2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Himalayan hydrangea (lat. Hydrangea Bretschneideri) - large flowering shrub; a representative of the genus Hortensia of the Hortensia family. Other names are Bretschneider's Hydrangea or soil-borne hydrangea. The native land of the plant is North China. A rare species.
Characteristics of culture
Himalayan hydrangea is a large deciduous shrub up to 3-4 m high with chestnut-brown hairy shoots and a wide crown. The leaves are dark green, ovate-elliptical or ovate, velvety, opposite, toothed along the edge, up to 12 cm long. In autumn, the foliage becomes yellow-brown, thereby attracting even more attention.
The flowers are small, at first greenish, then milky-white, by autumn with a purple tint, collected in large umbellate shields. Inflorescences of adult bushes contain 400-500 fertile and 20-25 sterile flowers. The marginal sterile flowers are large, outwardly reminiscent of butterflies. The fruit is a nondescript box, ripens in the third decade of September - early October.
The Himalayan hydrangea blooms in July - August. Flowering is annual and abundant. The considered species is drought-resistant, winter-hardy, picky about growing conditions. It cannot boast of rapid growth, the annual growth is 1-2 cm. Himalayan hydrangea is one of the largest representatives of the genus, it is used both in single plantings and in alliance with coniferous shrubs and deciduous trees. Plants are often cultivated as a non-cutting hedge.
Russian breeders have bred a variety of Himalayan hydrangea, which has the name "Red petiole". The variety is represented by large shrubs with a compact oval crown and thick shoots. The leaves are large, velvety, green, equipped with red petioles, hence the name of the variety. Flowers are collected in delicate corymbose inflorescences. The marginal flowers are first white, then pinkish. The variety is light-requiring.
Growing features
The Himalayan hydrangea is photophilous, prefers moist, fertile, loose, acidified soils. Does not tolerate limy, heavy, clayey, compacted and dry substrates. Cultivation on neutral soils is possible with preliminary acidification with fallen needles or peat. Himalayan hydrangea does not tolerate weedy areas, the trunk circle should be ideally clean of weeds. In order to shorten the time of maintenance of the near-trunk zone, mulching with wood chips is recommended. This material will contribute to the acidification of the soil, which is especially important for shrubs and the brightness of their inflorescences.
In general, all hydrangeas are demanding on moisture and soil richness. On poor substrates, plants do not bloom so abundantly and develop very slowly. The soil mixture for laying planting holes is prepared from leafy earth, humus, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. And the main condition is moderate soil moisture, with a lack of precipitation, systematic irrigation with warm and settled water is important. It is not recommended to use cold water for irrigation.
In addition to watering and weeding, the culture needs additional feeding. In the spring, 25 g of urea, 40 g of potassium sulfate, 40 g of superphosphate and a mixture of trace elements are introduced under the bushes. During the budding period, the hydrangea is fed with 40 g of potassium sulfate and 50 g of superphosphate. The calculation of the amount of fertilizers is given per 1 sq. m. To increase the strength of the shoots, the hydrangea is periodically watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Also, this procedure will disinfect the upper soil layer.
Despite the fact that the Himalayan hydrangea is winter-hardy, young shrubs need good shelter for the winter. At the end of autumn, a thick layer of mulch is applied to the foot, and the bushes are covered with spruce branches or other non-woven material that does not allow cold air to pass through. In the southern regions, shelter is not required, we are talking about central Russia, which is famous for frosty winters.
During the active growth of hydrangeas, it is important to monitor the condition of the plants and the presence of pests and diseases that can cause irreparable harm to shrubs. When the first signs of damage are detected, the plants are treated with special chemicals or organic infusions. Getting rid of the problem largely depends on the actions of the pest or disease and the degree of infection.
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