Early Evolution Hydrangea Leaves Drooping

last year

I just planted this early evolution hydrangea a couple weeks ago.. it was looking great. weather here (MN) has been extreme.. lots of rain and now tons of humidty and this weekend supposed to be 95, sunny, humid. i didnt water it for about a week with all the rain we had but today was looking droopy. i did water it a few hours ago and still looking the same. trying to figure out if i need to water it more or less. or any other tips :)

Featured Answer

indianagardengirl

last year

Can you rig up some temporary shade? I would suspect the roots of a newly planted shrub can’t take up enough water between sun and extreme heat. Set a lawn cair in front of it, or an old umbrella, anything to give it a break from afternoon sun right now.

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Comments (11)

cecily 7A
last year
How many hours of sun does it receive? Morning sun or afternoon sun?
Rachel Swanson
Original Author
last year
Afternoon sun.. so maybe starting around 1pm or so?
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roxanna
last year
I recently bought a lace-cap hydrangea (but haven't planted it yet). This is my first hydrangea, so I am no expert -- but the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo was that the rock mulch could reflect more heat than this plant would be happy about...
Rachel Swanson
Original Author
last year
Yeah I did put some other mulch down around it as well.. maybe I’ll try pulling the rocks back!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Needs more water. Soil should be well draining but consistently moist. Planting now in summer heat pretty much guarantees the need to check moisture levels on a daily basis. Don't rely on the rain. A long, slow soaking at the root crown as necessary, so the water penetrates to the full depth of the rootball.
Rachel Swanson
Original Author
last year
Thanks!!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
Even if it rains a newly planted shrub in full leaf needs a LOT of water.

Flood it long and deep. Hard to over water a hydrangea in hot weather.
HU-885131961
last year
Rachel , I'm curious how your hydrangea is doing now that its the end of August? we planted 8 of the same variety as yours at end of May and ours are doing horrible.

We ‘re in Excelsior Mn and have had lots of rain and heat, south exposure with periods of dappled shade. We water every day and focus the water at the rootball. We too have rocks around the base but did not put a ring of mulch around it as was suggested by another. Did you end up doing that and have you dug it up to look at the roots?
Rachel Swanson
Original Author
last year
It actually started doing much better after i made sure to water it everyday regardless of rain. i did already have mulch around it so just pulled back the rocks more from my previous picture. I also gave it some more plant good a couple times.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
A location that is exposed to a lot of sun is not ideal for any Hydrangea microphylla. Especially a southern exposure with afternoon sun. A much better siting is morning sun until around 1 pm, then mostly shade or at best, filtered sun.

And no rock mulch!! All that does is cook the roots and reflect heat back on the plant.

Regardless of the siting, a slow deep watering as often as necessary is also a requirement.