question about hydrangeas

aprilweddingrainorshine

Hi!  I planted 5 Forever & Ever Red Hydrangeas last spring and only one looked like it survived the winter.  I live in Zone 5A.  Does anyone have any tips or ideas on growing hydrangeas?  I am pretty new at all the planting, growing etc.  Thank you in advance for your help!

~NB~

Most Hydrangea species are southerners, and those ones fall into that category. They will struggle in your area, if not die.

Annabelle hydrangeas should work for you. They're white.

aprilweddingrainorshine

~NB~:

Most Hydrangea species are southerners, and those ones fall into that category. They will struggle in your area, if not die.

Annabelle hydrangeas should work for you. They're white.

I bought these forever & ever at a local nursurey and the tag says hardy zones 4-9.  I may just need to try another variety or maybe I just have a completely brown thumb!

s_angel

I am in the same zone and am trying my hand at hyrdrangeas for the first time this year. I purchased and Annabelle (actually and invincebelle - it's a new pink version of annabelle). I am not expecting much the first few years (the plant is tiny) but the nursery did say it should do well in our zone. Maybe give the annabelle a try as PP suggested? I will probably have to take measures this winter to protect this new little plant.

~NB~

aprilweddingrainorshine:

~NB~:

Most Hydrangea species are southerners, and those ones fall into that category. They will struggle in your area, if not die.

Annabelle hydrangeas should work for you. They're white.

I bought these at a local nursurey and the tag says hardy zones 4-9. 

Yeah... I don't believe that by any stretch. Not that variety.

FoxinFiji

I looked them up they are: Hydrangea macrophylla ?Maltisse?

Yeah macrophylla hydrangeas do not do well in our zone 5 area either.  You have to put them in a sheltered spot and baby them by covering them every winter.  Even then you'll be lucky to keep them anywhere near as big and bountiful as they are all hopped up on fertilizer at the garden centers.

Try some of the Hydrangea arborescens (Annabelle) varieties like the pps mentioned or the Hydrangea paniculata varieties like Vanilla Strawberry, Limelight,  and Pinky Winky.

aprilweddingrainorshine

~NB~:

aprilweddingrainorshine:

~NB~:

Most Hydrangea species are southerners, and those ones fall into that category. They will struggle in your area, if not die.

Annabelle hydrangeas should work for you. They're white.

I bought these at a local nursurey and the tag says hardy zones 4-9. 

Yeah... I don't believe that by any stretch. Not that variety.

 http://foreverandeverplants.com/Plant.aspx?code=TB146&type=hydrangea

I looked it up online and their website says it too.  My cw planted the same forever & ever variety and has had lots of problems too in the area and she actually knows what she is doin! I bet you are right that it is just too cold for them here.  Thanks for the advice.  I am going to plant the annabelle hydrangeas next week.

 

aprilweddingrainorshine

FoxinFiji:

I looked them up they are: Hydrangea macrophylla ?Maltisse?

Yeah macrophylla hydrangeas do not do well in our zone 5 area either.  You have to put them in a sheltered spot and baby them by covering them every winter.  Even then you'll be lucky to keep them anywhere near as big and bountiful as they are all hopped up on fertilizer at the garden centers.

Try some of the Hydrangea arborescens (Annabelle) varieties like the pps mentioned or the Hydrangea paniculata varieties like Vanilla Strawberry, Limelight,  and Pinky Winky.

Thank you for the help!  I wish you all worked at my local landscape garden

~NB~

H. macrophylla, or Bigleaf Hydrangea, is an old fashioned southern plant. Maybe in another 25 years, the zones will be pushed that much further north and they'll do well where you are. It's annoying that they are marketing them as hardy to zone 5 or 4. It's a lie.

nitaw

~NB~:

H. macrophylla, or Bigleaf Hydrangea, is an old fashioned southern plant. Maybe in another 25 years, the zones will be pushed that much further north and they'll do well where you are. It's annoying that they are marketing them as hardy to zone 5 or 4. It's a lie.

FYI peeps - NB is a professional in horticulture. This is what she does for a living. If she says it won't live in your zone, chances are it won't live in your zone. In other words, you probably just ought to do what she says! LOL

This is like me wanting to grow citrus trees in zone 7b, it's just not gonna happen. I can get a dwarf tree and move it in every winter, but really, who wants the hassle? Best suggestion is to stick with things that are native or are truly hardy to your zone. 

aprilweddingrainorshine

~NB~:

H. macrophylla, or Bigleaf Hydrangea, is an old fashioned southern plant. Maybe in another 25 years, the zones will be pushed that much further north and they'll do well where you are. It's annoying that they are marketing them as hardy to zone 5 or 4. It's a lie.

 So good to know.  Thanks for the information.  You have been so helpful!  I appreciate you sharing your professional knowledge!

CarrieLMB

Booo   Looks like I've made the same mistake.  I knew it wasn't doing well, so I went back to the nursery asked what we could do.  They told me to fertilize it and sent us on our way.  Now I'm annoyed too