Hydrangea cuttings

[Ann]

In August I took 3 cuttings from a friend's Hydrangea and to my amazement they are all now growing very healthily in their separate pots. As they are only 4 - 5" high at the moment, is it wise to plant them out in my border now or over Winter them - if so, where? I also have 3 Weigela cuttings which are a bit smaller than the Hydrangeas. Many thanks if anyone can advise me :o)

[Essell]

Well done ! You could keep them sheltered if possible, just to be safe. I've left them out all winter but only because it didn't really matter how many survived. You can shelter them from the worst of the cold in any outdoor space by putting them all together in a box. If you have access to straw or dry leaves you can protect them even more, but don't get too motherly ! (Sun warmed straw can harbour pests.)
A bit of hard weather will not do much damage if they have rooted, but too much water on the roots would be bad for them, such as standing the pots in water. In the spring, watch out for slugs which can undo all your hard work in a day....they love hydrangea bud leaves. Gravel is a good deterrent.
So a box full of well draining gravel then :o).

[Ann]

Thanks Essell for your helpful tips, do you think if I put them in my unheated greenhouse in a box all together in their pots and cover with fleece, they may survive? I will remember about slugs/ snails <groan> I have hundreds!

[Essell]

Hello Ann . Greenhouse ideal. Then gradually acclimatise in the spring by putting them outside on good days and bringing the box in at night, until the weather is better. I love watching cuttings grow - worse than a broody hen :o).