How To Care For Hydrangea Over Winter. Hydrangea shrubs and small trees are among the most productive and problem free flowering woody plants. Otherwise the open wounds of the cutting will freeze and this can destroy your beautiful Hydrangea.
If you fail to protect against winter it could damage these new buds before they have a chance to bloom. The first thing you have to do for hydrangea winter care is to cut away dead wood the plant has produced. Pruning last years growth effectively removes the next seasons flower buds.
Be careful not to cut off healthy wood as this wood will be where your hydrangea will bloom from next year.
Bigleaf Hydrangeas primarily bloom on last years growth or old wood For this reason bigleaf Hydrangeas should never be pruned in late summer or fall. In spring I prune again back to healthy looking green buds and add a dash of fertilizer. Wrap Hydrangeas for Insulation. Also weak or even dead branches should be cut away.