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To decorate the backyard, gardeners choose the most spectacular plants. They should create beautiful single plantings or organic ensembles with a variety of crops and shrubs. Preference is given to flowering specimens with well-developed branches and interesting shades of petals. One of the most beautiful varieties is the Diamond Rouge hydrangea. This species is distinguished by its decorative effect, unpretentiousness, for which it received high awards at international exhibitions.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is decorative and unpretentious in care
Description of hydrangea paniculata Diamond Rouge
This is a beautiful compact shrub. The height of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is about 1,5 m. The plant has a branched superficial root system, prefers a cool climate and a sufficient amount of moisture. Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is famous for its unusually beautiful flowers, which slowly reveal all their decorative properties. Flowering begins at the end of June. At this time, large inflorescences appear, which are collected in picturesque panicles. The initial color of the petals is white, however, pink tones soon appear. By the beginning of autumn, the color becomes rich red.
No less attractive are the leaves of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea. They have an original oblong shape and a velvety surface that is pleasant to the touch. During flowering, the leaves change color from deep green to orange. Watching such metamorphoses is a pleasure; for any garden, such a plant will become a worthy decoration.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge in landscape design
This beauty looks amazing in single landings, but in compositions it does not lose its special charm and attractiveness. The unusual coloring of leaves and inflorescences turns this shrub into the first violin of the ensemble. Wherever the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is planted, it will always be in its place: under the trees, in an open flower bed, along the paved paths.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is planted in flower beds, lawns, along paths
Often shrubs are planted near benches, gazebos, in the center of lawns, along artificial reservoirs. It is worth considering the flowering time of different species so that the composition looks harmonious throughout the summer.
Frost resistance of hydrangea Diamond Rouge
This variety has the highest resistance to low temperatures. Hydrangea Diamond Rouge takes root well and blooms successfully even in regions with fairly cold winters. If, nevertheless, the plant freezes, over the summer all the shoots will have time to fully recover. In a particularly harsh climate, it is worth taking care of a reliable shelter in advance.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Diamond Rouge
The care complex of events does not pose any particular difficulties. Gardeners who have already planted ornamental shrubs on the site will easily cope with the task, and even beginners can do it. One of the characteristic features of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is its unpretentiousness in care. It takes a little effort to create favorable conditions for the plant for further growth and development.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For Hydrangea Diamond Rouge, a well-lit place is suitable, but without contact with direct sunlight. It is best to give preference to an area with diffused bright light or plant cuttings in partial shade. Do not place the shrub in a draft, as it will not be able to take root.
Another important point is the composition and quality of the soil. The land should be loose, fertile and with a sufficient content of organic matter. A neutral or acidic environment is required for good growth. Alkaline soils will be ideal, but sandy or calcareous soil will have a detrimental effect on the plant. This is practically the only drawback of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea.
To naturally create an acidic environment, gardeners use regular whey. Beneficial bacteria will make the soil not only acidic enough, but also nutritious. Before planting, the site must be completely cleared of weeds and loosened.
Rules for planting a hydrangea variety Diamond Rouge
In open ground, shrubs are planted in autumn or at the very beginning of spring.
The whole process consists of several stages:
- On a pre-prepared site, they dig a hole with a diameter of at least 70 cm, a smaller space will bind the roots.
- After the earth must be enriched with organic matter and minerals, and then abundantly moistened. Soft fertile soil is combined with peat, rotted humus and sand. Additionally, urea is used, as well as potassium sulfate with superphosphate. All these substances are thoroughly mixed and scattered evenly on the bottom of the pit.
- A seedling of Diamond Rouge hydrangea is placed in it, carefully straightening the roots so that they are not injured. The root neck is left on the surface. From above, the pit is covered with soil, rammed and watered again. Well-moistened soil is the key to the growth of this shrub.
You should not plant other moisture-loving plants next to the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, otherwise they will steal precious moisture from the soil, which will lead to the death of the shrub. The best neighborhood for panicled hydrangea is saxifrage.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is unpretentious in care
Watering and top dressing
A dry environment is detrimental to Diamond Rouge hydrangea, so it is watered quite often and plentifully. However, you should not be too zealous: there is a significant difference between well-moistened and overflowing soil. If there is little rainfall in summer, watering is increased to several times a week. Before that, be sure to check the condition of the soil. It is important that after watering the earth is not taken with a crust. To do this, the top layer is carefully loosened, and in order to retain moisture longer, they resort to mulching (most often with peat or needles).
For the first time after planting the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, nettle infusion is used as a fertilizer. Every 10 days you need to enter minerals. It is best to use fertilizers that dissolve well in water. They penetrate deep into the soil and nourish the roots.
Pruning Hydrangea Diamond Rouge
Decorative and health pruning shrubs are an integral part of the care. Not only the attractive appearance of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, but also its ability to bloom profusely depends on this procedure. In autumn, it is necessary to get rid of all old and non-viable branches, as well as withered inflorescences. As a result, a maximum of 12 absolutely healthy shoots should remain.
In the spring, pruning is done early, until the buds begin to bloom. On a young shrub, no more than three buds are left, on an old one – about five. At the same time, all the necessary fertilizers are applied. When rejuvenating the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, all shoots are cut to the very stump. In two years, new branches will grow, and a beautiful lush crown will appear.
Preparation for winter
Hydrangea paniculata Diamant Rouge has good frost resistance, but for absolute certainty it should still be insulated before winter. Gardeners use covering material only for young plants that are planted in the fall.
For adult specimens, the main thing is to protect the root system. For this, dry fallen leaves, peat, and rotted manure are usually used. If there is a threat to the branches, they can be additionally covered with a special frame, which will serve as a kind of greenhouse and protect the plant from the vagaries of the weather.
Reproduction
Cuttings are considered the most effective way to propagate Diamond Rouge hydrangea. Planting material is cut from strong and healthy branches and temporarily placed in a vessel with water. After that, they begin to form a cutting, on which at least three internodes should remain.
It is best to propagate Diamond Rouge hydrangea from cuttings.
The lower cut is dipped into a growth stimulator solution and the cutting is placed in a pre-prepared container (about 2/3 deep). Then he is kept in a room for a year. As soon as stable heat is established, young bushes can be transferred to the garden.
Reproduction of Diamond Rouge hydrangea by layering is relatively easy. All that is needed is to make a groove in the ground (about 20-30 cm) and bend down strong annual shoots. With a sharp blade, shallow cuts are made on them. For fixing take any convenient load.
The only condition is that the top of the shoot should be located above the soil surface in a vertical position. From above the groove is sprinkled with earth and watered. You can not see the young shoots of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea until next spring. They are not separated immediately, but they are waiting for another year. With this method of reproduction, all varietal characteristics of the mother bush are completely preserved.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge must be carefully monitored, as the risk of disease and pest damage is quite high.
Among the most likely diseases are:
- Powdery mildew. A disease of fungal origin, which is characterized by the appearance of dark spots. Infection occurs through the soil. The impetus for the development of the disease is excessive soil moisture against the background of high air temperature. At the initial stage, a soapy solution with copper sulphate helps well. In advanced cases, resort to special drugs.
With powdery mildew, dark spots appear on hydrangea leaves.
- Tracheomycotic wilt. Another fungal infection Pathogenic spores penetrate deep into the trunk and branches through the roots, which can lead to the death of the plant. The most effective prevention is the treatment of seedlings with fungicides before planting. When a shrub is damaged, the diseased parts are cut off and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, including the soil around. You can also use sulfur or ash in powder form.
Tracheomycosis wilt leads to the death of the plant
The most dangerous pests of Diamond Rouge hydrangea include slugs, garden snails, aphids, spider mites, gall nematodes, fawn leaf beetles, etc. To prevent damage, you need to regularly inspect all parts of the plant, follow the rules of care, monitor the cleanliness of the soil and the condition of neighboring shrubs, trees and flowers. At the slightest suspicion, it is better to immediately carry out preventive treatment using folk or chemical remedies.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is the fruit of the painstaking work of French breeders. This plant is distinguished by its extraordinary beauty, and both flowers and leaves can boast of high decorativeness. In order for the plant to please with its abundant flowering, it is necessary to choose high-quality planting material and try to create the most comfortable conditions for the growth of this beauty. With the right approach, you can get a powerful, healthy, spreading bush, dotted with delicate flowers, which seem to change their shades in a kaleidoscope.
Hydrangea paniculata reviews Diamond Rouge
