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The use of ornamental plants can significantly expand the design possibilities of personal plots. Hydrangea paniculata Selection is one of the most popular crops among gardeners. The sight of huge “pyramids” blooming for almost two months will not leave either the owners or guests of the garden indifferent. In addition, this variety is ideal for growing in relatively cold conditions.
Description of Hydrangea paniculata Selection
Paniculata hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata Selection) is a shrub from the Saxifraga family, native to eastern Asia. The height of the bush can reach up to 250-300 cm. The shoots are straight branches drooping at the ends. Already in the second year of the growing season, their lignification occurs. Hydrangea paniculata Selection has large leaves up to 15 cm long. They are covered with small teeth along the edges.
A distinctive feature of Hydrangea Selection is the paniculate shape of the inflorescence
The bud consists of many small flowers collected in several pyramidal panicles. The sizes of such inflorescences can reach 30 cm in length and 20-25 cm in width. Sometimes they almost completely cover the bush.
Hydrangea paniculata Selection blooms from June to September. At this time, the color of the petals changes from white to pink. The first flowering is observed in the 3-4th year of the plant’s life. In total, Hydrangea paniculata Selection can live more than 50 years, practically without reducing the intensity of flowering.
Hydrangea paniculata Selection in landscape design
The variety is widely used in the design of parks and garden plots. Used as individual plants. Due to its large size and spectacular flowering, Hydrangea paniculata Selection can be used in group plantings as a central element of the composition. Large bushes can cover unsightly corners of the garden.
Hydrangea Selection is often grown in the form of a trunk, since in this case the plant takes up less space in the lower tier
Shapes in the form of shrubs, on the contrary, due to the sufficient density of the crown in the root zone, can be used as a natural fence.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea paniculata Selection
The winter hardiness of the variety is high; the originator declared the fourth frost resistance zone (the temperature can be lowered without freezing the buds to - 35 ° C). This is fully confirmed in practice: Hydrangea paniculata Selection winters well not only throughout Europe, but also in more extreme conditions. There have been cases of successful wintering of the variety on the island. Sakhalin and in the Ussuri region.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea Selection
Growing the plant does not require much effort. The variety of hydrangea paniculata Selection is quite simple in agricultural technology, and the only critical thing for it will be the choice of site and proper pruning.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The Hydrangea paniculata variety Selection requires for its normal growth and development a sunny or semi-shade area located on acidic fertile soil. The planting site must be protected from drafts and cold winds.
Preparing the site for planting consists of digging holes at least 40 cm deep (preferably 60 cm) and measuring 50 by 50 cm. A layer of drainage and fertilizing up to 15 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the hole. Usually a mixture of several components is poured there:
- leaf soil - 2 parts;
- peat – 2 parts;
- humus - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part.
Additionally add fertilizers:
- urea – 30 g;
- superphosphate – 60 g;
- potassium sulfate – 30 g.
After adding fertilizers and mixing them with the substrate, water the hole with 1-2 buckets of water and leave for several days.
Landing rules
Before planting, hydrangea seedlings also undergo preliminary preparation.Their roots should be slightly shortened so that, when straightened, they fit into the dug hole. Unlike large-leaf varieties, which are strictly prohibited from pruning, selection paniculata hydrangea requires pruning of shoots. There should be no more than 5, but not less than 3 buds left on them.
Planting is carried out according to the standard scheme - a mound is formed from the excavated soil, on which the seedling is placed, straightening the roots. Its height should be such that the root collar is located at a distance of 1-2 cm above the ground level.
The roots are sprinkled with soil and lightly compacted; after planting, the bush is watered with 1-2 buckets of water.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering is carried out once every 7 days, and it is important to prevent the appearance of a crust on the top layer of soil. Irrigation rates can be very large (up to 30 liters per 1 sq. m). Depending on the presence or absence of natural precipitation, they can be adjusted up or down.
Hydrangea paniculata Selection requires 4 feedings per season:
- the first is produced before the start of sap flow, and organic fertilizers are used;
- second - during budding, phosphorus-potassium complex fertilizers are used;
- the third feeding is done in mid-summer, immediately after the start of flowering; in this case, special compositions are used for ornamental plants;
- the latter is applied before the onset of cold weather, and fertilizer is used for hydrangeas.
Typically, fertilizing is always combined with watering.
Pruning Hydrangea paniculata Selection
The growth rate of the bush is very high, so proper pruning of the branches is a guarantee of the formation of an ideal crown. Usually it is done at the beginning of the season, combining formative and sanitary treatment of the crown.
Select no more than 10 large and strong shoots, which are shortened similarly to seedlings, leaving from 3 to 5 buds, the remaining parts are cut off
This approach may seem barbaric, but it is the norm for paniculate hydrangea.
Rejuvenation is performed every 7-10 years.
Preparing for winter
Adult hydrangea paniculata Selection does not require specific preparation for winter. It is recommended to bend young bushes 2-3 years old to the ground and cover them with a layer of foliage, straw or sawdust, covering the heat-insulating layer with plastic film.
Reproduction
Hydrangea propagation is carried out in three ways:
- seeds;
- layering;
- cuttings.
The first two methods are not justified in terms of time. Seed propagation allows you to obtain full-fledged plants only for the 4-5th year of cultivation, and layering for good survival must grow next to the mother bush for up to 2 years.
Cuttings are the most popular. To obtain planting material, annual shoots with at least 5-6 buds are used. They are cut in the fall, treated with a growth stimulant and soaked in water for several hours, after which they are placed in boxes with a substrate (2 parts peat and 1 part sand) for rooting.
Outside, the cuttings are covered with polyethylene or plastic bottles, providing greenhouse conditions for the seedlings
Cuttings of Hydrangea paniculata Selection can be kept in containers for quite a long time - until August next year. They should be watered and ventilated regularly.As soon as the root system is formed (usually this happens in the 2nd month), the greenhouse is opened and the container is placed on a window on the south side. Planting takes place at the end of summer next year.
Diseases and pests
The main diseases of Hydrangea paniculata Selection are fungal diseases (powdery mildew, gray mold, etc.). The most dangerous pests include aphids and spider mites.
Fungi are counteracted by treating the plant with copper-containing preparations, for example, vitriol or Bordeaux mixture
Against pests, it is better to immediately use powerful agents - acaricides; they can kill both ordinary insects and ticks.
Conclusion
Hydrangea paniculata Selection is a relatively easy-to-care variety that even novice gardeners can grow. The plant is characterized by long flowering, high frost resistance, simplicity of agricultural technology and efficient reproduction. In landscape design, there is always a use for the huge white inflorescences and straight high branches of Hydrangea paniculata Selection bushes.
