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My poor hydrangeas......
teacherontheloose
Posts: 6
We have a new garden ( new build site) and I know it's trial and error but really, seems all error at the moment! Latest casualties - 3 strong young hydrangeas (Annabelle) in a raised bed, nothing else with them. Went in healthy but over the last couple of weeks have gently crumbled. Leaves blackened and curled - gradually, not a sudden thing. New growth at base and tips but a really sorrowful sight as everything inbetween falls off. I can't see anything bug or mite like so what is it? Too much water? too little? The weather has been a bit all or nothing - is it that? I'm a novice at all this so any thoughts would be welcome. Can they be saved?
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Posts
A photo will help with advice, but at this time of year, many hydrangeas are starting to shut down for autumn/winter, so it also depends on the size of the plants, your location and general climate as to how far along that road they are.
Any newly planted shrub needs thorough watering for the first 6 months or so, depending on timing and weather, but especially if you're in a drier area. If they're in a sunny site, they'll drop foliage to preserve the main plant too. If there's new growth at the base, they're probably fine though
Should have said - the icon that looks like hills is the one for uploading pix. If you can keep them smaller [1MB or so is ideal] they load better
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The paniculatas tend to be floppy. They'll need cut back in late winter/early spring, as they flower on new wood, unlike the mophead and lace cap types.
As long as they have a decent growing medium [not just compost] with enough depth of soil to get their roots down properly, and aren't being over fed artificially, they should toughen up by next year. If they've only gone in this year, they just need time to establish, especially if they were fully in growth when you got them.
Many people prefer not to cut them back too hard, as that can also promote softer stems which can't support the larger flowers so well. That will be something to consider in future too, and can depend on the type of climate you have. It's often better to keep a more sturdy framework of around a foot or thereabouts, instead of cutting right back .
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just give them time to settle in over the winter. You can add some compost, or general organic matter, around them too, which will help the soil, especially as the levels in raised beds always drop as that growing medium settles. They'll die back and you can do a bit of light pruning next year. If you're unsure, you can come back and ask about that too
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...