Despite the fact that hydrangea is one of the most demanding flowers, I love it very much. I'll tell you about some of the secrets of caring for him.
First of all, it should be noted that hydrangea loves moisture and light. It is not for nothing that the name of the flower means "a vessel of water" in translation. It is necessary to care for hydrangea, adhering to the basic rule: it is better to overfill than underfill.
Hydrangea blooms from late summer to late autumn and has a strong immunity to pathogenic bacteria and other pests. Hydrangea is a unique flower. Pink and blue hydrangeas have the ability to change their color depending on the composition of the soil. Paniculata and ground cover are adapted to cold weather, and tree-like can withstand severe frosts up to 40 degrees.
Purchase hydrangea from flower shops. But you can propagate an existing one using cuttings. The best time for this is mid-July. Planting hydrangeas in open ground is carried out in the middle lane in September, in the southern regions - until the end of October. It is possible to plant only those bushes whose root system is well developed, otherwise the flower will not have time to take root before the frost begins.
Pros and cons of autumn planting
I prefer to plant hydrangeas in the fall. This has many benefits:
- the soil is well warmed up after the summer period;
- the hydrangea will bloom next season;
- the plant does not need a lot of strength for flowering and green leaves, all of them will be directed to rooting.
The only drawback is special care in winter. Hydrangea must be covered for the winter and, before frost, periodically water the flower with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Choosing a place for hydrangea
Hydrangea loves a lot of light and warmth. It is better to plant a flower in an open space, protected from the winds. The ideal option are sections along a low fence.
It is worth considering that hydrangea does not like aggressive neighbors. You can not plant a flower near tall trees, they will leave her without moisture. It is not recommended to choose places near ferns, spiraea and lilacs. The hydrangea thrives best when it grows apart from other plants.
Hydrangea looks great against the backdrop of mixborders and alpine slides. The flower needs a special soil - light, loose and nutritious.
Planting pit preparation
It is necessary to plant a hydrangea at a distance of 70 cm to form a hedge or 1.5-3 m for a normal planting. If the soil on the site is clayey and heavy, it is necessary to prepare for planting hydrangea and fertilize it with a mixture of leafy or soddy soil, humus, high-moor red peat and sand (2: 2: 1: 1). In addition, you need to add 1.5 tbsp to the soil. l. urea, 4-5 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 2 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate. After fertilization, wait 3-4 days before planting.
Planting and leaving
Before placing the hydrangea in the planting hole, I spread the root system well. Next, I place the flower in the hole and sprinkle it with soil. Be sure to compact the ground after planting. I immediately spill the hydrangea with 8-12 liters of water and cover it with coniferous mulch to retain moisture.
The flower will take root well if it is regularly watered and loosened. To maintain the acidity of the soil, I add a little lemon juice or vinegar to rainwater or settled water.
Before the onset of winter, I break off the leaves and inflorescences, and cover the base of the bush with sawdust, straw or crushed tree bark. This will help the hydrangea survive the winter.
If you follow these simple recommendations for caring for a hydrangea, the flower will quickly take root in the ground and will delight you with a beautiful flowering.
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