Hydrangea Hot Red

An exquisite and not quite ordinary decoration of any personal plot will be the Hot Red hydrangea. The Hot Red hydrangea is distinguished by its inflorescences, which outwardly look like balls of fire, surrounded by large dark green foliage. Caring for this plant will not be difficult, and even a beginner can cope with breeding methods. If you want your shrub to bloom quite abundantly and luxuriantly, then you should learn about some of the rules and features of growing this variety. And with the right and timely actions, the result will not keep you waiting, the Hot Red hydrangea will take a leading place in your garden among other ornamental plants.

Hydrangea Hot Red: variety description

Hydrangea Hot Red: photo

Hydrangea Hot Red characterizes itself as a perennial deciduous shrub that has a spherical shape. Each peduncle of a plant forms on itself many small flowers of a bright scarlet color. Flowers are collected on the upper part of the main stem in a large and voluminous hat, reaching 15 centimeters in diameter. The beginning of the flowering period of this variety falls on the month of June and continues until September. But a rather long flowering period will be only if the plant is insulated for the winter. The situation is that the flowers are formed on the buds, which have been laid since the fall. In the absence of a shrub shelter in winter, young buds will not withstand the low temperature and will simply die. But the Hot Red hydrangea has the peculiarity of recovering quickly enough over the season, so in the second year you can safely wait for a new lush flowering.

The mature shrub of the hot red hydrangea is both about one meter wide and about one meter high. The growth of the plant per season is 20 centimeters in all parameters, both in width and in height. young shoots of this plant have a light green color, the upper stems grow vertically, while the lateral ones have a bend in the form of an arc. The leaves of this shrub are large and rather wide, dark green in color. Hydrangea leaves are quite densely located to each other and to the flowers. They are egg-shaped, serrated at the edges and pointed at the top. After the flowering period, a box is formed with chambers, in the amount of 2-5 pieces, inside which there are seeds. The most important thing is to monitor the level of acidity of the soil, since the shade of the flowers depends on this.

Slightly acidified soil is considered the ideal soil for this hydrangea variety. With an increase in the acidity of the soil, the inflorescences will begin to acquire a blue tint. And when grown in soil with a neutral acidity level, the flowers will bloom in white, cream or lilac color.

The Hot Red large-leaved hydrangea is considered very moisture-loving, so it is very important to treat watering procedures. But do not overdo it, it is imperative to follow the schedule of these procedures in order to prevent waterlogging of the soil.

After fulfilling the conditions for watering this hydrangea, you should seriously think about the procedure for pruning the shrub, which is also considered an important stage in caring for this variety. The shrub itself is pretty good at this procedure, but you still need to know how to properly prune the bush.

In terms of top dressing, it is not recommended to use a large amount of organic fertilizers, since organic matter contributes to a large and rapid growth of foliage and branches, and significantly reduces flowering.Due to the fact that the shrub has the shape of a ball, it can visually increase the space on the site. This feature is well applicable on small backyards and for decorating a small part of the garden.

Large-leaved hydrangea Hot Red: landing

Hydrangea Hot Red: photo

In order for the Hot Red large-leaved hydrangea to have good development throughout the growing season, you need not only to take care of the soil for planting and follow all the planting rules, but also to choose the right site for the hydrangea to grow. But even these growing conditions will not cause difficulties for any gardener, even for beginners.

• Selecting a site for growing.
  When choosing a site for growing a large-leaved Hot Red hydrangea, you should consider such points as a sufficient amount of lighting and an openness of the planting site. At the same time, the flowers can get burned from the hot midday sun. Based on this, this shrub should be planted in an area with partial shade, which can cover the bush at noon. A good option for landing would be a place near the structure and the fence, but be sure to take into account the fact that the sun's rays should fall on the plant in the morning and evening. For this, plots located in the east will be good. Also, landing near structures is able to protect bushes from strong and gusty winds. But planting these plants near large trees or in the shade is extremely undesirable, since the shrub will not be formed normally. The flowers at the bush will become much smaller, or they will not bloom at all. Although this plant is considered moisture-loving, planting it in lowlands or near surface groundwater can also rather badly affect the general well-being of hydrangeas. This fact can lead to the fact that the roots of the plant begin to rot, and the risk of infection with diseases of a fungal nature also increases.
• Preparing the soil for planting.
  The first thing you should pay special attention to is the acidity of the soil for growing. Even a slight deviation in the acidity level can lead to the fact that the shade of the inflorescences changes. An average level of soil acidity is the best option for planting a plant of this variety. When growing on rather acidified soils, the color of the flowers of this variety acquires a bright shade, but at the same time changes to a blue color. And the soil, with a predominance of a neutral level of acidity, can slow down the development process, plus it changes the color of the inflorescences to pale shades. You should also avoid lime in the soil, it has a bad effect on the plant, and you should not add chalk and wood ash to the drainage layer when planting, as this will lead to a decrease in the acidity level of the earth. Alkaline earth is contraindicated for this hydrangea, since when grown in such soil, the foliage of the plant acquires a yellow tint and the likelihood of chlorosis increases. In this case, the shrub is extremely lacking in substances such as magnesium and iron. With a low acidity level, the soil for growing hydrangeas needs to be acidified regularly, and the required amount of iron must be added to it. Top dressing should be applied to the soil in the form of mineral fertilizers with such a main component as iron. But organic fertilizers should be applied in small doses in order to prevent an excess of nutrients that can reduce the flowering of hydrangeas. Sandy soils are also completely unsuitable for growing this plant. Hydrangea develops well on clayey soils, or with a high humus content. Based on this, we conclude that it is not worth adding sand to the soil during planting. This is based on the fact that this plant is very fond of moisture.But it is also required to regularly carry out the procedure for loosening the clay soil, especially after watering or rain, so that a crust does not appear on the surface of the soil near the plant. Before planting, mix equal amounts of humus, sod, leafy soil and peat to form a soil mixture. Also, the land will be excellent for planting such a composition: two parts of black soil, one part of humus and one part of peat. From dressings, you should add according to the instructions for one kilogram of a mixture of earth: superphosphate, urea, and potassium sulfate. Experienced flower growers resort to such a choice of soil as the use of land for planting near coniferous bushes and trees, since it is a rather loose structure, slightly acidified and when using it, you can limit yourself to dressing. If you have some doubts about the acidity of the soil, as well as what kind of fertilizing to use, then you can, as an option, purchase a ready-made soil mixture for growing in specialized stores.
• Features of planting seedlings.
  This plant can be planted in an open space only after two years have passed since the formation of shoots, or rooting of cuttings. If you purchased ready-made seedlings, then do not forget to first carefully examine them for damage, infection, traces of rot and other unpleasant nuances. Seedlings should be purchased only from trusted suppliers and specialized nurseries. In order for the roots of the seedling to be preserved during the planting period, this bush should be purchased only in a container. Although in this case it will be problematic to inspect the roots of the plant. Therefore, flower growers often buy this young plant with open roots. The roots of this shrub, in good condition, should not be dry, flexible and resilient enough so that when twisted they can quickly return to their original position. It is very important to look at the condition of the buds of the bush, they must be alive and without dry edges. The top of the sprout should have an intact appearance, and the shade of the bark along the entire length should be uniform.
  It will be best to plant this plant in the spring, especially in the more northern regions of the country. This will help give the seedling time until autumn to take root and adapt, as well as prepare for the winter season. It is possible to plant shrubs in autumn only in the southern regions, where the most favorable climatic conditions for growing, for the north, this is contraindicated.

Consider the main rules and features of planting a large-leaved hydrangea variety Hot Red:

• This shrub requires a large amount of free space when growing, so a distance of about three meters is left from other bushes and trees. A distance of about 1.5 meters is required between the shrubs of this hydrangea variety. If the plant is planted as a hedge, then prepare a meter wide trench. The hole for planting a seedling is prepared in advance, about 3 months before planting. The hole should not be too deep, since the roots of this shrub are located almost on the surface. Therefore, a hole depth of 35-40 centimeters would be quite a good option. But make the width of the hole at least 50-60 centimeters so that the roots of the plant are well located, moreover, they have the peculiarities of growing not in depth, but in width.
• Next, a drainage layer is placed in the prepared hole. Pour a little soil mixture for planting, prepared in advance, into the hole. Make a small slide out of it. Place a seedling in the center of the hole, and in such a way that the root collar of the plant is located at the level of the soil surface. Then gently spread out all the roots of the shrub and cover with earth. Tamp the soil a little near the stem and make the edges of the fossa.
• After all the manipulations with planting, the young plant should be watered abundantly with warm water and the soil should be mulched. In the first few months after planting, the young plant needs to be protected from winds and direct sunlight.

Large-leaved hydrangea care

Caring for this variety of hydrangea in an open space does not require any special efforts and costs, even an amateur beginner can handle it. Although there are some prerequisites that are required to grow this shrub. And this is not only the regular watering of the plant and the pruning procedure, but also the care of the flowers, and every year.

• Caring for Hot Red hydrangea in the garden. In order for the flowers of this plant variety to develop well, regular weeding should be carried out, and quite often. This is considered one of the most important conditions for the care of a hydrangea. And this is because the roots of this shrub are practically on the surface of the earth, and the weed can take away the nutrients and nutrients and trace elements in the soil from the root system. It is because of this that the plant will not be able to develop well. Plus, weeds can be disease carriers. Also, the next most important condition for care is the procedure for loosening the soil near the bush. With the help of these actions, you will increase the aeration of the root system of the bush, and also prevent some waterlogging after the irrigation procedure. But loosening the soil should be done with great care, so as not to accidentally damage the roots of the plant. The soil should be loosened several times a season, in the spring and summer periods, and even after a rainy period. During this procedure, make sure that the garden tools are buried in the ground by more than 4-5 centimeters. In the presence of mulch, the loosening procedure is not necessary.
• Watering procedure. The watering procedure for this plant is considered a special place in the care of importance. This is because this shrub loves moisture quite strongly. Therefore, it requires regular and abundant watering, especially at a young age. But it is worth noting that you should not overdo it with watering, you need to prevent waterlogging of the soil, this is fraught with a general deterioration in the health of the plant. Also, hydrangeas will be very bad during drought, the development of the shrub may stop, or there will be no flowering at all.
  In normal weather, depending on the age of the plant, watering is required once every 14 days, and about 20 buckets of liquid should be used for one bush. During dry and hot periods, you should increase the number of waterings, about once a week. And in rainy weather, the frequency of watering is naturally reduced. In this case, the plant is watered about 4-6 times in one season.
  For the watering procedure, you should use warm water, to which a small amount of potassium permanganate is added, about 2-3 grams. This will help protect the roots and stems of the plant from rotting. It is worth watering evenly and accurately, over the entire surface near the trunk. In order for the sun's rays to not burn the leaves and flower petals of this shrub, the watering procedure should be done early in the morning or in the evening.
  In the fall, the frequency of watering should be reduced for most plants, but not for this shrub. Because if you reduce the number of watering in the fall, this will lead to a decrease in frost resistance in this type of hydrangea. Based on this, if the autumn period is not rich in rains, then watering is carried out according to the usual scheme.
• Feeding procedures. This shrub has a fairly fast growth rate and abundant, lush flowering. And the presence of such a fact requires the use of a sufficient amount of dressings. But only when the acid level of the soil changes, which leads to a change in the shade of the flowers, you need to apply the necessary fertilizers only at a certain point in time.
  If at the moment when you were preparing the soil for planting you added fertilizers, then for the first two seasons you can leave the plants without fertilizing. The first feeding takes place until the middle of the summer period and contains acidic fertilizers, the basis of which is ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate. The next top dressing should be applied between July and October, it should be composed of phosphorus-potassium substances.
  During intensive growth and before the flowering period, the shrub is fed with mineral complex fertilizers. To do this, you need to dilute 30 grams of the substance in 10 liters of liquid. At the stage of growth, the addition of organic matter is allowed, but only in small quantities. This fertilization is repeated after 14 days.
  You need to change the composition of fertilizers two weeks before the flowering period of the plant. During this period, fertilizing with potassium content should be applied. They will be able to support the formation of buds and will make the color of the flowers the most intense. At this time, we prepare a liquid top dressing in this way: we mix 70 grams of superphosphate and 45 grams of potassium sulfate with water. This solution should be watered under the root of the shrub.
  Immediately after the buds begin to bloom, the potassium-based fertilization should be repeated. This will help extend the flowering period and can provide bud-setting for the next season. Before the winter period, about one month before the shrub is warmed, it is required to make a top dressing containing bone meal.
  You should not add wood ash to top dressing, as they significantly reduce the level of acidity of the soil, and, accordingly, will give the flowers a pale shade. In the absence of special feedings for hydrangeas, complex preparations for heather crops and rhododendron can be used. Nitrogen-based fertilizing should be applied only in the last days of April, or in mid-May. A large amount of nitrogen will reduce the level of frost tolerance in the shrub, and will also contribute to the development of rot. And too much organic matter can increase the growth of the ground part of the plant and will not give out the lush flowering of the hydrangea.
• Pruning rules. This variety of ornamental shrub belongs to the first pruning group, that is, flower stalks are formed on last year's shoots. This plant requires a sanitary and cosmetic pruning procedure. The best period for this procedure is considered early spring, when the buds of the plant begin to swell and the sap flow along the branches has not yet begun. There are several phases in the pruning procedure for this plant. The first time pruning is done during the planting season of young bushes and the next season. It is necessary to remove the inflorescences at the stage of bud formation, which are small in size, about the size of a pea. These actions will help the hydrangea focus on developing its roots and the ground part. The second phase of the pruning procedure occurs at a time when the shrub is already several years old and fully formed. The whole plant is not cut off, but only slightly rejuvenated. This is done every spring by removing every fourth shoot, which is more than three years old. You should also cut off those stems that have begun to grow inside the bush. Thus, you can thin it out and ensure abundant and lush hydrangea bloom in the future. At the end of the winter period, frozen shoots, as well as damaged and weak stems, are cut at the root. In the autumn period, pruning of inflorescences is required, just before the insulation of the shrub. Otherwise, it may happen that the branches break under the weight of the snow cover.

Hydrangea Hot Red: winter hardiness

Hydrangea Hot Red: photo

At any level of frost tolerance of a plant, its insulation depends on the area of ​​growth and the age of the shrub.So, for example, in the first two years of a young plant's life, it is completely covered with dry soil before frosts, and older plants are covered with additional covering material, the edges of which are pressed with something heavy, such as bricks, or roofing material. For areas where a rather mild climate prevails in winter, it will be enough to insulate only the root system of the plant. To do this, a mound of soil is made around the central trunk, and the ground must be completely dry. In areas with a difficult and frosty winter period, it is also required to cover the branches of the plant. This must be done on a mandatory basis, because future flowers begin to form in the autumn, so they should be protected from freezing.

Before insulating this shrub for the winter period, abundant watering should be carried out for it, as well as the necessary feeding. In the autumn, you need to remove absolutely all leaves from the stems and dried flower stalks. In the last days of October, it is required to spud the stem with dried soil, and a layer of mulch is made on top, rather thick, consisting of peat, needles and sawdust. If the stems of the shrub are small, then they are gently bent down to the soil and clamped with staples, then covered with dry foliage and a wooden hammered box is placed on top.

If the Hot Red hydrangea has already reached its adult age and has long stems, then the principle of shelter for the winter is different. The stems are collected in their upper part and easily tied with a thick rope or twine. A frame is constructed from above, consisting of a covering material, and dry leaves are poured into it. This structure is covered with a garden film or burlap, and this film is not stretched too tightly around the structure, a small free space is left so that the air can flow calmly, otherwise the shrub may rot in winter.

It is quite possible to increase the resistance to frost in a shrub artificially, provided that the plant is provided with the necessary amount of fertilizers, and high-quality watering is carried out in the fall. But if you do not have strong confidence in the weather of the winter period, then you should not think about it and cover the plant just in case.

Reproduction of hydrangea

Hydrangea Hot Red: photo

In order not to spend money on buying a Hot Red hydrangea seedling, you can start propagating it at home. There are several options for this. In order to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the shrub during reproduction, it would be best to resort to such propagation methods as using cuttings and the formation of layers from strong and healthy branches of the shrub. Reproduction associated with sowing seeds is considered a rather lengthy process, and besides, it is not always successful, especially when propagating this hydrangea variety. When breeding, novice flower growers often resort to dividing the shrub. But for this method, there are a number of its own characteristics that you need to know and perform in order to form peduncles for the next year.

• Growing with cuttings. The preparation of the cuttings of this shrub should be done in three periods, this is immediately after the spring pruning, during the swelling of the buds; in mid-July, or before the initial stage of lignification of new shoots. For this, cuttings grown in partial shade are cut. First, you need to correctly select sufficiently healthy stems with small leaves and cut into small pieces, about 15 centimeters each. Each of the branches must have 3 leaf nodes. Next, you need to make a diagonal cut 3 centimeters from the lower node, and make a straight cut above the upper node. After that, you need to completely cut off the lower pair of leaves from the cutting, and leave one third of the length of the leaves on the upper part of the cutting. Prepare a soil mixture consisting of two parts peat and one part fine sand.Fill a container with this mixture and water well. Slices should be treated with a growth stimulant. Plant the cuttings into the soil at once, and this must be done to a depth of three centimeters, and the branches should be placed at a low angle. When planting, leave a distance of about five centimeters between the prepared cuttings. After you have planted the cuttings, you should moisten the soil well by irrigation, not watering. Regularly make sure that the soil is constantly moistened, but keep in mind that there should be no stagnant liquid. The container with the cuttings should be placed in a place with partial shade and be careful so that direct sunlight does not fall on them. You should also monitor the air temperature, it should not be higher than +17 degrees. The cuttings should be transplanted into separate containers after about 2-3 weeks, when they have already taken root. During this period, for the growth of young bushes, you should feed them every week, using ammonium nitrate and mineral fertilizers. If you notice that the foliage has turned yellow on the cuttings, this may mean that there has been a decrease in the level of acidity of the soil. To avoid this, you need to water the soil with a vinegar solution once every 14 days, for this you need to mix two milliliters of acetic acid and 200 milliliters of water. In the spring, when stable warm weather is established, you can transfer the seedlings to an open space for acclimatization, gradually increasing the time spent in the air, just make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on the cuttings. And in the month of May, you should do the first pruning procedure for a young bush, for this you need to remove the upper part of the plant with two fully developed leaves. The next spring, these seedlings begin to be planted in a permanent place. After the first inflorescences have appeared, they should be cut off. This is done in order for the shoot to develop and adapt well. For the winter period, in the first year after planting the plant, it is imperative to additionally insulate the young shrub.
• Reproduction by means of the formation of layers. For layering, you need to select the shoot of the previous year. The stem must be very carefully bent to the ground. A small incision is made in the bark at the place where the shoot has come into contact with the ground, and this incision should be treated with a growth stimulant. This branch should be placed in a small hole and secured with garden hairpins or thin wire. The layer from above should be covered with soil, and so that the buds on the branch are completely closed, and the upper part is above the surface. In the first few days, the layers must be protected from the wind and sun. The soil must be constantly watered so that it is regularly moist until the cuttings take root. But do not overdo it, excess moisture will negatively affect the seedling. After that, throughout the season, the young shoot receives moisture in the moisture usual for this plant. Top dressing is not necessary, the same is the case with loosening. Otherwise, you can accidentally harm the young roots of the hydrangea. For the winter period, the landing site is covered with a layer of dried foliage, or sawdust. It is worth removing the layers from the main bush only the next year, in the spring. To do this, find the most strengthened and healthy sprouts and remove them with a garden pruner, and then plant them in a permanent place of residence. Do not forget to prepare the landing hole in advance, about 2-3 months before this moment. The soil should be the same as for planting seedlings of this plant.
• Reproduction by dividing the bush. This breeding method is considered the fastest and easiest. It will be ideal if you do not want to waste time on layers and cuttings. Plus, it will be a great method for rejuvenating the shrub. It is worth dividing the bush in the spring or autumn period of the year.In the spring, along with this, you can also do a sanitary cleaning of the shoots and remove the dead branches after winter.
  Prepare holes in advance for planting new bushes of this plant variety. Please note that the size of the hole should be slightly larger than for planting seedlings, because you are transplanting an adult bush. A drainage layer is laid out in the hole, a soil mixture containing minerals is poured. The whole bush is dug out, and do it very carefully, since the root system of the plant is close enough to the surface. Further, the roots are divided into several parts, and so that on each of these parts there are approximately 2 renewal buds. Plant each bush in a previously prepared hole in the same way as when planting seedlings.
  This shrub can be propagated by partial digging. In this way, you will be able to preserve most of the roots of the plant. To do this, you need to slowly pry the root system of the shrub with a pitchfork on one side, and the distance from the branches should be 15 centimeters. Bend over the shrub and cut off the desired part for replanting. In the autumn, the division of the shrub is done by digging up the whole plant to transfer the winter. Here the bushes are divided in the same way, with the presence of buds, renewal is necessary. Only now the shrubs sit in separate containers and are transferred to the room for the winter.

Hydrangea Hot Red: reviews of gardeners

Subject to all the rules and features of this shrub, it will be able to delight you with its gorgeous appearance. Volumetric fireballs of this plant with large and wide leaves will look simply amazing even against the background of other beautiful flowers and shrubs.
There are tons of information on the internet about this chic variety of hydrangea, here are some of them:

- I knew that the acidity of the soil greatly affects this plant, but when planting, I missed this moment, so after a while the red color of the flowers became rather pale. I decided to correct my mistake and determine the acidity level first. I couldn't do it myself, so I just bought a special device in the store. After that, I constantly check and, if the indicator is too low, I begin to add leaf compost or rotted needles together with fertilizers. I also use ferrous sulfate. As a result, the inflorescences acquired a fiery scarlet hue.
Svetlana, 64 years old

- My beautiful hydrangea Hot Red has been pleasing with its lush and bright red flowers for several years, but there was one winter with very severe frosts, and it happened that my shrub was completely frozen out. After that, I cover my shrubs for the winter all the time, even though we have rather mild winters and severe frosts are extremely rare. While the bush was few years old, she simply bent its branches downward, and then covered it with sawdust and additionally laid it on top with roofing material. Well, when the bush grew, she tied its stems and covered it on the sides with a dry spruce tree and tied it with garden film. With the arrival of spring, I clean everything.
Elena, 51 years old

- It happened to me that all the bushes of this plant froze out, so I decided to dig this hydrangea variety entirely and transplant it into a container. I removed the shrubbery in the garden, watered it extremely rarely, the plant endured wintering remarkably. Only the pruning procedure with the arrival of spring must be done very carefully, otherwise you can accidentally remove the buds with future flowers.
Sergey, 59 years old