Summer Crush is pretty tough against the cold, but if you’re in zones 4-6, watch out! Frost can hurt it. This is because it flowers on both old and new branches, and the buds on the old ones can get zapped by a nasty freeze.
QUICK ANSWER: To make sure your Summer Crush Hydrangea gets through winter okay, start by snipping off any spent blooms and give it a good drink of water. Then, pile up some organic mulch around it – nice and thick. Lastly, wrap it up in some frost protection to keep it cozy.
1. Mulch Summer Crush with organic material.
Start by mulching your Summer Crush with some organic stuff to guard against the chill. This cozy blanket keeps the roots safe from getting nipped by frost, so even if the top part takes a hit, the roots will hang tight. When spring rolls around, your hydrangea will perk back up, ready to burst into bloom on its fresh branches.
For your mulch of choice, think natural, like pine straw, wood chips, or even the leaves that fell from the trees. Thickness is key—aim for a snug layer about 4 to 6 inches deep. This doesn’t just shield the roots; it gives some love to the stems, too.
But remember, when winter waves goodbye, it’s time to peel back that mulch layer. Leaving it on through spring and summer is a no-go since it might make the crown soggy and lead to rot. While growing season is in full swing, let the mulch lie flat on the ground, steering clear of the stems and crown.
2. Cover with blanket.
Covering your Summer Crush with a protective material is the top trick for keeping it safe from frost. Think of it as an extra layer of warmth on top of mulching. Luckily, there’s a bunch of great options out there for you to pick from.
First up, set up a frame around your hydrangea. This can be as simple as sticking four stakes into the earth around the plant. If you’re after something sturdier, though, consider grabbing a garden fabric frame kit, which often comes with both the fabric and frame ready to go.
Drape the covering material over your frame, making sure it reaches the ground. Secure the edges of the fabric with rocks or bricks to keep it in place. There’s a picture showing how it should look once your hydrangea is all tucked in and frost-proof.
3. Cover with leaves.
Instead of wrapping your hydrangea in a blanket or piling on mulch, you can safeguard it with a blanket of fallen leaves. Plant four strong stakes around your hydrangea and wrap chicken wire around them, forming a circle that’s a bit taller than your plant.
This creates a sort of leafy fortress for your Summer Crush. Then, fill this enclosure with the dried leaves you’ve gathered. Make sure the hydrangea is completely submerged under this leafy pile.
This method is an easy and economical way to keep those precious flower buds safe from the cold. When the threat of deep frost is over in spring, just remove the leaves and the makeshift cage from around your hydrangea.
4. Give enough water.
Even in winter, when plants are taking a break and seem dormant, they still need water to stay alive. The catch is, with the ground frozen, they rely on the moisture stored in their own tissues. If they don’t have enough water tucked away, the top part of the plant might not make it.
To keep your hydrangea from getting thirsty over the winter, start making sure it’s well-hydrated from late summer. The soil around your Summer Crush should stay just moist enough without being soggy. Try to keep the surface from drying out more than an inch deep.
When you water, aim to use at least 1 gallon of water, ensuring the whole root area gets a drink. But, be careful not to overdo it and flood the area around the plant. If autumn brings plenty of rain, you can skip the extra watering.
Read also: How To Care For Summer Crush Hydrangea
5. Avoid using fertilizers.
Fertilizing hydrangeas in spring and summer, right after they’ve bloomed, is a smart move. However, fertilizing during winter is not advisable and can actually be detrimental.
Fertilizing in fall or just before winter might encourage the plant to produce new leaves, branches, or even flowers. Unfortunately, these new growths are almost guaranteed to suffer from frost damage, potentially killing the top part of the plant. This means you could end up with no blooms on the old branches the following year.
So, it’s best to steer clear of fertilizing in winter. Make sure the last round of fertilization happens by August at the latest.
6. Remove the dead inflorescences.
Leaving the flower heads on your hydrangea through winter can cause the branches to droop under the weight of snow. This drooping can lead to cracks in the plant’s crown, potentially causing rot and, eventually, the death of the plant.
The optimal approach is to trim off the flower heads before winter sets in. The best time to do this is early fall or right after the plant has finished blooming. Trimming them at this time allows the cuts to heal properly, benefiting the hydrangea’s overall health.
When you cut the flower heads, do so about half an inch below their attachment point on the branch. Branches without flower heads are far more resilient and can withstand the weight of snow without any issue.
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