Established Hydrangeas struggling

Michael Miles

last year

my neighbors

These 8 year established hydrangeas have been struggling these last two years. They are east facing and I have been leaving old wood and dead flowers on all winter into spring. My neighbors which are north facing but shaded by our house look amazing. Is this a soil issue? or placement? Bozeman, MT

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Comments (5)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
last year
Is there landscape fabric under those stones?

tj
Michael Miles thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Hydrangea arborescence do best in shade and with consistent moisture. With current weather changes, could it be that this site has become too sunny, too hot and too dry in summer? The rock mulch also holds and reflects heat, contributing to the problem.
Michael Miles thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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luis_pr
last year
last modified: last year
About 10+ years ago, I had to remove inorganic mulches as they absorbed heat during the day and released it at night so the shallow roots of my Annabelle in morning sun and a Little Lime with mid afternoon shade were not happy. Consider trying a light colored organic mulch instead of inorganic mulch and fabric as well as monitoring the soil moisture more closely.
Michael Miles thanked luis_pr
Michael Miles
Original Author
last year
Yes fabric below the rocks, first 5 years amazing full blooms, then lost a couple plants last year and had to replant a couple
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
last year
In time the fabric will clog up preventing the transfer of water and air to the roots as well as reducing the micro herd in the soil.

tj
Michael Miles thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱