Hydrangea enthusiasts may be discovering that their plants are struggling amid the recent hot conditions, particularly if they have relocated them during this period. One gardening enthusiast turned to a Facebook horticultural group for guidance on their ailing hydrangea, writing: “Seriously neglected hydrangea. Is there any saving it, I’d really like to if I can.”
They added: “I have repotted today into a big pot and placed it in a shady area because of the hot weather, and it is soaked with plenty of water. Should I cut any of it back or will just daily regular watering help?” The appeal was accompanied by a photograph displaying the plant’s wilted, bronze-tinged foliage and blooms, prompting debate amongst group members.
Responding to the inquiry, Jane Shipton recommended: “It’s because you’ve moved the plant and the growing conditions are not the same. Just keep watering it and keep it out of the sun.”
Whilst hydrangeas are renowned for their hardiness once established, they remain especially susceptible during their early development phase as they acclimatise to fresh surroundings.
Transplant shock affects your cherished garden specimens most severely when they’re shifted from one set of circumstances and thrust into a dramatically altered setting.
That spells trouble for hydrangea devotees hoping to relocate their botanical treasures during the blistering weather. Summer’s scorching heat can prove catastrophic, as soaring temperatures drain moisture directly from the leaves, rendering your hydrangeas withered and deceased.
To prevent this, your optimal strategy is to establish your blooms during spring or autumn. This approach provides them with a proper opportunity to develop roots and absorb soil moisture well ahead of summer’s blistering conditions.
Gardening enthusiast Mark Green said: “For your hydrangea to spring back to life it is crucial to give them attention when it’s hot, which means watering them well. This won’t take long, five seconds and you’re done.”
Martin Caner warned: “Planting in summer with high temperatures and intense sunlight can result in dying hydrangeas. Try to give your hydrangea the same conditions it had when it was previously planted.”
Gardening fan Rachel Corden shared: “The best thing you can do is protect the plant from the sun and water them frequently, making sure the soil is moist at all times.”
When hydrations the question, Margaret Fell said: “Although hydrangeas like ‘wet feet’, if the leaves are dying it may not be able to take up as much water as a healthy plant.
“I overwatered and killed a hydrangea like yours! So yes, keep the soil moist but don’t over water or the roots can rot.”