What did I do?

9 years ago

I put 'Edgy Hearts' and 'Everlasting Revolution' in containers in spring. I ordered them online and they were essentially twigs at the time of planting. I'm quite pleased that they have blooms on them but they look very green to me (and these are mature blossoms--not just broccoli). It looks like some of the newer blooms have more pink to them but I'm wondering what may have caused this in the first place? Here is 'Revolution:'

And here is 'Edgy Hearts:'

I would expect it on a 'Pistachio' but this one has me scratching my head. Thoughts? Thanks!

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

9 years ago

Sometimes they age really quickly, especially on young plants with less developed roots, when it's really hot and/or low water that stress out the plants. They opt to put less energy into the flowers to help preserve leaves.

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Comments (13)

October_Gardens
9 years ago
Those are typical colors for *spent* hydrangea macrophylla blooms. After about a month, they can begin to turn to shades of grey, green, or otherwise pastel/dusty shades of other colors. By Fall, they can turn dark red or brown. If you look up Everlasting hydrangea color progression, you can see at which point in the bloom cycle where the green occurs (which is on most of theirs, to be honest).

Some people use spray paint on spent blooms. I'm not kidding!
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
9 years ago
"Some people use spray paint on spent blooms. I'm not kidding!"

OMG, this made my day- I am so gonna do this.

Not to fool anyone as no one ever really sees my stuff, but just to amuse myself.
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October_Gardens
9 years ago
Hey, it can't hurt much, besides the environment! :P

Might as well go all out and use colors like Orange and Yellow, something totally unreasonable!
hyed
9 years ago
Hey Springwood , no spray paint on my Anna's YET ......LOL
Marie B (zone 7B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Holy cow! Spent? They never made it to any other color! Straight to ghoulish green! Sigh....maybe spray paint isn't such a bad idea:):):)
October_Gardens
9 years ago
Straight to green?? There aren't many that do that. Everlasting Green Cloud is one.

Check the soil level and make sure there aren't actually two different hydrangeas in each "clump."
Marie B (zone 7B) thanked October_Gardens
Marie B (zone 7B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Just checked--same plant. The older blooms went straight to green, but the newer blooms are looking "normal." AND it happened with 'Edgy Hearts' and 'Everlasting Revolution' in two different containers. I'm wondering if I had a complete senior moment and added some weird amendment to the soil or if I had a bad batch of planting soil. Bizarre, right? I was hoping you had seen this before so that I could identify it and avoid in the future if possible. You gave me a great backup plan with the spray paint though;)
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
Any chance the plant was stressed by a dry spell or super hot weather just as the blooms were opening?
Marie B (zone 7B)
Original Author
9 years ago
That is a definite possibility. Ungodly heat here in the mid-Atlantic over the last 2 months.
Marie B (zone 7B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Hmmm... I could see that... I've been more vigilant about watering and the newer blooms are looking better...
luis_pr
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks like immature blooms. Maybe low light conditions? I have some paniculatas and Annabelles that stay green in bright shade some years.

But I would not worry this time around much because the shrubs were just planted months ago; as they become established, maybe next year, they will bloom ok.
Marie B (zone 7B) thanked luis_pr
Marie B (zone 7B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you--it keeps it interesting--you never know what each season will bring:):)