Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb - Little Lamb Hydrangea blooms on the compact, dense and conical-shaped inflorescences with white to pink flowers
Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb also called as Little Lamb Hydrangea, is a cultivar in the genus Hydrangea. This cultivar was discovered by Jelena DeBelder in a controlled environment in Essen, Belgium.
DESCRIPTION OF HYDRANGEA PANICULATA LITTLE LAMB - LITTLE LAMB HYDRANGEA
Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb is originated from a cross-pollination during the summer of 1989 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea paniculata identified as code number 16 as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection of Hydrangea paniculata as the male, or pollen, parent. Asexual reproduction of the plant by softwood cuttings taken in Essen, Belgium since 1995, has shown that the unique features of this plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.
It is a bushy perennial shrub which reaching 50 cm tall by 50 cm spread in 3.5 years with rounded and moderately vigorous, upright and outwardly arching plant habit. When pruned, the plant is freely branching with potentially about 96 lateral branches per plant. The leaves are opposite, occasionally whorled, 9 to 9.5 cm long by 4 to 5 cm wide, lanceolate to ovate, acuminate apex, obtuse base, serrulate margin, green colored.
Little Lamb Hydrangea blooms in summer on the terminal, compact, dense and conical shaped panicles with about 1292 sterile flowers and about 627 fertile flowers per panicle. The flowers are white then turn pink in the fall, last about 90 days on the plant and have exhibited excellent tolerance to wind and rain.
HYDRANGEA PANICULATA LITTLE LAMB - LITTLE LAMB HYDRANGEA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb love the warm morning sun, but they dislike the heat of the afternoon. The best place for the plant is in a sheltered location with sunny mornings and shady afternoons. Avoid planting directly underneath trees, which can lead to competition for water and nutrients. High winds can rip and damage leaves and destroy the flowers. Although they can be successfully grown in full shade, they will not bloom well.
Temperature:
Little Lamb Hydrangea prefers a cool location, from 18° to 24°C. The plant may suffer from considerable branch dieback during the cold months and will benefit from winter protection. Winter protection can be provided by constructing a wire framework around the plant and filling the space with shredded leaves to a depth of approximately 10-12” for insulation. Cold winters and late spring frosts can often kill flower buds, preventing plants from blooming in the spring. When unexpected cold weather is predicted in late spring or early summer after winter protection has been removed, it may be necessary to cover tender plant with cloth, burlap, or heavy paper to protect flower buds. Plastic should never be used as winter protection because it may damage tender plant tissue.
Substrate, growing media:
Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb are best planted in well-drained, moist soil, preferably a fertile sandy or silt loam with greater than 1% organic matter. The plant can also grow in clay soils with proper water management. When grown in container, the plant needs a well-drained substrate with sphagnum peat moss to increase substrate water holding capacity, and perlite or pumice to maintain adequate air space.
Try to maintain media pH in the 6.0–6.2 range, especially during the finishing stage of production. Higher pH can be maintained by amending the potting media with sufficient levels of calcitic or dolomitic limestone.
Humidity and Watering:
Little Lamb Hydrangea prefers consistent moisture but dislike wet feet. The plant should be watered thoroughly at least 3 times a week. Always water the plant all the way around the container, not just in one place. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in water which will cause the roots to rot away. Mulch to help conserve moisture and cool the root system. A two- to three-inch layer of mulch will help to conserve moisture.
Fertilizer:
Fertilizing is generally not recommended unless a nutrient deficiency is observed. The plants may need little fertilizer in rich soil with organic matter applied yearly. Avoid using too much nitrogen, too much nitrogen can produce excessive green growth at the expense of flowers. If you do fertilize, do a little research to find out exactly what your plant might need, and always apply as directed and read and follow all label directions.
Pruning:
The plant bloom on the new spring growth. In late winter thin out excessive growth, or prune the entire plant back to the ground. These plants bloom reliably regardless which pruning method is selected and are not usually adversely affected by late frosts. Severe early pruning produces a smaller plant with larger blooms; not pruning produces a larger plant with many smaller blooms.
Propagation:
Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb is mainly propagated by softwood cuttings. The cutting should be taken from non-flowering green woody stems and cut at the base. Each cutting should have at least one leaf node or terminal bud. It is important not to damage the buds while obtaining the cuttings. Dip your cutting into your rooting hormone, then place into the sterile media that should consist of one part peat and one part medium to fine grade perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Spray the plant until wet but dont over water it. Watering is important for the first week, three times a day is recommended for the first week when top soil feels dry. Dont place the plant in direct sunlight or wind. After a few weeks you should see growth from your cuttings.
Pests and diseases:
Little Lamb Hydrangea are almost trouble-free. However, certain pests and diseases can attack. The most common time for them to do so is in the summer months. They most commonly suffer from powdery mildew, aphids, spider mites, yellow leaves and leaf spots. All of these are common to spot and treat, providing you catch the disease or pest early.
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