Winter usually represents a time of dormancy for most plants and the hydrangeas plant is not left out. During this period, the soil freezes making it difficult for the plant to absorb water and photosynthesize. Though these reactions still occur, they are very slow which results in many plants shedding their leaves in the winter months. The plants will have to feed off their store food in this period.
There are several ways of preserving your potted hydrangeas plants over winter, you will have to make a choice and follow through so you can see them bloom again in the coming spring.
Place your hydrangeas pots in your basement or garage:
Since the basement or garage will be below freezing temperatures, it is important to place your hydrangeas pot in these areas once they are dormant. You can set it on a board and surround it with different things to provide extra insulation. Make sure the pot has access to light through doors and windows so it can survive. Don’t also forget to water appropriately whenever needed. Remember overwatering kills the plant. If you don’t have a basement or a garage in your house, try placing them against the side of the house or the back porch. You can also gather several pots of plants together and surround them with plenty of leaves or hays for insulation. Note the pots should have enough holes to ensure proper draining of the soil.
Sink the pot in the ground:
This is done by using an all-weather non-decorative pot or container. This pot will be able to withstand the freezing temperature of the winter months. Mulching the plant is very important after sinking the pot in the ground as it will serve to insulate it. The mulch will also act to increase the nutrient content of the soil and feed your hydrangeas plant as it slowly decomposes during the winter months. You can dig up your potted hydrangeas once the winter is over and place it where it was before the winter months. Rodent control will also be necessary since the crop is outdoor planted.
Sheltered location:
Sheltered location can be a part of the house where you have specially prepared to keep your potted plants over winter. You will have to insulate the room using haystacks or leaves to prevent them from dying as a result of the low temperature.
Prune back during late fall:
As a general rule, it is important to prune back your hydrangeas plant during late fall before the winter months to about one-third of the plant size. Pruning the dead stems from the bunch will allow the hydrangeas plant to bloom easily during the spring season. When pruning, be careful so you don’t cut below the bud line as this will kill the stem. Also, you have to make sure that what is been pruned off is deadwood and not a flourishing stem. Cutting off flourishing stem will imply that your hydrangeas plant won’t have a stem to bloom from during the spring season.
Zone up:
It is important to zone your home and have hydrangeas plant that suites the zone and can resist the winter temperatures. Hydrangeas plants are sturdy and will survive over winter months with little effort if all things are put in place.
Wrap them up:
You may have to wrap up your hydrangeas plant while providing layers of insulation during the winter months. This is usually done by first building a cage around the hydrangeas plant. The cage may be built with wire mesh around the plant and then filled up with dead leaves which will act as the insulator for your plant. You may also use plastic bags to wrap up after filling with dead leaves to provide extra insulation but it presents issues such as water build-up which can destroy the plant when the water build-up gets too heavy.
Use an A-frame:
The a-frame tends to act as a windbreak for your hydrangeas plant as icy winds can have adverse effects on your potted hydrangeas. Snow, when left to gather on the plant stem, may eventually cause breakage. The A-frame can be built from old palettes and will help protect tender hydrangeas plant stem during the winter months.
In all, it is important to note that while your hydrangeas are being protected over winter you will have to water every two weeks to ensure good moisture content.
Over winter protection of your hydrangeas plant is an important aspect of your plant care. As the kind of bloom, you get during the spring season will be determined by the care given to your plant during the winter. So do your best to implement any of the tips given above and enjoy a great bloom next spring.