Hydrangea Grandiflora is a highly decorative plant that is widely used for decoration of parks, gardens, personal plots, alleys. The flower has several beautiful varieties: panicled, tree-like and panic.
Description of the variety and its characteristics
Hydrangeas are decorative deciduous shrubs, their homeland is the territory of East Asia and the islands of Japan. This old variety has been known for a long time. According to the description, panicled hydrangea of ​​Grandiflora is a tall shrub with lush and dense flowering. In height, it grows to 2.5 m. The crown of the bush is very branched and spreading, reaching a diameter of 3 m.
Grandiflora hydrangeas are very popular in landscape design
Oval leaves of the bush are medium in size - from 12 to 14 cm in length. On their surface there are small irregularities and roughnesses, since the front part of the plates is densely covered with small villi.
On a note! The root system of hydrangea Grandiflora is very developed and powerful. It is very branched, some roots grow right at the surface of the earth.
Large elongated inflorescences are composed of small white flowers. During the season, the shade of the buds changes: first they are creamy, then snow-white, and closer to autumn they acquire a pinkish color, which quickly changes to reddish green.
Variety History
In Japan, the cultivation of Grandiflora hydrangeas for decorating gardens, parks and garden plots has been practiced since ancient times.
Grade Features
Panicled Hydrangea Grandiflora has many advantages:
- blooms profusely and brightly;
- has rapid growth, can gain a height of 20-25 cm in one season;
- resistant to many diseases;
- rarely affected by pests.
Winter hardiness
Due to its resistance to frost, Grandiflora can be grown in the northern regions. The bush can withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees.
Landing and further care
Features of planting and care in open ground for hydrangea Grandiflora tree and paniculata do not have differences. In general, flowers do not require increased attention and are well adapted to environmental conditions.
For planting hydrangeas, the soil is prepared in advance
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Hydrangeas are classified as photophilous plants, but for planting you need to choose a place with diffused light. Under the bright sun, leaves and buds can burn out and lose their decorative appearance. It is better to choose the soil of medium acidity and with high breathability.
Important! Sandy soil can be oxidized by adding humus, peat or compost soil.
Planting a flower is carried out both in autumn and spring. If the bush is planted in the spring, you should dig it in the fall and add organic matter. In the spring, the soil is loosened again and some mineral fertilizers are added.
How to plant
Step-by-step algorithm for planting hydrangea seedlings in open ground:
- Dig holes at a distance of 2 m from each other and a depth of 50 cm.
- Cover the bottom of each hole with a five-centimeter layer of drainage material: expanded clay chips or small pebbles.
- Top with the same layer of soil mixture prepared from turf land, humus and peat.
- Carefully arrange the seedling and spread its roots. No need to roughly pull and apply them to the ground, because of this, mechanical damage may appear, through which the infection will fall. As a result, the root system may die.
- Fill the bushes with the remaining substrate, filling all the voids between the roots.
- Lightly ram the ground around the trunk circle with your hand and pour soft water at room temperature.
Important! The root neck of hydrangea should be 2 cm above the ground.
Watering and feeding
Water the plant 1 time in 5-7 days. About 2 buckets of soft clean water at room temperature are spent on each bush.
Organics, together with mineral fertilizers, are applied 4 times in one season:
- after warming the soil, until the kidneys appear,
- before buds bloom;
- in July;
- after complete flowering of the bush.
Pruning
In spring, it is necessary to remove old shoots. If the bush is an adult, then some branches are cut by a third to rejuvenate the flower.
Bush pruning is carried out annually
Winter preparations
The variety has high frost resistance, but in northern latitudes it is recommended to shelter it for wintering. To do this, cover the near-trunk circle with sawdust and dry foliage, and wrap the upper part of the bush with dense material.
Breeding
Hydrangeas are propagated by vegetative methods, among which the propagation and division of the bush are especially popular.
To root the cuttings, they first need to be cut from healthy adult shoots. The procedure is carried out in the summer, approximately at the end of June or in July. The upper part of the stem is cut 14-18 cm long, then the cuttings are buried in a moist substrate. From above they are covered with a glass or plastic dome.
Another popular method is dividing an adult bush. The procedure should be carried out in the spring before the start of active growth and sap flow, or in the fall after complete flowering. To do this, pull out the shrub along with the roots and the ground. With a sharp knife, divide it into 2-4 equal parts and plant each in a separate place.
Diseases and pests, ways to combat them
Grandiflora can sometimes become infected with powdery mildew caused by worms - white round insects covering the surface of leaves with white mucus. Soon, the liquid hardens and turns into a whitish coating, which eventually turns gray and blackens. At the first stages of the manifestation of the disease, it is enough to wash the bush in the shower, but it is more effective to use fungicides and insecticides.
Powdery mildew on the leaves of Grandiflora
Of the pests, the bush can disturb the leaf aphid, which is located on the leaves and sucks out the juices from it. The plant withers and grows dull; its buds begin to fall. In the fight against parasites, it is better to use the "Actellic" remedy.
Use in landscape design
Hydrangeas have long been used in landscape design. Highly decorative flower looks beautiful with almost all plants. In parks it is planted next to trees and large bushes. The hydrangea tree-like Grandiflora favorably emphasizes flower beds and flower beds with its elegant appearance.
Large-leaved species (Hydrangea Paniculata) is often planted together with coniferous plants: thuja, fir or juniper. To decorate the garden, you can place hydrangea Grandiflora Paniculatu next to fruit and berry bushes.
Grandiflora is a beautiful and frost-resistant variety.
Hydrangea Grandiflora is a popular ornamental plant that is widely used in landscape design. An unpretentious flower is easy to propagate and plant in open ground, as it quickly adapts to new conditions and rarely gets sick.
