Although hydrangeas are relatively hardy plants, some hydrangeas are more sensitive to cold than others and may not bloom if their flower buds are damaged by extreme cold and harsh winter winds.
However, by adding a little winter protection and providing hydrangeas with winter care
They need it, you can avoid flower bud damage and get maximum bloom. whether you are Growing Hydrangeas in Pots Or in your garden, these seven tips will teach you how to protect hydrangeas from frost and cold damage and ensure your plants bloom well next season.
meet the expert
scott bolotin is a gardener and owner of Morning Star Perennials & Nursery in Rockingham, Vermont.
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Choose the Right Hydrangeas
While hydrangeas can be prepared for winter with mulch and other winter protection products, you can avoid a lot of trouble by purchasing hardy hydrangea varieties from the beginning.
“It is especially important to check the region of the hydrangea you purchase and make sure
Perfect for your space,” says Scott Bolotin of Morning Star Perennials & Nursery.
Bolotin points out that new-wood hydrangeas, such as panicle and smooth hydrangeas, are particularly winter-hardy and are the best choices for cold climates. Older wood hydrangeas, on the other hand, are more susceptible to cold damage and require more winter protection in colder regions.
In addition to hydrangeas varieties, Bolotin points out how it is helpful to purchase plants that have overwintered in the area before.
“This will let you know if this species of hydrangea can be successful in your area,” says Bolotin.
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Select a sheltered growing site
Hydrangea flower buds are more susceptible to damage if the plant is located in an area exposed to the elements. To avoid this, plant cold-sensitive hydrangeas, such as bigleaf hydrangeas, in sheltered areas that are protected from strong winds.
Trees, retaining walls and DIY windbreaks can all be used to shield hydrangeas, as long as these structures don’t block too much sun.
apply mulch
Adding a two to three-inch layer of natural mulch around the base of hydrangea plants at the end of the season will help insulate the soil and keep the ground from drying out too quickly.
Additionally, mulch also prevents frost from forming, which can irritate hydrangea roots and make them more susceptible to cold damage. If you want to give your hydrangeas an extra boost, sprinkle some compost or aged manure over the soil before mulching.
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Stop pruning and fertilizing
Pruning Hydrangeas Fertilizing hydrangeas at the wrong time of year can kill flower buds and reduce blooms, while fertilizing hydrangeas late in the season can cause plants to lose leaves and suffer frost damage.
Solution? Prune old wood hydrangeas shortly after flowering, prune new wood hydrangeas in late winter to early spring, and stop fertilizing all types of hydrangeas in early fall!
water well
Well-watered plants are more resistant to cold damage than water-deficient plants, so it is important to keep hydrangeas watered until the ground is solidly frozen. If you live in an area that receives snowfall in the winter, the snow will eventually warm the soil and provide moisture to your plants’ roots.
However, if you live in an area where the ground does not freeze in the winter, continue to water your hydrangeas deeply about once a month when rainfall is low.
add insulation
New wood hydrangeas and older wood hydrangeas in growing zones 7 and above will generally not need winter protection. But older wood hydrangeas growing in areas where they are a little hardy may benefit from some extra insulation.
A popular option is to install wooden stakes and burlap wrapping around vulnerable hydrangeas. But you can also place a wire cage over your plants and fill the cage with insulation straw or autumn leaves. To prevent snow overloading your plants, leave the top of the hydrangea cover open and remove the cover in the spring when temperatures rise above freezing.
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Protect potted plants
Potted hydrangeas require more protection in the winter than garden plants and should be brought to a protected location before the ground freezes in winter. A garage or cool basement is ideal for storing potted hydrangeas, as long as these locations stay above freezing.
Once your hydrangea is safely stored indoors, wrap a blanket or some bubble wrap around its pot, add mulch, and lightly water your plant about once a month for as long as you can. Give water. return it to its garden In spring.
