BBC Gardeners' World Magazine on best time to prune hydrangeas
As the weather gets colder and wetter, many gardeners may be wondering about the best way to protect their outdoor plants.
Hydrangeas are beautiful blooms known to flower for several months of the year but will go dormant in winter to protect themselves from the frosty weather.
These striking flowers are incredibly hardy plants in December and do not require a lot of care. However, there are a few ways concerned gardeners can help keep hydrangeas healthy in witner to ensure they flower bigger and brighter next year.
Justine Guidry, a gardening expert from Garden Design, has said certain types of old wood hydrangeas, such as bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas are very likely to need “winter protection.”
In a blog post, Justine wrote: “Bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas bloom on old wood, which means that their buds form on existing stems before winter comes. Those new buds need to be protected in areas that experience freezing winter temperatures so they can bloom when summer arrives.”
Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood need extra protection at this time of year as their buds have already developed and are more likely to be exposed to frost damage.
Other hydrangeas that may need protection depending on the circumstances are oakleaf and climbing hydrangeas.
Justine wrote: “Oakleaf and climbing hydrangeas also bloom on old wood, but they tend to be slightly more hardy than bigleaf or mountain hydrangeas. Though they tend to fare well in cold weather, it’s best to practice caution and protect them if you expect freezing winter temperatures.”
If you own an old wood hydrangea and release it needs to be protected during the winter, then insulating it from the worst of the cold weather will help make sure it flowers again in the spring or summertime.
According to Justine, mulching is one of the best ways to keep your plants safe this winter. Not only can mulch help protect your hydrangea, but it can be a natural way to ensure weeds do not grow in the soil surrounding the plant.
Justine wrote: “At the bare minimum, add a layer of mulch around the base of your hydrangea plant. You can use natural materials such as bundles of straw, dried pinecones, and the like.”
Mulching is best for people who live in a more mild climate and are only expecting a few extremely frosty days over the winter. For those in snowier climates, a winter A-frame barrier with frost-protection fabric should be placed around the hydrangea until the frost has completely passed.
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However, one of the biggest ways gardeners can protect their hydrangea is to make sure they are being watered regularly, as it is very easy for plants to dry out in the wintertime due to strong winds.
If you live in a cold area that is likely to experience snow, you will likely not need to water your plants this winter, but those in a more dry climate should check your hydrangeas every few weeks and at least once a month in the winter.
Justine wrote: “If you do need to water, be intentional about when you’re watering. Give your plant enough time to soak up the moisture before the freezing temperatures hit again. Make sure it’s at least around (40F/4C) outside when you water.”
Make sure to water hydrangeas during the day and not before the sun goes down, as the water is more likely to freeze and cause the plant frost damage. The best time to water hydrangeas is in the morning if possible to also help prevent mold or mildew.
Justine’s final tip for keeping hydrangeas healthy this winter is to never prune or deadhead them at this time of year, as it can cause more damage than help.
She wrote: “Don’t prune your hydrangeas during winter. Doing so can stress the plant and interfere with its ability to bloom during the next growing season.”
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