The velvet hydrangea impresses with its voluminous silhouette, two-tone flowers and delicately hairy foliage. If the cultivation of this noble hydrangea species still raises questions, you will receive precise and understandable answers here.

The velvet hydrangea likes it in partial shade and damp

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant velvet hydrangea correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Properly cut velvet hydrangea
  9. Water velvet hydrangea
  10. Fertilize velvet hydrangea properly
  11. hibernate
  12. Multiply velvet hydrangea
  13. How do I plant correctly?
  14. Velvet hydrangea in a pot
  15. Yellow leaves
  16. The most beautiful varieties

    17. Plant velvet hydrangea correctly

    Planting is started by placing the root ball in a bucket filled with rainwater. Then rake the bed soil thoroughly and create a planting pit that is 1.5 times the height and twice the width of the root ball. Backfill the pit with rhododendron soil or a mix of garden soil, ericaceous soil and compost. How to proceed:

    • Unpot the velvet hydrangea and plant as deep as before
    • Water and mulch with ferns, grass clippings, leaves or pine needles

    If you form a 10 centimeter high watering edge, the fur hydrangea can better utilize irrigation and rainwater.

    care tips

    The velvet hydrangea constantly evaporates moisture via the leaves, which can be up to 35 centimeters long, and countless flowers. In addition, the flowering shrub consumes large amounts of plant energy. Therefore, focus your attention on these aspects of care:

    • Check the soil daily and water immediately if it is dry
    • Give preferably collected rainwater or pond water directly to the roots
    • From March to the end of August fertilize with leaf or coniferous compost
    • Alternatively, apply a slow-release fertilizer for hydrangeas in March

    Before winter, cover the tree pit thickly with leaves, straw and pine twigs. So that the buds that have already been created do not freeze to death, wrap the branches in felt, jute or breathable garden fleece. Ideally, leave the withered flowers on the bush until March so that you can cut back in good time before the new shoots.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The velvet hydrangea thrives in flawless beauty in a partially shaded location, spoiled by the morning or evening sun. Avoid a location in the shade, because only a puny flower will show up here. The elegant hydrangea should be protected from the blazing midday sun.
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    The right planting distance

    The velvet hydrangea likes to socialize with other hydrangea species or rhododendrons. To determine the adequate planting distance, halve the expected growth width. If you settle the fur hydrangea at the edge of the property, the distance to the neighbor should be 1 meter or more.

    What soil does the plant need?

    Rich in nutrients, low in lime - these are the central requirements for the perfect soil for a velvet hydrangea. Adequate moisture content without the risk of waterlogging is of similar relevance. If in doubt, check the pH of the soil using a test kit from the hardware store or garden center. A score between 4.5 and 5.5 is considered ideal.

    What is the best planting time?

    The time window for a successful planting opens twice a year. Plant the velvet hydrangea in April/May or September/October and give the ornamental tree the best starting conditions.

    When is flowering time?

    The flowering period of a velvet hydrangea extends over the summer months. Under normal weather conditions, it presents its brilliant flowers from June to September.

    Properly cut velvet hydrangea

    The velvet hydrangea lays the buds for the next bloom in the previous year. We therefore recommend leaving the withered flowers on the bush for the time being as a natural winter protection. In March, cut off all that has faded and thin out the bush thoroughly at the same time. If the tree grows too much for you, there is nothing to be said against pruning it back immediately after flowering or in early spring. However, the abundance of flowers in the following season is likely to be somewhat meager.
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    Water velvet hydrangea

    The water balance of a velvet hydrangea should not slant, neither in one direction nor in the other. Therefore, check the soil every 1-2 days with a thumb test and water when the surface has dried. However, it should not be overdone, because the fur hydrangea does not want to be confronted with waterlogging. Ideally, you should water the roots directly with lime-free rainwater or stagnant tap water.

    Fertilize velvet hydrangea properly

    Spoil the velvet hydrangea every 2-3 weeks from March to September with leaf or needle compost and horn shavings.(32.93€) Optionally, you can fertilize with a special preparation for hydrangeas, which is only given once in March due to its depot effect.

    hibernate

    Only over the years does the stable winter hardiness of a velvet hydrangea become established. Therefore, before the first frost, spread a thick layer of leaves over the roots, covered with fir fronds. Since the wood goes into the cold season with buds already established, wrap the branches with jute ribbons or put a felt bag over them.

    Multiply velvet hydrangea

    Propagating the velvet hydrangea on your own is fun and easy on the wallet. How good that there are several methods to choose from that are easy to carry out:

    • Cut top cuttings in June/July, defoliate except for 2 leaves and root in peat sand
    • Pull sinkers to the ground, bury the middle part, form the tip on a wooden stick and take care of it until next year

    The division of the root ball is also possible. To do this, dig up the fur hydrangea in spring or autumn, cut the roots in half and plant each segment in the new location.
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    How do I plant correctly?

    The best time to change location is in the fall. Since the velvet hydrangea does not have to get ready to bloom again immediately afterwards, take action on an overcast, mild day in August or September like this:

    • Cut off the root ball all around in the radius of the growth height
    • Dig up the fur hydrangea so that as much soil as possible sticks

    At the new location, the planting pit is first watered in order to plant the shrub just as deeply as before. Then water again and spread out a 5 cm layer of mulch.

    Velvet hydrangea in a pot

    Since a velvet hydrangea can reach impressive dimensions of up to 3 meters, coupled with a rapid growth rate, we advise against cultivating in a pot. Graceful plate hydrangeas and dainty varieties of farmer's hydrangeas are much better suited for planters.

    Yellow leaves

    With yellow leaves, the velvet hydrangea signals a lack of nutrients, triggered by soil that is too calcareous. A typical symptom of this leaf chlorosis are the still green veins that run through the yellowed foliage. From now on, only water with soft water and fertilize with a special iron fertilizer for the rest of the season.

    The most beautiful varieties

    • Macrophylla: the variety stretches up to 3.50 meters into the sky, covered with countless purple and white flowers
    • Hot Chocolate: This velvet hydrangea owes its name to its chocolate-brown young shoots
    • Kawakami: impresses with its stiffly upright growth of up to 2 meters and pink flowers wreathed in white

Category:

Vegetable garden