Content
- 1 Description of hydrangea serrata
- 2 How do serrated hydrangeas differ from large-leaved hydrangeas?
- 3 Varieties of hydrangea serrata
- 4 Hydrangea in landscape design
- 5 Frost resistance of hydrangea serrata
- 6 Care and cultivation of serrata hydrangea
- 7 Reproduction
- 8 Diseases and pests
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews of hydrangea serrata
Hydrangea serrata is a type of garden crop. It is especially popular among domestic gardeners. And this is not surprising, because the plant has a lot of advantages, including, in particular, an easy-to-form crown, cold resistance, high phytoimmunity, and unpretentiousness. With basic care, the bushes grow quickly and annually delight the summer resident with lush, beautiful flowers in delicate shades.
Description of hydrangea serrata
Serrata hydrangea (hydrangea serrata) is a deciduous shrub with a dense crown. The root system is fibrous, spreading, up to 40 cm deep. Thanks to this feature, the plant quickly responds to both fertilizer application and soil contamination. The leaf blades are green, oval-shaped, pointed at the end. Their length is 10-12 cm.There are serrations along the edges, like a saw.
Most varieties of serrated hydrangea bloom from July to September. However, in regions with cool climates, budding may be reduced until August. The diameter of the inflorescences varies between 8-15 cm.
Hydrangea serrata is a heat-loving plant native to Asia.
How do serrated hydrangeas differ from large-leaved hydrangeas?
The difference between these species is the shape of the inflorescences. In large-leaved hydrangea, they are usually spherical and consist entirely of sterile flowers. Serrata has corymbose inflorescences. In their center there are a large number of small flowers capable of cross-pollination. Along the edges are larger, four-leafed, sterile flowers that do not have reproductive organs.
Varieties of hydrangea serrata
There are many serrated types of hydrangea. It is impossible to say for sure which one is better. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Only by studying the descriptions of the most popular types can you understand which option is the most suitable.
Bluebird
Its distinctive feature is its large inflorescences. The flowers they contain have different colors. The brightest ones are those in the middle. They are pink-purple, with blue stamens. The shade of large flowers at the edges varies from pale pink or light purple to deep blue and violet. Throughout the entire flowering period, the inflorescences gradually change shade. Bluebird bushes bloom at any age. They reach a height of 1.5 m.
When flowering, Hydrangea serrata Bluebird exudes a honey aroma
Koreana
This is another low-growing bush, the height of which does not exceed 150 cm. The color of the inflorescences varies from snow-white to blue. It depends on the acidity of the soil. The more acidic it is, the more blue pigment there will be. Koreana does not tolerate drought well and needs regular watering.
Hydrangea Koreana is one of the most popular varieties of serrate hydrangea.
Preciosa
The bush grows up to 250 cm in height. It has expressive flowers and unusual leaf blades. In spring and summer they are green, but in autumn they turn burgundy. Preciosa inflorescences are no less bright. At the beginning of flowering they are creamy green, then deep pink and before the end of flowering they turn crimson.
Preciosa is a tall bush that needs regular pruning.
Golden Sunlight
This is a dwarf plant, the height of which does not exceed 1 m. Its distinctive feature is large pointed leaves of a yellow hue, which turn green over time. The small flowers located in the center are dark pink, and the large ones located on the edge are pale pink. Of all the types of serrated hydrangea, this is the least frost-resistant.
Golden Sunlight is a dwarf serrated hydrangea shrub that can be grown in containers.
Vierle
It is a low plant about 1 m high. The shade of its inflorescences varies from lilac-blue to pink. The leaf blades are green in spring and summer, but by autumn they turn burgundy or purple. Vierle does not survive in wetlands. For proper growth and development of the plant, you need to fertilize regularly. Just like Golden Sunlight, it is not frost-resistant and needs shelter for the winter.
When growing serrated hydrangea of the Vierle variety, it is important not to overdo it with watering
Avelrose
The bush, whose height does not exceed 1 m, has a huge number of pink inflorescences (they can be bright or dark). A characteristic feature of this plant is the presence of violet-green leaf blades, which turn purple with the end of summer. On acidic soils, Avelrose inflorescences take on a blue tint. The plant feels comfortable both in the shade and in sunlight. Does not tolerate excess moisture.
The shade of Avelrose serrate inflorescences depends on the acidity of the soil
Hydrangea in landscape design
Serrata hydrangea has no drawbacks, which is why designers love it so much. Due to the huge variety of colors and shapes of inflorescences, these plants play the role of a bright accent in landscape compositions. The leaf blades look unusual and thereby emphasize the beauty of the bushes.
Since hydrangea has a long flowering period, hedges are often made from it; they are planted along the fence and near the walls of houses.
Low-growing varieties are grown in pots.
Often, hydrangea compositions are placed in separate groups. However, they also go well with other ornamental plants. Hydrangea looks good next to birch, maple, acacia and lilac, as well as willow, bird cherry, barberry, and jasmine. Also suitable for her are dahlias, roses, peonies, star, rhododendrum, azalea, astilbe,
Frost resistance of hydrangea serrata
The winter hardiness of serrated hydrangea depends on the variety. Here are the indicators that the most popular types can withstand:
- Bluebird - 20 °C,
- Koreana - 25 °C;
- Preciosa - 20 °C;
- Golden Sunlight - 16 °C;
- Vierle - 18 °C;
- Avelrose - 23°C.
Care and cultivation of serrata hydrangea
In order for the plant to grow and develop properly, it must be treated with special attention. First of all, you need to choose the right place for planting and root the seedling. In the future, after this, we must not forget about constant care. Without it, hydrangea stops blooming and begins to get sick and gradually die.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The serrated variety of hydrangea does not tolerate direct sunlight. Under them, its petals become too pale. However, serrata hydrangea is not suitable for full shade. Excessive darkening can cause the bushes to stop blooming. The best option is partial shade. Hydrangea should be planted in places protected from strong winds. Planting close to a building is undesirable, since in this case it may freeze out in winter.
A few days before planting, the area is dug up. Soil overgrown with weeds can be pre-treated with herbicides 2 weeks in advance. Serrated hydrangeas love light, acidic soil rich in humus. They do not tolerate high levels of lime and ash in the soil, as it reduces acidity.
In cases where the soil is heavy and has a poor composition, a ready-made substrate is purchased in advance from a garden store for planting. Some summer residents do it themselves. To do this, crushed high-moor peat, turf, humus, black soil and sand are mixed in equal parts.
Landing rules
The planting hole is made in advance. Its size must fully correspond to the size of the plant’s root system. The optimal distance between pits is 1.5 m.
The procedure for planting the serrated variety of hydrangea is simple. Water is poured into the hole and a seedling is placed.Then it is covered with earth or a pre-prepared substrate. The soil around the planted plant is lightly compacted and watered. Finally, lay out a layer of mulch about 10 cm thick. For this, use pine needles or sawdust.
The serrated variety of hydrangea is recommended to be planted in spring or autumn
Watering and fertilizing
Most serrated hydrangea varieties require regular watering. It is especially important to carry out this procedure during heat and drought. Plants are watered as the soil dries at the roots. The water should be at room temperature. If it is too cold, it needs to be warmed up. The chlorinated liquid must sit for some time. The use of rainwater is encouraged.
The bushes need to be fertilized twice a year, first before and then after flowering. At the beginning of spring, 20 g of urea is dissolved in a bucket of water and the resulting liquid is poured over the hydrangea. For each bush, 3 buckets of solution are used. After flowering ends, hydrangea is fed with complex mineral fertilizers.
How to prune serrated hydrangea
The most suitable time for pruning the plant is March. The shoots are cut out in such a way that 6-12 of the most powerful ones remain. The surviving branches are shortened by several buds (up to 5). Pruning serrated hydrangea in the fall involves removing fading inflorescences.
Only old bushes need radical pruning. They are shortened so that stumps up to 8 cm high remain above the ground. It is not dangerous and even useful.After such pruning, new young shoots grow and bloom profusely.
Preparing serrata hydrangea for winter
In autumn, bushes need to be treated with chemicals against insect pests and all kinds of infections. When all the foliage has fallen from the bush and it becomes completely bare, it should be sprayed with a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture. If you need to replant serrated hydrangea, this can be done in the fall.
Most serrated varieties have very good frost resistance, but despite this, they still need shelter for the winter. First you need to add superphosphate and potassium salt into the hole. Then you should tie the shoots into a bundle and bend them slightly to the ground. Finally, cover the plant with two layers of spunbond. It is better to carry out the procedure before frost begins.
Reproduction
The serrated type of hydrangea can be propagated by seeds, division, layering or cuttings. The last method is the most popular. Cuttings are usually taken from young shoots of young bushes. Traditionally, the middle part of the shoots is used, which lacks flowering tops and lower leaves.
To make the roots grow faster, the cuttings are placed in water with a root former (any kind). If this is not available, add honey to the water (1 tsp per 250 ml). The cuttings are planted under cover, and in the spring the already rooted plants are transplanted to a permanent place.
For propagation by layering, an adult bush is selected. With the onset of spring, before the buds open, its lower branches are pressed to the ground, pinned, and the contact area is sprinkled with soil. By autumn these branches will take root. New plants are transplanted to a permanent location in the spring.
Seed propagation is usually practiced by breeders during their experiments.Specimens grown from seed material often do not take on the parental qualities.
Cuttings are a reliable and effective way to propagate serrated hydrangeas.
Diseases and pests
Excess calcium in the soil is fraught with the development of chlorosis of serrated leaves. If the green mass begins to turn yellow or pale, it is necessary to use a foliar fertilizer that contains iron. In this case, it is important to acidify the soil by adding peat, crushed bark or ammonium sulfate.
One of the most common pests is aphids. The main signs of its presence are damage to young leaves and the development of fungal diseases. If the number of aphids is small, they are destroyed by natural enemies - lacewing and ladybug. You can fight a major invasion with a homemade decoction. It is made like this: 1 kg of raw or 200 g of fresh nettle leaves, chamomile flowers or dandelion roots is poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for 24 hours. If this does not help, use an insecticide.
Conclusion
Hydrangea serrata is an ornamental shrub with openwork flowers, which often becomes the main decoration of the garden. The plant is not at all picky about growing conditions and care. Even inexperienced summer residents can cope with this. If you follow the basic rules of agricultural technology, the plant will delight you with its beauty for many years.
Reviews of hydrangea serrata
