Large-leaved hydrangea is especially popular among gardeners, primarily because of its bright appearance. This flower is quite whimsical in terms of care, and therefore it is necessary to strictly adhere to the rules of agricultural technology. In this article you will learn about the rules for growing Nikko Bleu variety, the principles of care, planting and watering, as well as get valuable tips on how to protect the plant from pests and diseases.

Grade description

Hydrangea macrophylla Nikko Blue is a fast-growing variety reaching a height of about 1.5 m. It stands out for its bright green, smooth leaves, the edges of which have serrations, which creates a certain lightness and airiness. Hydrangea flowers are collected in a large soft blue inflorescence, which resembles a celestial sphere. The color of the soil depends on the acidity of the soil, it can vary from white to lilac and blue. Every year new shoots appear. The plant loves the sun and slight shading.

Use in landscape design

Hydrangea looks win-win in garden areas and beckons with its appearance. Nikko Blue goes well with birch, viburnum, daisies, its pale blue color sets off the plants present.

Important! The color of the Nikko Blue flowers is affected by the composition of the soil. If the earth has an alkaline environment, then hydrangea will be light blue, with a slight acidity - dark blue, on a neutral ground - light pink.

The combination of flower with fern and rhododendrons will bring oriental motifs and notes of China to your flowerbed. Hydrangea looks bright enough on a green lawn and creates an atmosphere of airiness and lightness. Also, it can effectively decorate the entrance to the house by putting it in containers and forming neat spheres. Such an interpretation will convey a touch of aristocracy and bring a unique personality to your home.

Landing

Planting is an important component in the further duration of the plant. Its type, condition, fertility, and many other aspects depend on this. Nikko Bleu cannot stand the windy terrain. Its structure itself is not adapted to the wind: the shoots are delicate and fragile, can bend and spoil your appearance. Planting shrubs is recommended in weakly sunny places, but not completely shaded. In winter, the plant should be sheltered, because it does not withstand low temperatures.

Seat selection

The choice of location, as well as planting, is an important aspect in the cultivation of ornamental crops. For planting Nikko, places with fertile, humus soil and low neutral acidity are suitable. Hydrangea is quite tender and does not withstand wind; planting should be carried out at the fence or any other support that prevents breakage of the shoots.

Soil preparation

Plant hydrangea, preferably in the late spring or autumn, but preferably until October. The dimensions of the planting pit are recommended to be selected depending on the volume of the roots of the seedling. Before planting, you should fill the pit with a mixture of fertilizers and earth, namely with the addition of peat, humus and needles in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1.

Did you know? In the city of Hirata (Japan), a garden center “Jupia Land Hirata” was created, which was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest number of hydrangeas in the world. Judges and experts studied all varieties of flowers planted in the park for more than 5 hours and counted 372 species.

The composition of the soil may indicate the amount of drainage in the pit, when there is a lot of clay in the soil and it is very dense, then drainage should not be spared. This contributes to the long life of the plant. So, the water does not stagnate, and the roots do not rot. Before planting, it is recommended to soak the rhizome in clean water.

Landing algorithm

When planting hydrangeas, it is recommended to follow a certain algorithm of actions:

1. Put the prepared seedling in a previously dug hole.
2. Sprinkle the roots with clean soil.
3. The roots should be deepened, leaving shoot-giving buds on the surface.
4. Sprinkle the seedling with earth and compact it.
5. After planting, it is necessary to water the seedling so that it quickly adapts and takes root.
6. On the surface of the soil, mulch with dry peat, sawdust and needles - this protects against drying out and perfectly nourishes the soil.

Care

Proper care of hydrangea will prevent its death and provide beautiful flowering. From how correctly agrotechnical measures will be carried out, first of all, the appearance of the flower depends. For each variety, you can choose a fertilizer that will improve the condition and if pests or diseases are present on the seedling, then this is the sure way to victory.

Watering

Hydrangea - a flower is quite hygrophilous, so you need to water it abundantly. Breeders are advised to carry out watering from spring to late autumn. Autumn watering does not allow the roots to freeze in the winter. Watch the moisture of the flowerbed, but do not flood. Hydrangea has a delicate root system, which is sensitive to excess moisture and can rot.

Fertilizer

For the normal life of the bush, its successful development, do not forget about its nutrition in the form of fertilizers, in the maximum permissible norms. With the onset of spring, when the leaves begin to appear, it is recommended that hydrangea be fed. Initially, nitrogen must be added to the ground, which accelerates the rate of formation of the crown of the bush. Before starting to open the kidneys of hydrangeas Nikko Bleu, it is fertilized again, using potassium-phosphorus compounds.

Loosening and mulching of the earth

Loosening and mulching are some of the important methods used in horticulture, because by their actions they help to preserve the vital activity of plants for a long time. Mulching is a very useful process, during which the further problems of the existence of a plant variety are eliminated. Its effectiveness helps to improve the mechanical and biochemical qualities of the soil, and also provides the most favorable and normal conditions for the continued growth and development of hydrangea.

Important! The color of hydrangea can be changed with fertilizer. If aluminum sulfate and sulfur are added to the soil under the root, then pink and blue inflorescences will appear simultaneously on the plant.

After adaptation of the flower and plentiful watering, a basal circle is made around, which is recommended to mulch. So, the moisture will last longer, while the roots do not rot. The next thing to do is to loosen the ground, providing air exchange to the roots and making the soil more penetrating.

Trimming and Shaping

Pruning forms a beautiful neat bush from an overgrown and obsolete bush, with a compact and collected crown. This will help in the further development of hydrangea. It is necessary to get rid of excess, and since the flower has last year's shoots on which buds may appear, it is necessary to trim old branches. But be careful, because buds can also appear at the ends of shoots.

In the spring, it is recommended to shorten the shoots by a couple of buds, and weak ones are removed. There are branches that are growing rapidly inside the bush, they should also be removed to the base, although they are healthy. With their growth, they spoil the shape of the bush. After the first year of hydrangea flowering, pruning should be done. It is recommended to shorten very long branches, trim old and damaged ones. The next year, the plant is cut to the lowest growths. If necessary, thin out the bush, removing obsolete branches.

Winter hardiness and shelter for the winter

Hydrangea Nikko Blue is a whimsical plant that does not withstand cold and wind, this can even be understood by its appearance. If your region is not famous for strong cold, then you can safely plant a bush in your flowerbed. But already in October, you need to warm the plant, it is important to do this before the onset of frost. To do this, you need a greenhouse film that protects the shoots from frost and humidity.

To protect the root system, at the base of the flower, it is recommended to spud soil, which is covered with a large layer of peat. If the shoots are too long, they need to be laid on the soil and secured, overlaid with old leaves. In the spring, with the onset of heat, the bush is “deployed” because excess moisture adversely affects the condition of the roots and the plant itself.

Transplant Rules

Transplanting Nikko Blue, you need to study some aspects. Transplantation can be carried out in spring and autumn. In the spring - before the start of sap flow, in the fall - after the buds open. During flowering, gardeners do not recommend transplanting it, it can harm the appearance. More often, the plant is transplanted in the fall, in mid-September, t. This is the most optimal time. At this point, flowering ends, the air temperature is suitable and the roots themselves did not have time to take root. The main aspect of transplantation is the transplant with an earthen lump. Try not to damage the roots.

Did you know? The famous flower was named after the beautiful princess Hydrangea. She was the sister of the Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, Karl Heinrich Nassau-Siegen.

Pest and Disease Control

This beautiful bush is quite whimsical to the environment. Like other delicate plants, Nikko Blue hydrangea quickly responds to climate change, the emergence of diseases and pests.

Choosing the right care, you will achieve an attractive type of hydrangea:

1. Filling it or landing on an open surface in the northern and windy zone, you can notice how the foliage begins to turn yellow. Do not overdo it with watering.
2. Fungal disease such as powdery mildewvery common in various varieties of hydrangea. The disease manifests itself in the form of a white coating on the leaves, which begins to turn yellow and rot. The first rule of action against powdery mildew is spraying with an antifungal fungicide.
3. More often, gray rot begins to attack hydrangea. This disease destroys it. Rot can be recognized by inspecting the seedling: the lower part of the stem will be covered with spots, which will soon spread to the entire shoot and foliage. Through spots, through holes can form. They fight this disease radically, destroying the plant completely, so that the disease does not spread to neighboring plants. After, the soil is decontaminated, as the fungus is transmitted through the soil.

In addition to diseases, pests can live on hydrangeas, such as a spider mite, a grape snail, aphids, slugs, leafworms, and insects. With the help of insecticides, you can get rid of unwanted guests.

After reading all the descriptions, you will understand that hydrangea Nikko Blyu is often used in landscape design and serves as a bright accent of any garden plot. To maintain the brightness of the color, one should strictly adhere to the care technology, i.e. this large-leaved flower is easily infected by diseases, can be affected by pests, and also does not tolerate low temperatures.