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Hydrangea Confetti is one of the favorite ornamental plants among gardeners. And this is not surprising. It combines a lot of positive qualities: large inflorescences, pleasant colors, long flowering, low maintenance and endurance. The main advantage of this type of hydrangea over others is that it tolerates cold well.
Description of hydrangea Confetti
Hydrangea paniculata (lat. Hydrangeapaniculata Confetti) is a low-growing ornamental bush. Its height is 1-1.5 m, and its diameter is 75 cm. The inflorescences are large, openwork, conical in shape, reaching a length of 30 cm. They are located vertically. The panicles contain many fragrant flowers.
As the hydrangea blooms, it changes color
Confetti flowers appear in July. Initially they are white and green. However, from the second week of flowering, a change in color begins. The lower tiers acquire a pink tint of varying degrees of saturation. Flowering continues until September.
The leaves are dark green, oval, pointed, with pronounced veins. The stems are strong and combine a mixture of scarlet, brown and orange colors.
Hydrangea Confetti in landscape design
From the description and photo of the Confetti hydrangea, it is clear that it will look harmonious both in flower beds and on lawns. Perfect for landscape compositions. It can be planted as a single bush or in groups. Combines with barberry and conifers. Suitable for outdoor cultivation and container growing.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Confetti
Hydrangea Confetti is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and endurance. It can tolerate frosts down to -30°C. This quality allows it to be grown not only in regions with a southern climate.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea paniculata Confetti
The abundance of its flowering depends on how well you care for the Confetti Hydrangea. Before planting young bushes (3-4 years old) in open ground, you need to decide what decorative effect will be achieved after strengthening the plants. Based on this, you need to calculate at what distance to make the holes.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Hydrangea loves nutritious, moderately moist, slightly acidic, lime-free soil. The place for planting it must be chosen so that at lunchtime it is in partial shade. Under the bright sun, the plant feels uncomfortable; it blooms later, but its inflorescences never become lush.It is ideal if the Confetti hydrangea is illuminated only in the morning or evening.
In order for the plant to take root in a new place, a mixture is prepared, which includes:
- 2 parts enriched soil;
- 2 parts of high-moor peat (for acidification);
- 1 part humus (10 kg per 1 m2);
- 1 part sand (to perform drainage function to prevent water stagnation);
- 25 g urea;
- 65 g superphosphate;
- 25 g potassium sulfate;
- a little pine needles (for acidification).
When planting, the prepared mixture is sprinkled on the root system of the young bush.
In order for hydrangea to take root better, it is sprinkled not with soil, but with a special mixture
Landing rules
After the soil has thawed, holes are dug in it, about 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep. The bottom is sprinkled with soil mixture. A small layer of small stones is also laid out there. The minimum distance between the pits is 1.5 m. If it is smaller, the grown Confetti will interfere with each other and compete with each other for the sun's rays. Next, diseased and dried roots will be removed from the seedling. There must be at least 3 growth buds on its stem.
The confetti is immersed in the hole and sprinkled with the remaining soil mixture. The latter is lightly compacted. The planted young bush is generously watered and mulched. Pine needles or tree bark are used as mulch for Confetti. Its layer should be 8-10 cm.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea paniculata confetti is a moisture-loving plant. It is watered twice a week. At the same time, 3 buckets of water are consumed for each adult bush. During periods of cold weather and frequent precipitation, the frequency of the procedure is reduced, and in drought, if necessary, increased. It is advisable that the water does not contain chlorine. Rain water is ideal for these purposes. Some summer residents collect it in advance and store it in barrels and bathtubs.They try to water Confetti hydrangea carefully, so as not to wet the leaves and flowers.
To keep the Confetti crown lush, fertilize it periodically. This is usually done during the following periods:
- In the fall, phosphorus and potassium preparations are added;
- in the spring, 20 g of urea is dissolved in a bucket of water and the plants are watered with the prepared solution;
- During the growing season, 8-10 liters of manure are poured under each plant.
In addition, there is a recipe for fertilizing that stimulates abundant flowering of a young hydrangea bush. They do it like this: 30 g of potassium sulfate is mixed with 30 g of urea and 30 g of superphosphate. The resulting mixture is dissolved in a bucket of water. The maximum dosage is 3 buckets.
Pruning hydrangea Confetti
Confetti bush pruning is done twice:
- in autumn, remove wilted inflorescences;
- In the spring, diseased, dry branches are pruned.
In the summer months, if necessary, thin the bush and adjust its shape. This allows you to achieve the most aesthetic appearance. When removing shoots, be sure to leave at least 4 growth buds for further development of the plant.
Preparing for winter
Despite the fact that Confetti easily tolerates cold, after pruning the hydrangea is prepared for winter. They do it like this:
- The plant is wrapped in insulation.
- A structure is created above it from a base and a mesh covering, and the internal void is covered with dry fallen leaves.
- The mesh and frame are covered with a thick, waterproof film on top.
This way it is possible to create a favorable microclimate around the Confetti hydrangea and save it from icing in the event of a sharp temperature change.
Despite the fact that Confetti is a cold-resistant variety, it still needs to be insulated for the winter
Reproduction
Hydrangea flowers are sterile and do not participate in sexual reproduction of the plant. Therefore, gardeners propagate bushes using the following methods:
- By cuttings. The procedure involves taking hydrangea cuttings before the tissue begins to harden (June). The cuttings are immersed in water, where they remain until roots appear. After the end of the adaptation period, the young plant is planted in a permanent place.
- Dividing the bush. An adult hydrangea is divided into several young bushes.
- By layering. The Confetti shoot is bent to the ground and secured. This method is the least effective.
When transplanting hydrangeas, you need to dig up young bushes with a lump of soil. This will avoid damage to the root system. The main advantage of asexual plant propagation is that it allows you to completely preserve the qualities of the mother. This means that the mother and the young bush will be similar to each other.
The roots should be placed in a plastic bag and several handfuls of peat and raw sawdust should be poured into it. You need to make sure that the roots of the young bush do not dry out.
Diseases and pests
When growing hydrangea, you can encounter a number of problems, especially often with young bushes.
This is, first of all:
- Spider mite attack. The pest attacks the lower part of the leaf and braids it with a brown web. As a result, it turns yellow, and then dries up and falls off. At an air temperature of 30 °C and a humidity of 40-50%, its development cycle takes a week.At an air temperature of 10 °C and a humidity of 85%, its activity decreases. The problem is eliminated by spraying the bushes with thiophos (7 g per bucket of water).
The pest produces up to 12 generations per year
- Aphid attack. In closed ground conditions, when forcing plants, an attack by green leaf aphids is possible. To combat it, use a solution of anabasine sulfate (15 g of the substance is diluted in a bucket of water). Confetti is sprayed with it twice.
When attacked by aphids, immediate leaf wilting begins
- Downy mildew. Its main symptom is oily spots on the leaves, which gradually turn yellow and darken and increase in size. A yellow coating forms on the bottom of the leaves. It is often present on the stems. The pathological process develops most actively at air temperatures around 20 ° C and excessive humidity. To eliminate the problem, the leaves are treated with a mixture of 150 g of green soap, 15 g of copper sulfate and a bucket of water.
The pathological process affects the leaves and stems of Confetti
- Chlorosis. The main symptom of the pathological process is leaf lightening. Only the veins on them retain their color. Frequent application of humus can lead to problems. To cure hydrangea from chlorosis, it needs to be watered three times with a solution of potassium nitrate (40 g of product per bucket of water), and three days later with a solution of iron sulfate (also 40 g per bucket of water).
Confetti, which grow in soil with a high lime content, most often suffer from chlorosis.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Confetti is a bright representative of a culture that can not only delight the eye with bright, beautiful flowers, but also surprise with the change in color of the petals during flowering. The plant is not at all whimsical.Caring for it includes regular watering and fertilizing, pruning diseased and old branches, and insulation for the winter. Even a beginner can cope with this task.
