Moving my wilted hydrangea to under my ac drain line?

17 years ago

My poor mophead hydrangea that gets sun for 2/3 of the day wilts every day. It will perk up when I water it; however, I am getting so tired of watering it every day and am considering moving it this fall to the east side of the house under my air conditioning drain line. It stays constantly damp there in summer so it seems like a good spot unless it is too wet? If so, what other small shrubs or perenials would like it there? I'm sorry if this has been addressed before (seems like it has,) but I couldn't find it in the archives.

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Comments (8)

buford
17 years ago
Have you considered just moving it where it gets less sun, or planting something to shade it a bit?

I planted 2 hydrangeas behind a fence in the early spring and didn't count on the angle of the sun during midsummer. It beats down on these two all afternoon. Last fall we planted two crabapples. They are small and don't offer a lot of shade, but enough.

I've also found that as hydrangeas get more established, they need less water. This summer has been trying, though.

It must be OK under my hydrangeas because it is my cats favorite nap spot.
squirrellypete
17 years ago
I agree with Buford that moving it to a shadier spot will help under normal conditions. This is one hell of a year though that I wouldn't consider normal (at least I hope it's not becoming normal). I have an established hydrangea that's been in place going on 4 years now. It's almost in entirely full shade with just some brief early morning sun. It's always been very happy where it was but this year has been too brutal. I have too much else to baby that I can't really spend time watering it so it's wilted every every time the thermometer hits the 90's even in nearly full shade. The sheer heat is just too intense right now.

Sorry I don't have an answer for your question about the drain line.

Squirrellypete
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scmatlanta_gw
17 years ago
Moving it right now would be pretty stressful for it (and you), I think. Is there some way you could set up a soaker hose around it where it is now? I don't know how far away your A/C drainage hose is, but it can also work to attach an extension hose to direct the water to the most needy plants. Also, hydrangeas must be tougher than they look - some in our neighborhood never get any watering and somehow revive.
chezron
17 years ago
You are smart to garden with the conditions you have, and to find the plants appropriate for them. I would definitely move the hydrangea to a place with less sun. The a/c idea sounds good, if you make sure the soil can drain adequately. Mopheads like moisture but they don't enjoy bathing! Itea virginica or Ilex glabra would also work in that space.
cindyabs
17 years ago
So WHAT plant would benefit from being by the AC drain line? My drain line is on the north side of the house so only gets a bit of morning sun.
agnespuffin
17 years ago
My hydrangeas wilt everyday too. It's not so much a matter of needing water, but that of the heat. Water cools them off and perks them up, but they will perk up overnight too. If you ever see them wilted the first thing in the morning, then you know that they REALLY need water. I certainly wouldn't move them now, but if it gets sun for 2/3 of the day, it probably would do much better in a shadier spot.

I think I would forget about the spot under the A/C drain. Places like that usually have had most of the nutriment leached out of the soil.
rosie
17 years ago
Mint did great in California, very great. Here, hardy begonias are showing their appreciation in that one little area.
quirkyquercus
17 years ago
I think that might be too wet. Mine are in hot sun and wilt but they perk up later in the day. I planted trees to eventually create shade for them.

Moving my wilted hydrangea to under my ac drain line?

Comments (8)

buford

squirrellypete

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