Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom: description, planting and care, reviews

Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom is a popular variety widely grown in the territory of the CIS countries. It is important to know how to properly plant a plant and take care of it in the future.

Description of Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom

Hydrangea is a shrub about 1 m high, with lush blooming corymbose inflorescences. Each of them contains bisexual sterile flowers. Shoots are strong, rarely break under gusts of wind. Usually, fertile flowers are localized in the middle of wedge-shaped inflorescences, framed by sterile specimens. The diameter of the flowers is 30 cm. Hydrangea paniculata Gydrangea Paniculata Strawberry Blossom successfully takes root in Central Russia. Flowering occurs in mid-July and lasts until the end of October. In Moscow and the Moscow region, it is better to plant it in an area well-lit by sunlight. In the South, the bushes are recommended to be placed in partial shade. Hydrangea will serve as a spectacular decoration for any garden; the flowers are similar in shape to strawberries. Due to the similarity of the inflorescences with this crop, the variety is also called "Strawberry Blossom".

Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom in landscape design

Hydrangea is planted in gardens as a hedge for border decoration. Strawberry Blossom bushes will become an attractive decoration of the summer cottage area. The flower is placed as the main element or in combination with other crops.

The pinkish-white hydrangea bloom looks incredibly delicate

Winter hardiness of hydrangea paniculata Stravberry Blossom

Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is famous for its high resistance to cold, the bushes can withstand temperatures down to -31. In regions with severe winters, it is recommended to additionally insulate the culture.

Planting and caring for Strawberry Blossom hydrangea

In order for the planting material to successfully take root, it should be planted in a suitable place, having previously prepared the site. It is important to consider the landing rules.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

It is recommended to plant the Little Blossom panicle hydrangea in fertile soil, having prepared a hole in advance. The acidity of the soil should be at least 6.0, then the bushes will bloom profusely. Experienced gardeners are advised to give preference to sunny areas. Strawberry Blossom grows best in a sheltered location. The bushes should be transplanted in the spring.

The selected place is plowed 2 weeks before planting, weeds are removed. Dug up soil allows oxygen to pass through, and absorbs fertilizers better. The holes are made 40-45 cm deep, 55-70 cm wide. The hydrangea root system grows in breadth, extending beyond the crown. It is optimal to carry out planting work in early May or September.

Landing rules

Before planting seedlings, they are checked for integrity, the presence of diseases. For them to take root better, you should dip the seedlings in the Epin rhizome stimulation solution or clay mixture for 2 hours.

The algorithm for planting hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is as follows:

  1. Pour 3 buckets of water into the holes. After the earth dries up, add mineral and organic fertilizing: a mixture of 1 tbsp. l.urea, potassium sulfate, garden soil, sand, peat and humus. Stir the components thoroughly.
  2. Plant the seedlings in the ground, tamp the area around them.
  3. Water the plantings of the Strawberry Blossom variety with water in the amount of 30 liters per 1 sq. m.
Important! Pour water at room temperature, since cold or hot liquid can harm the bushes.

Watering and feeding

Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is translated into Russian as "a vessel for water." This is because the crop needs frequent watering. Hydrangea is watered once a week with settled water. The root area should always be moist. For less evaporation of the liquid, a mulching layer of peat, sawdust, rotted sheets or humus is used. For 1 bush, you will need from 7 liters of water.

During the growing season, shrubs are fed 4 times

Nutrient mixtures of nitrogen are introduced in the spring. In the flowering phase, potash and phosphate components are added. In autumn, fertilize with potassium sulfate, superphosphate.

Pruning Hydrangea Paniculata Strawberry Blossom

It is imperative to cut off the hydrangea bushes, otherwise the growth of the plant is inhibited, the risk of developing diseases and attacks of beetles increases. They begin to form at the age of 4. Remove frozen, damaged shoots growing inward. On the 5-10 remaining strongest branches of hydrangeas, 3-5 buds are left. This pruning stimulates profuse flowering. Old bushes need rejuvenating pruning. Leave up to 10 young branches, or cut off all the shoots to hemp. The Strawberry Blossom variety will bloom magnificently after such events in 2 years.

An example of formative pruning of Strawberry Blossom shrubs to achieve a more lush bloom

Preparing for winter

Adult hydrangea shrubs are winter-hardy, do not require shelter for the winter. If you resort to insulation, the plant will bloom more luxuriantly. Usually, the root system is covered with a layer of mulch of 20-30 cm. Young bushes must be covered before frost. For shelter, a frame made of branches, spunbod, or burlap is used. The material must be oxygen permeable.

Attention! The branches of young hydrangea bushes should not be bent to the ground so that they do not break.

Reproduction

Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is propagated by cuttings, dividing a shrub or layering:

  1. Cuttings... This is the most productive method that can produce a lot of Strawberry Blossom hydrangea seedlings. It is optimal to cut the plant in May or summer, so that they take root by the cold season. In the spring, woody branches are used that remain after pruning. They are dipped in water for 3 days, then cut into pieces. Each specimen after pruning must have at least 3 buds. Then they are seated in a nutrient mixture of peat and sand in a 1: 1 ratio. The plantings are irrigated, covered with foil. Rooted seedlings of Strawberry Blossom hydrangea are planted in the garden in the spring. In summer, green, non-woody specimens are used. Each must have at least 4-6 sheets. The lower leaves are removed from them, and the upper ones are cut in half. Hydrangea cuttings are placed in water for 3 days, then treated with a growth stimulant, planted in nutritious moist soil from peat with sand. Top cuttings are covered with a jar in order to create a greenhouse effect. Rooted plantings hibernate in greenhouse conditions, for the next season they are planted in the garden.
  2. Layers... In March, before bud break, a hole is made 5 cm deep near the selected branch. The lower shoot of the Strawberry Blossom variety is bent down, placed in this recess. So that he does not straighten up, they are bent in several places to the soil, fall asleep with it. The tip of the branch should be on the surface. He is tied to a peg. By August, roots and young branches with a height of 15-20 cm are formed on the layers of hydrangea. Every week they are spud. In the last days of September next year, young plants are separated from the mother shrub, transplanted to a permanent place.
  3. Dividing the bush... The mother bush of the Strawberry Blossom hydrangea is dug up, divided into 3 parts. Each of them should include 3-4 kidneys. Planting holes with a nutrient mixture are prepared in advance. If there are root suckers around the plant, you do not need to dig out the bush, but only carefully separate them without damaging the root system. Previously, it is better to remove the top layer of earth around the overgrowth. Already in the first year of planting, the Strawberry Blossom bushes will bloom with lush flowers.

Inexperienced gardeners will find it easier to plant Strawberry Blossom hydrangea by cuttings

Diseases and pests

Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is famous for its powerful immunity, but in bad weather conditions, lack of adherence to standards of care, the bushes are attacked by beetles and diseases. The following diseases are more common:

  1. Chlorosis of leaves... The disease is characterized by yellowing of the hydrangea foliage, but the veins remain green. The disease is provoked by an increased content of calcium in the earth. Chlorosis also develops due to the use of too large a dose of mineral dressings. To get rid of the disease, Strawberry Blossom shrubs are acidified with peat and aluminum sulfate at the rate of 1.5-5 kg ​​per 1 sq. m. When the event does not bring results, they take an iron-based fertilizer, or a solution of melanteritis. For prevention, Strawberry Blossom hydrangea is mulched with peat, bark of coniferous trees, watered with water at room temperature.
  2. Deciduous burns... If the sun's rays burn the foliage of the Strawberry Blossom hydrangea, whitish, translucent specks appear on it. The damaged tissue becomes thinner. To prevent burns, the bushes should be shaded.
  3. Powdery mildew... Pathology develops at a temperature of 18-25 degrees. It is facilitated by an excess of nitrogen fertilization, low humidity. At the first symptoms of the disease, the frequency of watering is increased, shrubs mulch. Excessively thick specimens of the Strawberry Blossom variety are replanted in March. Infected shrubs are sprayed with fungicides with biological products 2-3 times with a pause of 10 days. When powdery mildew is severe, hydrangea cannot be treated.
  4. Gray rot... When a grayish, dense bloom settles on the leaves of hydrangea, this is preceded by too frequent circumcision, watering. Affected specimens are removed, burned away from the garden, the rest of the shrub is sprayed with fungicides 2-3 times with an interval of 1 week. As an additional measure, mulching the bushes is suitable.
  5. Tracheomycotic wilting... Symptoms of the disease are initially visible on the roots, later they grow into the core of the trunk and branches, filling the vascular network. The harmful organism blocks the access of useful components, the bush dies. To cure the hydrangea, it is necessary to remove the affected areas, spill the soil around with a manganese solution. You can also sprinkle Strawberry Blossom bushes with a mixture of powdered sulfur, wood ash.

If you carry out preventive treatments of hydrangea with fungicides, remove wheatgrass in time, plow the soil, beetle attacks and the development of diseases can be avoided

Conclusion

Hydrangea paniculata Strawberry Blossom will effectively decorate any garden. The plant is undemanding to care for, even an inexperienced gardener can grow it. The main thing is to pay attention to the purchase of seedlings, they should be taken from specialized nurseries or from trusted sellers in the market. Compliance with the standards of care will help to achieve lush flowering as early as the next year after planting.

Reviews of hydrangea Strawberry Blossom

Ruslana Petrova, 43 years old, Moscow.
I have been growing Strawberry Blossom hydrangea for about 4 years, the bushes bloom magnificently, look gorgeous in tandem with other varieties of this culture. In care, the variety is unpretentious, I water the plants with settled water, fertilize regularly.
Ivan Ignatiev, 56 years old, Kiev.
Blossom learned about Strawberry hydrangea from a neighbor, decided to plant seedlings. Planting work was carried out in September, the next season the first flowers have already blossomed.Of the diseases, the shrubs suffered from gray rot, but it was possible to cure them by using fungicides.
Rostislav Gavrilov, 39 years old, Kazan.
Hydrangea Strawberry Blossom is my favorite variety, I have been breeding it for over 5 years. The plant is undemanding in care, I fertilize the shrubs with purchased compositions. Diseases and attacks of beetles were avoided. For the winter, I cover the plantings with sacking.

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