3 new varieties for your collection…Planting, caring for and propagating plants

When July comes, hydrangeas bloom in various shades of blue, lilac, white, lemon, pink and red.

They are widely used in single plantings, groups in gardens and parks, flower beds, tubs, roof gardens, and courtyards. Hydrangeas – quite unpretentious. They are easy to grow. If you choose different types, then you can enjoy their flowering for a long time, from summer to autumn. At one place hydrangeas can be grown for many years. Why not a godsend for the “eternally busy” grower?

Hydrangea serr. ‘Bluebird’ (Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’). Spectacular hydrangea, as if specially created for admiration! The name of the variety sounds translated as “Blue Bird”. He is able to decorate any site and give it a special flavor. It differs from other varieties in that even young plants have a large number of inflorescences. In addition, it is a rather unpretentious plant. The color of the inflorescences is pale blue or white when grown in acidic soil. Or mauve if grown in more alkaline soils.

serrate hydrangea – it is not large tree shrub oval shape with a dense crown. Her homeland is Japan. She is the second most popular after hydrangea macrophylla in the world. The bush is covered with very beautiful inflorescences in the middle of summer. The height of the plant is about 150 cm, and its width is 100-120 cm. The bush is spreading. The flowers are collected in inflorescences-shields. Their shape is flat or slightly bulging. The size of the inflorescence is about 10-15 cm in diameter. The flowers change color depending on the acidity of the soil.

In the very center of the inflorescence there are small fertile flowers, and along the edge there are large sterile flowers (which bend down when flowering). The size of sterile flowers is about 2-3 cm in diameter. Leaves ovate, 5 to 15 cm long, pointed at apex. Their color is light green, with single red markings. Annual shoots are painted green, and lignified shoots are dark brown. The branches are raised.

Hydrangea serrata Bluebird

‘Bluebird’ grows in humus rich soil with good drainage. She feels good both in sunny areas and in partial shade. Prefers slightly acidic soil; heavy clay soils with poor drainage should be avoided. Ideal as a flowering plant in the garden, balcony or terrace. Requires a lot of space in the flower bed (more than 1.5 m). Very hygrophilous. Frost resistance is high: withstands temperatures down to -29°C frost. It will thrive well in northern areas where many other hydrangeas tend not to grow well. If hydrangea flowers are pink instead of blue, acidify the soil with aluminum sulfate. But at the same time, avoid overdosing, as they are harmful to the roots. Flowering period: from mid-summer to early-mid-autumn. Do you like the mass of bright colors? Then choose the hydrangea ‘Bluebird’.

Hydrangea Peppermint

Hydrangea macr. ‘Peppermint’ PBR ® (Hydrangea macrophylla Peppermint (‘RIE13’) (PBR)). New! Spectacular hydrangea large-leaved, as if specially created for admiration! The name of the variety sounds translated as “Peppermint” or “Mint”. It was bred in Japan (from Kyoto). Originator: Ryoji Irie. The two-color variety wins the heart at first sight. Beautiful combination of colors! Flowers can be white-pink or white-blue. The plant blooms easily and has a stable structure. She will give a lot of flowers. Unlike other two-color varieties of hydrangea, this variety has a powerful root system. Very hardy.

Hydrangea macrophylla – This is a large shrub that is covered with beautiful inflorescences in the middle of summer. The height and width of the plant is about 100 cm. The bush is compact. Umbrella inflorescences consist of showy sterile flowers surrounded by sepals. The sepals are two-colored: milky white contrasts with a longitudinal stripe of pink (or blue) on each of the petals.

The inflorescences are large, spherical in shape, purple-blue when grown in acidic soil, or dark pink when grown in more alkaline soils. Sepals with smooth edges. The leaves are pointed, serrated, deep green. They look spectacular throughout the season. The fruits are not decorative. The hydrangea grows at a fast pace, and under ideal conditions, you can expect it to live for about 20 years. Ideal as a flowering plant in the garden, balcony or terrace.

‘Peppermint’ does well in both full sun and partial shade. Prefers slightly acidic soil; heavy clay soils with poor drainage should be avoided. Requires a lot of space in the flower bed (more than 1.5 m). Very hygrophilous. Frost resistance is high: withstands temperatures down to -29°C frost. It will thrive well in northern areas where many other hydrangeas tend not to grow well. If hydrangea flowers are pink instead of blue, acidify the soil with aluminum sulfate. Flowering period: from mid-summer to early autumn. Do you like mass of flowers? Then let yourself be seduced by Hydrangea ‘Peppermint’.

Hydrangea macrophylla Rotschwanz

Hydrangea macr. ‘Rotschwanz’ (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Rotschwanz’). New! Spectacular hydrangea large-leaved will delight you with its beauty! The name of the variety sounds translated as “Redstart” (bird). It was released in Japan. Other name: Hydrangea macrophylla Red Star. It differs from other varieties in inflorescences of tiny fertile pink and white flowers surrounded by large wine-red sterile flowers. Hydrangea macrophylla – This is a large shrub, with a spherical crown, which is covered with beautiful inflorescences in the middle of summer. The height of the plant is about 150 cm, and its width is 100 cm. The bush is fluffy. Inflorescences-umbrellas are large, flat. Sterile large flowers. There are up to 15 flowers per inflorescence. The sepals are painted in a rich wine-red color. In acidic soils, the color of the flowers will be purple.

Sepals with smooth edges. Flowering period: from mid-summer to early autumn. The leaves are pointed, serrated, deep green. They look spectacular throughout the season. The fruits are not decorative. The hydrangea grows at a fast pace, and under ideal conditions, you can expect it to live for about 20 years.

Hydrangea macrophylla “Rotschwanz” feels good in partial shade. Prefers slightly acidic soil; heavy clay soils with poor drainage should be avoided. Hydrangea requires a lot of space in the flower bed (more than 1.5 m). Very hygrophilous. Smoke and gas resistant, therefore ideal for growing in the city. Requires pruning of weak and last year’s shoots. Frost resistance is average: withstands temperatures down to -20 ° C frost. Therefore, this variety requires careful shelter for the winter. Inflorescences after flowering can be left – they have an attractive appearance. Flowering period – mid-summer – early autumn.

Published: 30.06.2015