Hydrangea Magic Candle - description, planting and care

Hydrangea Magic Candle or the magic candle got its name for a reason. Its appearance is similar to a carved candle. The variety can be grown in temperate regions and has an abundant flowering lasting for 3 months, starting in the middle of summer and ending by the end of September. During it, the bushes take on a luxurious look.

Hydrangea Magic Candle: variety description and characteristics

Panicle hydrangea Magic Candle: photo of inflorescence

Hydrangea Magic Candle is a compact, at the same time lush shrub plant with densely packed flowers. Plant height reaches 3 meters, width one and a half meters. If you carry out regular pruning, then the bush will not exceed 2 meters in height, but the flowering will be more abundant. Dark green leaves with serrated edges cover the shoots completely.
During flowering lasting three months, the flowers change their color from lime-white at the beginning of flowering to pink, and sometimes to a rich crimson, towards the end of flowering.
The height of the inflorescences themselves reaches 30 centimeters, their shape resembles a pyramid growing in an upright position and this makes the plant harmonious.
Hydrangea Magic Candle has a high resistance to frost. Can feel comfortable when the temperature drops to -29 degrees and does not need shelter.
Hydrangea can have different shades. The color change depends on the level of acidity in the soil. For example, where the soil is slightly alkaline, the petals will be pink or crimson, where it is acidic, the flowers will be blue or blue.

Preparing to plant Magical Candle Hydrangeas

The very first and one of the most important factors affecting the health of the plant is the choice of high-quality seed and planting material.

Hydrangea paniculata Magic Candle prefers to grow in areas with medium or low acidity, sandy soils for the plant are not suitable. If the soil is high in alkali, then it must be acidified. To do this, you can use high-moor peat or potash salt.

Hydrangea Magic Candle will grow well in open, sunny areas or in partial shade. Will not be able to grow in areas with too high humidity and in full shade. The site should be away from large trees, as their powerful root system will compete with the hydrangea root system by taking away moisture and nutrients from it.

Important to rememberthat the purchase of seeds or seedlings should only be carried out in nurseries or specialized stores. Before buying seedlings, you need to carefully examine them. They should be free of signs of disease and insects.

Hydrangea Magic Candle: planting a paniculate variety

Panicle hydrangea Magic Candle: photo

The best time to plant the Magic Candle panicle hydrangea in your garden is in spring. Planting activities are carried out before the buds begin to swell. Planting can be carried out in the autumn after flowering. Magical Candle is unpretentious, so general recommendations are suitable for planting:

• Planting holes should be twice the size of an earthen lump.
• Before planting, the roots are gently straightened and the hydrangea is placed in the hole.
• The seedling is filled with soil mixture from soil and compost, which is prepared in advance.
• The soil is compacted and young bushes are watered abundantly.

In the case of planting several plants at once, it is necessary to leave a gap of one and a half meters between them.

Hydrangea Magic Candle care

Hydrangea paniculata Magical Candle, like all varieties of this species, loves moisture. Water it regularly and abundantly, using at least 30 liters of liquid per bush. If the summer is hot and dry, then watering is carried out twice a week, if the climate is temperate, then 1 time is enough. If you add substances to the soil that retain moisture, then the frequency of watering can be reduced. The procedure is carried out in the early morning or when the sun becomes less active, that is, in the late afternoon. Watering the plant during the day can cause burns.
To keep moisture in the soil as long as possible, cover it with a layer of mulch. This can be foliage, sawdust, pine needles, or dry grass.
It is important to loosen the soil, as this allows oxygen and nutrients to penetrate better and faster to the roots.

The most suitable time for feeding will be May-June, during the period of active growth of the bush. For feeding Magical Candle, organic and mineral fertilizers are best suited.
Natural nutrients contained in compost, cow dung and bird droppings are suitable for this variety.
Mineral fertilizers are selected based on the growth period. When the buds are swelling, nitrogen-based fertilizers are suitable, before flowering begins, potassium and phosphorus must be used.

It is important to know that fertilizers are applied every 2 months after watering, this is due to the sensitivity of the root system to feeding.
Keep in mind that too many nutrients can be just as harmful as too little. If you overdo it, then you can lose flowering and observe only the growth of the bush.

One of the important measures for caring for a hydrangea bush is pruning. The high density of the crown affects the appearance of harmful insects in it. Pruning is done before the buds begin to swell. All weak and damaged branches are completely cut off, the rest are 1/3 leaving three pairs of buds on the shoots.

All removed healthy parts can be used as planting material.
When the hydrangea reaches the age of eight, it is trimmed to the very base. Thanks to this, the plant will rejuvenate by releasing new shoots and continuing to bloom profusely, luxuriantly and brightly.
Pruning influences the development of a strong root system and allows the growth of many inflorescences.

Diseases and pests: control methods

Panicle hydrangea Magic Candle: photo of inflorescence

• Powdery mildew is a disease arising from high humidity and sudden changes in temperature. You can identify it by the twisted leaves and a gray coating on them. For treatment, you can use biological drugs aimed at treating fungal and bacterial diseases.
• The appearance of aphids on a plant can be determined by punctures in the leaves and by deformation of flowers. They can be dealt with by manually removing insects, by attracting birds and insects that feed on this pest, and by using chemicals.

As a folk remedy, you can use soap dissolved garlic. In the first case, liquid soap, warm water and vegetable oil are mixed in a proportion of 2 tbsp. l. x 2 tbsp. x 1/2 st. oils. Then the plant is sprayed with it twice a day for three days.
In the second case, you will need to chop the garlic and let it brew in water. Three cloves in a glass of water. Then two tablespoons of vegetable oil and soap are added there. Next, one spoonful of infusion is diluted per liter of water and the plant is sprayed.

Outcome

Panicle hydrangea Magic Candle: video

Hydrangea Magic Candle can go well with any plant, which is probably why landscape designers value it so highly. With the help of it, mixborders are decorated, hedges are made and planted as a separate plant that decorates the garden.
Panicle hydrangea Magic Candle can be an excellent plant not only for landscaping the garden, but also for decorating it with bright saturated colors.