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Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' Problem

16 years ago

I'm wondering if anyone might be able to tell me what is causing the leaves on my hydrangeas to appear as they do (see pic). I planted them in spring of this year and they're located in full shade (I know - not the best location for flowering, I've learned). They do receive a very tiny bit of dappled sun late in the day, but I'm wondering if too little light might be the problem.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

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Comments (4)

Kimmsr
16 years ago
What does a good, reliable soil test say about the soils pH and available nutrients?
What is your soil like?
What is the level of organic matter in the soil?
When you planted that how many earthworms did you see?
pahance
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the reply. I suppose it could be the soil, as it was imported only this past spring and probably needs more seasoning and/or some good homemade compost added to it. It is a combination of a loam and mushroom compost (sans worms), btw. I did fertilize with Plant-Tone a couple of weeks after the hydrangeas were planted but I guess I will need to get a soil test done or call the people that I purchased the mix from to see if they can tell me more about it.

Thanks again.
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Hi Erica, I'm thinking it was a combination of more fertilizer (which they don't need the first year), the insecticide spray, and the sun! Is it possible that he tender leaves did not like the spray on them and burned in the sun! You may have to cut them back and wait for new growth, but no more bug spray and limit the sun until they get used to it. New plants in pots look great when you buy them but they don't acclimate themselves to the elements for a while. I have a bed of 6 hydrangeas in shade most of the day but they get 2/3 hours of sun in early afternoon and this year we added 3 new plants to the planter and the flowers burned to a crisp on the new ones and the older ones that had been in the ground for a year or so sailed through the heat and sun with no problems! The temps went up to low to mid 90's for several days, and all the hydrangeas in my yard wilted from the heat but the flowers perked up in the evening. Don't be afraid to prune them back if necessary, it will thicken the plant for you and you should still get some blooms later on the remontant types. Good Luck! Donna
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If the leaves are all yellowed out then this could be due to too much sun. Sunscorch makes the leaves turn all yellow or white-ish. To prevent problems, provide more shade or transplant to a location that gives the shrub more shade. If the leaves are yellow except for the leaf veins which remain dark green then the soil is too alkaline and you need to amend the soil to make it acidic (or less alkaline); purchase a soil pH kit at a local nursery to determine how alkaline or acidic your soil is. Local nurseries sell a lot of liquid products containing iron chelates compounds. Apply some per label directions and make a habit to apply these once or twice a year. You can also apply green sand, iron sulfate, garden sulphur and aluminum sulphate products. It may take several applications before the leaves return to a dark green color. If your soil is defficient in nitrogen, the leaves can turn yellow. A soil test can determine this. You can send a soil sample to your extension service or go to your local nurseries. Some sell kits for determining the soil pH and nitrogen defficiency. I am not aware of boxwoods causing a problem to hydrangeas. Does that help you, sher12? Luis
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I planted three last summer in a situation like you described on the west side of my house so that they only get afternoon sun. I mulched them pretty thickly and they don't wilt as much in the afternoons as they did last year. They are covered with small flowers right now- I did give them some liquid fertilizer early last month to help stimulate flowering- something they talked about on "Grow with KARE". I also bought Twist and Shout this year so we'll see how that one does in comparison.
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I'm guessing sunburn or just discoloration from getting too hot soon after transplant. If it gets direct/hot sun you could shade it with a makeshift cloth shade or block the sun with a lawn chair until it settles in more. The first year you usually have to put up with more wilting and fragility until its roots are well established. Black spots on the green stems are normal--hydrangea stems often have brownish/purplish/blackish spots or lines--google a picture to see if yours matches. If it looks like something wrong, take a picture of the stems and post it here.
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morz8 - Washington Coast
16 years ago
Rosewind, my soil is acidic so I haven't viewed it on my own plants, but it looks like chlorosis to me. Did you use a large amount of mushroom compost in your amending - it contains lime and is high in PH, possibly too high for your hydrangea....
pahance
Original Author
16 years ago
Interesting, morz8. I wasn't aware that mushroom compost had a high PH. Now that you mention it, it does look like it might be chlorosis, doesn't it. I believe the amount of compost to soil was about a third, although it may have been a little less. I'll try an acidic water soluble fertilizer and see if that makes a difference. Thanks!

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