It is difficult to find gardeners who do not have or would not like to grow hydrangea (Hydrangea) on their plot. This ornamental shrub has a truly enchanting beauty. A huge advantage of this plant is a long flowering period. For several months it will attract the attention of others. The article will focus on hydrangea rough.

Description and characteristics of the species

Rough hydrangea is a tall species of flower culture. Some varieties can reach three meters in height. Shrubs have thick branches on which large leaves grow (approximately 35 × 25 cm). In spring and summer, they are painted green, and closer to autumn they acquire a brown-orange color. The surface of the sheet plate is velvety.

Inflorescences on the bushes are large and consist of small flowers, usually white. Some varietal specimens have flowers of lilac-purple hue. Such inflorescences look very impressive, since white ones are located around the lilac buds and it looks incredibly attractive.

Varieties

The described type of hydrangea has several varieties, and breeders have been working for many decades to develop new varietal material. A variety of shapes and shades of inflorescences of this culture allows gardeners to widely use the plant in landscape design. Further in the article, the main varieties will be considered.

Did you know? In the 19th century, in England, hydrangea was considered a symbol of vanity and boasting. This is due to the fact that the plant has incredible beauty and a huge number of flowers in the inflorescence, as if asking to be admired.

Macrophyll

This hydrangea grows in width and height to 1.5 m. Rough leaves with a fine hairy coating grow up to 30 cm in length and up to 20 cm in width. Spherical inflorescences in diameter do not exceed 20 cm and have a flat surface. The color of the flowers is striking in its diversity. Color can be from white to dark purple.

Hue depends on the level of soil acidity. The lower this indicator, the paler the flowers. On alkaline earth, hydrangea is in pink and lilac colors, on acidic ground in blue and violet. At the beginning of the growing season, the leaves of Macrophyllus are green, but already closer to autumn they acquire a brown-orange color. Thanks to this, the bush looks very impressive.

Sargent

This variety is in steady demand among gardeners in our country. The leaves of the plant are velvety to the touch. Flower petals are located separately from each other. A feature of Sargent is the color of inflorescences. It smoothly changes from a lilac shade to pink, after - it turns into pale blue. On some shrubs, the petals have small white spots. The adult plant reaches 4 m. It blooms from late summer to the onset of cold weather.

Hot Chocolate

This variety is quite young, but has already managed to win the attention of many gardeners. During flowering, large buds bloom on it (diameter - 30 cm), the petals of which are painted in a pale pink color with a purple spot in the center. Leaves at different times of the year change color from silvery shades to olive. A feature of the variety is the color of the shoots. In the cold period of time, they acquire a brown-red tone and look spectacular even without foliage.

Landing

Compliance with certain rules during the planting of hydrangea plays a big role in the further process of shrub vegetation. Follow the recommendations below.

Dates and seat selection

For planting, spring (April) or autumn (September) is suitable. Many gardeners always prefer to plant with steady heat when the ground is completely thawed. This period is safer, as hydrangea will have a lot of time before the cold to take root and strengthen. Despite the fact that the culture has good winter hardiness, at a young age it can suffer from low temperature.

The choice of place should be taken seriously. Culture has its own “preferences” in this regard. The site should be protected from strong winds and not very open to sunlight. The conditions of shade or partial shade will create favorable conditions for good growth. Earth should be slightly acidified and nutritious.

Preparation of soil and seedling

The site before planting must be dug up and cleaned of weeds. Humus and mineral fertilizers are introduced into the soil (superphosphate - 20 g per bucket of water).

Important! It is best to plant hydrangea on a cloudy or rainy day. If the air is dry, be sure to spray the bush with water before the procedure.

Sapling should be bought in specialized stores. The root system must be treated with a growth stimulator. You should also inspect all neighboring trees and bushes for the presence of various diseases and pests. Before planting, carry out preventive spraying of all plants. For this you can use Bordeaux liquid. Plants adapt well in a new place at the age of 2-3 years.

Step-by-step landing instructions

The algorithm of actions during landing is as follows:

1. First you need to dig a hole, the size of which will depend on the type of soil: if the earth is light, then adhere to the parameters: width - 40 cm, depth - 50 cm. In loamy soil: depth - 60 cm, width - 50 cm. In clay: depth - 70 cm, width - 60 cm.
2. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to make a drainage layer. Large crushed stone and chipped brick fragments are well suited as the material.
3. If you plant several bushes at once, then the interval between them should be at least 1.5 m.
4. Before diving into the hole, the root system must be gently straightened, and then covered with soil. Pay attention to the level of location of the root neck. It should not be in the ground, but just above the compacted soil.
5. Immediately after planting, the plant should be abundantly watered (2 buckets per bush).

Care

Rough hydrangea has a number of features in the care, but it is not capricious. Observing them, you can grow on your site a beautiful ornamental plant, which will become an adornment of your garden for many years. Further about this in more detail.

Watering and mulching

Shrubs of this crop need a lot of water. If you do not water the plant in a timely manner, then this will negatively affect its development and appearance. The procedure must be performed at least 2 times a week. About 3-5 water buckets must be poured onto one bush.If the weather is rainy for several days in a row, then it is not necessary to moisten the soil additionally. After irrigation, the trunk area should be mulched periodically. This greatly helps the root system retain moisture. To do this, you can use peat, which is scattered with a layer of 10 cm.

Top dressing

After planting, the young bush does not need to be fertilized for two years. He must be at rest. Care is provided during this period as necessary. After a couple of years, supplementation with mineral complex additives will be very beneficial. Particular attention must be paid to the plant during budding.

At this time, a superphosphate solution should be added under each bush in a ratio of 1:10 with water. Potassium sulfate and mullein are also used as spring fertilizers. For the strength of the branches, gardeners recommend treating the shrub with a solution of potassium permanganate (1 mg / 5 l of water).

Pruning

Pruning, as well as top dressing, is also not needed in the first two years after planting. The plant should grow stronger. In the third year, manipulation can be carried out. The "right" time for pruning is spring. In the process, you need to remove the diseased and damaged shoots. Last year's processes must be cut off, while leaving three buds on them.Cut the branches exclusively before the start of sap flow.

Shelter for the winter

Rough hydrangea is a plant with a high level of frost resistance. You can meet the ornamental shrubs of this culture in many regions of our country, even with very cold winters. But despite this, it is better to cover the borehole so that the root system does not suffer from low temperature. As a material, leaves and sawdust are suitable.

Reproduction of rough hydrangea

Gardeners often propagate hydrangea on their own. There are several options. To get the expected result, you must follow a certain algorithm of actions. Below are the methods of propagation of flower culture.

Seeds

Key actions:

1. Seeds must be sown in a pre-prepared container with moist soil. The size of the container should be rather large, since the plant will be in it for about two years. Only after this period can hydrangea be planted in a permanent place.
2. Immediately after the planting material is placed in the soil, the container must be covered with film or glass.
3. Do not forget to water every three days. You will have to see the first shoots in three weeks.

Cuttings

Algorithm of actions:

1. First you need to prepare the cuttings. To do this, you need to cut the lateral processes, while the kidneys on them must be large.
2. Next, planting material is put into water for several hours. Green tops need to be cut.
3. After the processes, it is necessary to divide into fragments and put for a couple of hours in the Kornevin solution.
4. In a previously prepared container with moist soil, you need to place a seedling and cover it with a jar.
5. Planted stalk should be watered 2 times a week.
6. After 4 weeks, the cuttings will take root, and when the plant reaches 40 cm, it can be planted in a permanent place.

Layering

Sequence of steps:

1. It is necessary to start the process in early spring, before the buds open. A small groove should be made next to the shrub.
2. The lower shoots should be placed in the ditch, after which they should be slightly watered and covered with earth.
3. Already in the fall you will see young shoots. When the plant reaches 20 cm, it must be buried. Every 10 days, the procedure should be repeated until the embankment becomes 25 cm high.
4. In the second half of October, layering is dug up and separated. Next, the seedlings must again be buried in the ground. A year later, the plant is planted in a permanent place.

Dividing the bush

Main stages:

1. The plant must be well watered before digging. Only then can the root system be manipulated.
2. Roots need to be well cleaned from the ground and washed. The bush is divided into the required number of seedlings.
3. Next, planting material should be treated with “Kornevin”, after which it should be determined at a constant place and watered abundantly.

Diseases and pests, the fight against them

A great advantage of hydrangea rough is its resistance to various diseases and dangerous insects.

It is extremely rare for a plant to be affected by such ailments:

1. Chlorosis. At the first signs (the leaves begin to turn yellow, the veins darken), hydrangea should be treated with a solution of iron sulfate (45 g per 10 liters of water).
2. Powdery mildew. On the leaves there are spots of a gray-brown hue, after which they darken. They fight this ailment with the help of Fundazol.

In case of damage to the shrub by pests (aphids, spider mites, bugs, weevils), hydrangea should immediately be treated with insecticides (Akarin, Iskra or Fitoverm).

Did you know? In Buddhism, hydrangea tea is consumed during various rituals. People believe that the drink has magical properties.

Rough hydrangea can often be found both in park public areas and in the house area. This is a bright ornamental plant, which is easy to care for. Therefore, it is very popular among gardeners and landscape designers.