November is when most of us want to stay cosy indoors, but there is still plenty of work for hydrangea lovers if they want to ensure their flowers grow properly after winter. Many gardeners overlook watering hydrangeas in late autumn as the weather tends to be quite rainy, but this is a mistake and can result in the flower buds becoming damaged.
The gardening experts at Monrovia have warned there can be really strong winds at this time of year so it is important to be regularly watering hydrangeas until the ground freezes. They said: “It’s vital to water hydrangeas deeply and consistently as they are thirsty plants by nature. Their name basically means hydration, but we don’t need to geek out with Latin right now! Cool, drying winter winds suck the moisture right out of the plants – and hydrangeas don’t use lip balm. Doesn’t have to be hot to be dry!”
It is really common for gardeners to only worry about moisture levels in summer, but it is equally important hydrangeas get plenty of water before winter begins.
Once the soil freezes and hydrangeas go dormant they cannot take in any water, and if the roots are already dry the plant can struggle to survive.
Most hydrangea plants have already grown their flower buds for next year, and if severely dehydrated they can shrivel up or even die off so you get less blooms in spring.
Taking the time to water hydrangeas now will keep them healthy long-term and make sure they blossom with plenty of flowers once winter is over.
How to properly water hydrangeas in November
Make sure to check the soil once every week by feeling the ground or using a moisture meter. If it feels slight damp then the hydrangea are hydrated, but they will need watered if it feels dry or powdery.
Water the plant deeply and preferably in the morning so the water has time to soak into the ground before the temperature drops in the evening.
A simple method to make sure hydrangeas are getting enough moisture is to trickle water them, which is water gradually soaks into the ground to reach the longer roots.
The expert explained: One way is to make a small hole in the side of a five gallon bucket and fill with water. Then set at the base of the plant, allowing the water to trickle out slow.”
Using a bucket to water slowly helps hydrangea roots grow deeply before winter, improving their resilience and reducing the risk of frost damage during freezing temperatures.
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