How to revive overwatered pruned big leaf hydrangea - Ask Extension
Hello,My mophead hydrangea (Cityline Rio) got seriously overwatered while I was away from my home and many leaves and blooms turned brown. It was only...
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How to revive overwatered pruned big leaf hydrangea #706564
Asked July 28, 2020, 3:25 PM EDT
Hello,
My mophead hydrangea (Cityline Rio) got seriously overwatered while I was away from my home and many leaves and blooms turned brown. It was only planted a month ago in part shade. I just trimmed off the dead leaves and some dead-seeming branches but wonder whether it will recover and bloom again. Hydrangeas are new to me... I've read that one should not prune this variety (Cityline Rio) as it blooms on old wood. I'm wondering whether there is something I can do ti help revive it or whether I should dig it up and replace it. Should I check the rootball for rot? And if there is rot should I cut away mushy roots? One other detail: after planting I had inserted a stick of slow release fertilizer a few inches away from the plant... so I wonder if the heavy watering released too much fertilizer as well. Grateful for any or all advice Photo below of plant today and a few weeks ago.... I can send others if it helps!
My mophead hydrangea (Cityline Rio) got seriously overwatered while I was away from my home and many leaves and blooms turned brown. It was only planted a month ago in part shade. I just trimmed off the dead leaves and some dead-seeming branches but wonder whether it will recover and bloom again. Hydrangeas are new to me... I've read that one should not prune this variety (Cityline Rio) as it blooms on old wood. I'm wondering whether there is something I can do ti help revive it or whether I should dig it up and replace it. Should I check the rootball for rot? And if there is rot should I cut away mushy roots? One other detail: after planting I had inserted a stick of slow release fertilizer a few inches away from the plant... so I wonder if the heavy watering released too much fertilizer as well. Grateful for any or all advice Photo below of plant today and a few weeks ago.... I can send others if it helps!
Clinton County New York
Expert Response
Whoa, that's a bit of wet mess. Sorry. I would wait for the area to dry out somewhat. Compost can be added to condition the soil and make it well-drained, eventually. You can prune bigleaf hydrangea when the flowers begin to fade. Prune out flower heads and head back other shoots a little, as necessary, to encourage branching and fullness. Flower buds will begin forming in late summer for the following season, so avoid pruning after August 1. Hydrangea is pretty tough, although, it may take sometime for it to revive by the coming year or two.
Take care.
Take care.
