Price: $25.98
(as of Dec 31, 2025 16:57:58 UTC – Details)
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Flu is on a major upswing in the U.S., new CDC data shows : Shots
There have been at least 7.5 million illnesses and 3,100 deaths from flu this season, according to CDC data. And flu cases are expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks.
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Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the virus arrived as expected, cases are rising faster, compared with previous years.
Last week, more than 19,000 patients with influenza were admitted to hospitals, up about 10,000 from the previous week, according to new CDC data. To date, the CDC estimates at least 7.5 million people have been sickened, and over 3,100 people have died from the flu.
The surge seems to be driven primarily by a new strain of the virus — subclade K of influenza A(H3N2) — that emerged in Australia over the summer.
“Anywhere we detect this virus, you can see a large surge of influenza cases coming afterwards,” says Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In the U.S., “the timing is not that much different from other flu seasons, but the number of cases, and how quickly those cases are increasing is something that is not usually seen this time of year.”
New York has been hit especially hard, with state health officials announcing over 71,000 cases last week — the most cases ever recorded in a single week in the state. But other states are seeing high levels of flu activity, particularly in the northeast, midwest and south.
“The map is mostly red,” says Pekosz, indicating high levels of disease that will likely increase over the coming weeks.
“When you’re in the middle of seeing the curve start to go up, we just don’t have any sense of where it’s going to stop,” he says. “That’s the big concern in most of the medical communities right now.”
What’s driving the upswing?
So far, there’s no indication that this new strain is more severe, or even more contagious than previous years, says Florian Krammer, a virologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
But there have been changes to the virus that may allow it to get around our immune defenses, he says. “There’s less immunity to it, and that’s allowing the virus to spread very quickly and extensively.”
There are some concerns that this season’s flu vaccine may not be a perfect match to the new strain, given it emerged after the formulation was decided last February. “I think we’re going to have a mismatch between the strain circulating and the vaccine,” says Demetre Daskalakis, who led the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC until he resigned in August. “But the vaccine is still the best protection we have, even if it’s imperfect protection.”
Preliminary data from the United Kingdom, which saw an early surge of flu this year, suggests the vaccine is about 30 to 40% effective at preventing hospitalization in adults. “Those numbers are in line with what you would typically see,” says Krammer, though he stresses those are preliminary estimates.
How to respond to the surge
Flu vaccines only offer protection if people get them and in the U.S., only 42% of adults have gotten a flu shot this year. That leaves many people unprotected in face of a likely bad flu season, says Daskalakis. He’d like to see the CDC do more to encourage vaccination.
“You’re not seeing the robust communication that you would expect,” he says. “Usually you’d expect to see more alerts coming out of CDC, more recommendations to be vaccinated.”
In response to that criticism, a CDC spokesperson said, “the CDC is strongly committed to keeping Americans healthy during flu season. CDC launched a new national outreach campaign designed to raise awareness and empower Americans with the tools they need to stay healthy during the respiratory illness season,” adding “the decision to vaccinate is a personal one. People should consult with their healthcare provider to understand their options to get a vaccine and should be informed about the potential risks and benefits associated with vaccines.”
In an interview with NPR, Lisa Grohskopf, a medical officer in the CDC’s influenza division emphasized the importance of vaccination. “It’s definitely not too late to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t done it already,” she says.
There are other ways of protecting yourself too.
“If you’re using public transportation, if you’re in the room with a lot of other people, if you’re in a healthcare setting, it’s really smart to wear a mask,” says Krammer, especially higher-quality masks. “I was taking the subway yesterday in New York City. I was wearing an N95 mask.”
Social distancing, especially when you or someone in your household is infected, can help minimize the spread too.
If you get infected, there are effective treatment options, especially when started with 48 hours of infection. “If you get an infection with influenza, that’s really a reason to see a physician, get diagnosed, and then take next steps,” says Krammer. “It’s not an infection that you should take lightly.”
Reflections on Some Favorite Winter GPODs
Hi GPODers and Happy New Year’s Eve!
To wrap up this year I wanted to celebrate some gardens that make this season so special. Inspired by Carol Verhake’s gorgeous submission of fresh snow in her garden (Fresh Snow in Carol’s Pennsylvania Garden), I dug into the Garden Photo of the Day archive to find some fabulous winter garden photos that show how lights and dazzling decor are not needed for an exciting late-season landscape.
January in Carol’s Garden
We’re kicking it off with the queen of the cold season herself, Carol Verhake in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Carol has shared some gorgeous photos of her garden coated in snow, but her landscape is also filled with plants that reach their peak in winter and put on a spectacular performance with or without the white stuff.
‘Amethyst’ witch hazel (Hamamelis ‘Amethyst’, Zones 5–8) is a beautiful shrub with reddish flower. The long, narrow petals open on warm days and curl up on the colder ones. Witch hazels are one of the best winter-flowering shrubs, even in climates with very cold, snowy winters.
Celebrating Winter Beauty
Next up we head to Wellesley, Massachusetts for the incredible shapes and patterns in Barbara Owen’s winter garden. Her space is another that highlights the additional beauty a layer of snow can bring to a winter landscape.
The trees outlined with delicate lines of snow
Mid-Winter in Lynne’s New Zealand Garden
Switching gears, the winter garden of Lynne Leslie’s in Wellington, New Zealand emerges when gardens in the Northern Hemisphere are at their summer peak. Along with the winter season falling during a different time of year, her garden features a unique array of plants throughout its “down” time.
Another winter favourite is flame vine (Pyrostegia venusta, Zones 9–11). It grows so rapidly that I must cut it back hard after flowering. Great for picking and such a bright light in the garden.
Winter Favorites
I’m sure plenty of readers dream of tropical winters (or potentially escape cold climates for sunnier weather down south), but other readers dream of snowy days from their warm-weather locations. Beth Tucker, who currently lives in Waxhaw, North Carolina, shared photos of winter from her previous home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
My gnarled hazel, Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, Zones 3–9), after a snow. I loved it best in the winter when you could really see the shape.
Winter Interest in Jay’s Garden
Conifers are some of the most colorful stars in a winter landscape, and Jay Sifford’s garden in North Carolina is a masterclass in colorful trees and shrubs. The award-winning landscape designer creates gardens that dazzle in every season, but his home landscape is one I always circle back to this time of year.
One of my favorite parts of the garden, particularly in winter, is this hillside filled with conifers, heaths, and heathers. This view, taken from my living room window, shows the scrim effect of the ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 5–9) seed heads that I’ve planted as part of my foundation planting.
Winter Beauty in Bonnie’s Garden
Of course, conifers aren’t the only foliage plants that show off when weather gets cool. Bonnie Plikaytis in north Georgia has a wonderful mix of evergreens in her winter garden that provide structure and color, as well as some deciduous plants that keep providing interest when other leaves have already dropped.
Sometimes winter interest doesn’t come from an evergreen at all. The dark burgundy color of the large leaves of this oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’, Zones 5–9) certainly holds one’s attention. (Note that this shrub has grown much larger than the predicted size!) The photo shows a Southgate® Grace™ rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth Ard’, Zones 6–9) in the foreground and a Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia, Zones 5–9) to the side.
Cleo’s Washington Garden in Winter
A more recent submission (from February of this year) shows that there really is no limit to the beauty your can create in a winter landscape. Cleo Raulerson in Bellevue, Washington has shared her garden through the seasons, so it was absolutely no surprise that her winter landscape still displayed layers and layers of interest.
Layers on a garden bank: red berries of rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis, Zones 5–7); soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum, Zones 6–8); and ‘Speedy Silver Rose’ cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Speedy Silver Rose’, Zones 5–9) tucked in among mossy boulders.
Snow in Carla’s Garden
One last celebration of snow comes from Carla Zambelli Mudry in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Carla’s woodland landscape is full of interest thanks to a wide range of mature trees and shrubs, but her winter landscape also highlights the importance of art for added interest when flowers and other garden elements are lacking.
Carla’s owl sculpture, carved from the stump of a tree, looks beautiful every day of the year but is especially magical in the snow.
Margot’s Winter Garden
When the ground hasn’t yet thawed, containers can add wonderful splashes of color to winter gardens. This colorful creation from Margot Navarre in Bellevue, Washington was a great prelude to the snowdrops, cyclamens, crocus, and hellebores that flood her landscape in late winter and the earliest days of spring.
Cyclamen coum (winter cyclamen, Zones 5–8) has beautiful leaves and it blooms in late winter to early spring. Leaves range from solid silver to complex patterns of silver and green, and flowers range from white to dark pink. Here, two plants show off in a container so you can easily get up close to appreciate the detail of their foliage and flowers.
Cherry’s Fresh Winter Wreaths and Swags
Lastly, we can’t talk about winter without talking about the decor, and Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia takes wreath making to the next level. Cherry has sent many spectacular designs over the years so it was nearly impossible to pick just one to showcase. This silvery blue creation is just one of many favorites.
Dark and elegant wreath for a friend who loves horses.
Ingredients:
- Laurustinus viburnum (Viburnum tinus, Zones 5–7) berries
- Silver dollar eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea, Zones 8–11)
- Silver Bell eucalyptus pods
- Black velvet ribbon
- Ornament of your choice – my choice for this gift was a cowboy boot
Thank you to all of the contributors who have shared their winter gardens over the years (featured here, or not), and thank you to all of the gardeners who have shared their gorgeous gardens this year. I hope you all had a great 2025, and if the year brought its fair share of struggles then I hope that 2026 brings you a little bit more peace and positivity.
Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.
You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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Garmin Venu® 4, 41mm, Advanced Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, Bright and Colorful Display, Built-in Flashlight, 10 Days of Battery Life, Silver with Periwinkle Silicone Band
Price: $549.99
(as of Dec 31, 2025 04:57:23 UTC – Details)
Featuring a stainless steel design, the Venu® 4 GPS smartwatch provides advanced features you need — all on a bright, colorful display — to better understand your body and promote a healthier lifestyle. Keep pushing day after day with up to 10 days of battery life. Body Battery™ energy monitoring tracks your body’s energy levels to find the best times for activity and rest. Help improve the quality of your sleep with personalized sleep metrics, including the sleep alignment feature to understand if you’re in sync with your internal cycle. The health status feature looks for changes in your health data that could indicate added stress to your body, so you can know when you’re trending away from your usual range. Make every activity count using personalized Garmin Coach training plans for running, cycling, strength and fitness. And switch up your activities with easy-to-follow animated workouts, daily suggested workouts and more than 80 built-in sports apps — including for active wheelchair users. Log custom or preset daily behaviors — such as caffeine and alcohol intake — to view reports in the Garmin Connect™ smartphone app on how your lifestyle choices may impact your overall health. All smartwatch data presented is intended to be a close estimation of the metrics tracked. Plus, make and take calls right from your wrist when paired to your smartphone.
Smaller-sized smartwatch with a bright, colorful display, stainless steel design, and built-in flashlight; up to 10 days of battery life gives a more complete picture of your health
Make improvements to promote a healthier lifestyle and know your body better with extensive health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, Body Battery energy monitoring, fitness age, stress tracking, meditation and more (device data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching, including recommendations for how much sleep you need, tips on how to improve, alignment on your inner sleep cycle by using circadian rhythm and more; breathing variations feature uses Pulse Ox to check your level of variations while sleeping (this is not a medical device, and device data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox is required and not available in all countries)
The health status feature looks for changes in your health data that could indicate added stress to your body for key metrics such as heart rate, HRV, skin temperature and more, which could be related to factors such as physical activity, potential illness or other health changes (device data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Log custom or preset daily behaviors — such as caffeine and alcohol intake — and view reports in the Garmin Connect smartphone app on how lifestyle choices may impact your sleep, stress and HRV to help you make more health-conscious decisions (device data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Find new ways to keep your body moving with daily suggested workouts and more than 80 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, mobility, mixed session to track multiple activities in one session and more; plus, get easy-to-follow workouts for several activity types or even create your own workouts in the Garmin Connect app
Reach for your goals with Garmin Coach training plans for running, cycling, strength and fitness, which can provide personalized workouts based on your health, fitness and recovery metrics
Enjoy the convenience of making and taking phone calls from your wrist — even use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more (when paired with your compatible iPhone or Android smartphone); plus, you can respond to texts via voice, or Android users can text directly from the smartwatch
ECG app can record your heart rhythm and check for signs of atrial fibrillation (not available in all regions; for people 22 years or older)
Take on any fitness journey with advanced training features such as workout benefit — which helps you understand how each workout affected your body — and training readiness to help determine whether you should go hard or take it easy plus training status for insight into your overall effort
Garmin vívosmart® 5, Fitness Tracker, Long-Lasting Battery, Simple Design, Black
Price: $149.99
(as of Dec 30, 2025 16:52:24 UTC – Details)
Take charge of your health with vívosmart® 5. This easy-to-use, comfortable fitness tracker comes loaded with features to track your activity all day and sleep stages all night once setup through the Garmin Connect™ app (This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics). Wrist-based heart rate, stress tracking, Body Battery™ energy monitoring and more help you stay informed while smart notifications from your paired smartphone keep you connected. Stay active with built-in sports apps that include profiles for walking, running, yoga, cardio and more. Plus, when connected to your smartphone, incident detection (during select outdoor activities) and Assistance features send a message with your live location to emergency contacts for greater peace of mind (Requires setup and your smartphone to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available). With up to 7 days of battery life, vívosmart 5 gives you an uninterrupted picture of your health and can go wherever your busy schedule takes you.
Easy-to-use, comfortable smart fitness tracker, once setup through the Garmin Connect app, has a touchscreen and button interface plus a brighter, bigger display than vívosmart 4 for larger text.Supported Application:Heart Rate Monitor,Sleep Monitor,GPS,Fitness Tracker,Contacts,Messages,Calendar. Connectivity technology:Bluetooth.
Get an uninterrupted picture of your health with up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode; safe for swimming and showering, too
Understand your body by monitoring your respiration, Pulse Ox (Pulse Ox not available in all countries; it is not a medical device), Body Battery energy levels, women’s health, hydration, stress and heart rate (This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics) with low and high heart rate alerts once set up through the Garmin Connect app
Get a score for your sleep quality, plus get further insights on how to improve your sleep via the Garmin Connect app
Reach your fitness goals through fitness age, step tracking, calories burned, intensity minutes and more
Built-in sports apps feature activity profiles such as walking, running, yoga, cardio, pool swim and more
Connects to your smartphone’s GPS to track outdoor walks, runs and rides
Stay connected with smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, calendar view and more when paired with your smartphone
When connected to your smartphone, incident detection (during select outdoor activities) and Assistance sends messages and live location information to emergency contacts (Requires setup and your smartphone to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available)
Interchangeable bands provide user-friendly designs, making band replacements easy and convenient
Southwest Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Growing up in Texas, I have a special place in my heart for Tex-Mex recipes. Simple dishes like these Tex-Mex lettuce wraps and southwest shepherd’s pie make a regular appearance on our family menu. It’s a delicious twist on the classic shepherd’s pie recipe.
It’s similar to a taco casserole, but with a creamy potato topping. You can also make this easy Southwest shepherd’s pie recipe ahead of time and pop it in the oven for an easy supper. The toppings are customizable, but cilantro and chopped jalapenos are some of our favorites.
Southwest Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients
This recipe uses a variety of southwestern style ingredients. Instead of the classic carrots, celery, and peas, we’re using zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers. And the spices get an upgrade too with spicy oregano and chili powder, flavorful cumin, and smoky paprika.
You can even choose your favorite potato for the topping. I like using Russet potatoes since they’re more starchy and give it a good texture. Creamy yellow or red potatoes work well too. Or switch it up and try a southwestern sweet potato shepherd’s pie with orange or white sweet potatoes.
For the meat, I use grass-fed ground beef. It has a better nutrient profile than grain-fed beef (plus it’s overall healthier). I also like to cook ground beef in bulk at the beginning of the week to make meal prep easier. If you prefer, ground chicken or ground turkey work just as well.
Why You’ll Love Southwest Shepherd’s Pie
In addition to the delicious flavor, I love that this recipe has 21 grams of protein per serving. It’s cozy and satisfying for chilly nights when I want something warm for supper. Even though there are a few steps involved, it pulls together fairly quickly with only 20 minutes of prep time.
Sometimes I’ll make a double batch and freeze some for later. Simply place the completely cooled casserole in the freezer (in a freezer-safe container). Once you’re ready to reheat, let it thaw and then pop it in the oven until warmed through and bubbly. Southwest shepherd’s pie tastes even better the next day if you have leftovers. This gives the ingredients some more time to meld.
Here’s how to make it!
Southwest Shepherd’s Pie
For the Topping
- 2 medium potatoes of choice (peeled and chopped)
- 2 TBSP grass-fed butter (or avocado oil)
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- salt to taste
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
-
Boil the chopped potatoes in salted water until soft, about 12–15 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, almond milk, garlic powder, and salt. Set aside.
-
Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini and sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.
-
Stir in spices, tomatoes, and black beans. Add broth if the mixture looks dry and simmer for 5 minutes.
-
Transfer the filling to a greased 9×9 or medium casserole dish. Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly on top.
-
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling and lightly golden on top.
Nutrition Facts
Southwest Shepherd’s Pie
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 298
Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 59mg20%
Sodium 480mg21%
Potassium 793mg23%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 1324IU26%
Vitamin C 35mg42%
Calcium 79mg8%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Top and serve: Garnish with cilantro, avocado, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Use any potato you’d like here. Russet, sweet potatoes, or white sweet potatoes are all great options!
Customize the Toppings
My kids like to choose their own toppings when I make this. You can even make a toppings bar (kind of like a taco bar). Have a few options on the table for the family to choose from, so everyone can tweak the flavors to their liking. Here are some ideas:
- A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Pickled onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped bacon pieces
- Avocado slices or guacamole
- Extra cheese
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped jalapeno or poblano peppers
What are some of your favorite casserole-style dishes to make? Leave a comment and let us know!
How to Overwinter Hydrangeas? – Homestead Gardener
Hydrangeas are prominent flowering shrubs that grace your garden with vibrant blossoms in spring and summer.
But as winter approaches, it is important to provide essential care to these beauties to survive the cold, especially for gardeners in colder regions.
Proper care in winter ensures that hydrangeas will bloom following summer.
Add thick layer of organic mulch like shredded leaves, straw, wood chips and sawdust around the hydrangea plant.
To protect your flowering shrub from winter winds and frost, use a DIY A-frame wire cage to wrap the shrubs.
Prepare your garden for winter by removing cleaning dead leaves, watering and pruning old leaves.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas flourish when their growing environment meets their specific needs. The soil should be well-draining yet rich in organic matter, retaining moisture without becoming waterlogged.
A slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 7.0) is ideal, and adding compost or leaf mold can improve soil quality and drainage.
These plants thrive with a balance of sunlight and shade. Morning sun followed by afternoon shade is perfect for most varieties, particularly in hotter climates.
However, Panicle Hydrangeas can handle full sun in cooler areas, while Oakleaf Hydrangeas prefer dappled or partial shade.
Consistent moisture is crucial for healthy growth. Deep watering once or twice a week during the growing season is usually sufficient.
A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and keeps the roots cool. However, overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s important to allow the soil to drain properly.
Hydrangeas are best suited to moderate temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 75°F.
While they can tolerate USDA zones 4-9 depending on the variety, harsh winters may require protective measures, especially for Bigleaf Hydrangeas.
In areas with low humidity, additional watering and mulching can help maintain the necessary moisture levels.
Fertilizing hydrangeas supports healthy growth and vibrant blooms. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula, works well when applied in early spring and mid-summer.
By meeting these conditions, hydrangeas can thrive and reward you with stunning blooms year after year.
Do Hydrangeas Bloom in Winter?
Hydrangeas generally do not bloom during the winter months. Most varieties, such as Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), enter dormancy in response to colder temperatures.
During this period, the plants conserve energy, focusing on protecting their roots and preparing for the next growing season.
However, certain evergreen hydrangea varieties, like Hydrangea integrifolia, may retain their foliage in mild climates.
Even so, these varieties do not typically produce flowers in winter. Instead, their growth slows, allowing them to endure cooler temperatures.
For gardeners in warmer regions, late-blooming varieties like Panicle Hydrangeas might hold onto their flowers into early winter, but this is not the norm.
Overall, winter is a time of rest for hydrangeas, making proper overwintering care crucial to ensure healthy blooms in the spring and summer.
How to Overwinter Hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are beloved garden staples, renowned for their lush foliage and stunning blooms. As winter approaches, gardeners often worry about how to protect these beauties from frost and cold damage.
Overwintering hydrangeas is essential to ensure healthy growth and vibrant flowers in the following growing season.
This guide will walk you through the steps to properly overwinter your hydrangeas, catering to different types and growing conditions.
Why Is Overwintering Hydrangeas Important?
Hydrangeas, depending on their type, vary in cold hardiness. While some varieties, like Panicle hydrangeas, are tough and thrive in colder climates, others, like Bigleaf hydrangeas, are more delicate and prone to damage from frost and temperature fluctuations.
Overwintering helps:
- Prevent frost damage to buds and stems.
- Protect the root system from freezing.
- Ensure healthy blooming in spring.
Know Your Hydrangea Type
Before diving into overwintering methods, identify your hydrangea type:
- Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): Most sensitive to cold; buds form on old wood.
- Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): Buds form on new wood; cold-hardy but benefit from protection.
- Panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): Very cold-hardy and need minimal protection.
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): Moderately hardy; need light protection in harsh winters.
Understanding your hydrangea type will guide the level of care needed for winter survival.
When to Start Overwintering Hydrangeas?
Begin preparations after the first frost but before the ground freezes. In most regions, this is late fall (November) to early winter (December).
Waiting too long can expose your plants to damage, so plan accordingly based on your USDA Hardiness Zone.
Step-by-Step Guide to Overwintering Hydrangeas
1. Prune Carefully (If Necessary)
- Bigleaf Hydrangeas: Avoid heavy pruning as they bloom on old wood. Only remove dead or diseased branches.
- Smooth and Panicle Hydrangeas: These bloom on new wood, so you can prune them in late fall or early spring if needed.
- Oakleaf Hydrangeas: Minimal pruning is best to avoid removing potential blooms.
2. Clean Up the Area
Remove fallen leaves, debris, and weeds around the base of the plant. This reduces the risk of pests and diseases overwintering with the plant.
3. Add Mulch
Apply a thick layer of mulch (4–6 inches) around the base of the hydrangea to insulate the roots. Use organic materials like:
- Pine needles
- Straw
- Shredded bark
- Compost
Mulching helps regulate soil temperature and moisture levels during winter.
4. Protect the Stems and Buds
For Cold-Sensitive Hydrangeas (Bigleaf and Oakleaf):
- Wrap the Plant: Use burlap or frost blankets to wrap the hydrangea loosely. Secure it with twine to keep it in place.
- Add a Cage: Surround the plant with a chicken wire cage and fill it with leaves or straw for added insulation.
For Hardy Hydrangeas (Smooth and Panicle):
These typically don’t require wrapping but may benefit from mulching and light stem protection in extremely cold areas.
5. Water Before the Ground Freezes
Hydrangeas need moisture to survive winter dormancy. Water deeply in late fall to hydrate the roots before the soil freezes. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
6. Relocate Potted Hydrangeas Indoors
If you grow hydrangeas in containers, move them to a sheltered location, such as:
- A garage or shed
- A cool basement
Keep the pots away from direct heat and provide occasional watering to prevent the roots from drying out.
Winter Care for Hydrangeas in Different Zones
Zones 3–5 (Cold Climates):
- Heavy mulching and stem wrapping are crucial.
- For Bigleaf and Oakleaf hydrangeas, additional insulation using cages filled with leaves is recommended.
Zones 6–7 (Moderate Climates):
- Moderate mulching is sufficient for most types.
- Burlap wrapping may be necessary for Bigleaf hydrangeas during particularly cold winters.
Zones 8–9 (Warm Climates):
- Hydrangeas in these zones usually don’t require much overwintering effort.
- Mulching can still help protect the roots during unexpected frost events.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pruning Too Much or Too Late: Removing old wood on Bigleaf hydrangeas eliminates next year’s blooms.
- Skipping Mulching: Unprotected roots are vulnerable to freezing.
- Overpacking Insulation: Overcrowding can create moisture buildup and lead to mold or rot.
- Forgetting Potted Hydrangeas: Leaving containers outside in freezing temperatures can kill the plant.
When to Bring Hydrangeas Indoors?
The timing for moving potted hydrangeas indoors is crucial. Monitor your local weather:
- Before Frost: Hydrangeas are sensitive to freezing temperatures. Bring them indoors when temperatures consistently dip below 40°F (4°C).
- Late Fall: Typically, late October to early November is the ideal time to bring them inside, depending on your USDA zone.
For in-ground hydrangeas, mulching and protective covers are usually enough to keep them safe.
How to Take Care of Hydrangeas in Winter?
Proper winter care varies based on whether your hydrangeas are planted in the ground or grown in pots.
For In-Ground Hydrangeas
- Mulch the Base: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, like straw, pine needles, or shredded bark, around the base of the plant to insulate roots.
- Protect with Covers: Use burlap, frost blankets, or chicken wire filled with leaves to shield the stems and buds from freezing winds.
- Prune Wisely: Avoid heavy pruning in fall, especially for hydrangeas that bloom on old wood. Trim only dead or damaged stems.
For Potted Hydrangeas
Overwintering potted hydrangeas requires extra care since their roots are more exposed:
- Move to a Sheltered Spot: Place pots in a garage, basement, or unheated sunroom where temperatures remain between 35°F and 50°F.
- Wrap the Pot: Insulate the container with bubble wrap or burlap to protect the roots from freezing.
- Monitor Soil Moisture: Keep the soil slightly moist. Water sparingly, as overwatering can lead to root rot during dormancy.
Can Hydrangeas Survive Winter in Pots?
Yes, hydrangeas can survive winter in pots with proper care. However, they’re more vulnerable to freezing because the roots are above ground and exposed to colder air temperatures.
To ensure survival:
- Use large pots with thick walls for better insulation.
- Avoid leaving pots exposed to harsh winds and direct frost.
- Check for drainage to prevent water-logging, which can be fatal during winter.
Taking these steps ensures your potted hydrangeas emerge healthy when spring arrives.
Conclusion
Overwintering hydrangeas might seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, it’s entirely manageable.
Whether you’re figuring out how to over winter hydrangeas in pots or how to over winter potted hydrangea specifically, the key is to protect their roots, maintain their dormancy, and shield them from the worst of the cold.
By preparing ahead of time, you’ll enjoy healthy plants that reward you with a spectacular burst of blooms when the warmer days return.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
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How to Grow and Care for Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Aglaonema spp.
The Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema, aka Philippine evergreen, or poison dart plant, is an ornamental herbaceous perennial.
The Aglaonema genus includes over 20 different species, and is part of the Araceae, or Arum family.
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Aglaonema species are suited to cultivation outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, and may be grown as houseplants in all zones.
In this article, we discuss all you need to know to grow and care for your own Chinese evergreen.
Here’s the agenda:
Note that like many houseplants, Aglaonema species are poisonous to both humans and pets. Under no circumstances should any portion of these plants be consumed.
All species of Aglaonema have an upright, clumping growth habit in their natural habitat, where they stretch toward the dappled sunlight that filters through the rainforest canopy.
In lower light conditions, Chinese evergreen tends to spread wide rather than tall. Indoors, you can expect mature dimensions of one to two feet tall and wide.
Quick Look
Common name(s): Chinese evergreen, Philippine evergreen, poison dart plant
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 10-11 (outdoors)
Native to: Southeast Asia
Bloom time / season: Late summer to early fall (rare indoors)
Exposure: Indirect to low light
Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well-draining
Soil pH: 5.6-6.5, slightly acidic to neutral
Growth Rate: Slow
Mature size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
Best uses: Houseplant (excellent gift or starter plant)
Taxonomy
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Aglaonema
Species: Brevispathum, commutatum, costatum, crispum, modestum, nitidum
The leaves are between eight and 12 inches long, and may be green or variegated. Today’s cultivated varieties include combinations of green, pink, red, and white.
Indoors, Aglaonema seldom flowers, but every once in a while, you may be rewarded with an inflorescence – an elongated whitish spadix surrounded by a greenish leaf-like enclosure called a spathe, much like a peace lily.
Some gardeners enjoy seeing the occasional inflorescence. Others snip it off at the base of the stem to trigger a return to foliar growth, and prevent the setting of messy red fruit.
Historically speaking, like many tropical species that made their way to Europe, cuttings of Chinese evergreen likely rode the seas in a British plant hunter’s case.
They were studied and cultivated at Kew Gardens, showcased in royal landscapes, entered into commercial cultivation, and were then exported and welcomed into 18th century Victorian parlors in America as ornamental showpieces.
How to Grow
These tropical plants require organically rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.6 to 6.5. For indoor cultivation, this is easy to achieve with quality potting soil.
This is a tropical plant that prefers temperatures in the 70 to 80°F range during the day, and a minimum range of 65 to 70°F at night.
These houseplants do best with humidity of at least 30 percent. If your home is exceptionally dry, you can group pots to increase the ambient moisture.
Chinese evergreen does poorly in cold and drafty places. It reacts to these conditions by becoming stressed and growing more slowly. And if temperatures plummet to 45°F, it won’t survive.
Chinese evergreen prefers part to full shade. Indoors, it thrives in a locations with bright indirect or diffuse light, such as in proximity to a bright window with a light curtain. It also has a high tolerance for low-light placements.
They also have a high tolerance for low light, especially the green-leaf varieties, as opposed to the variegated types.
When cultivating in bright indirect light, it’s important to keep the soil evenly moist, watering when the top inch or so is dry.
In low-light conditions, let the soil dry out almost completely before watering again.
Use a moisture meter as your guide. Also, try to avoid watering with cold water. Like cold air, it can cause shock and slow growth.
During winter dormancy, growth slows, and you’ll notice that pots dry out slowly. When spring resumes and new shoots sprout, the need for moisture increases.
Spring is also the time to fertilize with a well-balanced liquid or slow-release granular indoor plant food to support lush foliar growth.
Follow the recommendations on the product you choose.
Do not fertilize during winter dormancy.
Cultivars to Select
With numerous cultivated varieties available, you’ll find colors ranging from green to variegated with pink, red, and silvery white, in striking combinations.
As you shop, remember to note that green foliage thrives best in low light conditions, and more colorful cultivars are their brightest in bright indirect light.
Here are a few beauties to whet your appetite:
Osaka
The striking variegated foliage of ‘Osaka,’ aka ‘Spring Snow,’ has prominent narrow dark green margins and white centers splotched with dark green.
Fresh as a spring rain that melts the last of the winter snow, white equals light when you welcome this refreshing cultivar to your home.
Find ‘Osaka’ now from the American Plant Exchange Store via Amazon in six-inch pots.
Pink Lady Valentine
‘Pink Lady Valentine’ is a raucous riot of bright pink edged in dark green, shades of contrasting colors that play magnificently off one another.
If you want to energize the decor in a low-light corner of your home, this one is sure to sizzle.
Find ‘Pink Lady Valentine’ in three-inch pots available via Amazon.
Silver Bay
‘Silver Bay’ is a variegated type with wide, curvaceous margins of light and dark green embracing center swaths of silvery white.
Like love letters artistically wrought by Mother Nature herself, this may well be Mother Nature’s Aglaonema masterpiece.
Find Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’ now from Costa Farms via Home Depot in nine-inch-deep pots.
Maintenance
From time to time, you may wish to prune leaves that are old and brown, damaged, or affected by pests or disease.
To do so, sanitize pruners in a 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water), and cut cleanly across the “petioles” or stems of affected leaves, as near to their base as you can.
It’s also a good idea to dust the leaves periodically with a soft cloth. Foliage that is glossy and dust-free is less appealing to the common insect pests we’ll talk about shortly.
Another periodic chore is repotting. Roots protruding from the drainage hole indicate a “root bound” or “pot bound” condition.
When roots no longer have room to grow, they can’t take up food and water efficiently.
You can also transplant the contents of an entire pot to a new one that is two to three inches wider than the current one.
Don’t go too large for two reasons:
- By the time the pot dries out, a plant growing in low light may be in desperate need of water.
- An overly large pot may result in too much energy expended to grow extensive roots instead of lush leaves.
Repot as described in the section on propagating nursery starts above.
It’s okay to reuse potting soil. However, it’s best to refresh it by at least a third with new soil or amendments like peat or compost, to restore depleted nutrients.
Now that we know all about cultivation and care, let’s turn our attention to some of the many varieties available.
Propagation
Chinese evergreen may be started from stem cuttings, division, or from nursery starts.
While it is possible to start from seed, this method is unreliable as collecting seed from a houseplant is virtually impossible as they seldom bloom.
Not to mention, hybrids are likely to produce no seed, or infertile seed.
Let’s look at each option for propagation.
From Stem Cuttings
Sanitize sharp pruners in a 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) and rinse them well.
Select a stem to cut. It should be one of the younger basal shoots with a stem about five or six inches long that has two or more leaves.
Cut the stem near its base, just below a node.
Place the stem cutting in a clean container that contains about two inches of water.
Set the container in a location with bright but indirect sunlight.
Change the water daily.
Over the next few weeks, roots should sprout.
Once rooted, transplant to a container six inches in diameter.
Alternatively, you can dip a cut stem in rooting hormone and place it directly in potting soil to develop roots.
By Division
Chinese evergreen has shallow roots that spread sideways and send up new shoots.
The shoots can be divided from the mature main growth to start new ones, while downsizing and rejuvenating the old one.
To start plants by division, you’ll need to unearth a plant, so it’s best done with a mature specimen that’s outgrown its pot and is ready for a new one.
Once out of the pot, lay the entire contents on its side – dirt, foliage, and all.
All around the main growth is a network of roots that have sprouted foliage. You’ll see that they are formed in separate clusters, and these can be separated.
Slice straight down through the roots to separate one or more of these leaf clusters, with roots and stems.
Transplant each to a new pot.
For detailed instructions, see our complete guide to dividing perennials.
From a Nursery Start
You may purchase a little seedling in a tiny pot, or a mature specimen in a larger container.
Choose a container with a diameter that allows for two inches of space from the stem to the inner pot edge around the entire perimeter.
Place a layer of broken crockery bits or pebbles in the bottom of the pot to aid drainage. Add enough potting soil to fill the pot about halfway.
Lay the plant on its side, and rotate, gently squeeze, and tap the bottom and sides of the nursery container to loosen the contents.
If the roots are tightly bound, you can tease them apart, trim an inch or so off the ends, and gently flay them outward.
Settle the plant into the center of the new pot at the same height it was in its original container.
Fill in with potting soil and tamp it into place to secure it in an upright position.
The soil level should be one inch lower than the rim of the container, for easy watering without overflowing.
Pests and Disease
In general, Chinese evergreens are not prone to insect infestation or infection when grown indoors.
However, like other houseplants, it is not immune.
Some pests to watch for are aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.
These common pests are usually fairly easy to eradicate with an insecticidal soap or organic neem oil. As pests may carry diseases, they should be promptly addressed.
In addition, soilborne nematodes can be a problem with indoor cultivation. These microscopic pests damage roots, and their presence may only be suspected when repotting reveals root deformities.
If they are present, it’s best to remove as much soil as possible from a plant, rinse the roots, remove damaged ones, and repot in a high-quality potting medium with some compost mixed in. The beneficial organisms in the compost help to combat them.
For extensive infestations, take cuttings from unaffected foliage, if there is any, and start over.
Some diseases and physiological ailments to be aware of are:
- Anthracnose, from Colletotrichum fungi
- Bacterial Leaf Spot, from Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas cichorii, or Xanthomonas campestris dieffenbachiae bacteria
- Copper Deficiency
- Myrothecium Leaf Spot, from Myrothecium roridum fungi
Both anthracnose and bacterial leaf spot may be avoided by aiming the watering can nozzle at the soil, not the leaves.
Myrothecium leaf spot is usually not a problem when using a well-balanced fertilizer that doesn’t contain an overabundance of nitrogen.
And you’re not likely to see a copper deficiency unless you use an unbalanced fertilizer that has too much potassium and/or phosphorus.
In addition to keeping the foliage dry, try not to over- or under-water, as both can cause leaf yellowing, browning, drying, wilting, and dropping, mimicking disease symptoms.
In addition, conditions that are too wet may cause rotting, and very dry conditions may lead to dehydration, both potentially resulting in death.
Other symptoms that may seem like evidence of an infectious disease include yellowing, wilting, and a failure to thrive in an environment that’s too cold, and crisp, brown leaves that drop because of too much sun exposure.
Given the conditions they prefer, you can remedy and prevent these problems.
Lush and Lovely
With its tropical foliage and high tolerance of low light settings, Chinese evergreen is the perfect choice for livening up low light areas of your home and office.
With this information under your belt, all that remains is to choose your favorite (or favorites) and get growing!
Will it have green leaves, or pink, red, or white variegation? Share your experiences with this plant in the comments section below.
If you found this article informative, we recommend reading the following guides to other easy-care tropical houseplants next:
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