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Glowing Embers not growing

16 years ago

I planted 5 hydrangeas this spring; the 2 PeeGee's are slowly but surely growing. The glowing embers haven't budged. They're green, and they've had a little bit of what looks like burned leaves.

Here's what I know.

1. All 5 were planted within a week.

2. I water all 5 once a week with about 2 gallons water each.

3. All 5 got a dose of Miracle Grow root starter fertilizer after they were planted.

4. The 2 PeeGees (growing ok) are in a partly shady area.

5. 2 Glowing Embers get full sun pretty much all day

6. 1 Glowing Ember gets full sun all morning and shade in the afternoon.

7. None of them are mulched

I've been reading around on hydrangeashydrangeas.com, etc. I've learned that PeeGee's are pretty hardy - I might consider them for the full sun area.

I don't see a lot about the Glowing Embers.

I figure I'll start watering them 3 times/week. Do they need anymore fertilizer? I've seen Hollytone mentioned a few times - should I give them a dose (I've got some for my blueberries)?

I hadn't really planned on mulching them. Do they need to be mulched? What's good to mulch them? I usually use shredded hardwood mulch.

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Comments (5)

ego45
16 years ago
1. All 5 were planted within a week.
2. I water all 5 once a week with about 2 gallons water each.

Not enough for newly planted hydrangeas. At least 2G every other day if no rain.

3. All 5 got a dose of Miracle Grow root starter fertilizer after they were planted.

Will not hurt, but no more fertilizer or anything else for this season.

4. The 2 PeeGees (growing ok) are in a partly shady area.
5. 2 Glowing Embers get full sun pretty much all day

Should be EXACTLY opposite. PG in a full sun and GE in a part-shade.

6. 1 Glowing Ember gets full sun all morning and shade in the afternoon.

Sounds like a perfect setting.

7. None of them are mulched.

Mulch is a must for all hydrangeas. Protects the roots from the cold in a winter and helps to retain moisture in a summer.

Now, when you have a basis, let me tell you that GE is a semi-dwarf hydrangea and at maturity (in a right conditions) will be in 3x3' range after 4-5 years, so to expect any substantial visible growth on freshly planted GE is sort of wishfull thinking.
Bear in mind that GE is not an absolutely reliable bloomer in z6, so in your z5 you may and most likely will need a winter protection. Refer to appropriate threads on this forum.
Good luck.
sdrone
Original Author
16 years ago
When I bought them, I didn't realize the Peegee's were so hardy; they certainly seem more suited to the back of the yard where it's always sunny.

It's good to know that GE is not supposed to grow quickly; that's something I was wondering about. The PG's are already up to a foot tall.

These have been in the ground a month and a half. Would it hurt to move them? As I learn more about these, I wouldn't mind having the red GE's on the side of the house in dappled shade and the white PG's in the back of the yard. I'm basically trying to grow red and white blooming flowers (I've started red roses this year).
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Ditto Gardengal's comments. Since you live on Long Island, (prime hydrangea real estate) do you mind if I ask why you are ordering from a nursery in the south? Both, Alphengluhen and Glowing Embers are very common cultivars in the trade and you should be able to find much larger, nicer plants at your local nursery or big box garden shop for much less money. There is a well known hydrangea nursery on Long Island called Hydrangea Select that would almost assuredly sell both cultivars. (they actually acknowledge the difference between the two) They sell to the public both locally and on-line. It is always better (if possible) to buy plants that are already aclimated to your zone. The money saved on shipping can be spent on larger, nicer plants. I believe most of Long Island is a maritime zone 7???..If so, hydrangeas thrive there with usually no need for winter protection. The link below contains their physical location. Maybe they are close enough to make it worth the trip. Good luck....yg Here is a link that might be useful: Hydrangea Select
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A very nice hydrangea, medium sized, 3-4' height/width. Blooms on old wood so you should see bloomage in Spring 2009. You do not need to fertilize it this year as the pot in which they sold it probably contains fertilizer pellets. Next year, give it 1 cup of manure or cottonseed meal in June; coffee grounds can be used during the growing season until August-September. Water it about 1g of water when the soil feels almost dry or dry (insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4"). Apply 3-4" of any type of acidic mulch through the drip line. Here is a link that might be useful: H. Glowing Embers
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You can grow them in pots and bring the pots "inside" (a garage or similar structure). Of course, this is not too practical with 11 shrubs... You can also plant them in the ground and apply winter protection to them. One such protection is to use chicken mesh wire around each shrub and then fill the each one with dry leaves in the fall. Another approach makes use of a cardboard that is placed on top of the shrub and pressed downwards until the stems have all bent horizontally. Then you add leaves on top for protection. Another option is to trade the shrubs or give them to local city gardens that could grow them in heated settings. A final option would be all of the above. A link with overwintering information appears below. Luis Here is a link that might be useful: Overwintering Hydrangea Macrophylla Winter Protection Thread
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roseluvr
16 years ago
I definitely agree about the watering..any new plant (planted this year) has a very small root zone..it has to reach out into the surrounding dirt, and that takes time..so the root zone gets really dry quickly...I water my GE newbies every other day. I've had mine in the ground less than a month and they started growing immediately (but mine were tiny, so they better grow!).
karen_w
16 years ago
My landscaper put GEs in my yard 5 years ago. They have bloomed once. They're watered regularly and mulched. They're winter-protected to the extent that I'm willing to winter protect. (yard leaves blown on)
Every year, they have lovely green foliage. Every year I get mad at myself because I haven't replaced them yet.
K.
ditas
16 years ago
Hi - so glad to find this more recent threat - in search for Angel's Blush I found GE H and QuickFire in 2 different specialty nurseries. I went for QF for the sunny site I have reserved for an A'sB.
But ... got so curious about GE and saw Ego45's photos in an '05 thread ... needless to say she'll have a spot reserved for '08 ... if I get lucky and catch 1 during the Aug-Sept sale at this pricey nursery ... they have a few left and may not sell them all at their $39 - 3gal pot & &27 - 2gal ... ??? is this too much? TIA for input.

Karen - I hope you'll give 'Overwintering' a chance - the flat cardboard method may suit you ... seem easy enough ... I'll try it on one of my Big Smile Lacecap this Fall to see the difference by next season.

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