Description of the tree hydrangea variety Bella Anna, its planting and care

The Bella Anna hydrangea variety has been known to gardeners for more than ten years. The selectively bred tree-like variety has the property of changing the color of the petals, for which the plant is loved by summer residents. Among the newly acquired qualities of the variety, increased frost resistance and immunity are noted. Otherwise, caring for the tree hydrangea Bella Anna comes down to the usual rules of watering and pruning.

Description of Bella Anna hydrangea

Most types of hydrangeas are found naturally in Japan and Korea. A new variety of shrub appeared as a result of the work of Asian breeders in 2012. The hybrid retained the typical characteristics of the Hydrangeaceae family and acquired new external features.

Appearance and characteristics

Bella Anna is a tree-like ornamental flowering shrub. The peculiarity of the selection variety is the shape of the crown and the direction of shoot growth. The plant pulls its branches vertically. In this case, the bush turns out to be spreading.

Botanical characteristics of selection hydrangea:

Large specimens grow up to 1.5 meters in height. The pink variety of shrub blooms from June. If you trim off faded inflorescences, flowering will continue into September.

Hydrangea Bella Anna in landscape design

A low plant is rarely chosen to decorate a hedge. The variety is more suitable for planting on the lawn or in compositions with lower perennials, flowering and decorative foliage species. Hosta, aconite, Echinops, and spirea look good next to tree hydrangea. The proximity of the plant to other tree species, such as peony, is unfavorable.

A classic combination used in the design of parks is hydrangea and conifers. The bright flowers of the bush look good next to the greenery of thuja, juniper, Hoopsie spruce, and mountain pine.

Use in garden design

The Bella Anna variety is universal for decorating a garden plot. Hydrangea enlivens the area near the wall or fence. The plant is planted next to the veranda, porch, gazebo, along the paths. Successful combinations:

• with perennials - peonies, lilies, asters, daylilies;
• with low plants - daffodils, ferns, tulips, heucheras, crocuses;
• with decorative foliage plants - barberries, bladderwort, mackerel;
• with veil plants - katran, basilisk, gypsophila, Buenos Aires verbena.

In the garden, selective hydrangeas find a variety of uses: in flower beds, flower gardens, and hedges. The variety is combined with other varieties of hydrangea in a mixborder.

Winter hardiness of hydrangea Bella Anna

All varieties of tree shrubs are resistant to frost and generally withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees. The Anna Bella variety is created to be more hardy. The plant survives when the temperature drops below -30 degrees.

Ability to withstand low temperatures

The selection variety is classified in frost resistance zone 4 according to the USDA system. Theoretically, the plant is resistant to temperatures ranging from -29 to -34 degrees.

In practice, annual young shoots freeze. To preserve them, it is recommended to cover the bush. However, after pruning the frozen branches, active growth of the above-ground parts and more luxuriant flowering are observed. Perennial mature branches are not sensitive to frost.

Planting and caring for Bella Anna hydrangea

The breeding plant is grown taking into account the typical needs of the Hydrangea family - plenty of sunlight and abundant watering without stagnant water. In order for the flowers to change color, the plant requires slightly acidic or neutral soil.

In summer cottages, the Bella Anna variety is grown from seedlings that can be purchased at the nursery. An adult bush can be easily propagated by cuttings. Seedlings are ready for planting in open ground in the third year of life. The root system of young plants must be closed before planting.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

For flowering shrubs, a sunny, level place with light partial shade is suitable. With soil acidity pH6, the inflorescences will retain a pink-raspberry palette. With high acidity, the petals turn purple.

Before planting, the soil must be dug up with compost, peat and sand in equal proportions. There should be no surface groundwater near the planting, otherwise the roots will rot.

The shrub should not be planted next to fruit and large deciduous trees, which will take food from the soil.

Rules for planting and watering

Seedlings of ornamental shrubs are placed at intervals of 1 meter. The length, width and height of the hole are approximately 40 centimeters.

Landing method:

• dig a hole and place drainage in the form of pebbles or brick chips on the bottom;
• remove the seedling from the container along with the earthen lump;
• lightly sprinkle the drainage layer with soil and install the seedling;
• fill the hole with the remaining soil.

The root neck of the seedling should be slightly below the surface of the earth. The finished planting is compacted and watered abundantly. Each seedling requires 1.5-2 buckets of water.

Watering and fertilizing

An adult bush is watered once a week, spending 10 liters per bush. To prevent the earth from sticking together into a wet lump, the tree trunk circle is loosened. Moisture will evaporate more slowly if the soil surface is mulched. When loosening, you should not go deeper than a meter.The roots of the bush are located close to the surface.

Fertilizers are applied three times a year:

• in spring - an aqueous solution of bird droppings or mullein with the beginning of leaf formation;
• in summer - phosphorus-potassium fertilizer with the appearance of buds;
• in autumn - complex mineral fertilizer after flowering.

Potassium permanganate is added to water for irrigation. Potassium permanganate increases the strength of shoots and the number of inflorescences, and prevents the development of fungus. The color of the solution should be pale pink and the particles should be well mixed.

Pruning Bella Anna hydrangea

Ornamental shrubs need sanitary pruning in spring and autumn. In the second year after planting, the wintered seedling is shortened by one bud. In subsequent years, the length is cut by a third. In the fall, the bushes are thinned out and branches that have not bloomed are removed.

Pruning helps control the volume of the crown, stimulates flowering and the development of new shoots. When the growth of the green mass slows down and the inflorescences become smaller, a rejuvenating pruning is carried out - the bush is cut off by two-thirds.

Preparing for winter

In September, after the end of flowering, the shrub stops watering. The remaining foliage is cut off with the arrival of the first frost. Young seedlings are covered with spruce branches or agrofibre in the first two winters after planting. Protection of mature bushes is limited to mulching to prevent the ground from freezing.