protect your hydrangeas in the winter

 Here are 5 must-know tips to protect your hydrangeas in the winter 

Colorful display to celebrate the full bloom of a hydrangea. But did you know that some types of hydrangeas form flower buds during the growing season before flowering? Young, tender buds form in late summer and then they hang no matter what winter weather comes. If the cold wind, subzero temperatures, and frost and shore cycles damage those buds, you may forget to look for any hydrangea blooms next spring or summer. Providing extra protection for your plants in cooler areas will help increase their flowering. Here's what you can do to prepare your hydrangeas for the winter, so you can enjoy their beautiful blooms again.

1. Know your hydrangea type.

The first step in planning winter care is to get a good idea of ​​what kind of hydrangea you are growing. If your hydrangea does not bloom in the spring but blooms exclusively from mid to late summer, it is a delicate or panicle hydrangea and produces its flower buds in the spring. Gentle and panicle hydrangeas produce flower buds and bloom only during the growing season, so they rarely need extra winter care.

Hydrangeas are large-leaf or oakleaf hydrangeas that bloom in spring and early summer. These hydrangeas bloom from flower buds formed in early summer or autumn (some varieties, such as endless summer hydrangeas, also produce buds in the same year of flowering). If severe cold or dry winter winds are a challenge in your area, add some winter protection around these spring and summer flowering shrubs. If you live in a temperate climate and your big leaf or oakleaf hydrangea is not a problem during flowering, you do not need to protect your plant.

2. Preserve hydrangeas in spring and early summer.

Flower-bud care is the goal of winter care for vulnerable hydrangeas. The simplest method is to place shredded leaves or bark around the base of the plant about 12 inches or more. Set up mulch in the fall after the ground freezes, and expose the plants when the temperature in the spring starts to be above freezing.

3. Water the plants well.

Hydrangeas, like all trees, shrubs, and perennials, winter best when they are fully hydrated. Pour water hydrangea deep once or twice in the fall. Winter winds dry the hydrangea quickly. Adequate moisture in the fall will help the stems to withstand freezing air bursts.

4. No need to prune.

If you cut your plants in the fall or winter, you can remove the flower buds on the big leaf and oakleaf hydrangeas next year. In addition, leaving old flower heads on the plants will add a little interest to the winter landscape. It is best to store hydrangea pruning work until spring or summer after the plants have bloomed (do not worry, new growth will soon cover the dead stems from next year).

5. Bring potted hydrangeas inside.

Pot-made hydrangeas cool well in a garage or basement where the temperature is cool, but not frozen. The plants will go dormant, but until spring, to keep the roots moist, once a month, you should occasionally water the pots.