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Ornamental shrubs are valued for their spectacular appearance and unpretentiousness. Paniculata hydrangea has been grown since the 19th century. In nature, the plant is found in Asia. Grandiflora is the most famous variety of hydrangea, gaining popularity among gardeners all over the world. Below is a detailed description and photo of the paniculate hydrangea Grandiflora.
Botanical description
Hydrangea Grandiflora is a shrub up to 2 m high with decorative properties. The root system is located near the surface of the earth. The crown is spherical, reaches 3 m in girth. The leaves are elongated, up to 10 cm long.
The shrub produces pyramidal panicles up to 20 cm long. The inflorescences consist of flat white flowers with a diameter of 3 cm. After flowering, no fruits are formed. Over the course of the season, the flowers change color from cream to white, then turn pink. At the end of flowering, the panicles become greenish-burgundy in color.
Hydrangea has been growing in one place for more than 30 years. The shrub grows quickly, the length of the shoots increases by 25 cm per year.Flowering begins 4-5 years after planting in the ground. Small inflorescences appear in the second or third year. Grandiflora tolerates winter frosts well and is resistant to diseases and pests.
The shrub is suitable for decorating garden plots, parks and recreation areas. The Grandiflora variety is planted on lawns, in the center of flower arrangements, next to other ornamental shrubs.
Selecting a location
To grow Grandiflora hydrangea, choose a lighted area of the garden. The further development of the shrub depends on the choice of place for planting. Hydrangea grows on fertile acidic soils.
Preparatory stage
Paniculata hydrangeas provide good lighting. It is best to choose an area with diffused light for Grandiflora. In the bright southern sun, the inflorescences of the shrub quickly lose their decorative properties.
Hydrangea prefers neutral to acidic soils. A mandatory requirement for the soil is high fertility and moisture. The shrub is not planted next to fruit trees, since the plants will not have enough moisture and nutrients.
In sandy soil the shrub develops more slowly. Before planting, the soil composition is improved with peat, sawdust or coniferous soil.
The shrub develops well in areas protected from the wind. The garden bed is set up next to the walls of buildings or fences. In hot weather, hydrangea will receive the necessary partial shade.
Work order
Grandiflora hydrangea seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Plants are supplied in containers and have a closed root system.
The plant is planted in the ground in the spring from March to May. It is possible to postpone work until the fall (September or October).
Order of planting hydrangea Grandiflora:
- First, prepare the landing hole. Its dimensions depend on the size of the seedling. On average, a hole with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 40-60 cm is sufficient.
- When planting 2 or more bushes, leave 2-2.5 m between them.
- The substrate for hydrangea is obtained by mixing turf soil (2 parts), peat (2 parts), compost (1 part) and sand (1 part). Pine needles are also added to maintain the required level of soil acidity.
- Substrate is poured into the hole, after which it is left for 1-2 weeks.
- When the soil settles, the seedling begins to prepare. The plant is carefully removed from the container without breaking the earthen ball.
- The hydrangea is placed in a hole, deepened by 20-40 cm. The root collar is left at ground level.
- The soil is compacted, and a bucket of water is poured under the bush.
After planting, the Grandiflora variety is cared for by watering. The plant quickly nestles in a new place. At first, the shrub is provided with protection from the sun.
Hydrangea care
Panicle hydrangea Grandiflora develops well with regular watering. Fertilizing with minerals and organic matter helps stimulate flowering. When signs of disease or pest spread appear, spray with insecticides. To form a bush, pruning is carried out.
Watering
Hydrangea is a moisture-loving shrub. Its roots do not penetrate deep layers of soil. Therefore, moisture is added to the plant every week.
Watering is done with warm, settled water in the morning or evening. Each bush requires 2 buckets of water. When watering, make sure that the roots of the bush are not exposed. If necessary, the bush is covered with earth.
With a lack of moisture, the number of inflorescences is reduced and their decorative properties are lost.During drought, hydrangea is watered more often - up to 2-3 times a week.
Feeding
According to the photo and description, the Grandiflora hydrangea reacts positively to the application of fertilizers. You can use both natural remedies and mineral complexes.
Feeding scheme for the Grandiflora variety:
- during swelling of the kidneys;
- during the formation of buds;
- in midsummer;
- in autumn after flowering.
For the first feeding of Grandiflora, organic compounds are used. Mullein or bird droppings are poured with water in a ratio of 1:15 and infused for 24 hours. The resulting infusion is watered at the root of the hydrangea. Each bush requires 2 buckets of fertilizer.
When the first buds appear, a complex fertilizer is prepared for the bush. For 10 liters of water, 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium salt are required. Fertilizing stimulates abundant flowering of hydrangea.
In summer, the bush is fed with complex fertilizer from Fertika companies or GreenWorld. For feeding, choose preparations intended for growing hydrangea. For 10 liters of water, 1 ampoule of liquid concentrate or 35 g of granular fertilizer is required. 3 liters of the resulting solution are poured under each bush.
In autumn, 50 g of superphosphate and potassium salt are added under the bush. Fertilizers will help the shrub survive the winter. Substances containing nitrogen are not used for autumn feeding.
Trimming
Proper pruning eliminates bush thickening and promotes abundant flowering of the Grandiflora hydrangea. The procedure is performed before the beginning of the growing season.
To rejuvenate the bush, all branches are cut off in the fall, leaving 6-8 cm above the ground surface.The next year the plant will produce young shoots.
During the season, broken and diseased branches of the hydrangea are removed. Dry panicles are trimmed to stimulate the formation of new inflorescences.
Protection from diseases and pests
Paniculata hydrangea Grandiflora is susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that appears as a whitish coating. When signs of damage appear, the bush is sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture.
The drug Fundazol is effective against powdery mildew. 20 g of fungicide is dissolved in 10 liters of water. Hydrangea is sprayed with a solution in cloudy weather.
The shrub can be seriously damaged by an aphid infestation. Actellik or Karbofos insecticides are used against insects. A solution is prepared based on the preparations, which is sprayed on the leaves of the bush.
Folk remedies help avoid the spread of pests. 150 g of chopped garlic is poured into 5 liters of water and left for 2 days. Add 50 g of soap to the resulting product so that the infusion sticks to the leaves better. The infusion is suitable for preventive treatment.
Preparing for winter
Hydrangea Grandiflora can withstand cold temperatures down to -30 °C. Under snow cover, the shrub tolerates more severe frosts.
When grown in the middle zone or in the south, additional bush cover is not required. In dry and cold winters, the root system is protected from freezing by a mulch layer. Humus and dry leaves are poured under the bush.
Young bushes are covered with burlap or agrofibre. For additional protection from freezing in winter, snow is thrown over the bushes.
Hydrangea propagation
If you have a paniculate hydrangea bush, you can get seedlings yourself. The Grandiflora variety is propagated by layering or cuttings. When transplanting, you can divide the bush into several parts.
To obtain layering in the spring, one or several branches are selected. Its lower part is cleared of leaves and bark, then bent to the ground, secured with staples and covered with soil. During the season, the cuttings are kept in the shade and watered with warm water. When the shoot takes root, it is separated from the bush and replanted.
To propagate by cuttings, the upper shoots of the bush are cut off in early July. 5 leaves are left on each cutting. Shoots are rooted in fertile soil. The top of the cutting is covered with a jar. After rooting, the hydrangea is planted.
By dividing the bush, the Grandiflora variety is propagated in early spring before flowering. The rhizome is dug up and divided into parts with a sharp knife. The cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal. The prepared material is planted in the holes.
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Conclusion
Hydrangea Grandiflora is an ideal option for decorating the garden. When choosing a suitable place, the shrub actively develops and pleases with abundant flowering. If necessary, pine sawdust or other deoxidizing agents are added to the soil. Caring for the plant comes down to watering, fertilizing and pruning.
