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Hydrangea Early Sensation is one of the varieties of paniculate hydrangea. It is a fairly tall shrub, sometimes up to 2 m. The crop is often used in landscape design. It can be planted separately or combined with other plants. Early Sensation hydrangea flowers resemble lilacs, but they bloom almost throughout the entire season.
Description of Hydrangea paniculata Early Sensation
Early Sensation shrub blooms throughout the season
The flowering of the crop begins in June and continues until the end of the season. The shrub began to be grown in Holland. It is believed that it was bred by accident in 1991, and in 2006 the variety was introduced to the international market under the name Early Sensation. The shrub is covered with bright large leaves with small teeth. The shoots are straight, dark in color. Inflorescences can form on young shoots and on those left over from last season.Their length sometimes reaches 30 cm, a fully open flower is about 3-5 cm in diameter. Today, the shrub is successfully grown in all regions of Russia. The lifespan of the crop is more than 50 years, so it is classified as a perennial plant.
Hydrangea paniculata Early Sensation is also interesting because the color of the flowers can change. Initially the petals are creamy and then change to pink. After all the petals open completely, they turn red or burgundy.
Hydrangea Early Sensation in landscape design
Airlie Sensation is popular and readily used in landscape design, since it is this type of shrub that blooms for the longest time and can decorate any area. When choosing a variety of paniculate hydrangea, take into account the following factors:
- long flowering period;
- neat, decorative type of culture;
- minimal care;
- high resistance to various diseases and pests.
Early Sensation has all the listed characteristics, which is why it is a favorite among many gardeners. It is important to organize proper care for the plant and then you can grow hydrangea in the form of a trunk, as an element of a hedge, or simply on the lawn along with a group of other perennials.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Early Sensation
Inflorescences change color as the bud opens
The panicle hydrangea variety Hydrangea Paniculata Early Sensation is considered a very winter-hardy variety. This significantly distinguishes this culture from other varieties of hydrangeas. An adult plant can easily tolerate low temperatures (down to -28 °C), however, if they are short-term.In more severe climates, Airlie Sensation is insulated for the cold season.
If the region of residence requires insulating the plant for the winter, you will need pine needles, crushed bark, sawdust and straw. Even when some parts of the plant freeze slightly, with the onset of spring they are able to quickly recover without damaging the condition of the bush. Abundant watering of Airlie Sensation in the fall improves frost resistance well.
Planting and caring for Hydrangea paniculata Early Sensation
Caring for hydrangea is quite simple. You only need to adjust the feeding and watering regime. It should be noted that hydrangea does not like excess moisture - this can destroy it. It is also necessary to prune the bushes correctly and in a timely manner. In order for the plant to enjoy flowering for a long time and not cause problems in the future, you need to follow important planting rules.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Airlie Sensation grows well in temperate climates. He will need a comfortable place and growing environment:
- a young seedling needs soil with a slightly acidic reaction;
- absence of drafts;
- good lighting - preferably western or eastern;
- moderate humidity - planting in lowlands is excluded;
- distance from buildings or fences from 1.5 m.
Also, before planting, you should know that hydrangea does not bloom in dense shade, and the sun's rays promote abundant, lush flowering.Then you need to prepare a hole 70 cm deep, a suitable fertilizer, for example superphosphate, and you will also need a soil mixture consisting of humus, peat, black soil and a small amount of sand.
Landing rules
Hydrangea paniculata varieties are used as hedges
Early Sensation and other types of hydrangea do better if they are replanted in early September. In this case, the shrub will have the opportunity to adapt to new conditions before the first frost. Many people plant a young plant in early March, when the frosts are already behind them. Landing at both times has its drawbacks. In the fall, with early frosts, the bush sometimes does not have time to take root in the soil, but if the planting was successful, then in the spring the bush will delight you with early flowering. The disadvantages of planting seedlings in spring include unexpected frosts after steady warming. In the best case, the bush will begin to flower too late, in the worst case, it will die.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering is one of the important components of proper hydrangea care. To maintain the required humidity, it is enough to water the bush twice a week. For these purposes, it is better to use rain or settled water at room temperature. Of course, it is necessary to take weather conditions into account. In case of heavy rainfall, watering should be reduced to once every 2 weeks.
Many gardeners note a certain disadvantage of paniculate hydrangea - intolerance to excessive air humidity. This often leads to the appearance of dark spots on the peduncle of the crop.As a rule, with proper soil care, adjusting acidity, fertility, and humidity, these problems can be avoided.
You need to feed with fertilizers containing microelements, and at the time of bud formation, a repeated feeding procedure will be required. Mulching panicle hydrangea is done using peat or sawdust in a layer to a depth of 6 cm, leaving free space near the base of the trunk. The loosening process can be combined with weeding.
Pruning hydrangea Early Sensation
One of the important characteristics of paniculate hydrangea is frost resistance.
To preserve the decorative appearance of the shrub, you need to do timely pruning every year. It is necessary for sanitary purposes and to prolong the youth of hydrangea. Spring is the best time for this event. Trim the bush until the leaves appear. All weak, damaged branches must be cut off, and the most developed ones are cut off, leaving 2-3 buds on them. A very young shrub is not touched, since the crown is formed within 4 years. In the fall, you can shorten the shoots by cutting off the ends. This will preserve the branches from frost and ensure abundant flowering in the spring.
Preparing for winter
Airlie Sensation is a very frost-resistant plant; it can easily tolerate low temperatures, but short-term ones. In winter it feels great without covering material. However, if hydrangea grows in harsh conditions or the age of the crop is young, then protection from frost and winds will be required.
Reproduction
Airlie Sensation can be propagated in several ways:
- Dividing the bush. Before the procedure, the bush is well watered, dug up and the roots are freed from excess soil. Then they carefully divide it into several parts and plant them separately from each other.
- Cuttings. Cuttings can be prepared while pruning the plant. This is the most popular method of propagating many plants because it is the simplest.
- With the help of layering. Layers are shoots from the base of a bush. For propagation, they can be buried in early spring.
Each method of reproduction has its pros and cons.
Diseases and pests
Some types of paniculata hydrangea are grown on a trunk
Hydrangea Early Sensation is resistant to many types of diseases, especially if it is provided with proper care. The crop may suffer from some fungal diseases - rust, gray rot, septoria. If signs of these diseases are found, the damaged areas should be removed and treated with an antifungal agent.
As for insect pests, the plant is most often exposed to aphids and spider mites. Pests significantly slow down the development of the bush, so you need to treat the plant as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Early Sensation is a beautiful perennial plant. Flower growers are attracted by its ease of care, incredible frost resistance, and flowering throughout the season. Early Sensation does not require special care. It is important to trim, mulch, feed on time, set the correct watering schedule, and the hydrangea will delight you with flowering all season long.
