Planting and caring for Bluebird serrated hydrangea

Hydrangea is the name of a whole genus of tree-like shrubs, whose representatives are valued for their decorative qualities. Although this plant loves warmth and moisture, planting a serrated hydrangea - one of the species - is widespread in the middle lane. The Blue Bird variety is very beautiful. These sprawling bushes, abundantly decorated with large caps of blue inflorescences, are used to decorate parks and gardens.

Description

The serrata hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata), like the entire family, comes from Japan. The width of the undersized bush of the Blue Bird variety is about 1.5 m and the height is 1-1.2 meters, which makes the plant look like a green ball. This species is loved by gardeners for the bright colors of the inflorescences and the attractive appearance of the shrub, in addition, it requires simple maintenance. A remarkable feature is that the intensity of the color of the inflorescences can change when the acidity of the soil changes.

The Blue Bird variety, among others, is distinguished by its memorable color scheme: in the center there are small fertile pink, lilac flowers with blue stamens, and along the edges there are large sterile flowers (up to 3 cm in diameter), having a color from pale lilac to bright blue. On acidic soils, the petals become a delicate heavenly shade. The caps themselves are shaped like a flat umbrella, reaching a diameter of 10 cm. The serrated hydrangea has oval leaves serrated at the edges, for which it got its name.

Let's name other features of the plant's appearance.

1. The hydrangea bush is deciduous and quite spreading. He likes the abundance of light and moisture.
2. It has a sturdy and branched trunk that is hidden under lush foliage and inflorescences.
3. By the way, even young plants planted quite recently bloom profusely.
4. The root system of this variety is wide, it is located at a shallow depth in the ground, about 40 cm. Thanks to this, the plant reacts quickly enough to the introduction of mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizing.

If you take proper care of the hydrangea, then it will delight the eye and decorate the site with flowers from July to September. This plant is quite frost-hardy - it can withstand frosts down to -18 ° C and even up to -20 ° C, so it can winter in the ground.

Landing

Planting hydrangeas begins with choosing a suitable location. These are light-loving plants, so they grow well in open spaces, but direct sunlight is destructive for them. Diffused light and partial shade are ideal. Therefore, they can be planted from the southern, eastern and western sides of fences and walls of buildings, which will help decorate and decorate them. It is important that no other plants that love moisture grow within a radius of 3 meters from the hydrangeas, so that there is enough for everyone.

The time should also be chosen correctly - the planting of this shrub should take place in the spring, in late April or early May. Some gardeners also plant hydrangeas in September when the heat subsides.

Dig a hole 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.6 m in size. If these are group plantings, then the bushes should be at a distance of at least 1.5 m from each other so that each of the plants does not interfere with its neighbor. The pits are filled with soil consisting of the following components:

• humus earth;
• leafy land;
• peat;
• sand.

It is recommended to observe the proportions of the components - 2: 2: 1: 1. Additionally, fertilizers are applied: urea (20 g), mineral complexes and organic matter. It is strictly forbidden to add lime, because hydrangea does not tolerate this type of feeding. When planting, the root collar should be at ground level.Young plants need special care: within 2 years, inflorescences should be removed from them so that nutrients and forces are spent on the formation of green mass. It is also recommended to cover the seedlings from direct exposure to sunlight, wind and frost.

Care

Hydrangea care is quite simple. It does not require any special skills or knowledge in the field of gardening. This plant is very fond of warmth and moisture, which must be taken into account. In order for more water to get to the root system, it is recommended to regularly loosen the soil around the bush, along with weeding, to a depth of about 5 cm. This will also provide a constant flow of oxygen, which will have a positive effect on the condition of the bush.

Bluebird hydrangea care includes other aspects as well.

1. Correct watering. For normal development and abundant flowering, the hydrangea must receive enough water, so it should be watered daily. On hot summer days, when the thermometer rises above + 30 ° C, watering should be done three times a day, and if the air warmed up to 25 ° C, then twice (morning and evening). It is important to ensure that the topsoil is always moderately moist.
2. Protection from direct sunlight. Although serrata hydrangea is a fairly light-loving plant, bright sun can harm it, like most plants. In this case, the earthen lump dries up faster, the flowers become small and pale, and ugly burns appear on the leaves. If the plant is in an open space, then at midday it should be artificially shaded. For example, a removable canopy. Such care allows you to maintain a decorative look.
3. Plant fertilization occurs in three stages: when planting, when it begins to pick up buds and at the beginning of flowering. In the last two cases, liquid fertilizers are applied at the root. For example, you can make an organic fertilizing by mixing compost diluted in water. The optimal time between feeding is 2 weeks. Fertilizers containing nitrogen and a complex of minerals should be used according to the instructions.

This plant is quite resistant to pests. But it needs to be examined regularly, because there is a risk of infection with aphids or powdery mildew.

In addition to these basic rules, caring for hydrangea cannot do without pruning and preparing for wintering.

Pruning

Hydrangea serrata requires annual pruning. The best time for this is autumn, when the plant has already bloomed and enters a dormant state. You need to use a garden pruner. Using such a tool, the upper 2-3 nodes of the shoot are cut off, while trying to give the shrub an elegant "hat" shape. All branches without flowers, dry leaves and dead branches should be removed.

Such care is useful in that after pruning, the area from which moisture evaporates during the winter decreases. Summer trimming of branches is also allowed to make the bush more branched, lush and even. Also, every two years, a "radical haircut" should be carried out, removing all dead, weak and uneven shoots - this will only benefit the plant, and the hydrangea will transform the next year.

Preparing for winter

The serrata hydrangea becomes more resistant to frost over time, but at a tender age, these plants need special attention before the onset of cold weather. First you need to cut the bush, it is also recommended to feed it with fertilizer based on phosphorus and potassium.

There are several ways to protect the shrub from cold temperatures.

1. Spud the plant and cover with polyethylene (up to -5 ° C).
2. Tie the branches with a rope, spud and insulate with spruce branches. For extra protection, you can use several layers of polyethylene, fixed on top with boards (down to -15 ° C).
3. Bend bunches of 2 branches to the ground and secure with staples. Then insulate with sawdust, coniferous branches or unnecessary warm things. Withstands temperatures down to -20 ° C.
4. Wrap the branches of the bush with a metal mesh or line with bricks, and throw old warm clothes on top (up to -30 °).

Correctly and timely performed procedures for preparing hydrangeas for winter will guarantee that the plant will wake up healthy with the spring rays of the sun, and will delight you with its flowering caps in summer.

Hydrangea serrata Blue Bird is a wonderful plant. Correct fit and maintenance is simple enough. With the onset of July, this bush will bloom with bright caps of amazing shades, and will certainly become the main decoration of the garden.