I'm confused about winter protection

15 years ago

I've been reading and reading about hydrangeas and what everyone does or doesn't do, to this or that variety to protect from winter weather. I'm getting more confused as I read, there seem to be so many options.

I have never protected my hydrangeas before, but I did lose two of them and would like to try it to perhaps protect the new ones I bought, as well as the ones that have survived in the past.

I only have Endless Summers and a new one that is a climber.

I have read Endless Summer does not need protection, though some say it does. and I have lost a couple so I'd say it probably does, but how exactly are they to be wrapped?

Do I cut down first? then do I use a wire cage or wood stakes as a frame? Next step is to wrap in burlap or some other material? and then fill up to the top with leaves? Do you put burlap on the top or let the snow fill in?

Can I just use the maple leaves that fell from the neighbors tree? do the leaves need to be dry?

Should I try to protect my climber? this is it's first year. How would I wrap a climber?

Or does everybody just wing it to see what works for them? I'd like to do it right the first time.

I'd appreciate it if anyone could give advice.

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Comments (4)

luis_pr
15 years ago
ES is supposed to be good up to Zone 4 but a lot of people have reported problems with it in that zone. As a result, the nursery that introduced it now recommends protection in Zone 4. No changes for those in Zones 5 and higher.

Did you loose your ES due to problems during winter, for some other reason or are you uncertain?

You can use "anything" that works for you to build a "cage" that will hold the leaves and prevent them the leaves from being blown away thru Spring by winter winds. You can leave the stems there, covering with leaves, lots of leaves, jillions of them. The more leaves, the better insulation you are providing. The leaves will eventually get wet due to melting snow and or rain so, no they do not have to start dry. You can mix all kinds of leaves, including maple, but skip those that originate from trees that produce juglone (Black Walnut Trees and Butternut Trees). Make sure the area near the end of the stems is protected as that is where the flowers buds develop.

When young or recently planted, climbers can be protected in the same way if you want but they should not be overwintered after a while. For one, they will get large and this will not be practical. And more important, as long as the Zone is ok then do not need to protect them (maybe mulch them well with 3-4"). For example, H. Anomala subsp. Petiolaris is good through Zone 4 so it will not need protection where you live.
cateyanne
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, I do think I lost my hydrangeas from winter weather. The first year I lost one and another took quite a while to produce any new growth. When it finally did, it was not as healthy looking as the others. It didn't make it after the second winter. I appreciate your clarification on the subject. I will definitely protect them this year. If new growth is at the base of the canes, is it the same for climbers or do they have new growth all the way up?
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luis_pr
15 years ago
For climbers, I have not noticed so much growth from the base compared to macrophyllas. Only on occasion did I notice some from the base. You can always force some new growth via ground layering though.
ginkgonut
15 years ago
I usually just put a 1ft or so pile leaves over over my ES hydrangeas and that has worked fine for 4 years now. Whatever is sticking up above the snow/leaf pile will die over the winter.

Last year I tried what I do for my little Japanese maple on an ES and it worked better. I take a cinch top plastic garbage bag a cut off the bottom. I put that over the hydrangea holding it down with some bricks. Fill with leaves, trim any canes that won't fit in the bag and cinch the top closed.

I'm confused about winter protection

Comments (4)

luis_pr

cateyanne
Original Author

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I'm confused about winter protection

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cateyanneOriginal Author

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cateyanne
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