Hortensia large-leaved - changeable beauty

Hortensia large-leaf (garden) is the ancestor of many industrial varieties. At home in Japan and China, the shrub reaches 4 meters. Cultivated plants with smooth bright green leaves, located on erect shoots, are not very high.

Decorative varieties of hydrangea plant large-leaf subdivide into Japanese with corymbose flat flowers and changeable with spherical inflorescences.

The largest popularity of hydrangea large-leaf spherical shape. This variety has large flowers up to 4 cm in diameter with different colors from white and pale pink to dark carmine.

Famous European varieties include Altona, Blue Bonnet, Generale Viscount de Vibray, Amy Pasquier, Goliath with pink or purple flowers. In the precirosis at the beginning of the inflorescence bloom with a pink color, and after a few weeks they acquire a dark crimson tone, which is combined with bronze leaves. The fine white variety is Madame E. Moulière.

If the globose hydrangea is large-leafed, it amazes the imagination with luxuriant flowering, then varieties with corymbose flowers are captured with their grace. Their flat, broad inflorescences consist of small flowers that differ in color, located in the middle, and external large buds surrounding the central buds.
So, for example, varieties and Mariesia and Bluewave have lilac or pink inflorescences, Lilasin and Weichia are dark purple with light edges, and Whitewide surprises with dazzling whiteness.

Virtually all types of non-white large-leaved hydrangeas have a unique surprising property of changing the color of the buds depending on the acid soil environment.

If the earth has a slightly alkaline environment - the flowers are pink, if sour - the color changes to blue or blue. Sometimes peaty soils give the blue.

In order to grow blue hydrangeas , special fertilizers containing iron salts, dyes or ordinary alum should be applied every two weeks to the soil with an alkaline reaction (the solution is prepared by adding ammonia- potassium and 3- alumokalic alum in one liter of water). For a single flower, 2 liters of this liquid is sufficient.

Hortensia large-leaved is a plant that grows rapidly, loves moisture and warmth, is demanding for the fertility of the earth. It multiplies well by dividing the bush and green cuttings.

Hydrangea large-leaved: care

From small groups of plants create beautiful lawns and amazing hedges. However, in the open ground flowers grow only in the southern regions of Russia.
But, if it is impossible to grow in the garden, then the tender plant feels great in the room or in the greenhouse. The main condition is the availability of high-quality soil and good drainage, and in the period of active growth, regular watering and feeding are necessary. At the end of the vegetation, when the foliage is dropped, it is necessary to shortly cut off the shoots.

In winter, flowers require complete peace. They are kept in a cool room with an air temperature of at least plus five. At the end of winter, when the kidneys swell, the pots are transferred to a lighter and warmer room, excluding direct sun rays.

In the early spring, organic matter should be applied over the surface of the substrate and regular watering and top dressing should be started. In the summer, hydrangeas are useful to take out to the open air in the yard, decorate it with a path, porch or balcony. You can also move the pot plant to autumn in the garden. The place where the large-leaved hydrangea is to be found should be selected in a light shade, and do not forget about spring frosts from which the plant should be protected.

In the beginning of summer, all efforts will be rewarded with a long, magnificent bloom of hydrangeas.