Hydrangea Levan paniculata - description, planting and care

Hydrangea Levana - hydrangea paniculata levana is a panicle hydrangea, which is very popular among gardeners, despite the fact that it has recently appeared on sale. She attracts for her exquisite appearance, which does not leave anyone indifferent and for the magical honey aroma that fills the garden. This is an excellent melliferous plant.

Briefly about the origin of Levana

Panicle hydrangea Levana: photo hydrangea paniculata levana

The plant owes its origin to North America, where it grew 70 million years ago. But it was brought to Asia after 50 million years, according to scientists who carried out numerous excavations.

Hydrangea means "a vessel of water" in translation. This name was given to her because of the seed capsule, which is very similar to the vessel in its appearance. In Europe, the plant appeared already in the 18th century, a self-taught botanist John Bartram contributed to this.

Panicle hydrangea Levan: description and characteristics

Treelike shrub plants begin to cut from the very beginning of summer and delight with their beauty until the first frosts come. The main characteristics include: cone-shaped inflorescences: snow-white or cream colors in which the flowers are painted; original flowers resembling butterflies with a diameter of 50 mm; long inflorescences reaching 50 centimeters; a sprawling and incredibly lush crown that forms on tall hydrangea bushes.

The shoots of the Levana variety hydrangea are very powerful and do not bend under the weight of flower brushes, therefore they do not need a garter. This variety can be classified as a fast growing plant, it can grow up to 3 meters in height. The foliage painted in bright green colors of large sizes covers the entire bush and attracts the eye.

The disadvantages of hydrangeas include low drought tolerance. The name itself suggests that this flower needs constant watering. It is important to remember that regular watering and maintaining moisture in the soil does not mean that the plant should be filled with water. The soil, indeed, should always be moistened, but water stagnation should not be allowed.
To make Levana comfortable, you can choose a place in the lowland, where the earth is acidic and does not contain lime. If the land is on a site with a low acidity level, then you can increase it with the help of fallen needles and a surface layer of peat. They will help to saturate the soil with the necessary elements.
In order to deacidify the soil, it must be watered with water to which citric acid or fresh lemon juice is added.

Hydrangea Levana paniculate planting

Hydrangea Levana: photo of the variety hydrangea paniculata levana

It is quite simple to grow this unpretentious plant in the garden and even those who are just starting to decorate their garden can cope with it. Planting is not difficult, and there is nothing unusual about leaving and it does not require a lot of time. In order for the plant to develop well and bloom, it is enough to follow only a few rules. One of them is to choose the right place where Levana will be grown.

Hydrangea is not shade tolerant and grows poorly there. She prefers open sun or partial shade. Reproduction takes place through cuttings, dividing the bush.
Planting is carried out in spring or autumn, depending on the region.
Landing holes are prepared in advance.They should be at a distance of one and a half meters from each other, go to a depth of 1 meter, and 50 centimeters wide. Keeping a distance is very important, as over time the bushes grow and they need space. Next, fertilizers are applied to the holes. Here you need humus, soil, peat and sand. They are mixed in proportions of 1/1/2/2 and mineral fertilizers are added here. An excellent option would be: urea-20 gr. , potassium and phosphate.
You cannot add lime, chalk or wood ash to the soil, as this will badly affect Levan.
When planting young bushes, pay attention that the root collar remains on the surface of the ground. Once the plants are planted, water them abundantly and cover the ground at the base of the plant with a layer of mulch.

Hydrangea Levan paniculata: care

Hydrangea Levana: photo of the variety

Caring for Levan's panicle hydrangea is quite simple. It includes several rules. This includes regular, timely and abundant watering, loosening the soil, controlling weeds and removing them in a timely manner. In order for moisture to remain in the ground as long as possible, it is necessary to mulch it with sawdust and peat.
For a plant to have abundant and lush flowering, it must be regularly and correctly pruned. In the spring, before sap flow begins in the plant, it is necessary to remove all branches that have any signs of damage, are weakened, dry and growing improperly. Young and strong shoots are shortened to 5 buds. If anti-aging pruning is carried out, then it is necessary to cut off all branches to the base. Already in the next season, new ones will appear and the plant will bloom with renewed vigor. In the autumn, all dry inflorescences are removed.

Top dressing is equally important for a colorful and long-lasting flowering. For the first two years, the plant should not be fed, since all the necessary fertilizers were applied before planting. Further, nutrients are added to the soil annually.
The first time feeding is carried out in early spring. During this period, it is necessary to use nitrogen fertilizers, as well as phosphorus and potassium.
The second is carried out during the formation of buds.
Further, the bushes are fed several times with manure or chicken droppings diluted in water.

It is important to know that excessive nitrogen fertilization is harmful to the plant. For this reason, the petals turn green and the plant does not tolerate winters well. To avoid this situation, you should not apply fertilizers containing nitrogen from the middle of summer.

Diseases and pests: ways to control

Hydrangea has a very strong immune system, which allows the plant to easily cope with many different diseases and pests. However, it happens that the plant still gets sick. Among diseases and pests, one can encounter powdery mildew and chlorosis, spider mites and leaf aphids. All of them can be dangerous to bushes.

The appearance of chlorosis can be determined by the change in color on the leaves. Their rich green color begins to fade and become lighter. This disease is provoked by the presence of a large amount of lime or humus. You can cope with this disease. To do this, it is necessary to process the bushes with copper sulfate and nitric acid potassium as soon as possible.

Powdery mildew appears due to high levels of moisture and stagnant water in the soil. To cope with it, it is necessary to take measures in time and process the leaves with a solution of copper sulfate mixed with green soap.

Leaf aphids can be treated with a garlic infusion. To do this, chop 200 grams of garlic and place it in a bucket of water. Then leave for two days so that it is well infused, then add 40 grams of laundry soap and process the bushes. Processing should be carried out several times at intervals of 7 days.

Levan's panicle hydrangea as a garden decoration

Hydrangea Levana: photo of the variety

The Lebanese panicle hydrangea is very much appreciated among landscape designers and florists, because with the help of them you can create unique, inimitable compositions.This beauty can decorate squares, showing off its incomparable large inflorescences. It will look great with a cotoneaster, spirea and many other shrubs. In flower beds, it can be planted in the background and thus complements the design.
Flowers with orange and red shades should not be used as neighbors, but evergreen, coniferous bushes can be ideal for hydrangeas. It is suitable as a hedge and can become a colorful decoration of garden paths.

By planting Levan's hydrangea on your plot, you can make the garden unique. If you follow the rules for caring for a shrub, then you can enjoy its aroma and magnificent flowering for many years. He creates an indescribable magical atmosphere and always attracts the eye. Most likely, neighbors will line up to get the seeds or offshoots of your beauty from you.