Often, hydrangea is a decoration of a garden in the regions of Russia. This plant is successfully grown even in extreme conditions. Some varieties of hydrangea calmly take root in Siberia. Lush inflorescences do not require special care, the cultivation of this green pet is even for a beginner. Still, there are certain rules that must be followed when planting and caring for a flower. The article examines the Candlelight panicle hydrangea variety and helps novice gardeners avoid common mistakes in growing.
Candlelight is the most common cultivar in Russia. Someone is attracted by the appearance of the magnificent beauty, someone believes in the magical properties of the plant. In ancient times, it was believed that hydrangea brings happiness to its owners and protects from evil eyes. Be that as it may, the pickiness and ease of cultivation are the main qualities that attract many gardening enthusiasts.
Hydrangea is a frost-resistant plant that will decorate any garden
Origin and appearance
Panicle hydrangea candlelight is a new variety of Dutch origin. The name literally translates as "the glow of a burning candle." Inflorescences have a pleasant milky color, during the blooming period they acquire a greenish, then yellow hue. The diameter of the crown reaches 2 meters, the height of the bush is from 1 to 1.5 meters. The height of the stem reaches 1 meter. Shrub shoots are durable and painted in burgundy. In the fall, inflorescences acquire a reddish hue and do not lose their attractiveness with a decrease in temperature. Hydrangea Candelaite blooms from July to October and tolerates the first frosts. As for the leaves, they are in the form of an ellipse with a serrated edge and painted in a deep dark green color.
In the cold season, hydrangea petals become more attractive due to the pinkish tint
The hydrangea shrub acquires an aesthetic appearance due to lush inflorescences of a milky color that bloom continuously until severe frosts. The inflorescence has the shape of a cone, consisting of small flowers that fit tightly together. Description Candelight hydrangea differs from other varieties in that this species has large flowers and changes color depending on the time of year. The fruits of an unripe flower look like a miniature seed box that ripens in late August or early September.
Interesting fact! The type of panicle hydrangea Candlelight owes this name to an unusual shade acquired by shrubs in late August. A pleasant golden color, reminiscent of a candle flame, tells the owners that soon they will not be able to enjoy the flowering anymore. A pink or reddish hue indicates that the bush is fading.
This flower owes its name to inflorescences that acquire a yellow hue and cone shape that resembles a candle
Transplant after purchase in open ground
Before transplanting candlelight hydrangea into open soil, you need to decide on the time, place and method of propagation of the shrub. If it is wrong to place seedlings in the ground or plant in the cold season, there is a risk that the plant does not adapt to natural conditions. Experienced growers are advised to transplant the pet into the open ground in early autumn or spring.
What you need for landing
For planting, you can choose seeds, seedlings or cuttings, gardeners recommend paying attention to seedlings of five years ago. This material for planting is suitable for those who want to admire lush inflorescences in the first year after transplantation. For patient fans to work in the garden, the option with seeds is suitable, since the first fruits will have to wait 2-3 years. This method is relevant for planting rare species of hydrangea.
Optimal place
The best place for the normal growth and flowering of Candy Light hydrangeas is a site that is protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts. The soil must be fertile and oxidized. Florists are advised to avoid sandy soil, since this plant does not take root in it.
The hydrangea transplant site should protect it from strong gusts of wind and direct sunlight
Step-by-step landing process
After the gardener has chosen a suitable place and decided on the method of reproduction, you can proceed to the planting process itself. To do this, perform the following algorithm of actions:
- Prepare a spacious pit in advance and saturate it well with water;
- Pour mineral or organic fertilizers into the pit. Pour sand, then peat. Mix fertilizers with soil well;
- Before planting, shorten the roots of the seedling;
- Deepen the seedlings into the ground without completely covering the root neck;
- Re-water the plant and fertilize with humus or peat.
Important! There are single and group landings. If the novice gardener chooses the second option, the distance between the seedlings should not exceed 3 meters.
Breeding
How the flower grower sees the first fruits in his garden depends on the method of propagation of the flower. There are several ways to breed hydrangeas: cuttings, seeds, layering and dividing the bush.
Cuttings
For this breeding method, only large leaf hydrangea is suitable. In early autumn, you should dig out the parent seedling and transplant it into a pot. After a few months, the shoots ripen, cuttings can be cut from them. The upper and lower leaves need to be cut, leave only the main part of the plant and transplant it into fertile soil. Planted cuttings should be covered with plastic bottles to create a kind of greenhouse.
Seed cultivation
This method is very rarely used to propagate hydrangea Kendle light. Before planting the seeds must be prepared. You need to take a small dish, cover it with a layer of cotton wool and put seeds on it. Then cover the seeds with another layer and pour boiled water. The container should be left for several days. Seeds can be covered with a layer of mucus, which must be washed off before planting. For planting, you can take a small box with soil, after fertilizing the soil. Seeds must be scattered on the surface of the soil and slightly crushed with soil.
Care
Despite the fact that this variety of hydrangea is unpretentious, it reacts well to care, giving its owners fluffy inflorescences. This hygrophilous plant requires regular top dressing and timely pruning of shoots. Thanks to proper care, you can increase the frost resistance of the flower and extend the flowering period.
Watering mode
It is known that Candlelight hydrangea loves oxidized soil during transplantation. When watering, you also need to observe the acidity level of water, which should not exceed 5.6 pH. For this, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vinegar must be diluted in 5 liters of water. If the summer is hot, you need to provide hydrangea with enough water.
Top dressing
In order to get chic inflorescences, the plant must be periodically fed with such fertilizers:
- Mineral fertilizers (25 g of solution per bucket of water);
- Organic fertilizers - manure or decayed leaves.
Important! Lush flowering can be achieved with potassium, urea and superphosphates. The plant should be fed four times a year: in early spring, the first month, mid-summer and before winter.
During flowering
During flowering, hydrangea is sometimes prone to attack by pests. To avoid this unpleasant phenomenon, you need to prepare special solutions with which to treat the bushes. Often the leaves of this plant devour aphids. To eliminate this pest, you need to make a tincture of garlic. To do this, take 200 g of peeled garlic and soak in warm water. Infuse the mixture for a day. Using a spray gun to spray the bush three times a week.
During rest
During dormancy, Candlelight hydrangea also needs care. Gardeners recommend regularly watering shrubs and pruning shoots. The best time for circumcision is the beginning of spring, when the buds of the inflorescence swell. In order for the plant to successfully survive the winter, at least four buds must be cut.
During dormancy, hydrangea needs pruning of dead inflorescences
Winter preparations
Candlelight panicled hydrangea is a frost-resistant plant, but still needs reliable shelter in winter. To do this, you need to fill in fresh humus and warm the roots of the bush. The layer around the roots should be at least 20 cm. Manure or dry leaves should be used as insulation.
