Woodpecker at bird feeder in winter
Using Shrub Covers For Hydrangea Winter Protection
Of course, before I prepare big leaf hydrangeas for winter and cover my plants I need to wait until they have dropped all their leaves. Clean up at the base of the plant is critical. I don’t want any fungal spores to overwinter and return to infect my plants next season.
Taking that into account, it may be too early in your part of the country to install these covers. But it’s not too early to get those shrub covers lined up ’cause by the time you need them, you might not have enough time to get it all done.
What Does A Shrub Cover Look Like?
What does a shrub cover look like? It can be an “A-Frame” made from discarded wood pallets you can salvage from local stores or one you build on your own.
You can simply leave the A-Frame bare to shunt off snow and ice. However, for colder areas the A-frame makes a great base to drape a tarp or insulating cover. If you do that, make sure you secure it against the weather with string or a bungee cord.
Another kind of winter protection can be an unframed drape held by the stems of the plant. Here’s one available at several on-line shopping sites:
Shrub cover for hydrangeas available from garden supply sellers.
I cover the subject of winter protection in my best selling book, Success With Hydrangeas, A Gardener’s Guide. You can order a signed copy here. It makes a great holiday gift for the gardener in your life.
Hydrangea happiness can’t start soon enough!
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