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Flower lovers try to grow a variety of plants on their site. Not everyone has the same attitude towards hydrangea. Many are afraid that they will make mistakes when planting and caring for them, and the bush will die. Although it is the Phantom hydrangea that will make your garden attractive and fill it with the aroma of honey.
We will try to talk about the paniculate variety Phantom and how to care for it. We hope that after reading the article the number of fans of this amazing garden plant will increase.
Why choose hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata phantom (hydrangea paniculata phantom) is a representative of the flora of the Far East.
Japan, China, Korea and even Sakhalin are places where hydrangea has been revered since ancient times. The flower became a cultivated plant only in the sixties of the 18th century. During this time, breeders managed to obtain various varieties, including the tree-like Phantom hydrangea.
Modern varieties have a number of advantages compared to the wild representative:
- Adaptation to harsh conditions is 100%, so the growing area increases from year to year.Calmly withstands frosts down to -25 degrees. After wintering it recovers quickly.
- Abundant and colorful flowering surprises even the most experienced gardeners.
- An unpretentious plant can be grown in one place for many years without compromising its attractiveness.
- Hydrangea Phantom takes root on any soil.
- The root system is practically not sick.
- Can be grown as a tree or in bush form.
- Easily propagated by dividing the bush, layering and cuttings.
All of the above main advantages also apply to paniculate hydrangea Phantom; according to reviews from gardeners, they are quite true.
Species and varietal diversity
Hydrangea paniculata is the mother plant. The noble properties of hydrangea Paniculata in Phantom have been preserved by breeders, but at the same time the plant's hardiness and frost resistance have been improved. That is why hydrangea has now become so popular that it began to be grown in regions with harsh climates.
In harsh climatic conditions, gardeners prefer the following varieties of hydrangeas:
- tree-like;
- paniculata;
- large-leaved.
Among the wide variety there are deciduous and evergreen plants. The height of the bush can be from one to three meters. In the wild, Hydrangea Paniculata reaches 7-8 meters.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea tree Phantom grows up to 3 meters in height. Its oval leaves are long, about 20 cm. Small flowers are collected in large lush inflorescences up to 25 cm long. The color range can be varied even within one variety.
Flowering of tree hydrangea begins in early summer and continues throughout the warm season. Even in winter, plants leave with flowers. On the snow-white Phantom, by the end of the season, the petals acquire a delicate greenish tint.
Cut flowers do not fade for a long time. In addition, they retain their natural shape and color palette characteristic of the variety. It is for this reason that tree hydrangea, including the Phantom variety, is highly valued by florists who create ikebana.
Tree hydrangea Phantom is difficult to grow because its frost resistance is average. In order for the bush to bloom profusely, it is cut out at the root every spring. Pruning is usually carried out in early April. The bushes grow quickly in moist, fertile soils with a low acid content.
Hydrangea paniculata Phantom
Breeders have created a large number of varieties of paniculate hydrangea. For example, in the photo below there is a Phantom hydrangea with pink flowers.
Varieties differ in color palette, size of flower clusters, size of shrub or standard tree.
Description of the plant
Today we will focus on Phantom hydrangea; photos and descriptions of the variety will be presented in the article below.
The Phantom variety is a spreading bush or tree. The crown diameter is about two meters, and the height is slightly larger. The dark green foliage of the plant is large, without denticles at the edges, and whole. The shoots of hydrangea are vigorous and strong. Young shoots are easily distinguished by their green color. On lignified branches, the bark turns reddish-brown.
The first flowers appear on the plant at the age of 4 or 5 years.If certain standards are followed during care, the paniculate Phantom variety will bloom for several decades: a flower grows in one place for about 40 years.
The length of the flower racemes is about 30 cm, they are collected in inflorescences, this is clearly visible in the photo.
Paniculata hydrangea blooms in late June and early July and continues to delight gardeners with large fragrant inflorescences until frost. Interestingly, the color palette on one bush can change during the season:
If the variety is white, then the buds are first greenish-cream, then become creamy white, and the fading inflorescences acquire a pinkish tint. On cream varieties of Phantom, by the end of flowering, the inflorescences become soft pink.
Application in landscape design
There are many varieties of paniculata hydrangea, and each of them, including Phantom, is valued by landscape designers. They are planted not only in private gardens and courtyards, but also in recreational areas: in city parks and squares.
Since the height of varieties varies, with the help of paniculate hydrangea Phantom in landscape design you can create any style:
- Solitaire plantings on lawns of bush forms or standard trees.
- Ribbon plantings creating hedges or framing garden and park paths.
- Group multi-tiered compositions that are the foreground. Hydrangea paniculata variety Phantom goes well with various ornamental plants, both flowering and evergreen.
Growing and care
Paniculate hydrangea Phantom is an unpretentious plant, but there are some peculiarities associated with planting and care. They will be discussed in the article.
Selecting a location
It is very important to choose the right place when planting the Phantom variety:
- Although this flowering shrub or tree can grow in a shaded area, it should receive sunlight at least until lunchtime. If planted under tall trees, the inflorescences will turn out loose, with a color unusual for the variety.
- You cannot plant seedlings in the sun. The sun burns the inflorescences and leaves, the plants lose their decorative effect and become unsightly.
- The Phantom variety has a negative attitude towards winds. Branches with heavy panicles bend and often break.
It turns out that you need to plant bushes or standard trees in openwork partial shade or on the eastern side. Taller plants, fences, or a building can serve as windbreaks.
Let's talk about soil
As already mentioned in the description, hydrangea can grow on any fertile soil. But the variety develops best on neutral and acidic loams. On alkaline soils, the inflorescence becomes smaller, the plants weaken, and, as a result, they can get sick.
When to plant
The question of when to plant Phantom hydrangea in the ground is far from idle. It worries not only novice gardeners, but also experienced ones, if paniculate hydrangea is new to the garden.
Early spring is convenient because the planted plants have time to take root before the onset of sap flow and heat. Such hydrangeas survive harsh winters better.
When planting bushes or standard trees at any other time, the tree trunk circle must be mulched to prevent overheating. This also applies to autumn plantings.
Planting rules
Since, according to the description, paniculate hydrangea of the Phantom variety grows safely in one place for several decades, you need to prepare a large hole: a diameter of at least 80 cm and a depth of 40 cm or more.
Drainage, humus, peat or compost are placed at the bottom of the pit, which are mixed with mineral fertilizers. As a rule, the planting hole is prepared in advance so that the soil settles and does not pull the plant down.
Seedlings can have an open or closed root system. If the roots are open, a tubercle is made in the hole, on which the seedling sits, like on a throne. The roots are straightened, they must be straightened and directed downwards. Fertile soil is poured on top.
As for the hydrangea paniculata Font with a closed root system, planting does not cause problems. Dig a hole, insert a flower and cover it with earth, as in the photo.
Plant care
Further care is not particularly difficult:
- watering;
- weeding and loosening;
- feeding;
- pruning;
- disease and pest control;
- shelter for the winter.
Watering and fertilizing
Since the root system of all types of hydrangeas, including the paniculata variety Phantom, is superficial, watering, loosening and weeding must be done carefully. Weeds cannot be left in the tree trunk circle, because pests and disease spores can settle on them.
Feeding should be done frequently, because due to the abundance of lush inflorescences, the plant needs increased nutrition. You can feed hydrangeas with organic and mineral fertilizers. Plants respond well to green fertilizers. After all, fermented grass contains all the necessary micro- and macroelements.
The first fertilizing is carried out during planting, with the addition of nutrients to the planting hole. Adult plants are fed before the inflorescences bloom and during flowering, as well as before sheltering for the winter.
Trimming Features
Hydrangeas need to be pruned every year. If this operation is not carried out, the shoots will grow greatly and the crown will be thickened. And this may cause a lack of inflorescences or they will be too small. As a rule, pruning of Phantom hydrangea in the fall is carried out by 3 or 4 buds.
First of all, weak shoots are cut out and faded shoots are trimmed. You also need to remove shoots growing inside the bush to avoid shading. Pruning will depend on the shape you want to give your hydrangea.
How to prune hydrangeas correctly is shown in the photo and video.
Spring pruning is a control. The frozen branches are removed, and the formation of the crown continues. Old hydrangeas are also rejuvenated by pruning - all shoots are removed at the root.
How to prune paniculate hydrangea correctly:
Shelter for the winter
Paniculata hydrangea Phantom needs to be specially prepared for winter. Everything is done in stages:
- In September, reduce watering.If it rains, the bushes need to be covered so that water does not get on the roots.
- They are fed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers so that the shoots have time to ripen. Nitrogen fertilizers are prohibited from being used in autumn!
- The tree trunk circle is covered with mulch and pruned. The remaining shoots are tied as shown in the photo.
- Although Phantom hydrangea is a frost-resistant plant, in regions with harsh winters it is better to play it safe and cover the plants. After all, buds will not bloom on frozen shoots.
The shelter is constructed from wooden boxes or frames are made. Spruce branches and non-woven materials can be used as covering materials. They must be fixed so as not to be blown away by the wind. This is the final stage of sheltering; it is carried out with the onset of stable frosts.
There are many shelter options, some of them are shown in the photo below.
Adult plants do not need to be covered, but only mulched over the roots. With the onset of spring days, the shelter is removed.
