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Early Sensation Hydrangea is a type of panicled hydrangea. It is a rather tall shrub, sometimes up to 2 m. The culture is often used in landscape design. It can be planted separately, combined with other plants. Early Sensation hydrangea flowers resemble lilacs, but they bloom almost throughout the season.
Description of hydrangea paniculata Earli Sensation
Shrub Earley Sensation blooms throughout the season
Flowering culture begins in June and continues until the end of the season. The shrub began to be grown in Holland. It is believed to have been bred by accident in 1991, and in 2006 the variety was introduced to the international market under the name Airlie Sensation (Early Sensation). The shrub is covered with bright large leaves with small teeth. Shoots are straight, dark in color. Inflorescences can form on young shoots and on those left from last season. Their length sometimes reaches 30 cm, a fully opened flower is about 3-5 cm in diameter. Today, the shrub is successfully grown in all regions of Our Country. The lifespan of a culture is more than 50 years, so it is classified as a perennial.
Hydrangea paniculata Early Sensation is also interesting because the color of the flowers can change. Initially, the petals are creamy, and then change to pink. After all the petals are fully opened, they turn red or burgundy.
Hydrangea Earley Sensation in landscape design
Earley Sensation is popular and readily used in landscape design, since it is this type of shrub that blooms for the longest time and can decorate any area. When choosing a variety of paniculate hydrangea, the following factors are taken into account:
- long flowering period;
- neat, decorative type of culture;
- minimal care;
- high resistance to various diseases and pests.
Earley Sensation has all of the above characteristics, so it is a favorite of many flower growers. It is important to organize proper plant care and then you can grow hydrangea in the form of a trunk, as an element of a hedge or just on a lawn along with a group of other perennials.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Early Sensation
Inflorescences change color as the bud opens.
Hydrangea Paniculata Early Sensation is considered a very winter-hardy variety. This greatly distinguishes this culture from other varieties of hydrangeas. An adult plant calmly tolerates low temperatures (up to -28 ° C), however, if they are short-term. In a more severe climate, Airlie Sensation is insulated for the cold season.
In the event that the region of residence requires warming the plant for the winter, pine needles, chopped bark, sawdust and straw will be required. Even when some parts of the plant freeze slightly, with the onset of spring they are able to quickly recover without compromising the condition of the shrub. Abundant watering of Earley Sensation in the fall improves frost resistance well.
Planting and caring for hydrangea paniculata Earley Sensation
Hydrangea care is quite simple. You only need to adjust the mode of feeding and watering. It should be noted that hydrangea does not like excessive moisture – this can destroy it. It is also necessary to properly and timely trim the bush. In order for the plant to please flowering for a long time and not cause problems in the future, important planting rules must be observed.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Airlie Sensation grows well in temperate climates. He will need a comfortable place and growing environment:
- a young seedling needs soil with a slightly acidic reaction;
- lack of drafts;
- good lighting – preferably western or eastern;
- moderate humidity – planting in a lowland is excluded;
- distance from buildings or fences from 1,5 m.
Also, before planting, you should know that hydrangea does not bloom in dense shade, and the sun’s rays contribute to abundant lush flowering. Then you need to prepare a hole 70 cm deep, a suitable fertilizer, such as superphosphate, and you will also need a soil mixture consisting of humus, peat, black soil and a small amount of sand.
Rules of landing
Varieties of hydrangea paniculata are used as hedges
Airlie Sensei and other types of hydrangea do best when repotted in early September. In this case, the shrub will have the opportunity to adapt to new conditions before the first frost. Many plant a young plant in early March, when the frosts are already behind. Landing at either time has its drawbacks. In autumn, during early frosts, the shrub sometimes does not have time to take root in the soil, but if the planting was successful, then in the spring the bush will please with early flowering. The disadvantages of spring planting a seedling include unexpected frosts after a steady warming. At best, the shrub will start flowering too late, at worst, it will die.
Watering and top dressing
Watering is one of the important components of proper hydrangea care. To maintain the required humidity, it is enough to water the shrub twice a week. For these purposes, it is better to use rainwater or settled water at room temperature. Of course, weather conditions must be taken into account. With heavy rainfall, watering should be reduced to 1 time in 2 weeks.
Many flower growers note a certain lack of panicled hydrangea – intolerance to excessive humidity. This often leads to the appearance of dark spots on the peduncle of the culture. As a rule, with proper soil care, regulating acidity, fertility, moisture, these problems can be avoided.
You need to feed with fertilizers with trace elements in the composition, and at the time of bud formation, a repeated feeding procedure will be required. Panicled hydrangea is mulched using peat or sawdust in a layer to a depth of 6 cm, leaving free space near the base of the trunk. The loosening process can be combined with weeding.
Hydrangea pruning Early Sensation
One of the important characteristics of paniculate hydrangea is frost resistance.
To maintain the decorativeness of the shrub, you need to make timely pruning every year. It is necessary for sanitary purposes and to prolong the youth of hydrangeas. Spring is the best time for this event. Cut the bush before the leaves appear. All weak, damaged branches must be cut off, and the most developed ones are cut off, leaving 2-3 buds on them. A very young shrub is not touched, since the crown is formed within 4 years. In autumn, you can shorten the shoots by cutting off the ends. This will keep the branches from the effects of frost and get abundant flowering in the spring.
Preparation for winter
Earley Sensation is a very frost-resistant plant, it calmly tolerates low temperatures, but for short periods. In winter, it feels great without covering material. However, if the hydrangea grows in harsh conditions or the age of the culture is young, then protection from frost and winds will be required.
Reproduction
Earley Sensei can be propagated in several ways:
- The division of the bush. Before the procedure, the shrub is well watered, dug up and frees the roots from excess soil. Then carefully divide it into several parts and planted separately from each other.
- Cuttings. Cuttings can be prepared while pruning the plant. This is the most popular way to propagate many plants because it is the easiest.
- With the help of offsets. Layers are shoots from the base of a shrub. For reproduction, they can be added dropwise in early spring.
Each breeding method has its pros and cons.
Diseases and pests
Some types of panicled hydrangea are grown on a trunk
Hydrangea Early Sensation is resistant to many types of diseases, especially if it is provided with proper care. The culture may suffer from some fungal diseases – rust, gray rot, septoria. If signs of these diseases are found, damaged areas should be removed and treated with an antifungal agent.
As for insect pests, most often the plant is exposed to aphids, spider mites. Pests significantly slow down the development of the shrub, so you need to process the plant as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Early Sensation Hydrangea is a beautiful perennial plant. Florists are attracted by unpretentious care, incredible frost resistance, flowering throughout the season. Airlie Sensation does not require special care. It is important to prune, mulch, feed, set the correct watering regime in time, and the hydrangea will delight in flowering for the whole season.