The Hortensian family has 17 genera and 260 species. All of them are divided into groups: vines, treelike and shrubby. Panicled Hydrangea Cotton Cream is one of the novelties grown in the CIS.
Description of the variety Hydrangea Cotton Cream and its characteristics
Its homeland is considered the southern regions of America and East Asia. It is a dense compact bush, reaching a height of 60-100 cm. The flowering period lasts from the second half of June to October. The flowers have a rounded shape, collected in luxurious spherical inflorescences.
Hydrangea Blooming Cotton Cream
The peculiarity of the variety consists in changing the color of the flowers at each flowering stage. Initially, they have a pale green hue, then smoothly switch to light beige, replacing it with a cream, at the final stage, the flowers acquire a pinkish tone. Hydrangea Cotton Cream is frost-resistant (easily tolerates frosts down to -35 ℃).
Grade Features
Hydrangea loves well-lit areas, with slight shading in the middle of daylight, where there is protection from wind and drafts. It prefers slightly acidic, light, breathable, humus-rich soils with good moisture.
On a note! Hydrangeas adapt well to many types of soil, except calcareous.
Landing and further care
Planting hydrangeas is simple. The first thing you need is to dig a hole with dimensions of 30 × 30 cm and a depth of 34-40 cm. Cover the bottom with a drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles, moss (not more than 3 cm), pour a layer of earth on top, consisting of equal shares of peat, turf land humus. Add sand and mix.
Outdoor hydrangea planting
How to plant
Put a seedling in the recess, carefully spreading the roots. Sprinkle with fertile soil so that the plant’s neck remains on the surface. Compact, moisten, cover the soil with a layer of mulch. Suitable sawdust, peat, chopped straw.
Watering and feeding
Hydrangea responds well to top dressing. In the spring, nitric preparations are introduced. During the formation of buds, they are fed with solutions based on phosphorus and potassium. Before the start of frosts, they are fed a couple of times with complex fertilizers designed specifically for this type of crop.
Shrub loves moisture, requires systematic soil moisture. On dry hot days, it needs 1-2 times watering per week, on ordinary days - not more than 1 time. In rainy weather, the plant has enough natural moisture.
Cultivation
Like any other culture, this species is demanding on loosening the soil to enrich it with oxygen. Periodically, the bush is released from weeds.
Pruning
The pruning procedure is practiced in early spring, before the swelling of the kidneys. Old branches are removed at ground level. One-year-old shoots are cut, leaving 3-4 buds from the base of the bush.
Important! The reason for the poor development of hydrangea and poor flowering may lie in the depletion of the soil.
Breeding
Cuttings are carried out in early spring or autumn (the first option is preferable). Young, one-year-old shoots are pruned, trying to make an even cut. Put root and plant in a greenhouse, or in a bowl with a mixture of soil. To create a greenhouse effect, the cuttings are covered with a film. Regularly ventilate and water. Rooted plants are transplanted in August to a permanent place. The fragile young bushes for the winter are covered with spruce branches (straw).
For propagation by layering, a one-year-old branch is selected, it is bent to the ground, fixed with a wood horn, leaving an apex of 20-25 cm on the surface. The fixation site is covered with fertile soil, compacted. In the spring of next year, a young, well-rooted plant is cut off from the parent and transplanted to a permanent place.
Reproduction by dividing the bush involves digging a very large bush from the ground. They divide it into several parts so that young shoots remain in each divide. Apply any growth stimulant and plant each dividend in a permanent place.
Possible diseases and pests
Usually the plant is not attacked by pests, but diseases sometimes make themselves felt. Most often, the inhibited state of the flower is associated with improper care or:
- Fungal diseases: white rot, gray rot, fusarium, septoria, powdery mildew, rust. Treated with fungicides.
- Viral diseases: circular spotting.
- Chlorosis due to lack of iron elements in the soil.
- Pests: leaf aphid, spider mite, leaf beetle, slug, snail. Destroyed by acaricides and insectoacaricides.
Important! The cause of poor plant growth in the garden can be an unsuccessful wintering and improper pruning.
Hydrangeas are often used in design projects.
Use in landscape design
Panicled hydrangea hydrangea paniculata cotton cream is great for decorating a personal plot, creating an accent in the design of flower beds. For landscape designers, any kind of hydrangea is an indispensable tool in the formation of hedges. They obscure garden ponds, gazebos. Close recesses. Curly subspecies are used to decorate facades.
Hydrangea during flowering can turn any corner of the garden into an exotic oasis and fill it with a delicate aroma of freshness, with a subtle honey note.
