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Hydrangea Red Baron is a perennial lush shrub with bright inflorescences. This variety belongs to the type of large-leaved, which is hypoallergenic, because it has no smell, and is not particularly picky in care. Thanks to these features, Red Baron has become popular among gardeners.
Description of hydrangea Red Baron
Hydrangea Red Baron reaches a height of 1-1,5 m. The flowering period of the Baron is July-August. At this time, a dense spherical crown is strewn with large, lush, spherical inflorescences, reaching 20-25 cm in diameter. The color of the four flower petals varies from bright red to juicy crimson, depending on the level of soil acidity. The core is pale green. Even during dormant periods, Red Baron is spectacular with its large, bright green ovoid foliage.
The color of the Red Baron depends on the acidity of the soil.
Hydrangea Red Baron in landscape design
Designers are very fond of using hydrangeas in their compositions because of their bright appearance, long flowering and pliability in giving a variety of shapes with pruning. The plant can become a single or group decoration, as well as complement the landscape work. In addition, young bushes need frequent transplanting, which is why the hydrangea adorns different parts of the garden. Looks great in park areas, garden or home gardens, city squares.
Red Baron is suitable for:
- hedge;
- monochrome flower garden;
- flower beds with planting in the central part;
- designation of the entrance to the garden with planting in pots;
- park alleys;
- decoration of a recreation area in the garden.
Another plus of hydrangeas is a great combination with other plants:
- coniferous;
- boxwood;
- barbaris;
- by badan;
- juniper.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Red Baron
The minimum temperature that Red Baron can withstand is -15°C. However, even if the winter does not promise to be harsh, it is necessary to cover the hydrangea. Any varieties, the lower limit of which does not reach -18 ° C, require warming.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Red Baron
Selecting the right planting site, suitable soil, adherence to sowing and further care are extremely important for the healthy growth and flowering of Red Baron hydrangea. In addition, proper care will help the shrub survive the winter and protect against diseases and pests.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The choice of location depends on the preferences of the plant:
- Lighting. Hydrangea is photophilous, but constant exposure to the sun will lead to overdrying. Regular shade will affect the size of the flowers, making them noticeably smaller and delaying the onset of flowering. Therefore, the ideal solution would be a site illuminated by the sun for no more than 7 hours a day, and at noon covered with penumbra.Important! Do not plant hydrangeas near trees, as their roots take the moisture needed for the flower.
- Wind resistance. Red Baron loves well-ventilated places, but drafts should be avoided, and young bushes should be sheltered from strong winds for the first couple of months after planting. The best place is along a fence or a house that will protect from excessive wind.
- The soil. The land for Red Baron should be fertile, well ventilated and without stagnant moisture, with an acidity level of 5,2-6,2. Humus areas are most suitable. Sandy soils and red earth will not allow the plant to develop.
It should be remembered that the brightness of the inflorescences directly depends on the acidity of the soil, but you should not sour it too much. Some gardeners advise adding alkali to the soil to show a redder hue, but you should be careful with this – an overdose can lead to the development of chlorosis.
Hydrangea must be hidden from drafts and strong winds.
The preparation of the selected place begins with the ground. If there is no soil on the site suitable for growing Red Baron hydrangeas, the soil is prepared independently. To do this, mix:
- 1 part peat and sand;
- 2 parts garden soil and humus;
- 25 g of urea and potassium sulfate;
- 65 g superphosphate.
Loose earth from a pine forest is also suitable.
How to prepare seats:
- the volume of the planting holes depends on the roots of the hydrangeas, which develop horizontally. The width of one hole is 55-65 cm, the depth is 40-45 cm. The distance is -1-1,5 m. With a closer planting, Red Baron hydrangeas will bloom earlier, but they will have to be seated with age;
- drainage in the form of crushed stone, broken brick or gravel must be laid at the bottom of clay soils;
- prepared soil is added to the hole, mixed with a special composition for hydrangeas with an acidity of 6,0-6,2 to maintain a red color.
Rules of landing
Red Baron is planted from late April to mid-May, or early October. When sowing in spring, make sure the soil is warm. It is best to choose a cloudy cool day before the rain.
Steps for planting Red Baron hydrangeas:
- Carefully remove the seedling from the pot along with the earthy clod.
- Carefully clean the roots from the ground with your hands, without damaging them.
- Place the Red Baron bush in the hole, carefully distributing the rhizomes on the ground, making sure that the root collar does not go deeper than 2-3 cm from the surface.
- Cover with the remaining soil mixture, gently tamping.
- Water thoroughly, at the rate of 10-15 liters per bush.
- Mulch the soil with peat, sawdust and bark to a height of 7-10 cm.
Watering and top dressing
Timely irrigation and fertilization is another key to a luxurious flowering shrub.
The moisture-loving Red Baron is watered regularly every 7 days in the ratio of 2 buckets of water per bush. If it constantly rains, then watering is reduced to 2 times a month. A lack of fluid is indicated by drooping leaves, a sluggish stem and cracked soil.
For watering hydrangeas, it is better to use not cold rainwater or tap water, but settled for at least a day. Once every two weeks, Red Baron can be given an acidic mixture – citric acid, diluted in water at the rate of 4 g per 10 liters.
The main thing in watering is not to overdo it, otherwise the hydrangea will get sick
Feeding with nutrients is no less important than watering:
- in the spring: the first time fertilizers are applied immediately after planting or after 14 days to form foliage. During this period, potassium and urea are needed. Ready-made mixtures are suitable, for example, “ECOstyle” or “Kemira”, mixtures for rhododendron plants, or natural herbal and manure decoctions. The second top dressing is during bud formation, for abundant flowering, when the bush needs potassium and phosphorus. To strengthen the trunk, it is advised to do three sprays with potassium permanganate;
- in summer: during flowering, Red Baron is watered with nettle infusion, potassium and urea are thrown. In August, complex mixtures are not required; instead, manure or litter is suitable;
- in the autumn: before wintering Red Baron hydrangea, it is recommended to give a mixture of superphosphate and potassium sulfate at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water. Under one bush pours 5-7 liters.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Red Baron
New buds in hydrangeas are formed on last year’s shoots, so pruning them will not allow the bush to bloom again. It is allowed to cut off only the faded inflorescences of the Red Baron for sanitary purposes and the lower leaves for preparation for winter.
In the spring, after the leaves bloom, damaged, old and stunted shoots are removed for the germination of new ones.
Preparation for winter
Red Baron hydrangea should be prepared for the winter period from September. To do this, reduce the number of waterings so that the greens begin to fall off. Foliage from the lower and middle parts is recommended to be removed, leaving the upper part to protect the kidneys.
Having prepared the plant, go to the shelter:
- hydrangea is wrapped with lutrasil or burlap in two layers;
- when the frosts become regular, spruce branches are laid under the Red Baron, after which the bush is tied and bent down on the litter;
- needles or dry foliage are laid on top and covered with spruce branches.
Reproduction
Red Baron is propagated:
- seeds;
- grafting;
- layering;
- offspring.
Seed division does not require prior preparation. They are laid out on the surface of moist soil, sprinkled with settled water at room temperature, and then covered with polyethylene or glass. After 20 days, the grains germinate.
Propagation by seeds is not the best way to divide the Red Baron
Division by cuttings is the preferred method. It is carried out in July, when the buds appear. This will require a leafy shoot with one or more embryos, cut from the bottom of the side branches. Cut the stalk should be in the early morning, when it is filled with moisture.
The future plant is immediately placed in a shady place in the water, after which the top with the bud is removed. Then the stalk is divided into several parts with 2-3 leaves and the petioles are lowered into the growth stimulator without wetting the greens. After 2 hours, the branches are planted in a wet peat-sand mixture (2: 1), and covered with jars, watering 2-3 times in 7 days. At high temperatures, watering is carried out daily. After about a month, the hydrangea takes root.
Reproduction by branches is carried out before bud break, in early spring. In the soil dug around the Red Baron, 2 cm grooves are made, where the lower branches of the hydrangea are laid, which are pinned with special clamps. Before the first, more developed bud, the branch is wrapped with soft wire, which presses the bark into the ground as the plant grows, causing new roots to appear.
By the end of September, shoots appear that should be spudded when their height reaches 15 cm. In October, when the height is 0,5 m, the shoots are dug up and separated.
The division of offspring should be carried out very carefully so as not to damage the plant. To do this, in the fall, the top layer of soil is removed and the coppice shoot is separated, trying not to disturb the roots. After that, the shoots are planted for growing.
Diseases and pests
Among the diseases and parasites that attack the Red Baron hydrangea, the following are more common:
- chlorosis – occurs due to a lack of iron. It is indicated by yellowed leaves and twisted buds. In the treatment, iron-containing preparations are used, for example, Antichlorosis;
- yellow spots – the appearance of which means a fungal disease – powdery mildew. Fungicides and copper-containing substances are used against it;
- fungus – gray rot covers the stem and leaves with watery ulcers. Treat with Fundazol;
- spider mite – fallen leaves with cobwebs on the inside indicate it. Actellik is suitable for treatment.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Red Baron, like other varieties of large-leaved hydrangea, needs proper care for healthy growth and lush flowering. Therefore, in order for the plant to become the main pride of any garden, flower growers must comply with all conditions for growing shrubs.
