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Paniculata hydrangeas are gaining popularity with gardeners around the world. The shrub is notable for its abundant and long flowering. Vanille Fraise is one of the most sought after varieties. It is grown in warm regions, the middle lane and northern areas.
Botanical description
Hydrangea Vanille Fraise is bred in the Renault nursery in France. Work on the variety has been carried out since 1989. The goal of the breeders was to develop a new variety, in which the color of the petals changes from white to pink in a short time. As a result, plants with large inflorescences and numerous flowers were found.
The decisive selection of Vanille Fraise took place in 2003. The hydrangea got its name due to the complex color of the inflorescences: white and dark pink. “Fraise” is translated from French as “strawberry”.
Panicle hydrangea Vanilla Fraze is a powerful sprawling shrub 1,5-2 m high. Its shoots are flexible, maroon in color. The leaves are green, oval in shape, located along the entire length of the branches.
Flowering begins in June and lasts until October. The inflorescences are pyramidal in shape, 30-35 cm long. At first, the petals are white in color, which turns pink by August. In September, the inflorescences acquire a burgundy-red color.
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze begins to bloom in the year of planting. The shrub is unpretentious, tolerates winter frosts down to -35 ° С.
Paniculate varieties of hydrangeas are used to decorate garden plots, parks, and recreation areas. The shrub is grown as a hedge, used in single plantings on lawns. After cutting, the inflorescences remain fresh for a long time.
Planting hydrangeas
A suitable place is being prepared for planting paniculate hydrangea Vanilla Freise. Be sure to take into account its illumination, the presence of protection from the wind, the location relative to trees and other shrubs. Before planting, the soil is improved by adding the necessary components.
Preparatory stage
Panicled hydrangea is planted in partial shade. In the middle lane and to the north, the shrub is located on the south side of the site. With constant exposure to the sun, the inflorescences will lose their decorative effect.
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze should not be exposed to cold winds. Buildings, fences or trees can act as protection against wind loads.
In sandy soil, the shrub does not receive nutrients in the required amount. So that the soil retains moisture better, peat and humus are added to it.
Variety Vanilla Fraze prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. Therefore, before planting, it is recommended to add coniferous litter to the substrate. For the successful cultivation of hydrangeas, the use of lime, chalk, dolomite flour and ash should be completely abandoned.
Order of work
Panicled hydrangea is planted in the spring before the start of sap flow. It is allowed to transfer work to the autumn period (September or October). The shrub should be planted after leaf fall, until frosts begin.
Planting material is purchased from nurseries. Be sure to choose healthy seedlings without signs of damage and decay. The optimal shoot height is 30 cm.
The procedure for planting paniculate hydrangea Vanilla Fraze:
- On the selected bed, they dig a hole measuring 30×30 cm.
- When planting several bushes between them withstand from 1 to 2 m.
- Then they begin to prepare the substrate: mix soddy soil, peat, compost and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1.
- 50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate are added to the substrate. Fallen pine needles are used to deoxidize the soil.
- The prepared substrate is poured into the pit.
- Within 1-2 weeks, the soil will settle, and you can begin to prepare the seedling. The plant is taken out of the container, its roots are cut and lowered for 2 hours in a growth stimulator.
- Hydrangea is planted in a hole. Its roots are straightened and covered with earth.
- The plant is abundantly watered with soft water.
Young hydrangea bushes are regularly watered. To protect from the sun in the heat, a canopy is installed above them.
Hydrangea Care
Regular care ensures the formation of lush inflorescences of the Vanilla Fraze variety. The shrub is looked after by watering and fertilizing. Pruning shoots helps to give the bush the desired shape. To protect against diseases and pests, special preparations or folk remedies are used.
Watering
Paniculata hydrangea is moisture-loving, so watering is a mandatory step in caring for it. The soil under the bush is moistened every week, it is not allowed to dry out and form a crust on the surface.
For irrigation use only warm, settled water. In drought, the bush is watered more often, up to 2-3 times a week.
The root system of hydrangea is located close to the surface of the earth. Therefore, when watering, make sure that its roots are not exposed. After moisture is introduced, the soil is loosened and the shrub is spudded. Mulching the soil with peat or humus helps to reduce the number of waterings.
Feeding
For the formation of lush inflorescences of hydrangea Vanilla Fraze, nutrient intake is required. The shrub is fed with organic matter or mineral complexes. The best results are obtained by alternating different types of dressings.
Panicled hydrangea Vanilla Fraze is fed in accordance with the scheme:
- spring with swelling of the kidneys;
- when the first buds appear;
- during the period of mass flowering;
- autumn in preparation for winter.
For the first dressing of the Vanilla Fraze variety, an organic fertilizer based on mullein is prepared. Organics are mixed with water in a ratio of 1:15. The resulting solution is watered under the root of the bushes.
Summer treatments are performed using mineral complexes. Fertilizer is prepared independently by combining ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium salt. Each substance is taken in an amount of 30 g, after which they are dissolved in water.
For hydrangea, ready-made mineral complexes have been developed in the form of dry granules and suspensions. Such a fertilizer must be dissolved in water, and then water the bushes under the root.
Autumn top dressing of the Vanilla Fraze variety is carried out using superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Under each shrub contribute 30 g of each substance. Fertilizers with nitrogen in the fall should be discarded so as not to cause increased shoot growth.
Trimming
By trimming the hydrangea, Vanilla Fraze is given the necessary shape. Bushes are pruned in early spring before sap flow. Be sure to eliminate dry and broken branches.
Each shoot is shortened to 6-8 buds. In total, 5-10 branches are enough for a bush.
In summer, Vanilla Fraise hydrangea is not cut. However, it is necessary to eliminate dry inflorescences, which leads to the formation of new buds.
Protection against diseases and pests
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze can be seriously affected by fungal diseases. In cold rainy weather, plants are prone to powdery mildew and various rots. The defeat covers the shoots and leaves of the shrub.
To protect hydrangeas from diseases, solutions based on fungicides are prepared. Fundazol, Fitosporin, Topaz have good medicinal properties. Preventive spraying is carried out in early spring and late autumn.
With a lack of nutrients, the Vanilla Fraze variety is prone to chlorosis. The disease is identified by yellow leaves that begin to curl and fall off. To combat the disease, the bush is fed with a complex fertilizer containing iron.
From insects, the shrub is sprayed with solutions using Tanrek or Akarin insecticides. For prevention, folk remedies are suitable: infusions on onion peel or garlic. They are used for processing at any stage of shrub development.
Shelter for the winter
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze endures harsh winters. When grown in the southern regions and the middle lane, the shrub is not covered.
In a cold, snowless winter, mulching the soil with peat or humus helps to protect the hydrangea from freezing. The thickness of the mulch is from 20 to 30 cm.
Young plants must be covered for the winter with agromaterial or burlap. When snow falls, a snowdrift is thrown over the bushes for additional insulation.
Reproduction of Hydrangeas
If you have a Vanilla Fraze hydrangea bush, you can get seedlings yourself. To do this, cut off several shoots with buds in the spring and lower them into a solution of the Kornerost stimulant. Then the cuttings are planted in the garden.
The plant is watered, fed with organic matter, protected from the hot sun. After rooting, the hydrangea is seated around the site.
Another effective way to propagate a shrub is to use layering. In the spring, the lower parts of the shoots are cleared of leaves and attached to the ground. Fertile soil is poured on top. By autumn, the plants will take root, and you can separate them from the bush.
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Conclusion
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze is a shrub with excellent decorative properties. The plant requires watering and top dressing. The shrub is cut to give it the desired shape. Preventive treatments help protect plants from diseases and pests.
