Panicle hydrangea has many varieties, among which there are very unpretentious plants. The latter include the recently bred Freize Melba.
Description of varieties of hydrangea Freeze Melba and its characteristics
A hybrid variety of panicle hydrangea Fraise Melba (Hydrangea Paniculata Fraise Melba) was bred by French breeder Jean Reno. A plant with lush inflorescences, which was the result of many years of work, was introduced to the world in 2014. Due to the uneven color from bright pink to pinkish-cream shades, the flower was named after a strawberry dessert with cream.
Inflorescences stand out in uneven colors
The bush of an adult plant consists of straight brown stems without lateral branches and can reach a height of 2 meters. Young shoots are distinguished by a dark red hue. Leaves are elliptical in shape, with pointed tips and a serrated edge. Inflorescences are large, up to 55 cm in length, openwork, in shape resemble a pyramid. In the process of flowering, the color of the petals changes to a darker one.
Additional Information! The flowering stage begins in July and continues until the autumn frosts. Flowers are formed annually, starting from the first year of the plant's life. The fruits do not ripen. The life of the hybrid is 30-40 years.
It is immune to many diseases and does not require additional care, except for standard agricultural technology, including watering, feeding and pruning. A plant resistant to ailments can become ill due to a deficiency of sunlight, a lack of nutrients, and also due to poor circulation of fresh air.
The variety is characterized by frost resistance. It is adapted for cultivation in the middle zone and in the harsh climate of Siberia. Able to withstand temperature drops to +35 ℃. In regions where the thermometer can drop to low levels, the plant is sheltered for the duration of wintering.
Planting and further care for panicle hydrangea Fraise Melba
The most suitable time when the hydrangea of Frey Melba is planted in open ground is the second half of spring. During the summer months, the bush will have time to build up the root system and better tolerate the first wintering. Seedlings with a closed root system are planted throughout the season, as they are less susceptible to stress and easier to adapt.
In the right place, the culture blooms profusely
Site selection and preparation
The hydrangea plant Frez Melba should be well lit for 6 hours or more per day. When a flower is planted in a shaded corner, its flowering quality deteriorates, and there is a risk of developing diseases.
Note! When placing several copies of the plant in the garden, leave a distance of 1.5 meters between them. Such a planting scheme will enable the roots and the aerial parts of the bushes to obtain the necessary amount of nutrients and light.
The soil should have a slightly acidic reaction, although the flower feels rather well in acidic soil. Alkaline earth containing lime can harm hydrangeas. Experienced gardeners mix needles or horse peat to the soil. In any case, Hydrangea Frize Melba requires a fertile soil that easily passes air and moisture.
How to plant
Hydrangea Frize Melba planted in a certain sequence. It is recommended that you follow these steps:
- Dig a landing pit 50 cm in diameter and 2 bayonet deep with a shovel.
- At the bottom of the pit, pour a drainage layer of broken brick or expanded clay with a height of 15 cm.
- On top of the drainage, place a layer of nutritious soil mixture of turf land, peat and sand.
- Gently transfer the seedling into the planting pit, installing vertically and carefully spreading the roots.
- Fill the voids with soil, leaving the root neck open.
- Seal the soil with your hands and form a near-stem circle.
- Water the plant abundantly with settled water.
Watering and feeding
Hydrangea Melba prefers moderately moist soil without excessive moisture stagnation. In warm sunny weather, 1 bucket of softened water is poured under the bush twice a week (in the evening). During rains, watering is reduced, focusing on the level of soil moisture.
They feed the flower according to the scheme:
- the first spring fertilizer is humus;
- after 2-3 weeks - phosphorus-potassium preparation;
- further, every 2 weeks alternate the application of mineral and organic compounds.
Pruning
In order for Freise Melba to develop normally, pruning is carried out several times a season. Each of the procedures has its own intended purpose.
In spring and autumn, they recommend sanitary pruning of bushes. During the event, non-viable shoots are removed, as well as twigs directed into the crown and thickening it.
Additional Information! In the first autumn after planting in open ground, all shoots of the bush shorten to 3 buds. In subsequent years, this procedure is carried out in the spring before the movement of juice begins.
A mature bush older than 6 years old requires regular anti-aging pruning, in which all old branches that do not form buds are completely eliminated.
Winter preparations
Variety Friise Melba is not afraid of cold weather and is characterized by increased frost resistance. In preparation for winter holidays, all remaining foliage is removed from the hydrangea stems and the bush is spudded. In severe climatic conditions, additional top dressing with potassium salt with superphosphate is recommended. The plant is mulched and covered with a non-woven fabric.
Important! The introduction of nitrogenous fertilizers is not strictly recommended, as it can provoke the growth of leaves and shoots.
Propagation of hydrangea freesia melba
The hybrid cultivar Freize Melba is propagated by vegetative methods. Planting seeds for seedlings may not give the expected results, as a young plant loses varietal characteristics. Vaccination propagation is too complicated for most gardeners. You can get new flower instances:
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- laying layering.
At the same time, it is taken into account that using the last two methods allows you to get a limited number of seedlings. The most effective option is the germination of cuttings.
The grafting procedure is quite simple
Cuttings
When cutting cuttings, experienced gardeners adhere to a number of rules that allow obtaining high-quality planting material from a hydrangea bush. It is recommended to observe the following sequence:
- In the early morning or in cloudy weather, cut 10 cm long cuttings from young healthy hydrangea branches.
- Remove the lower leaves from the blanks and shorten the upper leaves by 1/3.
- Tie the segments into a bundle, keep the lower sections in a growth stimulator, and process the upper ones with green.
- Prepared cuttings to plant in a container with a nutrient substrate from turf land, peat and sand, in a ratio of 1: 3: 4.
- The seedlings are covered with a greenhouse and aired weekly.
On a note! After 30-45 days, the cuttings should take root, after which the shelter can be removed.
Diseases and pests, means of combating them
Although the panicled hydrangea variety Freyz Melba is resistant to many diseases, with prolonged waterlogging of the soil and in rainy summers, the risk of infection with powdery mildew increases. In this case, hydrangea bushes are urgently sprayed with Fitosporin.
Of the insects, the aphid is the most dangerous, capable of sucking out all the juices from the plant and destroying it. In the fight against the pest, proven drugs are used: Fitoverm, Actellik, Trichopol. Concentrated compounds are diluted in water strictly according to the attached instructions. In the initial stages of infection, you can try to cope with the attack of parasites with the help of garlic infusion.
The use of varieties in landscaping
When creating a unique decor for a personal plot, panicle hydrangea Freise Melba is often used as part of group compositions. Several bushes plants can diversify the relaxation area with a gazebo. A tall flower goes well with rhododendrons and perennial phlox.
Note! Planting Melba near birches is undesirable. This will give a visual effect, but in practice they conflict (hydrangea may wither away).
Luxurious inflorescences of Frize Melba impressive
Hydrangea Fraise Melba has outstanding characteristics that allow you to not experience difficulties when growing on a personal plot. Providing the bush with minimal care, you can get a plentifully flowering perennial plant.
