Hydrangea Red Baron is a perennial large-leaved shrub. The plant has bright inflorescences with four petals. The flower is appreciated for its bright shade and hypoallergenic, because it has no smell. Moreover, this variety is unpretentious and does not require special care, therefore it is popular among gardeners.

Botanical Description

Large-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) belongs to the hydrangea family. This genus is decorative and fast-growing, so it is ideal for growing in gardens and even indoors. The shrub attracts attention not only with its beautiful inflorescences, which can be white, purple, pink, blue, greenish or colorful, but also with dense foliage of a saturated color.

Features of large-leaved hydrangea:

1. Shrubs are evergreen and deciduous. In height, they reach a maximum of 3 m. There are species growing in trees and vines that grow strongly upwards, up to almost 30 m.
2. Flowering lasts from spring to mid-autumn.
3. Flowers have the appearance of paniculate inflorescences of spherical shape. They are on the top of the branches.
4. Depending on the composition of the mail, flowers can change their color, which is a hallmark of this species.
5. Flowers can be sterile (located at the edges) and fruitful (in the center).

Important! There are up to 80 types of hydrangeas, but at home only garden and large-leaved specimens can grow.

Initially, hydrangea was grown only indoors. This is due to the fact that the plant could not survive the harsh climate. Now breeders have bred varieties that can tolerate cold and snowy winters.Thanks to the agronomists, the plant has beautiful raspberry-pink inflorescences, but when it blooms, the middle acquires a greenish color, which fades with time and becomes almost white.

Characteristic

Large-leaved Hydrangea Red Baron will be an excellent addition to each garden. This species is picky about the soil. Bushes must be covered for the winter, because they do not tolerate large frosts.

Did you know? Hydrangea can not be eaten, that is, it is considered a poisonous plant. This is due to the high content of cyanogenic elements.

Characteristics of hydrangea Red Baron:

• size - up to 1.5 m high;
• winter hardiness up to -18 ° С;
• foliage is large, ovoid, oblong, bright green;
• growth rate - high;
• flowering from July to August.

Landing and further care

Planting hydrangea Red Baron should be in the right place and suitable soil, because growth and flowering depend on this. The plant loves light, but prolonged exposure to the sun threatens to dry out. However, a constant shadow will significantly reduce the size of the flowers, flowering will also begin much later. An ideal option for planting is a place along the fence or at home, which will protect the plant from powerful winds.

Important! It is better not to plant hydrangea near the trees, as their roots select the moisture necessary for the flower.

Landing work is best done in the spring or at the beginning of October, so that the land is warmed up. The main steps:

1. Carefully remove the seedling from the pot so as not to injure the roots.
2. Move the bush to the finished hole so that the root neck does not sink more than 2-3 cm from the surface.
3. Dig a hole, tamp and pour each bush 10-15 liters of water.
4. Cover the soil 7-10 cm with a mixture of sawdust, peat and bark.

If the plant does not have enough liquid, its leaves will sag, the stem will become sluggish, and the soil will crack. For irrigation, it is better to use warm, settled water. During the flowering period, you can not get on the flowers, because of this, dark spots form on them.

You can cut off only faded brushes and lower leaves in order to prepare the plant for winter. Last year's shoots cannot be removed, because it is on them that new buds appear. If you cut them, the bush will not bloom anymore.

No hydrangea species can tolerate calcareous soils, so it is not recommended to fertilize bushes with wood ash and chalk. No matter how warm the winter is, it is best to play it safe and cover the hydrangea for the winter. Even if some bush freezes, it will recover in a period of intensive growth.1- tilted shoots, 2 -cocking, 3- spruce branches, 4- lutrasil, 5- stone

Breeding methods

Many people who grow Red Baron hydrangea in their garden will not miss the opportunity to propagate it. There are many ways to do this:

1. Seeds - the easiest way, because you only need to put the seeds on the surface of the earth, spray with water and cover. Shoots appear after 20 days. However, this method negatively affects the decorative qualities of the plant.
2. Cuttings - the most preferred method. In early July, cut several 10 cm cuttings from annual shoots. Future plants will need to be stimulated, and then planted under a greenhouse or in a pot in a wet peat-sand mixture.
3. Layering - manipulations should be carried out in the spring before the buds open. To do this, lay the branch in the soil to a depth of 2 cm and pin it with a special clamp. Water all summer, and by autumn, the root system will appear, which should be carefully separated from the mother bush. It is possible to transplant only next spring.
4. Offspring - division is performed carefully so as not to break the plant. To do this, in the autumn period, trying not to damage the roots, cut off the shoots shoot and plant it to grow.

Diseases and Pests

Hydrangea is infrequent, but still suffers from some diseases. The causes of the lesions may be poor seedlings, an unsuitable place for planting, as well as improper care.

Most often, the plant attacks:

1. Chlorosis. The disease appears due to a lack of iron. As a result, the leaves turn yellow, and the plant becomes weak and unattractive. Special preparations (Antichlorosis, Agricole, Ferovit) and iron-containing fertilizers will help get rid of the disease.
2. Powdery Mildew Yellow spots and plaque appear on the leaves, indicating a fungal disease. When the first signs appear, it is urgent to act, since the affected areas are gradually dying. In the treatment using fungicides and copper-containing substances.
3. White and gray rot. The fungus covers the stem, watery ulcers form on the leaves, so the plant can no longer absorb nutrients, as a result of which it dies. The disease is effectively treated with Fundazole, Fitosporin.
4. Spider mite. Fallen leaves and cobwebs testify to the presence of a dangerous pest. For treatment and prevention, the bush is treated with copper sulfate and insect preparations.

Proper and healthy care for hydrangeas Red Baron is guaranteed to lead to growth and beautiful flowering. To do this, you must follow the basic rules and agricultural practices for cultivating shrubs in order to avoid disappointment from the loss of your favorite plant. As a result, you can get a beautiful composition that will make the garden plot magical.