Can hydrangeas winter outside?

Hydrangea, also known as hydrangea and purple hydrangea, is a common ornamental flower . Its flowers are large and plump, with rich and varied colors, and it has a long history of cultivation in my country. So now that it’s mid-winter, can hydrangeas overwinter outside? Let’s learn more about it below.

Can hydrangeas winter outside?

Whether hydrangeas can survive the winter outdoors depends on the variety of hydrangea and the temperature conditions in your area. For example, some varieties of bigleaf hydrangea and some specific varieties such as panicle hydrangea, hydrangea and endless summer are highly cold-resistant and can overwinter outdoors in areas with lower temperatures. These varieties can usually survive the winter safely as long as the winter temperature does not drop below -5℃. However, for varieties with poor cold resistance, such as potted hydrangeas, they need to be moved indoors or into a greenhouse to keep warm in winter.

How do hydrangeas survive the winter?

1. Temperature management

The suitable growth temperature for hydrangea is 18-28℃, and the indoor temperature should be kept above 5℃ in winter. If the indoor temperature is too low, you can use heating equipment such as electric heaters, air conditioners, etc. to keep warm.

2. Control watering

Hydrangeas grow slowly in winter and require less water, so watering should be reduced. Water 2 to 3 times throughout the winter, keep the soil dry and avoid waterlogging. In addition, it is best to water at noon when the sunlight is good, and the water temperature should be close to room temperature.

3. Increase lighting

The light is weak in winter, so you should try to ensure that hydrangeas can get sufficient scattered light. Avoid placing the plant in a dark and humid environment to avoid disease.

4. Stop fertilizing

Hydrangeas are dormant in winter, stop growing, and require less fertilizer, so fertilization should be stopped. Basal fertilizer, such as organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer , can be applied after the flowers fall in autumn to meet the nutritional needs of winter dormancy.

5. Maintain ventilation

When caring for hydrangeas in winter, be sure to maintain good ventilation and avoid keeping them indoors for long periods of time due to poor air circulation. You can open the windows regularly for ventilation, or move the plants to a well-ventilated place for maintenance.

6. Proper pruning

For varieties that bloom on both new and old branches (such as the Endless Summer series) and new branch flowering varieties (such as panicle hydrangeas and arbor hydrangeas), the pruning time is more flexible. Pruning can be done after flowering and before February, and pruning can also be done in winter. When pruning, you should choose older branches, cut off withered flowers and old branches, and retain new branches.

In general, whether hydrangeas can survive the winter outdoors depends on the variety and regional temperature, but generally speaking, most hydrangea varieties can survive the winter outdoors. If it needs to be moved indoors for the winter, relevant winter maintenance and management must be done.