Hydrangea Little Passion belongs to panicled varieties. Among similar to her, it stands out not only for its decorativeness and small dimensions, but also for its relatively low demanding care. Read more about the botanical features of the variety, as well as the rules for its cultivation below.
Grade description
Vegetation is highly frost resistant. It is able to tolerate lower temperatures to -29 ° C, which allows it to be cultivated even in the northern regions and the central zone, but with the presence of shelter.
Did you know? The scientific name for hydrangea is hydrangea. Translated from Latin, it sounds like a "vessel with water."
- The main advantages of the variety are:
- the possibility of growing in the light and partial shade;
- lower moisture requirements than other species;
- high decorativeness;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
Dimensions
The hydrangeas of the Little Peshn variety are perennial shrubs with a height of not more than 60 cm and a diameter of 80 cm. Suitable for growing in open ground and in pots.
Rounded inflorescences can reach a diameter of 30 cm. They consist of many small flowers. Their diameter varies between 3-5 cm
Appearance
This vegetation is very attractive for gardeners and landscape designers. With its help, you can give the site an elegant look and put emphasis on artificial ponds or architectural structures.
Also, the bushes look good in group plantings with conifers.
Description of the external characteristics of the plant:
- sprawling bushes consist of erect shoots;
- the bark is brownish green;
- the foliage is not large, oval-ovate, pointed at the ends, dark green in color;
- inflorescences are dense, initially light green in color, then pink shades are added, and the initial one is preserved only in the central zone of each flower.
Flowering time
Depending on the climatic zone of cultivation, the beginning of flowering will differ. In the southern regions, this phase begins in June, in the central and northern regions in July. Flowering is long, plentiful. Ends in September - October, depending on the weather.
Important! During the first 2 or 3 years after planting, the flowering of hydrangeas Little Peshn is less abundant. This is a normal process, as the vegetation takes root in a new place and grows roots.
Landing rules
The planting of these plants must be approached carefully.
The main tasks in this matter are the following activities:
- seat selection;
- preparation of soil and seedling for planting.
In order to choose the right territory for growing hydrangeas of the variety in question, the climate features of a particular zone should be taken into account. Also, do not forget that the vegetation is perennial, and accordingly, it will occupy an area for a long period.
When growing in the southern regions, it is better to choose a semi-shady area for growing hydrangea, as direct sunlight will reduce the intensity of plant development, which will negatively affect the quality of flowering. Suitable areas near conifers, fences or outbuildings.
When cultivating in the northern regions and the central strip, it is better to give preference to well-lit areas without shading, since the weather in this area is often cloudy and rainy.
Soil preparation and seedling
Preparatory work on the site begins to be undertaken in the fall, and they plan a direct landing in the spring, when the threat of return frosts passes. First, the soil is cultivated to a depth of 30 cm. Then, 1 liter of 3% solution of copper sulfate is applied to each m² for disinfection of the territory. After a week, 10 kg of peat and soil from the coniferous forest are applied to each m². Then digging is carried out to a depth of 20 cm. If you plan to plant in the immediate vicinity of conifers that have been on the site for a long time, you do not need to add additional nutrient substrates; cultivation and disinfection with repeated digging will be enough.
2 weeks before planting, cultivation is again carried out to a depth of 30 cm. Water the soil with "Potassium humate" (dilute according to instructions). This drug will help increase soil fertility, which will positively affect the rate of adaptation of vegetation in a new place.
Seedlings are sold in containers or special shipping bags.
When buying, it is better to give preference to the first option:
- if the plant cannot be immediately planted in open ground, the plant can be kept in the container for another 1-2 months;
- there is no risk of buying a seedling incorrectly dug (the roots of this plant can be damaged).
A couple of hours before planting, the top layer of soil in the container is removed. Spend abundant watering. Then they take the plant out of the pot and examine the roots surrounding the surface of the earthen coma. If you need a little trim, strongly bent and dried.
Landing algorithm
Proper planting is the key to abundant flowering in the future.
Important! Be sure to ensure during planting that the root neck is not hidden after mulching - it should rise at least 1–2 cm above the fertile layer. When deepened, the vegetation will take root for a long time, and may even die.
It is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- Dig a hole with a depth of 30 cm, a diameter of 70 cm. When planting several specimens, the optimal location density is 3 pcs. on 1 m².
- Mix the soil from the deepening in equal parts with peat, compost, leaf-sod soil.
- At the bottom of the pit, lay 10 cm of expanded clay - this will be a drainage that will protect the roots from waterlogging.
- In the center of the hole, form a small hill of fertile substrate. Set a seedling on it with an earthen lump.
- Align the plant with the root neck - it should be at the same level as in the pot.
- Fill the voids with fertile soil. Seal the trunks with your hands. Pour a seedling of 10 liters of water.
- Mulch with a mixture of peat and compost (1: 1). The layer height is 7–10 cm.
Video: Planting small hydrangea
Care
This type of hydrangea is not too demanding in care.
The main attention should be paid to:
- watering;
- top dressing;
- maintaining a normal soil condition;
- pruning
- preparing for the winter cold.
If all agricultural activities are carried out on time and correctly, then the vegetation is not affected by diseases and pests.
Watering and feeding
The frequency of irrigation is completely dependent on weather conditions. It is also worth focusing on the condition of the soil - it should be moist and loose. In dry periods, watering is carried out 1 or 2 times a week. For each plant spend 10 liters of water. With moderate precipitation, the irrigation rate is reduced to 1 or 2 times a month.
Top dressing is carried out 3 times a season:
- in the spring before the swelling of the kidneys - 1 liter of bird droppings diluted with water 1:25;
- in June before the buds - 20 g of superphosphate per 10 l of water for each instance;
- 2 weeks after the start of flowering - 10 g of potassium salt, 20 g of phosphorus, 10 g of magnesium and 5 g of wood ash are added to 10 l of water.
The above top dressings can be replaced with one. It is carried out in the spring before the swelling of the kidneys. In this case, a complex fertilizer of prolonged action is used. You can use the fertilizing company "Pokon", designed for hydrangeas and rhododendrons. Dilute it according to the instructions.
At the end of the first season after planting, plants must be irrigated using Fundazole. 1 g of powder is added to 1 g of powder. A year later, at the end of the next season, “Fitosporin” is used instead of “Fundazole”. To 2 liters of water add 1 tsp. substances. Thus, disinfection preparations alternate annually. This allows you to completely prevent the risk of developing fungal diseases and the spread of pests.
Do not forget about quality soil care. After each moistening and rain, it is thoroughly loosened to a depth of 5–7 cm. Then mulch with peat, compost or needles. You can combine in equal proportions all the elements at once.
Pruning
This event begins to be held from the second year after planting. In the autumn, when the plant has already blossomed, remove all weak, growing inward, crooked shoots, as well as inflorescences. For the winter, it is best to leave within 10-12 powerful branches.
In the spring, the manipulation in question is carried out before the buds open. On young plants, shoots shorten up to 2 or 3 buds, on old ones - up to 4-5 buds.
Did you know? The most popular hydrangeas in Holland. About 40 million stems are sold at an auction in this country per year.
Every six years, anti-aging pruning is performed, which involves the removal of old branches under the root. The main thing in this case is to cut off no more than 1/4 of the total mass of branches. Manipulation is carried out by an acute secateurs disinfected in alcohol. All slices are then dusted with Fundazol.
How to prepare for winter
In the southern regions, shelter for this plant species is not required at all. In the northern latitudes and the central strip, bushes are covered with spruce or lutrasil.
The Little Hydrangea hydrangea variety is much less demanding in care than other varieties. This makes it an ideal option for gardeners who have long wanted to decorate their site with such a plant, but did not dare to plant it because of their high whims.