A gardening group was inundated with advice as they looked for help to save their hydrangea after it was ‘seriously neglected’
Hydrangea lovers might be finding that their plants are battling against the recent scorching weather, especially if they’ve moved them during this spell. One gardening fan reached out to a Facebook plant group for help with their struggling hydrangea, posting: “Seriously neglected hydrangea. Is there any saving it, I’d really like to if I can.”
They continued: “I have repotted today into a big pot and placed it in a shady area because of the hot weather, and it is soaked with plenty of water. Should I cut any of it back or will just daily regular watering help?”. The plea came with a photo showing the plant’s drooping, bronze-coloured leaves and flowers, sparking discussion among group members.
How to revive hydrangeas
Replying to the question, Jane Shipton advised: “It’s because you’ve moved the plant and the growing conditions are not the same. Just keep watering it and keep it out of the sun.”, reports the Express.
While hydrangeas are famous for being tough once they’re settled, they’re particularly vulnerable during their early stages as they adjust to new environments.
Transplant shock hits your beloved garden plants hardest when they’re uprooted from one situation and plunged into completely different conditions. That spells disaster for hydrangea enthusiasts hoping to transplant their prized specimens during the sweltering conditions.
Summer’s fierce heat can prove devastating, as soaring temperatures sap moisture straight from the foliage, leaving your hydrangeas parched and lifeless.
To avoid this, your best bet is to plant your blooms during spring or autumn. This method gives them a fighting chance to establish roots and soak up soil moisture long before summer’s punishing heat arrives.
Gardening enthusiast Mark Green said: “For your hydrangea to spring back to life it is crucial to give them attention when it’s hot, which means watering them well. This won’t take long, five seconds and you’re done.”
Martin Caner warned: “Planting in summer with high temperatures and intense sunlight can result in dying hydrangeas. Try to give your hydrangea the same conditions it had when it was previously planted.”
Gardening fan Rachel Corden shared: “The best thing you can do is protect the plant from the sun and water them frequently, making sure the soil is moist at all times.”
When watering’s the issue, Margaret Fell said: “Although hydrangeas like ‘wet feet’, if the leaves are dying it may not be able to take up as much water as a healthy plant.
“I overwatered and killed a hydrangea like yours! So yes, keep the soil moist but don’t overwater or the roots can rot.”
