Hydrangea in the Urals: growing rules

Garden hydrangea belongs to unpretentious flowering shrubs with good decorative characteristics. Although this shrub is considered a rather thermophilic plant, it can also grow in regions with not very favorable weather conditions. So, for example, it can feel good and grow in the mountainous Urals, but only with a well-chosen area for growing and when performing high-quality actions for caring for this plant. In this article we will consider all the nuances of growing this ornamental shrub in such a difficult climatic climate, as well as which varieties of hydrangeas will take root best and faster in the Urals.

Features of weather conditions in the Urals

The weather conditions are different for all regions of the Urals. In the northern and subpolar Urals, the owl's summer period lasts only one month, and the air temperature in July, on average, does not rise above 6 degrees. In the southern and middle Urals, climatic values ​​are much milder. Summer air temperature is 20 degrees on average here, and sometimes it can rise up to 28 degrees. In winter, the temperature here drops to -21 degrees, but there are frosts and up to -35 degrees. And in such regions, it is quite possible to grow hydrangeas, but only those varieties that are resistant to frost.

The most important difference between the Ural climate is not the same distribution of precipitation. This is due to the fact that the mountain range of the Urals holds large air masses, therefore in the Cis-Urals the average annual precipitation is much higher than in the Trans-Urals. Also, these regions have different air humidity. In the western Urals, the climate is moderately continental, and in the east, a continental climate prevails. The difference between winter and summer temperatures in the part of the Cis-Urals is 38-43 degrees, but beyond the Urals ridge this figure is much higher. In winter, there are frosts down to -45 degrees. In this case, even the most seasoned varieties to severe frosts require serious warming for the winter, otherwise the shrub will die in such rather difficult weather conditions.

Hydrangea varieties for growing in the Urals

Many farmers of the Urals are trying to grow this ornamental shrub, but not all varieties are able to take root in this region of Russia. Many species of this plant are unable to survive in such frosty winter periods, despite even serious shelter. Here you can find only such species as hydrangea tree-like and paniculate. Only the hardiest varieties of these species can withstand the region's rather harsh winters. Of the panicle hydrangea, the most common varieties in this region are:

- Vanille Fraise... This decorative flowering shrub is small in size, reaching a height of one and a half meters. The inflorescences are large in size, consist of flowers of creamy white shades, but they are able to change their color to dark red by the end of the flowering period. And the flowering period lasts until mid-September. This plant can withstand temperatures up to -28 degrees without insulation.

- Limelight 'Pieter Zwijnenburg... The bush is quite large, it can grow up to 2.5 meters. Inflorescences have a creamy white tint with a slight greenish tint.The flowering period lasts from July to the last days of September. The variety has a fairly high level of cold tolerance.

- Dart's Little-Dot. The shrub of this variety belongs to the undersized species, grows up to a maximum of 80 centimeters, outwardly it looks quite compact. Its inflorescences are large enough, collected from flowers of a milky shade, which after a while changes to a pink color. Flowering begins in mid-July and lasts until early autumn. It can withstand frost without insulation up to -28 degrees.

- Unique. It is characterized as a fairly large shrub that can grow up to 2.5 meters. The inflorescences of this variety are white, which changes to pink during the flowering period. It has a high level of winter hardiness, as it can withstand frosts down to -34 degrees without insulation.

- Kyushu... The shrub of this variety is quite large in size, it can reach a width and length of three meters. The inflorescences are elongated, consisting of white flowers and a very rich aroma. It has a rather long flowering period, up to mid-October, as well as a high level of frost resistance.

Even in these rather harsh climatic conditions, they can be grown quite successfully. tree hydrangea varieties, such as:

- Hayes Starburst... A fairly resistant variety to extreme cold, it can survive without insulation in frosts down to -34 degrees. The shrub itself is quite compact in size, reaching a height of only one and a half meters. The inflorescences are large and consist of white double flowers.

- Annabelle. The variety is distinguished by its good frost resistance. The flowering period lasts until mid-September. The bush is rather short, growing only up to one meter in height. It blooms luxuriantly and profusely with large rounded inflorescences, which consist of white flowers.

- Sterilis. The subspecies is distinguished by its rather long and abundant flowering period. On average, this period lasts from July to the end of October. At the beginning of flowering, the inflorescences have a greenish tint, and during flowering they change their color to snow-white. The variety is considered to have a high level of frost tolerance and is perfect for growing in the harsh climatic conditions of this region.

Selecting a site for disembarkation

It is very important to choose the right place to grow it before planting your hydrangea. It must be protected from the winds and sufficiently lit. An important fact is the moisture content of the soil and its composition. If the composition of the soil does not meet the necessary requirements, then before planting in the dug hole, fill it with the best soil mixture. To grow and develop well, this shrub requires a slightly acidic soil. Although in the Urals, such soils are quite rare. In most cases, there are leached and podzolized chernozem soils, as well as gray forest and sod-podzolic soils. They have an alkaline or neutral reaction, because of this, it is not possible to grow this shrub on natural soils in all places. Before planting a hydrangea, a layer of peat is added to the hole dug for it to acidify the soil.

Basic rules and dates of planting

In this region of Russia, this plant is planted in open ground at the end of the spring, with already well-warmed soil. Autumn planting in the Urals is extremely unacceptable, since the seedlings do not have time to adapt and ultimately die from freezing, despite a fairly good shelter. Before planting the plant, you should prepare the seedling hole in advance. It should measure at least 50 to 50 centimeters, and its depth should also be at least half a meter, despite the fact that the seedling itself may be small.

It is also very important to ensure the necessary volume of soil for good growth and development of the roots of the young plant. About three buckets of water are poured into the dug hole for sufficient and good hydration. After that, a young plant is planted one day later. The soil in this region of our country has an alkaline or neutral reaction, one hundred is categorically not suitable for the good development of such a plant as hydrangea. That is why for planting this plant, a pre-necessary soil mixture is prepared, which includes peat, sand, humus, coniferous soil and leafy soil. All ingredients are added in equal parts. A layer of crushed stone or sand is laid out at the bottom of the hole, and then a soil mixture prepared in advance is poured.

Then you can already start planting the plant. Just do not deepen the seedling when planting. It is necessary that the bark neck is at ground level. After the seedling is planted in the hole, the soil is tamped down and the planting site is well watered. And after that, mulching is carried out. This will help keep the moisture needed. Peat is most often used in the form of mulch, although sawdust is also a good option.

Features of hydrangea care

Depending on the climatic conditions of this region, the irrigation regime also depends. With regular rainy weather, watering procedures should be canceled, since the soil is already moist enough. Often, especially in the Trans-Urals region, the summer period is characterized by rather hot and dry weather. During this period, the shrub needs to be watered regularly so that the soil does not dry out. For better development, as well as annual lush and abundant flowering, it is required to acidify the soil under the plant. This is done twice a season. The shrub is watered with an acidic solution. For these purposes, you can use milk whey.

In order for this plant to please you with its abundant and lush flowering, fertilizing procedures should be carried out, and on an ongoing basis. The shrub is fed twice a month, from May to August. In May-June, complex fertilizing is introduced, containing large amounts of nitrogenous substances. They will help the shrub quickly acquire dense foliage and prepare for the flowering period. And in the middle and at the end of the summer period, the plant is given a complex top dressing, specially developed for flowering plants, with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. This will be able to support the flowering period and slightly slow down the formation of new shoots, which may not have time to mature before the arrival of frost.

Pruning procedure

In the first three years after planting, the plant is not pruned. Only starting from the fourth year of life, spring formative and sanitary pruning is carried out in the fall, and this is done every year. In the form of sanitary pruning, dried and excess shoots of a bush are removed, which impede its growth and contribute to the development of various infections. Formative pruning is done to give the bush a high decorative effect and ensure abundant and lush flowering every year.

In the autumn period, dried inflorescences are removed from the shrub. During this period, all foliage is removed, except for young leaves at the very tops of the stems. At the same time, all dry branches are removed, as they can cause infections in the winter. After these procedures, the bush takes cover for the winter.

Formative pruning is carried out in spring. To remove damaged and frozen branches, as well as thin and weak, and of course those that grow inside the bush. Overgrown and thickened bushes are thinned out, for this the oldest stems are cut out. The most common varieties of this ornamental shrub in the Urals form inflorescences on new shoots. That is why, to maintain the excellent shape of the bush, all long stems are shortened by one third. This stimulates branching.This procedure should be carried out with a sharp garden shears.

Preparing for winter

Absolutely any sort of hydrangea that is distinguished by its frost tolerance has its own temperature limit at which it can withstand the cold without insulation. In the Urals, this is a common thing when in winter the air temperature drops to a point much lower than the temperature limit of winter-hardy varieties, as a result of which the shoots of the shrub freeze. Based on this, even the most cold-resistant variety requires serious shelter for the winter.

By the winter period, the shrubs begin to be prepared before the arrival of the first cold autumn. To do this, foliage is removed on all stems, leaving only the topmost ones. The plant is tied with a rope and covered with a special covering non-woven material. After that, it is carefully bent over to the ground and fixed with heavy objects, such as bricks and stones. On top of the shelter, it is covered with sawdust and lined with needles. And to protect the plant from excessive moisture, it is covered with roofing material or garden film.

As an option for warming for the winter, you can use the frame method of shelter. With this method, the shrubbery does not bend over to the soil. Next to it, in a circle, a frame is made of a metal mesh, filled with dried foliage and sawdust. This design is covered on top with roofing material, or a film. With the arrival of the spring thaw, the plant is carefully, and most importantly, gradually, the shelter is removed. The whole plant is freed from the shelter already with the end of the spring frost.

Reproduction

For the propagation of hydrangeas, five methods are used, these are: sowing seeds, dividing a bush, reproduction by offspring, reproduction by layering, reproduction. It is worth noting that this plant is rarely propagated by seeds, since this is a rather difficult and time-consuming method. Most often, vegetative propagation methods are used. The best breeding method is considered to be cuttings. Cuttings are prepared in the middle of summer. These cuttings are rooted in containers with a mixture of peat and sand, and under a film. In order for the cuttings to quickly adapt and take root, they need to be treated with a growth stimulant. Such cuttings are grown in containers for two more years, at least, and after this time they are transplanted into an open space.

To get layering, cut the bark on the lower branch of the shrub, and then drop it in place of this incision. This procedure is done in late spring. Often, the layers start up roots before the arrival of autumn. But it should be separated and transplanted to a new place for another year. In the same way, they are engaged in transplanting the offspring - the lower rooted shoots of the plant. The division of the bushes is engaged only during transplantation, which is why this method does not often give a new copy. Although the cuttings are considered to be fully formed plants and can give color as early as another year. And they are engaged in dividing the bushes in the spring.

The main mistakes made when growing hydrangeas in the Urals

Very often, gardeners forget the fact that when planting this plant, the acidity level of the soil must be taken into account. This fact is unacceptable for this region, since, in general, the natural soils of the Urals are not suitable for growing this shrub. The optimum level of soil acidity suitable for good and constant growth and flowering of this bush should be 5-5.5. With a neutral soil with an acidity index of 6-7, the soil needs to be slightly acidified. And if the soil has an alkaline reaction and the acidity index is at the level of 8-9, the bush dies. Therefore, if you want to see a lushly flowering hydrangea bush on your site, then before planting, be sure to check the level of acidity of the soil. If there is a neutral reaction, the soil can be used for planting, but peat or coniferous soil must be added to the planting hole. Alkaline soil is categorically not suitable for growing hydrangeas... The soil mixture for this plant is poured into the planting hole, and then every month they are fertilized with a solution of ferrous sulfate.

Another most common mistake gardeners make is the wrong planting site. It is absolutely not worth planting hydrangeas in very dry areas, because in this case even frequent and abundant watering may not help. It is forbidden to plant hydrangea bushes in lowlands, when water stagnates. If there is no other place for disembarkation, a sufficiently deep hole is made for disembarkation and drainage from rubble is laid in it, and in a thick layer. Quite often, in the summer, these shrubs are attacked by harmful insects, this can lead to the fact that the flowers of the bush fall off, and the young shoots dry. The most bitter and dangerous enemy of hydrangeas is considered to be aphids, which reproduce on the shoots of the plant in colossal numbers. In addition to aphids, a spider mite, as well as other harmful and dangerous insects, loves to attack hydrangea. It is better not to fight with folk methods, it is better to carry out prevention with them. And only special chemicals purchased in a specialized store will help get rid of pests, even if they are available.