Hydrangea shrub, decorated with lush snow-white caps, is found in many household plots. The genus of plants that gardeners love for their high decorative qualities, combined with unpretentiousness, has about 50 varieties and many varieties. Hydrangea "Polar Bear" - a bright and popular representative of panicled species.
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Botanical grade description
Polar Bear ornamental hydrangea is the result of the crossing of two well-known varieties of the type variety Grandiflora and Limelight, represented by two-meter shrubs formed by strong shoots covered with bright green foliage. During the flowering period, bushes are decorated with compact, cone-shaped inflorescences, the length of which can reach 40 cm. Snow-white hats consist of large and small flowers. The latter fly around pretty quickly, without spoiling the overall picture. Flowering, which begins in mid-summer, continues until the onset of cold weather.
Planting hydrangea polar bear in open ground
A panicle hydrangea variety is planted in the garden in early spring or in the first half of autumn. Before conducting a direct landing, a site is selected and the soil is prepared with the appropriate indicators.
When searching for a suitable site, preference should be given to well-lit and draft-protected areas. The soil for the successful cultivation of hydrangea is required with a good fertile layer and a slightly acid reaction.
In poor or calcareous soils, it is imperative to dig up peat and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers under digging.
With the arrival of optimal timing, landing is carried out in this way:
- On the prepared site, a hole is dug with dimensions that are 2 times higher than the similar parameters of an earthen coma.
- With a high occurrence of groundwater, a drainage layer is placed at the bottom, which will prevent moisture stagnation in the future.
- Above is a seedling with a lump of earth.
- The remaining space is filled with substrate from compost and the extracted earth.
- The trunk circle is well compacted, watered and mulched.
How to care for flowers in the garden
The variety is unpretentious and requires only simple maintenance measures that will help maintain the health of the shrub and maintain its decorative appearance for a long time.
- Watering. Hydrangea is hygrophilous and will be appreciated for the systematic hydration of the near-trunk zone at the rate of 3 buckets of water under the bush during hot periods. In the case of intense natural rainfall, the volume and frequency of irrigation are significantly reduced.
- Soil treatment. After watering and precipitation, periodically shallow loosening of the soil so as not to damage the surface root system of the plant. To reduce the number of loosening procedures and protect the soil from the rapid evaporation of moisture, it is recommended that the trunk circle be mulched with peat or sawdust. Systematic loosening or covering the area around the trunk with mulch will allow timely removal of weed vegetation.
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To preserve the splendor of the crown and the size of the inflorescences, the Polar Bear hydrangea should be regularly fed:
- In early spring, it is recommended to feed the bushes with organic fertilizers, which include a high nitrogen content in an accessible form, allowing the plant to recover quickly after overwintering.
- Before the budding phase and during the flowering period, the near-stem circle is watered with a solution of liquid phosphorus-potassium agrochemicals for flowering plants.
- Before the arrival of winter, plant immunity is strengthened by the introduction of superphosphate and potassium nitrate.
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Pruning and winter care
In order for the bush to remain healthy every spring, it is necessary to carry out a sanitary pruning of hydrangea, in which thickening and diseased shoots are removed. Also at this time, a shaping haircut is carried out: all shoots are removed, except for the 5-10 most powerful branches, which are shortened to a height of 5 buds.
Since the variety is frost-resistant, protection of the roots from freezing is necessary only in regions with severe and low snow winters.
Protection against diseases and pests
The variety, in contrast to the type species, is more resistant to damage by harmful organisms. However, with overflows or too rainy summers, the development of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and gray rot is possible. With the manifestations of diseases, it is required to treat the crown with fungicides according to the instructions.
Of the pests in the Polar Bear hydrangea, aphids, spider mites and snails are noted. Gastropod pests will have to be collected manually. The colonies of the first two harmful insects will help get rid of broad-spectrum insecticides.
Plant propagation
Panicled Hydrangea "Polar Bear" propagated by means of cuttings.
The procedure is carried out in the spring:
- Cropped shoots with 4 to 5 buds are selected.
- The cuttings are aged in a growth stimulator and are buried in loose soil with a slightly acidic reaction.
- For better rooting, plantings are covered with bottles, as well as systematically watered and ventilated.
- After the shoots regrow, the bottles are removed.
- Landing at a permanent place is carried out at the end of summer.
Important! For the winter, young plants are sure to take shelter with the help of fir spruce branches.
Why Hydrangea Polar Bear Does Not Bloom
If the landing was carried out in accordance with all the rules, then the main reasons for the lack of inflorescences lie in:
- an overabundance of nitrogen fertilizers that stimulate the growth of green mass to the detriment of the formation of flowers;
- freezing of flower buds, which entails subsequent restoration of the plant and a lack of vitality for flowering.
Hydrangea "Polar Bear", characterized by lush and long flowering, deserves special attention, as one of the most successful representatives of the type species.
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