Hydrangea paniculata Big Ben: description, planting and care, reviews

Panicled hydrangea is a plant of unusual beauty. It can be grown in flowerpots and in the garden. Thanks to a large selection, you can choose the look you like best. Hydrangea Big Ben will be a bright decoration of any garden. The plant gained popularity not for its bright flowering, but for the fact that the inflorescences change color throughout the season.

Description Hydrangea Big Ben

Hydrangea Big Ben forms a sprawling, symmetrical bush 2,5 m high. In spring, oblong leaves with serrated edges appear on bright burgundy strong shoots. Large, fragrant, cone-shaped inflorescences in the budding phase are colored green, then they acquire a soft pink color, and in early autumn they become rich pink. Flowering is long, from June to September.

The color of the flower changes as it blooms.

Hydrangea Big Ben in landscape design

Hydrangea Big Ben is ideal for creating flower arrangements. When planted next to an artificial reservoir, bright flowers, reflected in the water, give the site a lively and embossed look. Since the shrub lends itself well to modeling, the hydrangea can be turned into a flowering ball or formed into a hedge. The shrub is large, so it will look good in a single planting and next to ornamental shrubs. Hydrangea planted in the recreation area will give the place coziness and comfort.

When decorating a personal plot, you need to know which plants the flower harmonizes with:

• with conifers – in combination with spruce crops, the site acquires a Mediterranean look;
  
  

  Needles will prevent the development of diseases and prevent the appearance of insect pests

• flowering perennials, roses, dahlias, azalea, look good in combination with Big Ben hydrangea;
• ornamental shrubs in combination with hydrangea give the site a unique look.

Hydrangea goes well with flowering perennials.

Winter hardiness of Hydrangea Big Ben

Hydrangea paniculata big ben is a cold-resistant plant. Without shelter, an adult bush can withstand up to -25 ° C. But, in order not to lose the plant, the young bush is covered with mulch and agrofibre for 2 years after planting.

Planting and caring for Hydrangea Big Ben

Hydrangea Big Ben is an unpretentious plant. A fast growing shrub, the first inflorescences appear 2 years after planting. But in order for it to become a decoration of a personal plot, you need to correctly choose a seedling and know the agrotechnical rules.

When buying, it is important to pay attention to the following points:

1. A good survival rate is observed in a seedling at the age of 3-4 years.
2. In a quality specimen, the shoots should be brightly colored and have 4-5 healthy buds.
3. The root system is healthy, light colored, up to 30 cm long.
4. The leaf plate is rich olive in color, without signs of disease.
5. For better rooting, cuttings from half a meter high are suitable.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

Hydrangea Big Ben is a heat-loving plant. Therefore, the landing site should be located in the open sun or in partial shade. The selected site must be protected from gusty winds and drafts.

Hydrangea grows well and develops in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. With increased acidity, needles, sawdust or peat are introduced into the soil during digging.

The bush grows well and develops in the open sun.

Rules of landing

Planting a young seedling is done in spring and autumn. Spring transfer to the ground is preferable, since over the entire warm period the plant will build up the root system and go stronger for the winter.

After choosing a place and acquiring a seedling, they start planting. In order for it to quickly take root and begin to develop, it is important to follow certain rules:

1. They dig a hole 50×50 cm in size. When planting several specimens, the interval between the bushes is kept at least 2 m.
2. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom.
3. The excavated soil is diluted with peat, sand and humus. Superphosphate, urea and potassium sulfate are added to the nutrient mixture. Everything is thoroughly mixed.
4. The hole is ½ filled with nutrient soil.
5. At the seedling, the roots are straightened and placed in the center.
6. The hole is filled with soil mixture.
7. The top layer is compacted, spilled and mulched.

Watering and top dressing

Hydrangea Big Ben is a moisture-loving plant, with a lack of moisture, growth and development stops, the inflorescences become smaller and fade. In hot weather, the plant is irrigated 2 times a week. Under each bush spend about 3 buckets of settled water. To retain moisture, the trunk circle is covered with foliage, needles or straw.

For long and abundant flowering, Big Ben hydrangea is fed several times a season. Fertilization scheme:

• at the beginning of the growing season – mullein and bird droppings;
• in the budding phase – a mineral complex;
• during the flowering period – manure;
• in autumn, after flowering – phosphorus-potassium top dressing.

Watering is carried out with warm, settled water

Hydrangea pruning Big Ben

Hydrangea Big Ben responds well to pruning. It is carried out in early spring before sap flow.

An incorrect haircut can lead to a lack of flowering, so you need to know certain rules:

• last year’s shoots are shortened by 1/3 of the length;
• dried, not overwintered branches are cut at the root;
• bushes at the age of 5 years need rejuvenation, for this the shoots are shortened, leaving stumps of 7-8 cm.

Preparation for winter

Hydrangea Big Ben is a frost-resistant plant, so shelter for the winter is not required. When growing in regions with cold winters, it is better to protect young seedlings for the winter:

• branches are tied and laid on the ground;
• straw or dry foliage is placed on top and covered with spruce branches or agrofiber;
• Shelter is removed in the spring, after the end of spring frosts.

Reproduction

Hydrangea Big Ben can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, branches or dividing the bush. Seed propagation is laborious work, therefore it is not suitable for beginner flower growers.

Cuttings are a simple and effective way. Seedlings 10-15 cm in size are cut from a healthy shoot. The planting material is buried at an angle into the nutrient soil and covered with a jar. After rooting, the shelter is removed, the container is rearranged in a bright, warm place. After 3 years, the strengthened cuttings are moved to a prepared place.

Cuttings are cut in the middle of summer

Dividing by branches is not a laborious method. The shoot, located near the ground, is laid in a trench, leaving the upper leaves above the ground. Sprinkle with soil, shed and mulch. A year later, the rooted branch is disconnected from the mother bush and planted in a sunny place.

Another way is to divide the bush, during transplantation, the old bush is divided into a certain number of divisions. Each part is kept in a growth stimulator and placed in prepared, fertilized wells.

Diseases and pests

Paniculata hydrangea Big Ben is immune to diseases and pests. But if agricultural technology is not followed, the plant can get sick with the following ailments:

1. Powdery mildew. The disease is manifested by a white coating on the leaves, which is easily removed with a finger.
   
   

   You can save the plant with the help of Bordeaux liquid or “Fundazol”, the treatment is carried out once every 2 weeks

2. Aphid. Insect colonies settle on the above-ground part. You can get rid of them with folk remedies (250 g of chopped garlic insist 2 days in a bucket of water). Processing is carried out every 7 days, until the complete disappearance of pests.
   
   

   Pests feed on the sap of the plant, as a result, it stops growing and developing.

3. Chlorosis. You can recognize the disease by lightening the leaf plate.
   
   

   You can help the plant by regular spraying with Chelatum or Agricola

4. Ring spot. A dangerous disease that destroys the plant gradually. In the initial stage, the leaf plate is covered with necrotic spots. The leaves then dry up and fall off.
   
   

   The disease is not treatable, therefore, so that it does not spread to neighboring crops, the bush is dug up and burned

5. Spider mite. Microscopic insects cover the entire aerial part with a thin cobweb. As a result, the plant weakens, flowering is absent.
   
   

   You can get rid of the pest with broad-spectrum insecticides

Conclusion

Hydrangea Big Ben is a flowering, unpretentious shrub. Subject to agricultural technology, the plant will delight with long and abundant flowering. In combination with conifers, ornamental shrubs and perennial flowers, hydrangea will transform the site and make it more romantic and cozy.

Hydrangea Big Ben Reviews