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Hydrangea Red Baron is a perennial lush shrub with bright inflorescences. This variety belongs to the large-leaved species, which is hypoallergenic, since it has no smell, and is not particularly fastidious in care. Thanks to these features, the Red Baron has become popular among gardeners.
Description of hydrangea Red Baron
Hydrangea Red Baron reaches a height of 1-1.5 m. The Baron's flowering period is July-August. At this time, a dense spherical crown is strewn with large, lush, spherical inflorescences, reaching 20-25 cm in diameter. The color of the four flower petals ranges from bright red to juicy crimson, depending on the acidity of the soil. The core is pale green. Even in times of calm, the Red Baron looks impressive thanks to its large, bright green ovoid foliage.
Red Baron's color depends on the acidity of the soil
Hydrangea Red Baron in landscape design
Designers are very fond of using hydrangeas in their compositions because of their bright appearance, long flowering and pliability in shaping them through pruning. The plant can become a single or group decoration, as well as complement a landscape work. In addition, young bushes need frequent replanting, which is why hydrangea decorates different parts of the garden. Looks great in park areas, garden or backyard plots, city squares.
Red Baron is suitable for:
- hedge;
- monochrome flower garden;
- flower beds with planting in the central part;
- garden entrance designations with planting in pots;
- park alleys;
- decoration of the recreation area in the garden.
Another plus of hydrangeas is a great combination with other plants:
- conifers;
- boxwood;
- barberry;
- badan;
- juniper.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Red Baron
The minimum temperature that Red Baron can withstand is -15 ° С. However, even if the winter does not promise to be harsh, it is necessary to cover the hydrangea. Any varieties, the lower limit of which does not reach -18 ° C, require insulation.
Planting and caring for the Red Baron hydrangea
Choosing the right planting site, the right soil, and proper planting and maintenance are essential for the healthy growth and flowering of Red Baron hydrangeas. In addition, due care will help the shrub survive the winter and protect it from disease and pests.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The choice of location depends on the preferences of the plant:
- Lighting. Hydrangea is photophilous, but constant exposure to the sun will lead to overdrying. Regular shade will affect the size of the flowers, making them noticeably smaller and delaying the onset of flowering. Therefore, an ideal solution would be an area illuminated by the sun for no more than 7 hours a day, and covered with partial shade at noon.Important! Do not plant hydrangeas near trees, as their roots take up the moisture needed for a flower.
- Wind resistance. Red Baron loves well-ventilated places, however, drafts should be avoided, and young bushes should be sheltered from strong winds for the first couple of months after planting. The best place is along a fence or house, which will protect from excessive wind.
- The soil. The land for the Red Baron should be fertile, well ventilated and free of moisture stagnation, with an acidity level of 5.2-6.2. Humus areas are most suitable. Sandy soils and red earth will prevent the plant from developing.
It should be remembered that the brightness of the inflorescences directly depends on the acidity of the soil, but you should not make it too acidic. Some gardeners advise adding alkali to the soil to develop a more reddish tint, but you should be careful with this - an overdose can lead to the development of chlorosis.
Hydrangea must be hidden from drafts and strong winds.
The preparation of the selected site begins with the ground. If the site does not have soil suitable for growing Red Baron hydrangeas, the soil is prepared independently. To do this, mix:
- 1 part peat and sand;
- 2 parts of garden soil and humus;
- 25 g of urea and potassium sulfate;
- 65 g superphosphate.
Loose pine forest soil is also suitable.
How to prepare footprints:
- the volume of the planting holes depends on the roots of the hydrangeas, which develop horizontally. The width of one hole is 55-65 cm, the depth is 40-45 cm. The distance is -1-1.5 m. With a closer planting, Red Baron hydrangeas will bloom earlier, but with age they will have to be planted;
- drainage in the form of crushed stone, broken brick or gravel must be laid on the bottom of clay soils;
- prepared soil is added to the hole, mixed with a special composition for hydrangeas with an acidity of 6.0-6.2 to maintain a red color.
Landing rules
Landing of the Red Baron is carried out from late April to mid-May, or early October. When sowing in spring, make sure the soil is warmed up. It is best to choose a cloudy, cool day before rain.
Steps for planting Red Baron hydrangeas:
- Gently remove the seedling from the pot along with the earthen clod.
- Carefully remove the soil from the roots with your hands, without damaging them.
- Place the Red Baron bush in the hole, carefully distributing the rhizomes along the ground, making sure that the root collar does not go deeper than 2-3 cm from the surface.
- Fill with the remaining soil mixture, carefully tamping.
- Water thoroughly, at the rate of 10-15 liters per bush.
- Mulch the soil with peat, sawdust and bark to a height of 7-10 cm.
Watering and feeding
Timely irrigation and fertilization is another key on the path to luxurious flowering shrubs.
The moisture-loving Red Baron is watered regularly every 7 days in a ratio of 2 buckets of water per bush. If it rains constantly, then watering is reduced to 2 times a month. Lack of fluid is indicated by drooping leaves, a sluggish stem and cracked soil.
For watering hydrangeas, it is better to use not cold rain water or tap water, but separated for at least a day. Once every two weeks, the Red Baron can be given an acidic mixture - citric acid, diluted in water at the rate of 4 g per 10 liters.
The main thing in watering is not to overdo it, otherwise the hydrangea will get sick
Feeding with nutrients is just as important as watering:
- in the spring: the first time fertilization is applied immediately after planting or after 14 days to form foliage. During this period, potassium and urea are needed. Ready-made mixtures are suitable, for example, "ECOstyle" or "Kemira", mixtures for rhododendra plants, or natural herbal and manure decoctions. The second top dressing is during bud formation, for abundant flowering, when the bush requires potassium and phosphorus.To strengthen the trunk, it is advised to do three sprays with potassium permanganate;
- in summer: during the flowering of the Red Baron, watered with nettle infusion, throw in potassium and urea. In August, complex mixtures are not required; instead, manure or dung will do;
- in autumn: before wintering the Red Baron hydrangea, it is recommended to give a mixture of superphosphate and potassium sulfate at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water. 5-7 liters are poured under one bush.
Pruning hydrangea large-leaved Red Baron
New buds of hydrangeas are formed on last year's shoots, so pruning them will not allow the bush to bloom again. It is allowed to trim only the faded Red Baron inflorescences for sanitary purposes and the lower leaves to prepare for winter.
In the spring, after the leaves have bloomed, damaged, old and stunted shoots are removed for new germination.
Preparing for winter
The Red Baron hydrangea should be prepared for the winter period from September. To do this, the number of waterings is reduced so that the greens begin to fall off. It is recommended to remove the foliage from the bottom and middle part, leaving the top part to protect the kidneys.
Having prepared the plant, go to the shelter:
- the hydrangea is wrapped with lutrasil or burlap in two layers;
- when the frosts become regular, spruce branches are laid under the Red Baron, after which the bush is tied and bent down on the litter;
- spread needles or dry foliage on top and cover with spruce branches.
Reproduction
Red Baron is propagated by:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- offspring.
Seed division does not require preliminary preparation. They are laid out on the surface of moist soil, sprinkled with settled water at room temperature, and then covered with polyethylene or glass. After 20 days, the grains sprout.
Seed propagation is not the best way to divide the Red Baron
Division by cuttings is the preferred method. It is carried out in July, when the buds appear. This will require a leafy shoot with one or more embryos, cut from the bottom of the lateral branches. The cutting should be done early in the morning when it is full of moisture.
The future plant is immediately placed in a shady place in the water, after which the top with the bud is removed. Then the cutting is divided into several parts with 2-3 leaves and the petioles are dipped into a growth stimulator without wetting the greens. After 2 hours, the branches are planted in a wet peat-sand mixture (2: 1), and covered with jars, watering 2-3 times in 7 days. At high temperatures, watering is carried out daily. After about a month, the hydrangea takes root.
Reproduction by branches is carried out before bud break, in early spring. In the soil dug up around the Red Baron, 2 cm grooves are made, where the lower branches of the hydrangea are laid, which are pinned with special clamps. Before the first, more developed bud, the branch is wrapped with soft wire, which presses the bark into the ground as the plant grows, which causes new roots to appear.
By the end of September, shoots appear, which should be spud when their growth reaches 15 cm. In October, when the height is 0.5 m, the shoots are dug up and separated.
Cutting by offspring should be done very carefully so as not to damage the plant. To do this, in the fall, the top layer of the soil is removed and the coppice shoot is separated, trying not to disturb the roots. After that, the shoots are planted for growing.
Diseases and pests
Among the diseases and parasites that attack the Red Baron hydrangea, the following are more common:
- chlorosis - occurs due to a lack of iron. It is indicated by yellowed leaves and twisted buds. In the treatment, iron-containing drugs are used, for example, Antichlorosis;
- yellow spots - the appearance of which means a fungal disease - powdery mildew. Fungicides and copper-containing substances are used against it;
- fungus - gray mold covers the stem and leaves with watery sores. Treat with Fundazole;
- spider mite - fallen leaves with cobwebs on the inside indicate it. Actellik is suitable for treatment.
Conclusion
Hydrangea Red Baron, like other varieties of large-leaved hydrangea, needs proper care for healthy growth and lush flowering. Therefore, in order for the plant to become the main pride of any garden, flower growers must comply with all conditions for growing a shrub.
