Protect Your Hydrangeas From Over-Wintering

This time of year there's always a lot of conversation about over-wintering of your precious Hydrangeas. Left unprotected, these tender morsels often dry up and die, preventing the shrub from flowering the following summer. This group of hydrangeas includes lacecaps, mopheads and the popular "Endless Summer." We have had good success getting his "Nikko Blue" Hydrangea macrophylla to bloom by using the anti-transpirant Wilt Pruf to protect the tender flower buds over the winter. The secret is timing. Wait until the shrub has gone dormant to apply the Wilt Pruf protective spray. When the leaves shrivel and drop apply the spray. Just be sure the temperature reaches at least 40 degrees for a minimum of 4 hours when the application is made. To take winter protection a step further, wrap the shrubs in burlap.