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Hydrangea buds / leaves shrivelled

Westy2Westy2 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hello everyone. I am desperately trying to grow five hydrangeas. All (to varying degrees) had developed buds up to this point (April) and some were showing healthy signs of leaves. Now i have noticed that despite watering, any buds and leaves have dried up / gone from green to a dark purple. (They just resemble sticks basically!). I know they have flowered as either had them in previous garden or bought in full glory from a garden centre. They have shade and sun in equal parts. They are also in different parts of the garden. Everything else grows except these (and a ceonthus i cant seem to get going either). I am in Wiltshire, uk. 

Please tell me my garden isnt the death knell for hydrangeas :(
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Posts

  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi - they've almost certainly been caught by the overnight frosts we've had recently. Loads of comments on the forum with people experiencing this - the new young growth is very vulnerable. I think all you can do is keep watering and feeding, and fingers crossed they will come back. Ceonothus are also a bit frost sensitive.
  • Westy2Westy2 Posts: 5
    Thanks PP - at least its not all my doing! I will have a look on the threads now i know. Probably need to get some feed too = i'm a novice but i'm determined to have these beautiful bushes, especially knowing I CAN grow them!  Wonder if people put the bags over them overnight?
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    You can be sophisticated and get some proper garden fleece :) , but I just used old towels and empty compost bags... Hopefully the frosts are over now, but worth keeping an eye on the forecast...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Mine has still got the old flower heads on, l can't bring myself to risk it 😳. Another smaller one has lost all it's old heads over Winter and looks a bit sorry for itself, but l think as soon as the weather warms up (and stays that way), it should recover. I think l might prune them next week 🤞.
    I have fleece on standby. 
    I feed mine with seaweed feed, as recommended by my MIL. Not a woman to argue with 😁.

  • Westy2Westy2 Posts: 5
    seaweed.... i never knew!
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    One of mine is also not looking very healthy



    Not seen them suffer like this before so I’m also thinking the late Frost’s are to blame.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    This is the stuff @Westy2.
    https://www.doff.co.uk/product/liquid-seaweed/
    Usual disclaimers apply, no link to the company, other products available. 
  • Westy2Westy2 Posts: 5
    @AnniD - have you had much success using the seaweed supplement?
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @Westy2 yes, it seems to work well, and my MIL's hydrangeas are pretty impressive  :)
  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    JoeX, I would check the following things: soil should be acidic so amend it to acidify if it is not; inconsistent watering can result in stems with no or dried out leaves & new smaller leaves so, check often and water as soon as the soil feels dry or almost dry (aim for an evenly moist soil with no periods of dry/wet/dry/wet/etc.); re-check your watering regime if the weather changes significantly; make sure they only get morning sun (or dappled sun) only... afternoon/evening shade; maintain year around mulch 5-10 cm to help conserve moisture, protect roots from cold/hot temp and provide some nutrients as the mulch decomposes.
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