Will a Hydrangea survive In a whiskey barrel in Wisconsin Winter?

It's a foot deep in soil, but the barrel is above ground. Can or would I need to put hay or clippings around to insulate?

We tend to get lots of snow and negative single digits for temps.



Any input welcome.

Will a Hydrangea survive In a whiskey barrel in Wisconsin Winter?
No I don't think they will survive. The barrel is going to fill up with moisture and freeze solid. I would take the barrel and put it in a unheated garage or barn. Or plant the hydrangas for the winter, cover them with leaves or straw and then dig them up in the spring. You have to protect the root system.
Reply:Protecting the roots is the right idea. If it's a hardy plant it should survive so long as you keep it watered. Water freezes at 32 degrees, and doesn't get any colder, it just evaporates. Mulch and water should do the trick. I grow all sorts of things in pots. Things that survive in the ground survive in pots so long as they're kept moist.
Reply:Hydrangea can not live in single digit temps, much less NEGATIVE single digits!!



If you put the barrel in a garage, you MIGHT be able to over-winter.



Good Luck!!
Reply:I live in Wisconsin too and haven't had any luck at all trying to winter over Hydrangeas. Sorry.