The chic tree-like hydrangea of Strong Annabelle with huge spherical inflorescences leaves no one indifferent, at least once having seen her. It is an adornment of garden plots and park ensembles. In order for the flowering of the bush to be plentiful, it is important to ensure proper care for it.
Description of the variety and its characteristics
Annabelle is one of the oldest varieties of tree hydrangea. It was bred in the United States in the 18th century, and after several decades, culture began to be grown in all gardens of the world.
Hydrangea tree-like Strong Annabel
Note! Tree hydrangea Strong Annabelle is an improved hybrid that is characterized by increased winter hardiness and disease resistance. Its spherical inflorescences have a greater number of flowers than other types of culture.
Many associate this flower with the sincerity of feelings manifested in any situation. According to Japanese legend, once the emperor apologized to the family of his beloved, sending them a bouquet of hydrangeas of the Strong Annabelle variety. According to the Victorian language of flowers, this plant is a symbol of indifference and coldness.
Inflorescences of the hydrangea of the tree variety Strong Annabel
Most often, hydrangea is a shrub from one to three meters high. But there are species resembling small trees. Culture blooms profusely from early spring to late autumn. Usually the flowers are white in color, but in some species they are red, blue, pink and even lilac.
Landing and further care
The best time to plant a plant is early spring, when the time of night frosts has passed. Although planting work can be done in the autumn period (for example, in September).
For cultivation, it is advisable to choose a sunny place, but half-shaded is also suitable. Hydrangea Strong Anabel does not tolerate calcareous soils and is almost not susceptible to fungal diseases. The culture tolerates winter and temperature changes well, but needs annual pruning.
Landing is performed as follows:
- The container is filled with peat or sand.
- A stalk or seed is placed in it, which is covered with sand from above.
- Then you should cover the container with a piece of glass and moisten the seedling 2 times a week for two weeks.
It is necessary to feed the shrub, alternating mineral fertilizers with organic. Do this twice a month, starting in spring. During the flowering period, the amount of mineral top dressing should be increased.
Important! No special measures are required to prepare the plant for winter, since the Strong Anabel variety is frost-resistant.
Breeding
Hydrangea tree-like hydrangea arborescens Strong Annabelle propagates by arcuate layers. Cuttings are usually taken in early summer or early autumn from shoots that have not yet bloomed. The length of the handle is a little more than 10 cm. It is fertilized with a growth stimulant and rooted in a container filled with peat.
Hydrangea is cut with cuttings
Diseases and pests, ways to combat them
When growing hydrangeas of the Strong Annabelle variety, inexperienced gardeners often encounter yellowing of leaves, dryness, wilting of the bush. To eliminate these problems, it is important to feed the plant in a timely manner, properly water it with standing water and in the summer, on the hottest days, to shelter from the scorching sun.
Diseases and pests to which culture is affected:
- Powdery mildew is a fungal disease in which the leaves become covered with white spots. To get rid of the disease, you need to treat the healthy parts with fungicides, and remove the affected areas of the crown.
- A spider mite is a pest that enters the affected areas of the plant. As a treatment, it is necessary to clean the flower from the pest and apply insecticides to the affected areas.
Note! Slugs and snails are considered one of the most dangerous pests. You can get rid of them using Molluscocide or manually.
Use in landscape design
Gardeners are very fond of using Anabel hydrangea in landscape design both as group plantings and as a stand-alone plant. Hydrangea looks spectacular against the background of a hedge of coniferous crops. Also, it can be combined with geraniums and various ornamental herbs, if the garden is designed in the English style. A good addition to the bush are ferns.
Hydrangea varieties Strong Annabel does not lose its popularity. Unpretentious in care, it remains one of the favorite plants of gardeners. Easy care, the beauty of the crop during flowering and its resistance to frost allow you to create real greenhouses on the territory of parks and sites.
