Hydrangea "Schneeball" 0.40 - 0.60 m / Hydrangea macr. "Snowball"/

There are two types of hydrangea: with round, sterile flowers, called "Macrophylla" and with flat, small and fertile flowers surrounded by other larger and sterile flowers, called "Serrata". The plant appears in natural conditions in the form of a bushy shrub with numerous stems resulting from shoots grown on a superficial root. It is found in approximately 190 varieties, some of which are also climbing - they grow on the walls of houses like ivy and attach themselves to bricks. The color of the hydrangea depends on the acidity of the soil in which it was planted. Thus, in an acid soil, the flowers of the Hydrangea will have a shade of blue and in an alkaline one, different shades of pink or red. For blue flowers, the PH must be around 4-4.5, and for pink and red ones, the PH must be between 5 and 5.6. To increase the acidity of the soil, especially if you want For hydrangea to have blue or purple flowers, you can use one of the following solutions: aluminum sulfate (7 g in 3.7 l of water) or a solution of water with vinegar (5 l: 200 ml). You can also mix the soil with pieces of tree bark, sawdust, eggshells, fruit peels, ground coffee, grated orange and grapefruit peels. If you want the Hydrangea to have shades of pink, use a less acidic fertilizer . You can sprinkle around the plant a little limestone or lime or some brick scraps. Be careful, however, that the soil does not become too alkaline. The hydrangea must be planted in a good quality soil. The planting site must be positioned so that the Hydrangea benefits from the sun's rays in the morning but not in the afternoon. It is best to plant it in areas with partial shade or near a fence facing north, northwest or west. It is a water-loving plant, its name comes from the Greek "hydra", which means water, so the plant must be watered as often as possible, especially on summer days. But be careful, too much water will lead to the blackening of the edges of the leaves. Hydrangea is rarely fertilized because too much nitrogen will lead to the cessation of flowering. Applications are made at the root, at the beginning of the season. Resistance up to -15 degrees C, but it is advisable to protect it from frost, covering it with straw, leaves and earth or with cardboard. Hydrangea does not always need training cuts, but this operation can be done every spring, when the new shoots appear. The cuts are made exactly above the node on the stem. If it is not cut, the Hydrangea will continue to bloom, but the flower clusters will not be as large, due to the numerous stems. Dry flowers are left on the stems over the winter to protect the young shoots below them from frost. Hydrangea propagation is done by dividing the roots or by marking. Hydrangeas planted for a longer time in the same place can be divided in early spring, just like any other perennial. In this way, several plants can be obtained from the same root ball. If you opt for marking, it is advisable to dig a hole near the plant and bend a section of the stem. With the help of a knife, remove a 2.5 cm ring from the bark of the stem, where it touches the ground and cover the cut place with soil, leaving the tip of the bent stem uncovered. In a short time, roots will begin to form in the indented place. Hydrangeas can be attacked by fungi that can appear due to excessive watering, watering at inappropriate times during the afternoon or from other sources. If you notice that your hydrangeas have black or brown spots on the leaves or, on the contrary, they are discolored, it is possible that they are attacked by a fungus. In this case, use a treatment against plant fungi, which you can buy in specialty stores. The brown spots can also appear from the sun's rays. If after it has rained there is a very strong sun, the water left on the leaves or flowers will lead to the formation of brown spots. If you notice that the leaves of the Hydrangea are gnawed or perforated, you will have to identify the pest that the plant is dealing with and choose the right insecticide . However, pay attention to the instructions on the packaging, which must be strictly followed in order not to harm the health of the plant.