Hydrangea treelike Pink Pinkushen: reviews, planting and care, photos

Hydrangea arborescens Pink Pinkushen belongs to shrubs. Attractive appearance and frost resistance make it popular in landscape design. It is important to properly plant a shrub and organize proper care, including protection from diseases and pests.

Characteristics of hydrangea Pink Pinkushen

In Latin, this variety of tree hydrangea is called Hydrangea arborescens Pink Pincushion. It grows in the form of a lush sprawling bush of a hemispherical shape. The main characteristics of tree hydrangea:

• average height 1-1,2 m;
• the width is similar to the height, but may exceed it (usually up to 1,5 m);
• many shoots that are slightly pubescent;
• the formation of inflorescences only on the shoots of this year;
• inflorescences are flat, dome-shaped, diameter 10 cm (can reach 15 cm), length 30-35 cm;
• flowering occurs in June-August, begins in the year of planting, often continues throughout September;
• the color of the petals changes – at the beginning of flowering it is pink, at the end it is white and lilac-pink;
• the leaves are elliptical or ovoid, 8-15 cm in diameter, the edges are serrated, there is a heart-shaped notch at the base, the color changes from green to yellow-green in autumn.

The domed shape of the inflorescences distinguishes Pink Pinkushen from the paniculate varieties of this species.

Hydrangea tree Pink Pincushion in landscape design

This plant is used for single and group plantings. It can be found in summer cottages, gardens, public parks.

When planting several tree-like hydrangeas together, the beauty of their inflorescences is better revealed. A single plant looks good surrounded by spirea, sheared boxwood or conifers.

Pink Pincushion can become the basis of a mixborder – a flower garden of perennials

This variety is suitable for creating hedges, edging paths.

Winter hardiness of Hydrangea arborescens Pink Pincushen

Breeders worked hard on the frost resistance of Pink Pinkushen, since the first varieties of the plant did not have such a quality. This tree-like hydrangea can survive frosts down to -25-29 °C.

If the winter is severe, then Pink Pinkushen may freeze. The advantage of this variety is that in the future it grows quickly.

Planting and caring for hydrangeas

For a plant, it is important to choose the right place and competently organize comprehensive care. The development and health of the tree hydrangea, its lifespan, and attractiveness depend on this.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

When choosing a site for planting Pink Pinkushen, it is important to observe the following conditions:

• acidic soil, the optimal level of acidity is pH 5;
• arborescent hydrangea does not like calcareous and sandy soils;
• the earth must be moist and fertile;
• there should be no trees nearby that absorb a lot of moisture.
• when landing in the southern region, it is better to choose partial shade, and in the north or in the middle lane – a well-lit or slightly shaded place;
• the best option is when the sun’s rays fall on Pink Pinkushen in the morning and evening, and during the day the plant is in the shade.

For tree hydrangeas, it is important to prepare the right soil. The best option is to take 2 parts of leafy soil and humus, 1 part of peat and sand.

You need to plant Pink Pinkushen as follows:

1. Prepare the landing hole. Do this a few days before planting. It is optimal to make a width, length and depth of 30 cm.
2. Add humus and peat to the planting pit – 1/3 bucket per bush.
3. Loosen the ground before planting.
4. Place the hydrangea strictly vertically, sprinkle with soil. The root neck should not be buried, but may be at ground level.
5. Water the bush with soft water.
6. Loosen the soil gently.

Instead of hay, you can use agrofibre, if there is a lot of snow in the region, then the construction of a metal frame above the crown will help protect the branches

Rules of landing

If you are going to plant Pink Pinkushen, you need to remember the following rules:

1. Planting should be done in the spring. In autumn, it is allowed only in the southern regions.
2. When landing, it is important to try to keep an earthen clod.
3. Between plants leave a distance of at least 1 m.

Watering and top dressing

Drought Pink Pinkushen can not stand. Tree hydrangeas should be watered regularly. In the summer drought, watering should be increased, it is carried out every 3-4 days. For adult plants, you need 15-20 liters of water per bush. During the rainy season, humidification is required once a month.

After watering, the earth should be loosened. This is important for soil aeration, the roots will receive enough important oxygen.

It is necessary to get rid of faded inflorescences. Such a measure stimulates the formation of new buds, serves as a prevention of certain diseases, and provides an aesthetic appearance.

An important point in caring for the Pink Pinkushen tree hydrangea is top dressing. They are carried out according to the following scheme:

1. At the beginning of spring, the shrub grows, therefore nitrogen fertilizer with potassium and phosphorus is required, such additives should be insignificant. For quick assimilation of the elements, you can use liquid top dressing.
2. When forming buds, they resort to complex mineral fertilizers. Nitrogen is not needed, but potassium and phosphorus are important. You can add 70 g of superphosphates and 45 g of potassium sulfate.
3. When the buds wither, potassium is needed. Such top dressing increases immunity, helps during wintering.

Pruning hydrangea tree Pink Pinkushen

The plant needs sanitary pruning. During it, they get rid of weak, broken, diseased shoots. Sanitization is best done in the fall.

In the third year of the life of a tree hydrangea, formative pruning is introduced. Too long branches are shortened to 3-4 buds. This treatment increases the density of the bush, stimulates flowering.

Preparation for winter

Pink Pinkushen is not afraid of frost, but still they are stressful for tree hydrangea. It needs to be properly prepared for the winter:

1. Remove dead branches and leaves.
2. Mulch the bush using sawdust and dry foliage. Pour them into the base of a tree-like hydrangea, while not saving material.
3. Press flexible shoots to the ground, fix. It is convenient to use studs for this.
4. Hay is good for hiding. The layer must be thick.

In mild climates, winterization is not necessary.

Instead of hay, you can use agrofibre, if there is a lot of snow in the region, then the construction of a metal frame above the crown will help protect the branches

Reproduction

Tree hydrangea can be propagated in many ways, but vegetative methods are resorted to in order to preserve the varietal qualities of the species.

In early autumn or late spring, cuttings are used:

1. Choose shoots without flowers. Cuttings are cut off no more than 15 cm, so that each has 2 pairs of buds.
2. Each cutting should be dug in a shaded area, after having been treated with a growth stimulator.
3. Cover each cutting with a plastic bottle, cutting off the bottom of it. Open lids periodically to ventilate.
4. For the first wintering, make a shelter. You can use special material or spruce branches.

Cuttings can be planted in indoor pots by placing them in the basement and periodically moistening the soil. Rooted sprouts are planted outside in late spring.

Another way to propagate tree hydrangea is to divide the bush. Algorithm:

1. Dig the selected instance.
2. Divide the base of the bush into 2-3 parts with a shovel. Each should have several shoots, a healthy root system.
3. Treat cuts and damage with charcoal.
4. Plant the resulting bushes in previously prepared areas.

Tree hydrangea Pink Pinkushen can be propagated by arcuate processes, this should be done in early autumn according to the following algorithm:

1. Cut annual shoots, bend them into an arc, fix with wire.
2. Mulch layering. Mulch should be nutritious.
3. The next year, provide planting material with a shady zone, regularly moisten the ground.
4. By autumn, the layers will have their own roots, full-fledged seedlings are formed. They need to be transferred to the ground in the spring according to the standard algorithm.

Diseases and pests

Tree hydrangea Pink Pinkushen can be affected by a fungus. Damaged parts darken, brown spots appear. The plant gradually begins to dry, dies. Fundazol, Vitaros, Skor and Horus will help to defeat the disease.

These drugs can also be used for prevention.

Bordeaux mixture will help to avoid the fungus, you need to spray the plant in early spring and during preparation for wintering

One of the enemies of the tree hydrangea Pink Pinkushen is the leaf aphid. This is a small pest, its average size is 5 mm. The insect eats the underside of the leaves, the tops of young shoots, buds. To combat it, insecticides are needed.

The color of the aphid corresponds to the plant on which it parasitizes.

Another enemy of the plant is the spider mite. Even an adult pest is very small – its size is only 1 mm. The first sign of its appearance is the cobweb on the underside of the leaves. It is very thin, almost transparent. White dots appear on the leaves, they dry out.

Acaricides, insectoacaricides help against spider mites. Prevention is regular weeding, feeding with potassium and phosphorus.

A good prevention of spider mites is an infusion of garlic for spraying.

Conclusion

Hydrangea arborescens Pink Pinkushen is a beautiful and lush shrub that can be effectively used in landscape design. The plant is quite unpretentious, it is easy to grow it. Care should be comprehensive, the appearance and health of plantings depend on it.

Hydrangea Pink Pincushion Reviews