Hydrangeas for Zone 3 Gardens
Panicle or Pee Gee hydrangeas, offer the most variety in hydrangeas for zone 3. Blooming on new wood from July-September, panicle hydrangeas are the most cold-hardy and sun-tolerant of zone 3 hydrangea varieties. Some zone 3 hydrangea varieties in this family include:
Bobo Firelight Limelight Little Lime Little Lamb Pinky Winky Quick Fire Little Quick Fire Ziinfin Doll Tardiva Unique Pink Diamond White Moth Preacox
Annabelle hydrangeas are also hardy to zone 3. These hydrangeas are much loved for their huge, ball-shaped flowers that bloom on new wood in June-September. Weighed down by these enormous flowers, Annabelle hydrangeas tend to have a weeping habit. Zone 3 hardy hydrangeas in the Annabelle family include the Invincibelle series and Incrediball series.
Caring for Hydrangeas in Cold Climates
Blooming on new wood, panicle and Annabelle hydrangeas can be pruned in late winter-early spring. It’s not necessary to prune back panicle or Annabelle hydrangeas each year; they will bloom fine without annual maintenance. It does keep them healthy and looking nice, though, so remove spent blooms and any dead wood from the plants. Hydrangeas are shallow rooting plants. In full sun, they may need watering. Mulch around their root zones to help retain moisture. Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun-tolerant zone 3 hardy hydrangeas. They do well in six or more hours of sun. Annabelle hydrangeas prefer light shade, with about 4-6 hours of sun a day. Hydrangeas in cool climates may benefit from an extra heap of mulch around the plant crown through winter.
