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Paniculate hydrangeas are gaining popularity among gardeners all over the world. The shrub is notable for its abundant and long flowering. Vanille Fraise is one of the most popular varieties. It is grown in warm regions, the middle zone and northern areas.
Botanical description
Hydrangea Vanille Fraise was bred at Renault Nursery in France. Work on the variety has been carried out since 1989. The goal of the breeders was to develop a new variety in which the color of the petals changes from white to pink in a short time. As a result, plants with large inflorescences and numerous flowers were found.
The decisive selection of the Vanille Fraise variety took place in 2003. Hydrangea got its name due to the complex color of its inflorescences: white and dark pink. “Fraise” is translated from French as “strawberry”.
Panicle hydrangea Vanilla Fraze is a powerful spreading shrub 1.5-2 m high. Its shoots are flexible and dark burgundy in color. The leaves are green, oval-shaped, located along the entire length of the branches.
Flowering begins in June and lasts until October.The inflorescences are pyramidal in shape, 30-35 cm long. At first the petals are white, which turns pink by August. In September, the inflorescences become burgundy-red.
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze begins to bloom in the year of planting. The shrub is unpretentious and tolerates winter frosts down to -35 °C.
Paniculate varieties of hydrangea are used to decorate garden plots, parks, and recreation areas. The shrub is grown as a hedge and used in single plantings on lawns. After cutting, the inflorescences remain fresh for a long time.
Planting hydrangea
A suitable place is being prepared for planting paniculate hydrangea Vanilla Fraze. Be sure to take into account its illumination, the presence of protection from the wind, and its location relative to trees and other shrubs. Before planting, the soil is improved by adding the necessary components.
Preparatory stage
Paniculata hydrangea is planted in partial shade. In the middle zone and to the north, the bush is located on the southern side of the site. With constant exposure to the sun, the inflorescences will lose their decorative effect.
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze should not be exposed to cold winds. Buildings, fences or trees can act as protection against wind loads.
In sandy soil, the shrub does not receive the required amount of nutrients. To make the soil retain moisture better, peat and humus are added to it.
The Vanilla Fraze variety prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. Therefore, before planting, it is recommended to add pine litter to the substrate. To successfully grow hydrangea, the use of lime, chalk, dolomite flour and ash should be completely abandoned.
Work order
Paniculata hydrangea is planted in the spring before sap flow begins. It is possible to postpone work to the autumn period (September or October). The shrub needs to be planted after leaf fall, before frost begins.
Planting material is purchased from nurseries. Be sure to choose healthy seedlings without signs of damage or rotting. The optimal shoot height is 30 cm.
The procedure for planting paniculate hydrangea Vanilla Fraze:
- In the selected bed, dig a hole measuring 30x30 cm.
- When planting several bushes, maintain 1 to 2 m between them.
- Then they begin to prepare the substrate: mix turf soil, peat, compost and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1.
- 50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate are added to the substrate. To deoxidize the soil, fallen pine needles are used.
- The prepared substrate is poured into the hole.
- Within 1-2 weeks the soil will settle, and you can begin preparing the seedling. The plant is removed from the container, its roots are trimmed and dipped in a growth stimulator for 2 hours.
- Hydrangea is planted in a hole. Its roots are straightened and covered with earth.
- The plant is watered abundantly with soft water.
Young hydrangea bushes are watered regularly. To protect from the sun in hot weather, a canopy is installed over them.
Hydrangea care
Regular care ensures the formation of lush inflorescences of the Vanilla Fraze variety. The shrub is cared for by watering and fertilizing. Pruning the shoots helps give the bush the desired shape. To protect against diseases and pests, special preparations or folk remedies are used.
Watering
Paniculata hydrangea is moisture-loving, so watering is an essential step in caring for it. The soil under the bush is moistened every week, preventing it from drying out and forming a crust on the surface.
For irrigation, use only warm, settled water. During drought, the shrub is watered more often, up to 2-3 times a week.
The root system of hydrangea is located close to the surface of the earth. Therefore, when watering, make sure that its roots are not exposed. After adding moisture, loosen the soil and hill up the shrubs. Mulching the soil with peat or humus helps reduce the number of waterings.
Feeding
To form lush inflorescences of Vanilla Fraze hydrangea, a supply of nutrients is required. The shrub is fed with organic matter or mineral complexes. The best results are obtained by alternating different types of fertilizing.
Panicle hydrangea Vanilla Fries is fed according to the following scheme:
- in spring when the buds swell;
- when the first buds appear;
- during the period of mass flowering;
- in the fall in preparation for winter.
For the first feeding of the Vanilla Fraze variety, an organic fertilizer based on mullein is prepared. Organics are mixed with water in a ratio of 1:15. The resulting solution is watered at the roots of the bushes.
Summer treatments are performed using mineral complexes. The fertilizer is prepared independently by combining ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium salt. Each substance is taken in an amount of 30 g, after which they are dissolved in water.
Ready-made mineral complexes in the form of dry granules and suspensions have been developed for hydrangea. This fertilizer must be dissolved in water, and then water the bushes at the root.
Autumn feeding of the Vanilla Fraze variety is carried out using superphosphate and potassium sulfate. 30 g of each substance is added to each bush. Fertilizers containing nitrogen should be abandoned in the fall so as not to cause increased shoot growth.
Trimming
By pruning, Vanilla Fraze hydrangeas are given the desired shape. The bushes are pruned in early spring before the sap flows. Be sure to remove dry and broken branches.
Each shoot is shortened to 6-8 buds. In total, 5-10 branches are enough per bush.
In summer, Vanilla Fries hydrangea is not pruned. However, it is necessary to eliminate dry inflorescences, which leads to the formation of new buds.
Protection from diseases and pests
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze can be seriously affected by fungal diseases. In cold, rainy weather, plants are susceptible to powdery mildew and various rots. The lesion covers the shoots and leaves of the bush.
To protect hydrangea from diseases, solutions based on fungicides are prepared. The drugs Fundazol, Fitosporin, Topaz have good medicinal properties. Preventive spraying is carried out in early spring and late autumn.
If there is a lack of nutrients, the Vanilla Fraze variety is susceptible to chlorosis. The disease is identified by yellow leaves that begin to curl and fall off. To combat the disease, the shrub is fed with a complex fertilizer containing iron.
For insects, the bush is sprayed with solutions using insecticides Tanrek or Akarin. Folk remedies are suitable for prevention: infusions of onion peels or garlic. They are used for processing at any stage of bush development.
Shelter for the winter
Hydrangea Vanilla Fries can withstand harsh winters.When grown in the southern regions and the middle zone, the shrub is not covered.
In cold, snowless winters, mulching the soil with peat or humus helps protect hydrangeas from freezing. The thickness of the mulch is from 20 to 30 cm.
Young plants must be covered for the winter with agricultural material or burlap. When snow falls, a snowdrift is thrown over the bushes for additional insulation.
Hydrangea propagation
If you have a Vanilla Fraze hydrangea bush, you can get seedlings yourself. To do this, in the spring, cut off several shoots with buds and dip them in a solution of the Cornerost stimulator. Then the cuttings are planted in the garden bed.
The plant is watered, fed with organic matter, and protected from the hot sun. After rooting, the hydrangea is planted around the site.
Another effective way to propagate shrubs is to use layering. In spring, the lower parts of the shoots are cleared of leaves and attached to the ground. Fertile soil is poured on top. By autumn, the plants will take root, and you can separate them from the bush.
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Conclusion
Hydrangea Vanilla Fraze is a shrub with excellent decorative properties. The plant requires watering and fertilizing. The bush is pruned to give it the required shape. Preventive treatments help protect plants from diseases and pests.
Paniculata hydrangea does not bloom, it is five years old. Why