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The rapid development of modern breeding is the source of a huge number of new species of ornamental plants. Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall was first presented at an international exhibition in 2018. The beauty and splendor of its inflorescences guaranteed it attention from both landscape designers and ordinary gardeners.
Description of Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall
A feature of the new species is the rather rapid appearance of flowers. Compared to other representatives of paniculata hydrangeas, Skyfall Frenne's flowers begin to form already in the third year of life. A five-year-old seedling reaches a height of 1.2 m with a crown diameter of about 70 cm.
A special feature of the Skyfall hydrangea is its huge white inflorescences.
The most important selling point for purchasing Skyfall is its unique bloom. The inflorescences of an adult plant reach up to 30 cm in length with a diameter of up to 20 cm. The first buds appear in mid-July.At this time, the tops of the shoots form large lush panicles.
The buds are white. Sometimes it is replaced by a slightly greenish or pink tint. A special feature of this Skyfall hydrangea variety is its large flower petals. The size of the inflorescences makes hydrangea similar to brighter ornamental plants - lilac or hyacinth.
Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall in landscape design
Every gardener dreams of a beautifully decorated crown of his flowering plants. There are 2 approaches to shaping Skyfall - in the form of a small tree or a lush shrub. In the first case, the largest central shoot is left, completely removing the rest.
When forming a lush bush, gardeners often face a significant problem. Skyfall's inflorescences are so large that under their weight the side shoots bend to the ground. To eliminate such a defect, it is necessary to build supports and tie branches to them.
When planting Skyfall in a row, it is necessary to make indents of 70 cm between the seedlings
Hydrangea can be planted either as a separate shrub or in small groups, forming massive flower beds. However, it is best to combine its plantings with cereal ornamental plants - imperata, fescue and pogonaterum.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Skyfall
Most artificially bred varieties are specially created for growing in more severe conditions. In addition to external beauty and a longer flowering period, breeders are trying to improve winter hardiness parameters.Thanks to this approach, Skyfall successfully takes root both in the sharply continental climate of the Ural and Siberian regions, and in the northwestern regions of Central Russia.
A properly planted plant can easily survive temperature drops of up to -30 degrees in winter. Since such temperatures happen extremely rarely in the central regions of the country, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the bush. If the winter has little snow and is harsh, then experienced gardeners recommend covering hydrangea bushes with spruce branches or roofing felt.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall
In order for the shrub to delight with abundant flowering and a healthy crown, it needs constant care. Like most artificially bred varieties, hydrangea is less demanding of minor shortcomings in agricultural technology. Among the most important points when caring for her are:
- periodic watering;
- fertilizing;
- bush pruning;
- preparation for winter;
- correct landing.
It is very important to choose a quality seedling. It should have a developed root system and pronounced shoots. The best time for planting is early spring, when the seedlings have not yet opened their buds. You can also plant in the fall - immediately after the leaves fall.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
For any plant, it is important to choose the right location. Skyfall prefers fertile soils. Chernozem or podzolic soils are best suited for growing. The soil should have good drainage so that accumulated water does not spoil the roots of the bush.
It is very important that the area chosen for planting is not too open.Constant exposure to direct sunlight can have a detrimental effect on the health of hydrangeas and become one of the reasons for its wilting. It is best to plant it between large trees or on the western side of the site.
To shelter Skyfall from the sun and strong winds, it is planted near the walls of the house.
Hydrangea does not like strong winds. The best place to plant it will be a flower bed adjacent to the wall of the house or located next to the fence. To prevent young seedlings from breaking under strong winds, immediately after planting next to the bushes, it is recommended to place supports and tie shoots to them.
Landing rules
A week before planting seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to prepare planting holes. The optimal dimensions of the recess are 50x50x50 cm. 2 buckets of water are poured into each of the holes. A day later, the bottom is covered with a layer of drainage.
As a basis for it you can use:
- large pebbles;
- broken brick;
- charcoal;
- expanded clay
Leaf soil is mixed with sand in a ratio of 2:1. 50 g of superphosphate is also added to the resulting soil for faster rooting of the seedling. A support support is installed in the center of the pit.
The roots of Skyfall are straightened, after which the seedling is lowered into the planting hole. It is sprinkled with prepared soil so that the root collar is at ground level. Immediately after planting, the seedling is watered abundantly and mulched with sawdust.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea paniculata hydrangea paniculata skyfall is a moisture-loving plant. For healthy development, it is recommended to water it every 3-4 days. 2-3 buckets are poured under the bush.It is best to use soft water that has been left in a barrel for several days.
In addition to abundant watering, every flowering shrub requires periodic application of fertilizers. Superphosphate is best suited for the proper functioning of Skyfall hydrangea. It is applied in the spring before the first buds appear. In summer, Skyfall is fertilized with urea. In autumn, cow manure is added to the soil around plantings of ornamental shrubs.
Pruning Hydrangea paniculata variety Skyfall
Every shrub needs periodic pruning. Neglecting this procedure can cause a lack of nutrition for all shoots. There are 3 types of necessary pruning - sanitary, shaping and rejuvenating.
Timely pruning is the key to lush flowering of hydrangeas
In the first case, we mean the removal of dead shoots after the winter period. Dried branches are completely cut off using pruning shears. Formative pruning is needed to create a beautiful crown. Rejuvenation is necessary to remove the oldest shoots.
Preparing for winter
The artificially bred Skyfall variety easily tolerates winters in central Russia. In harsher climates, hydrangeas need to be prepared for difficult conditions. If you follow a set of measures, the shrub can easily cope with temperatures down to -30 degrees.
The first step is to increase the layer of mulch. It allows you to retain heat in the root system area. If weather forecasters promise a winter with little snow, the layer of mulch must be increased to 10-15 cm. The shrub is insulated with spruce branches, after which it is covered with roofing felt or canvas.
Reproduction
From one bush of Skyfall hydrangea you can get a large amount of planting material.Like most ornamental plants, it is propagated in two ways - cuttings and branching.
To obtain cuttings of Skyfall hydrangea, the apical shoots with 2-3 buds are cut off in the summer. They are immersed in clean water for 3-4 weeks. During this time, the primary root system is formed. After this, the cuttings are transplanted into pots and grown at home for a year before planting in open ground.
Seedlings are rooted into the ground when they reach one or two years of age.
For propagation by offsets, side shoots are bent close to the ground in early spring. They are secured with pins, after which they are covered with 2-3 cm of soil. At the end of August, the rooted plant is transplanted to a new location.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that modern selection tries to minimize damage to plants by other organisms, hydrangea remains susceptible to various diseases. Diseases and pests can affect not only the leaves and shoots of Skyfall, but also its root system.
Most often hydrangea is affected by:
- ring spot;
- rust;
- chlorosis;
- fungal diseases.
Pests include leaf aphids, spider mites and garden slugs. It is important to remember that as soon as the Skyfall hydrangea shows signs of being affected by the disease, it is necessary to use special preparations or insecticides as quickly as possible. An advanced disease can completely destroy the plant.
Conclusion
Hydrangea paniculata Skyfall is becoming increasingly popular in home gardens. Huge blooming buds decorate the landscape with bright white blooms. With the right agricultural technology, you can get a magnificent plant that will delight you with its appearance for a long time.
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