How to winterize hydrangeas and help them flourish in 2022

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Wondering how to winterize hydrangeas? Hydrangeas are easy to intendance for and expect stunning all year long with their vibrant blooms. But, while these plants are by and large quite hardy, when it comes to winter, the freezing temperatures and chilling winds tin can practice some damage. That's why putting these plants to bed is arguably equally of import as knowing how to prune hydrangeas.

This is a chore quite a few gardeners volition put off, but it'south essential that you make fourth dimension to practice it. When you know the method, it'due south quick and easy, and you can re-use the same supplies twelvemonth-on-twelvemonth to help your plants flourish. Once your hydrangeas are in hibernation, you can then focus on other projects too, such as how to grow a Christmas tree.

Cheque out top tips on what to do subsequently information technology snows in the garden
Here'south how to defrost a windshield without damaging it

Before you go through these steps, information technology's important to stress that the best method will depend on your climate and the type of hydrangeas y'all desire to protect. The colder your region and the more delicate the plant, the more attention information technology will demand.

If the temperature is unlikely to drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, you lot won't need to go to the extreme of covering them up for example, simply more watering will likely be necessary. If your temperature does fall below this, y'all will need to supply extra protection depending on the type of hydrangea.

What you volition demand

Mulch

Fresh compost

Burlap or breathable alternative (optional)

Wire frame or cage (optional)

If your hydrangeas blossom on new wood, such as smooth hydrangeas, hydrangea paniculata and Peegee hydrangea, you're in luck as these are quite hardy and won't demand so much attention — that is unless your temperature drops below -xxx degrees Fahrenheit. However, hydrangeas which bloom on quondam wood, including mopheads, lacecaps, big leaf and Hydrangea Macophylla, will demand addressing.

How to winterize hydrangeas

1. Water your hydrangeas

Someone watering hydrangeas — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It can be piece of cake to forget at this time of twelvemonth, but your hydrangeas volition nevertheless need watering occasionally. How much water y'all use and how regularly you do then largely depends on your climate.

If you don't deal with freezing temperatures and there's petty rainfall, then you should h2o your hydrangeas thoroughly near one time a calendar month. Y'all tin always check the soil if you're unsure — if information technology feels os dry out, and so information technology could practise with some water. If the ground freezes over, or there's oft snowfall, then you don't need to worry about watering your hydrangeas.

2. Apply some fresh compost

It's a good idea to give your hydrangeas a nutritional boost before wintertime hits. By laying down some fresh compost on your hydrangeas, it volition break downwardly over the colder months and give your hydrangeas access to fresh nutrients in the bound. This will keep your hydrangeas healthy and give them a boost in the springtime also.

three. Cover with mulch

Someone picking up mulch while wearing gardening gloves — (Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

If y'all alive in a colder climate, and so mulch might be necessary. This sits on pinnacle of the soil and acts as insulation for the roots. You want to apply roughly six to eight inches of mulch effectually the base of the plant for information technology to be effective.

Mulch is useful in milder climates too as it helps the soil retain its moisture. Yous can employ straw or fallen leaves for this. Although, brand sure yous await until late fall or early on winter to employ mulch, as its warmth can attract rodents and critters.

4. Wrap up warm

A snowy garden with a plant wrapped in burlap — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you're protecting hydrangeas which flower on old forest and you live in a specially chilly region (below 0 degrees Fahrenheit), then covering your plants may exist necessary. You volition need to wrap the plants loosely, simply securely in a few layers of burlap.

It's important to give the plants some room to breathe, but y'all also want the layers to be secure with twine or string so the air current can't catch it. At that place are alternatives available to burlap, but you shouldn't apply plastic every bit the material needs to exist breathable. If y'all don't have whatsoever to paw, we recommend Natural Burlap Fabric ($17.99, Amazon).

5. Build a frame

If your plant is immature and you worry layers of burlap are going to exist too heavy for information technology, you can place a frame around it instead, such every bit a wire cage. Then fill it with mulch and wrap the muzzle in burlap instead.

If you live in a snowy region, then a frame is useful for keeping the snowfall off of your hydrangeas too. If you get lots of snow, the weight of information technology can damage your plants, so it's worth planning for.

six. Motility to a warmer position

A large pot filled with hydrangeas — (Epitome credit: Shutterstock)

If your hydrangea is in a pot, then nosotros recommend moving it to a warmer location, such equally a greenhouse, or at least near a wall to protect it from the frost and wind. If the pot is likewise big to do this, and then depending on the hydrangea'due south fragility, you can cover it with burlap following the above steps.

When should you winterize hydrangeas?

If you're expecting frost over the winter, you want to commencement prepping your hydrangeas at the end of fall, so at present ideally. If you live in a milder climate, then y'all won't demand to accept as many steps, just you lot should nevertheless start getting set to winterize your hydrangeas.

If you live in a very cold region and have to wrap upward your hydrangeas because of regular frost, then you should only remove the layers in early spring — exist prepared to reapply them if the temperature drops over again.

Katie looks after everything homes-related, from kitchen appliances to gardening tools. She as well covers smart home products besides, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, and then she knows what to look for when finding the best. Her favorite thing to test has to exist stand up mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time.