The varieties now known as farmer's hydrangeas originally come from Japan, where a similar climate to that of this country prevails in many parts of the country.
Are farmer's hydrangeas hardy?
Farmer hydrangeas are generally hardy, although their frost resistance depends on the location. Particularly hardy varieties are “Emile Mouillière”, “Otaksa”, “Lanarth White” and “Veitchii”. Winter protection and a partially shaded spot help protect the flower buds from frost.
Winter hardiness depends on location
Almost all Macrophylla species, as the farmer's hydrangea is botanically correctly called, have quite good winter hardiness. Many old varieties of farmer's hydrangea are still very popular today because they have proven themselves with excellent winter hardiness. However, their specific resistance to frost and other adverse weather conditions depends primarily on their location. These varieties require good winter protection, especially in regions where it gets very cold in winter. The most winter-hardy varieties include: “Emile Mouillière”, “Otaksa”, “Lanarth White” and “Veitchii”. Due to their poor winter hardiness, “Hanabi” and “Pink Elf” are better cultivated in pots.
Flower buds freeze in frost
The biggest problem with farmer's hydrangeas, however, is not their actual winter hardiness - most varieties survive the winter excellently - but the fact that the flower buds that were already formed in late summer of the previous year can freeze. As soon as this happens, the flowers will fail the following year. After all, farmer's hydrangeas only bloom on the previous year's wood and therefore do not form new flower buds in the current growing season. This problem can only be avoided with appropriate winter protection or by planting new varieties that flower on both old and new wood.
New varieties of farmer's hydrangea are particularly hardy
These new varieties, including “Endless Summer” and the “Forever & Ever” series with four different flower colors, are not only characterized by good winter hardiness. It is also not a problem if flower buds or previous year's shoots freeze, because new buds are formed on the young shoots.
Getting farmer’s hydrangeas over the winter
Good winter protection is necessary to protect the overwintering buds of the farmer's hydrangea from frost. However, this does not only happen through a cover (e.g. B. through a fleece (€34.00 on Amazon) or raffia mats), but above all through the wise choice of location. In general, the sunnier the location, the more at risk the flower buds are from frosts that occur late in spring. For this reason, if possible, plant your farmer's hydrangeas in a partially shaded or light-shaded place without midday sun.
Tips & Tricks
The root neck in particular is intended for protection against the cold, e.g. B. by covering it with bark mulch and/or leaves. This prevents the roots growing close to the ground from freezing and therefore dying.
