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Paniculate hydrangea is a plant of unusual beauty. It can be grown in flowerpots and in the garden. Thanks to the large selection, you can choose the look you like best. Hydrangea Big Ben will become a bright decoration of any garden. The plant gained popularity not for its bright blooms, but for the fact that the inflorescences change colors throughout the season.
Description of hydrangea Big Ben
Hydrangea Big Ben forms a spreading, symmetrical bush 2.5 m high. In spring, oblong leaves with jagged edges appear on bright burgundy strong shoots. Large, fragrant, cone-shaped inflorescences are green in the budding phase, then they acquire a soft pink color, and at the beginning of autumn they become deep pink. Flowering is long-lasting, from June to September.
Flower color changes as it blooms
Hydrangea Big Ben in landscape design
Hydrangea Big Ben is ideal for creating flower arrangements.When planted next to an artificial pond, bright flowers, reflected in the water, give the area a lively and relief appearance. Since the shrub lends itself well to modeling, hydrangea can be turned into a flowering ball or formed into a hedge. The shrub is large, so it will look good in a single planting and next to ornamental shrubs. Hydrangea planted in a recreation area will give the place coziness and comfort.
When decorating your garden plot, you need to know which plants the flower harmonizes with:
- with conifers - in combination with spruce crops, the site takes on a Mediterranean appearance;
The needles will prevent the development of diseases and prevent the appearance of insect pests
- flowering perennials, roses, dahlias, azaleas, look good in combination with Big Ben hydrangea;
- ornamental shrubs in combination with hydrangea give the site a unique look.
Hydrangea goes well with flowering perennials
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Big Ben
Hydrangea paniculata big ben is a cold-resistant plant. Without shelter, an adult bush can withstand temperatures down to -25 °C. But in order not to lose the plant, the young bush is covered with mulch and agrofibre for 2 years after planting.
Planting and caring for Big Ben hydrangea
Hydrangea Big Ben is an unpretentious plant. The shrub is fast growing, the first inflorescences appear 2 years after planting. But for it to become a decoration for your garden plot, you need to choose the seedling wisely and know the agrotechnical rules.
When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the following points:
- Good survival rate is observed in seedlings aged 3-4 years.
- A high-quality specimen should have brightly colored shoots and 4-5 healthy buds.
- The root system is healthy, lightly colored, up to 30 cm long.
- The leaf blade is a rich olive color, without signs of disease.
- For better rooting, cuttings from half a meter in height are suitable.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Hydrangea Big Ben is a heat-loving plant. Therefore, the planting site should be located in full sun or partial shade. The selected area should be protected from gusty winds and drafts.
Hydrangea grows and develops well in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. In case of high acidity, pine needles, sawdust or peat are added to the soil during digging.
The bush grows and develops well in open sun.
Landing rules
Young seedlings are planted in spring and autumn. Spring transfer to the ground is preferable, since over the entire warm period the plant will grow a root system and go into winter stronger.
After choosing a location and purchasing a seedling, planting begins. In order for it to quickly take root and begin to develop, it is important to follow certain rules:
- Dig a hole measuring 50x50 cm. When planting several specimens, the interval between bushes is maintained at least 2 m.
- A drainage layer is laid on the bottom.
- The excavated soil is diluted with peat, sand and humus. Superphosphate, urea and potassium sulfate are added to the nutrient mixture. Mix everything thoroughly.
- The hole is filled ½ full with nutrient soil.
- The roots of the seedling are straightened and placed in the center.
- The hole is filled with soil mixture.
- The top layer is compacted, spilled and mulched.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea Big Ben is a moisture-loving plant; with a lack of moisture, growth and development stops, the inflorescences become smaller and fade. In hot weather, the plant is irrigated 2 times a week. About 3 buckets of settled water are used for each bush. To retain moisture, the tree trunk circle is covered with foliage, pine needles or straw.
For long and abundant flowering, Big Ben hydrangea is fed several times a season. Fertilizer application scheme:
- at the beginning of the growing season - mullein and bird droppings;
- in the budding phase - a mineral complex;
- during the flowering period - manure;
- in autumn, after flowering - phosphorus-potassium fertilizing.
Watering is carried out with warm, settled water
Pruning Hydrangea Big Ben
Hydrangea Big Ben responds well to pruning. It is carried out in early spring before sap flow.
An incorrect haircut can lead to a lack of flowering, so you need to know certain rules:
- last year's shoots are shortened by 1/3 of the length;
- dried branches that have not overwintered are cut off at the root;
- bushes at the age of 5 years need to be rejuvenated; for this, the shoots are shortened, leaving stumps of 7-8 cm.
Preparing for winter
Hydrangea Big Ben is a frost-resistant plant, so shelter for the winter is not required. When growing in regions with cold winters, it is better to protect young seedlings for the winter:
- the branches are tied and laid on the ground;
- straw or dry leaves are placed on top and covered with spruce branches or agrofibre;
- The shelter is removed in the spring, after the end of spring frosts.
Reproduction
Hydrangea Big Ben can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, cuttings or dividing the bush.Seed propagation is labor-intensive work, so it is not suitable for beginner gardeners.
Cuttings are a simple and effective method. Seedlings 10-15 cm in size are cut from a healthy shoot. The planting material is buried at an angle in nutrient soil and covered with a jar. After rooting, the cover is removed and the container is moved to a bright, warm place. After 3 years, the strengthened cuttings are moved to a prepared place.
Cuttings are taken in mid-summer
Dividing by bends is not a labor-intensive method. The shoot, located near the ground, is placed in a trench, leaving the upper leaves above the surface of the ground. Sprinkle with soil, water and mulch. A year later, the rooted branch is disconnected from the mother bush and planted in a sunny place.
Another method is to divide the bush; during replanting, the old bush is divided into a certain number of divisions. Each part is kept in a growth stimulator and placed in prepared, fertilized holes.
Diseases and pests
Paniculata hydrangea Big Ben is immune to diseases and pests. But if agricultural practices are not followed, the plant may develop the following ailments:
- Powdery mildew. The disease manifests itself as a white coating on the leaves, which can be easily removed with a finger.
You can save the plant using Bordeaux mixture or “Fundazol”, treatment is carried out once every 2 weeks
- Aphid. Colonies of insects settle on the above-ground parts. You can get rid of them using folk remedies (250 g of chopped garlic are infused for 2 days in a bucket of water). Treatment is carried out once every 7 days until the pests completely disappear.
Pests feed on the sap of the plant, as a result it stops growing and developing
- Chlorosis. The disease can be recognized by the lightening of the leaf blade.
You can help the plant by regularly spraying it with Chelate or Agricola.
- Ring spot. A dangerous disease that destroys the plant gradually. In the initial stage, the leaf blade becomes covered with necrotic spots. Then the foliage dries out and falls off.
The disease cannot be treated, therefore, to prevent it from spreading to neighboring crops, the bush is dug up and burned
- Spider mite. Microscopic insects cover the entire above-ground part with a thin web. As a result, the plant weakens and there is no flowering.
You can get rid of the pest with broad-spectrum insecticides
Conclusion
Hydrangea Big Ben is a beautifully flowering, unpretentious shrub. If you follow agricultural technology, the plant will delight you with long and abundant flowering. In combination with coniferous crops, ornamental shrubs and perennial flowers, hydrangea will transform the area and make it more romantic and cozy.
