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Magical Candle is a popular, unpretentious variety of paniculate hydrangeas. The shape of her flower brushes is similar to a candle. Because of this feature, the variety got its name “Magical Candle”, which translates as “Magic Candle”. Panicle hydrangea Magical Candle will help gardeners create a romantic and sophisticated garden with minimal effort.
Hydrangea Magical Candle is considered one of the most beautiful, elegant and spectacular species, thanks to the original inflorescences
Description of Hydrangea paniculata Magical Candle
Hydrangea Magical Candle is a lush, compact shrub, 2-3 m high, up to 1.5 m in diameter. The leaves are quite dense and hard, jagged along the edges, and dark green in color. The inflorescences are dense, large, pyramidal in shape. They grow strictly vertically. Flowers have an original color that changes as they bloom. At first they are white-cream or greenish.A little later, the inflorescences of the Magical Candle hydrangea acquire a soft pink hue. At the final stage, the flowers become bright crimson. The budding season begins in early summer and continues until mid-autumn.
Hydrangea Magical Candle in landscape design
The exquisite and luxurious Magical Candle hydrangea is one of the most sought-after and popular shrubs used in landscape design and landscaping. This crop is valued for its abundant flowering and harmoniously combined colors.
Very often, Magical Candle hydrangea is used in landscape design to create a flowering hedge. Basically, it either decorates the facade of the garden plot, or helps to zone the garden. Hydrangea is also grown in mixborders - complex compositions of flowering perennial plants and shrubs. It is also used as a monoplant, as an independent garden decoration.
Hydrangea variety Magical Candle looks good in a hedge
Winter hardiness of hydrangea paniculata variety Magical Candle
Hydrangea (magical candle) Magical Candle is a winter-hardy variety adapted for regions with temperate climates. The plant tolerates winter well, in particular, it can withstand a significant decrease in air temperature (down to - 30 ° C).
Planting and caring for Hydrangea Magical Candle
Magical Candle is an unpretentious garden crop. A minimal set of care-related activities will allow you to get beautiful and lushly flowering bushes.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The location for planting Magical Candle hydrangea should be sunny. Placement of seedlings in partial shade is allowed. The shrub prefers fertile, neutral or slightly acidic soil. Alkaline soils must be oxidized by adding peat or potassium salt. Hydrangea Magical Candle does not like waterlogged soils.
Landing rules
The most optimal time for planting Magic Candle hydrangea is considered to be the following periods:
- early spring (before buds open);
- autumn (after flowering ends).
It is not recommended to plant a young flower near similar shrubs and trees; this may cause competition for nutrients and moisture.
Step-by-step planting process:
- Prepare planting holes. Their size should be twice the size of the root system of the seedling. The recommended arrangement of bushes is 1.5x2.0 m.
- Prepare a soil mixture of fertile soil, humus and sand.
- At the bottom of the hole, install drainage and sprinkle it with prepared soil.
- Place the bush in the hole along with a lump of earth.
- Fill the space around the seedling with soil mixture.
- Pack the soil firmly around the trunk to prevent air pockets from forming.
- Water the soil in the tree trunk generously.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea Magical Candle is a moisture-loving variety that requires regular and abundant watering. During hot periods, bushes should be watered frequently, several times a week; during moderate periods, 4-5 times a month. It is recommended to pour at least 30-50 liters of water under one root.It is recommended to water in the morning and evening, when there is no sultry heat.
Additional moisture must be provided to plants in dry autumn. Lack of moisture can significantly reduce the winter hardiness of hydrangeas.
Lush flowering is ensured by regular and proper feeding. Fertilizers must be supplied in the dosage required by the plant. An excess of nutrients can lead to the opposite effect. Instead of forming beautiful inflorescences, hydrangea will produce excessive foliage, randomly growing in different directions.
The hole should be 2 times larger in volume than the root of the seedling
To feed the bushes, you can use a variety of fertilizers, which are selected based on the stage of crop growth.
Nutrients | Norm per 1 m2soil | |
At the initial stage of growth | ||
Potassium sulfide | 30-35 g | |
Superphosphate | 35-40 g | |
Urea | 20-25 g | |
During the budding period | ||
Potassium sulfide | 40-45 g | |
Superphosphate | 60-80 g | |
At the end of the growing season | ||
Compost | 15-20 kg | |
Pruning hydrangea varieties Magical Candle
Annual spring pruning allows the shrub to form a lush and beautiful crown. It is recommended to carry it out before the start of sap flow. On a young bush, about 10 strong branches are selected, which are cut by 1/3, leaving 5 buds. Thin and dry shoots are removed completely.
In subsequent years, all branches of a mature plant are cut off (up to 7 cm in height). This procedure is carried out to rejuvenate the bush.
Pruning also prevents the appearance of pests, since a thickened crown promotes their reproduction.At the end of the growing season, cut off all faded inflorescences.
Preparing for winter
The variety is quite frost-resistant, so it is necessary to cover the bushes for the winter only when grown in cold climatic regions, in areas with a significant decrease in winter temperatures, dropping to 25-29 ° C. This rule applies to adult plants. Young seedlings need insulation, regardless of the region of cultivation. For shelter, you can use any mulching materials or branches of coniferous trees.
Reproduction
Hydrangea can be propagated in the following ways:
- cuttings;
- layering.
To get layering next to the mother bush, side shoots are buried. They are placed in specially prepared grooves. In the spring-autumn period, they are regularly cared for - watered and fed. In winter, the layerings are covered. With the onset of spring, they are separated from the bush and sent for growing to a place that is maximally protected from the scorching sun.
Cutting procedure:
- At the tops of the shoots, cuttings (15-20 cm) are separated.
- Treated with a growth stimulator.
- Place in well-moistened soil, deepening to 2 buds.
- Watered.
- Fertilize.
- Shelter for the winter.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea paniculata Magical Candle has good immunity to diseases and pests, but sometimes the bushes are affected by powdery mildew and aphids. Fungal diseases develop due to high humidity and sudden temperature changes.
To combat fungal diseases, biological preparations are used (Fitosporin, Baktofit, Topaz).
Signs of powdery mildew are curled leaves covered with a white coating similar to flour.
Signs of aphids are deformation and wilting of flowers, as well as the presence of puncture marks from bites on the foliage.
The destruction of garden pests is carried out with insecticides
Conclusion
Hydrangea Magical Candle is a perennial, lush-flowering garden plant. The shrub delights with its spectacular beauty from the beginning of summer until frost. This culture requires minimal care. Even a novice gardener can plant this shrub in his garden and enjoy its beauty.
