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Low, large-leaved hydrangeas are not winter hardy, therefore, in areas with cold winters, they are traditionally grown as pot plants. Despite this, under certain conditions and shelter for the winter, some varieties of this species can be grown in the open field. One of them is the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea, which is not only highly decorative, but also easy to care for.
Description of Bodensee hydrangea
Bodensee (Hydrangea m Bodensee) is a type of large-leaved hydrangea. This variety is grown as a pot plant, in addition, it is used in landscape design as a border crop, in individual or group plantings.
Large blue inflorescences of large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea will leave no one indifferent
Here are its main characteristics:
Parameter | Description |
Plant type | Perennial deciduous shrub. |
Escapes | Smooth, straight, young shoots are green, then turn light brown, often with a reddish tint. The average height of the bush is 0.5-0.7 m, under certain conditions it can grow up to 1.5 m. |
Leaves | Large, oblong-ovate, with a pointed end, serrated edge and short petiole. The leaf plate is dark green, dense, with well-read veins, slightly bent by a boat. |
Root system | Widely branched, fibrous, superficial. |
Flowers | They consist of 4 or 5 flat petals, collected in large spherical inflorescences up to 30 cm in diameter. Their color depends on the acidity of the soil on which the plant grows, it can vary from blue to pink. |
Flowering time | June-September. |
Hydrangea Blue Bodensee in landscape design
In the open field, landscape designers and specialists in landscape gardening use Bodensee hydrangeas as a curb plant, planting it along paths, alleys, next to building walls and fences. These flowers can be used as colorful accents of an unusual blue hue, they are included in compositions, grown in groups or singly.
Large-leaved hydrangeas can be grown as pot plants
Bodensee hydrangeas, grown as potted plants, are used to decorate architectural objects, halls, halls, galleries, and are planted in flowerpots and pots.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea large-leaved Blue Bodensee
Large-leaved varieties of hydrangeas have a rather weak winter hardiness, and the Bodensee is no exception. The international classification classifies them as plants of the 6th climatic zone, for this group the permissible minimum temperature in winter is - 23.6 ° С. At the same time, the central part of Russia is located in zone 4, here the temperature minimum in winter can reach - 34.4 ° C.
From this we can conclude that growing large-leaved hydrangeas in the open field in the middle lane is a very risky undertaking, and even a good shelter for the winter does not guarantee that the plant will not die in winter or will not undergo spring.
Different regions of Russia have their own climatic features. Therefore, there can be no unequivocal opinion here.Of course, in the southern regions, the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea can be grown and left to winter even under a small shelter, but in Siberia it will not work to cultivate it outdoors.
Grow large-leaved hydrangeas in cold regions only in containers
In order not to risk in vain, many growers grow large-leaved hydrangeas only in containers, taking them indoors for the winter.
Planting and caring for Bodensee hydrangea
To grow large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea in the open field, it is necessary, first of all, to choose the right place for planting it. Only in this case the bush will grow well and bloom profusely. Good care of the plant, timely watering, feeding and other activities are also important.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Bodensee's large-leaved hydrangeas love light, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for them. In the south, they are planted in partial shade, choosing places with diffused lighting, however, the further north you go, the more sunny the area you need to choose. Moreover, even in such areas, it is desirable to provide for the possibility of protecting plants from the bright midday sun, under the influence of which the flowers begin to fade and the leaves turn black.
The planting site for the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea should also be well protected from the north wind.
An important condition for growing hydrangeas is the acidic reaction of the soil on which the bushes are to grow. A characteristic feature of many large-leaved varieties, and Bodensee in particular, is the dependence of the color of the inflorescences on the level of acidity of the soil. By adjusting the PH value in the range of 4-6.5, you can change the color of the petals of the inflorescences from bright blue to pink. On calcareous soils, hydrangea grows very poorly and is often sick, therefore, the acidity level should be kept within the indicated limits and the soil should not be alkalized.
Hydrangea Bodensee grows well in partial shade
The soil, in addition to a weak acidic reaction, must be loose and breathable. Loams and fertile lands are well suited for large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea, but this shrub will not grow on sand. The site should not be salted or swampy, this plant does not tolerate stagnation of water in the roots, although it loves moisture very much. The groundwater level should also not be too high, and rain or melt water should not accumulate on the site.
Landing rules
For planting the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea, the right time is early spring, a period when the ground has completely thawed out, but the plant has not yet started growing. In more southern regions, seedlings can be taken out into the open ground in the fall, however, it should be borne in mind that the shrub may need at least 1 month to adapt to a new place, which means that there should be no frosts during this period.
Pits for planting seedlings must be prepared in advance. If Bodensee hydrangeas are planted as a hedge, then the distance between adjacent bushes should be about 1 m. The size of the planting pit should be no less than the volume of the root system of the seedling, it is better if it is about 3 times larger. Drainage must be equipped. For this, crushed stone, large pebbles, expanded clay are used. A layer of this material with a thickness of 8-10 cm must be poured onto the bottom of the planting pit. In advance, you need to prepare a nutritious soil with which the roots will fall asleep.
It should include the following components:
- Leafy earth and humus - 2 parts each.
- Sand and peat - 1 part each.
In planting pits for hydrangeas, a drainage layer is required.
All components are pre-mixed with each other. On the day of planting, the seedling is removed from the container and placed vertically on the bottom of the planting pit. If necessary, add soil, leveling the root collar of the seedling to ground level.You cannot deepen it, if you do this, then you can not wait for the flowering of the hydrangea at all. All the empty space of the planting pit is covered with nutritious soil, compacted, and then spilled abundantly with water. After that, the soil is covered with a layer of mulch from the bark, sawdust or needles of coniferous trees.
Watering and feeding
The large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea, like any other species of this plant, is demanding for watering and responds well to it. In dry weather, the rate of water consumption is 1-2 buckets per adult bush per week. If the weather is rainy, then watering should be limited or stopped altogether, excess water for hydrangeas is harmful. The bushes are watered during the entire growing season, guided by the weather.
The first year after planting, Bodensee's large-leaved hydrangeas are not fed. Starting next year, top dressing should be applied regularly. In this case, fertilizers are applied in the following sequence (table).
Fertilization timing | Composition, per 1 sq. m | Method of application |
Early spring. | Urea 20-25 g, potassium sulfate, superphosphate 30 g each. | Root |
Ripening of buds | Superphosphate 60-80 g, potassium sulfate 35-40 g. | Root |
During flowering, twice at intervals of 2-3 weeks | Similar to the previous top dressing. | Root |
After the end of flowering | Humus or rotted manure, 10 kg per bush. | Root |
Some growers prefer to feed hydrangeas with prolonged-release fertilizers. Such formulations are sold in specialized flower shops and contain the whole range of necessary substances.
Long-lasting fertilizers - an alternative to traditional mineral formulations
They are produced under the trademarks Pokon, Agrecol, Green World, etc.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Bodensee
A feature of the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea is its long flowering, which occurs first on last year, and then on annual shoots. Therefore, the bushes almost do not need pruning. During the first few years, only dead and broken branches are cut. From 4-5 years old, faded shoots are cut in the summer by 0.15-0.2 m from the ground, leaving 1 growth bud, and in young ones in the spring, the ends are cut by 1-2 buds.
Preparing for winter
Since the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea does not belong to frost-resistant plants, its shelter for the winter is a must. Young bushes are completely covered with dry soil or peat, older bushes can be covered with fallen leaves or sawdust. From above, the hydrangea is covered with roofing material or non-woven material folded in several layers. Mature Bodensee shrubs require more cover. The shoots must be tied into one or several bundles, then gently bend them to the ground and fix in this position, having previously spread spruce branches under them. Then the whole bush is covered with fallen leaves or laid with spruce branches, after which it is covered with lutrasil, which must be pressed to the ground so that it is not blown away by the wind.
Bodensee's hydrangea must be covered for the winter
One of the options for sheltering a large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea for the winter is to equip a dry house over a bush. After closing the bush, a strong frame is built over it from a rigid wire or boards, on which a sheet of roofing material is laid on top. After the first snowfall, the entire structure is completely covered with snow.
Reproduction
Most often, ready-made seedlings are purchased for planting large-leaved Bodensee hydrangeas. However, if necessary, it can be propagated independently, using any vegetative method:
- Division of the bush. A simple method that can be used if the bush is already mature and has many shoots. In early spring, before the start of the growing season, it must be dug out of the ground and divided into several parts, each of which will contain shoots with its own root system. After that, they must be immediately planted in a new place like ordinary seedlings.
Dividing a bush is an easy way to propagate hydrangeas
- Air layering. In the spring, one of the young flexible shoots growing from the edge of the bush must be bent to the ground, fixed in this position and covered with soil. Over time, it will develop points of growth of roots, and the shoot will release its own shoots. Layers overwinter together with the mother bush, and in early spring they are cut off and transplanted to a permanent place.
Bodensee hydrangea can be propagated by air layers
- Cuttings. A common method of breeding hydrangeas, since the amount of planting material is almost unlimited. Green cuttings are cut in June from young annual shoots. Then they are rooted in special containers, and the next year they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Cuttings are the most common way of propagation of hydrangeas.
Diseases and pests
Bodensee's large-leaved hydrangeas are relatively rare. Most of the diseases of these plants are associated with a violation of care, excessive watering, and also with liming of the soil. Alkalization causes chlorosis in hydrangeas, a disease associated with a lack of iron. It is very simple to recognize it: the leaves turn pale green, while the veins on them remain dark and bright.
Alkalization of the soil can cause chlorosis in hydrangeas
Chlorosis is treated by increasing the acidity of the soil to the required level, as well as by introducing chelates into the soil - easily digestible iron compounds. They contain drugs such as Antichlorosis or Ferovit.
Excessive watering, as well as a large amount of precipitation at low air temperatures, can provoke the appearance of various fungal diseases in hydrangeas: powdery mildew, septoria, white and gray rot. The disease appears in the form of various spots on the foliage, the appearance of lesions.
Various spots on the leaves of hydrangeas are a sign of fungal diseases.
The principle of treatment is the same in all cases: the affected parts are cut off and burned, and the bushes are treated with fungicides, for example, Bordeaux liquid or copper oxychloride.
Pests are infrequent on Bodensee's large-leaved hydrangea, especially when grown in containers. In rare cases, aphids can appear on flowers - a microscopic sucking insect that feeds on plant sap. In small quantities, aphids are not dangerous. If you notice it in time, then you can remove insects by wiping the leaves with a rag dipped in soapy water.
Aphids are found on many garden plants
If the colonies of aphids are large, then the bushes need to be treated with insecticides, for example, Decis or Inta-Vir.
Conclusion
Under certain conditions, the large-leaved Bodensee hydrangea may well be grown outdoors even in Central Russia. However, this is not always justified. The weak winter hardiness of these plants requires their obligatory shelter for the winter, hence other problems arise, because the bushes need not only to be covered in time, but also to open correctly and at the right time in the spring. Therefore, the potted version in the middle lane looks much more preferable, especially if it is possible to remove large-leaved Bodensee hydrangeas for the winter in a suitable room.
