Mulch around a panicle hydrangea is the best winter protection

Contributed By Don Kinzler Today at 9:00 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article Opinion Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. The Trust Project What is this? Q: I need some advice on wintering my two Little Hottie hydrangea shrubs. I could use Styrofoam covers, or a fence filled with leaves or straw. I love them and don't want to lose them over winter. Do you have suggestions? – Sharron B. A: Good news! Your Little Hottie hydrangeas are reliably winter-hardy into Zone 3, which extends into Canada, and they won’t need elaborate winter covering. ADVERTISEMENT How do you know which hydrangea cultivars are winter-hardy in our Zones 3 and 4? Botanical names are the key, found in fine print on the plant tag, or investigated online. Little Hottie hydrangea’s label includes the botanical genus and species Hydrangea paniculata, which means it belongs to the winter-hardy paniculata species, commonly called “panicle hydrangeas” referring to their cone-shaped flower clusters. When browsing cultivars, look for the words “Hydrangea paniculata,” or “Hydrangea arborescens.” Both species and their cultivars are winter hardy. Hydrangeas with the species “Hydrangea macrophylla,” aren’t as winter-hardy, including the Endless Summer series of Bloomstruck, Dream Cloud, Pop Star, Summer Crush and Twist-n-Shout. Hydrangeas love surface mulch, such as a 5-inch-thick layer of shredded wood or other organics. Listen to the "Growing Together" podcast Q: We planted 16 arborvitaes at our lake cabin. We’d like to cover them and are wondering the best time. – Lisa V. A: Rabbits and deer eating the foliage happens even more regularly than winter weather damage, so it’s wise to include animal protection with the covering you’re planning. Once foliage is consumed, branches often remain permanently bare. ADVERTISEMENT Fencing is the best defense against rabbits. Deer, which can browse higher, of course, can be deterred by Liquid Fence or Plantskydd repellents. Covering or wrapping with burlap can limit deer browsing, but might not deter rabbits. Wrapping does help prevent weather damage from wind and winter sun. The preferred method, instead of wrapping the burlap directly onto the foliage, is to install metal or wooden posts, and then wrap the burlap around the frame. Martha Stewart even advocates this method! Arborvitaes are best wrapped or protected sometime in November as temperatures gradually decline. It’s still relatively warm, so you might wait a week or two. Q: I bought an aster plant earlier this fall with good intentions to plant it right away. Time got away from me and it’s still in its pot. Do I still have time to plant it? If not, what can I do to keep it healthy until spring? – Karen F. A: Your aster is best planted. The soil might be a little muddy after fall rains, but be sure to water anyway after planting, to settle soil and remove air pockets. Perennials are almost always better planted into the ground, rather than trying to find another way to winter them. Because it's later in the season, mulch around the aster with leaves, straw or other material after you’ve planted it, to insulate it from temperature extremes. ADVERTISEMENT Wintering plants inside a garage, or by other means, can work, but I’ve found planting is still more reliable, even if late. More gardening columns from Don Kinzler What if this winter’s forecast holds true? 5h ago Advice for overwintering your plants 6d ago Spruce trees dropping needles is perfectly normal Oct 31 If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at [email protected]. Questions with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice. Comments Share Share this article Opinion Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags GARDENING HOME AND GARDEN DON KINZLER FARGO By Don Kinzler Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at [email protected] . Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Health Bursack: How to handle repeat calls due to short-term memory loss 2h ago · By Carol Bradley Bursack Lifestyle YWCA Cass Clay marks 120 years of protecting women in crisis 3h ago · By Tracy Briggs Subscribers Only Lifestyle Veeder: Waiting for the cold 1d ago · By Jessie Veeder ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Moorhead How will vacant Moorhead City Council, Moorhead School Board seats be filled? 6h ago · By Ingrid Harbo North Dakota Driver charged in fatal Cass County crash settles Grand Forks cases 18h ago · By Matt Henson Business Sisters developing Kindro app to help users find their chosen family 6h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Lifestyle What if this winter’s forecast holds true? 5h ago · By Don Kinzler