In zone 6, I would strongly suggest winter protecting the macs (Star Gazer). But the paniculatas are very cold tolerant and do not require any protection in your zone.

btw, paniculatas bloom on new growth, not old. This is one reason they do not require protection. You can cut them back almost to the ground in spring and they still manage to flower very well!

Yup, just out there looking at them and I stand corrected. New growth flowers. Thank you!

So I would just protect the inner two as I described?

So, just to clarify, I should wait until the ground freezes, then add something like Sweet Peet as a compost, then cover that with a foot of shredded leaves and then wrap the two as a group in burlap? (I'll set stakes now to use with the burlap.)

Frozen 'ground' or soil is not a good indicator of when this should be done.....could be too late by then. When the plant is dormant or just about - frost has knocked back or destroyed most of the leaves - is the best time.

I have never needed to winter protect but many here who do build a loose cage of chicken wire surrounding the plant then stuff the cage full of leaves or straw or whatever protective filling they have on hand. The entire plant - all stems - must be covered as the terminal ends are where the flower buds are located.

You need to leave the protection in place until the temperatures even out in spring and there is no chance of late freezes. Late freezes often do more damage than extended winter cold.

Thank you!! Especially on the timing.

And, yes, all my damage came in the early Spring. Very frustrating to see all those buds turn black. We tried to protect them with sheets and such at the time but it didn't work. Thus my eagerness to prevent another mishap. I just want to make sure my plans for this winter won't do damage in some other way of which I'm ignorant.