Hydrangea serrata: description of varieties, planting and care rules

Serrated hydrangea is able to decorate any garden, becoming its real gem. Many gardeners are convinced that it takes skill and knowledge to grow such a shrub in the garden. This is partly true - what kind of work is it worth preserving such a plant.

The plant is appreciated by gardeners for its decorative qualities. It is a tree-like, deciduous shrub with showy flowers, loving water and warmth, native to Japan.

Serrate hydrangea is not very common, but it is capable of conquering with its unique flowering.

Abundant watering and timely feeding is the main guarantee of successful growth. Long bloom - from July to September.

Most of the varieties of the bush are adapted to the temperature range from -2 to +25 degrees. It is best to plant in partial shade, in places protected from wind and drafts. The root system is shallow, but rather spreading. Therefore, the plant gives an almost lightning-fast response to fertilizers and pollution in water or soil.

Hydrangea also has another name - "a vessel with water" - because of its peculiarity to grow exclusively on moist soil. The sawtooth shape of the leaves in the form of teeth added its name. Let's consider the most common varieties and give them a short description.

It has beautiful large inflorescences that change color during the entire flowering period. Flowers have several shades. A more intense color in the middle inflorescences is pink-purple with blue stamens. Large inflorescences along the edges are colored from pale pink, light purple to bright blue, purple. Both young and adult plants bloom. The bush reaches a height of 1.5 m. The plant tolerates frosts well up to 20 degrees.

A short, sprawling bush grows up to 1.5 m. The main feature is the ability to change the color of inflorescences from white to blue. It depends on the composition of the soil (the more acidic, the blue). The variety is winter hardy (-25 degrees). Koreana is demanding watering, which should be abundant and regular.

Grows up to 2.5 m in height. It has expressive flowers and unusual leaves. In spring and summer they are green, in autumn they are burgundy. The inflorescences also do not lag behind in a riot of colors. At first, they are yellowish-green, then bright pink, before fading, they are painted in a raspberry hue. Winter hardiness up to -20 degrees without shelter.

A low compact plant up to 1 m high. A characteristic feature is the large pointed yellow leaves that change color with age to green. Small fertile flowers are dark pink in color, non-fertile flowers are light pink in color. The plant is not resistant.

Miniature compact plant no more than 1 m high, with graceful lilac-blue or pink inflorescences with a slight sheen. Green leaves by autumn acquire a burgundy or dark purple tone. Does not tolerate stagnant water, but the soil must be constantly moist and fertilized. Does not apply to frost-resistant.

A dense bush (up to 1 m) of a spherical shape differs from its counterparts in an unusual inflorescence - in the form of a flat disc. Shades of flowers from blue to purple-red.The composition of the soil affects the shade of the inflorescences (acidic - blue, alkaline - pink). But it grows best in acidic soils. Recommended for planting in a sunny location. The variety is winter hardy (-29 degrees).

The bush is up to 1 m high. Inflorescences are numerous, umbrella-shaped, from dark pink to bright pink. This variety is distinguished by beautiful purple-green foliage, which turns purple in autumn. On acidic soils, the flowers take on a blue tone. Grows well both in a sunny place and in partial shade. Does not tolerate excess moisture. For the winter requires shelter (-23 degrees).

An unsuccessfully chosen place and composition of the soil can lead to diseases and slow development, in some cases, and the death of hydrangeas. To avoid this, you need to take into account a few simple rules for landing.

• Planting time is spring, before budding, and autumn is September, only for the southern regions.
• Place - diffused sunlight or partial shade. The bright sun significantly slows down growth. It is undesirable to plant it under trees that will take moisture away from the bush.
• Some varieties of serrated hydrangea grow in sunny places that require abundant watering. However, young seedlings are best shaded and sheltered from strong winds.
• The composition of the soil is acidic, with an approximate pH of 5.0. The presence of lime in the soil negatively affects development.

Having prepared the soil, they form a small mound, place a bush, straighten the roots, and carefully sprinkle it to the root collar, which should be flush with the ground.

A small hole is made around the hole for watering, the water should seep to the depth of the roots.

Don't forget about fertilizing your hydrangea.

Hydrangea serrata is unpretentious in care, while demonstrating lush and bright flowering. However, there are some nuances in growing them. In order to avoid mistakes and not lose the plant, consider the key rules in courting.

• For young seedlings, for the first few years, remove the inflorescences, avoiding abundant flowering. The bush needs to gain strength.
• The root system needs air to develop. Loose the ground around the bush.
• If the weather is hot (temperature above +30 degrees) watering is abundant - 3 times a day, with moderate (+ 20 ... 25 degrees) - 2 times a day.
• Hydrangea responds positively to bait with intensive growth and lush flowering. Can be fertilized with a mixture of peat, humus and leaves.
• Annual fall pruning is mandatory. Remove dry, painful twigs, as well as shoots without buds. The bush needs to be shaped. Manipulation produces a lush and abundant flowering.

The features of growing serrata hydrangea in the Moscow region are no different from general recommendations. The main thing is to cover the plant for the winter.

Anyone who loves to practice horticultural crops chooses the plant propagation method that is most suitable for him. Hydrangea is best propagated by cuttings, seeds and layering. Each of the options is effective in its own way.

Long way. It will take about three years. The method is ineffective for hybrid varieties, as they lose their specific qualities. Pre-seed preparation is not needed. Time is early spring. It is enough to sow them in moist soil, covering them with a film on top, which must be opened for airing. The first shoots can be seen in 3 weeks, they need to be grown for 2 years. Only 3 year old seedlings can be planted permanently.

Choose mid-green cuttings with few leaves and buds and no visible damage. Divide the shoot so that each division has one bud and several leaves. After the planting material is placed for some time in a solution to stimulate root development. They are planted in acidic soil, consisting of peat, sand, dry foliage and humus, also adding organic and mineral fertilizers, urea.

The procedure is carried out in the spring before bud break or in the fall. Around the bush, earth is dug up and leveled, shallow furrows are made, into which the lower branches are laid and a little sprinkled with earth so that they do not rise. During the season, you can get several healthy shoots.

In the middle of autumn, the layers are separated from each other and buried in. Young layers must be protected for the winter. In the spring they are planted for growing. After 1-2 years, the hydrangea can be planted in a permanent place.

Despite their gracefulness, hydrangeas are resistant to diseases and pests. But, like any plant, it requires constant attention.

Gardeners often face different challenges.

• Chlorosis of leaves - there is not enough iron and magnesium in the soil, excess calcium. The leaves turn yellow and brighten, the veins remain dark. Occurs due to alkalization of the soil.

• White rot - defeat by a fungus. Shoots, stem, leaves turn brown and begin to rot, becoming covered with a kind of cobweb.

• Gray rot is a fungus. Holes form on the leaves, which gradually begin to dry out. In wet weather, the disease progresses.

• Powdery mildew - fungus, yellow-green spots appear on the leaves on the upper side, and the back side has a metallic tint.

• Septoriasis - the fungus that infects the leaves appears as round brown spots. If left untreated, the disease affects the entire plant.

• Ring spot - a viral disease that cannot be treated. Develops on weak seedlings. Vague spots form on the leaves, gradually the leaves begin to wrinkle and lose symmetry. The buds are not forming, or they are too small.

• Snails - a pest of all plants that eats leaves and buds.

• Spider mite the bush strongly disfigures. Yellow spots appear on the leaves, which eventually dry out and fall off. The buds are deformed.

• Aphid damages leaves and stems by sucking juice out of them.

A video about caring for serrata hydrangea can be viewed below.