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Hydrangea Red Angel is a novelty of 2015 from a series of dark-leaved Black Diamonds species. The variety is distinguished by spectacular inflorescences of a pink-red hue, which change their color throughout the entire flowering period. And in combination with dark green foliage, Angel Red hydrangea looks especially elegant. But in order for the flowering to be lush every year, it is necessary to take into account some features of this type of culture.
Description of hydrangea Red Angel
This variety is characterized by compact bushes with erect shoots, the height of which does not exceed 1,5 m when grown in open ground and not more than 0,6 m in pots. The leaves are oval in shape, pointed at the top and with notches on the sides. They are often located on the shoots. Large in size, 7,5-10 cm long. The plates have a dark green tint with a brown tint along the edge. Young leaves are purplish with distinct green veins.
The flowers of the Red Angel hydrangea are barren, collected in spherical inflorescences with a diameter of 20 cm. Their color varies from pink to a rich red hue, depending on the stage of flowering and the acidity of the soil.
The flowering period of Angel Red hydrangea begins in July and lasts until September with proper shelter for the winter. The root system of the shrub is branched superficial. Life expectancy is about 50 years.
Annual growth does not exceed 20 cm in height and width. At the same time, the bush develops organically and maintains a natural balance, so inflorescences are formed commensurate with the development of new shoots.
Adult hydrangea Red Angel forms up to 20 spherical inflorescences annually
Hydrangea Red Angel in landscape design
This variety is distinguished by compact bushes that will look good in a flower bed near the house or veranda. It is also recommended to use the Angel Red variety as a flower garden decoration near the recreation area.
The Red Angel hydrangea also looks spectacular when grown in containers that can be installed on an open terrace or at the entrance to a house. This variety is also suitable for hedges, which will allow you to highlight zones on the site.
Winter hardiness of large-leaved hydrangea Red Angel
The cold resistance of this Red Angel is average. The plant is able to withstand temperatures down to -23 degrees. But, since flowering occurs on last year’s shoots, mandatory shelter for the winter is required.
Planting and caring for large-leaved hydrangea Red Angel
In order for Angel Red hydrangea to fully develop and bloom profusely, certain rules of planting and care must be followed. Only in this case it is possible to achieve the desired result.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Angel Red needs to choose a place in partial shade, as burns form on the petals and leaves under direct sunlight. Therefore, the best option is for the bush to be in the shade at noon, and well lit in the morning and evening. It is also important that the plant is sheltered from drafts, so it is recommended to plant a hydrangea on the eastern side of the site, not far from the fence, wall or gazebo.
Angel Redu, like other types of culture, the level of acidity is important, since the shade of flowers depends on it. The best option is slightly acidic soil.
The site for hydrangea must be prepared in advance 2 weeks in advance, digging it to the depth of a shovel. Then you need to make a planting hole 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep, and then fill it with a nutrient mixture. To do this, mix the following components:
- 2 parts of turf;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part peat;
- 20 g of potassium sulfide;
- 30 g superphosphate.
Hydrangea Red Angel prefers clay soils and rich in humus. Therefore, when planting, sand should not be added.
This plant requires sufficient space, so it must be planted at a distance of 2,5-3 m from trees and other shrubs. In a row between plants, a distance of 1,5 m should be observed, and when grown as a hedge, about 1 m.
Rules for planting large-leaved hydrangea Red Angel
You can plant Red Angel hydrangea in a permanent place in spring and autumn at a stable temperature above +10 degrees, regardless of the time of day. 2-year-old seedlings take root most quickly.
The root neck of the seedling when planting should be at the level of the soil surface
Landing procedure:
- Make a small elevation in the center of the landing pit.
- Straighten the roots of the seedling and remove, if necessary, damaged areas.
- Put the plant on a raised platform in the center.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, shaking the seedling slightly to fill in any voids.
- Compact the soil at the base, water the plant abundantly.
The next day, mulch the root circle with peat.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea Red Angel needs regular watering in the absence of seasonal rainfall. The bush develops well if its root system is constantly in a slightly moist environment. Therefore, the plant must be watered as the topsoil dries, followed by loosening no deeper than 5 cm in order to improve air access to the roots.
It is also important to remove weeds in the root circle in a timely manner, as they will take most of the nutrients.
Top dressing of the bushes must begin in the 3rd year, if a nutrient mixture was used during planting. During the period of active growth, which lasts until the end of May, it is necessary to use urea at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water, as well as fermented organics: mullein 1:10 or bird droppings 1:20.
2 weeks before flowering in the period from mid-June, it is necessary to use mineral fertilizers in the proportion of 45 g of potassium sulfate and 70 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water. Such top dressing should be carried out twice with a frequency of 10 days.
Once every 3 years, a month before sheltering for the winter, Red Angel hydrangea bushes should be fed with bone meal. To do this, it is necessary to scatter fertilizer on the soil surface, followed by incorporation into the soil at the rate of 100 g per 1 sq. m.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Red Angel
You need to trim this variety of hydrangea correctly, otherwise flowering may not occur. Therefore, in the fall, only sanitary cleaning of the bushes can be carried out, cutting off damaged shoots that interfere with the growth of the rest. Young branches of this year cannot be shortened, since it is on them that flower buds are laid for the next season.
The life span of the shoots of the large-leaved hydrangea Red Angel is 4-6 years. After this age, they should be removed at the base, which stimulates the growth of replacement shoots.
Pruning of shoots is recommended in the fall after leaf fall or in early spring before the start of sap flow.
Preparation for winter
Hydrangea Red Angel needs mandatory shelter for the winter to keep flower buds until the next season. Therefore, when the leaves fall, it is necessary to cover the soil near the bush with spruce branches. Then lay the shoots on it and fix it so that they do not rise. Lay another layer of spruce branches on top and cover with agrofiber. After that, secure the shelter with a load. In the absence of spruce branches, it can be replaced with fallen leaves.
Additionally, it is necessary to mulch the root circle with a layer of peat 10-15 cm thick. This is due to the fact that Angel Red hydrangea has a superficial root system and in the absence of snow it can freeze slightly.
Reproduction of hydrangea Red Angel
Hydrangea Angel Red is propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings. The first method is recommended to be used in the fall, which will allow you to get well-rooted seedlings by spring. To do this, it is necessary to dig out an adult bush and use a pruner to divide it into several parts, each of which must have well-developed root processes and several shoots.
The second method is best used when you need to get a large number of Angel Red seedlings. Cuttings should be cut from young lignified shoots. In addition, each part must have one internode. The top cut should be straight and the bottom cut oblique. Also, the leaves must be shortened by half. After that, plant the cuttings in the ground and make a small greenhouse. Rooting occurs after 20-25 days. You can transplant young seedlings of Angel Red to a permanent place at the age of 2 years.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Angel Red has a high natural immunity. But if the basic requirements of the culture are not observed, the susceptibility to the effects of pests and diseases increases.
Possible problems:
- Chlorosis. This disease develops with a lack of iron in the soil. At the same time, the leaves of the hydrangea become discolored, the inflorescences become smaller, and excessive fragility of the shoots appears. To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to water the diseased bushes twice with an interval of a week with iron chelate at the rate of 5 g per 5 liters.
- Gray mold. The main symptom of the disease is weeping brown spots with a gray coating that appear on leaves, shoots and flowers. For treatment, the bushes should be sprayed with “Fundazol” and Bordeaux mixture.
- Rust. The disease develops with excessive application of nitrogen to the soil. It is characterized by the appearance of a rusty color of the leaves. To fight, you should use “Skor”, “Topaz”, “Falcon”.
- spider mite. This pest cannot be seen with the naked eye. You can recognize the lesion by small yellow dots on the leaves, which subsequently become marbled. To destroy the pest, the bushes should be sprayed with Aktellik.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Red Angel is a spectacular variety of perennial shrub, which is distinguished by an unusual color of inflorescences. Thanks to this, this view will look elegant, both in group compositions and in single plantings. But at the same time, it should be remembered that Angel Red blooms on last year’s shoots, because this species needs mandatory shelter for the winter.
