Oak-leaved hydrangea, all about planting, care and wintering

With this ornamental shrub, your garden can be transformed beyond recognition, and the Oak-leaved hydrangea can become the main decoration of any garden space. We are talking about oak-leaved hydrangea. Its homeland is North America, and in our latitudes this hydrangea variety is a novelty. A special feature of this elegant, weather-resistant plant is that it is equally capable of drawing attention to itself both during lush flowering and before and after.

Oak-leaved hydrangea description

With this ornamental shrub, your garden can be transformed beyond recognition, and the Oak-leaved hydrangea can become the main decoration of any garden space. We are talking about oak-leaved hydrangea. Its homeland is North America, and in our latitudes this hydrangea variety is a novelty. A special feature of this elegant, weather-resistant plant is that it is equally capable of drawing attention to itself both during lush flowering and before and after.

This large deciduous shrub, reaching a height of up to two meters, has one distinguishing feature - they look like oak leaves. Nice texture, size and seven blades - this is all about the leaves of the Oaky hydrangea. In size, the leaves grow up to 25 centimeters, with sharp jagged edges.

On fresh shoots and young leaves there is a light white fluff, which disappears over time, but leaves its marks on the inside of the leaves.

In the warm season, hydrangea leaves are dark green, and from September their color will gradually change to a rich crimson. In such a dress, the shrub is simply magnificent even during its wilting.
Oaky hydrangea is distinguished, in addition to leaves, of course, and flowers in the form of white panicle inflorescences. They are quite large (up to 3 cm) and are collected in a cone-shaped formation. The plant pleases with flowering until deep autumn days

The straight trunk of the Hydrangea has a lignified base and many branches. The plant's growth rate is high: in about 3 years, it can grow into a lush shrub with half-meter shoots.
The root system can be said to be branched and shallow.

About climatic conditions

The frost resistance of oak-leaved hydrangea is quite high, however, if there is no proper care in the territory of central Russia, then it may not survive temperatures below -28 degrees. The southern regions are where the hydrangea thrives. But it happens that in the suburbs, for example, she winters well.
For young plants, it is recommended to create obligatory shelters in the winter or transplant them into pots and take them indoors. In the spring - transplant to open ground. As the plant grows older, it will become much better at tolerating cold temperatures.

Oakleaf hydrangea varieties

Some of the most common varieties of this hydrangea are "Harmony" and "Applause".
Hydrangea oak-leaved Harmony - this ornamental shrub with spherical and flat large inflorescences (up to 0.3 m in diameter) of a conical shape has a fairly long flowering period - from June to August. The petals are white or cream colored. The height of this shrub can reach up to two meters.Much is interesting in this variety of hydrangea: the color of the shoots is reddish-tomentose; three to seven-lobed "oak" leaves; together with the dark green and smooth outer side of the leaves, a fluffed felt inner side; and the size of these very leaves is up to 0.2 meters! Numerous dazzling white flowers gather in paniculate inflorescences, which, when blooming, change their color to pink. And the color of the leaves in the fall changes to a red-orange and burgundy color.

Hydrangea oakleaf Harmony loves sour, moist, fertile and light soil. Despite the frost resistance, the bushes are sheltered in the winter.

The hydrangea is oak-leaved Applause, reaching a height of up to two meters, wrinkled dark green leaves and long paniculate white inflorescences. Sterile flowers are white, while fertile flowers are greenish. The flowering period for this variety is also quite long - from July to September. Applause oak-leaved hydrangea bushes love both sunny areas and partial shade. This variety is distinguished by its bright decorative effect, thanks to its large openwork leaves with a border.
The preferences of this variety are for fertile and moderately moist soils.

Oakleaf hydrangea planting and care

Among newcomers, a false statement is common about the capriciousness of the oak-leaved hydrangea. But this is not at all the case. With a competent approach, complex care is not required.

The plant is planted in open soil in the spring. The prepared hole should be partially filled with fertile soil (red peat, pine litter are suitable).

The plant is placed at a shallow depth and the roots are covered with soil. The soil is compacted and watered. For some time, the seedling will take root, and it will need to provide a shady place and water it well.

Be sure to take soil quality seriously before planting. The soil must not contain lime. The soil needs to be loose, fertile, well-drained and acidified.

The soil is acidified every two weeks with the help of fertilizers to achieve a pH level of about 4.5-6.5. The soil must be regularly moistened (there should not be any drying out!). This task can be easily solved by using annual mulching in your arsenal for caring for oaky hydrangea. Watering should be warm, water consumption - three buckets per bush.

We figured out the composition of the soil, now it's worth going to the planting site. This is the most important stage. Firstly, hydrangea does not like the scorching rays of the sun. For her, a great place will be - the shade, and this will not affect the flowering of the culture in any way. Temperature drops for her are not a problem, but nevertheless, be careful with hypothermia (such as, for example, spring frosts).

It's time to talk about feeding for hydrangeas. For active growth and lush flowering, organic and mineral fertilizers with iron and magnesium are needed. Complex fertilizers should be applied during the planting period and throughout the subsequent season, that is, twice a year. So, the time for complex mineral fertilizers in the form of superphosphate, urea, potassium sulfur - the horses of spring - early summer. And further, you need top dressing 2 times a month until mid-summer. As a result, feeding is stopped in the month of July in order for the plant to become woody before winter.

Do not bust with fertilizer, otherwise it can lead to fragility of the branches due to large and heavy inflorescences.

Now about the propagation of hydrangeas: there are several ways - cuttings, dividing bushes, seeds and grafting.

• Cutting is best done in mid-summer when the plant is in bloom. It takes root within a month, this requires shade and moderate summer temperatures (up to 20 degrees). It is important to remember that cuttings of lignified shoots are not carried out: they are not suitable for these purposes.
• The division of the bushes is carried out in the spring or in the fall. For these purposes, the plant is dug out of the ground and divided into parts, leaving several buds on each, from which new shoots will soon appear.
• Reproduction of oak-leaved hydrangea by seeds is not an easy task. It is difficult, but possible. For this purpose, sowing boxes are first prepared, where peat, sand, humus are placed. Sow and regularly watered with a spray bottle. Spring sowing brings seedlings in 30 days, while in autumn the plants will reach a height of up to half a meter.

Pruning is done in the spring before fresh foliage blooms. The plant is eliminated from weak, damaged branches, and in powerful ones, 4-6 buds are left. On summer days, they get rid of drying inflorescences, which will allow the young to gain strength.

Oak-leaved hydrangea wintering

For this plant, competent wintering is simply necessary, this is especially important for a young hydrangea. A young seedling is transplanted into a pot container and kept in a heated room. Mid-December is the time when the hydrangea, having lost its foliage, falls asleep. That is why it should be placed in a dark place and watering should be reduced.

By the time the plant wakes up (April), bud swelling can be observed. Right now, the plant needs to be put to the window, into the light. Irrigation with fertilizers is gradually introduced. And closer to May, the hydrangea is planted in open soil in the garden.

In the south and west of Russia, oak-leaved hydrangea will easily survive the winter, it does not have to be transplanted into a pot and cleaned indoors. But, a winter shelter is necessary for her. The plant is covered in autumn (October-November). To do this, bending the branches to the soil, cover the hydrangea with a covering material.

In the spring, the plant is gradually freed from the shelter. Pay close attention to the weather forecast so as not to miss sharp frosts. After passing all the dangers, you can fully open the plant.

Diseases of oaky hydrangea

Despite its resistance to many diseases, oakleaf hydrangea may not fight gray rot, downy mildew or fungal infection. It is important to know about the causes of diseases.
For example, due to high humidity, powdery mildew appears. Often, in order to get rid of it, it is enough to normalize the microclimate near the bush.

Or, due to the high content of lime in the soil, the plant may develop chlorosis (yellowing of the foliage). Iron supplements will help here.

Hydrangea can be overtaken by an invasion of aphids, pointed noses, spider mites or weevils. Disposal is impossible without spraying with special preparations (Karbofos, Actellik).

Proper care of this magnificent plant guarantees long-lasting beauty. Oak-leaved hydrangea is one of the few that pleases with its uniqueness, both in flowering and faded state. Spectacular and colorful, it is becoming more and more popular every year among both beginners and professional gardeners.