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Hydrangea with discoloured dry leaves

Spud16Spud16 Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi, we planted our hydrangea about 3 weeks ago and some of the leaves have become discoloured. The weather has been dry for a few days and I watered it at the base but the leaves got even worse and started to turn silvery white and really dry. Am I overwatering or underwatering it or is there another problem? It’s in a north facing position. I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks

Posts

  • MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
    To me, the purple colouration looks like "sunburn", so the plant is getting more light than it is used to.  You should continue to monitor it as it might adjust, but if it stops growing and new growth is shriveling up, then you might like to give it more shade. While north-facing, that looks like quite a sunny spot.  You should definitely continue to give it a lot of water while it is establishing. 
  • Spud16Spud16 Posts: 10
    Hi, thank you for your prompt reply, I’ll keep on top of the watering. It could very well be sunburn, we’ve gone from very dark cloudy weather for weeks into very warm sunshine. I’ll monitor it and move it if it gets worse. Thank you. 

  • MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
    You're welcome. Also, if you're not planting around the hydrangea just yet, consider putting some mulch around it to cover the soil.  This will slow down evaporation and help keep the soil around it moist. 
  • Spud16Spud16 Posts: 10
    Hi, good advice, I’ve got another couple of small plants to go in but I can put bark down anyway. Thank you.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    And of course worth mentioning that this was obviously forced to flower early in order to sell...so it probably got a shock getting out in the real world. Weeks ago we had so many cases of frost damaged plants...how I wish garden centres wouldn't do this to shift stock around Easter, so many must end up in the bin. Same goes for French lavenders.

    But if yours is in a suitably shady location it will romp away, hope there's enough space next to that path to grow into its full size as if you keep on trimming it down to size control you'll be losing flowers year after year. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with these hydrangeas is that they've been forced - ie flowering earlier by being grown in very managed conditions, for sale in spring. When they get planted outside, it's a shock, and means you get damage to foliage, and often flowers, due to cooler temps or very hot sun. They don't flower at this time of year.  :)
    It'll recover, so don't worry. Keep it watered, especially during dry spells.  It'll be fine next year once it's established and has acclimatised, although they do prefer a decent amount of shade, so keep an eye on its location. North facing is normally fine, but it doesn't mean that aspect doesn't have sunny spots. I have a very sunny spot in my north facing front garden    :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Of course we had an unusually cold and frosty period a few weeks ago which would have accentuated the shock and maybe even cause some leaf discoloration. One of my hydrangeas had a few dark edges on some of its leaves and it was one we got last year. It's looking ok now.
  • Spud16Spud16 Posts: 10
    Hi, thank you everyone for your feedback, I really do appreciate it. I haven’t seen leaves look like that before, hydrangeas usually do really well in the estate where I live. I’ll keep a close eye on it and put some bark down. If it’s struggling I’ll move it to a shadier position. 
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