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This plant is a real decoration for any garden. The most decorative are the paniculate species, in particular, the Kyushu hydrangea. Beautiful, lush shrubs "came" to Europe from Japan and won the hearts of millions of gardeners.
Hydrangea Kyushu - decoration of any personal plot
Description of hydrangea Kyushu
Hydrangea Kyushu belongs to deciduous. Its height reaches 2.5-3 m. The plant is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but does not tolerate a clean sandy environment and does not grow in swampy areas. Even without flowering, the bushes are highly decorative due to the unusual combination of upright brown shoots with oval leaves of a rich emerald color with red petioles.
Another distinctive feature of the Kyushu hydrangea is a lush crown, which can reach 3 m in diameter. Starting in June, inflorescences are formed in the form of cones. Initially, the color of the petals is white, but closer to autumn they acquire a pinkish tint. By pruning, the bush can be shaped into almost any shape.
The bush can grow up to 3 m high
Hydrangea Kiushu in landscape design
Hydrangea paniculata Kyushu is a born diva. It has beautiful white flowers that create a fascinating picture: delicate petals seem airy and weightless, as if they have descended from the pages of a fairy tale. Benches and swings are often placed near these shrubs, so that during the flowering period you can admire this pure beauty and rest from everyday worries.
Even one single bush, planted in the center of the site, will definitely attract everyone's attention. Additionally, the landing site can be decorated with a decorative stone or paved around the path from tiles of an unusual shape.
The garden often needs zoning. This allows you to more efficiently use the territory and streamline planting. As a hedge, designers often use the Kyushu hydrangea. It is also appropriate in group plantings, near artificial ponds, gazebos and benches.
The delicate flowers of Kyushu hydrangea create a soft and cozy atmosphere in the garden.
Winter hardiness of Kyushu hydrangea
Hydrangea Kiushu is distinguished by high rates of winter hardiness. Sensitivity to low temperatures is characteristic only of young plants. With age, they become hardened and calmly endure the winter.
Planting and caring for Kyushu panicle hydrangea
The best time to plant the Kyushu hydrangea is spring. It is necessary to wait until the snow cover completely melts and the soil warms up. If we are talking about the southern regions, then it is permissible here to start planting hydrangea Kyushu in the fall, no later than mid-September. It is important that the seedling has a well-formed root system. Young bushes with weak roots are planted only in summer, so that they have time to fully get stronger.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For the normal growth and development of the Kyushu hydrangea, a well-lit place is required, but without contact with direct sunlight.Otherwise, the shoots will lose their decorative effect, and the soil will dry out too quickly. However, full shadow is also not suitable.
The golden mean will be an area in which there will be a sufficient amount of soft diffused light for most of the day. It is also worth considering the proximity of trees and other shrubs. They should not strongly shade the hydrangea, take away moisture and nutrients from it.
The site must be completely cleaned of weeds, dug up and level the soil. A few days before the planned planting of the Kyushu hydrangea, you can start preparing the pit. Its width is 55-60 cm, and its height is 40 cm. It takes a little time for the soil to completely sink. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pit in the form of expanded clay, crushed brick or crushed stone (the layer height is not more than 8 cm).
Next are several types of fertilizers (nitrogen, potash, and superphosphate). Nitrogen is especially important in the spring, as it actively stimulates vegetation. In the fall, it is practically not used, because the grown young branches will not withstand the upcoming cold weather. After fertilization, peat is poured (to obtain optimal soil acidity) and humus. It is forbidden to use lime or fresh manure, otherwise the root system will die. All components must stand in the pit to shrink. It is best to choose a dry week so that the landing hole is not flooded with water.
Landing rules
A seedling is immersed in the "settled" planting hole. Before transplanting the Kyushu hydrangea shoots, the roots are slightly shortened to stimulate their further growth. During the spring planting, the shoots of the Kyushu hydrangea are also pruned, leaving only 3-4 buds. The seedling is slightly buried, and the root collar is sprinkled with a small layer of soil (only a couple of cm). After watering, it will drop, and the neck will be above the soil level. After that, mulching of the trunk circles is carried out. To do this, use any available materials: dry sawdust, walnut husks, straw or needles.
It is better to plant hydrangea Kyushu in spring
Watering and feeding
Hydrangea Kyushu on a trunk needs moisture, so it needs regular watering as the soil dries out. It is best to moisten the ground in the morning to protect the bush from burns and prevent rapid evaporation of water. Drought of hydrangea Kyushu is contraindicated, it tolerates a slight stagnation of moisture more easily than its complete absence.
Kiushu and top dressing are no less important for hydrangeas. Bring in from 4 times a season:
- The first occurs at the very beginning of spring, when active sap flow begins. During this period, organic matter is introduced (solutions based on manure or poultry droppings).
- The second is during the formation of buds. To do this, use a mixture of superphosphate with urea and potassium sulfate, diluted with water.
- The third top dressing is applied in the middle of summer. A good result is given by complex mineral fertilizers in granules.
- The fourth time they feed the hydrangea Kyushu before winter, using special nitrogen-free preparations.
Pruning hydrangea Kyushu
A lush bush will quickly lose its shape without proper care. However, pruning the Kyushu hydrangea, in addition to its aesthetic function, has an overall beneficial effect on the plant. If you cut the hydrangea before the buds begin to open, it will delight you with generous and long flowering in the future. Without this procedure, flowers may not appear at all.
At the end of autumn, all inflorescences of the Kyushu hydrangea, as well as weak and rotting shoots, are cut off. In the spring, they do the same with frozen twigs. To rejuvenate the bushes, they resort to radical pruning right down to the stump itself.
Preparing for winter
Young plants, especially first-year ones, should be carefully insulated.All inflorescences are cut from the shoots of the Kyushu hydrangea, the stems are bent to the ground and slightly pressed so that they do not straighten. From above, the branches and part of the soil are covered with special agrofibre or spruce branches.
Strong mature bushes do not react to frost. It is enough just to tie their branches and fix them on the support. This will protect them from breaking off by the wind and sagging under the weight of the snow. You can see how to properly trim the Kyushu hydrangea in the video:
Reproduction
Hortense Kyushu is bred in several ways:
- Seeds. A soil mixture of leafy earth, peat and sand is poured into a convenient container. Planting material is immersed in it and lightly sprinkled with earth. It is moistened from above from a spray bottle. The first shoots of Kyushu hydrangea can be seen on the 45th day. Prior to this, the soil is regularly moistened. After the sprouts appear, you can remove the film and after a while unpack the plantings into small cups. When 4 strong leaves are formed, they are seated in small pots. Then comes the hardening period so that the plants get used to the fresh air. After 2 years, the sprouts are transferred to the garden, immediately choosing a permanent place.
- Cuttings. It is necessary to select healthy branches that have several formed buds. First, they are rooted in containers with water, and then transferred to nutrient soil. If the cutting of the hydrangea Kyushu is planted immediately in the ground, its lower leaves are cut off completely, and the upper ones are ½ of the length. There must be a transparent dome on top to create a greenhouse effect.
Rooted cuttings are treated in the same way as seedlings
- Layers. The lower shoot of the Kyushu hydrangea is bent to the ground and sprinkled with a layer of soil, firmly fixing it. The upper part of the branch remains above the ground (it is tied to a support). After the appearance of side shoots, they are spud in several stages. The rooted layers are carefully separated and transferred to a previously prepared place.
Diseases and pests of the hydrangea paniculata variety Kiushu
Diseases affect the Kyushu hydrangea bushes with improper care, unsuitable soil composition and sudden temperature changes. Common problems include:
- Chlorosis. It occurs with a lack of iron. The veins of the leaves begin to brighten noticeably. Iron vitriol or citric acid will help correct the situation.
With chlorosis, the veins of the leaves brighten
- Gray rot. Ulcers and characteristic dark spots form on the leaf blade. Spraying is carried out with a soapy solution with copper.
This infection spreads quickly, so it is important to get rid of the affected parts of the plant in time.
- Septoria. It is expressed in brown spots, after a while the crown begins to actively crumble.
Bordeaux mixture fights well with the problem
Among the most dangerous pests of Kyushu hydrangea are aphids, spider mites and slugs. To combat them, gardeners use folk methods or resort to modern effective insecticides, using them strictly according to the instructions.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Kiushu is an unpretentious and very beautiful plant that is easy to propagate. By placing several of these bushes on a personal plot, you can correctly zone the garden, create cozy places for relaxation, and complement flower arrangements. Snow-white inflorescences will delight you with their lightness, tenderness and delicate pleasant aroma.
