Contents
Ornamental shrubs are valued for their spectacular appearance and unpretentiousness. Paniculata hydrangea has been cultivated since the XNUMXth century. In nature, the plant is found in Asia. Grandiflora is the most famous variety of hydrangea, which has gained popularity among gardeners around the world. Below is a detailed description and photo of the paniculate hydrangea Grandiflora.
Botanical description
Hydrangea Grandiflora is a shrub up to 2 m high with decorative properties. The root system is located near the surface of the earth. The crown is spherical, reaches 3 m in girth. The leaves are elongated, up to 10 cm long.
The shrub produces pyramidal panicles up to 20 cm long. The inflorescences consist of flat white flowers with a diameter of 3 cm. Fruits are not formed after flowering. During the season, the flowers change color from cream to white, then turn pink. At the end of flowering panicles become greenish-burgundy.
In one place, hydrangea has been growing for more than 30 years. The shrub grows rapidly, the length of the shoots increases by 25 cm per year. Flowering begins 4-5 years after planting in the ground. Small inflorescences appear in the second or third year. Grandiflora tolerates winter frosts well, resistant to diseases and pests.
The shrub is suitable for decorating garden plots, parks and recreation areas. The Grandiflora variety is planted on lawns, in the center of flower arrangements, next to other ornamental shrubs.
Site Selection
For growing Hydrangea Grandiflora choose a lighted area of the garden. The further development of the shrub depends on the choice of a place for planting. Hydrangea grows in fertile, acidic soils.
Preparatory stage
Paniculata hydrangeas provide good lighting. It is best to choose an area with diffused light for Grandiflora. In the bright southern sun, shrub inflorescences quickly lose their decorative properties.
Hydrangea prefers neutral and acidic soils. A mandatory requirement for the soil is high fertility and moisture. The shrub is not planted next to fruit trees, because the plants do not have enough moisture and nutrients.
In sandy soil, the shrub develops more slowly. Before planting, the composition of the soil is improved with peat, sawdust or coniferous soil.
The shrub develops well in areas protected from the wind. The bed is equipped next to the walls of buildings or fences. In the heat, the hydrangea will receive the necessary partial shade.
Order of work
Hydrangea seedlings Grandiflora are purchased from trusted suppliers. Plants are supplied in containers and have a closed root system.
The plant is planted in the ground in the spring from March to May. It is allowed to transfer work to autumn (September or October).
The procedure for planting hydrangea Grandiflora:
- First prepare the landing pit. Its dimensions depend on the size of the seedling. On average, a hole with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 40-60 cm is sufficient.
- When planting 2 or more bushes, 2-2,5 m are left between them.
- The substrate for hydrangea is obtained by mixing soddy land (2 parts), peat (2 parts), compost (1 part) and sand (1 part). Pine needles are also added to maintain the required level of soil acidity.
- Substrate is poured into the pit, after which it is left for 1-2 weeks.
- When the soil settles, the seedling begins to prepare. The plant is carefully taken out of the container, the earthen ball is not broken.
- The hydrangea is placed in a hole, deepened by 20-40 cm. The root collar is left at ground level.
- The soil is compacted, and a bucket of water is poured under the shrub.
After planting, the Grandiflora variety is cared for by watering. The plant quickly nestles in a new place. At first, the shrub is provided with protection from the sun.
Hydrangea Care
Paniculata hydrangea Grandiflora develops well with regular watering. Fertilizing with minerals and organic matter helps to stimulate flowering. When signs of disease or the spread of pests appear, spraying with insecticides is performed. To form a bush, pruning is carried out.
Watering
Hydrangea is a moisture-loving shrub. Its roots do not penetrate into the deep layers of the soil. Therefore, moisture under the plant is applied every week.
Watering is carried out with warm settled water in the morning or evening. Each bush requires 2 buckets of water. When watering, make sure that the roots of the shrub are not exposed. If necessary, the bush is sprinkled with earth.
With a lack of moisture, the number of inflorescences is reduced, their decorative properties are lost. In drought, hydrangea is watered more often – up to 2-3 times a week.
Feeding
According to the photo and description, Grandiflora hydrangea responds positively to fertilization. You can use both natural remedies and mineral complexes.
Feeding schedule for the Grandiflora variety:
- during swelling of the kidneys;
- when forming buds;
- in the middle of summer;
- autumn after flowering.
For the first feeding of Grandiflora, organic compounds are used. Mullein or bird droppings are poured with water in a ratio of 1:15 and infused for a day. The resulting infusion hydrangea is watered under the root. Under each bush, 2 buckets of fertilizer are required.
When the first buds appear, a complex fertilizer is prepared for the shrub. For 10 liters of water, 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium salt are required. Top dressing stimulates the abundant flowering of hydrangeas.
In summer, shrubs are fed with complex fertilizer from Fertika or GreenWorld. For feeding, choose preparations intended for growing hydrangeas. For 10 liters of water, 1 ampoule of liquid concentrate or 35 g of granular fertilizer is required. Under each bush pour 3 liters of the resulting solution.
In autumn, 50 g of superphosphate and potassium salt are added under the bush. Fertilizers will help the shrub to endure the winter. Substances containing nitrogen are not used for autumn feeding.
Trimming
Proper pruning eliminates the thickening of the bush and contributes to the abundant flowering of hydrangea Grandiflora. The procedure is performed before the start of the growing season.
To rejuvenate the bush, all branches are cut in autumn, 6-8 cm are left above the ground. The next year, the plant will release young shoots.
During the season, broken and diseased branches are removed from the hydrangea. Dry panicles are pruned to stimulate the formation of new inflorescences.
Protection against diseases and pests
Paniculata hydrangea Grandiflora is prone to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that looks like a whitish coating. When signs of damage appear, the bush is sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Fundazol is effective against powdery mildew. 20 g of the fungicide is dissolved in 10 liters of water. Hydrangea is sprayed with a solution in cloudy weather.
The shrub can be seriously affected by the invasion of aphids. Insecticides Actellik or Karbofos are used against insects. On the basis of the preparations, a solution is prepared, which is sprayed with the leaves of the shrub.
Folk remedies help to avoid the spread of pests. 150 g of chopped garlic is poured into 5 liters of water and left for 2 days. 50 g of soap is added to the resulting product so that the infusion adheres better to the leaves. The infusion is suitable for preventive treatment.
Preparation for winter
Hydrangea Grandiflora withstands cold down to -30 ° C. Under snow cover, the shrub endures more severe frosts.
When grown in the middle lane or in the south, additional shrub cover is not required. In dry and cold winters, the mulching layer protects the root system from freezing. Humus and dry leaves are poured under the bush.
Young bushes are covered with burlap or agrofiber. For additional protection against freezing in winter, snow is thrown over the bushes.
Reproduction of Hydrangeas
If you have a paniculate hydrangea bush, you can get seedlings on your own. The Grandiflora variety is propagated by layering or cuttings. When transplanting, you can divide the bush into several parts.
To obtain layering in the spring, one or more branches are selected. Its lower part is cleaned of leaves and bark, then bent to the ground, fixed with brackets and covered with soil. During the season, the layers are kept in the shade and watered with warm water. When the shoot takes root, it is separated from the bush and transplanted.
For propagation by cuttings, the upper shoots of the shrub are cut off in early July. Leave 5 leaves on each cutting. Shoots are rooted in fertile soil. From above, the stalk is covered with a jar. After rooting, the hydrangea is seated.
By dividing the bush, the Grandiflora variety is propagated in early spring before flowering. The rhizome is dug up and divided into parts with a sharp knife. Places of cuts are sprinkled with charcoal. The prepared material is planted in the wells.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Hydrangea Grandiflora is an ideal choice for garden decoration. When choosing a suitable place, the shrub is actively developing and pleases with abundant flowering. If necessary, pine sawdust or other deoxidizers are added to the soil. Plant care comes down to watering, fertilizing and pruning.
