Help with Paniculata (?) Hydrangeas

9 years ago

We have quite a few of what I think are paniculata hydrangeas (pre-existing landscaping) in a row. They have been in place for about 2 years.

Within the last couple weeks, two plants (now three) at the end have had all their leaves drooping. The central leaves are turning yellow then brown. I have searched the forum -- is this leaf scorch? Is it lack of iron? Lack of food? Are they dying or is recovery possible? I've been watering them so the soil isn't dry but not soggy.

Thanks for any help.

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Comments (5)

luis_pr
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No, not dying, just "hot and uncomfortable". ;o))

Drooping is usually caused by moisture loss when hot summer temps arrive and the roots cannot absorb water fast enough (or the soil is dry). Paniculatas also respond by turning some leaves all yellow and dropping them. I call that showing their feet.

If the leaf veins were still dark green and the rest of the leaf was yellowish then it could be iron chlorosis. But I did not see those symptoms in the pics.

Extra water, mulch, a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day, these all help but will probably not result in new immediate green foliage so wait a bit.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
Where are you? If you are where Luis is, this drooping might be normal, but even after last summer's severe drought in New England and no supplemental water, mine (both established and 1- 2 years in the ground) were fine, even in full sun with no drooping at all.

Have you actually checked the soil by sticking your finger into both the potting soil around the original root ball and in the native soil around that? What have your local temperatures and rainfall been like?
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October_Gardens
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
STOOOOOOOPPPPPP Watering them. Too much water makes the plants drop leaves and look droopy.

DO NOT WATER PANICULATAS WHATSOEVER - UNLESS YOU'RE IN A SEVERE DROUGHT *AND* THE PLANTS **BEGIN TO** DROOP (STEMS, LEAVES *AND BLOOMS*) *******FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS*******

(Daily wilting does not count - that is a natural process and should reset nearly every morning)

If you've overwatered, the first step is to stop and wait a few days. The plant should rebound. But existing yellow leaves will still drop.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
"DO NOT WATER PANICULATAS WHATSOEVER"

You simply cannot make broad statements like that!! There are NO absolutes in gardening - every site is distinct and plants will respond differently under different situations. We have no idea what the OP's soil conditions are or what their weather has been like or even where they might be located. And 2 year old plants are not yet fully established - they could well require more water than those in the ground for many years and well established.
tikva5
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My paniculatas got scorched in July and pretty badly while we were on vacation. The leaves turned brown and dried. After a week of constant watering those amazing hydrangeas shout new green leaves!! They are doing really well right now. Yes, paniculatas can bring new green foliage. I could not believe it! Macrophyllas would have never done that!