Are Hydrangeas A Hardy Plant In Colorado?

Hydrangeas are a popular and beautiful flowering plant with large, colorful blooms. However, growing them in Colorado is challenging due to the state’s unique climate and soil conditions. Most parts of Colorado are dry, experiencing hot summers and cold winters. Planting hydrangeas in Colorado requires careful planning due to its cooler temperatures, higher elevation, and the need for proper care and maintenance.

There are four types of hydrangeas: macrophylla (big leaf or mophead), paniculata (panicle), quercifolia (oakleaf), and arborescens (smooth or wild). Some hydrangea varieties are well-suited to Colorado’s climate, but with proper care and attention, they can thrive in your garden.

To grow beautiful hydrangeas in Colorado, learn how to choose the right spot with tips from Holly Acres Nursery. Hydrangeas thrive in zones 3 through 6 (Colorado) and prefer full sun, but not harsh sun. Some cultivars, like ‘Annabelle’, can thrive in Colorado.

In the Denver climate, hydrangeas grow particularly well in North and East-facing exposures, but it is best to avoid Southwest or Western exposures. They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, well- amended soil with peat moss and compost. Hydrangeas overwinter well in the Denver area, producing large shrubs with interesting peeling bark as they mature. Quick Fire is a good option for additional color.

However, some care must be taken to ensure that hydrangeas are planted in the right place in your garden.

Do hydrangeas come back in Colorado?

Hydrangeas are deciduous perennial shrubs with low woody branches, known for their wide variety of colors and various uses. These resilient varieties are prevalent in zones 3 through 6 (Colorado) and can be observed in a multitude of locations.

Are hydrangeas best in pots or ground?

Pot-grown hydrangeas can be planted in various locations, including open ground or containers using John Innes compost. Large pots are recommended for long-lasting growth. In open ground, prepare the soil by adding garden compost or organic manure, and 6X Natural Fibrous Fertilizer to boost humus content. Add Vitax Hydrangea Feed or compost when planting for essential nutrients for healthy growth and beautiful blooms. Hydrangeas thrive on most soils and heavy clay, making them ideal for new-build gardens and wet, compacted soils.

Regularly adding organic compost or manure helps hold on to moisture, while mulching the ground around the plants with compost or bark early in the season helps retain moisture. This is done after their annual application of Vitax Hydrangea Feed.

Can hydrangeas be planted outside in Colorado?

Hydrangea plants thrive in north and east-facing areas, and can be planted under trees for filtered shade. Soil quality is crucial for their success, and amending it with compost and peat moss can provide the right pH environment and drainage. When planting, loosen the root ball and add long-acting fertilizer. Hydrangeas prefer moist, protected locations, so plant near other plants with similar watering needs.

Water your hydrangea regularly and deeply for the first two years, including once a month during winter. Our team is ready to help determine the right location, species, and planting location for your hydrangea, offering an extensive selection of hydrangea shrubs that will thrive in your Denver garden.

Which hydrangeas grow best in Colorado?

Hydrangeas come in various types with different bloom types and leaf shapes. The mophead type, also known as bigleaf hydrangeas or smooth hydrangeas, is the most familiar and is often grown in small pots for florist flowers. In Denver, winter-hardy varieties like Annabelle, Incrediball, Endless Summer, and City Line series are ideal for gardens. City Line Paris is a pink-flowered compact variety ideal for patio containers. Airy lacecap flowers are flat and loose, with a tight central cluster of small starry flowers surrounded by larger open-faced sterile flowers.

Oakleaf and panicle hydrangeas have large lobed leaves and tall cone-shaped clusters of flowers, usually white or greenish. Hydrangea Quick Fire is a color-filled variety that starts white and turns pink. Compact varieties are available for those with limited space.

Will hydrangeas survive a freeze?

Hydrangeas are hardy shrubs that can survive winter freezes as long as they are not exposed to repeated below zero temperatures. They are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-7, but grow happily throughout most of the United States. Most hydrangeas require partial shade, except for panicles that love full sun. They also prefer moist and well-draining soil, but heavy clay or sandy soils may pose challenges for thriving plants. It is crucial to plant a hardy species in your area.

Where should you not plant hydrangeas?

It is inadvisable to cultivate hydrangeas in USDA hardiness zones 1 and 2, given their inability to withstand the rigors of colder climates and their incompatibility with tree root systems, which impede optimal root development and access to sunlight.

How close to the house should I plant a hydrangea?

Two feet of spacing between hydrangeas is likely too close, especially near your house, which can cause them to become crowded. It is best to have shrubs have a couple feet of clearance near the house walls. The type of hydrangea you bought can determine the spacing, with some growing up to 10 feet and others 5-6 feet apart. Endless Summer, a newer variety, is planted about 3-5 feet apart and can bloom on both new and old wood. Older types bloom only on old wood and may bloom the following summer in harsh winters.

If you have any plant tags, check the Lowes website for typical plant tags. To increase the distance, lift some hydrangeas and group them in groups of 3 or five. Hydrangeas have shallow roots, making them easy to transplant.

Do hydrangeas like more sun or shade?

Hydrangeas thrive in full sun to part sun, but can also tolerate some shade. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, especially in hotter climates. However, insufficient sun can lead to reduced flowering and weaker stems. To ensure hydrangeas thrive in their gardens, consider the timing and type of shade. Some hydrangeas are more shade-tolerant than others, so don’t let a little shade hinder your gardening goals.

Should I cut down my hydrangea for winter?

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as panicle hydrangea, is a plant with conical-shaped flower heads that can be pruned back to just above a fat bud in fall, late winter, or spring. These plants produce buds in late summer to early fall, which will form next year’s flowers. To maintain winter interest in your landscape, it is recommended to wait until late winter or spring. Popular panicle hydrangeas include Quick Fire®, Limelight, and First Editions® Berry White®.

Do I need to cover hydrangeas in winter?

Hydrangeas need protection depending on the winter temperature drop. If the air temperature doesn’t drop below 0 degrees (zone 7) there is no need for winter protection. In colder climates, wrap or cover marginally hardy hydrangeas, especially those that bloom on old wood, like mop head/big leaf hydrangeas. Newer varieties bloom on both new and old wood. Hardier hydrangeas like paniculata and arborescens don’t need extra winter protection, but extreme cold can cause die-back of their branches.

If a colder than normal winter is predicted, consider covering plants with burlap or a mulch mountain. There’s still time to plant hydrangeas, as they can grow in Zone 4 and warmer zones (5 to 9) and fall is the best time for planting. Follow the steps above, especially watering and mulching.

How do you winterize hydrangeas in Colorado?

In order to overwinter hydrangeas, it is necessary to first clean up the fall garden, clear excess organic matter, water the plants before the first frost, prune them lightly, add a thick layer of mulch, and then wrap them in winter protection. This will ensure that the plants remain healthy and protected throughout the winter months.