Hydrangea help!?

Question

I purchased a Hydrangea from the "nursery hospital". It just needed a little TLC. After 2 weeks, it was thriving in the pot it came in, so I planted it in the new flower bed with new soil. It faces west, but is shaded by our tree. The blooms are now colorless, dying and nothing new is growing. The leaves are still somewhat healthy, but??

Answer 1

those blooms are just 'done'..... cut them off and work on getting the whole plant healthy for the next season's show!!... this website is a good one for learning all about your Hydrangea!..

www.hydrangeahydrangea.com

be sure to read in the FAQ's!....and especially the color change info, which the prev. poster got backwards and confused....!!....

Answer 2

Transplant shock, is all. The roots cannot support the blooms at the moment. Cut off the blooms, so the hydrangea doesn't look so pitiful. You can also cut back the branches by 1/3 to 1/2. Once the plant has established a larger root system, you will see top growth and an abundance of blooms. :)
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The blooms are losing color because of the ph level in the new soil. Acidic soil will produce a red flowers, while alkaline soil will produce blue flowers. A neutral ph in the soil (which you probably have because it is new) will drain the color. You can add a pine or cedar mulch around the base to boost the acidity and revive the color. Keep in mind that it may also be past its bloom. Try a Forever and Ever or Endless Summer for season long blooms.

Answer 4

Hydrangeas are traditionally known as shade garden plants, but too much shade can result in reduced bloom production. Ideally they should be situated in areas of light shade to partial sun. If you live in a cool climate you can even plant them in full sun. Yours might actually be suffering stress from the transplant, so give it a little time. If you just transplanted them though, I wouldn't suggest pruning them, as their shock state could increase, so just give it time. Be sure the soil is well moist, as this is priority #1 for hydrangeas. But if you need more information and tips, why not visit P Allen Smith's page...he's THE Gardener and he could surely help you. Good luck!

Answer 5

Cut off all dead branches and leaves. Soak in fish emulsion for a day or so, for a boost of micronutrients and then plant in shady spot until it recovers from stress.

Good luck