If your hydrangea blooms on new growth, it will need to be pruned close to the end of winter or early on in the spring. However be sure not to prune your hydrangeas in the fall! Usage As demonstrated in the photo gallery below, hydrangeas can be planted as: Prune your hydrangea for winter in the early fall when blooms have passed for the season; choose your pruning method based on your type of hydrangea. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Interesting Notes: Hydrangea arborescens: Blooms on new wood, prune in late winter or early spring.. Hydrangea macrophylla: Blooms on old wood, do not prune. Hence, preparation for winter should be thorough. Transplant a hydrangea when it has become dormant and has lost all of its leaves (late fall or winter). Overwintering these types of hydrangeas indoors is difficult and usually not successful. → Hydrangea macrophylla (Big Leaf, Mophead or Lacecap Hydrangeas) → Hydrangea quercifolia /Oakleaf Hydrangeas . So its very disappointing when hydrangeas dont bloom for a season. Care for hydrangea in autumn, before frosts, implies covering of hydrangea for winter. How to Winterize Pee Gee Hydrangeas. That is, the flowers will only bloom on stems that grew and didn't flower the year before. Many hydrangeas have interesting foliage and bark, but most are grown for their large, showy blossoms. Big Leaf Hydrangeas Type (H. macrophylla) can be of two types – lacecap or mophead. Hydrangeas, as you are probably well aware, are a great patio container plant. Pruning Hydrangeas: A Simple Guide. For bright blue flowers use peat moss plus aluminum sulphate. Hydrangea paniculata, or panicle hydrangea, is often called "Pee Gee," a generic name based on the older cultivar, H. paniculata "Grandiflora" (PG). It's a fitting name for a garden plant that always enjoys a good watering. Hydrangeas that Bloom in Late Summer. Q. I planted two blue hydrangeas in pots. Remove only spent flowers and dead, damaged or unsightly wood. About this time of year, though, she … Prune these hydrangeas only if they are getting too large for the space or if you want to remove old flowers. Held upright, they are well distributed, making a very attractive plant and display. Unfortunately, none of the species can overwinter in our areas without protection. (15-30 cm). Depending on your soil type, you … getting your endless summer® hydrangea ready for winter is an easy process and will give you the best flower power in the coming summer. Today hydrangeas come in a rainbow of varieties and colours. Planting your Flare™ Hydrangea is easy: Dig a hole twice the width of the pot, and deep enough so that when you place the plant in the hole, the top of the root ball is level with the ground around the hole. Protect Hydrangeas Over Winter With Mulch "The mulch’s job is to create a more consistent environment than what is happening outside," says Ryan McEnaney from Bailey Nurseries. The name comes from the Greek words hydro (or "water") and angeion ("vase") – "water vase." Hydrangeas planted under a tree often fail to thrive. They may seem dead after the first frost, but you shouldn't cut them if you want flowers next spring. What should I do to keep them alive over winter? More Tips For Planting Hydrangeas. Most grow as shrubs, although there is one vine, called climbing hydrangea. A. Hydrangea paniculata: Blooms on new wood, prune in late winter or early spring.. Hydrangea quercifolia: Blooms on old wood, do not prune. Remove the leaves but not the hips. If your hydrangeas live in a cold climate, late fall weather is the perfect time for them to harden off, you can use this same time to prepare them to make it through the coming winter. With immense flower heads, hydrangeas flaunt an old-fashioned charm in summertime that’s hard to resist. You’ll also be happy to hear that winter care requires nominal effort. Hydrangeas that flower on both new and old wood It is recommended to prune them like old growth blooming varieties. As usual, I left the drying heads over winter after flowering to catch the snow. The BloomStruck hydrangea in the foreground is spending the winter snuggled up to one of the fig trees. While these flowering shrubs are low-maintenance, proper care will keep them blooming. New growth grows on old stems and new wood, so it is best to not prune or cut back your shrubs after August 1st. Remove all fallen leaves and debris from within and around the plant. Not only can the frigid temperatures harm the plant, but the bitterly cold winter winds can tear the poor rhododendron apart. Could you tell me what to do? Supplemental moisture is especially important the first year or two and during droughts. Tie up the bush with twine. I’m trying to figure out how to keep my hydringa plant & lavender plant alive over this cold winter in Ontario, Canada. Sink the pot in the ground, if it is an all weather non-decorative container, to protect the roots from the cold. Some varieties prefer full sun, while others shine in partial sun locations in the garden. Locate dead or diseased branches on your hydrangea, which need to be removed each year for the overall health of the hydrangea. If not, there is a risk that they snap off in snowy or icy weather, so, in October or November, simply cut all branches back to about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) from the top of the trunk. For this reason, smooth hydrangeas are the better choice if your desired planting site is subject to heavy winter snow loads. Or move them into an unheated garage once the plants are dormant. Place the hydrangea in an area where it can get plenty of moisture. Plant Size A mature hardy hydrangea can be as little as 3' x 3' or as large as 10' x 10', depending on the variety. 3. Leave blooms on hydrangeas all winter long. Hydrangeas prefer well-drained, moist soil, but not wet; overwatering can cause hydrangea macrophylla to produce less flowers. It’s technically autumn now which means, I know, don’t say it, winter is closing in. Some gardeners like to apply a winterizing (non-nitrogen) fertilizer in late fall. With all the rain last summer, ‘Annabelle’ was particularly happy in my garden. Planting tips for hydrangea. We’ve had a few cold spells in the past few … Hydrangeas grown in the ground are usually fine left to defend for themselves, unfortunately, potted plants are more exposed and will require some sort of protection from frost. Hydrangeas bloom on " second year growth " so you dont want to cut them back. As a potted plant, hydrangeas also … An alternative method for winterizing hardy roses is called collaring: Don't prune the top of the rose bush. Plant in an area that has moist soil, but is well-drained. Use a balanced fertilizer (15-30-15) for healthier plants.