can reach a height of up to two meters. The bush can be up to 150 cm wide. It is suitable only for a very large flower garden. The inflorescences are also quite large in size, can reach up to 30 cm in diameter, and are very similar to lilac inflorescences. Special attention What’s attractive is that the petals can be either soft pink or have a rich crimson hue, located on the same bush.

The flowering period begins in July and ends in September. It is highly frost-resistant and can withstand severe frosts down to -30 degrees. If the bush is still frozen, it recovers quite quickly. It is advisable not to plant this variety on calcareous soils, but to choose well-moistened and slightly acidic soils.

Wim's Red

A rather tall shrub, it can reach a height of up to 1.5 m and a width of 120 cm. It is best to plant seedlings in open, sunny areas. But it also feels great in the shade. The soil for planting must be acidic. This way the shade of the petals will be much richer. Frost-resistant, does not need shelter for the winter.

It has a conical inflorescence reaching up to 35 cm in diameter. The flowers have a pleasant, honey aroma. A distinctive feature of the species is that during the entire flowering period it changes color from milky (newly blossomed petals) to pink shades, and in the fall they acquire a rich cherry color.

Grandiflora

Another tall variety of paniculata hydrangea. Its height can reach two meters and its width up to 3 meters. The planted bush feels great in the shade and grows well in urban conditions. Sufficient watering must be provided. For young bushes, it is advisable to cover them for the winter trunk circle(soil around the trunk).

It begins to bloom in mid-June, the end of flowering is October. The inflorescences have a pyramidal shape. At the beginning of blooming, the petals have a creamy white hue, the full inflorescence is snow-white. At the end of summer the flowers turn pink, and in autumn they turn greenish-red.

Diamond Rouge

The shrub reaches a height of up to 1.5 m. A width of up to 1.2. Has an erect compact shape. It contains voluminous inflorescences, the length of which can be up to 40 cm. Flowering time begins at the end of June and ends in September. At the beginning of flowering, the petals have White color, and then acquire an intense crimson-red color. None of the varieties of paniculata hydrangea has this color. In autumn, the leaves turn orange instead of green.

Well suited for growing in urban environments. Frost-resistant, does not need shelter for the winter. Constant maintenance of soil moisture is required because the plant does not tolerate drought.

Kyushu

One of the tallest bushes, it can reach three meters in height. The width of the bush is up to two meters. The shrub grows very quickly. It has a thick, rounded crown. Flowering time begins in mid-June and ends in mid-September. The panicle inflorescences are cone-shaped and up to 25 cm long. Flowers of this species white shade with a strong pleasant aroma. In autumn, the green leaves turn yellow.

The variety is frost-resistant and can tolerate temperatures down to -25 degrees. It is necessary to constantly maintain soil moisture where the flower grows. The downside is that it attracts a lot of insects.

Limelight

One of the most popular varieties among landscape designers due to the fact that it has very strong shoots. The shoots do without supports, supporting heavy inflorescences on their own.

The bushes reach a height of two meters. They can also be up to two meters wide. It has voluminous panicle inflorescences. Flowering begins at the end of July and ends in September. If the plant is in the shade at the beginning of the flowering period, then the inflorescences have green color. In the sun it is white. Towards the end of flowering they acquire a pink color. Limelight has slightly velvety leaves. By autumn, the emerald hue of the foliage changes to purple.

To grow hydrangea in the garden, it is necessary to maintain constant humidity. It is best to plant seedlings in the sun. Despite the fact that adult plants are quite frost-resistant, young bushes must be covered for the winter.

Little Lime

A dwarf shrub reaching no more than 70 cm in height. It can be up to one meter wide. The flowering time begins in July and ends in October. Has similarities with Limelight hydrangea inflorescences. At the beginning of flowering, they are white-green in the shade and green in the sun. At the end of the flowering period, the inflorescences become pink. The only difference between these two species is the size of the bush.

Frost-resistant species, does not require shelter for the winter. It is best to plant in moist, well-drained and fertile soils. Can tolerate stagnant water very well.

Magical Candle

The shrub reaches two meters in height and one and a half meters in width. Medical Kendall is characterized by a spreading crown. The leaves are velvety and have an elongated shape. The inflorescences are cone-shaped and have a pleasant aroma. Flowering time begins in mid-June and ends in September. At the beginning of flowering, the petals have a creamy, sometimes greenish tint. Then they turn pink. At the end of flowering they turn crimson.

This type of hydrangea is best planted in the shade. Prefers acidic soil. Tolerates pruning well. Like most varieties, it is frost-resistant.

Pink Diamond

Plant height up to two meters, width up to one meter, erect stem. The flowering time is from late July to October. The inflorescences have a paniculate shape. At the beginning of flowering, the flowers are white, later they turn pink and towards the end of flowering they have a crimson tint. In spring the plant needs pruning. It is characterized by frost resistance, but it is better to cover young bushes for the winter.

Fraise Melba

The height of the bush is up to two meters, the width is also two meters. It has a spreading crown, vertical shoots and an unusual pointed foliage shape. It grows quite slowly, but with proper care, already at the age of two it reaches a height of up to 2 meters.

The flowering time begins in July and ends in September. A special feature of this variety is that three colors can be present on one inflorescence. The petals bloom white and then turn pink. By autumn they turn wine-red.

The branches require garter. In order to get lush inflorescences, you need to prune in the spring.

Phantom

The height of the bush is up to two meters, width – up to two meters. A distinctive feature of the Phantom variety is its unique honey aroma. The flowering time begins in July and ends in September. At the beginning of flowering, the petals are cream-colored; closer to autumn they become pink, and the tops begin to turn yellow. In mid-latitudes, if there are severe frosts in winter, then the young bush may freeze. Therefore, in the fall it needs to be covered with a layer of mulch.

Silver Dollar

This name was received due to the unusual flowering. At the beginning of flowering, the petals are white with a light green tint, and towards the end they acquire a silvery-pink color. Flowering begins in July and ends in September. It belongs to tall shrubs; it can reach two meters in height and two and a half meters in width.

Able to withstand even severe frosts (down to -29 degrees). But in the first year after planting, it is better to cover the root system. Due to the fact that the bush has strong shoots, it does not need to be tied up.

Sunday Fraise

A small, fairly compact bush. The height of the bush is about 1.3 m, width - 1.2 m. The flowering time of Sunday Fries begins in mid-June and ends in October. At the beginning of flowering, the petals are white, and towards the end they acquire a lilac-pink hue.

This variety is very resistant to various diseases and insects. Frost-resistant. It is better to plant on fertile soils; it prefers to grow in areas that are located in the shade.

Pinky Winky

Despite the fact that the Pinky Winky variety was obtained more than 10 years ago, it is still one of the the best varieties Hydrangea paniculata. The height of the bush reaches two meters, the width is one and a half meters. The shrub has a wide, rounded crown, which grows 30 cm larger every year. The flowering time begins at the end of June and ends in September. At the beginning of flowering, the petals have a milky tint; towards the end of flowering they acquire a pink-purple color. A distinctive feature is the foliage of the shrub; in summer it is green, and closer to autumn it becomes an intense purple color.

This variety can withstand severe frosts (down to -25 degrees). It is better to cover young seedlings so that they do not freeze. This can be done using burlap or spruce branches.

Planting a plant

You don’t need to spend a lot of time planting and caring for paniculata hydrangea. In order for hydrangea to take root quickly, you need to learn how to plant hydrangea correctly. It is also important to choose a place where to plant your hydrangea. The soil should be acidic. It is best to choose a place in the shade.

The question of when to plant hydrangea can be answered based on whether the bush is young or mature.

Young bushes are best planted in spring(in May), adults - in the fall(in September).

Propagation is done by cuttings or individual bushes.

How to plant hydrangea:

you need to dig a big hole. Optimal size– 80x80x60 cm;
then you need to moisten the soil well (2 buckets of water);
sand and humus are poured into the pit (1 part);
peat and fertile soil (2 parts);
urea and potassium sulfate (25 g);
superphosphate (65 g);
then cover the composition with earth;
after that, plant paniculata hydrangea in the hole, leaving no more than five buds on it;
you need to dig the plant in with soil so that the root collar is level with the ground;
then you need to water the bush with plenty of water.

If several hydrangea bushes are planted nearby, then the distance between them should be at least 1.5 m, since the bush grows very much.

It is important to remember that lime should not be added to the soil mixture for shrubs. It has a detrimental effect on the growth of hydrangea.

Shrub care

Planting and care in open ground is the main thing a gardener needs to know about paniculata hydrangea. It is not difficult to care for hydrangea; it is quite unpretentious. How to grow Hydrangea paniculata so that it produces lush flowering, interests many.

Hydrangea paniculata is a rather moisture-loving plant.

It is better to water it every other day, and on dry days every day with plenty of water.

Soil moisture must be maintained constantly. You can mulch the soil to keep water in the ground longer. This is especially true if it is not possible to water the flower every day.

It also needs to be fed once every two weeks. The first fertilizing is done when the soil thaws. At the same time as feeding, the plant is watered. This is necessary for this. To make the bush grow faster. You can feed with mullein solution or mineral mixtures. You can feed with fertilizers that will acidify the soil. In this case, you can use azalea fertilizer. Despite the fact that hydrangea is unpretentious, it is advisable to weed it at least once a month so that the roots have access to oxygen and moisture.

Young bushes need staking as they may not be able to support the weight of the inflorescences. This will cause the stems to break under the weight.

The plant needs to be pruned periodically. Doing so better in spring. Using garden shears, shoots up to 3-4 buds are removed from the bush. This is necessary for the bush to be lush. In the fall, the inflorescences are pruned, otherwise they may break the stems under the weight of snow.

Most varieties of hydrangea do not need shelter for the winter. The flower can survive even harsh winters. Only young bushes need to be covered.

Hydrangea paniculata will look great in any garden. Its ease of care and frost resistance make it very popular among gardeners. In order for it to grow and produce lush flowering, it is necessary to remember that it loves moisture. Feeding needs to be done periodically. Soil moisture must be maintained constantly. It can grow both in the shade and in the sun. This depends on the variety chosen. Before planting a bush, you need to make sure that acidic soil is chosen for planting. If not, then it needs to be acidified. Hydrangea prefers only acidic soils. Some varieties can change the color of their petals depending on the acidity level of the soil.

I dream of those times when stylish compositions of perennials will appear not only in private gardens, but also on the streets and parks of cities, instead of banal and very expensive annual flower beds. And the main character in such compositions should be paniculata hydrangea. This is one of the few shrubs that bloom from mid-summer until the beginning of winter. Even in cold and rainy October, the huge hydrangea inflorescences are still good, although touched by wilting.

Hydrangea is a very stylish shrub. She is more in tune with our climate and the discreet beauty of nature than anyone else. And she is ready to put up with both the gas pollution of megacities and harsh winters. Did you know that paniculata hydrangea grows equally well both in Crimea and in the Komi Republic? Of course, its winter hardiness is not unlimited, but the study of the plant in many botanical gardens in our country is increasingly expanding the geography of normal wintering for this species. For example, in the Leningrad region, a successful wintering of hydrangea was recorded in a year when the temperature dropped to -43. So far, the results of studying the cultivation of hydrangea in the Altai Territory are disappointing: the above-ground part freezes heavily, but in the summer the shoots grow back, which gives gardeners hope to select varieties that can bloom profusely in the short summer.

Let's figure out what hydrangea paniculata likes and doesn't like, how to grow powerful bushes with large and numerous inflorescences, how and when to prune, and whether it is necessary to cover it.

Hydrangea in Latin is Hydrangea, i.e. translated as a vessel for water. These are the key words in understanding what this plant needs. Regular and abundant watering. The hotter and drier the climate, the more water it uses. Surely, when you arrived at your dacha after a hot week, you found leaves drooping like rags on the branches of a hydrangea. But as soon as a couple of buckets of water were poured under the bush, the leaves became turgid.

That's why point one on the list of “things hydrangea loves” is water. Watering, including late autumn so-called moisture recharging. Mulching the tree trunk reduces the evaporation of water from the soil. For hydrangea, the most organic mulch is a mixture of pine needles and bark. When choosing a location and planting, keep in mind: hydrangea loves to drink water, but it cannot tolerate prolonged stagnation of water in the root zone.

Second point– well structured, but with high content clay particles soil. If you have light soil with a predominance of sand, then add at least a bucket of clay under each bush when planting. But too heavy, clogged soils are also harmful, so their structure is improved with sand. It is very important that the soil is highly fertile, so high-quality humus and compost are what you need for planting hydrangeas. AND the most important condition– acidic soil reaction. The best option is pH 5.1-5.5.

Third point– protection from direct sunlight at midday. This is especially important in the southern regions. It has been noticed that in too open sunny places, the growth of hydrangea slows down, and the inflorescences become smaller, even with good care.

Rules for planting and care

Think carefully about where your hydrangea will grow, because you plant it once every 30-40 years. And it will not be the small bush that touched you in the garden center. Hydrangea paniculata can reach 2.5 m in height and will take from 2 to 3 m in diameter. So right place and a carefully prepared planting hole. Like under fruit tree put in it a bucket of humus, 200-250 g of superphosphate and 100-150 g of potassium sulfate. No ash, much less lime! If the soil is alkaline or neutral, then add acidic peat.

It is better to plant seedlings with ACS in the spring, and in pots at any time, but no later than mid-August. After planting, water abundantly and mulch with a layer of at least 6-8 cm.

A year after planting, fertilizing begins. In the spring they use urea (20 g per 10 liters of water), in the summer - with mullein solution (just once!), and at the end of August with a complex mineral fertilizer free of nitrogen, chlorine and calcium. This diet affects appearance hydrangeas: large leaves, long inflorescences and many flowers. If chlorosis appears on the leaves, then it is urgent to do an acidity test and, accordingly, add acidifiers to the water for irrigation (for example, 5-6 g iron sulfate per 10 liters of water). And be sure to spray the leaves with ferovit solution a couple of times.

Do not overuse organic fertilizers and do not mulch the soil with humus. The best mulch is acidic peat, pine needles and bark. Renew the mulch layer annually.

Hydrangea paniculata does not require shelter for the winter, but it is better to mulch very small plants in the first year after planting so that the upper buds do not freeze during the first snowless frosts. And we have them often and are quite severe. And the bark can burst on the shoots. For adult hydrangeas, flaky (but not cracked!) bark is, in general, the norm, but in young shoots even small cracks can cause swelling.

Secateurs and a steady hand

Imagine that you went under the knife of a plastic surgeon, and at the most crucial moment he “regretted” cutting off what was so preventing you from being completely happy and being dazzlingly beautiful. Introduced? And I can imagine your reaction.

So, it is very important for hydrangeas to be beautiful so that you do not “regret” cutting off everything unnecessary. Your hand must be steady, the pruning shears must be sharp, and there must be a clear plan of action in your head. Only in this case the plant will delight you with its abundant flowering.

First you need to decide how many trunks your hydrangea will have. Of course, it looks very impressive on a trunk 50-70 cm high, but this is a separate topic, how to form such a tree. But most often hydrangea is grown in gardens as a shrub with 3-4 trunks. Therefore, all shoots growing below or parallel to the ground are cut into a ring.

In the year of planting, be sure to remove all inflorescences from a seedling less than 3 years old, cut off the shoots at a height of 2-3 pairs of leaves.

In the spring of the second year of planting, young hydrangea must be pruned, leaving 3-4 pairs of leaves on each shoot.

In the fall, without delay, be sure to cut off all the inflorescences (marked in red). This will lighten the bush and protect it from sticking wet snow, which can damage the bush itself and the buds. Follow this rule for the rest of the history of your bush.

In the spring, before the buds awaken, two types of pruning are carried out: sanitary and formative.

Sanitary pruning involves cutting out all weak and frozen, broken and damaged shoots into a ring. Be sure to remove weak shoots in the center of the bush.

Formative pruning involves removing excess shoots in the root zone and shortening annual shoots (marked in blue). On each annual shoot, 3-5 pairs of buds are left. This technique will allow you to increase the number of inflorescences every year. It is known that a properly formed 6-year-old bush has at least 50-60 inflorescences, and after 6 years their number can exceed 300 pieces.

The old bush is periodically rejuvenated by removing a branch with perennial wood “to the stump”. This allows a young replacement shoot to grow, which, by the way, will bloom in the summer.

Hydrangea paniculata is unusual plant amazing beauty, which has many types. It can be grown both at home in large pots and in your garden. Today we will tell you everything about planting and caring for paniculata hydrangea in open ground.

In the wild, paniculata hydrangea occurs as a shrub and small trees up to 10 m in height. Natural habitats are the southern shores of Sakhalin, China and the islands of Japan. Here hydrangea grows in the form of trees.

In our latitudes, hydrangea also grows well, but no more than 3 m in height. She got used to the heat of the south of the country, and to the frosts of the Urals and Siberia. However, the territory of central Russia, the Moscow region, is especially well suited for its cultivation. With proper care, the bush will add 25-30 cm every year.

Paniculata hydrangea in the garden looks very picturesque. Flowering begins in early July and lasts until the first frost. Inflorescences up to 30 cm long resemble panicles in shape. Small flowers grow on them, which can be of 2 types:

bisexual (small in size, after pollination the petals quickly fall off);
sterile (about 3 cm, do not fall off for a long time).

In many species of this plant, the petals change color. At first they are creamy, then gradually become pink, then turn green or red.

The leaves are oval in shape, quite large - reaching 10-12 cm in length. They have a velvety texture and are also slightly pubescent. Leaf blades abundantly cover the branches.

Hydrangea paniculata is considered a long-liver. On average, it grows for about 60 years.

The following varieties of paniculata hydrangea are most suitable for growing on our territory:

Pinky-Winky;
Grandiflora;
Polar bear;
Kyushu;
Tardiva;
Limelight;
Vanilla fries;
Phantom;
Mega Pearl.

Every year, hydrangea varieties are updated. You can always pick up suitable variety and plant it on your site. However, before doing this, you should definitely find out whether it is suitable for growing in your climate or not.

Hydrangea propagation occurs by seeds, cuttings and layering. This can be done at home, but keep in mind that planting in open ground will not occur earlier than two years. This is a very labor-intensive and slow process. It is best to buy ready-made seedlings for planting.

Getting ready to land

Planting hydrangea paniculata, as well as subsequent care for it, does not require special skills. The shrub grows quickly and begins to bloom within 2-3 years. But you should still familiarize yourself with the basic rules in order to properly plant hydrangea in open ground. These include:

Landing place. Choose areas that are protected from strong winds and have good lighting. It should be borne in mind that it blooms best in partial shade, that is, it will be great if a shrub or tree grows nearby. It is best to plant on the east side of the garden.
Hydrangea planting dates. In cold climates, seedlings should be planted in early May, in the southern regions - in September.
Soil and acidity. Hydrangea grows very well in fertile and clay soils that are rich in humus. It grows worse on red soils. Sandy soils are completely contraindicated. Optimal indicator acidity is pH 5.3-6.0. That is, the soil should be slightly acidic, this way you can ensure maximum brightness of the inflorescences. On neutral soil, the inflorescences are pale in color, and the bush grows slowly.
Purchase of seedlings. Give preference to seedlings only with a closed root system, as they are less likely to be susceptible to any diseases. Seedlings can be bought at garden stores and flower fairs.

Step-by-step instructions for planting paniculate hydrangea

The technology for planting garden paniculata hydrangea is as follows:

2-4 weeks before planting, completely clear the area of plant debris and dig up with a shovel.
Dig holes 40-50 cm deep and 70*70 cm wide. If you plan to make hedge, then dig a continuous groove of the same dimensions. The distance between the holes can be from 1 m to 2.5 m - it all depends on the specific variety.
Prepare the soil mixture. The composition includes leaf soil, turf soil, peat and humus in equal quantities. Nutrients should also be added there: 25 g of potassium sulfate, 70 g of superphosphate and 25 g of urea. Under no circumstances should you add chalk, lime and wood ash.
Fill the planting holes with the prepared soil mixture.
After 2-4 weeks, dig the holes again. For planting, 3-4 year old hydrangea seedlings are taken. If they were with open roots, then they should be shortened a little.
Place the seedling on a cone of soil mixture required depth and carefully fill the hole. The root collar should be located at ground level, maximum 1-2 cm lower. Compact the soil with your palms.
Water the bush with 10 liters of warm, settled water and mulch. Sawdust, bark or peat work well as mulch.

Below is a photo of planting hydrangea paniculata:

Garden hydrangea is a heat-loving plant that needs fertile soil and sufficient moisture. If you want to grow a strong and healthy shrub, do not neglect these instructions.

Care after landing

It is impossible to grow paniculata hydrangea without proper care. It includes several factors, each of which we will examine in more detail:

1. Watering. Hydrangea is a moisture-loving flower. In the absence of sufficient moisture, development is disrupted, so drought is strictly contraindicated. It is recommended to water once every 2 weeks with 20 liters of water, in hot weather - once a week, and in rainy summers - once a month.

You can add 2-3 g of potassium permanganate to the water for irrigation to prevent the development of rot. It should be watered in the tree trunk in the morning or evening, when the sun is not scorching. Do not forget to loosen the soil 5 cm deep after each watering and remove weeds.

2. Mulching. After watering, sprinkle the soil with peat chips or pine needles. This will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.

3. Feeding. It should be applied quite often, since the shrub is a fast-flowering one. In spring, water the hydrangea with a urea solution (20 g per 10 liters of water). Under large bushes, at least 20 liters should be poured.

At the beginning of the growing season good result can be achieved by adding nettle infusion, and then immediately a bucket of water. Mullein solution should be added every 2 weeks. It is prepared simply: fill a bucket of manure with 3 liters of water and let it brew for 3 days, after which dilute 1 liter of infusion in 10 liters of water and water the bush. When the first buds appear, apply 2 mineral fertilizers (70 g superphosphate + 45 g potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water) with a two-week break between each feeding.

4. Pruning in spring and autumn. All varieties of paniculate hydrangea require pruning. In November, all dry inflorescences should be cut off so that they do not create additional weight on the branches in winter. In the spring, before sap flow begins, you should completely get rid of incorrectly located and weak shoots. Frost damage should be pruned back to a healthy location. Annual shoots should be shortened by a third. When pruned on time and correctly, hydrangea blooms very profusely.

5. Shelter for the winter. After removing faded inflorescences, you need to prepare for winter. paniculate hydrangeas tree type does not need to be covered. They are winter-hardy - simple mulching is enough for them. In the conditions of the Moscow region, Middle zone, North-West, Siberia and the Urals, hydrangea must be covered.

To do this, the bush is covered with soil, and the tree trunk circle should be mulched with pine needles, rotted manure or peat. Afterwards, bend the branches extremely carefully to the ground so that they do not break. Cover them with spruce branches, sawdust or dry leaves. Place a box or box on top of the bush. Carefully tie up large bushes, make a frame shelter (a kind of “hut”) and sprinkle dry leaves there. The winter shelter should be dismantled gradually, you can start in April.

Caring for hydrangea is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to water and feed on time, then the risk of disease and pests will be minimized. Do not forget about pruning, then lush flowering will be ensured.

Paniculata hydrangea can fit into any landscape design. You can grow a hedge from it, plant it in pairs. It will look great as a single plant.

Planting paniculata hydrangea will decorate problem areas of the garden. Caring for crops certainly requires certain skills and effort. However, you just have to look at the photo of this beauty to be convinced that the game is worth the candle!

Description of hydrangea paniculata

Hydrangea paniculata is a genus of shrubs and trees from the Saxifraga family. Originally from Far East. The height of the paniculata hydrangea bush reaches 3 meters (some varieties up to 10 m). Shoots are upright, spreading. From the second year of growing season, the stems become woody. The leaves are opposite, large, finely toothed.

Hydrangea pleases gardeners with a long flowering period

Hydrangea paniculata differs from other species in the shape of its inflorescence. Many small graceful flowers are collected in pyramidal panicles. Spike-shaped inflorescences reach up to 30 cm in length and 20 cm in width. It blooms very profusely, forming a luxurious crown, from June to October. The first flowering occurs in the 3-4th year of growth. The color of the flowers is chameleon: by autumn the white color will be replaced by pink.

An adult paniculata hydrangea bush is completely winter-hardy. It grows on acidic and polluted soils, in shaded areas, and is very moisture-loving. Long-lived - grows up to 60 years. Hydrangea paniculata is an excellent honey plant and will decorate any, even the most specific area of the garden.

Popular varieties of paniculata hydrangea

Grandiflora(“Grandiflora”) is a common popular variety. Fast-growing bush with large inflorescences. During the flowering period, it changes color four times: when the inflorescences bloom - cream; full bloom– white, turning into pink; in autumn – red-green. Blooms slightly later than other varieties.
Variety "Grandiflora"
"Kyushu"(“Kyushu”) - reaches a height of three meters, distinguished by a spreading fan-shaped crown. The flowers have a pleasant aroma.
Variety "Kyushu"
"Mathilda"(“Matilda”) - a bush up to two meters in height. The crown of the bush reaches 3 m in diameter. The flowers change color from cream to red-green.
Variety "Mathilda"
"Pink Diamond"(“Pink Diamond”) - is distinguished by very large inflorescences, which over time acquire an almost red color.
Variety "Pink Diamond"
"Brussels Lace"(“Brussels Lace”) is a rare variety. Forms many inflorescences with fruiting flowers. She looks tender, like a bride.
Variety "Brussels Lace"
"Tardiva"(“Tardiva”) - characterized by late flowering (August - October). The height of the bush is up to three meters, the inflorescences are located at the ends of the shoots. Used for group plantings.
Variety "Tardiva"

A variety of varieties of paniculata hydrangea will help you choose the one that is right for you.

Planting paniculata hydrangea

Before planting hydrangea paniculata, you need to choose the right place.

Illumination. Hydrangea is planted in semi-shaded areas. On open areas hydrangea will grow poorly and the inflorescences will become smaller.

Hydrangea should be planted in partial shade. Where other shrubs grow poorly, it will feel great

The soil. The plant prefers fertile clay or loamy soil. Does not develop in sandy soil. The soil for growing hydrangea should be acidic, so the flowering will be abundant and the color of the flowers will be brighter. You can acidify the soil by first adding half-rotted pine needles, sawdust, and brown peat to it.

Important! Do not apply deoxidizers to hydrangea - lime, dolomite flour, ash.

Humidity. Hydrangea is a very moisture-loving plant and may not tolerate proximity to the same “drinkers.” To maintain moisture under the crown, it is recommended to plant ground cover flowers: saxifrage and sedum.

Planting hydrangeas is very easy

Hydrangea paniculata is planted in early spring and in autumn. The planting hole should be wide, up to 70 cm in diameter, to evenly distribute the roots. The recess is filled with a portion of mineral or organic fertilizers and moisturizes. When planting a hydrangea seedling, the root collar should not be buried. Covered with soil and compacted landing hole need to be watered generously.

Advice. In autumn, planting paniculata hydrangea can only be done in the southern regions. In all others - only in the spring.

The distance between planted bushes is at least one and a half meters. In group plantings of hydrangeas, to achieve rapid closure of the crowns, seedlings can be planted at a shorter distance from each other. As they grow, such plantings are thinned out.

Care for hydrangea paniculata

Hydrangea paniculata is a rather demanding and capricious plant. Proper care will help you achieve bright abundant flowering on a powerful healthy bush.

Watering. Abundant and regular (during drought at least twice a week). After watering, the soil must be loosened, avoiding cracking of the top layer. The solution to the problem will be mulching with pine needles or peat.

Mulching hydrangeas

Feeding. Hydrangea is very responsive to fertilization. At the beginning of growth, it will be useful to add a diluted infusion of nettle. Mineral fertilizing is applied carefully, without excess, but regularly (every 10 days). It is preferable to use water-soluble fertilizers and apply them along with watering. From organic matter, slurry and diluted bird droppings are excellent.

Important! The interval for fertilizing hydrangea should not exceed 15 days. Otherwise, flowering will be sparse and faded.

Trimming. Every year, hydrangea bushes need to be pruned short. This way they will retain their attractiveness for a long time and bloom profusely.

In autumn, all remaining inflorescences, old and weak shoots, and branches growing inside the bush are cut off from the bush. It is recommended to leave 10-12 strong shoots in winter.

Pruning hydrangea

Spring pruning is carried out before the buds open. The shoots of an adult bush are cut to 2-3 buds, young ones - to 3-5. This pruning will allow the bush to gain strength over the summer and meet the winter fully armed. Flowering becomes more luxuriant.

Important! Pruning is required for paniculata hydrangea. Otherwise, the bush develops poorly and does not bloom.

Old bushes need to be rejuvenated from time to time. To do this, the shoots are cut under the stump. The bush is completely restored in two years. Standard methods of growing paniculata hydrangea require more gentle pruning.

Shelter. Young seedlings require winter shelter spruce branches or other materials. In regions with harsh climates, mature bushes also need to be covered.

Do not neglect covering the bushes for the winter

A photo of paniculata hydrangea in the garden conveys all its beauty and inspires to overcome difficulties when growing.

Hydrangea propagation

Hydrangea paniculata reproduces in the following ways:

Seeds.
By cuttings.
By layering.

It is immediately worth noting that propagating hydrangea by seeds is not justified. The seeds are very small, they produce unfriendly shoots, the quality is lost, and a flowering bush can only be obtained after four years.

Hydrangea seeds

The most common method of propagation is cuttings. Cuttings are taken from one-year-old mature shoots. Typically, ripening occurs in June, when hydrangea produces buds.

Important! Cuttings cut in spring and autumn do not root well.

Rules for cutting cuttings:

the cutting must have at least three pairs of buds;
the lower section under the kidney at a distance of 2 cm;
the upper cut above the bud at a distance of 5 cm (if the shoot is small, the upper cut can be omitted);
the lower leaves are removed, leaving 1-2 leaves at the top;
the remaining sheets are cut in half.

The chopped shoots need to be soaked in water for several days. Hydrangea is very capricious when propagating, so to achieve the desired result, it is recommended to treat the cuttings with a growth stimulator.

Cutting hydrangea cuttings

The cuttings are rooted in containers with a sand-peat mixture (1:2). Is buried planting material by 2/3. The soil mixture is covered with a layer of sand on top so that the bottom of the cutting does not reach the peat mixture. The seedlings are covered with jars and placed in the shade.

It is very important to maintain constant humidity in the containers, otherwise the cuttings will not take root. Spraying and watering should be done every day. The first roots will appear after three weeks. Now you can remove the jars and continue to water the seedlings regularly.

For the winter, containers should be placed in a cool but frost-free place. During this period, you need to monitor the condition of the plant and prevent the appearance of fungus.

Using the cutting method you will get a young plant by next year

Seedlings are planted in open ground in August next year. By this time, the cuttings will already have young shoots. If flower buds appear during this period, they need to be cut off so that the plant can gain strength. A young seedling needs to be covered for the winter, and only after the first flowering is the bush considered winter-hardy.

Obtaining layering of paniculata hydrangea is quite simple. One-year-old mature shoots are bent into a dug ditch 20-25 cm deep. Shallow cuts are first made on the stem at the intended location of root germination. In the ditch, the layer is pinned or fixed with a stone. The upper part of the shoot must be above the ground, always in a vertical position. The ditch is filled with earth and moistened.

Hydrangea is easily propagated by layering

Already next spring, the layering will produce young shoots. There is no need to rush to separate them from the mother bush. This can be done in a year, when the young animals have gained enough strength. All varietal properties of the mother bush are preserved.

Diseases and pests

Hydrangea in the garden is affected by many diseases and pests. To the very dangerous diseases relate:

The fight against diseases must be carried out in a timely manner with special preparations and not to forget about preventive measures.

Snails can cause significant damage to hydrangea leaves.

Pests of hydrangea paniculata:

snails - feed on leaves;
aphids and spider mite– located on the underside of the leaf, they feed on plant sap;
pennies and bedbugs are larger sucking pests;
leaf beetle, leaf roller, weevil - gnaw and twist leaves;
nematodes - live in root tissues.

Important! During the flowering of paniculata hydrangea, spraying with chemicals is not recommended.

Weak plants cannot resist diseases. Cultivation of zoned varieties, compliance with agricultural technology, preventive spring spraying Bordeaux mixture, removing dried branches - these are the measures that will help avoid the scourge of most diseases.

Weevil

Plants damaged by nematodes and viral infections must be removed.

Hydrangea paniculata is a very capricious beauty. Growing it involves many difficulties. But when the first huge inflorescences appear, all the difficulties are forgotten, and you just want to enjoy this incredible miracle of nature.