Ways to care for Hydrangea melodious Tardiva

Hydrangea panicula Tardiva is a dense shrub, which differs from its other relatives by late flowering. It is often used to decorate winter bouquets and compositions, and Hydrangea tardiva can also serve as a great option for creating fences. The plant is quite fastidious in its care, but the results obtained will easily make up for the effort expended.

Description and characteristics

Hydrangea Tardiva is a woody shrub with a rounded crown. It reaches a height of over 2 meters and can grow to three meters if cared for well enough. The shoots are large and quickly woody, which makes the shrub very cold-resistant.

Hydrangea inflorescences are narrow, conical in shape and white-pink in color. At the beginning of flowering, the small flowers with stamens become cream-colored, and over a period of time they take on a soft pink color.

The inflorescences themselves bloom densely and are formed on the tips of the shoots most often at the age of 3 years. The flowering period begins in late summer or early autumn, most often in August and September, with peak flowering in October.

Planting and care

When planting Hydrangea tardiva it is important to consider that the plant for good and abundant flowering needs a warm climate, so that the flower has time to bloom beautifully before frost.

It grows well in moist, acidic soil, as well as necessarily in light and fertile soil.

The plant may not bloom for the following reasons:

• lack of nutrients;
• lack of moisture;
• oversaturation of sunlight;
• presence of alkali in the soil.

Planting is best done in early spring. Choose a location for this procedure that meets all the requirements for good plant growth. The planting hole should be at least 70 cm in diameter and well watered. Fertilizer should then be placed in it.

It is equally important in planting that there should be an interval of 1.5 meters between the plants, because its roots proliferate and require more space.

Hydrangea tardive care also includes:

• Thorough pruning every year;
• frequent and abundant watering, because the flower needs moisture;
• mulching the root zone and loosening it;
• fertilizing (preferably every two weeks).

The plant does not tolerate the presence of lime in the soil. It is also very fond of light, therefore, it should be planted in a sufficiently sunny and fertile area protected from wind and draughts.

Pruning

It is best to prune at least twice a year: the first in early spring and the second in autumn. Pruning the plant in spring, you only need to shorten the shoots a little so that only 3-5 buds are left on them. When pruning in the fall, it is worth removing old branches as well as dry and broken branches. It is difficult to go overboard in this procedure, as excessive pruning will only benefit the plant, not harm it. The procedure stimulates lush and abundant flowering of hydrangeas.

Propagation

Hydrangea melodica tardiva is excellent for propagation by bush division. The best time for it is spring and autumn. After planting, the separated parts should be well watered and fertilized with root formers. The plant also lends itself to propagation by cuttings, but this method is not so effective.

A young plant for the winter must be covered. This need will decrease when the shoots of the bush become stronger and more cold-resistant.

If you adhere to all the above tips, you can grow a beautiful and healthy plant without too much trouble and expense.