Protect your hydrangeas from the cold and prepare for spring with few essential precautions. Here’s how to keep them healthy even in the strictest months.
The arrival of the cold can frighten those who cultivate the hydrangeabut with the right care you can avoid damage to the most delicate roots and branches. Low temperatures, in fact, can compromise the plant if it is not adequately protected. Fortunately, they exist Simple and effective solutions to keep them healthy. Ortensias are resistant plants, but frost can damage their roots and slow down growth. If you follow some fundamental rulesyou can guarantee them a vigorous recovery in the spring. The reduction of irrigation, the use of mulching and selective pruning are just some of the aspects to consider. Winter transplantation can also be useful to improve their growth. In addition, a small trick will allow you to keep dry flowers to create natural and fascinating decorations. You discover How to protect your hydrangeas during the winter Following these six essential tips, which will help you prepare them better for the cold season and to see them flourish with vigor.
Reduce irrigation to avoid stagnation of water for your hydrangeas
With the arrival of autumn, the Ortensie enter a phase of vegetative rest. This means that their water needs is drastically reduced. If in the summer they watered them regularly to prevent them from drying out, during the cold months you have to pay attention to not overdo it with water.
Excess water can in fact lead to radical rotcompromising the health of the plant. Always check the soil before watering: it must be just wet, never completely wet. If your hydrangeas are in pots, make sure the drainage is optimal To prevent the roots from being immersed in the water for too long.
Protect the roots with natural mulch of the hydrangeas
During the colder months, the night frosts can damage the roots of the hydrangeas. A simple and effective method to protect them is the mulcha technique that helps to maintain the soil warmer and reduce the risk of damage caused by frost. To pack correctly:
- Distribute a layer of bark, dry leaves or straw around the base of the plant.
- Make sure the layer is at least 5-10 cm thick To ensure adequate protection.
- If you live in a particularly cold area, evaluate the use of Protective fabrics or jute sheets to cover the entire plant.
This technique not only helps protect the rootsbut also contributes to maintaining the humidity of the soil and to provide natural nutrients as organic materials decompose.
Make a selective pruning to eliminate the dry branches of hydrangeas
The hydrangeas do not require drastic pruningbut a light intervention can help them better overcome winter. If the plant is young or has not yet well -held well, avoid invasive pruning and concentrated only on the removal of dry or sick branches.
The ideal is Wait at least two years before carrying out important pruningso as to allow the plant to develop correctly. If instead you have more adult hydrangeas, you can eliminate dry branches, damaged or too weak to encourage spring growth.
Take advantage of the winter period for transplantation
Winter is the perfect time for transplant the hydrangeas or divide the most luxuriant shrubs. Since the plant is in rest, the stress of the transplant will be less and the risk of damaging the roots is reduced.
If you have an antithensia it has Too many branches grew and expanded too muchyou can take advantage of this period to divide it into multiple smaller plants. Make sure to carry out this operation before the ground icechoosing a mild day and working gently so as not to ruin the radical apparatus.
Use compost to enrich the soil of the hydrangeas
Unlike chemical fertilizers, who can stress the roots of the hydrangeas in wintercompost is an excellent solution to enrich the soil naturally.
You can distribute it around the base of the arbust, letting the ground slowly absorb it during the cold season. This will allow the plant to have precious nutrients ready for springimproving the quality of the soil and future growth.
Retains dried flowers for natural decorations
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the Ortensie also in winteryou can dry their flowers To create lasting and fascinating decorations. September and October are the best months for Collect the flowers and let them dry. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut the flowers when they are still well formed but they start to lose color.
- Hanging them upside down in a dry and ventilated environment.
- After a few weeks, you can use them for Compositions, centerpieces or decorative garlands.
Following these Six simple adviceyour hydrangeas will be ready to face the winter without problems, guaranteeing you a spectacular flowering in the following season. Try to put these precautions into practice and enjoy the beauty of your plants all year round!
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