Content
- Garden hydrangea: Plant and care
- ancestry
- leaves
- blossom
- growth
- Size
- use
- Is garden hydrangea toxic?
- Which location is suitable?
- Which soil does the plant need?
- Multiply garden hydrangea
- transplant
- sowing
- Garden hydrangea in the pot
- In the greenhouse
- Cut garden hydrangea properly
- Fertilize garden hydrangea properly
- Water garden hydrangea
- overwinter
- fungal infection
- Diseases
- Tips
- sorts
The garden hydrangea is a nice addition to any garden
Garden hydrangea: Plant and care
Garden hydrangeas are real flower wonders. Their bright colors enchant every viewer.But the splendor of color does not come by itself. There are a number of factors that you need to keep in mind when selecting and maintaining a location so that the subshrubs will grow strongly.
ancestry
The garden hydrangea is known as the farmer's hydrangea. Its Latin name is Hydrangea macrophylla. It is considered to be the most well-known representative within the genus of hydrangeas, as its triumphant advance through the gardens of Europe began in the early 20th century. In this epoch numerous breeds and hybrids were created. Before that, the plant was cultivated in its original habitat in Japan.
leaves
Garden hydrangea develop opposite arranged leaves, which are composed of petiole and leaf blade. The stems are short and appear fleshy. They end in a simply constructed spatula. It has a sharply toothed leaf margin and is traversed by a raised central nerve, branch off from the numerous lateral nerves.
The oval to ovate leaves are slightly wider or narrower depending on the variety. They can be up to 15 inches long. The base of the leaf blade is blunt wedge-shaped. The end of the sheet is pointed. The summer green leaves are colored in a dark green. The leaf top shines.
blossom
The shrubs develop numerous single flowers, which crowd together to schirmtraubigen inflorescences. They are sitting on thick branches. The outer edge of an inflorescence is covered with sterile flowers that take on a vial function. The outer flowers consist of four sepals, which are strikingly large and brightly colored.
The color of the sepals varies depending on the pH of the soil. If garden hydrangeas grow on acid soil, they develop a blue color. Alkaline soils lead to a red flower color. The intensity of the color varies depending on the variety. Some specimens bloom pure white. When the flowering time comes to an end, it comes to a fascinating play of colors. The colors change to green and finally to rust red. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the new Hovaria varieties.
Inside, there are fertile flowers responsible for reproduction. Her goblet is small and bell-shaped. The individual sepals are short and triangular shaped. In Japan, garden hydrangeas bloom between June and August. The flowering time of the plants cultivated in Central Europe extends over the whole summer and extends into the October. The flower buds are formed in the previous year.
growth
The wild form of garden hydrangea grows as a subshrub. The old shoots lignify in the second year, while the fresh budding is herbaceous. They are deciduous and grow upright with dense branches. After blooming the inflorescences remain on the plants.
The bark of young branches is greenish in color. As she grows older she turns brownish. Strong branches appear light brown. They are enveloped by a felted bark that is easy to peel off.
Size
Garden hydrangeas reach in their original range Wuchshöhen up to two meters. Depending on the variety and site conditions, the heights vary. The Sommerblüher have a large footprint, which depends on the height of growth. Garden hydrangeas grow at least as wide as they are tall.
use
The summery shrubs have a rustic character. They are suitable for planting in perennial beds, which ensure partially shaded conditions. Under taller trees, the summer flowers make a particularly good figure. They beautify small front gardens and bring colorful accents in dark corners of the garden.
The optimal planting partners are other hydrangea species. They can be planted in small groups and rows so that over time they create a dense hedge. Garden hydrangeas feel well next to rhododendrons and other plants in shady to partially shaded locations. Between flowers, star-shaped umbels, forest-goat-beard or astilbe the flowers are perfect.
Is garden hydrangea toxic?
Like all hydrangea plants, garden hydrangeas contain various toxins. They are weakly concentrated in all plant parts. Besides hydrocyanic acid, hydrangenol, saponins and hydrangin are present. Normally it does not come after a consumption of small quantities to a poisoning. Only large quantities cause symptoms of intoxication. Sensitive people may be allergic to skin contact.
Possible symptoms:
Garden hydrangeas are slightly toxic to horses, dogs and cats, birds, hares, hamsters and guinea pigs. The toxins can lead to circulatory problems or discomfort in the gastrointestinal area. Serious symptoms of intoxication occur only after consumption of large quantities. Often the bitter taste of the plant deters the animals.
Which location is suitable?
Farm hydrangeas have special requirements for the location. They originally grow on water courses and damp forest edges. The shrub prefers a sheltered spot with partially shaded conditions. Optimal is a north or west-oriented place where there is no draft. The plants also grow under strong sunlight. Under these conditions, the demand for water rises sharply. In case of lack of water, the garden hydrangea can hang their leaves and get a sunburn.
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Which soil does the plant need?
The substrate should be low in lime, rich in humus and moist. Ideal is a pH between 4.5 and 6. At a low pH, the subshrubs flower blue. Higher values produce violet, pink or red tones. White flowering varieties do not change their flower color.
Multiply garden hydrangea
The simplest method is the cuttings propagation. Cut fresh shoots in July. Make sure that the shoots have no flower buds. Divide the shoots into small sections, each with two pairs of leaves. The bottom sheet pair is removed and the top sheets are cut in half. As a result, the cuttings in the planter more space to spread and can put more energy in the root development.
Put the cut shoots in seed soil and pour the substrate. To maintain the humidity, you should put a plastic bag or a glass jar over the planter. Ventilate daily to prevent mold. Place the planter in a warm and shady place in the garden or on the terrace. The cuttings require little time for root development.
transplant
When the cuttings have developed roots, they are pecked and individually transplanted into small pots. The planter should have a diameter of ten centimeters. Put the pot in a shady place. For further cultivation, you no longer need to cover the young plants with foil. In the first winter the young plants are sensitive to frosty temperatures. Place the planter in a cool and frost-free place in the house. By the next spring, the plants have developed so far that they are ready for planting in the garden.
sowing
Propagation over seeds is difficult. Many filled varieties do not develop seeds. Original varieties and the wild species carry seeds inside the withered inflorescences. They are difficult to collect because they sit very hidden and barely noticeable with three millimeters in length. In the specialized trade you can buy seeds.
To sow the seeds:
Garden hydrangea in the pot
Garden hydrangeas are ideal for bucket cultivation. They beautify balconies, entrances and terraces. Pot hydrangeas are often offered in the trade. This term is misleading because it is not a separate species. Pot hydrangeas are also varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla.
In the greenhouse
A greenhouse provides optimal conditions to prefer garden hydrangeas. Pot hydrangeas, which are already in full bloom between February and April, were brought forward in the greenhouse. These specimens are sensitive to late frosts and need winter protection. Hydrangeas grown in the greenhouse should not be planted in the garden in the first year. They are initially very sensitive to cold.
Cut garden hydrangea properly
Farm hydrangeas do not have to be cut. In spring you should remove the withered inflorescences, so that the fresh buds can unfold unhindered. Cut back dead and frozen branches. These are indicated by the gray-brown discoloration. If in doubt, you can easily scratch the bark. If the tissue underneath turns yellow-green and appears dry, then the shoot is dead.
Carefully approach a clearing. Most varieties develop their flower buds in the fall. Cutting measures in the spring reduce the blooms. There are special breeds that develop new flowers even after a vigorous pruning.
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Fertilize garden hydrangea properly
Garden hydrangeas enjoy a special fertilizer for hydrangeas or rhododendrons. To promote the blue color, the fertilizer should contain alum. This aluminum salt contains water-soluble crystals that are acidic.
Freiwache hydrangeas are first fertilized in spring. A second fertilization takes place in early summer. Use a slow release fertilizer from which the plant consumes throughout the growing season. Container plants are supplied with liquid fertilizer at regular intervals between March and August. Stop fertilizing as soon as summer comes to an end. Then the fresh shoots have enough time to lignify. The shoot tips remain unpolished, which is typical for shrubs.
Water garden hydrangea
The shrubs have a high water requirement. In direct sunlight at the growing place, the plants need larger amounts of water. Pour the plants pervasively so that the soil is well moistened. The root ball should never completely dry out. Check the substrate more often during hot summer months to prevent it from drying out. Crop-cultured plants should be watered twice a day in summer.
Do not use calcareous water for casting as this will alter the pH in the substrate. Use soft rainwater. Tap water can be treated with a dash of vinegar. Avoid waterlogging as it damages the roots of the hydrangea.
overwinter
Pot hydrangea should winter in winter cold regions in the house. An unheated greenhouse is the ideal place to shelter from the direct winter sun. As a result, the temperature fluctuations are lower. A dark wintering is possible. Pay attention to low temperatures that do not rise above five degrees. Under these conditions the garden hydrangeas cease their metabolism. Light and warm wintering is less than optimal, as the shrubs are quickly attacked by pests. The lack of rest inhibits the development of new flower buds.
In the field awake specimens need an additional winter protection at a young age. Ideal is a layer of fir branches or brushwood. Older plants do not need winter protection in winter-mild regions. Protect the plant during severe frosts.
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fungal infection
Hydrangea species can be attacked by both powdery mildew and downy mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungus that spreads in dry and warm weather conditions. They detect an infestation on the basis of the white surface, which is reminiscent of a layer of flour. The downy mildew needs moisture. He leaves a silvery gray mushroom turf on the underside of the leaves.
How to combat mildew:
Brown spots on the leaves indicate the leaf spot disease. It arises with poor nutrient supply. Just like this fungus, the gray horse also spreads in damp weather conditions. An infestation is recognizable on the gray lawn, which runs over flowers, leaves and shoots. The parts of the plant wither away if the plant is not treated. An optimal care with good nutrient and water supply has a preventive effect against these fungal diseases. The plants should be well ventilated.
Diseases
Chlorosis is a relatively common disease characterized by a green coloration of the leaf veins. The leaves turn yellow over time. Chlorosis is due to iron deficiency. A basic soil can also lead to this disease. Work rhododendron soil or peat in the soil to lower the pH. An iron-containing fertilizer provides a quick remedy.
Certain mycoplasmas or viruses cause virosis in garden hydrangeas. Diseased plants have small and stunted inflorescences. The plant parts take on reddish hues. Since this disease quickly spreads to other plants and can not be controlled, you must remove the affected plant quickly and burn if possible.
Tips
Support the inflorescences large-flowered varieties with a curved perennial holder, as their stems can easily bend, especially after heavy rainfall and wind. Remove broken shoots. The plant usually regenerates quickly.