Limelight Hydrangea : what is wrong with this?

7 years ago

I got this hydrangea from a well known nursery, planted it into my garden about 2 weeks ago, and although the leaves were never super green, I've noticed that they've gotten less green and more pale after about a week. Now, they are turning yellow-ish with brown spots? It is located in a shady part of the garden during the morning, and direct sun in the afternoon. We water daily so that nothing dries out (due to the area being in direct sun in the afternoon). Does anyone have any suggestions on what is happening here?

Featured Answer

luis_pr

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

A newly planted hydrangea with yellowing leaves with yellowing leaf veins suggests that it may not be used to getting this much sun since planted 2 weeks ago. The nursery probably had it in less sun or in bright full shade.

A nutrient disease (nitrogen deficiency) is a low possibility as well fertilized plants from nurseries should not show this issue in just two weeks. Then again, watering daily may make it difficult to absorb oxygen and maybe other already present minerals.

The browning on the leaves may be fungus from the plant nursery or due to high humidity (watering daily sounds too much) or sun. Water if a finger inserted to a depth of 4" into the soil feels dry or almost dry. Make sure you do not water the leaves. Only water the soil!

A sudden turn to light green after 3 years might indicate that the soil is becoming neutral or alkaline.

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Comments (8)

jalarse
7 years ago
Following, I’ve got the same problem with one of mine. Mine has been in the ground for 3 years and it’s leaves are turning a light green.
Mike
Original Author
7 years ago
I am wondering if it's a nutrient related issue or a disease?
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Mike
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for your reply, Luis! OK, we will check the soil moisture tonight. As for watering the leaves, we only water the base, so if it's a fungus that's not good! I wonder what else that could be.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years ago
I would be likely to suggest a combo of transplant shock (you don’t say where you are, but two weeks ago here in New England it was unreasonably hot, hotter than parts of TX on the same date) and perhaps too much water. Panicled hydrangeas such as Limelight aren’t happy in wet soil, though you don’t want them to dry out when they haven’t gotten established. Check not only the soil around the plant, but also the original potting soil right around the roots where the roots still are. Moist without being soggy should be the goal.

What is your native soil like and did you add anything to the planting hole other than native soil around the plant? Research suggests that plants do best with nothing added to the native soil since changes in soil texture can lead to issues with water movement.
Mike thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
Mike
Original Author
7 years ago
The only thing I added was sea soil, as suggested by the nursery expert. We are in Vancouver (exact same climate as Seattle)...which is fairly hot, dry and not humid during this time of year. Thank you for the watering tips! We will monitor over the next few days!
Tim Wood
7 years ago
This is a nutritional problem. It looks to lack both nitrogen (yellow leaves) and phosphorous (purple brown cast). Limelight has light green leaves to begin with and it is a heavy feeder. Give it a high end dose of slow release fertilizer in early spring and this should solve the problem. Once the plants is established you can cut back on the water. Nitrogen is water soluble and if you over water the N leaches out of the soil.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Doesn't look like any nutritional issue to me. Looks more like transplant shock/sun scorch, which is not uncommon and somewhat to be expected in midsummer in the PNW and with full afternoon sun. And I would hesitate to call any hydrangea a "heavy feeder"........most require minimal fertilizer but do benefit from a good organic mulch.

It is not a fungal issue so you can dismiss that thought :-)