Large-leaved hydrangea Bodensi: planting and care, photos, reviews

Low large-leaved hydrangeas are not winter hardy, therefore, in areas with cold winters, they are traditionally grown as pot plants. Despite this, under certain conditions and shelter for the winter, some varieties of this species can be grown in open ground. One of them is Bodensi large-leaved hydrangea, which is not only highly decorative, but also easy to care for.

Description of hydrangea Bodensi

Bodensi (Hydrangea m Bodensee) is one of the types of large-leaved hydrangeas. This variety is grown as a pot plant, in addition, it is used in landscape design as a border crop, in individual or group plantings.

Large blue inflorescences of large-leaved hydrangea Bodensi will not leave anyone indifferent

Here are its main characteristics:

Hydrangea Blue Bodensi in landscape design

In the open field, landscape designers and landscape architects use Bodensi hydrangeas as a border plant, planting them along paths, alleys, next to building walls and fences. These flowers can be used as colorful accents in an unusual blue hue, they are included in compositions, grown in groups and singly.

Large-leaved hydrangeas can be grown as potted plants

Bodensi hydrangeas, grown as potted plants, are used to decorate architectural objects, halls, halls, galleries, they are planted in flowerpots and planters.

Winter hardiness of large-leaved hydrangea Blue Bodensi

Large-leaved varieties of hydrangeas have rather poor winter hardiness, and Bodensee is no exception here. The international classification refers them to plants of the 6th climatic zone, for this group the permissible minimum temperature in winter is -23,6 ° C. At the same time, the Central part of Our Country is located in zone 4, here the temperature minimum in winter can reach -34,4 ° С.

From this we can conclude that the cultivation of large-leaved hydrangeas in the open field in the middle lane is a very risky business, and even good shelter for the winter does not guarantee that the plant will not die in winter or will not grow in spring.

Different regions of Our Country have their own climatic features. Therefore, there can be no unambiguous opinion here. Of course, in the southern regions, the Bodensi large-leaved hydrangea can be grown and left to winter even under a small shelter, but in Siberia it will not work to cultivate it in open ground.

Growing large-leaved hydrangeas in cold regions is possible only in containers

In order not to take risks in vain, many flower growers grow large-leaved hydrangeas only in containers, putting them indoors for the winter.

Planting and caring for hydrangea Bodensi

To grow a large-leaved Bodensi hydrangea in the open field, it is necessary, first of all, to choose the right place for planting it. Only in this case the bush will grow well and bloom profusely. Good plant care, timely watering, fertilizing and other activities are also important.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

Bodensi large-leaved hydrangeas love light, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for them. In the south, they are planted in partial shade, choosing places with diffused lighting, however, the further north, the more sunny the site should be chosen. At the same time, even in such areas, it is desirable to provide for the possibility of protecting plants from the bright midday sun, under the influence of which the flowers begin to fade and the leaves turn black.

The place for planting hydrangea large-leaved Bodensi should also be well protected from the north wind.

An important condition for growing hydrangeas is the acidic reaction of the soil on which the bushes are to grow. A characteristic feature of many large-leaved varieties, and Bodensi in particular, is the dependence of the color of the inflorescences on the level of soil acidity. By adjusting the PH value in the range of 4-6,5, you can change the color of the inflorescence petals from bright blue to pink. On calcareous soils, hydrangea grows very poorly and often gets sick, so the acidity level should be kept within the indicated limits and the soil should not be alkalized.

Hydrangea Bodensi grows well in partial shade.

The soil, in addition to a weak acidic reaction, should be loose and breathable. Loams and fertile lands are well suited for large-leaved hydrangea Bodensi, but this shrub will not grow on sand. The site should not be saline or swampy, this plant does not tolerate stagnant water in the roots, although it loves moisture very much. The level of groundwater should also not be too high, and rain or melt water should not accumulate on the site.

Rules of landing

For planting Bodensi large-leaved hydrangea, the right time is early spring, the period when the earth has completely thawed, but the plant’s vegetation has not yet begun. In more southern regions, seedlings can be taken out into open ground in autumn, however, it should be borne in mind that it may take at least 1 month for a shrub to adapt to a new place, which means that there should be no frost during this period.

Pits for planting seedlings must be prepared in advance. If Bodensi hydrangeas are planted as a hedge, then the distance between adjacent bushes should be about 1 m. The size of the planting hole should be no less than the volume of the root system of the seedling, it is better if it is about 3 times larger. Drainage is a must. To do this, use crushed stone, large pebbles, expanded clay. A layer of this material 8-10 cm thick must be poured onto the bottom of the landing pit. In advance, you need to prepare and nutritious soil, which will cover the roots.

It should include the following components:

1. Leafy earth and humus – 2 parts each.
2. Sand and peat – 1 part each.

In planting pits for hydrangeas, a layer of drainage is required

All components are pre-mixed with each other. On the day of planting, the seedling is removed from the container and placed vertically on the bottom of the planting hole. If necessary, add soil, leveling the root neck of the seedling at ground level. It is impossible to deepen it, if this is done, then the flowering of hydrangeas can not wait at all. The entire empty space of the planting pit is covered with nutrient soil, compacted, and then poured abundantly with water. After that, the soil is covered with a layer of mulch from bark, sawdust or needles of coniferous trees.

Watering and top dressing

Large-leaved Bodensi hydrangea, like any other type of this plant, is demanding for watering and responds well to it. In dry weather, the water consumption rate is 1-2 buckets per adult bush per week. If the weather is rainy, then watering should be limited or stopped altogether, excess water for hydrangeas is harmful. Water the bushes during the entire growing season, guided by the weather.

The first year after planting, Bodensi large-leaved hydrangeas are not fed. Starting next year, fertilizing should be done regularly. In this case, fertilizers are applied in the following sequence (table).

Some growers prefer to feed hydrangeas with long-acting fertilizers. Such compositions are sold in specialized flower shops and contain the whole complex of necessary substances.

Long-acting fertilizers – an alternative to traditional mineral formulations

They are produced under the trademarks Pokon, Agrecol, Green World, etc.

Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Bodensee

A feature of the Bodensi large-leaved hydrangea is its long flowering, which occurs first on last year’s, and then on annual shoots. Therefore, the bushes almost do not need pruning. During the first few years, only dried and broken branches are cut. From the age of 4-5, the old faded shoots are cut off in the summer by 0,15-0,2 m from the ground, leaving 1 growth bud, and in the young, in the spring, the ends are cut by 1-2 buds.

Preparation for winter

Since the Bodensi large-leaved hydrangea does not belong to frost-resistant plants, its shelter for the winter is mandatory. Young bushes are completely covered with dry earth or peat, older bushes can be covered with fallen leaves or sawdust. From above, the hydrangea is covered with roofing felt or non-woven material folded in several layers. Mature bodensee bushes require more thorough cover. The shoots must be tied in one or more bundles, then gently bend them to the ground and fix in this position, after laying a spruce branch under them. Then the whole bush is covered with fallen leaves or laid with spruce branches, after which it is covered with lutrasil, which must be pressed to the ground so that it is not blown away by the wind.

Hydrangea Bodensi must be covered for the winter

One of the options for sheltering a large-leaved Bodensi hydrangea for the winter is to arrange a dry house over a bush. After the bush is closed, a strong frame is constructed above it from rigid wire or boards, on which a sheet of roofing material is laid on top. After the first snowfall, the entire structure is completely covered with snow.

Reproduction

Most often, ready-made seedlings are purchased for planting Bodensi large-leaved hydrangeas. However, if necessary, it can be propagated independently, using any vegetative method:

1. Division of the bush. A simple method that can be used if the bush is already an adult and has many shoots. In early spring, before the start of the growing season, it must be dug out of the ground and divided into several parts, each of which will contain shoots with its own root system. After that, they must be immediately planted in a new place as ordinary seedlings.
   
   

   Dividing a bush is an easy way to propagate hydrangeas

2. Air outlets. In the spring, one of the young flexible shoots growing from the edge of the bush must be bent to the ground, fixed in this position and covered with soil. Over time, it will have root growth points, and the shoot will release its own sprouts. Layers overwinter along with the mother bush, and in early spring they are cut off and transplanted to a permanent place.
   
   

   Hydrangea Bodensi can be propagated by air layering.

3. Cuttings. A common method of breeding hydrangeas, since the amount of planting material is almost unlimited. Green cuttings are cut in June from young annual shoots. Then they are rooted in special containers, and the next year they are transplanted to a permanent place.
   
   

   Cuttings are the most common way to propagate hydrangeas.

Diseases and pests

Large-leaved Bodensi hydrangeas get sick relatively rarely. Most of the diseases of these plants are associated with a violation in care, excessive watering, as well as liming the soil. Alkalinization causes chlorosis in hydrangeas, a disease associated with a lack of iron. Recognizing it is very simple: the leaves become pale green, while the veins on them remain dark and bright.

Alkalinization of the soil can cause chlorosis in hydrangeas

Chlorosis is treated by increasing the acidity of the soil to the required level, as well as by introducing chelates into the soil – easily digestible iron compounds. They contain drugs such as Antichlorosis or Ferovit.

Excessive watering, as well as a large amount of precipitation at low air temperatures, can provoke the appearance of various fungal diseases in hydrangeas: powdery mildew, septoria, white and gray rot. The disease appears in the form of various spots on the foliage, the appearance of lesions.

Various spots on the leaves of hydrangeas – a sign of fungal diseases

The principle of treatment is the same in all cases: the affected parts are cut and burned, and the bushes are treated with fungicides, for example, Bordeaux liquid or copper oxychloride.

Pests are not common on large-leaved Bodensee hydrangeas, especially when grown in containers. In rare cases, aphids, a microscopic sucking insect that feeds on plant sap, may appear on flowers. In small quantities, aphids are harmless. If you notice it in time, then you can remove insects by wiping the leaves with a cloth dipped in soapy water.

Aphids are found on many garden plants

If the aphid colonies are large, then the bushes must be treated with insecticides, for example, Decis or Inta-Vir preparations.

Conclusion

Under certain conditions, large-leaved hydrangea Bodensi may well be grown in open ground even in Central Our Country. However, this is not always justified. The weak winter hardiness of these plants requires mandatory shelter for the winter, hence other problems arise, because the bushes need not only to be covered in time, but also to be opened correctly and at the right time in the spring. Therefore, the potted option in the middle lane looks much more preferable, especially if it is possible to remove large-leaved Bodensi hydrangeas for the winter in a suitable room.

Reviews of large-leaved hydrangea Bodensi