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Flower lovers try to grow a variety of plants on their site. Attitude to hydrangea is not the same for everyone. Many are afraid that they will make mistakes when planting and leaving, and the bush will die. Although it is the Phantom hydrangea that will make your garden attractive, fill it with the aroma of honey.
We will try to talk about the Phantom panicled variety, how to care for it. We hope that after reading the article, the number of fans of this amazing garden plant will increase.
Why Choose Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata Phantom (hydrangea paniculata phantom) is a representative of the flora of the Far East.
Japan, China, Korea and even Sakhalin are places where hydrangea has been revered since ancient times. The flower became cultural only in the sixties of the XVIII century. Breeders during this time managed to get various varieties, including the Phantom tree hydrangea.
Modern varieties have a number of advantages compared to the wild representative:
- Adaptation to harsh conditions is 100%, so the growing area is increasing from year to year. Quietly withstands frosts down to -25 degrees. After wintering, it quickly recovers.
- Abundant and colorful flowering surprises even the most sophisticated flower growers.
- An unpretentious plant can be grown in one place for many years without compromising its attractiveness.
- Hydrangea Phantom takes root on any soil.
- The root system practically does not get sick.
- Can be grown as a tree or as a shrub.
- Easily propagated by dividing the bush, layering and cuttings.
All of the above main advantages apply to the paniculate hydrangea Phantom, according to gardeners, they are quite true.
Species and varietal diversity
Hydrangea paniculata is the mother plant. The noble properties of Paniculata hydrangea in Phantom are preserved by breeders, but at the same time the plant’s endurance and frost resistance are improved. That is why at present the hydrangea has become so popular that it has been grown in regions with a harsh climate.
In harsh climatic conditions, gardeners prefer such varieties of hydrangeas:
- treelike;
- paniculate;
- large-leaved.
Among the great variety there are deciduous and evergreen plants. The height of the bush can be from one to three meters. In the wild, Paniculata hydrangea reaches 7-8 meters.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea tree Phantom grows up to 3 meters in height. Her oval leaves are long, about 20 cm. Small flowers are collected in large lush inflorescences up to 25 cm long. The color scheme, even within the same variety, can be varied.
The flowering of tree hydrangea begins in early summer and continues throughout the warm season. Even in winter, plants leave with flowers. On the snow-white Phantom, by the end of the season, the petals acquire a delicate greenish tint.
Cut flowers do not fade for a long time. In addition, they retain their natural shape and color palette characteristic of the variety. It is for this that the tree-like hydrangea, including the Phantom variety, is highly valued by florists who create flower arrangements.
Phantom tree hydrangea is difficult to grow because it has an average frost resistance. In order for the bush to bloom profusely, it is cut out every spring at the root. Pruning is usually carried out in early April. Shrubs grow quickly on moist, fertile soils with a low acid content.
Hydrangea paniculata Phantom
Breeders have created a large number of varieties of paniculate hydrangea. For example, in the photo below – Phantom hydrangea with pink flowers.
Varieties differ in color palette, size of flower clusters, size of shrub or standard tree.
Description of the plant
Today we will focus on the Phantom hydrangea, a photo and description of the variety will be presented in the article below.
Variety Phantom is a sprawling bush or tree. The diameter of the crown is about two meters, and the height is slightly larger. The dark green foliage of the plant is large, without teeth along the edges, whole. Hydrangea shoots are vigorous, strong. Young shoots are easily distinguished by their green color. On lignified branches, the bark becomes red-brown.
The first flowers appear on the plant at the age of 4 or 5 years. If certain norms are followed during care, then the panicled Phantom variety will bloom for several decades: a flower grows in one place for about 40 years.
The length of the flower brushes is about 30 cm, they are collected in inflorescences, this can be clearly seen in the photo.
Зацветает метельчатая гортензия в конце июня-начале июля и продолжает радовать садоводов крупными ароматными соцветиями до заморозков. Интересно, что цветовая палитра на одном кусте может меняться в течение сезона:
If the variety is white, then the buds are greenish-cream at first, then become creamy white, and the fading inflorescences acquire a pinkish tint. On cream varieties of Phantom, by the end of flowering, the inflorescences become pale pink.
Application in landscape design
There are many varieties of panicled hydrangea, and each of them, including the Phantom, is valued by landscape designers. They are planted not only in private gardens and courtyards, but also in recreational areas: in city parks, squares.
Since the height of the varieties varies, you can create any style using the Phantom panicle hydrangea in landscape design:
- Solitary plantings on lawns of bush forms or standard trees.
- Tape plantings that create hedges or frame garden and park paths.
- Group multi-tiered compositions, which are the foreground. Hydrangea paniculate varieties Phantom goes well with various ornamental plants, both flowering and evergreen.
Cultivation and care
Paniculata hydrangea Phantom is an unpretentious plant, but there are some features associated with planting and care. They will be discussed in the article.
Site Selection
When planting the Phantom variety, it is very important to choose the right place:
- Although this flowering shrub or tree can grow in a shady place, the sun’s rays should fall on them at least until lunchtime. If planted under tall trees, then the inflorescences will turn out to be loose, with a color unusual for the variety.
- You can not plant seedlings in the sun. The sun burns the inflorescences and leaves, the plants lose their decorative effect, become unsightly.
- Negative grade Phantom refers to the winds. Branches with heavy panicles bend and often break.
It turns out that you need to plant bushes or standard trees in openwork partial shade or on the east side. Tall plants, fences or a building can serve as wind protection.
Let’s talk about soil
As already mentioned in the description, hydrangea can grow on any fertile soil. But the variety is best revealed on neutral and acidic loams. On alkaline soils, the inflorescence becomes smaller, the plants weaken, and, as a result, can get sick.
When to land
The question of when to plant Phantom hydrangea in the ground is far from idle. He worries not only novice gardeners, but also experienced ones, if panicled hydrangea is a beginner in the garden.
Early spring is convenient because the planted plants have time to take root before the onset of sap flow and heat. Such hydrangeas survive harsh winters better.
When planting bushes or standard trees at any other time, the trunk circle must be mulched so that there is no overheating. This also applies to autumn plantings.
Planting Rules
Since, according to the description, the paniculate hydrangea of the Phantom variety has been successfully growing in one place for several decades, it is necessary to prepare a large pit: a diameter of at least 80 cm and a depth of 40 cm or more.
Drainage, humus, peat or compost are laid at the bottom of the pit, which are mixed with mineral fertilizers. As a rule, the planting hole is prepared in advance so that the soil settles and does not pull the plant down.
Seedlings can be with an open or closed root system. If the roots are open, a tubercle is made in the pit, on which, like a throne, a seedling sits. The roots are straightened, they must be straightened, and directed down. Fertile soil is poured from above.
Что касаемо гортензии метельчатой Фонтом с закрытой корневой системой, то посадка не вызывает проблем. Выкапывают лунку, вставляют цветок и присыпают землей, как на фото.
Care of the plant
Further care is not particularly difficult:
- watering;
- weeding and loosening;
- top dressing;
- pruning;
- борьба с болезнями и вредителями;
- shelter for the winter.
Watering and top dressing
Since the root system of all types of hydrangeas, including the paniculate variety Phantom, surface, watering, loosening and weeding should be carried out carefully. Weeds should not be left in the trunk circle, because pests and spores of diseases can settle on them.
Top dressing should be carried out often, because due to the abundance of lush inflorescences, the plant needs enhanced nutrition. You can feed hydrangeas with organic, mineral fertilizers. Plants respond well to green fertilizers. After all, the fermented grass has all the necessary micro and macro elements.
The first top dressing is carried out during planting, with the addition of nutrients to the planting hole. Adult plants are fed before blooming inflorescences and during flowering, as well as before shelter for the winter.
Features of trimming
Hydrangeas need to be pruned every year. If such an operation is not carried out, then the shoots will grow strongly, the crown will be thickened. And this may cause the lack of inflorescences or they will be too small. As a rule, Phantom hydrangea pruning in the fall is carried out on 3 or 4 buds.
First of all, weak shoots are cut out and faded ones are cut off. You also need to remove the shoots growing inside the bush so that there is no shading. Pruning will depend on what shape you want to give the hydrangea.
How to cut hydrangeas correctly is shown in the photo and video.
Spring pruning – control. Frozen branches are removed, and crown formation continues. Old hydrangeas are also rejuvenated by pruning – all shoots are removed under the root.
How to prune a paniculate hydrangea:
Shelter for the winter
Paniculata hydrangea Phantom needs to be specially prepared for winter. Everything is done in stages:
- In September, reduce watering. If it rains, then the bushes need to be covered so that water does not get on the roots.
- They are fed with phosphorus and potash fertilizers so that the shoots have time to ripen. Nitrogen fertilizers in the autumn period are prohibited to use!
- The trunk circle is covered with mulch, pruning is carried out. The remaining shoots are tied, as shown in the photo.
- Although Phantom hydrangea is a frost-resistant plant, in regions with harsh winters it is better to play it safe and cover the plants. After all, on frozen shoots, the buds will not bloom.
Shelter is built from wooden boxes or frames are made. Spruce branches and non-woven materials can be used as a covering material. They must be fixed so as not to be blown away by the wind. This is the final stage of shelter, it is carried out with the onset of stable frosts.
There are many options for shelter, some of them are shown in the photo below.
Adult plants can not be covered, but only mulched roots. With the onset of spring days, the shelter is removed.