Without proper preparation, hydrangea may not survive the winter. Therefore, before planting, it is necessary to take into account the varietal characteristics.
Lucky are those gardeners who chose tree or panicle hydrangea. These varieties are frost-resistant, but still require preparation.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti" - a scientist, agronomist and landscape designer, reminded how to prepare hydrangea for winter.
Hydrangea in winter
The root system of the shrub is located on the surface and can be damaged by frost.
For the winter, plants are covered if the weather is unstable, young bushes of any variety, as well as hydrangeas after transplantation within 1-2 years.
How to prepare for winter
Healthy hydrangea bushes easily tolerate winter cold after preparation, which includes:
- top dressing (potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are used);
- compliance with the watering regime (stop watering in the fall as soon as the temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius);
- pruning (3-4 weeks before frost, cut off the lower leaves, no less than to the middle of the shoot).
How and when to cover hydrangeas
There are no exact dates, but most gardeners cover the bushes when frost sets in.
With the onset of the first frosts, the bush can be covered with two layers of spunbond.
With the onset of frost, it is recommended to cut the leaves, tie the shoots and wrap them in several layers of spunbond.
Then the bush is placed on spruce branches, secured and covered with leaves or spruce branches, which are covered with agrofibre.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
