Content
Many gardeners and summer residents of Siberia dream of growing hydrangea in their garden, but due to the harsh climatic conditions they do not dare to do so. Thanks to the work of breeders, new frost-resistant flower varieties have appeared that are suitable for planting in the northern regions of the country. Growing hydrangea in Siberia requires certain knowledge and regular care, but the result is worth the effort.
Choosing the right variety
For cultivation in the harsh climate of Siberia, varieties of tree and paniculate hydrangea are used, which tolerate frost well. In order for the plant to take root, it is better to buy seeds and seedlings from experienced, local gardeners.
Tree hydrangea can grow up to 3 meters in height. Its most frost-resistant and spectacular species are Anabelle, Grandiflora and Invincibelle. The shrub blooms from July to late autumn.
Paniculata hydrangea is usually used to decorate parks and gardens. Some shrubs grow up to 10 meters in height and produce large inflorescences. The following varieties of paniculate hydrangea have proven themselves well in Siberia: Limelight, Medical Flute, Pink Diamond, Medical Fire. For a small area, dwarf varieties up to 1 meter high are suitable. These include Vanilla Fresh, Sunday Fresh and Bobo.
The photo shows paniculate hydrangea.
In Siberian conditions, other varieties of hydrangea can be grown, but this is a labor-intensive process. Every autumn the plant will have to be dug up and moved to a cool room. And with the arrival of spring, plant them again on the site.
Features of agricultural technology
Growing hydrangea in Siberia is not difficult. But in order for the bush to take root and grow well, planting must be carried out taking into account the climate of the area. The right location and optimal soil composition guarantee abundant flowering.
Site selection
Hydrangea feels comfortable in illuminated areas, but direct sunlight burns the bush. Therefore, the flower is planted in a shaded place. Since Siberia has very cold winds, you need to find a quiet place for hydrangea. The best option is to place the plant next to a fence or against the wall of any building. Lilac, bladderwort or spirea shrubs are well suited for hedges.
Hydrangea loves fertile and slightly acidic soil. In alkaline soil, the plant develops slowly, and its inflorescences and leaves are pale. It is not advisable to plant hydrangea in red soil and sandy soil.
Preparing the planting hole
In Siberia, hydrangea seedlings are planted in late spring, in the second half of May. By this time, the soil will have time to warm up and become saturated with melt water. A couple of weeks before planting the seedling, prepare a hole:
- In the selected area, dig a hole measuring no less than 50x50 and a depth of 40-60 cm. For an adult plant, a freer hole is required - 80x80.
- The top layer of soil, 18-20 cm thick, is laid separately.
- 20-30 liters of water are poured into the recess. Leave for a day so that the soil is well saturated with moisture.
- The deposited soil is mixed with peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. You can add urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfide to the mixture.
- The soil mixture is mixed and poured into the planting hole. A small mound should form.
Planting scheme
Before planting, the roots and shoots of the seedling are pruned. You only need to leave a few buds on it. The plant is carefully lowered into the prepared hole and its roots are straightened. Cover with soil and lightly compact. The root collar of the hydrangea should be at ground level. A depth of 2 cm is allowed.
After planting, the flower is watered abundantly so that the water seeps to a depth of 30-40 cm. If there are several bushes, then the interval between them should be at least 250 cm. To retain moisture, the hydrangea is mulched. To do this, wood chips, pine needles, peat chips or leaves are laid out around the bush in a layer of about 10 cm.
Rules of care
Hydrangea planted in Siberia does not require special care. But in order for the flower to be strong and healthy, you need to adhere to the basic rules and recommendations.
Watering
Hydrangea loves moisture very much. Drought can disrupt flower growth and development. The plant is watered once every 14-16 days with 1-2 buckets of water. In dry and hot weather, the bush is irrigated every week. In rainy summers, 4-5 waterings per season are sufficient. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening, when the sun is not so active. To help the plant survive the winter in Siberia, moisture-recharging irrigation is carried out in the fall.
Hydrangea prefers soft and warm water. Experienced gardeners add 2-3 g of potassium permanganate to the watering can, which prevents the appearance of rot.
Trimming
Hydrangea growing in Siberia needs regular pruning. In spring, the procedure is performed until the kidneys awaken. The best time is the second half of April. Tree hydrangea shoots are cut to 3 buds from the ground. To give the desired shape to the shrub, remove weak branches and branches growing inward. Paniculata hydrangea is pruned differently - last year's stems are shortened by one third. In autumn, faded inflorescences are picked off.
To rejuvenate an old bush, you need to cut off all shoots at a height of 5-6 cm from the ground. Next spring, young branches will appear, and the decorative effect of the flower will be restored.
Top dressing
In order for hydrangea in Siberia to bloom profusely and luxuriantly, it needs to be fed. Over the entire season, the plant is fertilized 3-4 times:
- In early spring, early to mid-May. For each square meter of land, add 20-25 g of urea, 25-30 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium sulfate. After two weeks, fertilizing is repeated.
- During the formation of buds. 60-80 g of superphosphate and 40-45 g of potassium sulfate are diluted in water and the plant is watered with the resulting solution.
- After flowering, 6-7 kg of compost or rotted manure is added to each bush.
For feeding It is not recommended to use wood ash. It must be remembered that excess fertilizer will do more harm than good.
Shelter and preparation for the winter
Even the most cold-resistant variety of hydrangea will not tolerate frost in Siberia without shelter. To prevent the plant from freezing, perform the following steps:
- The shrub is covered with soil, and the tree trunk circle is mulched with dry leaves, peat, pine needles or rotted manure.
- Plant wrapped in burlap or any other covering material. Bend the stems to the ground and fix the structure with stones, cover the top with sawdust, spruce branches or dry leaves.
- If the bush is large, then it is carefully tied together with a rope. Around him form a frame shelter from wire, which should be 8-11 cm higher than the flower. The hut is filled with dry leaves, and a film or roofing felt is pulled over it.
When snow falls, you can collect a snowdrift around the hydrangea, which will serve as additional protection. It will not only insulate the bush, but also saturate it with moisture with the arrival of spring.
Shrub propagation
Hydrangea in Siberia is propagated by several methods:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering.
Growing hydrangea from seeds is a long and labor-intensive method., which is used very rarely. In Siberian conditions, it is almost impossible to grow a flower in open ground. Therefore, seedlings are grown in boxes for several years, and only then the grown plant is planted on the site.
Gardeners of Siberia They prefer to propagate hydrangea by cuttings. To do this, cut off the leafy part of the stem with 2-3 buds from young plants. It is best to take cuttings from side shoots grown on last year's growths. The cut part of the plant is placed in a growth stimulator solution for 2 hours. Cuttings are rooted in open ground under a film or in a greenhouse. To prevent the young flower from dying from the Siberian frost, it is dug up and transplanted into a box for the winter. The container is placed in a closed, cool room. With the arrival of spring, the shrub is planted in open ground.
Hydrangea is propagated by layering in early spring. Furrows about 2 cm deep are dug around the bush. The lower shoots of the bush are placed in them and sprinkled with soil.In this case, the end of the shoot should remain on the surface. After a year, the cuttings are separated from the mother bush.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea growing in Siberia is susceptible peronospora or downy mildew. Grease spots appear on the leaves, and a yellow coating forms on the stems. The bushes should be sprayed with the following solution: 140 g of green soap and 15 g of copper sulfate dilute in a large bucket of water.
The flower may be affected chlorosis. The leaves turn yellow and lighten, deformation of the buds and shrinkage of foliage are observed. Reason – the plant lacks iron. To treat Hydrangea, prepare a solution from 2 g of iron sulfate, 4 g of citric acid and 1 liter of water or from 40 g of potassium nitrate and 10 liters of water.
Among the pests, the bush attacks spider mite The leaves begin to dry out and fall off. To save the flower, it is treated with thiophos solution (7 g of the substance is diluted in a bucket of water). Aphids can settle on hydrangea leaves and suck the juices from the plant. To reduce the number of insects, the area is cleared of weed and treat the bush with insecticides.
Conclusion
Hydrangea is an unpretentious flower that can be grown even in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia. But in order for the plant to delight with lush and long-lasting flowering, you need to make an effort. The bush needs careful care and shelter for the winter. Then the hydrangea will feel comfortable even in Siberian, severe frosts.
