Hydrangea is a wonderful plant that can decorate any garden. This shrub, abundantly covered with lush inflorescences, is unpretentious, and it blooms so beautifully that it gives the gardener a real aesthetic pleasure. In addition, there are different varieties of hydrangeas that bloom from late autumn to late September. Since hydrangea is quite a thermophilic plant, it needs help before wintering.
Winter care will protect the hydrangea root system, as well as its young shoots, from freezing. Especially demanding in this regard is the large-leaved hydrangea, which is the most popular among Russian gardeners. Prepare your hydrangea for winter. Starting in the second half of summer, stop fertilizing it with nitrogen compounds, start to carry out phosphorus-potassium fertilizing. In September, stop watering it abundantly, remove the lower deciduous cascade so that the shoots become woody.
The last watering of the hydrangea must be done at the turn of August / September, and when the average daily air temperature approaches zero, all leaves must be removed from the plant, as well as weak and damaged shoots must be cut out. After that, the plant is ready for shelter. There are many options for shelter, they are divided into two main groups: with bending of bush branches and without bending. A gardener can use any method, the main thing is that the shoots are damaged as little as possible, and that the plant "breathes".
Lack of air will almost certainly lead to rotting of the shoots.
There is a reliable and proven method for hiding hydrangeas. It is necessary to spread coniferous spruce branches (spruce, pine) on the ground near the bush, lay hydrangea branches on it and press them down with boards or stones. On top of the branches, you also need to fall asleep with spruce branches or a thick layer of foliage, and then cover with burlap (or some other material that allows air to pass through).
In areas with harsh winters, a more reliable shelter can be used. The ground near the bush is covered with a thick layer of spruce branches, then the hydrangea branches are bent radially and pinned to the ground using metal or wooden staples. Then the pinned branches are covered with a new layer of spruce branches and burlap (as in the above case), and a layer of sawdust or shavings is poured over the shelter. The topmost layer of the shelter is roofing material. Thanks to several air layers, such a shelter protects the plant well, even in very harsh winters. This method is suitable for people living in Siberia.
It is only necessary to free the plant from shelter in a timely manner in the spring, so that the shoots do not begin to rot due to stagnant water.
You can protect the plant from the cold winter without bending the branches. For example, just close the hydrangea bush around the perimeter with a thick layer of spruce branches, tying it with rope or insulated wire. Or put several layers of burlap on the bush. This method is recommended for older, more winter-hardy bushes. Finally, in order to guarantee the protection of the plant even from very severe cold weather, you can use this method. Burlap is put on the bush, then a frame woven from wire is installed. The gap between the bush and the frame must be filled with fallen leaves, and the frame must be covered with roofing felt on top. If you live in a region where winters are harsh, plant a winter-hardy hydrangea, a tree-like variety. This plant has small inflorescences - 5 cm in diameter.
