Hydrangea Radiant

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Radiant hydrangea (lat. Hydrangea radiata) - ornamental shrub; species of the genus Hortensia of the Hortensia family. It occurs naturally in the eastern regions of North America. Grows in forests and mountain slopes. In central Russia, it is not used for landscaping parks and gardens, since it has low winter-hardy properties.

Characteristics of culture

Radiant hydrangea is a deciduous shrub up to 2 m high with pubescent young shoots. The leaves are pointed, opposite, oval, ovate or oval-lanceolate, rounded or cordate at the base, up to 12 cm long. From the outside, the foliage has a dark green color, from the back it is whitish due to tomentose pubescence. Also, the underside of the leaves is distinguished by reticular veining visible to the naked eye. The flowers are white, numerous, collected in corymbose inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter.

The marginal flowers are sterile, some of them reach a diameter of 2-3 cm. The radiant hydrangea blooms in July - August, the fruits ripen in September. As mentioned above, the species cannot boast of frost resistance, it needs to cover the root system and the entire aboveground part. It is not suitable for cultivation in central Russia; cultivation in the Moscow region is also difficult. Radiant hydrangea has a fast growth rate, which distinguishes it from other members of the genus.

Propagation of hydrangeas by seeds

The seed method of reproduction of radiant hydrangea, in fact, like other species, is a very laborious and lengthy process, especially since it is not always possible to get seeds. But if seeds have appeared in the arsenal, you need to know several features of sowing. In the southern regions, the seeds of radiant hydrangea are sown in open ground in mid-spring, more precisely in April-May (the timing depends on the climatic zone). Sowing in heated greenhouses can be done in December.

A plot for hydrangea is prepared in advance, preferably in the fall. The ridges are slightly raised, and formwork is installed around. Peat, rotted compost and washed river sand are introduced for digging. It is important to free the area from weeds, they will be an obstacle for young hydrangeas. The seeds do not need to be processed before sowing. They are sown chaotically in pre-moistened soil. After sowing, the seeds are lightly pressed with the palm of your hand, thereby ensuring intimate contact with the ground. Coarse sand is poured over it. Seedlings appear in about 30-35 days, of course, with good care and favorable conditions.

Seedlings also need careful and careful care, namely watering and fertilizing with potassium and nitrogen in liquid form. It is important to monitor the weather on a daily basis, and if night frosts are expected, the seedlings should be covered. Weeding is also carried out as needed. By autumn, the seedlings will reach a height of 3-5 cm. For the winter, the plants are covered. The grown hydrangeas are transplanted to a permanent place for 4-5 years, by which time they will gain strength and will be ready for transplantation.

Planting seedlings

Planting of radiant hydrangea seedlings is carried out in the spring; in regions with warm winters, autumn planting is possible. The optimum distance between plants is 1-1.5 m. The root collar is not buried when planting. The depth and diameter of the planting pit depend on the size of the root system with an earthy clod. A third of a 10-liter bucket of peat and humus mixed with the top layer of earth is brought to the bottom of the pit. After planting, watering is carried out with soft, warm and settled water, and mulching if desired. In general, the second procedure allows you to simplify maintenance, to be more precise, get rid of weeding and lengthen the intervals between waterings, since mulch retains moisture in the soil for a longer period.

If mineral fertilizers were not applied during planting, you can postpone this operation until the beginning of June. For top dressing, it is recommended to use slurry (1:10), potash and ammonium nitrate, and superphosphate. The amount of fertilizer depends on the degree of soil fertility on the site. Re-feeding is carried out after two to three weeks. Both dressings will speed up the process of survival of the seedling in a new place and the laying of flower buds next year, and prepare the plants for wintering. As for winter: in the fall, the foot of young hydrangeas is spud, covered with a layer of mulch and wrapped in spruce branches.