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Hydrangea large-leaved Aisha is one of the representatives of moisture-loving shrubs. It has very beautiful flowering and decorative leaves. Often it is grown not only in the garden, but also indoors. In any case, it remains attractive for a long time.
The beauty of blooming Aisha will not leave anyone indifferent
Description of hydrangea Aisha
This variety is an upright shrub with excellent external characteristics:
- The bush is undersized, in the adult state Aisha reaches 1,2 m, the width of the crown is up to 1,5 m in diameter. Annual growth up to 25 cm.
- Hydrangea Aisha shoots are densely leafy. All branches of the current year are green. Woody next year, so woody – always last year. It is this fact that is the reason for the weak frost resistance of Aisha hydrangea.
- The leaves are green, oval in shape with notches at the ends. The second option is wavy at the edges. Quite large in size.
- The flowers of Aisha hydrangea are very decorative, they are formed on the shoots of the last year, unlike other types of hydrangeas. The shape of the flowers is spherical, the diameter of one reaches 3 cm. The color changes in the process of opening. At first they are creamy white, then they turn pink or blue. The final color depends on the acidity of the soil. Some specimens are very similar in shape to lilac flower petals. The aroma is light and subtle, which is a hallmark of the Aisha variety. Hydrangea flowers are usually odorless.
- Aisha’s inflorescences are domed and large, ideal for cutting. The diameter of one is 20-25 cm.
- Seeds ripen in a box, the size of the seeds is very small. One contains a large number of hydrangea seeds.
By adjusting soil acidity, amazing color changes can be observed.
Hydrangea Aisha in landscape design
The shape and decorativeness of the variety make it possible to use the plant as a tapeworm, also for decorating group plantings. Aisha goes well with other types of hydrangeas, so groups can be formed from one species or from several. The originality of the composition is given in the form of container plants. Looks harmonious with trees and other shrubs. From garden plants for hydrangea partnership, Aisha prefers rhododendrons or holly holly. Designers recommend using ivy, periwinkle, hosta, fern or anemone for the lower tier of compositions. The hedge from Aisha looks great.
A border of hydrangeas will decorate any site
The plant lives up to 50 years, which must also be taken into account when placing it on the site.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Aisha
The demands of culture on air temperature are well known to gardeners. This is due to:
- close location of the roots to the surface of the soil;
- lignification of shoots only for the next year;
- laying flower buds in the first cycle of life.
In severe frosts, hydrangea freezes easily. The optimum temperature that the plant will tolerate without much damage is -18 ° C. This mark is taken into account only if the bush is warmed, at least similarly to roses. If the hydrangea freezes, then it will not bloom the next year. It can please the gardener with lush foliage, nothing more. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare Aisha for winter in regions with a cool climate.
Hydrangea Aisha retains its magnificent decorativeness only with appropriate shelter for the winter.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Aisha
Planting Aisha is an important stage in the life of a shrub. The further development of the plant depends on how competently it will be carried out. The second period, no less responsible for the gardener, is leaving before the end of the growing season. To properly conduct these phases, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances and responsibly approach each event:
- choosing a place and preparing it for planting hydrangeas;
- fulfilling all the nuances of the Aisha landing process;
- compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology for the care of shrubs.
Each has its own subtleties, the knowledge of which is necessary.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
In order for the hydrangea to develop well and bloom luxuriantly, you need to choose an area with partial shade. It is best if the plant is well lit in the morning, and then in the “openwork shade”. The bright sun reduces the saturation of the color of the flowers. Aisha should not be placed close to trees. Hydrangea absorbs a lot of moisture, and with such a neighborhood you will have to compete.
The soil for hydrangea Aisha should be fertile and well-drained. The presence of lime in it is unacceptable. Alkaline soil is not suitable for cultivation. It is optimal to plant a large-leaved hydrangea in soil with a slightly acidic or medium acidic environment. Such acidity will be provided by a mixture of leafy soil, turf, peat and sand in equal proportions. Be sure to prepare a drainage system for Aisha.
Rules of landing
Large-leaved hydrangea hydrangea macrophylla ayesha tolerates planting well. The best time is late spring, when the danger of frost has passed. The whole process for an experienced gardener takes a little time. Beginners will first have to familiarize themselves with the sequence of actions:
- Dig a hole of the same depth and width. The parameters vary from 30 cm to 70 cm, they depend on the size of the root system or coma. The distance between the pits should be at least 2 m.
The pit must be of sufficient size and always with a drainage layer.
- Install drainage.
- Pour part of the prepared soil mixture.
- Install Aisha’s seedling, cover the roots with the remaining soil mixture.Important! Do not bury the root neck, leave it at ground level.
- Lightly compact the ground, water the Aisha hydrangea seedling.
- Be sure to mulch around the trunk circle. Lay a layer of mulch at least 10-12 cm.
A good material for mulch is needles or sawdust.
Watering and top dressing
The growth and decorative effect of Aisha hydrangea directly depend on the irrigation schedule. If the shrub is not watered in time or not enough, then the hydrangea will immediately react with the loss of its attractiveness and cease to please with lush flowering. Inflorescences will become faded and drooping. Large-leaved hydrangea should be watered with settled warm water. Experienced gardeners are advised to have a water tank on the site so that it heats up naturally. However, care must be taken not to overheat. Periodically (1 time per month), you can water the hydrangea with a solution of citric acid, after measuring the acidity index.
Top dressing under the bush is applied throughout the growing season with an interval of 14 days. Be sure to alternate mineral complexes with organic matter. It is important to remember that hydrangea cannot be fed with ash, manure or humus. The plant does not like these substances. When signs of chlorosis appear, it is necessary to feed Aisha hydrangea with a solution of iron salts at least 3 times with a frequency of 7 days. The main top dressings are considered to be spring in the budding phase and autumn in preparation for winter.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Aisha
There is no need to trim the bush. It will take only sanitary cutting of dry and broken branches. The second option is to give the desired geometric shape to the crown of Aisha hydrangea. For the first 2 years, the plant should not be touched so that the hydrangea can grow the required volume of branches. You can cut the shoots in spring or autumn. When the period of active vegetation comes, it is not recommended to touch Aisha.
Preparation for winter
In order for the hydrangea to survive the winter, measures must be taken to warm the shrub. First, good hydration is essential. Secondly, spraying the branches with a Bordeaux mixture from the appearance of diaper rash. As soon as the time of night frosts comes, you need to do the following:
- Spud the bush with a layer of 20-30 cm.
- From above cover with two layers of agrospan or similar material.
- Bend the branches to the ground, cover with dry foliage or spruce branches.
- Cover the bush with a box or crate.
It is necessary to remove the shelter in the spring only after warm weather is established and the threat of frost has passed.
Proper shelter will keep the bush flowering for the next year.
Reproduction
According to the recommendations of gardeners, cuttings are the best way to propagate large-leaved hydrangea. If the event is held in the summer, then with green shoots. Lignified cuttings are taken in winter. Parts of the shoots take root quite actively. After planting with proper care, Aisha blooms the next year. Less popular methods are propagation by layering and seeds. It will be easier to divide the bush during transplantation. So, too, you can get full-fledged plants that will bloom in the spring.
Diseases and pests
The shrub can be affected by fungal infections. When oily yellow spots appear on the leaves, you need to treat the plant with a fungicide. This is a symptom of downy mildew, which spreads very quickly. If you do not take protective measures, the plant will die.
The second type of disease, which is quite common, is chlorosis. The reason is feeding the bush with humus or alkalization of the soil. It is necessary to increase the acidity and revise the feeding schedule.
With a lack of moisture, a spider mite settles on hydrangeas. You need to fight the pest by spraying with an insecticide, for example, Aktellik. Repeat the treatment after 5 days until the tick is destroyed.
Conclusion
Hydrangea large-leaved Aisha is a real decoration of the garden plot. Observing agrotechnical recommendations, even a novice florist is able to independently grow an ornamental shrub.