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Useful Tips To Keep Your Hydrangeas Healthy Through Winter
By SAKSHI KHAITAN
Hydrangeas come in many varieties, and while some are winter hardy, others need more TLC. Protect late-blooming types against frost-damage to keep them healthy until summer.
To offset the impact of cool temperatures, take some steps to winterize hydrangeas. First, water them every couple of days during the fall, which will strengthen the roots.
During winter, irrigate indoor and outdoor plants in areas that get little precipitation. If your hydrangeas are in a snow-laden garden, you won't need to water them.
Add 2-3 inches of compost to the base of the plant to improve soil composition and enable the uptake of nutrients. Opt for compost made with wood ash and coffee grounds.
Once the ground freezes, top the compost layer with about 6 inches of mulch made up of oak leaves, hay, or bark, as it helps retain moisture and protects the plant from heaving.
Potted plants can be brought indoors during extreme weather, but other outdoor plants will need shelters made from cages and burlap blankets for extra insulation.
Build shelters around them a month before the first frost using stakes and chicken wire. Use leaves, burlap blankets, or garden fleece to achieve the desired insulation levels.
You can cover the shelter's top with cardboard after filling it to the brim with pine needles and leaves, or loosely wrap hardy plants with egg-crate foam and foil insulation.