Contents
Hydrangea oakleaf and its variety amethyst
In autumn, in some household plots, you can see a plant with burgundy, purple or red large leaves – this is an oak-leaved hydrangea. The peculiarity of this species is the carved leaves, similar to the green of the oak.
Oakleaf hydrangea varieties
Hydrangea is a perennial shrub about 2 m high. Its buds are collected in cone-shaped inflorescences up to 0,3 m long. Petals are white. The sheets are complex. Consist of 7 blades pointed at the ends. The top of the leaves is smooth and rough. Their lower part is covered with small whitish villi.
In autumn, the leaves of hydrangea oakleaf acquire a reddish tint.
The most popular varieties of oakleaf hydrangea:
- Hydrangea “Burgundy”. The height of the bush is no more than 2 m. The buds consist of 4 white petals. Blooms in June and July. The fruits ripen in early autumn.
- Hydrangea “Harmony”. Plant height is no more than 1,8 m. Large panicle inflorescences consist of double buds. The petals are white. Blooms from early June to August.
- Hydrangea “Ice Crystal”. The bush grows up to 1,8 m. White 4-petal flowers are collected in large panicles. The diameter of the buds is from 3 to 4 cm. In autumn, the leaves practically do not change color. Blooms from June to August. The fruits ripen in September.
- Hydrangea oak-leaved “Amethyst”. The height of the bush is from 1,5 to 2 m. Inflorescences are medium. They consist of creamy white 4-petal buds. Blooms from June to September. The petals gradually become pinkish. Closer to autumn, they acquire a purple tone.
All hydrangea quercifolia varieties are highly decorative. They differ in the color of autumn leaves, the size of the panicles, the period of flowering and the shade of the petals.
Growing hydrangea oakleaf
Hydrangea is usually planted in the ground in the spring. To do this, choose a slightly shaded area of the garden. Greenery and plant flowers can be damaged from direct sunlight. The soil should be slightly alkaline with a pH not higher than 6,5.
In order for the shrub to develop correctly and bloom profusely, you need to follow simple rules for caring for it:
- Mulching. Once a year, you need to cover the soil around the bush with a layer of peat, sawdust or leaf humus. This will protect the earth from weathering and drying out.
- Top dressing. Fertilize the soil under the plant in late May or early June. For this, complex mineral fertilizers are used. After 2 weeks, the bush can be fed again.
- Watering. Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant, so the ground around it should not dry out. It is better to water the bush with settled water. Pour at least 3 buckets of water under each plant at a time.
Hydrangea is an unpretentious plant. An adult shrub does not suffer even at –29 ° C. But young plants do not tolerate frost well. Therefore, they must be insulated for the winter. For this, the shoots of the bush are bent to the ground and covered with a layer of leaves or straw.
Due to the unusual shape of the leaves and the large tender inflorescences, hydrangea quercifolia will look good in the garden. And her purple crown will delight the eye until late autumn.