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Hydrangea Bombshell is an unpretentious perennial shrub, which, among other varieties, is distinguished by abundant long flowering and high winter hardiness. Low maintenance and resistance to low temperatures have made this variety very popular and ideal for those who do not have time to work in the garden for a long time. You can grow shrubs in almost all regions of the country.
Description of Hydrangea Bombshell
Hydrangea Bombshell (lat. Hydrangeapaniculata bombshell) is a relatively young compact variety of Dutch origin. The shrub reaches a height of 70-90 cm, while the diameter of an adult bush is on average 100-120 cm. The variety branches strongly, but at the same time has a neat spherical shape. The shoots of the shrub are quite thin, painted in red-brown tones. The leaves are dark green, large, slightly serrated along the edges. They are shaped like an egg.
Flowering in the Bombshell variety lasts continuously from July until frost. The flowers are white at first, but in autumn the petals become pinkish. Their diameter is only 2-3 cm, however, the flowers fold into rather large pyramidal inflorescences – each of them reaches a length of 12-14 cm.
The flowers in the inflorescences are quite densely
Hydrangea Bombshell in landscape design
In landscape design, hydrangea paniculate bombshell is used both in solitary plantings and in group plantings. Most often, the plant is used to create low borders and shrub groups. The combination of this variety of hydrangea with coniferous crops and trees is considered especially successful. Also, the shrub looks beautiful with hosts, cuff and astilba.
Bombshell hydrangea can be planted along with thuja and Chinese miscanthus, forming a contrasting composition
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Bombshell
The winter hardiness of Bombshell hydrangea is quite high – the plant is able to withstand temperatures up to -34-35 ° C without shelter. However, in especially severe winters with little snow, unripe shoots can freeze slightly.
Young seedlings should be covered for the winter, as they are not yet able to tolerate severe frosts. The first three years after planting in open ground, they are spudded, mulched and sprinkled with snow.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Bombshell
In order for hydrangea seedlings to quickly get used to a new place, it is recommended to plant them in the spring. The exact timing depends on local climatic conditions, planting can begin immediately after the threat of returning frost has passed.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Bombshell hydrangea prefers open sunny areas, but the bush should not be under the scorching sun all the time. It is also not recommended to plant a shrub in the shade, in this case the flowers remain pale throughout the flowering. The Bombshell variety develops quite well in conditions of moderate shading.
As for the composition of the soil, moist, drained areas are best suited for hydrangeas of almost all varieties. The Bombshell variety does not impose special requirements on the quality of the soil, but the potential of the shrub is most fully revealed on fertile soils of acidic and slightly acidic reactions. You can plant a plant on loamy and peaty soils, but areas with a high lime content are contraindicated for hydrangeas.
Rules of landing
The Bombshell variety is planted in a hole about 70 cm deep. The diameter of the planting hole should be 60-70 cm. Immediately before planting, fertilizers are laid on the bottom of the dug hole: peat, sand, humus and fertile soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 2.
After that, the seedling is lowered into the pit, gently straightening its root system. The roots are covered with soil, but so that the neck slightly rises above ground level. The planting process ends with abundant watering – about 1 bucket of water falls on each plant.
It is not recommended to pour wood ash into the planting hole as a fertilizer.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea Bombshell does not tolerate excessive moisture in the soil, but severe drought also adversely affects the development of the shrub. Watering is carried out taking into account the prevailing weather conditions and the condition of the soil, it should not crack or look swampy.
Bombshell hydrangea is fed on average 3-4 times a year. It is recommended to follow this scheme:
- In the spring, organic fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are applied to the soil, such subcorks help the plant gain green mass.
- When the hydrangea begins to form buds, the bush is fed with urea, superphosphate and potassium salt.
- In July, the Bombshell variety is fed with complex mineral fertilizers.
- In autumn, the soil is fertilized with compounds high in phosphorus and potassium.
Pruning Hydrangea Bombshell
The Bombshell variety is pruned in early spring, even before sap flow begins. In order to stimulate the abundant flowering of hydrangeas, it is recommended to cut out all weak, broken and dried shoots. Also remove crooked branches.
The optimal pruning scheme suggests that in the end only 10-12 of the strongest branches should remain. Old inflorescences are cut to the first strong buds.
Preparation for winter
Adult plants do not need shelter for the winter, however, young hydrangea bushes need to be warmed in the fall. To do this, it is enough to spud the near-trunk circle of seedlings with dry soil and mulch it with a thick layer of fallen leaves. In winter, snow is raked up to the plants, which will serve as additional protection from frost.
Reproduction
Variety Bombshell is most conveniently propagated by cuttings. The whole process looks like this:
- In spring or summer, cuttings are cut from the shrub. Each of them must contain at least 2 kidneys.
- The upper leaves are shortened by half, and the lower end of the cutting is corrected by cutting it diagonally, so it will be more convenient to dig it into the ground.
- After that, the prepared planting material is lowered into a container of water until the cuttings begin to form roots. Then they are moved to wet sand with peat.
- Containers with seedlings are removed to the greenhouse, periodically watered and covered. The following summer, hydrangea can be transplanted into open ground.
Bombshell hydrangea seedlings must be ventilated at least once a week for about an hour
Diseases and pests
The Bombshell variety is extremely rare, and this happens mainly due to errors in agricultural technology: abundant watering, lack of top dressing, unsuitable type of soil for planting, etc. Despite the fact that the shrub is unpretentious, a complete lack of care for it can weaken the plant and make vulnerable to various diseases:
- Chlorosis. The disease manifests itself in the form of yellowing of the leaves, the cause is usually a lack of iron in the soil. At the first signs of the disease, a solution of iron sulfate is introduced under the hydrangea bushes.
- Powdery mildew. Symptoms of the disease – grayish spots appear on the leaf plates. Hydrangea is treated by spraying plantings with “Fundazol” or Bordeaux mixture.
- Gray rot. The first sign of the disease is that brownish spots form on the leaves of the hydrangea. Treatment is carried out with the help of treatments with “Pure Flower” or “Soon”.
Of the pests, only nematodes, aphids and leafworms can pose a serious threat to shrubs, but any industrial insecticide can easily cope with them.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Bombshell is one of the most beautiful varieties, characterized by unusually lush and extended flowering. Excellent winter hardiness allows it to be grown in almost all regions of the country, and the unpretentiousness of the shrub has earned it great popularity. Thanks to its undemanding care, the Bombshell variety is ideal for beginner gardeners and those who have no time to take care of plants.
