Hydrangea Bretschneider

The Bretschneider Hydrangea (Purple Queen) is one of the most famous and incredibly attractive varieties that belongs to the type of perennial hydrangea. It was bred very many years ago, and for a long time it grew exclusively in China, before it began to be cultivated in some other countries.

The Bretschneider hydrangea variety first came to Europe, conquered gardeners and florists there, and only then began to grow abundantly in our country. The peculiarity of the hydrangea of ​​this variety is not only that the inflorescences have incredible beauty and attractiveness, but also that the flowers adapt perfectly to the climatic conditions of our country, and in some areas they can be very harsh.

With all this, not every flower can boast of such data, which is why we distinguish Breitschneider's hydrangea among many other varieties. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on what this variety is, what are its features and key characteristics, as well as on what are the subtleties in planting and caring for this hydrangea.

Hydrangea Bretschneider: variety description

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

Bretschneider's hydrangea is an incredibly attractive plant, which is completely unpretentious and not capricious if we are talking directly about care measures and characteristics. Hydrangea Purple Queen is perfect for decorating flower beds and lawns, personal plots. With all this, hydrangea can look great both in single plantings and in whole flower arrangements. It can be planted with small flowers, shrubs, trees - everywhere hydrangea will take its place, look very stylish and fresh.

Bretschneider's hydrangea is a bush that can reach a height of almost four meters if properly cared for. The crown is very wide, looks very decorative, while it is round and responds well to trimming and shaping measures.

The Bretschneider groundcover hydrangea blooms in July and continues until August. The flowers are very small, collected in inflorescences, the diameter of which can reach fifteen centimeters. In general, if you plant a hydrangea in the most favorable conditions, then the inflorescences will turn out to be even larger - up to thirty centimeters. Flowers in the very middle (middle flowers) can fall off early enough. But the flowers located along the edge can delight the gardener for a very long time.

After the hydrangea shrub has completely bloomed, then fruits appear on it. The grower can collect and dispose of them, or leave them directly on the plant. In this case, seeds will crumble from the fruits, and new bushes may grow. The leaves are ovoid, their length can reach twelve centimeters, from the outside they are very smooth, almost glossy. They look incredibly attractive and decorative.

Shoots are straight, closer to the winter period, they gradually become woody. In general, the hydrangea of ​​this variety is not a frequent visitor to the plots, and it is very rare to find it there. But it can be found in botanical gardens and greenhouses. As it has incredible attractive properties and actually fits perfectly into the design.

Despite the fact that Bretschneider's ground cover hydrangea (Purple Queen) perfectly adapts to the climate of our country, and also perfectly tolerates severe frosts, sometimes additional measures are required from gardeners to protect the plant and create certain conditions for it so that the bush feels even better , did not dry out and did not freeze.

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

Designers who design flower beds and landscapes often plant this hydrangea, using it as a background. Also, Bretschneider's hydrangea goes well with many other shrubs, which are not as large as itself. For example, hydrangea goes well with decorative viburnum and hawthorn, as well as mountain ash. But again, it is worth justifying such a neighborhood, since each culture has its own characteristics and needs, if we are talking directly about care measures.

The flowering of the shrub is very lush, it gives long-lasting and attractive inflorescences, which amazes the imagination of any gardener and florist. At the same time, the hydrangea variety has a high immunity and a level of stress resistance. It is also distinguished by its high resistance to frost and temperature extremes.

Therefore, hydrangea can survive even the most severe frosts, without receiving special severe damage. The gardener can choose hydrangeas according to their interests, needs and tastes, in any shape and absolutely any size. For each site, its own varieties are selected, and therefore the gardener is never wrong with the choice.

One way or another, the Bretschneider hydrangea we are considering is a completely unpretentious flower that does not require great attention and some intricate care measures.

The purple queen ground cover bush has a long life, every year its flowering becomes more abundant and attractive. Which, of course, is the special advantage of this variety. The peculiarity also lies in the fact that in the process of flowering, the inflorescences can change their color. Initially, from a white shade, they turn reddish, and then the shade completely changes to purple.

Gardeners say they are very attracted to this process. Since it seems that flowering is carried out not by one shrub, but by several at once. And this is indeed the greatest decorative advantage of Breitschneider's hydrangea.

The Bretschneider ground cover hydrangea variety also has minuses. One of them is that this hydrangea is still a rather rare guest in Russia, so it is very difficult to find it in nurseries or breeders. But nevertheless, it is gaining more and more popularity and, one way or another, if everything develops at the same pace, then very soon it will be possible to find this hydrangea in almost any nursery in our country.

In the next part of the article, we will dwell in more detail on how to choose the right place for planting hydrangea, plant it on the site and take care of it in order to get an excellent result in the flowering of this variety of ornamental shrub.

Bretschneider ground cover hydrangea: planting and caring for a plant

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

Bretschneider's hydrangea grows well both in partial shade and in sunnier areas. Moreover, if these are open areas, the hydrangea can acquire a more serious decorative appearance and features. She will become even more attractive. But all this is achieved only on the condition that the gardener provides the plant with regular watering, will look after it and meet the needs in case it is really necessary.

If allowed to dry out, this will simply lead to the fact that the leaves of the hydrangea will be damaged by direct sunlight, they will be dried out, and the shrub itself will lose its decorative appearance.

Therefore, it is best to constantly maintain soil moisture and prevent moisture deficiency. Also, do not plant shrubs where there are drafts or too strong gusts of wind.

Same soil should not be calcareous, dense. Ideally, the Bretschneider hydrangea takes root in more acidic and loamy, light and loose soils. At the same time, the flower does not react very well to winter dampness, since winter for it is a state and a period of rest and rest. And the dampness will force him to use some resources, which were originally intended in order to grow and develop, give abundant flowering and delight the gardener with their decorative appearance.

Hydrangea Purple Queen is recommended to be planted in open ground either in the spring, or already in the middle of autumn. It is optimal, of course, to plant it in early spring, since this will be a universal time for both hot regions and those regions where the climate is not warm and stable.

Due to the fact that the Bretschneider hydrangea will be planted in the spring, over the summer it will have time to acclimatize and adapt to new conditions, take root and establish its own immune system, which will protect the hydrangea from diseases and pests.

In addition, thanks to planting in spring, the plant will avoid stressful wintering. Since not every flower and shrub culture can withstand these conditions and can function normally next year, not to mention full flowering.

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

So, of course, when choosing between spring and autumn planting, you should determine all the pros and cons, and then decide for yourself what period will be most optimal for the seedling.

The universal way of propagation of hydrangeas is grafting... The gardener can buy cuttings in specialized stores or in nurseries, where experts set themselves the task of making high-quality planting material.

In this case, the cuttings can be cut off yourself. They are carefully prepared in advance for planting between April and July. Cuttings are neat annual shoots, the length of which does not exceed fifteen centimeters, and it is best to cut them at right angles.

Cuttings should also be treated with growth stimulants, and then planted in a pre-prepared nutrient soil. If the first flowers begin to appear on the cuttings, then in the first year experienced gardeners recommend cutting them off completely. Then, for the next season, the gardener will be able to enjoy a stronger and more abundant flowering.

Closer to winter, it is best to cover the shoots to protect them from freezing. It is recommended to choose the soil for planting acidic and sufficiently moist, and it is best to take care of this in advance, preparing the soil for planting hydrangeas. If planting is carried out in the spring, then the plant should also be cut off additionally and no more than four large viable buds should be left on it.

Of course, you can also use and seminal method of propagation of hydrangeas. But some gardeners emphasize that seed reproduction is a long and very meticulous process that takes a huge amount of time from the gardener himself.

In addition, seed propagation may not always lead to the desired result, so of course it is best to use good old cuttings. And then the gardener, even the most inexperienced, will have more chances to get a decent result in growing such incredibly beautiful and attractive flowers.

Since the Bretschneider hydrangea is a flowering shrub, it responds well to aboutillumination and on watering... In addition, in principle, the bush perfectly tolerates partial shade, but here it is worth taking care of other conditions of care.

One of these agrotechnical conditions is the regular watering of hydrangeas. In particular, watering should not be neglected at a time when the temperature reaches its maximum, and a dry period begins. But at the same time, the soil should not be completely wet and muddy. Such a plant will definitely not survive. Bacteria, microorganisms that cause diseases will begin to develop.

Therefore, after each watering process, it is necessary to very carefully loosen soil as well mulch her. It is better to water with settled, rain or melt water, as it is ideal for hydrangeas both in terms of their temperature and their useful composition.

In other cases, of course, it is better for the gardener to keep in mind that the water should not contain additional impurities. And in principle, it should not contain limestone or other elements that do not have the most positive effect on the general condition of the plant. Depending on the condition of the bush, its age, size, the gardener independently regulates all the rules for planting and watering. In addition, it also focuses on the general climatic conditions, so that in all these aspects it is worth being extremely careful.

In the summer, Bretschneider's ground cover hydrangea needs feeding mainly with mineral components and fertilizers. But even here one should observe the measure, otherwise it will lead to the fact that too large and lush inflorescences will damage the bush, and the branches will completely break under their weight. It is also worth watering in very hot, dry weather.

Loosening is also an important aspect. If the gardener observes all the rules of agricultural technology, then there is a high probability that the plant will turn out to be incredibly attractive, decorative, strong and healthy. And this is exactly what will be enough for absolutely any gardener in search of ideal plantings on his site and in the garden, in flower beds.

Spring is best to exercise pruning hydrangeas. And right there it is worth relying on climatic conditions and on the region in which this bush grows. In general, pruning can be done at a variety of times. And, as a rule, pruning is carried out immediately after the buds begin to swell.

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

In order for the crown to successfully form and look extremely attractive, pruning is one of the most significant options, so here it is also worth paying very serious attention to such a procedure.

In addition, pruning is required in order to sanitize the bush and rejuvenate it. If the hydrangea has reached a certain age, its inflorescences become much weaker than they were before. Diseased, dry, wilted and non-viable branches are cut, as well as those shoots that grow inside the crown and cause it to thicken excessively.

In response, the bush will perfectly tolerate frosts and temperature changes, and will be able to grow even in those regions of Russia where, it would seem, not the most favorable conditions are created for this bush to grow safely. If, nevertheless, Bretschneider's hydrangea grows in cold regions, then it is recommended to cover it for the winter, using agrofibre, thermal insulation materials, as well as improvised means - branches or spruce paws.

As we mentioned earlier, Bretschneider's hydrangea reproduces in several ways - by seeds, by cuttings or by dividing bushes. The choice of method depends entirely on the interests and needs of the gardener himself, as well as on his skills and abilities. There are no specific guidelines or restrictions, and in general, hydrangea grows well with any method of propagation.

Diseases and pests

This plant is very resistant to a variety of common diseases, but sometimes you should still treat the plant more carefully, examine it and take some preventive care measures.

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

For example, the main pests of hydrangea are insects such as:

• leaf aphid. This pest can multiply very quickly and suck out all the useful and nutritious juices from the leaves and stems. At the initial stage, when there are not so many aphids yet, you can get rid of them if you rinse the plants with a powerful jet of water. But this should be done very carefully so as not to harm the shoots and inflorescences. If the aphid has multiplied too much, then such a standard remedy will not be enough. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plant with narrowly targeted and special means, including Fitoverm, Iskra, Bison or Aktarin. Processing is carried out only in accordance with the instructions for use, otherwise you can cause even more damage to the plant.
• spider mite Is another pest that actively spreads to plants. These mites can very quickly entangle the plant and prevent it from developing normally. In order to fight the spider mite, it will be enough to use some special means - Tiofos, Akarin, Lightning. It is important to correctly determine that it is this pest that infects the plant, and then it will be much easier to choose drugs to combat it.
• slugs - these pests are not very opposed to feasting on the leafy part and branches. But most often it attacks only those parts of the plants that are planted too close to each other, and those parts of the plant are not ventilated at all. It is in this environment that slugs are most comfortable to grow, develop and, most harmful, reproduce. In order to get rid of slugs, you need to use a drug called Molluscicide. The granules are scattered over the soil surface, and then watering can be carried out.

Conclusion

Hydrangea Bretschneider: Photo of the variety

In general, Bretschneider's hydrangea does not cause much trouble to the gardener himself, but problems may arise either in the case of an incorrectly selected planting site, or if the grower does not comply with all the conditions of agricultural technology.

One way or another, Bretschneider's ground cover hydrangea (Purple Queen), as it grows and develops, turns into a very attractive and decorative shrub that can decorate almost any garden plot with its appearance.

Due to the fact that it is unpretentious, even that gardener who has absolutely no experience in planting and caring for such shrub plantings can handle it.