Content
To decorate their personal plot, gardeners choose the most spectacular plants. They should create beautiful single plantings or organic ensembles with different crops and shrubs. Preference is given to flowering specimens with well-developed branches and interesting shades of petals. One of the most beautiful varieties is the Diamond Rouge hydrangea. This species is decorative, unpretentious, for which it received high awards at international exhibitions.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is decorative and unpretentious in care
Description of hydrangea paniculata Diamond Rouge
This is a beautiful compact bush. The height of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is about 1.5 m. The plant has a branched superficial root system, prefers a cool climate and a sufficient amount of moisture. Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is famous for its unusually beautiful flowers, which slowly reveal all their decorative properties. Flowering begins at the end of June. At this time, large inflorescences appear, which gather in picturesque panicles. The initial color of the petals is white, however, pink tones soon appear. By the beginning of autumn, the colors become deep red.
Diamond Rouge hydrangea leaves are no less attractive. They have an original oblong shape and a velvety surface, pleasant to the touch. During flowering, the leaves change their color ranging from deep green to orange. It is a pleasure to observe such metamorphoses, for any garden such a plant will become a worthy decoration.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge in landscape design
This beauty looks amazing in single landings, but in compositions it does not lose its special charm and attractiveness. The unusual color of leaves and inflorescences makes this shrub the first violin of the ensemble. Wherever the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is planted, it will be in its place everywhere: under trees, in an open flower bed, along cobbled paths.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is planted in flower beds, lawns, along the paths
Often the shrub is planted near benches, gazebos, in the center of lawns, along artificial reservoirs. It is worth considering the flowering time of different species so that the composition looks harmonious throughout the summer.
Frost resistance of hydrangea Diamond Rouge
This variety has the highest resistance to low temperatures. Hydrangea Diamond Rouge takes root well and blooms successfully even in regions with fairly cold winters. If, nevertheless, the plant freezes, all the shoots will have time to fully recover over the summer. In a particularly harsh climate, it is worth taking care of a safe shelter in advance.
Planting and caring for hydrangea Diamond Rouge
The complex of care measures does not carry any particular difficulties.Gardeners who have already planted ornamental shrubs on the site can easily cope with the task, and even beginners can do it. One of the characteristic features of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is its unpretentious care. It takes a little effort to create favorable conditions for the plant for further growth and development.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For a Diamond Rouge hydrangea, a well-lit place is suitable, but without contact with direct sunlight. It is best to give preference to an area with diffused bright light or plant cuttings in partial shade. You should not place the shrub in a draft, as it will not be able to take root.
Another important point is the composition and quality of the soil. The soil should be loose, fertile and with sufficient organic matter. A neutral or acidic environment is essential for good growth. The ideal option would be alkaline soils, but sandy or calcareous soil will have a detrimental effect on the plant. This is practically the only drawback of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea.
To naturally create an acidic environment, gardeners use regular whey. Good bacteria will make the soil not only acidic enough, but also nutritious. Before planting, the site must be completely cleaned of weeds and loosened.
Planting rules for hydrangea varieties Diamond Rouge
In open ground, the shrub is planted in the fall or at the very beginning of spring.
The whole process consists of several stages:
- In a previously prepared area, dig a hole with a diameter of at least 70 cm, less space will shackle the roots.
- After that, the soil must be enriched with organic matter and minerals, and then abundantly moistened. Soft fertile soil is combined with peat, rotted humus and sand. Additionally, urea is used, as well as potassium sulfate with superphosphate. All these substances are thoroughly mixed and scattered in an even layer on the bottom of the pit.
- A hydrangea seedling Diamond Rouge is placed in it, carefully spreading the roots so that they are not injured. The root collar is left on the surface. From above, the pit is covered with soil, tamped and watered again. Well-moistened soil is the key to the growth of this shrub.
Do not plant other moisture-loving plants next to the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, otherwise they will steal precious moisture from the soil, which will lead to the death of the shrub. The best neighborhood for paniculate hydrangea is saxifrage.
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is unpretentious in care
Watering and feeding
The arid environment is detrimental to the Diamond Rouge hydrangea, so it is watered often and abundantly. However, you should not be too zealous: there is a significant difference between well-moistened and poured soil. If there is little rainfall in summer, watering is increased up to several times a week. Before that, be sure to check the condition of the soil. It is important that after watering the soil does not crust over. To do this, the top layer is carefully loosened, and in order to retain moisture longer, they resort to mulching (most often with peat or needles).
For the first time after planting hydrangea Diamond Rouge, nettle infusion is used as fertilizer. Minerals must be injected every 10 days. It is most reasonable to use fertilizers that dissolve well in water. They penetrate deeply into the soil and nourish the roots.
Pruning hydrangea Diamond Rouge
Decorative and healing shrub pruning is an integral part of the care. Not only the attractive appearance of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea depends on this procedure, but also its ability to bloom abundantly. In the fall, it is necessary to get rid of all old and non-viable branches, as well as wilted inflorescences. As a result, a maximum of 12 absolutely healthy shoots should remain.
In the spring, pruning is done early, until the buds begin to bloom.On a young shrub, no more than three buds are left, on an old one - about five. All the necessary fertilizers are applied in parallel. When rejuvenating hydrangea Diamond Rouge, all shoots are cut to the very stump. In two years, new branches will grow, and a beautiful lush crown will appear.
Preparing for winter
Diamant Rouge panicle hydrangea has good frost resistance, but for absolute confidence it should still be insulated before winter. Gardeners use the covering material only for young plants that are planted in the fall.
For adult specimens, the main thing is to protect the root system. For this, dry fallen leaves, peat, rotted manure are usually used. If there is a threat to the branches, they can be additionally covered with a special frame, which will serve as a kind of greenhouse and protect the plant from the vagaries of the weather.
Reproduction
The most effective way to propagate the Diamond Rouge hydrangea is by cuttings. Planting material is cut from strong and healthy branches and temporarily placed in a vessel with water. After that, they begin to form the cutting, on which at least three internodes should remain.
It is best to propagate the Diamond Rouge hydrangea by cuttings
The lower cut is dipped in a growth stimulant solution and the cutting is placed in a previously prepared container (about 2/3 depth). Then he is kept in a room for a year. As soon as a stable heat is established, young bushes can be transferred to the garden.
Propagation of hydrangea Diamond Rouge by layering is relatively easy. All that is needed is to make a groove in the ground (about 20-30 cm) and bend strong annual shoots. Shallow cuts are made on them with a sharp blade. For fixing, take any convenient load.
The only condition is that the top of the shoot should be located above the soil surface in an upright position. The groove is sprinkled with earth on top and watered. It is not possible to see the young shoots of the Diamond Rouge hydrangea until next spring. They are not immediately separated, but wait another year. With this method of reproduction, all varietal characteristics of the mother bush are fully preserved.
Diseases and pests
The Diamond Rouge hydrangea must be carefully monitored, since the risk of disease and pests is quite high.
Among the most probable diseases are:
- Powdery mildew. A fungal disease characterized by the appearance of dark spots. Infection occurs through the soil. The impetus for the development of the disease is excessive soil moisture against the background of high air temperatures. At the initial stage, a soap solution with copper sulfate helps well. In advanced cases, they resort to special drugs.
With powdery mildew, dark spots appear on hydrangea leaves
- Tracheomycotic wilting. Another fungal disease. Pathogenic spores penetrate deeply into the trunk and branches through the roots, which can lead to the death of the plant. The most effective prevention is the fungicide treatment of the seedling before planting. When a bush is damaged, the diseased parts are cut off and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, including the soil around. You can also use sulfur or ash in powder form.
Tracheomycotic wilting leads to plant death
The most dangerous pests of Diamond Rouge hydrangea include slugs, garden snails, aphids, spider mites, gall nematodes, fawn leaf beetle, etc. trees and flowers. At the slightest suspicion, it is better to immediately carry out preventive treatment using folk or chemical agents.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Diamond Rouge is the fruit of the painstaking work of French breeders. This plant is distinguished by its extraordinary beauty, and both flowers and leaves can boast of high decorativeness. In order for the plant to please with its abundant flowering, it is necessary to choose high-quality planting material and try to create the most comfortable conditions for the growth of this beauty. With the right approach, you can get a powerful, healthy, spreading bush, dotted with delicate flowers that change their shades as if in a kaleidoscope.
