Modern breeders have bred many wonderful varieties of hydrangea. Her lush bushes attract with their beauty, grace, tenderness of form and luxury. This type of ornamental shrub is appreciated by flower growers due to the long flowering time, unpretentious care, and a variety of varieties. Many gardeners planting hydrangea like a tree are interested in what is it called in common people? In welcoming Japan, the perennial is called audzisai. He is considered a master of transformation, because the final color of the color of the inflorescences depends on the level of soil acidity.
Garden hydrangea is able to delight its owner with abundant flowering for a long time, if she was provided with proper care. First you need to clarify a comfortable place for its landing. Properly selected landing site is the main condition for comfortable development and its unsurpassed appearance.
Plant description
Hydrangeas are shrubs or small trees, whose delicate inflorescences consist of large flowers with four sepals, similar to petals. The form of foliage in unpretentious hydrangea is ovoid.
Hydrangea varieties
A wild species in its natural range is found in South and East Asia; a wide variety of species can be found in China and Japan. Among the varieties there are multi-stemmed shrubs and low trees, preferring to grow in shaded places, not tolerating drought.
Among the popular species is a tree-like hydrangea red, found in the wild in North America. This shrub is able to grow up to 3 m high. A large-leafed variety gives inflorescences in the form of a large scutellum up to 15 cm in diameter. Unpretentious hydrangea tree-like winter-hardy has fast growth rates.
Types of hydrangeas in the world
Experienced breeders note the following perennial species that have earned worldwide recognition:
- Panicled Hydrangea - the most adapted to the harsh conditions of the middle lane;
- The tree-like variety is a compact shrub, unpretentious in care, it is not afraid of slight frosts and the absence of direct sunlight;
- A garden or large-leaf beauty hails from welcoming Japan, she can also be found on Sakhalin Island. Sufficiently thermophilic species, requires shelter of fragile roots for the wintering period.
12 varieties of hydrangea for Russian gardens
This perennial is thermophilic. For successful cultivation in Russia, breeders advise using only proven varieties of hydrangea, the experience of growing which gave good practical results. For this purpose, new hydrangea species and varieties were developed for Russian gardens, characterized by increased indicators of frost resistance, endurance to many common diseases.
Panicle hydrangea (H. paniculatasieb.)
This species in its natural range is found on the islands of welcoming Japan, in China. A compact bush reaches a height of 1.5 m, blooms profusely, literally every branch is surrounded by spherical inflorescences. The greenish-white petals on the inflorescences gradually turn pink.
Panicle hydrangea
The first flowering of the species is expected for 5 years after planting in the ground.
Tree Hydrangea (H. arborescens l.)
This variety comes from eastern North America. It is a spectacular tree that can grow up to 1 m in height. He has a lanceolate foliage. The frost-resistant variety has enhanced decorative properties, the duration of abundant flowering is 3-3.5 months, from mid-sultry July to cool October.
The most valuable variety of the tree-like variety is Anabel, which attracts attention with its large snow-white inflorescences, up to 25 cm in diameter. Under the weight of the inflorescences, the branches of the beauty tend down. This species is characterized by unpretentious care, comfortably develops on neutral or slightly acidic soils.
Hydrangea garden
Garden hydrangea, the varieties of which are adapted to the external conditions of the Moscow Region, is appreciated by flower growers due to its long and plentiful flowering, which lasts almost all summer, right up to the strongest autumn frosts. This perennial with large ovate leaves can grow up to two meters in height. On erect strong stems, magnificent inflorescences up to 30 cm are formed in a circle in the shape of a hat. After flowering, shoots form fruits in the form of 5-chamber boxes.
Bretschneider groundcover hydrangea
This is a decorative perennial that has been cultivated for a long time. The height of the lush bush can reach 4 m, the crown in diameter - up to 3 m.
Bretschneider groundcover hydrangea
Leaf blades of a variety of oval-elongated shape with serrated edges, inflorescences change their color during the growing season from light white tones to pink or saturated lilac shades.
Interesting. Cut inflorescences in a dry form perfectly retain their decorative properties, are used to create dry compositions. At the beginning of autumn, boxes begin to ripen at the place of inflorescences. Abundant flowering and fruiting of the variety begins from 5-6 years from the moment of planting.
Leaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia)
One of the most exotic species, a short perennial up to 1.5 m high. Its distinguishing feature is large leaves, similar in shape to oak leaf plates. This species has huge paniculate inflorescences with a predominance of sterile flowers.
It is not suitable for cultivation in the middle lane and Siberia, since it does not have time to bloom. In regions with a milder climate and warmer days in the summer, the beautiful hydrangea develops comfortably and blooms regularly.
Radiant Hydrangea (H. radiata)
A deciduous shrub up to 2 m high with pubescent young shoots prefers to develop in the forests and on the mountain slopes of eastern North America. The leaf plates are lanceolate, round or heart-shaped, up to 12 cm long. White veins are visible from the bottom of the leaf blade. White flowers are collected in large corymbose inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter. The variety has low frost resistance; it is not suitable for cultivation in harsh conditions of the middle strip and Russian Siberia. It has an increased growth rate.
Ashen Hydrangea (H. cinerea)
Ornamental upright shrub up to 2 m high, its second name is gray hydrangea. Its leaves are broadly egg-shaped, on the outer part are leafy plates of an intensely green color, on the reverse side it is a grayish tone. Classical white flowers are collected in thyroid inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter. The species blooms abundantly from July to October.
Ashen Hydrangea
Reproduction of this species is possible only by cuttings, the process of rooting of chopped branches is up to 100%. Breeding by layering and dividing the bush is also possible, these methods also have effectiveness.
Serrated Hydrangea (H. serrata)
Shrub with large inflorescences boldly turn into a highlight of any garden. Its flowers are suitable for making beautiful ikebana. This decorative perennial comes from East and South Asia. It is characterized by erect shoots of 100-150 cm in height with dark green leaves of a classic lanceolate shape. The lush inflorescences framing the bush look like tender concave or convex lace.
Fertile flowers in sky blue or white, barren - classic blue or pink. The final shade depends on the level of internal acidity of the soil. The abundant flowering of this species of magnificent perennial begins in June and lasts until September. Many gardeners appreciate it for its decorativeness in the fall, when other perennials have already departed.
Sargent Hydrangea (H. sargentiana)
Beautifully blooming deciduous perennial native to China, up to 4 m high with a vertical crown and developed root system. Its branches are thick, reddish in color, completely covered with villi. The leaves are dark green, oblong-ovate, pointed at the ends, pubescent with rare whitish stripes. Sterile flowers of a white tone, fruitful - pale lilac in color, collected in an inflorescence of an umbrella-shaped up to 20 cm in diameter.
Hydrangea Sargent
The fruits of the species are nondescript boxes ripening in October. Abundant flowering of Sargent is observed in July. Beautiful Sargent is quite frost-resistant, able to withstand Russian frosts to -23 degrees. Needs obligatory shelter for the wintering period.
Rough Hydrangea (H. aspera)
Perennial up to 2.5 m high with thick branches and wide decorative leaves. Young leaves are velvet to the touch, in the autumn they acquire a brown-orange color. Large flat inflorescences are white or lilac. Hydrangea is characterized by increased resistance to frost, so it can be cultivated in the suburbs. Lush flowering varieties lasts from August to September. For growing a rough variety, a warm area with shade or partial shade, protected from blowing winds, is suitable, the soil should be nutritious with a reduced level of acidity.
Schizophragma hydrangea
The perennial is known by the names of the dissected wall hydrangea-shaped or Japanese schizophragm. This unusual culture comes from the southern part of the Sakhalin Peninsula, also found in the Kuril Islands, in the warm Japan, sunny China. In its natural range, it can be found in sparse mixed forests.
In fact, it is a 9-10 meter tall vine with numerous airy suction cup roots, with the help of which it reliably wraps around a support. Young representatives have green shoots, at the age of 2 years they begin to stiffen. The leaves of the weaving creeper are dense, placed opposite, with a rounded broad-egg shape. In winter, the leaves crumble.
Schizophragma hydrangea
Flowers are collected in inflorescences with the shape of a shield up to 20 cm in diameter. Inside the inflorescence, inconspicuous flowers are placed, in the place of which fruit boxes are then formed. During flowering, the culture exudes a pleasant honey aroma. The view blooms almost all summer. The first flowering begins only at 3 years of intensive development. After flowering, at the place of inflorescences, capsules with 10 small ribs appear, they burst as they ripen, numerous seeds spill out of them.
Hydrangea hydrangea
Perennial liana growing along the coast in sparse and dense forests. In the natural habitat, it can reach 25 m. It clings to the support with the help of aerial roots. It can act as a ground cover culture in some areas or slopes, in this case the length does not exceed 3 m. Its leaves are shiny, ovate, with a heart-shaped base on long petioles. The flowers are white-green, pink or pale lilac, collected in corymbose inflorescences with a diameter of 15-25 cm.
Abundant flowering begins in June, the fruits ripen in regions with a warm autumn. Petiole variety is resistant to lower temperatures in winter, suitable for growing in harsh conditions of the middle lane, does not need shelter for the winter. It is rarely cultivated in Russian gardens. Propagated by layering and cuttings, both methods give 100% results.
Varieties of unpretentious hydrangeas for shady places
Experienced flower growers distinguish some types and varieties of hydrangea, which can rightfully be attributed to unpretentious, stable and frost-resistant perennials, characterized by lush flowering and decorativeness.
What hydrangea is the most unpretentious of all common varieties? The most common was the unpretentious tree-like variety with large oval leaves, on top of a light green color, with a lower part of a bluish color. From June to September, a lush bush is framed by delicate inflorescences with a diameter of 15 cm. In the natural conditions of Moscow and the Moscow Region, a beautiful perennial grows and develops successfully without the need for additional shelter for the winter, and can bloom profusely even in partial shade.
The most unpretentious in leaving - Grandiflora. The variety is characterized by strong growth, abundant and long flowering, beautiful wide-pyramidal inflorescences. Over time, it grows into a tall, spreading shrub. The peak of decorative appearance falls from June to September. The variety blooms in large creamy white inflorescences. This variety has one drawback: thin branches can break under the weight of the support, and therefore require additional support.
Endless summe
Endless Summer (Endless Summer) - a large-leafed variety deserves the attention of experienced gardeners. It is able to bloom both on new and sprouted shoots. This dignity of the species is extremely important for Central Russia. Even in the case of another freezing, a lush bush in favorable external conditions can please with aromatic flowering.
Due to the unique ability to form beautiful buds several times during the active growing season, the unassuming variety was called "Endless Summer". Shades of barren flowers can vary from bright pink to blue, depending on the level of soil acidity. The species attracts attention by the fact that inflorescences of various tones are present on one plant. Catchy inflorescences are good in drying; original ikebans with a delicate honey aroma form them. Despite the high increased frost resistance, in harsh conditions of the middle strip, it is advised to mulch and cover the bushes with a special non-woven material.
The perennial perennial for shady places is ideal, since the daily presence of sunlight does not affect the decorative qualities of the species, this point is also indicated in the description of the plant. Perennial also has a high resistance to cold. Experienced flower growers advise in the first year of life to keep it in a spacious pot, then only plant it in the ground.
New hybrid varieties of low hydrangeas
When choosing a blooming beauty for your plot, flower growers should pay attention to the following compact varieties of hybrid hydrangea of small height:
- Compact "Limelight" look with strong thick shoots that do not fall apart under the weight of inflorescences. Blooms plentifully from August to October with sterile white-green conical inflorescences, which then turn pink;
- The new variety "SilverDollar" - a compact bush 2 m high draws attention to the unusual shape of the bush, a wide crown, vertical shoots. In July, it is covered with pyramidal inflorescences, which begin to turn pink by autumn;
- "DiamantRouge" - a variety of varieties of red hydrangea, a height of not more than 1.3 m. It blooms profusely with white flowers in inflorescences, then they quickly turn red. A catchy color is maintained throughout the flowering period; external weather conditions do not affect this.
How to determine the type and grade of hydrangea
How to determine if it is a hydrangea-like tree or a really lushly blooming beauty? One or another variety can be identified by the shape of the leaves.For example, panicled variety has long and hard leaves of elliptical shape, the leaf plate of hydrangea is a large, ovoid-shaped tree with a heart-shaped recess at the base, there is also a narrow-leaved variety - rough hydrangea, its leaf shape with a serrated edge, strongly bent back.
Tip. Also, one or another variety can be identified by inflorescences. Varietal hydrangea and panicled are covered with white caps of inflorescences, in large-leafed beauty they can be pink, blue, raspberry tones. The panicled species of inflorescences is large, conical in shape.
Each gardener can try to plant a beautiful perennial on his plot, to discover the wonderful world of fragrantly flowering ornamental plants.
