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Red Angel hydrangea is a new product for 2015 from the Black Diamonds series of dark-leaved species. The variety is distinguished by its spectacular pink-red inflorescences, which change color throughout the entire flowering period. And in combination with dark green foliage, Angel Red hydrangea looks especially elegant. But in order for the flowering to be lush every year, it is necessary to take into account some features of this type of crop.
Description of Red Angel hydrangea
This variety is characterized by compact bushes with erect shoots, the height of which does not exceed 1.5 m when grown in open ground and no more than 0.6 m in pots. The leaves are oval-shaped, pointed at the top and serrated on the sides. They are often located on shoots. They are large in size, 7.5-10 cm long. The plates have a dark green tint with a brown tint along the edge. Young leaves are purple in color with distinct green veins.
The flowers of Red Angel hydrangea are sterile, collected in spherical inflorescences with a diameter of 20 cm. Their color varies from pink to deep red, depending on the stage of flowering and the acidity of the soil.
The flowering period of Angel Red hydrangea begins in July and lasts until September if the plant is properly covered for the winter. The root system of the shrub is branched and superficial. Life expectancy is about 50 years.
The annual growth does not exceed 20 cm in height and width. At the same time, the bush develops organically and maintains a natural balance, so inflorescences are formed in proportion to the development of new shoots.
Adult Red Angel hydrangea forms up to 20 spherical inflorescences annually
Red Angel hydrangea in landscape design
This variety is distinguished by compact bushes that will look good in a flower bed near the house or veranda. It is also recommended to use the Angel Red variety as a decoration for a flower garden near a recreation area.
Red Angel hydrangea also looks impressive when grown in containers that can be placed on an open terrace or at the entrance to the house. This variety is also suitable for hedges, which will allow you to highlight zones on the site.
Winter hardiness of large-leaved hydrangea Red Angel
The cold resistance of this Red Angel is average. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -23 degrees. But, since flowering occurs on last year’s shoots, it requires mandatory shelter for the winter.
Planting and caring for large-leaved Red Angel hydrangea
In order for the Angel Red hydrangea to fully develop and bloom profusely, it is necessary to follow certain planting and care rules. Only in this case can the desired result be achieved.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Angel Red needs to choose a place in partial shade, since in direct sunlight burns form on the petals and leaves. Therefore, the best option is for the bush to be in the shade at noon, and well lit in the morning and evening. It is also important that the plant is sheltered from drafts, so it is recommended to plant hydrangea on the eastern side of the site, near a fence, wall or gazebo.
For Angel Red, like other types of crops, the level of acidity is important, since the shade of the flowers depends on it. Slightly acidic soil is considered the best option.
The site for hydrangea must be prepared 2 weeks in advance by digging it to the depth of a shovel. Then you need to make a planting hole 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep, and then fill it with a nutrient mixture. To do this, mix the following components:
- 2 parts of turf;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part peat;
- 20 g of potassium sulphide;
- 30 g superphosphate.
Red Angel hydrangea prefers clay soils rich in humus. Therefore, you should not add sand when planting.
This plant requires sufficient space, so it must be planted at a distance of 2.5-3 m from trees and other shrubs. In a row, a distance of 1.5 m should be maintained between plants, and when grown as a hedge - about 1 m.
Rules for planting large-leaf hydrangea Red Angel
Red Angel hydrangea can be planted in a permanent place in spring and autumn at a stable temperature above +10 degrees, regardless of the time of day. 2-year-old seedlings take root the fastest.
When planting, the root collar of the seedling should be at the level of the soil surface.
Landing procedure:
- Make a slight elevation in the center of the planting hole.
- Straighten the roots of the seedling and remove damaged areas if necessary.
- Place the plant on a raised platform in the center.
- Cover the roots with soil, shaking the seedling lightly to fill any voids.
- Compact the soil at the base and water the plant generously.
The next day, mulch the root circle with peat.
Watering and fertilizing
Red Angel hydrangea requires regular watering in the absence of seasonal rainfall. The bush develops well if its root system is constantly in a slightly moist environment. Therefore, the plant needs to be watered as the top layer of soil dries, followed by loosening no deeper than 5 cm to improve air access to the roots.
It is also important to promptly remove weeds in the root circle, as they will take away most of the nutrients.
Feeding the bushes must begin in the 3rd year if a nutrient mixture was used during planting. During the period of active growth, which lasts until the end of May, it is necessary to use urea at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water, as well as fermented organic matter: mullein 1:10 or bird droppings 1:20.
2 weeks before flowering in the period from mid-June, it is necessary to use mineral fertilizers in the proportion of 45 g of potassium sulfate and 70 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water. This feeding should be done twice every 10 days.
Once every 3 years, a month before sheltering for the winter, Red Angel hydrangea bushes should be fed with bone meal. To do this, it is necessary to sprinkle fertilizer on the soil surface and then incorporate it into the soil at the rate of 100 g per 1 sq. m. m.
Pruning Hydrangea largeleaf Red Angel
This variety of hydrangea must be pruned correctly, otherwise flowering may not occur. Therefore, in the fall, you can only carry out sanitary cleaning of the bushes, cutting off damaged shoots that interfere with the growth of others. Young branches of this year cannot be shortened, since it is on them that flower buds are laid for the next season.
The lifespan of shoots of large-leaved Red Angel hydrangea is 4-6 years. After this age, they should be removed at the base, which stimulates the growth of replacement shoots.
It is recommended to prune shoots in the fall after leaf fall or in early spring before sap flow begins.
Preparing for winter
Red Angel hydrangea requires mandatory shelter for the winter in order to preserve flower buds until the next season. Therefore, when the leaves fall, it is necessary to cover the soil near the bush with spruce branches. Then lay the shoots on it and secure it so that they do not rise. Place another layer of spruce branches on top and cover with agrofibre. After this, secure the shelter with a weight. If there is no spruce branches, it can be replaced with fallen leaves.
Additionally, it is necessary to mulch the root circle with a layer of peat 10-15 cm thick. This is due to the fact that Angel Red hydrangea has a superficial root system and in the absence of snow it can freeze.
Reproduction of hydrangea Red Angel
Hydrangea Angel Red is propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings. The first method is recommended to be used in the fall, which will allow you to obtain well-rooted seedlings by spring. To do this, you need to dig up an adult bush and, using pruning shears, divide it into several parts, each of which should have well-developed root shoots and several shoots.
The second method is best used when you need to obtain a large number of Angel Red seedlings. Cuttings should be taken from young woody shoots. In this case, each part must have one internode. The upper cut should be made straight, and the lower cut oblique. Also, the leaves need to be shortened by half. After this, plant the cuttings in the ground and make a small greenhouse. Rooting occurs after 20-25 days. Young Angel Red seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent place at the age of 2 years.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Angel Red has high natural immunity. But if the basic requirements of the crop are not met, susceptibility to pests and diseases increases.
Possible problems:
- Chlorosis. This disease develops when there is a lack of iron in the soil. At the same time, the hydrangea leaves become discolored, the inflorescences become smaller, and excessive fragility of the shoots appears. To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to water the diseased bushes twice with an interval of a week with iron chelate at the rate of 5 g per 5 liters.
- Gray rot. The main symptom of the disease is weeping brown spots with a gray coating that appear on leaves, shoots and flowers. For treatment, the bushes should be sprayed with Fundazol and Bordeaux mixture.
- Rust. The disease develops when excessive nitrogen is added to the soil. Characterized by the appearance of rusty leaves.To fight you should use “Skor”, “Topaz”, “Falcon”.
- Spider mite. This pest cannot be seen with the naked eye. The lesion can be recognized by small yellow dots on the leaves, which later become marbled in color. To destroy the pest, the bushes should be sprayed with Actellik.
Conclusion
Red Angel hydrangea is a spectacular variety of perennial shrub that is distinguished by the unusual color of its inflorescences. Thanks to this, this look will look elegant, both in group compositions and in single plantings. But it should be remembered that Angel Red blooms on last year’s shoots, so this species requires obligatory shelter for the winter.
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