New Hydrangea Tree in Northern Iowa

[janette]

I purchased a hydrangea tree from Home Depot this summer and its blooms were white, then turned slightly pink as the weather cooled. Now that it is fall, I am wondering how I should winterize it. I did put tree tape and a protector from critters around the trunk but am wondering if I need to mulch all the way up as I did my rose tree, or how else I should keep my hydrangea tree from dying this winter.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Janette

[rainbowgardener]

Do you know what kind of hydrangea you have? It makes a difference as some varieties are much more cold hardy than others. It looks like you are likely in zone 4. Not all hydrangeas are hardy that far. The The Oakleaf, PeeGee, and 'Annabelle' hydrangeas are hardier, the mopheads and lace caps less so.

Here's a little article about what kinds of hydrangeas grow in what climates:
https://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/what_grows_where.html

Note that even the Oakleaf you would be at the very edge of what it can tolerate. So yes, if you have anything other than Annabelle or PeeGee, you want to give it the most winter protection you can and treating it like your rosebush might be a good idea. If you have the Annabelle or PeeGee you can be a little more relaxed about winter protection and just mulch it well. But they do want to be protected from drying winds.

Here's a previous thread from our resident hydrangea expert on winterizing hydrangea: https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=93127&highlight=hydrangea+winter#93127

[janette]

I have every label from the plants I've bought except for my hydrangea (of course).

If I could figure out how to put pictures on the site, I'd show you. The leaves do not look like an oakleaf. And I cannot remember exactly but I think the name was something like pinky winky or perfectly pink. Which at the time of purchase surprised me, because it was all white. As I said as the weather cooled it turned pinkish and now everything is brown (obviously sleeping).

I talked to a local florist who is growing one also, and he said I didn't need to do anything more than I was already doing, though I'm not sure if he is being honest or just wants me to buy one from him next year. I am hoping he is being honest.

Thank you for your response. [/img]

[rainbowgardener]

It helps to read the Helpful Tips and Suggestions for New Members in the introductory section . Here's a link to the part in there about posting photos here:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3724

You have to have them on-line first at some photo hosting site like photobucket.

[janette]

Thanks for the tip. I was trying to upload it directly from my computer but I started a photobucket account like suggested hopefully this will work.

Anyways, I am not sure of the EXACT name of this hydrangea tree.
Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.

[img]https://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/jaclay4749/hydrangeatree.jpg[/img]

[janette]

I purchased a hydrangea tree from Home Depot this summer and its blooms were white, then turned slightly pink as the weather cooled. Now that it is fall, I am wondering how I should winterize it. I did put tree tape and a protector from critters around the trunk but am wondering if I need to mulch all the way up as I did my rose tree, or how else I should keep my hydrangea tree from dying this winter.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Anyways, I am not sure of the EXACT name of this hydrangea tree.
Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.

[img]https://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/jaclay4749/hydrangeatree.jpg[/img][/quote]