Hydrangea Fries Melba
Content:
The number of varieties of hydrangea paniculata is calculated in more than one dozen. Among them there are those that need special growing conditions, careful care, and completely unpretentious, but, at the same time, no less attractive. The latter include the hydrangea Fries Melba. This variety of panicle hydrangea is gaining more and more popularity among gardeners, thanks to its easy care, the amazing beauty of the inflorescences and frost resistance.
Hydrangea Fries Melba features
The variety appeared in wide sale 5 years ago. Gardeners who have been growing the Freise Melba hydrangea for several years note that it is a rather large shrub. Indeed, according to the characteristics of the variety, the plant height can reach 2 meters. At the same time, not too branched, as well as strong and tough shoots, allow the bush to maintain a compact shape and neat appearance.
The branches are dark in color, closer to burgundy. Shoots, with age, woody and turn brown. The leaves of the shrub are dark green, characteristic of the hydrangea shape, slightly pointed towards the top and wedge-shaped at the base, firmly attached with petioles to the branches.
Pyramidal inflorescences consist of a huge number of small flowers. The size of the inflorescences corresponds to the height of the shrub, they are just as large and powerful, their length can be from 40 to 55 cm.At the very beginning, the buds are white, and at the peak of flowering white, only the top remains, the bottom acquires a rich wine-red hue. It is for this color, as well as the shape of the buds, that the variety got its name, which translates as “strawberry with cream”. Long-lasting flowering is another feature of the variety. The bush begins to bloom in the second decade of July, and ends in the middle of autumn, decorating the site with itself for almost the entire season.
Hydrangea Fries Melba does not require any special growing conditions. For example, it will grow, delighting you with flowering and partial shade. In addition, the plant is not demanding on the soil. Also, hydrangea is weakly susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. The reason for this, perhaps, is the fact that all parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are better known as hydrocyanic acid, therefore, of course, you should not eat it, use it to prepare various infusions, decoctions.
Gardeners note the variety's good frost resistance. This shrub is able to withstand a drop in temperatures down to -30 ... -35 degrees, so it can be grown not only in regions with a temperate climate, but also in more northern regions. However, in such conditions, experts, nevertheless, advise to cover the shrub for the winter.
Hydrangea Fries Melba landing
Hydrangea of this variety grows well and develops both in illuminated areas and in partial shade, which makes it more possible when choosing a place for planting it, and also allows you to plant shrubs in different parts of the garden. Young, only planted plants, at first, it is recommended to shade in the midday hours, when there is strong solar activity. Excessive shading of adult hydrangea bushes will not allow the plant to bloom in full force, as a result, you may not see how the shrub should change the color of the buds at different stages.
You should not plant a bush in wetlands. In too dry places, the shrub will grow, provided it is regularly watered. Also, if possible, it is better to choose areas protected from strong winds and constant drafts.
The bush is planted both in the spring, when the ground warms up enough and frosts have passed, and in the autumn period before the onset of cold weather.
The planting hole should be at least half a meter in width, length and depth. After the hole has been dug, it must be spilled abundantly. You can start planting hydrangeas no earlier than the next day. During this time, you can prepare a soil mixture that will be poured into the pit. To compile it, it is necessary to mix well fertile soil, humus and peat in equal proportions. In addition, a drainage layer must be poured at the bottom of the hole, for which broken bricks, expanded clay or crushed stone can be used. Further, the soil mixture is poured, filling the hole by about one third. After the plant is planted, carefully spreading the roots, the remaining soil is poured and watered. If the bush is planted in spring, then for two or three weeks after planting, the plant should be shaded, protecting it from the overly active spring sun.
Plant care
Hydrangea is one of the very moisture-loving plants; the soil in the trunk circle should always be moderately moist. Therefore, if it is not possible to ensure regular watering of the bush, the earth is mulched. Peat, sawdust or tree bark can be used as mulch. It is important that the layer thickness is at least 7 cm. Otherwise, moisture will evaporate faster from the soil surface, and the root system will overheat. From spring to autumn, it is enough to water the bush once a week, with a volume of water of at least 10 liters, and during periods of extreme heat and drought - twice a week.
For proper growth and lush flowering, the hydrangea is fed by alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. From the beginning of the emergence of buds and throughout the entire flowering period, fertilizing is applied at least twice a month.
In order for the flowering of the shrub to be regular and lush, it is necessary to prune it.
In the spring, before the onset of sap flow and the awakening of the kidneys, formative pruning is carried out. This pruning is especially true for young bushes. As a result of this pruning, good illumination of the entire crown will be provided, and the bush will acquire a decorative appearance and a neat shape. In addition, this procedure will promote lush and long-lasting flowering.
Sanitary pruning is carried out in the fall, as a rule, at the stage of preparing the shrub for winter. The plant is examined, broken, damaged, dried branches, as well as shoots affected by diseases and pests are removed.
If an adult bush has ceased to please the eye with lush flowering, and the inflorescences have been noticeably crushed, then it's time to carry out anti-aging pruning. At the same time, old and weak shoots are cut off, and the remaining branches are shortened to 2-3 buds.
By the way, shoots cut in spring can be a good planting material. So, cuttings are cut from the removed branches, approximately 12-15 cm long. The lower cut is dusted with a growth stimulant and placed in a nutrient soil. You can grow cuttings both in separate containers and in the open field. Summer weather contributes to the rapid rooting of cuttings, it is only necessary to ensure regular watering and constant soil moisture. Young plants are grown in the open field, they must be covered for the winter, and seedlings in containers, with the onset of cold weather, are simply brought into the room. They will only be able to be planted permanently at the beginning of the next season.
In addition to grafting, the shrub can be propagated by layering. For this, lower, not yet lignified shoots are suitable. The selected branches are bent, fixed, with the help of staples or hairpins and a little huddled. Further, it is necessary to regularly water the layers so that they take root faster. Usually, on one branch, several shoots appear at once, from each, in the future a full-fledged hydrangea bush can grow. Young plants are separated from the mother bush not earlier than next year, when their height is 45-50 cm.
So that your efforts are not in vain and young plants grown from cuttings or cuttings that have not grown strong do not freeze in winter, they need to provide shelter. And in regions where temperatures drop below 30 degrees, the shrub itself should be covered. First of all, it is necessary to mulch the soil, thus covering the root system. Further, above the bush, you need to make a frame, for example, crossing plastic arcs. And cover the frame itself with a special material or film. Such a greenhouse will soon be covered with snow, and even very severe cold will not be afraid of hydrangeas.
Thus, this variety of hydrangea has some advantages and it will take only a little effort for the shrub to become one of the main decorations of the garden for many years.