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Blooming hydrangeas in the Leningrad region have long ceased to be a wonder, despite the fact that in nature they grow in warm climates, in the countries of Southeast Asia, South and North America. You can also grow a shrub in a harsh region. During a relatively short warm summer, he manages to please those around him with magnificent flowering.
Features of growing hydrangea in the Leningrad region
Heat-loving hydrangeas (lat.Hydrangea) have a number of features, thanks to which even inexperienced gardeners can cope with growing plants in the Leningrad region:
- Hydrangeas do not have any special requirements for the composition of the soil. They feel comfortable on peat, not too rich in nutrients, soils with high acidity. It is these types of soils that are often found on the territory of the Leningrad Region.
- Hydrangeas are resistant to pests and diseases.
- Breeders have bred many frost-resistant varieties that are able to winter in the Leningrad region without shelter. And for those varieties that do not tolerate cold so easily, the simplest insulation is enough. And even if the hydrangea bushes freeze a little, they are able to quickly recover with the onset of spring.
- Due to the variety of species and varieties, gardeners can form crowns in various ways, grow plants in flower beds and in hedges, as tapeworms.
- Even in rainy, cool weather, typical for the Leningrad region, hydrangeas bloom for a long time and retain their decorative appearance.
Hydrangea varieties for the Leningrad region
Hydrangea varieties for the North-West are adapted to the climatic characteristics of the Leningrad region. You should pay attention to tree-like and paniculate species.
Tree-like
Treelike hydrangea has large spherical inflorescences, the size of which can be up to 20 cm in diameter. Shrubs grow up to 1.5 m in height. The following varieties are recommended for planting in the Leningrad Region:
- Grandiflora (Grandiflora). It is an old variety, known since the middle of the 19th century. In nature, the shrub can be enormous, up to 10 m in height. When grown as an ornamental garden plant, it rarely exceeds 3.5 m.But on one bush, several hundred inflorescences of a light cream color can appear. The advantages of the Grandiflora variety are resistance to frost and undemanding to growing conditions.
- Annabelle (Annabelle) is a sprawling, low variety. It can grow up to 5-6 m in diameter. With good care and fertilization, inflorescences can be gigantic, up to 50 cm in size. The flowers are snow-white.
Paniculata
Hydrangea paniculata for the Leningrad region perfectly tolerates the cold. Its inflorescences have an oblong shape, and the color, depending on the variety, is pink, cream, red. The following varieties are suitable for the northwest regions:
- Vanilla Fraze (Vanille Fraise) - a popular variety of hydrangeas, very spreading, with a crown of the correct symmetrical shape. Its distinctive feature is the color change of inflorescences from white at the beginning of the flowering period to pinkish and crimson in the autumn months.
- Limelayt (Limelight) is a shrub whose flowers have the original shade of lime. When they are in the shade, they look yellowish-green, and appear bright white in the sun. The variety is compact, up to 2 m high, with abundant flowering. The stems of the Limelight hydrangea are so strong that they do not require tying to a support.
- Pinky Winky variety (Pinky Winky) can hibernate without covering material, under a layer of mulch. Tall shrubs in summer are covered with cone-shaped inflorescences. At first they are completely white. In autumn, the lower flowers change their hue to deep purple.
When to plant hydrangea in the Leningrad region
Taking into account the climatic features of the Leningrad region, the plants are planted in open ground in the spring. As a rule, this procedure is carried out in the middle or at the end of March. By this time, the soil has time to warm up. In addition, the likelihood of recurrent frosts practically disappears.
Planting hydrangea bushes in the fall is a risky undertaking, since before winter the plant does not have time to take root and grow strong enough to survive the early onset of frost.
Planting and caring for hydrangea in the Leningrad region
When planting hydrangeas, it is important to immediately find a suitable place for the normal growth and development of the plant, as well as take into account the requirements for the composition of the soil. Otherwise, the shrub may not take root on the site and die.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
In the Leningrad region, hydrangeas should be allocated well-lit or slightly shaded areas of the garden. Plants need enough warmth and sunshine to bloom abundantly and vividly. In addition, these environmental factors reduce the risk of contracting fungal infections.
The area where the hydrangea grows must be protected from cold wind and drafts.
Optimal conditions for keeping:
- Sun exposure in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon.
- Draft protection.
- Moist, acidic soil.
- The distance between the hydrangeas growing in the neighborhood is 1–2 m.
Despite the fact that hydrangeas are moisture-loving, they cannot grow on swampy soils, of which there are many in the Leningrad Region. Excess moisture in the soil leads to diseases and root rot.
The soil for growing hydrangeas must contain a sufficient amount of nutrients. The soil mixture can be prepared by hand. To do this, you need to mix peat, sand, humus, garden soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 2: 2.
You cannot add manure to the soil, it can cause root burns. The same applies to fertilizing with nitrogenous fertilizers.
To acidify the soil, you can prepare a citric acid solution. To do this, you need to dilute 3 tbsp. l. in a bucket of water. Another way is to mulch with needles.
How to plant hydrangea in the Leningrad region
The planting scheme for hydrangeas in the Leningrad region is as follows:
- Dig a hole 50 cm deep and wide.
- At the bottom, put drainage in the form of broken bricks or rubble.
- Fill the hole a third with soil mixture.
- Apply fertilizers: superphosphate (70 g), urea (25 g), potassium sulfate (30 g).
- Place a hydrangea seedling in the hole so that the root collar is not too deep.
- Sprinkle with soil mixture.
- Drizzle with a bucket of water with citric acid solution.
- Mulch the trunk circle.
Watering and feeding
Hydrangea is watered twice a week, and three times in hot, dry weather. Use warm, settled water. In order for the soil to retain moisture, the trunks are loosened, weeded and mulched.
It is necessary to water the culture at the root, without affecting the foliage and flowers
Plants are fed several times per season:
- before the appearance of buds - with mineral and organic fertilizers;
- after the formation of buds - superphosphate;
- in the first days of summer - nitrophobic;
- in September, before wintering - potassium sulfate and superphosphate.
Pruning
Pruning hydrangeas is carried out for crown formation or for sanitary purposes. In the latter case, diseased, dried, damaged shoots are removed. Such procedures are carried out in spring and autumn, if necessary - in summer.
A shaping haircut in the Leningrad region is usually planned for March or April. In panicle hydrangeas, the tops of the shoots are shortened by 2-3 buds, in tree-like ones - by 4.
How to cover a hydrangea for the winter in the Leningrad region
Despite the fact that hybrid varieties are frost-resistant, when growing a crop in the Leningrad Region, it is better to cover it for the winter. Perform this procedure as follows:
- In the fall, the hydrangea is cut, the leaves and flowers are removed.
- The land around the hydrangea is cleared of fallen leaves.
- The soil is mulched.
- Shoots are collected together, bent to the surface of the earth, and fixed. You can put boards under them.
- Covering material is first put on top, and then perforated polyethylene.
Reproduction
There are several ways to propagate hydrangeas, each of which can be used when growing plants in the Leningrad region:
- Dividing the bush... Held in the spring. Adult specimens are excavated and divided into fragments so that each has several renewal buds. The roots and shoots are slightly shortened, soaked in a growth stimulator and planted in new planting holes.
- Cuttings... Breeding material is prepared in the summer; in the Leningrad region, this is usually done at the end of June. The upper parts of the shoots about 15 cm long are cut off. 2 pairs of upper leaves and buds are left on the cuttings. They are treated in a growth stimulator for half an hour. Then they start landing.
- Layers... Hydrangea is propagated by this method with the onset of spring. They dig up the soil around the bush, make several grooves 5 cm deep. Powerful lateral shoots are laid in them, fixed and sprinkled, then watered regularly. When young shoots appear, directed vertically, they are spudded, and in September they are transplanted.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangeas have strong immunity. Diseases are associated with errors in the content and improperly selected growing area.
Disease | Causes | Signs | Treatment methods |
Chlorosis | Iron deficiency or excess lime | Yellowing, drying of leaves | Top dressing with ferrous sulfate, watering with citric acid solution to soften the soil. |
White rot | Infection of fungi from neighboring plants | Darkening and decay of shoots in the lower part, white bloom on the foliage of hydrangeas | Removal of damaged areas, spraying with copper sulfate or preparations for white rot. |
Gray rot | Excess moisture | Gray bloom on sheet plates | Removal of damaged tissue, spraying with Bordeaux liquid, Fundazol. |
Powdery mildew | Insufficient watering, excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers | Yellow-green spots on foliage, bloom on the underside of leaf plates of a grayish or purple hue | Pruning and incineration of contaminated parts, treatment with fungicides. |
Ring spot | Distribution regardless of the conditions of detention and care | Ring-shaped spots on hydrangea leaves | Destruction of the plant. |
The most dangerous pest for hydrangeas living in the Leningrad region is the rootworm nematode. These are worms that infect the root system. A sign of infection is reddish galls, similar to blisters and appearing at the base of the shoots and on the roots.
There are no effective ways to combat rootworm nematode
Slugs can be a serious danger to hydrangeas, especially young ones. They eat up foliage and shoot tips. Insects and their eggs are collected by hand and destroyed.
Conclusion
Hydrangeas in the Leningrad Region are increasingly becoming a decoration for garden plots. The main secrets in growing them are the correct selection of the variety and the right place for planting. With regular care and attention to the plant, it pleases for a long time with lush, beautiful inflorescences.
