The hydrangea is one of the relatively hardy garden perennials that usually cope well with short-term frosts. Since many hydrangeas already flower in the previous year, they still need a certain amount of winter protection. In this article you will find out what measures you should take to ensure that the romantic garden beauties can cope well with ice and snow.
The hydrangea is relatively hardy, you should only protect the root area
Bedding plants overwinter
Hydrangea hibernates from around November to March. It loses its foliage during this time, so that the inflorescences that have already been established are exposed to the cold without protection.
It is therefore advisable to leave the faded umbels on the plant in autumn. Covered with ice and snow, they are a natural protection against the cold for the buds. In autumn, only cut out the dried branches to prevent fungi and rotting bacteria from settling there.
piling up the root neck
Already in autumn it is advisable to pile up the hydrangea about ten to twenty centimeters high. Suitable for this are substrates that still allow enough air to the plant, such as:
- compost soil
- Hydrangea or Rhododenron soil
- bark mulch
- Chopped Tree Pruning
For ecological reasons, we ask you to refrain from using peat, which is still often recommended.
protect buds
In harsh areas you should also cover the crown of the hydrangea. Special plant fleeces are very well suited for this, as they give the hydrangea enough space to breathe.
Potted plants in winter
You can overwinter these hydrangeas either in a sheltered spot on the balcony or in the house. Plants with a pot diameter of less than forty centimeters always have to be moved indoors.
Leave potted plants on the balcony
Make sure the hydrangea is in a frost-proof container. Thick-walled tubs are best because they keep out the cold and don't freeze through so quickly. Move the hydrangea to a sheltered spot and cover the sensitive crown with plant fleece.
It is important to ensure that the substrate does not dry out completely, even in winter. Therefore, water the hydrangea on mild days whenever the soil in the upper part of the flower pot feels dry.
Hydrangea overwinter indoors
The basement or a cool stairwell are the ideal winter quarters for smaller hydrangeas. The temperature in the room should not exceed ten degrees. Air regularly so that the buds do not begin to rot. Keep the soil evenly moist but never wet to avoid root rot.
tips and tricks
Do not remove the winter protection too early. Even if the rays of the spring sun warm you up pleasantly during the day, temperatures can still fall below freezing at night. The buds just sprouting would then freeze to death.