Paniculata hydrangea must be carefully prepared for winter. I start to do this in the summer by feeding the flowers, and by autumn I definitely reduce the number of watering so that the branches become lignified, then the plant tolerates winter better. There are several more mandatory procedures required to prepare for the cold weather.
Pruning
I am often asked if it is necessary to cut this type of hydrangea. I answer, based on my own experience, what is necessary. If you do not prune, the plant becomes thinner, respectively, the flowers will be stunted and small. I remove thin shoots, diseased and dry branches from the bushes, cut off dried inflorescences and do this before the first frost. You don't need to cut the bush every year, only as needed, otherwise you can ruin the hydrangea. Do not forget that this flower is poisonous, and carry out all actions with it only with gloves.
Top dressing
Autumn feeding for panicle hydrangea will be the fourth and last of the season. For this flower, I use ready-made fertilizers, but you can prepare them yourself. I can advise a solution of superphosphate and potassium sulfate for 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water, then pour the mixture under the bush. You can dig in a bucket of humus or compost.
Warming
Panicle hydrangea is frost-resistant, but these are only adult plants. I do not cover them, but only mulch with peat, this is quite enough for the winter. I cover young plants without fail. The method is quite simple: if the branches of the bush are long, I tie them, and then wrap them with spunbond. Next, I build a frame around the bush and wrap it with foil, so the heat around the hydrangea lasts longer.
Autumn planting
Panicle hydrangea can be planted in the fall. I prefer to plant many plants before winter, they are always stronger, more resistant to diseases and parasites. Planting hydrangeas has its own nuances. I select seedlings with well-developed roots, then next year the bushes will already bloom magnificently. I choose a place for planting that is well-lit, without drafts. It is better not to plant hydrangea next to other shrubs, the only exception is lilac.
For planting, I prepare a hole half a meter in diameter and the same depth, three weeks before placing a seedling in it. For three days I fill the pit with a mixture of peat, sand, humus and leafy earth in a ratio of 1: 1: 2: 2., I add 4 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 1.5 tbsp. l. urea, 2 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate, then fill it with water and leave it for two days. When planting a plant, I carefully check that all the roots are straightened and the trunk is clearly in the center of the hole. Then I sprinkle the seedling, leaving the root collar on the surface, tamp the earth and fill it with a bucket of water. I mulch five centimeters with peat, this layer is enough for the wintering of the plant.
With all my advice, you can plant panicle hydrangea correctly in the fall and ideally prepare adult bushes for the next season.
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