I agree with Ken. You may have to uncurl some roots. We have 2 big Colorado spruces here, one blue and one green and their roots are spread out alot farther than the canopy. They don't get too wide. Ours are about 18 ft wide, and that's being generous.

Probably but it will take time to rebuild (several growing seasons). The plant will develop more stems from the crown at its own pace and there is no good way to force it to speed that up. To boost growth, I have sometimes added some alfalfa, alfalfa tea or blood meal (a fertilizer nigh in nitrogen) to roses but not to hydrangeas. When you add nitrogen rich fertilizers to hydrangeas, they do not react with vigorous growth like roses do (there is some reaction but do not expect the plant to double in size & number of stems like some roses can do in one season, for example). The nitrogen in the blood meal makes the plants go into "grow" mode. You can add it per label directions and add no more after the start of July. Too much nitrogen will keep the plant growing in the Fall when it should be dormant. And too much will produce less blooms or no blooms. So go easy. Alfalfa does not have nitrogen like blood meal but it contains a growth regulator/stimulant called triacontanol and it may help. The thing is, compared to roses, hydrangeas do not react vigorously when given lots of nitrogen so they may do likewise with alfalfa. Stop feeding alfalfa in July 1st as well. So, experiment to see what happens and discontinue when no longer necessary. Remember not go overboard with the blood meal or alfalfa & do not add them starting on/after July 1st. The let us know how the plants did! Luis

Good Morning Bob - Wow! Is it possible that the younger (newer) breed of Nikko Blues are hardier than those of the olden days? Mine is now 18y/o & only lately, have learned about 'climate-control-surround' ... blooms galore resulted! Honestly, about the bloom size - old Nik produced a few dinner-plate-size clusters, last year that I needed to tie to a dead cane to keep upright. The reason I left a few thick canes, pruned to 18" for the very purpose. One of the large blooms even provided an interesting face, of half pink & half lavender! I'm attempting this season to blueify - 'hope that all the rain we're receiving isn't washing off all the Allum. Sulf. I am applying around her. Enjoy those wonderful monsters of yours!!! :-) D

If you are out there watering a ton and its still looking rough you are better off moving it now. I only say this because I am assuming these Nikkos are fairly new and dont have their roots well established yet. Sure its not ideal but sometimes ideal doesn't work for everyone. If possible wait till you see a forecast of a day or 2 of rain/cloudy skys as opposed to a day of high heat. However if they are a couple years old I would just wait till the fall. I've had to move plants mid summer before for similar situations and although takes some more babying for about a week they end up doing better if their new location is more suited to the plant.