When winter is coming, it doesn’t mean your garden has to suffer.
Hydrangeas are loved for their stunning blooms, and with the right winter care, they’ll return even more beautiful next year.
Let’s walk through these simple steps to ensure your hydrangeas survive and thrive through the cold months.
If you want to winterize potted hydrangeas, skip down the page to that section.
7 Simple Steps To Prepare Your Hydrangeas For Winter
1. Why Winterize Hydrangeas?
Not all hydrangeas need winter protection, but for some, it’s essential to ensure a beautiful bloom next season.
There are two primary reasons to winterize hydrangeas:
- Growing Outside Their Zone: If your hydrangea is planted in a climate colder than its recommended USDA hardiness zone, winterizing is crucial to protect it from harsh conditions.
- Protecting Flower Buds: Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, like the Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), need winter protection. The flower buds, formed on last year’s growth, can be damaged by winter cold, resulting in no blooms the following year.
2. Assess the Type of Hydrangea
Understanding the type of hydrangea in your garden is the first step to proper winter care. Different types have different needs:
- Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): These bloom on old wood and are particularly vulnerable to cold, needing extra winter protection to safeguard next year’s flowers.
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) and Climbing Hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris): These types are more cold-hardy, and their flower buds are less likely to be damaged by winter cold. Many gardeners don’t bother winterizing these varieties, especially since they’re often valued for features other than their flowers, like fall foliage and bark.
- Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) and Panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): These bloom on new wood, meaning winter protection is generally unnecessary because they will bloom on the current season’s growth even if the plant dies back in winter.
3. Timing Is Key
When should you start winterizing your hydrangeas? Timing is everything!
When to Start:
Begin winterizing after the first frost but before the ground freezes solid. This timing helps protect the plants without trapping too much moisture, which can lead to rot.
Avoid This Common Mistake:
Starting too early can make your hydrangeas susceptible to mold, while waiting too long could expose them to harsh frost.
4. Prune with Purpose
Pruning hydrangeas can be tricky because different types require different approaches.
How to Prune:
- Bigleaf and Oakleaf Hydrangeas: Prune lightly in early spring, as they bloom on old wood.
- Panicle and Smooth Hydrangeas: Prune in late fall or early spring, as they bloom on new wood.
Tip: Use clean, sharp shears and make cuts at a 45-degree angle just above a healthy bud.
5. Mulch for Moisture & Warmth
Mulching is one of the best ways to protect your hydrangeas’ roots from freezing temperatures.
Why Mulching Matters
A thick layer of mulch retains moisture and insulates the soil, keeping roots warm and protected.
Best Materials
Use organic mulch like straw, pine needles, or shredded bark. Apply a 3-6 inch layer around the base of the plant, extending out to cover the root zone. The colder your growing zone the thicker the mulch.
6. Covering & Wrapping
In colder climates, covering your hydrangeas can offer additional protection against frost.
Protective Coverings
Wrapping hydrangeas helps shield them from desiccating winds and freezing temperatures that can damage flower buds and branches.
Materials to Use: Burlap and frost blankets are recommended because they are breathable materials that provide insulation without trapping excessive moisture.
How to Wrap
Step 1: Drive stakes into the ground around the hydrangea to create a framework.
Step 2: Wrap burlap around the stakes, creating a protective barrier around the plant without the material touching the branches directly.
Step 3: Secure the burlap with garden twine.
Step 4: For added insulation, fill the space between the burlap and the plant with dry leaves or straw.
7. Water Wisely
Proper watering before winter sets in can make a big difference in your hydrangeas’ health.
Hydration Tips
Water deeply in late fall, just before the first hard freeze. This gives the roots one last good drink to sustain them through winter.
Avoid Overwatering
Be careful not to waterlog the soil, as this can lead to root rot. Hydrangeas need moisture, but they also need well-drained soil to prevent damage.
How to Winterize Potted Hydrangeas
Potted hydrangeas need a bit of extra care during the winter months, as they are more exposed to the elements than those planted in the ground.
Here’s how to keep your potted hydrangeas safe and thriving through winter.
1. Choose a Sheltered Spot
Location Matters: Move your potted hydrangeas to a sheltered location, such as a garage, shed, or an unheated basement. This will protect them from extreme cold, wind, and frost.
Outdoor Options: If you prefer to keep them outside, place the pots close to your home’s foundation on the south or east side where they’ll get some protection from the wind.
2. Insulate the Pots
Wrap for Warmth: Wrap the pots in burlap or old blankets to insulate the roots. For extra protection, you can place the pot inside a larger container and fill the space in between with straw or leaves.
Elevate the Pots: Place the pots on bricks or wooden blocks to keep them off the cold ground, which helps prevent the roots from freezing.
3. Reduce Watering
Water Wisely: During winter, hydrangeas need less water. Keep the soil slightly moist but avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot. Water just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
4. Monitor for Frost Damage
Check Regularly: Even in a sheltered spot, it’s important to check your potted hydrangeas periodically. If you notice any signs of frost damage, take further protective measures, such as adding more insulation or moving the pot to a warmer spot.
5. Bring Indoors (If Necessary)
Severe Weather Precautions: If you’re expecting a particularly harsh winter, consider bringing your potted hydrangeas indoors to an unheated but frost-free room. Just make sure they still get some light.
6. Spring Transition
Ease Back Outdoors: As spring approaches, gradually reintroduce your potted hydrangeas to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them outside for a few hours a day, increasing their exposure over time to avoid shocking the plant.
Keep Your Garden Thriving
Winterizing your hydrangeas doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these steps, you’re setting your plants up for a beautiful and healthy growing season next year.
Final Tip:
Check your hydrangeas periodically through winter. If you notice any damage or exposed roots, make adjustments as needed to keep them protected.
Want More?
Now that you are a master on winterizing your garden hydrangeas, why not consider how to winterize your potted hydrangeas?
Maybe you are interested in learning how to winterize ferns, hostas, dahlias or geraniums.
All of these things are part of many gardeners winter garden prep.
