To prevent the hydrangea from freezing back too much in frosty temperatures, the relatively hardy plant needs some winter protection, especially in harsh regions. If you follow our care measures for the cold season, your hydrangeas will thank you next spring with strong growth and many magnificent flowers.

Suitable hydrangea species for locations at risk of frost

Not all hydrangeas are completely hardy and survive deep sub-zero temperatures well. In areas where there is a risk of permafrost, you should therefore only plant one of the following species.

Good frost tolerance are:

  • peasant hydrangeas
  • garden hydrangeas
  • japanese hydrangeas
  • forest hydrangeas
  • climbing hydrangeas
  • plate hydrangeas

Overwinter frost-resistant varieties properly

These frost-resistant hydrangeas also need suitable winter protection so that they do not freeze back too much at low minus temperatures. There are a few things you should keep in mind beforehand:

  • Fertilize the hydrangea for the last time in summer so that the fresh shoots can mature by autumn.
  • Do not prune hydrangeas in the fall. Only remove faded flowers and dead wood.
  • The plants require a relatively large amount of water. However, waterlogging when watering should be avoided at all costs. Root damage weakens the hydrangea, making the plant more susceptible to frost damage.

The right winter protection

Mulch the ground around the hydrangea with a layer of bark mulch or leaves about four inches thick. This layer of mulch acts as a warm blanket and protects the hydrangea from frost. In rough locations, it is advisable to pile up the root neck with garden soil or compost ten to twenty centimeters high.

To protect the shoots and buds from cold damage, special fleeces or alternatively a wire mesh that you cover with brushwood are suitable. It is important that the plant can breathe under this winter protection. Plastic films and airtight materials are unsuitable, as condensation forms underneath them. This promotes rot and can cause massive damage to the plant.

tips and tricks

Just a look at the plant label provides information about whether the hydrangea tolerates frost. Varieties that prefer sun should not be overwintered outdoors. Hydrangea species that are stated to thrive in the shade are usually also hardy.

Category:

Vegetable garden