Hydrangea species and varieties for growing in the country. Hydrangea blue tree planting and outdoor care

Do you want your garden to be fragrant and delight you with long flowering? Then you need to settle there recognized garden beauty Hortensia, named after the princess of the Roman Empire. This perennial shrub will delight you from July to September with its spherical inflorescences, which first have a greenish tint, then at the very peak of flowering turning into a bright white color, turning slightly yellow by autumn. And if you plant a large-leaved, or garden, hydrangea, you can achieve pinkish or bluish hues. Let's try to figure out how to change the color of garden hydrangea.

In nature, there are several dozen varieties of hydrangea. However, only

Garden hydrangea is the only type of hydrangea in which you can change the color of flowers from white to blue or pink

Garden, or large-leaved, hydrangea is the most popular and common type of plant, which is an ornamental shrub. The scientific name of hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), which means "water vessel", is explained by the increased moisture-loving nature of the flower. Hydrangea has large egg-shaped leaves with pointed edges. Shrub blooms with lush spherical voluminous inflorescences. The most common are white or pink color. There are also inflorescences of lilac and blue.

The color of spherical inflorescences depends on the acidity of the soil. By the color of the hydrangea, you can determine the acid-base environment of the soil: pink indicates slightly alkaline or neutral acidity, blue indicates an increased soil pH.

Therefore, you can change the color of garden hydrangea by increasing / decreasing the acidity of the soil. It is better to take care of this before planting a shrub. To do this, you need to decide in advance on a place in the garden, prepare the appropriate substrate, plant a plant and monitor the level of soil acidity.

How to test the soil

Any gardener, even an amateur, knows that a good harvest depends largely on knowledge chemical composition the soil of your area. One of the important indicators is the acidity, or pH of the soil.

Soil acidity is a quantitative indicator of the content of acids and salts. The pH value is determined by values from 0 to 14.

With regard to the earth mixture, they mean the following

up to 4 - strongly acidic environment;

from 4.5 to 5.5 - acidic soil;

from 5.5 to 6.5 - slightly acidic soil;

from 6, 5 to 7 - neutral ground;

above 7 - alkaline environment.

How to determine the acidity of the soil yourself

The acidity of the soil is extremely accurately determined by a special device, however, approximate values \u200b\u200bcan be measured independently.

Here are some simple and available ways soil pH determination:

Vinegar essence.

It is enough to pour a few drops of vinegar on a handful of earth and observe the reaction. If a violent boil occurs, accompanied by the release of carbon dioxide, then you have an alkaline environment. Small bubbles and weak soil reaction indicate neutral acidity. The absence of any reaction indicates that the soil is acidic.

Grape juice.

into a vessel with grape juice drop a pinch of soil. A change in the color of the drink and the appearance of gas bubbles signals a normal soil pH.

Currant or cherry leaves.

Pour a few leaves with boiling distilled water. Cool the liquid and throw a handful of earth into it. A change in the color of the water after a while is an indicator of acidity: red water is acidic, blue is slightly acidic, green is neutral soil.

Litmus paper.

Put some soil on a clean cloth piece. Tie it tightly into a knot and lower it into distilled water. Wait for the water to be well saturated with the soil. Drop the litmus paper. A change in color will make it possible to draw a conclusion about the state of the soil: from yellow to red - an acidic environment, blue-blue shades - neutral soil. This is one of the most reliable ways. Litmus paper is freely sold in agricultural stores.

Most in a simple way determination of soil pH level is visual. If, upon careful examination of the soil, you saw reddish-rusty shades, then the soil is highly acidic. A thin iridescent film on water that has accumulated after watering or rain is evidence of an acidic soil environment.

Video "How to determine the acidity of the soil and how to deoxidize it"

Change the color of the garden queen

Knowing the acidity of the soil in your garden plot, you can achieve the desired color of hydrangea. Acidic soil with a pH level below 7 will allow you to grow a blue moisture-loving beauty. An alkaline environment (acidity above 7) is good for pink hydrangea. Values of 5, 5 - 6.5 pH will give shades or a rose-blue mixture.

However, knowing the pH value of the soil and choosing a particular type of shrub is not enough. An important factor is the presence of aluminum in the soil. At acidity above 6.5 (neutral and alkaline), aluminum is not available to the plant, so the hydrangea will release pink flowers.

Blue hydrangeas need an acidic soil to help dissolve aluminum. In this case, the presence of aluminum is more important for the flower than the pH level of the soil. In addition, the availability of the element is influenced by the nutrients contained in the earth.

In general, the color of the hydrangea is influenced by the type of shrub, the acidity level of the soil, aluminum and the fertilizers used.

After planting, hydrangea, adapting to a new environment, can change color on its own. And a year later, the queen of the garden can please you with several shades at once on one shrub.

To control the color of the shrub, it is necessary to regulate the pH level of the soil. This begs the question of what to water to change the color of the queen of the garden.

There are special agricultural techniques that help to achieve a change in the shades of inflorescences, which are best used on early stage shrub growth. Let's consider them in more detail.

pink hydrangea

Change the color of garden hydrangea from white to pink

To change the color of hydrangea from white to pink, you need to maintain a pH greater than 6.5. If the acidity of the soil of your site is as follows, the hydrangea will throw out pink inflorescences. Wherein additional measures there is no need to accept.

Acidic soil should be fertilized several times a year with chalk, limestone or dolomite flour. However, do not overdo it: it is enough to achieve acidity indicators at the level of 6-6.2. At values exceeding these values, the formation of soil chlorosis or iron deficiency is possible.

To saturate the soil with essential nutrients, feed the soil with fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, but a low concentration of potassium. Aluminum in combination with phosphorus form insoluble compounds, which will prevent the appearance of blue inflorescences. Choose an N:P:K fertilizer in a ratio close to 25:10:10. Ammonium monophosphate is perfect.

If your site is too acidic, then professional gardeners recommend planting hydrangeas in large pots, using a peat substrate with a small amount of aluminum salts as a soil. The best in this case is recognized as a universal substrate, sold in specialty stores. This will greatly simplify the cultivation and care of the pink large-leaved garden queen.

Blue moisture-loving beauty

Change the color of the hydrangea to blue

To change the shade of the inflorescences to blue, it is necessary to maintain an acidic environment (below 5.5 pH) containing a soluble form of aluminum available for hydrangeas.

If your garden is dominated by acidic earth with a sufficient concentration of aluminum, then the hydrangea will fulfill your desire by releasing blue caps on its own.

To increase the acidity of the soil, you can specially acidify the root zone. To do this, it is enough to add high-moor peat or sulfur used in the planting hole to the planting hole. agriculture. Then it is enough to regularly water with aluminum sulfate in a proportion of 15 g per liter. Make sure that the soil is moistened before watering with a special solution.

To change the color of a previously planted hydrangea, sprinkle high-moor peat or bark of coniferous tree species into the soil near the shrub.

The change in shade can be affected by feeding with complex fertilizers containing potassium (high concentration), phosphorus (low percentage), nitrogen (medium value). The ideal ratio would be N:P:K, close to 10:5:20. Do not use bone meal or superphosphate.

It is allowed to grow blue hydrangeas in huge vessels using ready-made substrates. Professionals advise opting for an acidic substrate for coniferous plants.

Video "How to change the color of hydrangea to blue"

Adhering to the above recommendations, you will definitely get the desired result. However, do not count on an instant change in the color of the hydrangea. This period can take from several months to a year, depending on weather conditions, quality of fertilizers and other factors.

Indoor hydrangea, when grown and cared for at home, is a semi-shrub spreading plant, reaching a meter in height, with large oval leaves (10-15 cm long) with notches along the edges. Large inflorescences (about 35 cm long) are umbrella-shaped and consist of sterile small flowers at the edges and fruiting in the central part.

The color palette can be adjusted with the help of the soil: a more acidic soil turns the flowers blue, a neutral soil gives a white or beige color, and an alkaline soil lilac or pink. The hydrangea fruit is a box with a large number of seeds.

Types and varieties of room hydrangea

Hydrangeas white and cream

Hydrangea Mme E. Mouillere - the diameter of the inflorescences is up to 20 cm, the flowers are from 1-5 cm, the leaves are narrow.

- flowers of the correct form, inflorescence diameter up to 20 cm, bush height - 35-40 cm. Blooms early.

Hydrangeas Pink

- a bush, up to 70 cm high, inflorescences are rather large (30 cm) of a dark pink hue, the edges of the sepals are deeply cut. Starts blooming late.

- has small flowers (up to 5 cm) of pink color, collected in an inflorescence with a diameter of 16-18 cm. The bush reaches a height of 40 cm.

- the bush reaches a height of 50 cm, blooms with large flowers (up to 6 cm) in inflorescences with a diameter of about 25 cm. abundant flowering.

red hydrangeas

- burgundy-red inflorescences. It is possible to get a purple-burgundy color if you add iron salts or aluminum sulfate to the soil.

- the diameter of the inflorescences is up to 18 cm, while the flowers themselves are small - no more than 3.5 cm, the height of the stem is 20-25 cm.

Hydrangeas blue

- tall shrub with bright blue inflorescences.

- This variety is distinguished by its compactness. Inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter, have a feature: over time, the tips of the petals turn green.

Hydrangea room care at home

For hydrangeas, the right one is very important. temperature regime. On the hottest days of summer, the temperature should not exceed 20°C, and in winter, not lower than 10°C.

Indoor hydrangea does not like direct sunlight, so the most comfortable place will be the south side of the apartment, at a distance of 1-2 meters from the window.

If you have a garden variety, then you can familiarize yourself with the rules for planting and caring for hydrangeas in the open field.

Watering hydrangeas

In summer, frequent and plentiful watering is required, in spring and summer it decreases, and in winter it is practically excluded (just slightly moisten the soil, preventing drying out).

Water for irrigation should be settled or frozen (thawed), room temperature. In addition, we must not forget about the regular humidification of the air. Spray with a spray bottle.

Fertilizer for hydrangeas

Fertilizers are added once every two weeks during periods of active growth (the appearance of new shoots) and flowering. Mineral fertilizers are suitable for flowering houseplants.

Hydrangea changes color

Indoor hydrangea has another unusual feature, and in fact the ability to make a colored bush.

This is done using a different composition of the substrate, for example, by adding a solution of ammonia-potassium alum (4-5 / l) or iron salts, it will color the inflorescences blue, lime gives a pink or purple color, and white or cream flowers usually grow in neutral soil . Thus, you can make a multi-colored bush by adding different fertilizers to different parts of the pot.

Hydrangea transplant

Transfer room beauty held every year, increasing the size of the pot by a couple of centimeters. Transplanting should be done with care.

Place drainage at the bottom of the new pot, sprinkle some new soil, then carefully remove the flower from the old pot, along with all the soil, and place it in a new place of residence.

Fill voids with fresh substrate and water. After that, a layer of peat is laid out on top for mulching (slows down the rate of moisture evaporation).

Do I need to prune hydrangea for the winter

Hydrangea pruning is a must. It is held twice a year.

The first, after the end of flowering, before wintering, when weak, wilted shoots are cut to the ground, and strong shoots are cut in half.
The second time, in the spring, when new shoots stretch out strongly in length, they are shortened so as not to weigh down the plant.

Hydrangea preparing for winter

The hibernation period, in hydrangeas, begins after the end of flowering. At this time, it must be removed to a darker and cooler place.

Having fulfilled this condition, the flower will have time to rest and gain strength after abundant flowering, and from February the buds will begin to wake up (the plant can be returned to its usual place). Otherwise, the next flowering will come no earlier than a year later.

Propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings in autumn at home

Cuttings are the most reliable method of propagation. If this procedure is carried out in January-February, then by next autumn there will be a real bush of 3-4 shoots, and if later, the plant will only put out one stem. Cuttings with at least three internodes are cut from root shoots. lower leaves are cut off, and the upper ones are cut off by half (for large leaves) or by a third (for small ones).

A shoot about 8 cm long, placed in a prepared substrate of peat and sand, watered and covered glass jar or circumcised plastic bottle, to provide moisture. Ventilate every day and do not allow the soil to dry out. After about a month, the plant takes root and can be transplanted into a separate pot, 8-9 cm in diameter is enough for a start.

Division of a hydrangea bush

The easiest way to divide a hydrangea bush. Carry out this procedure during the annual transplant.

To do this, the bush is carefully removed from the pot and divided into parts (the number of parts depends on the density of the rhizome), so that each has a sufficient number of roots and shoots. At each divided site, the roots and shoots are shortened and placed in new pots with prepared soil.

Hydrangea from seeds at home

Hydrangea seeds are sown at the end of winter, on a substrate previously prepared and poured into seedling boxes: a mixture of leafy, soddy soil, humus, sand and peat (1: 1: 1: 0.5: 0.5). It is not necessary to sprinkle earth on top.

Moisten and cover with glass or film. Air every day and moisturize as needed. With the advent of seedlings, the glass (film) is removed, the seedlings are thinned out. As soon as leaves (2-3) appear on young shoots, they are transplanted into separate pots (7-8 cm in diameter) with the same soil.

Diseases and pests

Gray rot - affects the plant at too high humidity. Treatment: treatment with Bordeaux liquid.
Spider mites and aphids - affects the bush with insufficient moisture. Treatment: wipe the leaves and shoots with a soapy solution with a sponge, if it does not help, then treat with actellik in a week.
Leaves turn yellow - insufficient watering, lack of nitrogen in the soil, or the soil is too alkaline, which causes chlorosis. To restore their strength and color, iron sulfate (10 g / l) or iron sulfate (2 g / l) is added to the water for irrigation.
Hydrangea room begins to dry (ends dry) - due to insufficient moisture and watering, as well as lack of fertilizers. Correct the shortcomings, otherwise the next consequence will be the fall of leaves and buds. Therefore, do not forget to water, spray and fertilize as needed. Follow the plant, it will tell you.
Indoor hydrangea does not bloom - this is a consequence of the fact that in winter the plant did not rest, but continued to grow and bloom, having spent a lot of energy. At the end of autumn, the bush must be cut and placed in a cool, dark place for wintering. And in the spring, get it back and continue the care, then the hydrangea will definitely bloom again.
Appear brown spots on the leaves - lack of watering.
Light spots on the leaves - an excess of light. Move the flower to shade. Hydrangea is afraid of direct sunlight.
Slow flower growth – insufficient amount of fertilizers. Worth feeding.

The dream of every gardener is to grow a special plant, a plant with a unique color that will be the highlight of the garden. Hydrangea blue may well become such a plant. If you think that the blue hydrangea is a type of hydrangea, then this is a little wrong. The concept of "blue hydrangea" combines hydrangea varieties with blue flowers. Also experienced gardeners able to color inflorescences large-leaved hydrangea in a bluish tint. In this article, we will learn what varieties of hydrangeas have blue flowers, how to grow such plants, how to color inflorescences blue.

Blue tree hydrangeas, for example, you will not find. Varieties that lend themselves to "staining" in blue, blue, pink tones belong to the large-leaved hydrangea.

Hydrangea blue "Mini Penny"

An excellent variety of large-leaved hydrangea with a long flowering period. You can enjoy flowers on the shoots of the past and current year from the beginning of summer until the very frost. Hydrangea can bloom not only blue, but also pink. The bush has a fairly compact shape and can reach 80 cm in height. One of the main advantages of this variety is the good resistance of the plant to fungal diseases. If you plant 'Mini Penny' hydrangea in a semi-shady location, you will be surprised at the magnificence of the contrast of green foliage and lush blue inflorescences.

Hydrangea "Mini Penny"

Hydrangea blue "Freedom"

Lovers of plants that change their color should definitely pay attention to this variety of hydrangea. At the very beginning of the flowering period, the flowers have a pink tint, then the inflorescences begin to gradually turn blue.

Hydrangea inflorescences of the "Freedom" variety reach a diameter of 15 cm.
Hydrangea leaves have a dark green color with an emerald hue, which creates a spectacular contrast to the lush inflorescences. The leaves are large with a serrated edge.
Hydrangea varieties "Freedom" prefers shady places for growth.
With the onset of the winter period, the plant requires shelter.

Hydrangea blue "Ramars"

Another spectacular variety of large-leaved hydrangea. Inflorescences may acquire a blue or blue tint depending on the acidity of the soil. Also, the plant can have pink flowers. The variety is very moisture-loving, positively applies to spraying. The bush reaches its greatest showiness in a semi-shady place. Experienced gardeners warn against planting this variety of large-leaved hydrangea near the same moisture-loving plants that absorb water strongly.

Hydrangea blue "Hopcorn blue"

One of the "youngest" varieties, which has already managed to win the love of many fans of growing hydrangeas.

The bush has a compact shape. It can reach 100 cm in height and width.
Hydrangea of this variety is known for flowers that have an external resemblance to popcorn. They are collected in lush inflorescences of intense blue and purple hues.
When choosing a landing site for this variety of hydrangea, you should give preference to a well-lit place that is protected from the wind.
The advantage of this variety is its high resistance to fungal diseases.
The period of active flowering begins in mid-summer and lasts until September.

Hydrangea blue "Jomari"

If you are a lover of incredibly lush inflorescences, then the spectacular Jomari variety of large-leaved hydrangea will conquer you. Inflorescences are blue or blue tint. The bush is able to reach 80 cm in height. Flowering will delight you for a long time - from early summer to late autumn. The inflorescences are hemispherical in shape and appear both on last year's shoots and on current year's shoots. The bush will need to be prepared for winter, to create a shelter for it.

Hydrangea blue "Compeito"

The hybrid variety "Compeito" has earned the love of many gardeners with its unusual appearance. The variety was born in 2007 in Japan. Its name, translated from Japanese, means "hard caramel of bright colors." The flowers of this variety of hydrangea actually resemble miniature "caramels".

The flowers of the hydrangea variety "Compeito" can be not only blue, but also pink.
Flower petals have a smooth surface.
On the shoots there are 5-6 inflorescences, reaching 5 cm in diameter.
The leaves have a ribbed edge and an oval, elongated shape.
This variety of hydrangea is very fond of moisture and abundant irrigation with water.

Hydrangea blue "Blueberry Cheesecake"

A variety with a very "delicious" name, very attractive for cultivation. The intensity of the blue color of the inflorescences can be adjusted independently by making changes to the composition of the soil.

Large-leaved hydrangea variety "Blueberry Cheesecake" grows in the form of a bush up to 100 cm in height and 120-130 cm in diameter.
The flowers are quite flat in shape, but the inflorescences look very lush and spectacular.
Hydrangea inflorescences can reach a diameter of 20 cm.
A hydrangea bush of this variety grows up to 100-120 cm.
One of the main requirements of the plant in its cultivation is the restriction in sunlight during the day. The plant prefers to take rather short "sunbaths" in duration. Choose a place for planting in partial shade, which will be illuminated in the morning and evening.
The color of the inflorescences can have a different intensity depending on the composition of the soil.
This variety of large-leaved hydrangea is also characterized by a change in the color of the leaves. By the end of the season, the leaves turn reddish.

Hydrangea "Blueberry Cheesecake"

Hydrangea blue "Spike"

The flowers of this variety of large-leaved hydrangea are collected in incredibly spectacular inflorescences, resembling huge balls in their shape. The bush is able to reach a height of 120 cm. The flowers combine blue and pink shades. A pleasant feature of this variety is that the inflorescences appear both on the old shoots of the bush and on the new ones that appeared this year. Thus, you can enjoy the flowering of the hydrangea "Spike" continuously.

Blue hydrangea. Landing

Step #1. We choose the time for planting blue hydrangea

When is the best time to plant blue hydrangea in your garden? Each gardener has his own preferences in this matter. Planting hydrangeas is practiced both in spring and autumn.

Planting in the spring. Hydrangeas are planted at a time when the snow has already melted, and the earth begins to gradually warm up.
Planting in autumn. The month of September is usually chosen for planting hydrangeas.

Step #2. Choosing a place to plant a blue hydrangea

When choosing a place to plant a blue hydrangea, you should pay attention to two main points:

most varieties of blue hydrangeas prefer to grow in semi-shady places. Of course, much depends on the requirements of a particular variety. Some hydrangeas, for which they have chosen too shaded places, bloom late and rather poorly;
proximity to other plants. Almost all varieties of blue hydrangea occupy a significant space. Do not plant this plant in close proximity to other ornamental shrubs, trees. Give the hydrangea at least 2 meters of free space around it, and it will thank you with lush inflorescences.

Step #3. We prepare the soil for planting blue hydrangea

If you want to grow a truly beautiful and lush hydrangea, then be sure to take into account its preferences for the quality of the soil. Experienced gardeners thoroughly know the nature of the soil on their site. But for beginners it is quite difficult to figure out what kind of soil is on the site. You can take a soil sample to a special laboratory, where experts will determine everything experimentally. important characteristics soil. Based on this knowledge, you will prepare the ground for planting a blue hydrangea.

Almost all varieties of blue hydrangea prefer to grow in well-moistened and well-drained soils.
The optimal composition of the soil will be as follows: humus, leafy soil, peat chips and river sand in the ratio 2:2:1:1.
Hydrangea reacts negatively to soil with too much lime content.
The optimum soil pH is 5.0.

If you did not take into account the preferences of the blue hydrangea for the composition of the soil, then you can then see the corresponding external signs on the plant, which will indicate an overabundance or lack of any element.

Step number 4. Planting a blue hydrangea in the ground

If you have decided on a place for planting a blue hydrangea, then you can start planting.

Dig a planting hole about 40 cm deep and about 60 cm wide. Dimensions are approximate. They depend on the size of the root system planting material. You can plant hydrangeas in a row. Then, instead of a landing hole, it is easier to dig a trench. Some gardeners plant hydrangeas deliberately closer together (60-70 cm) so that flowering is more lush.
The day before the proposed landing, the pit must be well moistened. About 3 buckets of water will come in handy. During the day, the moisture is well absorbed, and the pit will be ready for planting.
To fill the pit, you need to prepare a nutrient substrate with peat and humus. You can also add 50 grams of mineral fertilizer to each planting hole or any other hydrangea fertilizer.
A hole is made in the center of the pit, a hydrangea is placed there. Fall asleep gently root system compacting the soil with your hands. The root neck should be at the level of the soil surface. For the full growth and development of the plant, a maximum neck depth of 2 cm is allowed, but no more.
A young plant must be watered. There should be enough water so that it completely soaks the entire earthen lump in the pit.
Sprinkle the surface of the soil around the blue hydrangea with a small layer of mulch. So you keep moisture inside the soil for more long time. As mulch, you can use peat, tree bark.

Blue hydrangea. Care

Rules for watering blue hydrangea

Regular watering is very important for blue hydrangeas. With insufficient watering, the plant will instantly begin to fade. If you quickly water the hydrangea, it will immediately come to life. It is advisable to water the blue beauty 1 or 2 times a week. In dry weather, you can increase the frequency of watering. At least 2 buckets of water should go under one bush. If you carefully mulch the surface of the soil around the blue hydrangea, then the amount of watering will be reduced to about 1 time in 10 days. Mulch naturally retains valuable moisture for the plant.

Rules for feeding blue hydrangea

Garden blue hydrangea, like any other ornamental shrub, responds positively to regular top dressing. For 1 season, you can fertilize about 3 times under the bush.

At the end of May, summer residents fertilize blue hydrangea superphosphate, urea and potassium sulfide in proportions 2:1.5:2.
The second top dressing falls on the time of active budding. You can make superphosphate and potassium sulfide (2:1).
The third top dressing of blue hydrangea is advised to be carried out at the end of summer. At this time, the period of active flowering is still ongoing. The plant will respond positively to the application of any organic fertilizer (manure).

Timely and correctly entered organic fertilizers great effect on the beauty of inflorescences. But keep in mind, if you go too far with this type of top dressing, then the shoots may not withstand such massive flowers and break off.

How to prune blue hydrangea

All varieties of large-leaved hydrangea, including varieties with blue inflorescences, require pruning. If you neglect this stage of care, then instead of a compact and beautiful bush, you will get incomprehensible thickets. Hydrangea pruning is advised to be carried out in several stages:

in the middle of spring cut off a small part of the old shoots. Using a sharp pruner, cut off about a quarter of the shoot;
also in the spring, annual shoots are shortened, leaving at least 5 buds;
in autumn, it is advised to cut off all inflorescences.

Of course, when pruning, you need to remove damaged branches. Large-leaved blue hydrangea will gratefully respond to your efforts. This flowering bush can live in the garden for more than 50 years. Each correctly carried out pruning will make the hydrangea only more beautiful next season. If a 5-year-old bush has several dozen inflorescences, then a 10-year-old bush already has several hundred!

Difficulties in growing blue hydrangea

What pests can affect blue hydrangea

The beautiful blue hydrangea can be exposed harmful effects some insects. If you do not start to deal with malicious pests in time, then you can easily lose the bush. If your hydrangeas grow in close proximity, then be prepared to fight insects on all bushes. Among the most destructive pests for hydrangeas are:

spider mite. You will immediately notice the consequences of the activity of this microscopic spider on the plant. Symptoms: yellowing of the leaves, the appearance of an unusual pattern on the leaves, marbled color, wilting of the leaves, the appearance of cobwebs on the underside of the leaf;

gall nematode. This microscopic worm infects the roots of young hydrangeas. Symptoms: the formation of "blisters" on the roots of the plant, rotting of the roots, withering of the entire plant;
leaf aphid. Another dangerous pest that can lead to the complete death of blue hydrangea. Aphids can also spread some viral diseases. Symptoms: damage to the lower part of the leaf, yellowing and falling of the leaves;

snails. Hydrangea is an incredibly tasty "dessert" for grape or amber snails. They can eat young shoots, buds, buds. Symptoms: the presence of clutches of snails around the plant. Snails especially like to "attack" hydrangeas under winter shelter.

Symptoms of various blue hydrangea diseases

White rot of blue hydrangeas - fungal disease. Symptoms: the shoots turn brown, new shoots also grow dark, and eventually become covered with a white coating, on which later you can see small blotches of black. Treatment: use of fungicides.
Gray rot of blue hydrangeas is a fungal disease. Symptoms: friability and softness of the aerial parts of the plant, the appearance of "holes" on the leaves, the deterioration of the plant at high humidity, the appearance of a gray coating. Treatment: "Chistotsvet", "Fundazol". It is necessary to remove the affected parts of the plant in a timely manner;

Peronosporosis of blue hydrangeas is a fungal disease. Symptoms: spots dark color on leaves and shoots, the number of which increases with high humidity. Treatment: treatment of the plant with a solution blue vitriol with soapy water, various fungicides. It is necessary to remove the affected parts of the plant in a timely manner.
Powdery mildew of blue hydrangeas is real - a fungal disease. Symptoms: the appearance of spots on the leaves. The spots are first greenish-yellow, and then dark brown. The presence of a gray coating on the leaves. Treatment: treatment of all parts of the plant with fungicides, removal of affected leaves.

Blue hydrangea ring spot is a dangerous viral disease. Symptoms: the appearance of dark "rings" on the leaves, drying out and changing the shape of the leaves. Treatment: Unfortunately, the plant must be removed.

Blue hydrangea septoria is a fungal disease. Symptoms: the appearance of spots on the leaves with a light middle and dark edging. Unlike the real powdery mildew, spots have irregular shape and can merge with the development of the disease. Treatment: treatment of parts of the plant with preparations that contain copper.

Reproduction of blue hydrangea

Method number 1. Reproduction of blue hydrangea cuttings

When propagating hydrangeas with blue green cuttings, it is very important to choose the right cutting for cutting. Young hydrangea bushes are best suited. It is advised to cut the cuttings from the side parts of the bush, because. they root better.
The green cutting is a leafy stem with 2-3 buds. You need to harvest cuttings in the early morning, when the bush is filled with moisture.
After cutting, the green shoot must be placed in the water in a shaded place. In order to prepare the shoot for planting, you need to cut off its apical part and shorten the leaves by a third.
Harvested cuttings must be placed in a solution of any root-stimulating drug.

Hydrangea cuttings should be planted in a nutrient earth mixture covering with banks. Watering should be carried out directly on the banks.
If after 1 month new leaves appear, then the cuttings have taken root and the banks can be removed.

Method number 2. Reproduction of blue hydrangea by dividing the bush

Blue hydrangea is propagated by dividing the bush when they want to transplant the plant to a new place of growth.

Before digging a bush, it must be watered well.
Dig up the bush very carefully, without damaging the root system.
With water, lightly clean the roots from the ground to facilitate the process of dividing the bush.
Divide the bush into as many parts as its size allows.
Each of the parts is planted in the ground.

Method number 3. Reproduction of blue hydrangea by layering

Reproduction by layering is a fairly popular method and simple.

In the spring, radial depressions are made around the bush. Their depth should be about 2 cm.
Hydrangea side shoots are placed in each of these recesses and fixed with homemade staples, slingshots, etc.
By the end of the summer season, new shoots should appear from above each of these layers. In October, the layers are dug up and new hydrangea shoots are separated. Before winter, they are simply dug into the ground, and the next spring they are planted in a garden bed for growing. It will be possible to plant young hydrangeas obtained in this way of reproduction at a permanent place of growth in 1 year.

Method number 4. Reproduction of naked hydrangea by seeds

The seed method of propagation of hydrangeas is not common. This is because in this way it is impossible to breed hybrid varieties, which are the majority. If you decide to propagate natural hydrangea in this way, then be patient. After all, you will have to grow "seedlings" at home for about 2 years. Only after this period will the seedlings become of a size that will allow them to be planted in open ground.

There is no need to somehow prepare hydrangea seeds for planting.
Seeds are laid out on the surface of nutrient soil, slightly pressing. The container with seeds is covered with glass or film. Of course, the soil must be moist.
Watch your crops. Be sure to ventilate them, periodically remove the resulting condensate, and do not allow the earth to dry out.

The first shoots appear on average after 3 weeks. It will be necessary to care for and grow young hydrangeas for 2 years. By the end of this period, they should reach a height of 30-40 cm.

Method number 5. Propagation of blue hydrangea offspring

Hydrangea, like many ornamental shrubs, forms young shoots around itself. Gardeners advise in the fall to remove the top layer of soil a little and carefully separate several offspring. Try not to touch the main bush. These young shoots are first grown in the garden, and after they are strengthened, they are planted in a permanent place of growth.

How to water a hydrangea so that it turns blue

So, how to make a blue hydrangea? Or how to make a hydrangea blue and white? It turns out that some varieties of large-leaved hydrangeas change the color of the inflorescences depending on the composition of the soil. If we somehow influence this composition, we can change the color of the hydrangea. Hydrangea turns blue and purple shades if the soil is acidic enough. It may also be that the soil in your area is already acidic, and you do not have to do anything to “color” the hydrangea blue. Consider the most popular methods for giving a spectacular blue hydrangea color:

even before planting hydrangeas, the soil can be acidified with sulfur or peat;
in order to maintain the desired acidity of the soil, you need to regularly water the hydrangea with a solution of aluminum sulfate (15 g per 1 liter). Just consider one important point: you can not water the plant with such a solution on dry soil;
you can mulch the hydrangea with natural substances that will maintain a high acidity of the soil. For this purpose, needles, a solution of orange peels, lemons, drunk coffee, peat are suitable;
you can buy special fertilizers for blue hydrangeas in the store that increase the acidity of the soil;

some gardeners bury iron objects, aluminum cans in the soil near the hydrangea.

Keep in mind that prolonged acidification of the soil is not very favorable for the further use of this piece of land. It will be impossible to grow edible crops in this place later. Experienced gardeners advise growing blue hydrangeas in containers that will make it easier to regulate the acidity of the soil. In such cases, you can fill the containers with ready-made acidic soil for conifers and rhododendrons.

Blue hydrangea. Photo

Blue hydrangea flowers simply look extraordinary even in photographs. You can see for yourself how successfully these shrubs can transform the appearance of any site.

Now you know not only how to change the color of the hydrangea to blue, but also how to maintain the splendor of the inflorescences and the healthy appearance of the bush for many years.

Blue hydrangea is a flowering garden shrub. It looks great in landscape compositions, suitable for decorating hedges, decorating arbors, paths. Currently, many varieties have been bred that easily tolerate winter and delight with their flowering for many years. A separate type of "blue hydrangea" does not exist. The plant got its name from the shade of its flowers. Varieties of large-leaved hydrangea, mainly, are covered with blue and blue inflorescences. There are two- and three-color species that change their shade throughout the season. Today we will talk about the planting and care of blue hydrangea.

Varieties of hydrangeas with blue inflorescences

As a rule, these are large-leaved hydrangeas. They differ in rounded inflorescences, long and abundant flowering. Initially, flower growers saw large-leaved hydrangeas in potted versions. These crops are not suitable for growing in open ground. They just froze. And only much later, frost-resistant varieties were bred. Which ones have blue flowers?

Hydrangea "Mini Penny". Repair grade. It blooms on the shoots of the current year. It has juicy green foliage and pale blue flowers collected in spherical inflorescences.
"Ramars". A small compact bush. Refers to multi-colored varieties. Some species are covered with purple or purple flowers. Others are spectacular bright blue and white.
"Freedom". Bicolor variety. At the beginning of flowering, pink flowers appear against a background of rich greenery. Then their middle becomes blue, and the edges become white.
"Compeito". Hybrid variety with large lilac- blue flowers, the middle of which is white.
"Perfect". Rose-like flowers are pink at first. Then the hue changes to blue.
"Hopcorn Blue". A low bush up to sixty to eighty centimeters with tulip-like blue flowers. Blossoms on shoots of the second year.
"Jomari". Compact shrub with blue double flowers. Blooms also on the branches of the second year.

When to plant blue hydrangea

The best time for planting hydrangeas is spring, the moment when the earth thaws, the buds have not yet blossomed, and autumn is in the month of September. When choosing a place for an ornamental leafy plant, keep in mind that it is better to plant a hydrangea in the shade or partial shade, as the bright sun causes slow growth, as a result of which the inflorescences become smaller.

Soil preparation for planting blue hydrangea

The soil for hydrangea should be well-drained and moist, consist of a balanced mixture of humus, leafy soil, peat chips, river sand(2:2:1:1). Regardless of the type and variety of hydrangea, remember that lime in the soil adversely affects development. The soil should be with a Ph level of approximately 5.0. Alkaline soil leads to chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves). When the bush grows on alkaline soil, there is often a lack of iron and magnesium, which is manifested by a light and pale color of the leaves. Therefore, acidify the soil or treat the bush with an iron chelate. In past centuries, gardeners buried iron objects (nails, a can, a horseshoe). When landing, they prepare a special balanced soil mixture with fertilizers.

Planting a blue hydrangea in open ground

An empty planting hole must be carefully shed with water. The surrounding soil should be saturated with moisture. To do this, pour at least 3 buckets of water into the pit. After a day, you can start planting the plant. For planting, mix the amount of soil substrate necessary to fill the pit. Dry mineral fertilizers (50 g of fertilizer per 1 plant) are added to the specified soil composition and mixed thoroughly. You can also use specialized hydrangea fertilizers. The planting hole is filled with prepared soil substrate, slightly compacting it. In the center, a hole is made the size of an earthen ball on the roots of a seedling. The bush is installed in the hole, the roots are added dropwise with earth. The earth around the bush is compacted by hand. If, after compaction, the planting pit is insufficiently filled, a substrate is added from above. After planting, the blue hydrangea is well watered so that the entire volume of soil in the pit is saturated with moisture. Following this, the soil is covered with a layer of mulch. It consists of crushed bark or sawdust of deciduous trees. Soil mulching is necessary to retain moisture in the soil.

When planting several hydrangea bushes, the distance between them should be at least 1 m. This is necessary so that the bushes, growing, do not obscure each other. If you want to plant hydrangeas in a row, then you can dig a trench 90-110 cm wide. If you want to achieve earlier flowering, then when planting, dig holes closer to each other (70-80 cm), and after 2-3 years, thin out the bushes when need. Planting hole Depth - 36-45, width - 51-65 cm. The roots grow mainly in breadth, extending much further than the crown. Planting depth The root neck should be at the level of the soil, a maximum of 2-3 cm below, otherwise the flower will develop poorly. Now that you know how to properly plant a hydrangea, you need to take care of the plant in a timely manner.

blue hydrangea care

Hydrangea care consists in weeding and loosening the soil around it, organizing a timely and correct watering regimen. In addition, to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the bush at the beginning of summer with peat or sawdust.

In autumn, plants are fed with complex fertilizers, and in spring with urea (2 tablespoons per adult bush, diluted in 2 buckets of water and watered). This allows them to develop and form large panicles.

During the growing season, the plant can be fertilized with slurry, but if you overdo it with organic top dressing, then the branches of the bush can break off under the weight of the inflorescences.

Pruning blue hydrangea

It is important to properly form a shrub. Gardeners do not like to cut branches, but in the case of paniculate hydrangea without strong pruning, you can not wait for abundant flowering.

Pruning rules:

In the fall, cut off all the inflorescences.
In the spring, all weak and frozen branches growing inside the bush are cut out onto the ring.
In the spring, one-year growth is shortened, leaving no more than five pairs of buds on each.

Such pruning contributes to the fact that every year the bush will bloom more magnificently. What does "abundant flowering" mean in the case of hydrangea paniculata? A five-year-old specimen, with good care, will delight the owner with a few dozen panicles, and a twelve-year-old specimen with several hundred! The plant lives in the garden for 50 years or more. An instance older than 20 years old can be rejuvenated by cutting the bush to a stump. But even such pruning will not prevent the plant from blooming in the same year.

Protection of blue hydrangea from pests

Blue hydrangeas are only affected by aphids and red spider mites. These pests feed on plant sap and are able to reproduce in large quantities. Very often, the lack of control of them leads to the death of the plant.

Leaf aphids accumulate on the tips of the shoots and petioles of the youngest leaves. Gradually multiplying, it sucks the juice of the plant, which leads to twisting and drying of the tops of the shoots. Only purchased insecticidal preparations for the destruction of aphids can help in the fight against them.
The spider mite is a harmful arachnid. The mites are very small and often not visible to the naked eye. You can see only the web on the youngest leaves of the plant. To combat this dangerous pest, there are drugs - acaricides and insecto-acaricides that destroy harmful arachnids.

How to grow blue hydrangea

The blue hydrangea is a garden shrub dotted with gorgeous flowers light blue tint. The plant looks very impressive, so it is widely used in landscape design for decorating alleys and gazebos in city parks, creating hedges around houses, decorating squares near municipal buildings.

Popular varieties of blue hydrangea

It should be noted that the blue hydrangea does not belong to a single representative of its species. It got its name because of the unusual color of the inflorescences of blue and blue.

This color of buds occurs mainly in large-leaved hydrangea, there are also two-color and three-color varieties that can change their color throughout the season. In addition, by creating certain conditions during the cultivation of the plant and watering with a special composition.

Experienced gardeners learned to give hydrangea inflorescences a blue color.

Hydrangea bushes with blue flowers usually have large foliage. Inflorescences on a plant round shape, large in size and able to bloom profusely for quite a long time. At first, large-leaved hydrangea was grown indoors, as it was a very delicate plant and did not tolerate temperature changes. Over time, breeders became interested in this culture, they subsequently bred frost-resistant varieties, with a changing color during flowering, which flora lovers really liked.

The most famous types of large-leaved hydrangea with blue and blue flowers This:

Hydrangea blue: planting and care

Site selection and soil preparation

Planting blue hydrangeas is best in March or September.

A place for a garden plant should be chosen in partial shade, since the sun's rays can negatively affect the growth and development of the shrub, as a result of which the inflorescences will be small and the flowering will be short.

An ideal place for a comfortable existence would be small lawn, located near branched trees, which will create diffused lighting for the hydrangea.

And also keep in mind that hydrangea cannot be planted close to other plantings, since a flowering bush, especially with good care, can grow strongly, so there must be at least 2.5 meters of free space around it.

To ornamental plant grew healthy and delighted you with its flowering for a whole year, it is necessary to plant it in high-quality soil, saturated beneficial substances. Since the hydrangea is very fond of moisture, the soil where it will grow should always be moist and loose. To do this, you can purchase a special substrate in a special store or make it yourself.

During the preparation of the soil, one must not forget that the blue hydrangea loves an acidic environment and does not tolerate when there is a lot of lime in it. The following components must be present in the soil:

Leaf land - 3 parts.
Turf - 3 parts.
Coarse sand - 1 part.

Planting a plant in open ground

For planting, seedlings of three-year-old shrubs are suitable. You need to purchase them in special stores where plants for growing are sold, there you will surely be able to buy quality goods.

You can plant a plant as follows:

Dig a hole 50 cm wide and about 40 cm deep and pour 5-6 buckets of water into it a day before planting so that the earth is saturated with moisture.
The next day, you need to add nutrient soil to the pit and a little mineral fertilizers to stimulate root growth.
Then the seedling must be placed in the hole and gently sprinkled with earth, after which it is slightly compacted around the plant.
Now the young hydrangea must be watered abundantly with water and peat or coniferous needles should be placed on the surface of the soil around the plant.

Ornamental shrub care

First of all, blue hydrangea needs regular watering, as it very moisture-loving. Insufficient moisture greatly affects the flowering and well-being of the plant.

It is necessary to water 2 times a week, pouring 4-5 buckets of water under each bush. The main thing is to never allow the soil around the plant to dry out. IN hot weather hive recommended periodically spray. In winter, watering can be reduced to 1 time per month.

top dressing is also necessary step in the care of hydrangeas. The first time fertilizer must be applied in the spring, it should consist of a mixture of superphosphate, potassium sulfide and urea. The second time feeding should be carried out in July, during the formation of buds, superphosphate and potassium sulfide should be used here. And the last application of nutrients should be in September with the use of organic fertilizers.

Periodically, the bush should be subjected pruning. If this is not done, then the bush will grow to a shapeless mass and will not look at all aesthetically pleasing. Pruning is recommended to be carried out in several stages, given that all varieties of blue hydrangea bloom on last year's shoots.

To put the plant in order, you must do the following:

In late March - early April, a small amount of old shoots should be removed with garden shears, along the way, removing dry and damaged branches.
Annual shoots should also be cut a little, leaving about 6 buds.
If the shrub is too dense, some of the shoots can be cut off completely.
With the onset of autumn, it is recommended to cut off all the flowers from the bushes.
Feeding after this procedure is not required.

At the end of November, the bush begins to shed its foliage, thus, the plant is preparing for the onset of winter. The dormant period lasts 3 months, and with the advent of warm days, the blue hydrangea comes to life again and begins to recover quickly.

courting in winter period behind the plant is quite simple. To do this, first of all, reduce watering, but do not allow the soil to dry out. Top dressing at this time is also not needed.

If the hydrangea is planted in a separate pot, it is necessary to put it in a cool and dark place, and plants that grow in open ground must be covered before the onset of frost.

How to make blue hydrangea

There are several varieties of large-leaved hydrangea that can change the shade of their flowers depending on the composition of the soil. If the soil where the bush grows is rather acidic, then the inflorescences themselves will change their color, for example, pink will become lilac or purple over time, and white will acquire a blue tint.

But you can try artificially change color buds and here's what you need to do for this:

Before planting hydrangeas, add peat or sulfur to the ground to create an acidic environment.
You can regularly water the bush with a solution of ammonium sulfate - 15 grams per 1 liter of water to maintain soil acidity. Before such watering, it must be taken into account that the earth around the plant is moistened with ordinary water, otherwise the solution may burn the hydrangea roots.
To maintain the acidity of the soil, it is recommended to use and natural products, such as, for example, solutions from orange and lemon peels, drunk coffee, needles of coniferous trees.
Very good result by changing the color of the buds, they also give special fertilizers suitable for blue hydrangea varieties.
If some iron objects are buried near the plant, this can also affect the change in the color of the inflorescences.

It is worth remembering that it is impossible to apply all these methods for a long time, since the composition of the soil can irreversibly change for the worse and it will be impossible to grow other plants in this place. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend planting blue hydrangea in special pots designed for such plants, which can be immediately filled with certain soil and maintain the desired composition in it without any problems.