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Are my Endless Summer Hydrangeas dead?

John Storey Williamson, Real Estate Broker

8 years ago

Three medium sized Endless Summer Hydrangeas were planted in my backyard last summer. I'm concerned that they might be dead, as I haven't seen any growth on them at all. My other varieties of Hydrangeas have shown new growth, some substantially so. I'm not sure what is wrong or if they just come out late. These are pictures from May 16th and I am in zone 5b. The winter here was brutal, as usual. :-)

I appreciate your thoughts.

Featured Answer

luis_pr

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

It is hard to tell and, for some in Zone 5, too early. Hydrangeas planted in the prior year are notorious for taking their time to leaf out so, the best you can do is to continue keeping the soil evenly moist & mulched... and wait until near the end of the May. They should leaf out from the crown by the end of May if the roots are alive. If growth resumes from the crown and the branches do not leaf out, prune the branches; otherwise, go get your money back if your nursery had some warranty.

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Comments (8)

charles kidder
8 years ago
I would guess they're dead, but it wouldn't hurt to wait a few more weeks and see if you get some new growth.
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eterprincess
8 years ago
mine were like that for a while in NJ, its just starting to have leaves from the bottom of the plant.
kfog1951
3 years ago
My Endless Summer BloomStruck are doing nothing, I have gotten one or two pink little blooms on them but it is not getting any more leaves or new branches, I have been watering it twice a day but they just will not improve, they are on the southside of our home?
luis_pr
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Hello, kfog1951. If you mean 'doing nothing' now, that part of the yard (and the west side as well) probably gets quite warm. My hydrangeas rarely show any growth once temps get warm/hot in May (above 85F). My roses go into hiatus and stop blooming too. I guess I cannot blame them. Some exceptions: vigorous paniculatas like Limelight, specially in locations where the sun is "weak".

If you mean this year, please give us more information on their care (are they potted/in the ground, pruning - when , watering - how many gallons and how often, fertilizing - what product, when, how much, sunlight - from what hour of the day through what hour, soil - well draining, sandy, potting mix in potted plants - what kind of potting mix, etc).

Watering twice a day sounds like it is too much but that is comment uttered without knowing any details...
kfog1951
3 years ago
Thank you for your advice I have cutback on watering and they are in the ground. My limelight hydrangeas are doing good and they also are on the south side of the house.
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John Storey Williamson, Real Estate Broker
Original Author
3 years ago
Those years-ago hydrangeas were dead. Coincidentally, we planted some more last week. Wish us luck!
luis_pr
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Limelight is a paniculata hydrangea and paniculatas are the most sun tolerant of hydrangeas. Big leaf hydrangeas are not and require more water too.

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