How to manage hydrangeas over the winter?

Hydrangea is loved by people for its unique shape and rich colors. But in the cold winter, how to take good care of it and let it survive the winter safely is a must for every flower grower. So how do you manage hydrangeas over the winter? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Temperature control

Hydrangea has a certain degree of cold resistance, but different varieties have different degrees of cold resistance. Most hydrangeas can safely overwinter in an environment where the temperature does not drop below -10°C. If the temperature approaches -10°C, it is recommended to move the hydrangea indoors. For northern regions, you can place it in a cold shed for the winter, pour frozen water on it, and wrap it with black cotton. Avoid placing it in a greenhouse for the winter to prevent it from growing too tall.

2. Enhance lighting

Although hydrangea is shade-tolerant, the light is soft in winter and it will enter a dormant state at low temperatures. At this time, it should be exposed to more sunlight. It is best to receive light throughout the day. Adequate light can increase the temperature of the hydrangea itself, which is beneficial for overwintering and can also accumulate more nutrients.

3. Strictly control water

In winter, the temperature is low, hydrangea stops growing , consumes less water, and water should be strictly controlled. Generally, water it thoroughly every half a month to a month, depending on the situation. When watering, avoid pouring water on the leaves to avoid frost damage.

4. Fertilization points

In terms of fertilization, fertilization should be stopped or reduced in winter to keep the plants in a dormant state. If you need to enhance the plant's cold resistance by fertilizing, you can use a 1000-fold diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution for watering before winter, once every 20 days or so. But please note that the fertilizer concentration should not be too high.

5. Proper pruning

After entering winter, proper pruning can make hydrangeas healthier and more beautiful. When pruning, you should remove dead flowers, dead branches, diseased branches and messy branches, shorten overly long branches, and thin out overly dense branches. But do not prune as hard as you do roses . Be careful to retain branches with buds, as these are the key to flowering next year.

In general, the management of hydrangeas over the winter mainly focuses on temperature, light, water, fertilizer and pruning. Paying attention to the above management points can help hydrangeas survive the winter safely and lay a good foundation for flowering next year.