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One of the most attractive flowering shrubs is the Pink Diamond hydrangea. It produces large inflorescences with very beautiful flowers in white, light pink and deep pink shades. At the same time, Pink Diamond is not a particularly demanding crop. Due to its high winter hardiness, it can be grown in almost any region of Russia. Basic care requirements include regular feeding, watering and sufficient lighting.
Description of hydrangea Pink Diamond
Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond (literally “pink diamond”) is a fairly large, spreading shrub that grows up to 1.5-2 m in height. This is one of the most decorative varieties of hydrangea, blooming throughout the summer, from July until the end of September. The flowers are collected in very large panicle inflorescences (up to 35 cm long).
At first, the petals are painted in white and cream tones, and towards the end of summer they become bright pink. The decorative value of hydrangea is associated not only with lush inflorescences, but also with a rather dense crown. The light petals contrast well against its rich green background, giving the tree a very attractive appearance.
Pinky Diamond hydrangea flowers become especially beautiful in August and September.
Hydrangea Pink Diamond in landscape design
A distinctive feature of the Pink Diamond variety is lush panicles with numerous bright pink flowers. The decorative value of the bush is also associated with its beautiful, large leaves with a matte green surface. Thanks to this combination, this tree can be used to decorate the garden in a variety of ways:
- Single landings.
- Plantings near the house, along fences and other buildings.
- Several hydrangea bushes planted in a certain order, for example, in a triangle, also look beautiful.
- A lush, tall Pink Diamond hydrangea bush can be planted along the path - then it will always be pleasant to walk along it.
- Pink Diamond harmonizes well with other plants and hedges.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Pink Diamond
This is one of the most winter-hardy varieties of hydrangeas, which are successfully grown not only in the central zone, but also in other regions of Russia:
- North and North-West;
- Ural;
- Siberia;
- Far East.
There is evidence that Pink Diamond hydrangea can withstand even extreme frosts down to -35 degrees. Therefore, adult bushes do not need to be covered - just mulch the roots with pine needles, sawdust and other natural materials.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond
For planting in open ground, seedlings at least 3 years old are used. The optimal planting time is spring (April, after the snow melts). At the same time, planting Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond is allowed in the fall, but only in the southern regions (Stavropol, Kuban, North Caucasus).
Selection and preparation of a landing site
When choosing a landing site, you should pay attention to several practical recommendations:
- Hydrangea Pink Diamond, like representatives of other varieties, loves illuminated places, but too much light will also be harmful. Therefore, it is better to choose a place with slight shade from buildings, trees or shrubs.
- In the south, the shadow may be somewhat stronger - for example, you can simply plant hydrangea next to a high fence or house. In the north, you can choose an open or slightly shaded place.
- At the same time, Pink Diamond does not like strong winds, so it needs a natural barrier in the form of bushes or buildings.
- Any varieties of hydrangeas, including Pink Diamond, prefer fertile, moderately acidified soil. However, they grow poorly in neutral soil and do not tolerate alkaline soil at all.
The garden plot does not require any special preparation - just clean it, dig up the soil and form a small planting hole
Landing rules
Hydrangea Pink Diamond grows well on black soil and light loam. But even if the soil is not very fertile, it will be possible to grow this plant provided that fertilizers are applied in a timely manner. Before planting, you need to prepare the soil mixture. It is believed that the optimal composition for hydrangeas is:
- leaf soil (2 parts);
- humus (2 parts);
- peat (1 part);
- sand (1 part).
Another option:
- leaf soil (4 parts);
- turf land (2 parts);
- sand (1 part).
Planting is carried out according to the standard method:
- Dig a small hole with the same diameter and depth (30 cm).
- Water with 2-3 buckets of water.
- Cover with soil.
- Place the seedling in the center so that the root collar remains on the surface of the ground.
- Water again.
- Mulch with pine needles, sawdust and leaves (layer 6-7 cm).
The Pink Diamond bush grows quite widely, so when planting several hydrangeas, it is necessary to maintain an interval of at least 1 m
Watering and fertilizing
Any varieties of hydrangeas, including Pink Diamond, love abundant (but at the same time moderate) watering. Therefore, it is necessary to follow a certain regime:
- If precipitation is heavy, there is no need to water the plant - you can pour 1-2 buckets only once a month, as needed.
- If there is little rain, it is necessary to water weekly with 2-3 buckets so that the soil remains slightly moist all days.
- In case of drought, watering is increased to 2 times a week. But as soon as the rains begin, it must be stopped - excess moisture harms hydrangeas.
This variety is also quite demanding when it comes to fertilizing, which is applied several times a season (about once a month) according to the following scheme:
- In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied - this can be saltpeter or organic fertilizers (infusion of mullein or bird droppings).
- In summer, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are added 2-3 times (monthly). They begin to be introduced from the budding stage.
- At the end of August, you should stop fertilizing so that the bush can calmly prepare for winter.
Pruning Pink Diamond hydrangea
Pruning Pink Diamond, like most other varieties, is mandatory. Thanks to this, the crown retains its attractive appearance. In addition, removing old branches promotes more luxuriant flowering, since the bulk of the nutrients goes to young, healthy branches.
The bush is trimmed regularly. The main pruning is in spring (it is carried out in March, even before the sap begins to flow). Using pruning shears or garden shears, remove:
- dead, old shoots;
- damaged branches;
- branches protruding strongly beyond the crown.
It is also worth periodically thinning the crown, cutting off all branches growing inward, and not on the sides. Young shoots are pruned so that 2-3 buds remain. You can repeat the haircut in the fall, shortly before the first frost.
Preparing for winter
Since Pink Diamond hydrangea is a winter-hardy variety, it does not need special shelter for the winter. However, it is better to cover young seedlings with soil and mulch the roots. To do this, create a layer of pine needles, sawdust, and fallen leaves to a height of no more than 6-7 cm.This procedure is not necessary in the future.
However, it is better to carry out mulching at the beginning of each season. This is especially important for arid regions, because a layer of mulch protects the soil from drying out quickly.
Propagation of Pink Diamond hydrangea
Hydrangea is bred in different ways:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- seeds.
The easiest way is to obtain layering. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- In mid-spring, the lower shoot is fixed on slightly loosened soil and sprinkled so that only the top remains on the surface.
- Water regularly and make sure that the green part grows quickly.
- In September, the roots of the cutting will be fully formed - it can be separated from the mother bush.
- Then the cuttings are planted separately and prepared for wintering (mulching, covering).
- Next spring they need to be planted in permanent places.
Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings is also quite simple - green cuttings are obtained from apical shoots in early summer. First, they are rooted in the sand, and after 2-3 months they are transplanted into containers with ordinary fertile soil. The cuttings overwinter indoors and in the spring they are transferred to open ground.
To obtain a hydrangea cutting, it is enough to cut off the apical shoot with 2-3 pairs of leaves: the lower pair is removed, and the rest are cut in half
Diseases and pests
In general, the Pink Diamond variety is resistant to unfavorable climatic conditions and diseases. But from time to time it can be affected by various pathologies:
- gray rot;
- powdery mildew;
- leaf spot;
- root rot;
- chlorosis.
In the case of fungal diseases, it is necessary to treat with fungicides. If diseases are associated with improper care (yellowing of leaves due to chlorosis), nitrogen fertilizers must be applied. A solution of citric acid (5 g) and iron sulfate (3 g) per 1 liter of water is suitable.
Hydrangea chlorosis can be associated both with insufficient feeding and with the spread of infection.
Pink Diamond, like other varieties of hydrangeas, is susceptible to insect pests, for example: aphids, spider mites, leaf rollers. To combat them, insecticides and folk remedies are used (mustard infusion, decoction of marigold flowers, soda solution, laundry soap and others).
Conclusion
Hydrangea Pink Diamond will be a godsend for any garden. This is a full-fledged flower shrub that looks beautiful even on its own. It is easy to care for, although it requires some attention. Experience shows that hydrangea can be grown even in regions with frosty winters. Moreover, even a novice amateur gardener can cope with this task.
