Hydrangea is a very attractive, unpretentious shrub. However, some of the representatives (serrated and large-leaved hydrangeas) are not resistant to low temperatures.
It is better to play it safe and dig in such heat-loving plants for the winter, and plant them in a permanent place in the spring. After all, the soil layer when digging in is much thicker than when planting.
Digging in a hydrangea seedling
The process of digging in a plant is practically no different from planting.
You just need to follow certain rules:
- choose a place on a hill that will not be flooded with water, protected from strong winds and direct sunlight;
- dig a hole (with a large number of seedlings - a trench);
- the plants themselves are laid with their tops to the south - this will help to avoid sunburn of the bark. If you additionally cover the hydrangea seedlings from above, then you can stack it as you like;
- leaves are removed from seedlings, leaving petioles and a central vein. The leaves on the surface of the plant evaporate moisture, and damaged roots do not work and the hydrangea seedling can simply dry out;
- the roots are buried tightly with earth, forming a mound of 10-15 centimeters (in a harsh climate, they make it higher). Before digging in, the roots of the seedling are inspected if they are dry, they are placed in water for a short time so that they are saturated with moisture.
- 1⁄2 of the trunk and branches are also covered with earth for the winter, with a short 1⁄4.
This method of storing hydrangeas is used both for a long time - all winter, and for a short time - for planting in the near future. These rules will help the plant not to die.
Digging methods
There are two ways to dig in: short-term and long-term.
For short-term, hydrangea seedlings are dropped together into the pits and covered with earth just above the root neck. Pits are made at a distance of 50 centimeters from each other, covered with moss on top (to maintain moisture). With this method, seedlings can be stored for 1-1.5 weeks.
With prolonged digging, for the winter, the hydrangea is poured into the ground in half. After that, the soil is watered, the plants are covered with moss, straw and other materials. This procedure is carried out in October. Then, in winter, part of the shelter is removed and covered with snow by 70-90 centimeters and insulation (moss, hay) is laid back. In the spring, before the beginning of the growing season, the seedlings will last about 3-4 weeks.
Choosing a place for digging
It is necessary to carefully approach the issue of choosing a place for digging. It should be cool, in partial shade, and the soil should be moist. It is desirable that this site is 10 centimeters above the groundwater level.
Output
Digging in a hydrangea will help her endure even the harshest winter, as well as steal time to free up space for planting.
