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Sargent hydrangea is considered one of the most attractive ornamental shrubs for a suburban area. Large rough leaves and delicate purple inflorescences attract the attention of passers-by and emphasize the refined taste of garden owners. Receiving proper care, the shrub pleases those around it for a long time with a lush crown and abundant flowering.
Hydrangea Sargent does not tolerate low temperatures very well.
Description of Sargent's hydrangea
The name of this hydrangea variety was formed based on the name of an American biologist. Its natural habitats are the forests and valleys of China. Hence the love for partial shade and moist soil. Sargent hydrangea does not tolerate severe frosts, typical of the climate of the middle zone.
Shoots begin to develop from the end of April, adding 20-30 cm every month. By the end of the growing season (mid-September), Sargent's hydrangea reaches 1-1.5 m in height and width.Purple inflorescences with pale splashes of sterile flowers decorate the bush throughout the second half of summer until autumn frosts.
A special feature of the bush is its unusually long leaves - about 30 cm. They are covered with thick down and do not change color until they die. Young shoots have more sparse and coarse pubescence. The bark on woody branches peels off, enhancing the decorative effect.
Sargent's hydrangea in landscape design
Sargent hydrangea has found wide application in landscape design. Lush, neat bushes can become an accent or complementary element to many landscape design styles. Sargent's rough hydrangea is valued for its ability to experiment with ideas, because it is almost universal in use.
Features of Sargent hydrangea as a design element:
- When planted alone, it attracts attention due to its high decorative effect.
- Contrasting floral arrangements add tenderness and uniqueness.
- It forms a complete picture with plantings of coniferous and deciduous shrubs.
- Alleys and hedges turn out to be unusually spectacular.
- Blends perfectly with lower plants in a mixborder.
- Looks elegant in container planting.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea rough Sargent
The frost resistance zone of Sargent hydrangea is 6a. This means that the minimum temperature at which it can remain viable is 23 °C. But even in these regions, shelter is prepared for the plant.
In winter, the above-ground part of the plant partially or completely dies. During the growing season, young shoots manage to gain the required length.The likelihood that inflorescences will appear on them is high. To increase the likelihood of flowering, gardeners carefully insulate the bush for the winter.
For the winter, the bushes of the plant need to be insulated
Planting and caring for Sargent hydrangea
In order for Sargent's hydrangea to be lush, disease-free and bloom profusely, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it.
The following factors are of great importance:
- soil composition;
- illumination;
- moisture;
- temperature in winter.
Growing a plant from a different climate zone forces you to especially strictly follow the rules of planting and care.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
When choosing a place to plant Sargent hydrangea, take into account its basic needs:
- Moderate sun.
- Acidic and light soil.
- No wind.
Exposing the bush to direct sunlight at the height of the day leads to leaf burns. Therefore, the location has to be thought out so that at noon the bush is in the shade or partial shade. Complete protection from the sun will disrupt the development of culture. Sargent's hydrangea is not able to fully take root in the soil typical of steppe regions. In other words, she is not satisfied with alkaline, heavy and infertile soil.
Landing rules
Seedlings take root best when they are 2-3 years old. Planting is usually done before the buds fully open or after the leaves fall, following the following pattern:
- Dig a hole measuring 40x40x50.
- Lay a drainage layer of up to 10 cm of broken brick or gravel on the bottom.
- Pour 10-15 cm of fertile soil on top.
- Straighten the roots of the seedling and bury it to the root collar.
- Water the planting site with plenty of water.
- Mulch the tree trunk circle.
Planting a seedling with closed roots is permissible at any time from the beginning to the end of the growing season. During the hot season, he needs to create temporary shelter from the sun.
Watering and fertilizing
Sargent hydrangea needs plenty of regular watering. During the growing season there should be at least 5 of them. When watering, it is important to take into account the peculiarity of the location of the roots - they are shallow, but grow in breadth. To slow down the evaporation of moisture, loosen the soil.
To increase the decorative value of the crop, fertilizing is carried out. The first - at the beginning of the season, then 2-3 times throughout the summer. It is especially important to apply fertilizer during the budding period. Sargent hydrangea is susceptible to organic and mineral fertilizing.
Pruning Sargent hydrangea
Annual pruning of the bush is carried out for the following purposes: maintaining health, forming a lush crown, abundant flowering and rejuvenation of the bush. In cold regions, the event is held in the fall before sheltering in place for the winter. Most of the length of the shoots is removed.
In warm regions, you can postpone pruning to early spring. Gardeners wait for sprout buds to appear and leave 3-4 of them on each shoot. Annual pruning includes the sanitary part: cutting out diseased and crooked branches.
Preparing for winter
To protect against temperature changes and severe frosts in the absence of snow, Sargent hydrangea is covered for the winter. They do this according to this scheme:
- Hill up the base of the bush.
- Mulch the soil with dry leaves.
- They are building a shelter.
Cardboard boxes, thick paper or agrofibre are used for shelter.Old bushes are protected with a layer of foliage or spruce branches, which is fixed with a metal frame.
The shelter protects the bush during frosty periods without snow
Reproduction
There are three effective ways to propagate Sargent hydrangea:
- Dividing bushes.
- Formation of layering.
- Cuttings.
Propagation by cuttings is the most common option. Preparations are made in the summer during the period when buds appear. The formation of layering and division of the bush is carried out in early spring before the buds open.
Diseases and pests
With sufficient moisture and minerals, moderate lighting, light acidic soil and proper preparation for winter, the chances of the disease appearing are minimal. In rare cases, white or gray rot, common cancer, chlorosis, powdery mildew, various types of spotting, and bark necrosis appear.
Sometimes rough hydrangea bushes are attacked by mites, aphids, bugs, cutworms, root-knot nematodes, golden bronze beetles, leaf beetles and earwigs. The problem can easily be eliminated by spraying with suitable insecticides.
Conclusion
Sargent's hydrangea is suitable for implementing many ideas in landscape design. It looks impressive in single and group plantings, during and before flowering. However, to maintain the highly decorative value of a crop, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for it.
Full development of hydrangea occurs only in light acidic soil. To maintain the health of the bush, regular watering, annual pruning and shelter for the winter are required. High-quality fertilizers provide the plant with the necessary elements for rapid growth and abundant flowering. If diseases or pests are detected, action should be taken immediately.
Reviews of Sargent's rough hydrangea
Gardeners willingly share their impressions of growing Sargent hydrangea. In most cases, the reviews are positive.
Sargent's hydrangea is famous for its high decorative value, so it becomes an invariable attribute of many gardens. Although the crop is accustomed to the rainforests of China, it is well adapted to drier and colder conditions. Every spring, many young shoots shoot upward to create a lush crown to decorate the garden.
