A panicle hydrangea variety called Samara Lydia is a novelty that is still not well known to anyone, because gardeners only found out about it in 2018 at the Flower Festival exhibition in Samara. The undersized compact bush with lush inflorescences is suitable for open ground and cultivation in containers.
Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea Paniculata Samarskya Lydia) - description
The variety belongs to the type of panicled hydrangeas, which determines its most important characteristics:
- color change of inflorescences as the panicles open;
- simple vegetative propagation;
- compactness;
- resistance to low temperatures in winter;
- moisture lovingness;
- susceptibility to forming pruning.
Hydrangea Paniculata Samarskya Lydia
Origin and appearance of hydrangea Samara Lydia
For the first time, a flowering bush was presented to the Russian public on 08.25.2018 in the Samara Garden Center. His breeder was engaged in the French Kennel Renault Renault breeder Jean Reno. Abroad, the variety is sold under the trade name "Rensam". In 2018, it was patented in our country and in France.
Among the features and advantages of the variety:
- The bush is formed by stunts up to 1.3 m high, compact, slowly growing. Crown width up to 1.1 m.
- Suitable for growing in containers and tubs, growing to a maximum of 80 cm.
- The long flowering period is from July to October.
- Shoots are less brittle than other varieties, as lignified, covered with red bark.
- The leaves are dark green with a rough surface.
- Frost resistance - up to -35 ° С. Suitable for climate zone IV.
It was this variety that was planted in the flowerbeds of the Samara stadium Samara-Arena before the World Cup. In 2019, supplies of seedlings were organized throughout Russia.
How hydrangea Samara Lydia blooms
Each shoot of the new year ends with a cone-shaped (pyramidal) inflorescence up to 15 cm long. When blooming, the flowers are white but gradually darken, turning first into pink, and at the end into a red-ruby color.
Flowering hydrangea bush Samara Lydia
Large flowers are close to each other. The speed of color change depends on the illumination of the plant, top dressing, the adequacy of watering. Numerous inflorescences give the bush a very elegant look, and since they do not bloom at the same time, on one plant you can simultaneously see white, pink and red flowers.
Hydrangea transplant Samara Lydia after purchase in the open ground
Since the shrub belongs to the IV climatic zone, nothing prevents it from wintering in open ground without shelters. Therefore, it is kept in tubs only if there is no free space for transplantation, but in this case it is important to ensure a cold wintering at a temperature of no higher than +5 ° С.
What you need for landing
All types of hydrangeas are sensitive to soil acidity. The optimum soil balance for shrubs is pH = 5.0. The rest of the composition of Samara Lydia is undemanding, but prefers loose soils, nutritious, capable of retaining moisture. For this, humus and peat are necessarily added to the soil before planting.
If you need to transplant a seedling bought in a nursery in a container, then May, all summer and September are suitable for this. If possible, it is best to plant hydrangeas in May, in which case this summer you can enjoy the first flowers.
Important! A transplant during flowering is the most traumatic for a plant.
Inflorescences of Hydrangea Paniculata Rensam
Choosing the best place
The place is chosen near the shelter, which will protect the branches from strong winds and the scorching midday sun. The wall of the house, the fence, the pergola will do. Near trees planted only if they have a translucent crown, for example, birches, aspen, alder. Additionally take into account the need for watering. Nearby there should be a tank for water sludge, rainwater collection, or another source.
Step-by-step landing process
For the Samara Lydia variety, the following sequence is suitable:
- They dig a landing pit of 50x50x50 cm. If several pits are needed, then a distance of 1.5 m is maintained between them.
- Broken bricks or small pebbles for drainage are laid at the bottom.
- The day before planting, 1-2 buckets of water are poured into the pit.
- Fertile soil is harvested, to which 40-60 g of superphosphate are added.
- To avoid distortion of the bush, a support with a height of at least 1.2 m is installed at the bottom, to which you need to tie the plant in the region of the root neck.
- The roots are lowered into the pit and covered with soil, densely compacting so that the root neck is flush with the soil level.
- Abundantly watered.
In the following days, at least every other day, the bush continues to be watered. Around the trunk sprinkle the earth with mulch so that it does not dry out too quickly.
Propagation of hydrangea Samara Lydia
Planting material from the owners of at least one bush will always be at hand in unlimited quantities. According to the producers of seedlings, the variety does not produce seeds, but this is not scary, because all parts are suitable for vegetative propagation. Everyone chooses a suitable method for themselves.
Propagation by cuttings
May is an ideal time for harvesting cuttings. At this time, it is recommended to carry out forming pruning to give the bush the necessary shape. Apical shoots, not yet lignified, with 2-3 pairs of leaves are ideal.
Hydrangea cuttings
The lower pair of leaves is removed, and subsequent ones are shortened to reduce the area of moisture evaporation. Pinch the top of the head, if there is a flower bud, it must be removed. The slice is dipped in a root stimulator. Next, the stalk is placed in water or soil. In the container, the cuttings must be covered with a transparent cap in order to achieve a greenhouse effect. The optimum germination temperature is + 18-25 ° C.
Usually, 2 weeks are enough for the appearance of roots in water and in the soil. After the cuttings are planted in pots to grow them until next spring.
Important! In autumn, foliage from seedlings will fall off, then they need to be transferred to a room with a temperature of no higher than + 5 ° С. At least once a month, the soil in the pot is moistened. Return to heat - in early March.
A seedling with blossoming young foliage from a pot is planted on its permanent place in open ground in May.
Growing from layering
Layers are obtained from the lower shoots. They are bent to the soil and dug to a shallow depth. At the end of summer, young shoots should appear. Dig a new bush and transplant it to its permanent place.
Bush division
Bushes can be divided into several parts for breeding purposes. Do it in the spring, when the buds have not yet blossomed. From one bush you can get 3-4 full seedlings.
Hydrangea care Samara Lydia
Beauty care does not cause much trouble. The main thing that she needs is attention, and also regular watering. For maximum decorativeness, pruning is carried out.
Watering mode
It is difficult to compare hydrangea with other ornamental shrubs by the degree of moisture lovingness. From spring to autumn, she needs moist soil. Water as necessary, but at least 1 time per week, pouring 3-4 buckets of water under each plant.
Hydrangea watering
Top dressing
To make the shoots stronger, once a month hydrangea is watered with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. For nutrition, a solution of mullein, which is applied 2-3 times per season, is suitable. When budding, a solution of urea and potassium sulfate (1 tbsp. Per 10-liter bucket of water) is useful. When tying the buds, fertilize with superphosphate (1 tbsp. L. Per 10-liter bucket of water).
Features of care during the flowering period
It is very important to remove wilted inflorescences. This stimulates the forcing of new buds and ennobles the appearance of the bush.
Features of care at rest
Forming trimmings are carried out at this time. It is necessary to cut out all the shoots growing inside the crown, broken branches, untidy processes. It is useful to refresh the mulch at the roots and loosen the soil to a depth of not more than 5 cm.
Winter preparations
The winter hardiness of hydrangeas is excellent. Shelter is not required, but if cold hurricanes rage in the area, then the crown is tied with burlap, over which the first snow falls.
Glade of hydrangeas in winter
It is a well-known fact - those who planted hydrangea on the site constantly want to plant new even more beautiful varieties. Hydrangea Lydia is a novelty that will please experienced and novice gardeners who want to decorate their site with a decorative shrub.
