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Hydrangea

Jane220Jane220 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

I have several hydrangea that have never flowered. I have now learned that they need protection during the winter in order to flower the following year. Buildings proctect the border on three sides (not easterly). They will get winter sunshine from the east & south. The house is at 850 feet and would expect a temperature of -5c at least once. I currently have green gauze around them. Is this sufficient?

Posts

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    I have never protected any of my hydrangeas but I don't cut off the dead flower heads until into March.as they give some protection.

    SW Scotland
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,905

    I have never needed any protection for my Hydrangeas. I think they are pretty hardy. Have you fed yours during the growing season at all?

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    The other thing is have you been pruning them?  If so, that could be one reason for no flowers.

    SW Scotland
  • Jane220Jane220 Posts: 3

    Hi

    Thank you for the messages. The problem seems to be that the Hydrandea die right back in the winter to ground level. They then regrow in the spring. Do they flower on 2nd year growth which I can never get?

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    Jane, Hydrangea stems don't die back in winter.  Are you sure that your plants are hydrangeas?

    SW Scotland
  • Jane220Jane220 Posts: 3

    Hi Joyce

    Yes I am quite sure. They came from my mother in Bedfordshire and hers stayall year round and flower just fine. Which sounds normal from posts here. I am 1000feet up in Northumberland, which is quite different, and why I thought they must need protection in winter. Hers do not die back. Mine only  surcome after a  big frost,  usually around -5c

    I think the soil type is OK, general care, no pruning because of the die back in winter and watering in the summer.

  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 155

    Yes Jane, sounds a bit odd.  I'm in the Scottish Highlands, about 800ft up, and I've never protected my one and only hydrangea.  The stems have never died back - It took a few years to flower, but this year it has been lovely.  I'm going to leave the flower heads on over the winter as its only protection (it can get pretty nippy up here image!!) and hopefully it'll be OK for next year.

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