Sawtailed hydrangea is a very popular shrub among flower growers. This plant is one of the varieties of large-leaved hydrangea.
Origin
The birthplace of serratus hydrangea is Japan. It was from it at the very beginning of the 19th century that the plant was brought to Europe and began to be used to decorate gardens in the homes of nobles. Initially, these were only two types of flower: in scarlet and white.
Serrated hydrangea has a very unusual appearance
Today there are many varieties of shrubs, including hybrid ones. They are available for landing to all comers.
Flower description
The hydrangea serratus erect shoots, the height of which can reach one and a half meters. The plant grows in width by an average of 60 cm. The variety is characterized by dark - and light green leaves with a slight reddish tinge and lush, somewhat reminiscent of lace inflorescences. Depending on the particular variety, they can be convex or concave.
Fertile flowers are white or blue, barren - pink or blue. Flowering occurs in the period from June to September.
Serrated hydrangea flowers will not leave you indifferent
Each owner of the bush appreciates the serrated hydrangea not only for ease of care, but also for the fact that the flowering of the bush occurs when most other flowers have time to bloom.
Species and varieties
Among the most popular varieties of saw hydrangea among domestic gardeners are:
- Bluebird;
- Koreana
- Preciosa.
Bluebird
Hydrangea Bluebird was created by Japanese breeders. The name of the variety is translated into Russian as "blue bird". It refers to the species of lilac hydrangeas. The plant is a branchy shrub that grows in height up to 120 cm, in width - up to one and a half meters.
If you read about the hydrangea finely serrated Blue Bird flower description, it will be impossible to confuse it with another variety. The shrub has oval leaves with small cloves of bright green color, petals of blue, deep blue or even purple hues.
Bluebird
For hydrangea serratus Bluebird, a superficial rooting is characteristic. The variety is quite winter-hardy, but it is not suitable for cultivation in Siberia. Bluebird hydrangeas can withstand cold not less than -20 degrees.
The flowering period of hydrangea serrata Bluebird is quite long. It lasts from July to September inclusive.
In the case of hydrangea Bluebird, planting and care are carried out similarly to other varieties of shrubs. More detailed information on the cultivation of Blue Bird hydrangeas with detailed descriptions can be found on numerous websites on the Internet.
Koreana
Hydrangea Koreana is one of the varieties of garden serrate hydrangeas. This is not a very spreading shrub, the main feature of which is the presence of beautiful variegated inflorescences in the form of a thyroid panicle, with a diameter of about 8 cm.
Hydrangea Koreana
The central fertile flowers are usually variegated white-pink or white-blue, and the extreme ones (without reproductive organs) are four-leafed monochromatic blue or pink.
The trunk of the shrub is branched, very strong and covered with bark, with numerous lush inflorescences and rich foliage almost invisible.
Winter hardiness is average in Korea. For cultivation in regions with relatively harsh climates, the plant should be carefully insulated for periods of cold weather. In snowy regions, it is strongly recommended to throw snow over the plant over the insulation.
Preciosa
Hydrangea Preciosa is a fairly compact shrub growing up to 1.5 meters. This variety is characterized by a very original coloring of inflorescences.
Hydrangea Preciosa
Sterile flowers begin to bloom yellowish-green, then they turn pink and blue, closer to autumn, they acquire purple and burgundy shades. Foliage, which has a bright green color at the beginning of summer, changes its color to burgundy red by autumn. The variety usually blooms from July to September.
The frost resistance of Preciosa hydrangea is relatively low, but in the Moscow Region and central Russia, the cultivation of this crop is quite successful provided that the bush provides additional shelter for the winter period.
Important! On acidic soils, all types of serrate hydrangea have flowers of more saturated colors.
Open transplant
To plant a plant in open ground, it will be necessary to prepare the soil composition from fertile humus, rotted leaves, peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. Pits for planting should be dug in advance, their depth should be about 35 centimeters. The distance between plants should be at least one meter. The landing procedure itself is quite simple:
- A pre-dug hole is carefully spilled with water.
- An escape designed for landing is neatly placed in it.
- The landing site is covered with earth.
- The soil around the plant is rammed.
- Ample watering of hydrangea seedlings is carried out.
- Mulching planting with sawdust or needles to a height of 10 cm.
Propagation of serratus hydrangeas
Propagate hydrangea can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, division or layering.
Most often, cuttings are used in practice. Cuttings are usually cut from young bushes of young shoots. Use should be the middle parts of the shoots that do not have flowering tops and lower leaves. In order for the roots to form faster, the cuttings should be held in water with any rooting agent.
The leaves of serratus hydrangea acquire amazing shades in the fall
You can use folk remedies. For example, add natural honey to the water at the rate of 1 teaspoon per glass of water. Cuttings are planted in the ground under shelter, in the spring they are transplanted to a permanent place.
When propagating by layering, an adult bush is needed to obtain planting material. With the onset of spring, up to the opening of the buds, its lower branches are dug up, securing with the help of slings. By the beginning of autumn, young shoots grow on the layers, which, with the onset of spring, will be ready for transplanting into the open ground.
Care
In order for the plant to develop well and delight with its chic flowers for the longest possible time, it needs to ensure proper care.
During flowering
During the flowering period, especially close attention should be paid to procedures such as weeding, watering and top dressing.
Important! Watering should be plentiful, especially in dry times. But it’s also not worth it to fill in the shrub - decay of the root system may begin, and the plant will die.
As for top dressing, in the first two years it will not be needed at all, since serrate hydrangea is planted in pre-fertilized soil. Then, during the formation of the buds, it will be necessary to feed the plant with superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Fertilizing with organic matter - for example, chicken droppings or cow dung, during the flowering period of the plant will also be useful.
During rest
When the plant fades and goes into a dormant phase, the hydrangea shrub is necessarily cut off. Not only dried inflorescences are subject to removal, but also extra shoots, broken or old branches. The procedure is an essential part of the autumn hydrangea care.
Winter preparations
Preparation of serratin hydrangea for winter begins with its top dressing.
Preparing for wintering is an important step in hydrangea care
At the beginning of autumn, the shrub should be fertilized with manure, adding 20 kg under each bush. Manure not only nourishes the soil with useful substances, but also reliably protects the root system from the effects of low temperatures. Closer to winter, it is additionally recommended to feed hydrangea with potassium sulfate.
Even if the winter hardiness of hydrangea is high, it will not be amiss to cover it for the winter. So the plant in spring is more likely to come out of hibernation. As a covering material, fir spruce branches or foliage are perfect.
