Pinky,

First of all, (especially newly planted) ES, should be protected from afternoon sun. They will do much better in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Also, newly planted hydrangeas can't be left to depend on mother nature alone. They must be watered on a regular basis. (sometimes everyday in the heat of summer) Weakened plants tend to attract more pests and problems. I would move them now....yg

Thanks, yellowgirl.

I understand that these weren't planted in the best place, and I am considering transplanting. I though they would have more shade than they do there. I have been watering them on a fairly coinstent basis throughout the summer--I haven't just been relying on mother nature for water.

So, given that information, can anyone tell me what the rust colored spots might be caused by? Thanks.

Several types of fungi cause spots on hydrangea. Powdery mildew affects the underside of leaves with light gray mold; the leaves turn brown in spots and the upper leaf either stays green or turns purple/brown. Rust causes -of course- rust or brownish postules on the underside of the leaves. Cercospora leaf spot starts as small brown/purple spots whose centers turn tan or light gray in time.

Strong sun and heat causes the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaf. Damaged areas in leaves appear as pale, bleached/yellowed or faded.

Luis