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Hydrangea Diamantino is one of the most popular garden flowers. Among the many bred varieties, it is distinguished by its lush, abundant color. Already in June, the first paniculate inflorescences appear. And until the end of September, the Diamantino hydrangea is strewn with flowers so much that green foliage is practically invisible. Caring for this shrub is quite simple, consisting of top dressing, watering and pruning. In order for the result of efforts to please the eye, it is necessary to provide the plant with nutrients in time and protect it from pests and diseases.
Description of hydrangea paniculate variety Diamantino
Hydrangea Diamantino is one of the largest representatives of its kind. If the plant has enough nutrients and sun, it can reach 2 m in height. The leaves are emerald green, juicy in color, during the flowering period they are almost completely hidden under a thick hat of flowers. Description of hydrangea diamantino:
- the shape of the bush is spherical-elongated, expanding upwards;
- hydrangea Diamantino in height under normal conditions grows up to 120-150 cm, but may be higher, depending on the region and growing conditions;
- Hydrangea Diamantino has a width of 60 to 120 cm;
- inflorescences are very large, in the form of pyramidal or spherical panicles, their length is up to 25 cm with a diameter of 10-15 cm;
- the leaves are large, double-colored: bright green at the top and silver-green on the inside, velvety to the touch, oval shape with an elongated tip and small notches along the edge;
- the branches are even, straight, in the second year of life they become stiff, thanks to which the bush retains its shape at its height;
- hydrangea Diamantino blooms from June to September, when the flowers fall, small boxes with seeds are formed, up to 3 mm in diameter.
Plants bloom 2-3 years after planting. In spring, the first leaves appear quite early, and in autumn they acquire a beautiful rich yellow color.
The branches of the first year are flexible, they can be easily rolled into a ring, then they acquire the usual hardness and strength for shrubs.
Hydrangea Diamantino in landscape design
Hydrangea Diamantino is used to decorate borders, create picturesque hedges, frame paths and alpine slides. Compositions of various types of flowers and herbs are excellent, complementing each other with a variety of color shades. This variety goes well with low-growing and climbing plants, grasses and ferns with fluffy or arrow-shaped leaves, cereals. Hydrangea Diamantino perfectly coexists with ground cover moisture-loving plants, periwinkles, ivy. Apical pachysandra, soft cuff, lemon balm and hosts will perfectly fit into the overall design.
A kind of living border along the wall of the house attracts attention and looks very impressive.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea varieties Diamantino
Hydrangea Diamantino does not tolerate severe frosts, its limit is -23-29 degrees Celsius. Young shoots and new plantings especially need shelter. Therefore, in the north and in the middle lane for the winter it must be covered with non-woven material, coniferous spruce branches, reeds or straw. Young plants can be sprinkled with peat, loose earth. When snow falls, it is necessary to cover the top with a snow layer up to 20 cm thick.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea Paniculata Diamantino
Hydrangea Diamantino loves sunlight and warmth, therefore, in northern regions and temperate climates, it must be planted in places protected from the wind, on the south side of buildings, fences, decorative hedges, slides and hills. She also feels confident in partial shade, for example, from a pergola with climbing vines or a tree crown.
Hydrangea Diamantino with a closed root system, in pots, takes root best of all
Selection and preparation of planting material
First of all, it is necessary to decide which method of planting the Diamantino variety is most convenient: seeds or seedlings.
- In nurseries, you can buy 1-2 year old bushes, ready for planting.
- Seeds will need to be first treated with a biostimulant and germinated in wet gauze. As soon as the roots hatch, the planting material must be transferred to the prepared soil in boxes. Seedlings at the age of 2-3 true leaves are dived, transplanted into separate pots or directly to the garden.
Photos of hydrangea varieties “diamantino” “ren 101” help to decide whether to plant it in your backyard.
Hydrangea Diamantino should be healthy, free from diseases and pests, with a strong, branched root system.
Rules of landing
Hydrangea Diamantino is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but grows best on loam with high acidity. It is possible to achieve the necessary acid reaction by introducing high-moor peat, pine waste and sawdust, forest land from under pines. You can also use acidifiers sold in stores, Baikal 1-M preparations, sulfur. You should abandon the introduction of manure humus, but compost based on grass, sorrel, rhubarb, citrus fruits will be just right for feeding and acidifying.
In the northern regions, it is better to plant shrubs in the spring. In the south, an autumn landing is also acceptable. It is necessary to prepare pits measuring 40x40x60 cm with vertical walls and a horizontal bottom, filling up 10 cm with drainage – pebbles, expanded clay, broken bricks. Fertile soil must be poured into a hill, the seedling should be installed vertically, so that the root collar is 2-3 cm below the surface of the earth. Then the roots should be leveled and covered with earth, lightly pressing with the palms. Shed the soil and mulch with straw, compost, peat, coniferous waste.
If the Diamantino hydrangea is bought in a pot, then the soil lump should be carefully transferred into the prepared hole without disturbing the roots.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea Diamantino prefers moist soils and does not tolerate dry periods. Under an adult bush, it is necessary to pour 3 buckets of water, under a young one, 1 is enough. Watering is done under the root, without touching the leaves and flowers, 2 times a week.
It is necessary to loosen and spud bushes 2-4 times a month. Top dressing is carried out three times a season. As soon as the branches begin to grow, mineral additives are added under the plants. When buds appear, it is necessary to feed the bushes with superphosphate or similar preparations containing iron, potassium, phosphorus. By the end of summer, hydrangea needs organic fertilizers.
Hydrangea pruning Diamantino
Pruning is done in early spring, before the buds begin to hatch. In autumn, the bushes should not be touched. Weak, diseased or pest-affected branches are cut off. Strong, healthy shoots must be cut into 2-3 buds. In the summer, another pruning is carried out, the grown new shoots are shortened by 5 buds. All waste must be removed and incinerated.
Preparation for winter
By winter, Diamantino hydrangea should be well shed and fed with organic matter. Loosen the soil and mulch with a fresh layer of sawdust, needles and cones, straw, peat. Hilling can be done – pour an annular shaft from the ground. Hydrangea Diamantino needs protection from severe frosts. It can be covered with lutrasil, coniferous and pine branches. An excellent solution would be a wooden box around an adult bush, covered with sawdust, rice husks, chopped straw.
Reproduction of hydrangea Diamantino
Hydrangea Diamantino at home is propagated by layering, dividing the bush, cuttings. The features of the procedure are as follows:
- In September, cuttings can be cut – twigs with leaves and buds up to 10-15 cm long. Place in a plastic bag with moistened sand and place in a cold place at a temperature of 8 degrees. In February, planting material should be planted in boxes at a slight slope and covered with glass, polyethylene, and cans to create the necessary microclimate. By spring, the root system will form, and leaves will appear. Plants will be ready for planting in the ground.
- The division of the bush must be done in early spring or autumn. It should be slightly dug up and cut off several pieces of the root with branches growing on them. After that, they are immediately seated in prepared places.
- To get layering, the flexible lower branches should be bent to the ground and secured, leaving the upper part free. It should be tied vertically to the peg. In the place of contact with the ground, make semi-circular cuts and process with “Kornevin”, sprinkle with earth. During the summer, layering will appear, which in the fall can be transplanted to a permanent place of residence.
Hydrangea Diamantino is well rooted, so from a single bush for several years you can get enough plants to decorate the garden and the adjacent plot.
The leaves of Diamantino hydrangea cuttings can be cut in half – this will reduce moisture loss through evaporation
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Diamantino is susceptible to diseases such as gray and white rot, powdery mildew. You can save the bush by treating it with antifungal drugs: “Topaz”, “Fitosporin”.
Pests are also dangerous – aphids, spider mites, slugs, nematodes, snails. Insecticides, folk methods of processing will help to cope with them. Slugs and snails can be harvested by hand. A good effect is the elimination of weeds, anthills, whose inhabitants spread aphids, planting a number of herbs that repel insect pests.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Diamantino is a popular perennial, a recognized leader among flower growers. Lush white inflorescences can be seen in any settlement – both in the north and in the south. Planting material should be purchased from trusted suppliers, seeds or 1-2 year old seedlings. Hydrangea Diamantino reproduces well at home by cuttings, layering or dividing the bush. A perennial shrub that adapts well to any type of soil, but prefers acidic soils. Hydrangea Diamantino is used to create flower arrangements, hedges, framing paths and walls. With proper care, its life span is up to half a century.
