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One of the most attractive ornamental shrubs for a suburban area is Sargent’s hydrangea. Large rough leaves and delicate purple inflorescences attract the attention of passers-by and emphasize the refined taste of garden owners. Receiving proper care, the shrub for a long time pleases others with a lush crown and abundant flowering.
Hydrangea Sargent does not tolerate low temperatures very well.
Description of hydrangea Sargent
The name of this variety of hydrangea was formed on the basis of the name of an American biologist. Its natural habitats are the forests and valleys of China. Hence the love for partial shade and moist soil. The large frosts characteristic of the climate of the middle zone, Sargent’s hydrangea does not tolerate well.
Shoots begin to develop from the end of April, adding 20-30 cm monthly. By the end of the growing season (mid-September), Sargent’s hydrangea reaches 1-1,5 m in height and width. Purple inflorescences with pale patches of sterile flowers adorn the bush during the second half of summer until autumn frosts.
A feature of the bush is unusually long leaves – about 30 cm. They are covered with thick fluff and do not change color until they die. Young shoots have a rarer and coarser pubescence. The bark on lignified branches exfoliates, enhancing the decorative effect.
Hydrangea Sargent in landscape design
In landscape design, Sargent’s hydrangea has found wide application. Lush, neat bushes can become an accent or complementary element to many landscape design styles. Hydrangea rough Sargent is valued for the opportunity to experiment with ideas, because it is almost universal in use.
Features of hydrangea Sargent as a design element:
- In a single landing, it focuses on itself due to its high decorative effect.
- Contrasting floral arrangements give tenderness and uniqueness.
- With plantations of coniferous and deciduous shrubs, it forms a complete picture.
- Alleys and hedges are unusually spectacular.
- Perfectly harmonizes with lower plants in the mixborder.
- Looks elegant in a container fit.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea rough Sargent
The frost resistance zone of Sargent’s hydrangea is 6a. This means that the minimum temperature at which it is able to remain viable is 23 ° C. But even in these regions, a shelter is being prepared for the plant.
In winter, the ground part of the plant partially or completely dies off. During the growing season, young shoots have time to gain the required length. The likelihood that inflorescences will appear on them is high. To increase the likelihood of flowering, gardeners carefully insulate the bush for the winter.
For the winter, plant bushes need to be insulated
Planting and caring for hydrangea Sargent
In order for Sargent’s hydrangea to be lush, not sick and bloom profusely, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it.
The following factors are of great importance:
- soil composition;
- illumination;
- moisture content;
- temperature in winter.
Growing a plant from a different climatic zone forces you to follow the rules of planting and care especially strictly.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
When choosing a place for planting hydrangea Sargent, take into account its basic needs:
- Moderate sun.
- Acidic and light soil.
- No winds.
The presence of a bush under the direct rays of the sun at the height of the day leads to burns of the leaves. Therefore, the location has to be thought out so that at noon the bush is in the shade or partial shade. Complete protection from the sun will disrupt the development of culture. Hydrangea Sargent is not able to fully take root in the soil characteristic of the steppe regions. In other words, she is not satisfied with alkaline, heavy and infertile soil.
Rules of landing
Seedlings at the age of 2-3 years take root best of all. Planting is usually done before the buds are fully open or after the leaves have fallen, following this pattern:
- Dig a hole measuring 40x40x50.
- Lay out a drainage layer up to 10 cm from broken brick or gravel to the bottom.
- Pour 10-15 cm of fertile soil on top.
- Straighten the roots of the seedling and dig in to the root collar.
- Water the landing site with plenty of water.
- Mulch the trunk circle.
Planting a seedling with closed roots is permissible at any time from the beginning to the end of the growing season. In the hot season, he needs to create a temporary shelter from the sun.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea Sargent needs abundant regular watering. During the growing season, there should be at least 5 of them. When watering, it is important to take into account the peculiarity of the location of the roots – they are not deep, but grow in breadth. To slow down the evaporation of moisture, the soil is loosened.
To increase the decorativeness of the culture, fertilizing is carried out. The first – at the beginning of the season, then 2-3 times during the summer. It is especially important to fertilize during the budding period. Hydrangea Sargent is susceptible to organic and mineral supplements.
Pruning Hydrangea Sargent
Annual pruning of the bush is carried out for the following purposes: maintaining health, forming a lush crown, abundant flowering and rejuvenation of the bush. In cold regions, the event is held in the fall before shelter for the winter. Remove most of the length of the shoots.
In warm regions, pruning can be postponed to early spring. Gardeners wait for the appearance of sprout buds and leave 3-4 of them on each shoot. Annual pruning includes the sanitary part: cutting out diseased and crooked branches.
Preparation for winter
To protect against temperature changes and severe frosts in the absence of snow, Sargent’s hydrangea is covered for the winter. They do it in the following way:
- Spud the base of the bush.
- Mulch the soil with dry leaves.
- Build a shelter.
For shelter use cardboard boxes, thick paper or agrofibre. Old bushes are protected with a layer of foliage or spruce branches, which is fixed with a metal frame.
Shelter protects the bush in a frosty period without snow
Reproduction
There are three effective ways to propagate Sargent’s hydrangea:
- Division of bushes.
- Education drain.
- Cuttings.
Propagation by cuttings is the most common option. Preparations are made in the summer during the appearance of buds. The formation of layering and division of the bush is carried out in early spring before bud break.
Diseases and pests
With a sufficient amount of moisture and minerals, moderate lighting, light acidic soil and proper preparation for winter, the chances of the appearance of the disease become minimal. In rare cases, white or gray rot, common cancer, chlorosis, powdery mildew, various types of spotting, bark necrosis appear.
Sometimes rough hydrangea bushes are attacked by a tick, aphid, bug, scoop, gall nematode, golden bronze, leaf beetle and earwig. The problem is easily eliminated by spraying with suitable insecticides.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Sargent is suitable for many ideas in landscape design. It looks spectacular in single and group planting, during the flowering period and before it. However, in order to maintain a high decorative culture, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for it.
The full development of hydrangea occurs only in light acidic soil. To maintain the health of the bush requires regular watering, annual pruning and shelter for the winter. High-quality top dressing gives the plant the necessary elements for rapid growth and abundant flowering. If diseases or pests are detected, action should be taken immediately.
Reviews of hydrangea rough Sargent
Gardeners willingly share their impressions of growing Hydrangea Sargent. In most cases, the reviews are positive.
Hydrangea Sargent is famous for its high decorativeness, therefore it becomes an invariable attribute of many gardens. Although the culture is accustomed to the humid forests of China, it has adapted well to the drier and colder conditions. Every spring, many young shoots rush up to create a lush crown to decorate the garden.
