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Winter hardiness of serrated hydrangea and its varieties
A low, deciduous shrub with attractive spherical inflorescences – serrata hydrangea or hydrangea serrata. It differs from other species by the carved edges of the leaves and petals.
Variety of hydrangea sawdust
The height of the bush is from 1 m to 1,5 m. The crown is wide, up to 1,5 m in diameter. The leaves are dark green in color, wide with a pointed end. Their length is about 10 cm. The buds are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Their middle is formed by small flowers with blue stamens. Large 4-petal buds grow along the edges. Inflorescences can be white, purple, pink or bluish.
The middle of the inflorescences of serrata hydrangea is formed by small fertile buds, and the edges are formed by larger sterile flowers
The most beautiful and popular varieties of serrata hydrangea:
- Hydrangea serrata Bluebird. The height of the bush is from 1,2 m to 1,5 m. The crown is dark green. Umbrellas consist of small fruiting and large sterile buds. The petals can be pinkish or pale blue. Blooms from July to September.
- Hydrangea serrata Preziosa. A low plant about 1 m high. At the beginning of flowering, the umbrellas are greenish. Over time, the buds turn pink or turn purple. Blooms from mid-summer to early autumn.
- Hydrangea serrata Rosalba. The bush is up to 1,1 m high. The buds are collected in small inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter. The petals are white, bright pink, crimson or purple. Blooms in July-September.
- Hydrangea serrata Veerle. The height of the bush is not typical for this type of hydrangea. It reaches 2 m. The buds change color. They can be whitish, blue or pink. Blooms for a long time: from June to September.
There are many more varieties. All of them are distinguished by rich greenery and beautiful inflorescences.
Growing hydrangea serrata
It is better to plant a hydrangea in open ground in April-May or September, so that it has time to take root before frost. The soil should be slightly acidic or acidic. It is better to plant a shrub in partial shade.
Known for the high winter hardiness of serrata hydrangea. Almost all varieties of this plant can withstand temperatures down to –30 ° C. But young bushes must be protected from frost by covering with a layer of leaves, grass or straw.
Hydrangea care rules:
- Pruning. You need to prune the branches of the plant annually. Only the tops of shoots with several pairs of buds can be removed. In this case, the bush will bloom profusely, but the umbrellas will grow small. Or leave only 5-6 kidneys. With this pruning, the inflorescences will be few, but they will grow large.
- Watering. In summer, hydrangea can be watered every day. The main thing is to prevent the soil from drying out.
- Fertilizer. The first time the hydrangea is fertilized at the very beginning of flowering: a mixture of 1 kg of peat, 0,5 kg of humus and 1 kg of dry leaves is introduced under the bush. The composition is diluted in 2500 ml of water. Top dressing can be repeated every 7-14 days using special fertilizers or compost.
To get enough oxygen to the roots of the plant, you need to periodically loosen the ground around it.
Hydrangea can be used in single plantings or as a hedge. It will attract attention with beautiful buds, a lush crown and a pleasant scent.