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Hydrangeas in landscape design have become a real trend in the field of decorating a garden area. They are distinguished by rich decorative qualities, attractive appearance and abundant flowering.
Most species are unpretentious in content, therefore they are an excellent option for use in landscape design.
Features of hydrangea in landscape design
Landscape designers single out hydrangeas as one of the most valuable materials. They have a fairly compact size, lend themselves well to shaping and are able to maintain decorative qualities throughout the season. They also differ in the duration and uniqueness of flowering: the decorative properties of plants are due not to “real” flowers, but to large, brightly colored sepals.
Initially, they have a greenish tint, which, as they grow, changes to white, pink, blue and other colors, depending on the variety. Sepals bloom for two to three months. In the autumn, the inflorescences remain on the shrub, only slightly drying out before the onset of frost.
Another advantage of the plant for landscaping purposes is its high resistance to diseases and pests.
What types and varieties of hydrangeas are used in landscape design
Depending on the species and variety, shrubs are distinguished by size, growth, development and maintenance rules. That is why, before planting on the site, it is important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each variety and choose the most suitable option.
Paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata is a large-sized shrub, less often a small tree up to 2 m in height. The crown is round and dense, with elliptical or ovoid leaves up to 12 cm long. Flowers are collected in long inflorescences of a wide pyramidal shape up to 25 cm. The first flowering begins at 4-5 years of growth. It lasts from June to October.
The plant is demanding on the level of fertility and soil moisture, adapts well to urban conditions and a sharp drop in temperature in spring.
Flexibility to pruning and shaping and durability allow designers to create a variety of landscape compositions with paniculate hydrangea: from balls and stem trees to hedges and trellises.
treelike
Hydrangea tree is one of the most famous species, which is actively used for landscaping the site. It is presented as a low shrub 1-1,5 m in height (under optimal growing conditions – up to 3 m), with a rounded crown and pubescent shoots. The leaves are ovate or elliptical in shape and reach 6 to 20 cm in length. On the shoots are barren white flowers (up to 2 cm in diameter), which form corymbose panicles. The process of active flowering begins in the first half of July and lasts until October. It occurs on annual growths (shoots of the current year).
Reproduction of the shrub takes place with the help of green cuttings, layering, as well as division
This species is quite demanding on the level of fertility and soil moisture. It tolerates the addition of lime to the ground. In the southern steppe areas, the plant may lack moisture. It has a high level of frost resistance.
In landscape design, tree-like hydrangea is used to create single and group compositions, edges, and unshaped hedges. It is often combined with roses, lilies, clematis.
Oakleaf
Oakleaf hydrangea is a shrub up to 2 m in height.
This species is distinguished by red felt shoots and 3-7-lobed leaves.
Outwardly, the foliage is similar to oak foliage, which determines the specific name. It is a shrub with paniculate inflorescences from 10 to 30 cm in length. They are formed by sterile fruiting white flowers up to 3 cm in size. During the flowering period, they change their color to purple. Flowering occurs in June-July, and the ripening of the fruit boxes – in mid-September.
large-leaved
Large-leaved hydrangea is an ornamental shrub from 1 to 2 m in height. It has upright shoots and bright green ovoid leaves.
Large size pink barren flowers reach up to 3-3,5 cm in diameter
Garden species are distinguished by the spherical shape of the inflorescences that appear at the tips of the last year’s shoots. Flowering lasts from July to August. The shrub is widely distributed in Europe. In landscape design near a private house, specimens of large-leaved hydrangeas of pink, white, blue and bright crimson colors with two-tone, double or lace flowers are most often used.
The bush is characterized by fairly good winter hardiness, but it is most difficult to preserve its flower buds in winter. This is due to their location: they are at the tips of last year’s shoots, which is why they are less resistant to frost. If the shoots are damaged in the winter, the shrub will not bloom.
Gardeners have come up with several ways to preserve them:
- transplanting plants into containers for transfer to bright rooms with a lower temperature, winter cellars and gardens;
- shelter in open ground with a layer of earth or spruce branches;
You can also use special protective shelters.
Chereshkovaya
Petiole hydrangea is a climbing plant with suckers, with which it is able to attach to a support at a height of more than 10 m. If there is no support, the species spreads along the ground. It is characterized by broadly ovoid, long-petioled shiny leaves of a dark green color up to 8 cm in length. Their base is heart-shaped or pointed. On the shoots are white-pink flowers-melliferous, forming corymbose, loose panicles up to 20 cm in diameter. The first 2-4 years, the growth of young seedlings is slow, but soon increases its intensity.
The species is demanding on the level of soil fertility; it grows and develops better on moist loamy soil.
It adapts to partial shade, but active flowering of the shrub is possible only in open sunny areas. Reproduction can take place by cuttings or layering.
Stem hydrangea often decorate walls, arbors, balconies, arches, as well as tree trunks.
Types of compositions with hydrangea in landscape design
Hydrangea is an excellent option for single and group plantings, as well as for creating individual landscape compositions. Shrubs up to 5 years old must be constantly replanted, so they can decorate different parts of the garden. Good pliability to cutting and shaping allows you to create compositions of different shapes and sizes.
Shrubs are actively used to decorate the garden in the style: they are planted near other types of bushes and trees, given the composition of the soil. Reacting to components inside the soil, landscape compositions can change color: in slightly alkaline soil, flowers become bright pink, in acidic soil, deep blue. The reason for this is the lack of iron in the soil. The optimal content of the element in the soil helps to achieve the desired color of the shrub.
Planting hydrangeas near natural or artificial reservoirs gives the garden a picturesque and embossed look.
The plant tends to quickly adapt to modeling, which allows you to create bright, flowering figures from different varieties. It is important to take into account the climate requirements of each shrub variety.
Single planting is one of the most common uses for hydrangeas in landscape design. They are planted on a well-groomed lawn, focusing on the preferences of the species for lighting.
By grouping several shrubs together, you can create flowering glades and front gardens.
Another functional use in landscape design is the planting of flowering shrubs to divide the garden into different parts, as well as to create hedges.
With the help of hydrangea, you can also plant a monochrome English flower garden. In this case, all elements of the landscape composition are selected according to the principle of the same color during the flowering period. It is important that an equal distance is maintained between plants.
Hydrangeas are also used to create flower beds with the addition of ornamental herbaceous plants. The shrub is placed in the middle of the composition. Often in landscape design, hydrangeas are planted at the entrance to the garden in flowerpots or flower beds.
What is combined with hydrangea in landscape design
Decorative properties and unpretentiousness in maintenance make it easy to combine hydrangea with other types of plants to create unusual landscape compositions in the garden. Some combinations are most in demand among designers.
Ephedra and hydrangea in landscape design
One of the most famous and simple combinations is the combination of hydrangeas with conifers. In addition to beauty, such a composition is well suited for the normal development of both types of plants. Ephedra tend to oxidize the soil, which is of great benefit for the growth of hydrangeas. Moreover, due to their high growth, conifers are able to create a small penumbra for shrubs.
Coniferous resin tends to attract some insects: for example, ladybugs that protect the garden from aphids
Hydrangea and bergenia in landscape design
Badan is quite unusual, but a good option for planting along with hydrangea. Its flowering period runs from April to May.
In the summer, the foliage of the bergenia takes on an unusual shade that contrasts perfectly with the color of the hydrangea.
Hydrangea and boxwood in landscape design
The combination of tree hydrangea and boxwood will be a good option for creating a lush flowering garden corner in a natural style, as well as mixborders.
However, it is better not to use topiary forms of boxwood, but to replace it with sprawling shrubs of mock orange, barberry, lilac or spirea
Juniper and hydrangea in landscape design
The combination of hydrangea and juniper is one of the most commonly used options in landscape design.
A rich variety of conifer varieties allows you to combine these two varieties in completely different ways.
So, a high rocky juniper is often used to create a living green fence, which is planted near a flowering shrub.
Barberry and hydrangeas in landscape design
Combining hydrangea with barberry, landscape designers form flower beds and mixborders. Panicled hydrangea is best suited for this: as it grows, the bottom of the plant becomes a little bare, and to block it, fluffy perennials are placed around the shrub.
Often barberry is used to form a flower garden.
The barberry bush has a beautiful voluminous crown and an unusual color that goes well with pink, blue and white hydrangeas.
Hydrangea Care
Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, hydrangea care has several features that are important to familiarize yourself with before buying it for a landscape design site.
The shrub grows and develops best in shady areas, not tolerating direct exposure to direct sunlight.
Planting soil should be well-drained, contain a lot of organic matter and have a high level of acidity (5-5,5 units). Another necessary condition is a sufficient degree of soil and air moisture.
Planting shrubs in open ground occurs in the spring, after growing in a greenhouse. If desired, you can purchase ready-made seedlings for planting in special containers (with a closed type of root system). You can plant such plants in the ground at any time of the year.
Propagation takes place with the help of rooted cuttings or layering. Hydrangea needs 3-4 times feeding with complex fertilizers and organic substances:
- first dressing – in the spring, as soon as the shrub has begun to grow;
- second – in the buttoning period;
- third and fourth time – during active flowering (every 3-4 weeks).
Watering is carried out as needed, it is important to prevent dryness of the soil under the plant. During the summer drought, the hydrangea is watered 2 times a week, 3-4 buckets per shrub. To obtain larger inflorescences in the spring, it must be cut off, removing all unsuitable shoots.
Paniculata and tree hydrangeas survive the winter well without the need for additional shelter. It is enough just to mulch or hill the near-trunk circle.
Particular attention should be paid to young seedlings, as adult plants become more hardy and adapt more easily to external conditions.
You can find out more information about the use of hydrangea in the garden landscape in the video:
Photo of hydrangeas in garden landscape design
A rich variety of hydrangea varieties allows you to create many unique and unusual compositions. Below are some examples of its use in landscape design.
One of the most common uses for hydrangeas in landscape design is to create a flower bed with a shrub in the middle, as shown in the photo:
The blue hydrangea is central to this composition.
Planting a mixborder in the garden with hydrangea in the composition is a great option for playing on the contrast of shades
A living landscape hedge of flowering bushes will allow you to zone the site
The combination of different types of hydrangea in group plantings looks great along the fence
Combining hydrangeas with conifers is an interesting option for creating a flower bed
Planting a mixborder in the garden with hydrangea in the composition is a great option for playing on the contrast of shades
A living landscape hedge of flowering bushes will allow you to zone the site
The combination of different types of hydrangea in group plantings looks great along the fence
Combining hydrangeas with conifers is an interesting option for creating a flower bed
Planting a mixborder in the garden with hydrangea in the composition is a great option for playing on the contrast of shades
A living landscape hedge of flowering bushes will allow you to zone the site
The combination of different types of hydrangea in group plantings looks great along the fence
Combining hydrangeas with conifers is an interesting option for creating a flower bed
Conclusion
Hydrangea in landscape design is one of the main innovations in the field of garden decoration. Shrubs are undemanding in content, easily tolerate winter and go well with many types of plants. In addition, hydrangeas are able to retain their decorative properties for a long time, giving the garden a unique look.