Frost Help in Zone 5b

18 years ago

Hi Everyone!

Everything is coming up, I hope all of you are as excited as I am.

My question is whether or not it is safe now to uncover my hydrangeas and tree peony. Everything else is growing quite nicely and I have a few new perennials courtesy of the song birds in my yard. My Hydrangeas are all covered in burlap and I was wondering if I should let see the sun (when it comes back out, need the rain right now)?

Thank you and happy gardening!

Wendi

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Comments (5)

mmqchdygg
18 years ago
Ok, call me a total uneducated newbie, but I've never covered my hydrangeas, and they've done fine for the 2+ seasons I've had them. Little baby bush Pee-Gee, and two older Tardivas.

The only things I covered were my China Rose bushes, and still have burlap on those for simple fact of 'just haven't gotten a round tuit yet. Burlap was only 'around' them, but not 'over' them, so will have to check status when I get home. Thanks for the reminder.

Likewise with the peonies...it gets mowed down in the fall, and springs back about now...although you said 'tree' peony...not sure about that one. Sorry.

Are you comin' to the swap? (Mr. Peanut just sprouted a new leaf-baby. My DH has 'adopted' it as his own plant, and is after me to put some more soil in the pot. It lives in my BR now in the corner.)
chelone
18 years ago
This is the first year I've ever protected my hydrangeas (2 Toyko Delight, 1 Nikko Blue, and a varigated one whose name is lost to the lawnmower). I live along the coast of Maine and out on a cape. Spring comes late to our yard, I won't have leaves on maples or oaks until close to Memorial Day! I have not yet cleared the leaves from the Hydrangeas I just listed. I can see the leaves emerging contentedly under them, though. I will likely wait until the first week of May. We have not cracked 70 degrees here, though.

Interestingly, I don't bother to protect the Oak Leaf hydrangeas, nor do I bother with the tree peonies. The reason is simple; while spring comes late to our yard, the lowest winter temperature rarely hits zero! it's an "ocean thing"... the temperature of the water dictates the temperature of the immediate coastline. It remains warmer here through late fall-early winter. But by February/March the water is COLD and the wind off the water keeps us quite chilly. Neither the Hydrangea quercifolia or Peony suffruticosa are bothered by winter cold, the way the 4 hydrangeas listed in the first paragraph are!

Zip on over to the Hydrangea forum. There was an incredibly detailed and wonderfully composed reply by hayseedman on this very subject. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I'm certain it will help you with your quandry!
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diggingthedirt
18 years ago
I guess that, if I was industrious enough to protect my hydrangeas, I'd remove the covering now. Though we might have a frost, we won't have a "killing frost" - at least not where I live. The lowest temps we're likely to see from this point on out are no worse than the lowest temps in .. zone 8, maybe?
chelone
18 years ago
diggin'.,

It occurs to me that you and I face the same "late spring" thing... is that correct? I suspect your exposure is more temperate than is mine... and you can probably coax zone 7 plants through the winter, a feat I couldn't hope to duplicate.

I am a "johnny come lately" to coastal living. Interestingly, after living here for 15 years I've come to the realization that I'm only JUST beginning to "get it". What I've come to really appreciate is the power of observation. I know that sounds quite trite. But it is EVERYTHING when you begin to garden in an unfamiliar zone.

I have a terrific bulb display, often starting in mid-late March. Bulbs seem to like our yard (why I don't plant more is anyone's guess, but usually comes down to outright sloth.). I do well with pretty much any perennial, but struggle with "drainage". If they like deep, rich, MOIST soil... they love our gardens. Buddleia, Caryopteris, Iris germanica, Sedums... I have to site them carefully.

It's understanding HOW to "massage" plantings and how to site things favorably that has fascinated me for the past few years.
peoniesaremyfave
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi "mmqchdygg"!

I think that I will be attending with my DH again. That is so funny about Mr. Peanut, I am so happy he has a wonderful home.

I only cover my hydrangeas, I mostly have mopheads, hence the need for protection. I have read hayseedman's threads, that is how I learn how to wrap the bushes. I haven't ventured back to the forum to see how to, or really, when to take off their protection.

Peonies, I definately do not do anything to protect them, I have never had a tree peony before summer and it was so small I put in in a water bottle cloche stuffed with leaves.

Thank you everyone I am off to the Hydrangea Forum and Mary Mary Quite Contrary I hope to see you in June.

Wendi

Frost Help in Zone 5b

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mmqchdygg

chelone

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Frost Help in Zone 5b

Comments (5)

mmqchdygg

chelone

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chelone

peoniesaremyfaveOriginal Author

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