Keeping hydrangea over winter

Have a go Nick

Hi folks

can you keep hydrangea's over winter ?

and if so has anyone got any good ideas how?

Obelixx

They are naturally hardy, especially if in the ground where their roots don't get frozen as easily as in pots.  

The macrophyllas and lace caps don"t do well for me as they flower on last year's wood and my winters can be hard enough to kill all the top growth so I'd get foliage but never flowers.

The paniculatas flower on new wood and get pruned in mid Feb to March so it doesn't matter if they freeze above ground.

Lyn

I have hydrangea cuttings grown on in pots that I did about three years ago, still in their pots, never brought them in for the winter, but maybe if you are up North somewhere some glass protection may be good.

i have Obe's  problem if I prune too early in the Spring so I don't touch them till April.

Have a go Nick

I have a very nice White hydrangea in a pot at the moment up here in Lincolnshire 

Catherine Whitehead

I just leave them alone until March/April, and then remove all the old flowers. Give them a feed, and then leave them alone again. Mine are mopheads, and get more beautiful every year.

Have a go Nick

This is the one I'm thinking of

 

Catherine Whitehead

Very pretty. Good luck. 

Have a go Nick

I have a very nice White hydrangea in a pot at the moment up here in Lincolnshire 

Dovefromabove

I'd wrap the pot in bubblewrap to protect it from the frost, but the hydrangea will be fine - they're really hardy. 

Have a go Nick

Just the pot?

Dovefromabove

Yep, just to protect the pot (if it's terracotta etc) and stop the roots from freezing solid (which they're more liable to when they're above ground).  Raise the pot on feet or bricks to aid drainage and put it in a sheltered corner if it makes you less anxious about it.  Don't remove the dead flowers until spring. 

I know they look exotic, but they're tough as old boots .... really