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For the improvement of the garden plot, summer residents plant perennial shrubs, as they are unpretentious, frost-resistant, grow quickly and multiply easily. Hydrangea Blaumeise is a bright representative of large-leaved varieties. Thanks to blue or pink inflorescences, the shrub is combined with coniferous crops, undersized perennials and annuals.
Description of hydrangea Blaumeise
Hydrangea Blaumeise is a large-leaved shrub with sky-blue or pink spherical inflorescences. The wide sheet plate is painted in a rich olive color. The shoots are thick and strong, able to withstand heavy inflorescences. Therefore, when carrying out timely pruning, the bush will not need support. The color of the flower depends on the quality of the soil. On acidic soil, the bush is covered with blue flowers, on neutral soil – pink. The variety is fast growing, the annual growth is 20 cm.
The main characteristics of hydrangea Blaumeise:
- pink-blue spherical inflorescences with a diameter of 20 cm;
- the foliage is large, glossy;
- the bush is powerful, sprawling, reaches a height of 220 cm, a width of 150 cm;
- flowering is long, from June to October;
- inflorescences appear on last year’s shoots.
Hydrangea large-leaved Blaumais in landscape design
The color of Blaumeise hydrangea depends on the quality of the soil. Therefore, the color scheme can be created independently. If the neutral soil is acidified on one side, then both pink and blue inflorescences will appear on the bush.
Due to the long flowering, hydrangea is a frequent guest of personal plots:
- Due to the dense foliage, hydrangea is suitable for creating a green screen.
- Bushes planted near walls and fences create the illusion of increased space.
- Hydrangea will hide unsightly buildings.
- A flowering plant looks great along sidewalks and garden paths, especially if the color alternates. It is also often planted in single specimens on the lawn.
- In addition to large-leaved varieties, there are also paniculate ones. By planting spherical and paniculate varieties nearby, you can transform even the most boring corner of the garden.
- Hydrangea is the bush that is perfect for a recreation area.
Winter hardiness of large-leaved hydrangea Blaumeise
Hydrangea Blaumeise is a cold-resistant variety. An adult plant can withstand frosts down to -25 ° C. But young seedlings require shelter for the first 2 years, since the fragile root system and tender shoots may not endure severe frosts.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Blaumeise
Hydrangea hydrangea m Blaumeise is an unpretentious large-leaved shrub. But in order to grow a flowering plant, you need to make a minimum of effort and maximum care. First of all, it is important to choose the right planting material. It is better to purchase a seedling from trusted suppliers at the age of 2 years.
When buying, carefully inspect the root system and shoots. Roots should be without signs of rot and disease, shoots with evenly colored, smooth bark.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
When choosing a place for planting Blaumeise hydrangeas, it must be borne in mind that the shrub does not tolerate direct sunlight. So that the flower does not suffer from heat, and the roots do not overheat, the hydrangea is planted in a place where there will be sunlight only in the morning and evening hours. When planted in an open area, the color of the inflorescences will be dull, and the leaf plate will get burned.
It is also important to consider the location of nearby trees. Since hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant, under large plantings it will suffer from a lack of moisture and nutrients.
Rules of landing
Flowering, growth and development depend on compliance with the rules of planting. Blaumeise hydrangea is planted in spring in regions with harsh winters and in autumn in southern cities. Spring planting is carried out only after warming up the soil and the end of spring frosts.
Landing rules:
- At the selected site, they dig a hole measuring 35×35 cm.
- The soil removed from the hole is mixed in equal proportions with sand and sheet substrate.
- A mineral complex and ammonium sulfate are added to the finished soil mixture.
- Drainage is laid at the bottom and the prepared soil is poured into a mound.
- A seedling with straightened roots is installed on it.
- The hole is filled with nutrient mixture. The top layer is compacted and poured abundantly with settled water.
- To retain moisture, the trunk circle is covered with peat, straw, needles or foliage. The layer of mulch should be at least 7 cm.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea Blaumeise is a moisture-loving plant, so the soil must be constantly moistened. Watering is carried out 2 times a month. For each adult bush spend 15-20 liters. Irrigation is done strictly under the root, as moisture on the foliage leads to the appearance of fungal and infectious diseases.
When feeding, you need to take into account the desired color range of inflorescences. For blue and lilac flowering, use a top dressing with a low phosphorus content. For abundant and long budding, experts recommend using a top dressing that is specifically designed for this plant.
When preparing fertilizer on your own, you need to mix 25 g of nitrogen fertilizers, 5 g of phosphorus and 30 g of potash for blue flowering. For pink and red – 10 g of nitrogen, 40 g of phosphorus and 10 g of potash fertilizers.
Hydrangea Blaumeise is fed 3 times a season:
- in the spring they add a mineral complex or organic matter;
- during the formation of buds and flowering, fertilizers are used depending on the desired color;
- in the fall, potassium-phosphorus top dressing is necessary.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Blaumeise
Pruning is necessary to obtain lush flowering. But since the young seedling blooms in the third year after planting, only sanitary pruning is carried out at a young age.
Adult hydrangea bushes Blaumeise pruned in the spring. Since dried inflorescences preserve the kidneys from severe frosts. The procedure is carried out with a sharp, sterile instrument. Old bushes need rejuvenating pruning. To do this, remove 2-3 shoots to the first living kidney. The plant is gradually rejuvenated, since cardinal pruning will lead not only to the absence of flowering, but also to the death of the plant.
Preparation for winter
Hydrangea Blaumeise is a cold-resistant variety. But young seedlings and plants growing in regions with harsh winters require shelter. For this:
- The plant is fed with phosphorus and potassium.
- The trunk circle is covered with peat.
- The bush is covered with non-woven material or spruce branches.
In the spring, the shelter is removed gradually with an interval of 14 days. The procedure begins in April, and ends after the end of spring frosts.
Reproduction
Blaumeise hydrangea can be propagated by seeds, branches and green cuttings. Seed propagation is a laborious and lengthy occupation, therefore it is suitable only for experienced flower growers.
Cuttings are carried out in the second half of summer. Cuttings of 10-15 cm are cut from a non-flowering shoot. After processing in a growth stimulator, the planting material is buried at an angle into the ground and removed to a warm place. For quick rooting, the container is covered with a glass jar. After the shelter is removed, and the seedling is removed to a cooler place. A young plant is planted on the prepared site in the spring, after the soil has warmed up.
Reproduction by branches is a simple and fast way. For rooting, a strong, horizontal shoot, which is located closer to the ground, is suitable. The selected planting material is laid in a trench, leaving the top above the ground. The shoot is sprinkled with nutrient soil, shed and mulched. A year later, the rooted branch is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a prepared place.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Blaumeise is immune to diseases and pests. But if agricultural technology is not followed, the plant can be affected by such ailments as:
- Chlorosis – appears on alkaline soil and when watering with hard water. When infected, the leaf plate becomes discolored, leaving only the veins dark. You can get rid of the disease by acidifying the soil.
- spider mite – the pest settles on the plant in dry weather with low humidity. You can recognize it by a thin web that covers the entire above-ground part. Pest control should be carried out using garlic, onion infusion or broad-spectrum insecticides.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Blaumeise is a flowering, large-leaved plant. Due to the bright inflorescences, the shrub is often used in landscape design. Subject to agricultural technology, the plant will delight its owner throughout the warm period.