Hydrangeas are hardy and frost-resistant flowering plants. They thrive as [perennials](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perennial-flowers) in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–7, despite the winter temperatures in these [planting zones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones), which can drop as low as negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. However, freezing winters will push a hydrangea bush into dormancy, and it will need protection during this time. Overwintering your hydrangeas—by wrapping up the above-ground stems and protecting the root system—provides them with protection from frost or cold damage.
Most types of hydrangeas are cold-hardy, and practicing common winter care techniques (like mulching) primes them to survive through the winter and into the next year. When overwintering your plant, consider the hardiness of the specific variety. Monitor for signs of winter damage (such as cracked, dry bark) during the colder months. Consider these other gardening tips for overwintering your hydrangeas: 

1. __Clean up your fall garden__. Late fall is an ideal time to clear an excess of organic matter out of your garden. Rake up dead leaves to make space for new [mulch](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden), and eliminate hiding spaces for rodents and insects, which can harm your plants over the winter. 
2. __Water before the first frost__. Water your hydrangea plants regularly before the first frost of the season arrives. Pre-winter [watering](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-water-a-garden) enables their root systems to retain moisture throughout the winter. Avoid fertilizing your hydrangeas right before winter because feeding is ineffective during dormancy and can cause new growth to sprout before the spring warmth.
3. __Lightly prune the plants__. New wood bloomers—like oakleaf hydrangea, Annabelle hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, or *H. arborescens* ‘Grandiflora’ hydrangea—require [pruning](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-prune-your-plants-and-trees) in early spring. However, you should prune some old wood blooming hydrangeas—such as climbing hydrangeas or bigleaf hydrangeas (*Hydrangea macrophylla*) like lacecap hydrangeas and mophead hydrangeas—at the end of the growing season in early fall to prepare for the winter. Simply remove any dead or damaged branches, flower heads, and flower buds. Prune hydrangea plants lightly for a more prodigious bloom the next season. 
4. __Add a thick layer of mulch__. At the beginning of winter, place several inches of mulch—organic material like shredded leaves, sawdust, straw, and wood chips—around the base of the plant. Mulching enables its roots to stay warm throughout the winter months and into early spring and prevents sprouting in the winter, which can happen as the ground freezes and thaws throughout the season. 
5. __Wrap with winter protection__. During the winter, make a DIY A-frame wire cage out of burlap and chicken wire to protect your hydrangea plant. This cage will protect it from winter winds, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures.
Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
Winterizing hydrangeas involves protecting them from difficult winter conditions with adequate watering and physical protection. Hydrangeas bloom in late spring, and taking proper care of the plants during winter primes them to produce blooms well into the following summer. Read on to learn about winterizing hydrangeas.

Winterizing hydrangeas involves protecting them from difficult winter conditions with adequate watering and physical protection. Hydrangeas bloom in late spring, and taking proper care of the plants during winter primes them to produce blooms well into the following summer. Read on to learn about winterizing hydrangeas.

Winterizing Hydrangeas: How to Winterize Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are hardy and frost-resistant flowering plants. They thrive as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perennial-flowers' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/perennial-flowers","linkCopy":"perennials","category":null}'>perennials</a> in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–7, despite the winter temperatures in these <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones","linkCopy":"planting zones","category":null}'>planting zones</a>, which can drop as low as negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. However, freezing winters will push a hydrangea bush into dormancy, and it will need protection during this time. Overwintering your hydrangeas—by wrapping up the above-ground stems and protecting the root system—provides them with protection from frost or cold damage.

Can Hydrangeas Tolerate the Cold?

Most types of hydrangeas are cold-hardy, and practicing common winter care techniques (like mulching) primes them to survive through the winter and into the next year. When overwintering your plant, consider the hardiness of the specific variety. Monitor for signs of winter damage (such as cracked, dry bark) during the colder months. Consider these other gardening tips for overwintering your hydrangeas: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Clean up your fall garden. Late fall is an ideal time to clear an excess of organic matter out of your garden. Rake up dead leaves to make space for new <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden","linkCopy":"mulch","category":null}'>mulch</a>, and eliminate hiding spaces for rodents and insects, which can harm your plants over the winter. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Water before the first frost. Water your hydrangea plants regularly before the first frost of the season arrives. Pre-winter <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-water-a-garden' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-water-a-garden","linkCopy":"watering","category":null}'>watering</a> enables their root systems to retain moisture throughout the winter. Avoid fertilizing your hydrangeas right before winter because feeding is ineffective during dormancy and can cause new growth to sprout before the spring warmth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Lightly prune the plants. New wood bloomers—like oakleaf hydrangea, Annabelle hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, or H. arborescens ‘Grandiflora’ hydrangea—require <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-prune-your-plants-and-trees' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-prune-your-plants-and-trees","linkCopy":"pruning","category":null}'>pruning</a> in early spring. However, you should prune some old wood blooming hydrangeas—such as climbing hydrangeas or bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) like lacecap hydrangeas and mophead hydrangeas—at the end of the growing season in early fall to prepare for the winter. Simply remove any dead or damaged branches, flower heads, and flower buds. Prune hydrangea plants lightly for a more prodigious bloom the next season. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Add a thick layer of mulch. At the beginning of winter, place several inches of mulch—organic material like shredded leaves, sawdust, straw, and wood chips—around the base of the plant. Mulching enables its roots to stay warm throughout the winter months and into early spring and prevents sprouting in the winter, which can happen as the ground freezes and thaws throughout the season. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Wrap with winter protection. During the winter, make a DIY A-frame wire cage out of burlap and chicken wire to protect your hydrangea plant. This cage will protect it from winter winds, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures. </li></ol>

How to Winterize Hydrangeas

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

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Winterizing hydrangeas involves protecting them from difficult winter conditions with adequate watering and physical protection. Hydrangeas bloom in late spring, and taking proper care of the plants during winter primes them to produce blooms well into the following summer. Read on to learn about winterizing hydrangeas.

Winterizing hydrangeas involves protecting them from difficult winter conditions with adequate watering and physical protection. Hydrangeas bloom in late spring, and taking proper care of the plants during winter primes them to produce blooms well into the following summer. Read on to learn about winterizing hydrangeas.
