Content
Many gardeners and summer residents of Siberia dream of growing a hydrangea in their garden, but because of the harsh climatic conditions they do not dare to do this. Thanks to the labors of breeders, new frost-resistant flower varieties have appeared that are suitable for planting in the northern regions of the country. Growing hydrangeas in Siberia requires some knowledge and regular care, but the result is worth the effort.
Choosing the right variety
For cultivation in the harsh climate of Siberia, varieties of tree and panicle hydrangea are used, which tolerate frost well. For the plant to take root, it is better to buy seeds and seedlings from experienced, local gardeners.
Treelike hydrangea can grow up to 3 meters in height. The most frost-resistant and spectacular species are: Anabel, Grandiflora and Invincibell. The shrub blooms from July to late autumn.
Panicle hydrangea is usually used to decorate parks and gardens. Some shrubs stretch up to 10 meters in height and give large inflorescences. In Siberia, the following varieties of panicle hydrangea have proven themselves well: Limelight, Medical Flute, Pink Diamond, Medical Fire. For a small area, dwarf varieties up to 1 meter high are suitable. These include Vanila Fresh, Sandai Fresh and Bobo.
The photo shows a panicle hydrangea.
In Siberia, other varieties of hydrangea can also be grown, but this is a laborious process. Every fall, the plant will have to be dug up and moved to a cool room. And with the arrival of spring, plant it again on the site.
Features of agricultural technology
It is not difficult to grow a hydrangea in Siberia. But in order for the bush to take root and grow well, planting must be carried out taking into account the peculiarities of the climate of the area. The right location and optimal soil composition guarantee abundant flowering.
Site selection
Hydrangea feels comfortable in illuminated areas, but direct sunlight burns the bushes. Therefore, the flower is planted in a shaded place. Since Siberia has very cold winds, you need to find a quiet place for hydrangeas. The best option is to place the plant next to a fence or against the wall of any building. Shrubs of lilac, bubbly or spirea are well suited for hedges.
Hydrangea loves fertile and slightly acidic soil. In alkaline soil, the plant develops slowly, and its inflorescences and leaves are pale. It is undesirable to plant hydrangea in red earth and sandy soil.
Planting pit preparation
In Siberia, hydrangea seedlings are planted in late spring, in the second half of May. By this time, the soil will have time to warm up and be saturated with melt water. A couple of weeks before planting the seedling, prepare a pit:
- In the selected area, a recess is dug with the size not less than 50x50 and a depth of 40-60 cm. For an adult plant, a freer pit is required - 80x80.
- The topsoil, 18-20 cm thick, is laid separately.
- 20-30 liters of water are poured into the depression. Leave for a day so that the soil is well saturated with moisture.
- The deposited soil is mixed with peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. You can add urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfide to the mixture.
- The soil mixture is mixed and poured into the planting pit. A small mound should form.
Landing scheme
The roots and shoots of the seedling are cut before planting. Only a few buds need to be left on it. The plant is carefully lowered into the prepared hole, and its roots are straightened. Cover with soil and lightly tamp. The root neck of the hydrangea should be at ground level. A depth of 2 cm is allowed.
After planting, the flower is watered abundantly so that the water seeps to a depth of 30-40 cm. If there are several bushes, then the interval between them should be at least 250 cm. To retain moisture, the hydrangea is mulched. To do this, wood chips, needles, peat chips or leaves are laid out around the bush with a layer of about 10 cm.
Care rules
Hydrangea, planted in Siberia, does not require much maintenance. But in order for the flower to be strong and healthy, you need to adhere to the basic rules and recommendations.
Watering
Hydrangea loves moisture very much. Drought can disrupt the growth and development of the flower. The plant is watered every 14-16 days with 1-2 buckets of water. In dry and hot weather, the bush is watered every week. In a rainy summer, 4-5 waterings per season are enough. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening, when the sun is not so active. To help the plant survive the winter in Siberia, water-charging irrigation is carried out in the fall.
Hydrangea prefers soft and warm water. Experienced gardeners add 2-3 g of potassium permanganate to the watering can, which prevents the appearance of rot.
Pruning
Hydrangea growing in Siberia needs regular pruning. In the spring, the procedure is performed before the kidneys awaken. The best time is the second half of April. Shoots of tree hydrangea are cut to 3 buds from the ground. To give the desired shape to the shrub, the weak and growing inward branches are removed. The panicle hydrangea is cut differently - last year's stems are shortened by one third. In the fall, faded inflorescences are cut off.
To rejuvenate the old bush, you need to cut off all the shoots at a height of 5-6 cm from the ground. Next spring, young branches will appear, and the decorative effect of the flower will be restored.
Top dressing
In order for hydrangea to bloom abundantly and magnificently in Siberia, it needs to be fed. For the whole season, the plant is fertilized 3-4 times:
- In early spring, early to mid-May. For each square meter of land, 20-25 g of urea, 25-30 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium sulfate are added. After two weeks, feeding is repeated.
- During bud formation. 60-80 g of superphosphate and 40-45 g of potassium sulfate are diluted in water and the plant is watered with the resulting solution.
- After flowering, 6-7 kg of compost or rotted manure is applied under each bush.
For feeding it is not recommended to use wood ash. It must be remembered that excess fertilization will do more harm than good.
Shelter and preparation for the winter
Even the most cold-resistant hydrangea variety will not tolerate frost in Siberia without shelter. To prevent the plant from freezing, do the following:
- The shrub is spud with soil, and the trunk circle is mulched with dry foliage, peat, needles or rotted manure.
- Plant wrapped in burlap or any other covering material. The stems are bent to the ground and the structure is fixed with stones, and the top is covered with sawdust, spruce branches or dry foliage.
- If the bush is large, then it is neatly pulled together with a rope. Around him form a wire frame shelter, which should be 8-11 cm higher than the flower. The hut is filled with dry leaves, and a film or roofing material is stretched over it.
When snow falls, you can collect a snowdrift around the hydrangea, which will serve as additional protection. It will not only insulate the shrub, but also saturate it with moisture with the arrival of spring.
Shrub propagation
Hydrangea in Siberia is propagated by several methods:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering.
Growing hydrangeas from seeds is a long and laborious way, which is used very rarely. It is almost impossible to grow a flower outdoors in Siberia. Therefore, for several years, seedlings are grown in boxes, and only then the grown plant is planted on the site.
Gardeners of Siberia prefer to propagate hydrangea by cuttings. For this, the leafy part of the stem with 2-3 buds is cut from young plants. It is best to cut cuttings from lateral shoots that have grown on last year's growths. The cut part of the plant is placed in a growth stimulant solution for 2 hours. The cuttings are rooted in the open field under a film or in a greenhouse. So that the young flower does not die from the Siberian frost, it is dug up for the winter and transplanted into a box. The container is removed in a closed cool room. With the arrival of spring, the shrub is planted in open ground.
Hydrangea is propagated by layering in early spring. Around the bush, grooves are dug about 2 cm deep. The lower shoots of the bush are laid in them and sprinkled with soil. In this case, the end of the shoot should remain on the surface. After a year, the layers are separated from the mother bush.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea growing in Siberia is susceptible to downy mildew or downy mildew. Greasy spots appear on the leaves, and a yellow bloom forms on the stems. The bushes should be sprayed with the following solution: 140 g green soap and 15 g copper sulfate dissolve in a large bucket of water.
The flower can be amazed chlorosis. The leaves turn yellow and brighten, deformation of the buds and shrinking of the foliage are observed. Reason - the plant lacks iron. To process Hydrangea, a solution is prepared from 2 g of ferrous sulfate, 4 g of citric acid and 1 liter of water or from 40 g of potassium nitrate and 10 liters of water.
Of the pests, the shrub attacks spider mite. The leaves begin to dry out and fall off. To save the flower, it is treated with a thiophos solution (7 g of the substance is diluted in a bucket of water). Aphids can settle on the leaves of the hydrangea, which sucks the juices from the plant. To reduce the number of insects, the site is cleared of weeds and treat the bush with insecticides.
Conclusion
Hydrangea is an unpretentious flower that can be grown even in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia. But in order for the plant to please with lush and long flowering, you need to make an effort. The bush needs careful care and shelter for the winter. Then the hydrangea will feel comfortable even in Siberian, severe frosts.
