Content
- 1 Description of hydrangea Strawberry Blossom
- 2 Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom in landscape design
- 3 Winter hardiness of Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom
- 4 Planting and caring for Strawberry Blossom hydrangea
- 5 Reproduction
- 6 Diseases and pests
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Reviews of hydrangea Strawberry Blossom
Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom is a popular variety widely grown in the CIS countries. It is important to know how to plant a plant correctly and how to care for it in the future.
Description of hydrangea Strawberry Blossom
Hydrangea is a shrub about 1 m high, with lushly blooming corymbose inflorescences. Each of them contains bisexual sterile flowers. The shoots are strong and rarely break under gusts of wind. Typically, fertile flowers are located in the middle of the wedge-shaped inflorescences, framed by infertile specimens. The diameter of the flowers is 30 cm. Paniculata hydrangea Gydrangea Paniculata Strawberry Blossom successfully takes root in central Russia. Flowering occurs in mid-July and lasts until the end of October. In Moscow and the Moscow region, it is better to plant it in an area well illuminated by sunlight.In the South, it is recommended to place bushes in partial shade. Hydrangea will serve as a spectacular decoration for any garden; the flowers are shaped like strawberries. Due to the similarity of the inflorescences with this crop, the variety is also called “Strawberry Blossom”.
Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom in landscape design
Hydrangea is planted in gardens as a hedge, to decorate the border. Strawberry Blossom bushes will become an attractive decoration of the dacha area. The flower is placed as the main element or in combination with other crops.
Pinkish-white hydrangea blooms look incredibly delicate
Winter hardiness of Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom
Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is famous for its high resistance to cold; the bushes can withstand frosts down to -31. In regions with harsh winters, it is recommended to additionally insulate the crop.
Planting and caring for Strawberry Blossom hydrangea
In order for planting material to successfully take root, it should be planted in a suitable place, having previously prepared the site. It is important to consider planting rules.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
It is recommended to plant Hydrangea paniculata Little Blossom in fertile soil, having prepared a hole in advance. The acidity of the soil should be at least 6.0, then the bushes will bloom profusely. Experienced gardeners advise giving preference to sunny areas. The Strawberry Blossom variety develops best in a place protected from the wind. Bushes should be replanted in the spring.
The selected location is plowed and weeds are removed 2 weeks before planting. Dug up soil allows oxygen to pass through and absorbs fertilizers better. The holes are made 40-45 cm deep and 55-70 cm wide. The root system of hydrangea grows in breadth, extending beyond the crown.It is optimal to carry out planting work in early May or September.
Landing rules
Before planting seedlings, they are checked for integrity and the presence of diseases. In order for them to take root better, the seedlings should be dipped in a solution to stimulate the growth of rhizomes "Epin" or a clay mixture for 2 hours.
The algorithm for planting Strawberry Blossom hydrangea is as follows:
- Pour 3 buckets of water into the holes. After the soil has dried, add mineral and organic fertilizers: a mixture of 1 tbsp. l. urea, potassium sulfate, garden soil, sand, peat and humus. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Plant the seedlings in the ground and compact the area around them.
- Water the Strawberry Blossom plantings with water in the amount of 30 liters per 1 square meter. m.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is translated into Russian as “water vessel.” This is explained by the fact that the crop needs frequent watering. Hydrangea is watered once a week with settled water. The root area should always be moist. For less evaporation of liquid, use a mulching layer of peat, sawdust, rotted leaves or humus. For 1 bush you will need 7 liters of water.
During the growing season, shrubs are fed 4 times
In the spring, nutrient mixtures of nitrogen are added. In the flowering phase, potassium and phosphate components are added. In autumn, fertilize with potassium sulfate and superphosphate.
Pruning Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom
It is necessary to prune hydrangea bushes, otherwise the growth of the plant is inhibited and the risk of developing diseases and beetle attacks increases. Formation begins at 4 years of age. Removal of frozen, damaged shoots growing inward.On the 5-10 remaining strongest branches of the hydrangea, 3-5 buds are left. This pruning stimulates abundant flowering. Old bushes need rejuvenating pruning. Leave up to 10 young branches, or cut off all shoots to stumps. The Strawberry Blossom variety will bloom magnificently after such events in 2 years.
An example of formative pruning of Strawberry Blossom bushes to achieve more luxuriant flowering
Preparing for winter
Adult hydrangea shrubs are winter-hardy and do not require shelter for the winter period. If you resort to insulation, the plant will bloom more luxuriantly. Usually the root system is covered with a layer of mulch of 20-30 cm. Young bushes must be covered before frost. For shelter, use a frame of branches, spandex, or burlap. The material must be permeable to oxygen.
Reproduction
Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is propagated by cuttings, dividing the bush or layering:
- Cuttings. This is the most productive method, thanks to which you can get a lot of Strawberry Blossom hydrangea seedlings. It is optimal to take cuttings from the plant in May or summer so that they take root by the cold season. In the spring, woody branches that remain after pruning are used. They are dipped in water for 3 days, then cut into pieces. Each specimen after pruning must have at least 3 buds. Then they are planted in a nutrient mixture of peat and sand in a 1:1 ratio. The plantings are irrigated and covered with film. Rooted seedlings of Strawberry Blossom hydrangea are planted in the garden in the spring. In summer, green, non-woody specimens are used. Each one should have a minimum of 4-6 sheets. The lower leaves are removed from them, and the upper ones are cut in half.Hydrangea cuttings are placed in water for 3 days, then treated with a growth stimulator and planted in nutritious, moist peat and sand soil. The cuttings are covered with a jar on top to create a greenhouse effect. Rooted plantings overwinter in greenhouse conditions, and the next season they are planted in the garden.
- Layerings. In March, before the buds bloom, a hole 5 cm deep is made near the selected branch. The lower shoot of the Strawberry Blossom variety is bent and placed in this recess. To prevent it from straightening out, they bend it to the soil in several places and cover it with it. The tip of the branch should be on the surface. He is tied to a peg. By August, roots and young branches 15-20 cm high form on the hydrangea layerings. They are spudded every week. In the last days of September next year, young plants are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
- Dividing the bush. The mother bush of Strawberry Blossom hydrangea is dug up and divided into 3 parts. Each of them should include 3-4 buds. Planting holes with a nutrient mixture are prepared in advance. If there are root suckers around the plant, you don’t have to dig up the bush, but only carefully separate them without damaging the root system. First, it is better to remove the top layer of soil around the shoots. Already in the first year of planting, Strawberry Blossom bushes will bloom with lush flowers.
Inexperienced gardeners will find it easier to propagate Strawberry Blossom hydrangea by cuttings
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is famous for its powerful immunity, but in bad weather conditions and lack of compliance with care standards, the bushes are subject to attacks by beetles and diseases. The most common diseases are:
- Leaf chlorosis. The disease is characterized by yellowing of hydrangea foliage, but the veins remain green. The disease is provoked by an increased calcium content in the soil. Chlorosis also develops due to the use of too large a dose of mineral supplements. To get rid of the disease, Strawberry Blossom bushes are acidified with peat and aluminum sulfate at the rate of 1.5-5 kg per 1 sq. m. m. When the event does not bring results, take iron-based fertilizer or melanterite solution. For prevention, Strawberry Blossom hydrangea is mulched with peat, conifer bark, and watered with water at room temperature.
- Leaf burns. If the sun's rays burn the foliage of the Strawberry Blossom hydrangea, whitish, translucent spots appear on it. Damaged tissues become thinner. To prevent burns, bushes should be shaded.
- Powdery mildew. Pathology develops at a temperature of 18-25 degrees. It is promoted by excess fertilizing with nitrogen and low humidity. At the first symptoms of the disease, increase the frequency of watering and mulch the shrubs. Too dense specimens of the Strawberry Blossom variety are replanted in March. Infected shrubs are sprayed with fungicides and biological products 2-3 times with a pause of 10 days. When powdery mildew is severe, hydrangea cannot be treated.
- Gray rot. When a grayish, dense coating settles on the leaves of hydrangea, this is preceded by too frequent pruning and watering. Affected specimens are removed, burned away from the garden, the remaining parts of the bush are sprayed with fungicides 2-3 times with an interval of 1 week. Mulching the bushes is suitable as an additional measure.
- Tracheomycosis wilt. Signs of the disease are first visible on the roots, later they grow into the core of the trunk and branches, filling the vascular network. The harmful organism blocks access to beneficial components, and the bush dies. To cure hydrangea, you need to remove the affected areas and spill the soil around with manganese solution. You can also sprinkle Strawberry Blossom bushes with a mixture of powdered sulfur and wood ash.
If you carry out preventive treatments of hydrangea with fungicides, remove wheatgrass in time, plow the soil, beetle attacks and the development of diseases can be avoided
Conclusion
Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom will effectively decorate any garden. The plant requires little care; even an inexperienced gardener can grow it. The main thing is to pay attention to the purchase of seedlings; they should be taken from specialized nurseries or from trusted sellers on the market. Compliance with care standards will help to achieve lush flowering the very next year after planting.
Reviews of hydrangea Strawberry Blossom
