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Hydrangea Pink Annabel is a young variety of tree-like hydrangea, characterized by hardiness and resistance to winter frosts. It looks like a large bush up to 1,5 m in height and almost 1 m in width. At first, it blooms in different shades of pink, but by mid-summer it “determines” with a color – light or dark pink.
Pink Anabel is one of the hardiest varieties of hydrangea.
Description of Hydrangea arborescens Pink Anabel
Hydrangea tree (hydrangea arborescens pink annabelle) is a new variety of Annabelle hydrangea species. It is considered the most hardy, unlike its predecessors. Height and width are approximately 90-120 cm. Strong shoots do not press against the ground, despite heavy, massive buds.
Inflorescences consist of a large number of flowers, outwardly spherical in shape, pink shades. At the beginning of flowering, the upper petals are pale pink, and closer to the base they are dark pink. Over time, the effect of the gradient disappears, the light or dark color of the inflorescences remains.
Flowering is long, from about the beginning of summer until frost.
Hydrangea Pink Anabel in landscape design
Hydrangea treelike Pink Anabel, as seen in the photo below, is widely used in landscape design.
Hydrangea is planted on the site in recreation areas, along with a lawn or perennial plantings, in the garden and front gardens.
They use a tree-like hydrangea separately or arrange group plantings with other types of this plant.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea varieties Pink Anabel
Most types of hydrangea require greenhouse conditions for the winter period, which are soil warming, covering the bush with several layers of polyethylene, etc. However, everything is easier with tree-like varieties, they tolerate winter well. Only slight hilling is required, as well as pruning of faded inflorescences. The latter is done from the considerations that, under the weight of snow, the shoots can break. On the other hand, if the grower is ready to regularly shake off the accumulating snow on the plant, then there is no need to cut off the inflorescences. Moreover, due to their integrity, the buds located inside the bush are better preserved.
Non-woody shoots require special attention, they should be cut off, since they will not survive the winter.
Planting and caring for hydrangea tree Pink Anabel
In general, the Pink Anabel tree hydrangea does not require intricate planting and care techniques. She prefers moisture, does not like scorching sunlight, and tolerates wintering well. Regular watering, warming the roots for the winter, feeding the soil will ensure the colorful flowering of hydrangeas for many years.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The landing site is of great importance. With the right choice, the plant will delight the grower for many years. The main thing is that the chosen landscape is protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts.
Hydrangea can be planted next to a high fence or decorative trees, they will serve as protection from drafts. In addition, the species does not like the direct scorching sun, although it needs a sufficient amount of it. All the same trees will help protect the plant from direct sunlight.
However, the hydrangea is moisture-loving, which means that it will not like trees with a large root system that will “steal” water from it. Dry soil can make it so that it simply does not bloom. However, if the grower can provide the hydrangea with enough moisture, then foreign roots are not a problem. Still, “decorative” trees are a better choice.
Pink Anabel is planted near the fence or in the shade of trees
Rules of landing
Tree hydrangea Pink Anabel is recommended to be planted in spring or autumn, in May or September. The weather during these periods is quite warm, without scorching sun. In spring, pay attention to the appearance of hydrangea seedlings. Buds should be formed but not yet opened.
To plant hydrangeas, they dig holes twice as large as the root system, loosen the soil around. Prepared holes are first watered and wait for excess moisture to soak into the ground. Then, tree hydrangea seedlings are planted so that the root neck is subsequently underground and does not look out to the surface. The hole is covered with soil, which can be pre-mixed with peat to increase the acidity of the soil.
What matters is the appearance of the roots, whether they were in a container, bag or naked. The first ones are well straightened, because they could be intertwined. Bare roots are planted before bud break or after leaf fall. When the plant is sprinkled with soil, it is crushed so that the roots come into contact with the ground.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea loves moisture, so it will have to be watered regularly. It is noteworthy that it is worth irrigating the plant from above, the water will wash away excess dust, refreshing the appearance of the hydrangea. In addition, if there is a danger of aphids, regular “washing” of the plant will help to bring down the pest, press it to the wet ground.
Top dressing is carried out in spring or summer with the use of mineral fertilizers. For periods of flowering, organic species should be preferred. The soil is fertilized with humus, mixed with peat, sprinkled with leafy soil.
Pruning hydrangea varieties Pink Anabel
Hydrangea pruning is needed for the most part to give it the desired shape. In the process, faded buds, dried flowers, old shoots are removed.
Sometimes it is recommended to prune before wintering, remove non-woody shoots, because they will not tolerate the cold, and also remove the inflorescences so that the stems do not break under the weight of the snow falling on them. However, the latter can be left, just regularly brush off the snow from them. So the hydrangea buds located inside the bush are much better preserved.
In general, pruning is carried out as in most plants.
Cut dry buds and shoots to live buds. Gardeners disagree on whether to remove faded inflorescences. Some leave them to protect the buds from the cold, others cut the inflorescences to avoid damage to the plant due to the severity under the snow cap.
Preparation for winter
Preparing for winter does not require a waste of energy, because this variety of tree hydrangea is resistant to frost. Most of the other species are wrapped up for the winter, creating greenhouse conditions. In the case of a tree-like hydrangea, only the roots can be insulated by carrying out the so-called mulching. A small area of the earth around the trunk is sprinkled with sawdust, dry foliage, bark and wood chips, as well as gravel, crushed stone and other decorative materials. This is necessary to prevent evaporation of moisture from the soil, the appearance of pests, hypothermia. At the same time, organic mulching enriches the soil, improving its structure.
In general, the plant can be tied up so that it does not bend under the snow, which must be brushed off the hydrangea regularly.
Reproduction
The best and fastest way to propagate a tree hydrangea is cuttings, that is, using separate stems. It is noteworthy that they will have the genetic information of the main plant, so no differences and “surprises” in its germination can be expected.
Cuttings are made in summer with green stems, which is considered the most optimal choice. The procedure is carried out in mid-July, in the early morning, so that the plant is filled with moisture, preferably from new fresh growths.
They cut closer to the base, at the very kidney, leaving one or two leaves, which are cut in half. If the shoot is with a bud, it is cut off.
The stalk is placed in a jar with a volume of 200-300 ml and left in the shade until the roots appear.
Flower growers are advised to add 1 tsp to the water. honey, it will contribute to the thickening at the end of the cutting, from which the roots will climb.
When the cuttings of the tree hydrangea give roots, they are transplanted into small containers with peat mixed with sand in a ratio of 2 to 1. The earth is pre-moistened, and then watered once a week if the air humidity is not too high. In August, the plants show the first roots, but it is too early to plant them. Greenhouse conditions are created for the winter and only in spring the cuttings are taken out to the beds.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea tree is one of the most disease-resistant plants. She does not suffer from outlandish and difficult to remove ailments, but is subject to ordinary aphids.
It is easy to fight the pest with ordinary water, which is sprayed on the whole plant, knocking down insects.
Laundry soap is also used, which must be rubbed in 1 liter of water in an amount of 100 g. It can be replaced with tar soap, which will be no less effective. Soap is dissolved in water, poured into a spray bottle and sprayed over flowers, foliage and stems. You can work the soil around the plant.
A sickly appearance signals some disadvantages in care:
- “rusting” foliage says that there is too much water, or the plant is “stuffy”;
- leaves drying from the tips signal that there is little moisture, so it will not be superfluous to water the plant not only near the soil, but also to spray it entirely;
- “Burns” on the foliage indicate that the plant needs more shade, they overheat in the sun.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Pink Annabelle stands out for its beauty. It not only decorates any area, but also does not require complex care manipulations. The tree-like hydrangea will “forgive” beginners the first awkward care attempts, therefore it is considered a good choice.
Hydrangea reviews Pink Anabel
Hydrangea Pink Annabelle is gradually winning the hearts of many gardeners, both beginners and experienced.
