Sick hydrangeas - Ask Extension
I have three hydrangea at the front of our house. One on the corner is looking beautiful. Then there are two on the sides of the door. One has really ...
Knowledgebase
Sick hydrangeas #875512
Asked July 01, 2024, 1:59 PM EDT
I have three hydrangea at the front of our house. One on the corner is looking beautiful. Then there are two on the sides of the door. One has really struggled all season. And the other one has some blooms but not as much as the one that's doing well. I don't know what's wrong. The first two pictures are of the really sick one, and the last picture is the one that's also struggling but not as bad
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
You didn't give me much information. What variety of hydrangeas are they? Are they all the same? What is the soil like in that area. I see they are mulched with rocks. How about sun/shade. The corner one probably gets a decent amount of sun but those on either side of a door may be shaded. Please respond with the information I need. Thank you.
Thank you for replying back. They are Annabelle hydrangea. This is the third summer that we've lived in the house. They were here when we moved in and for the last two summers they have been fine. The house gets afternoon evening Sun in the front where the bushes are. We have Rock in the front. And if you have any other questions, please let me know. I'd love to get to the bottom of why it is so sick. I have attached some pictures. Thanks, Tom
-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 7/2/24 2:10 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Tom Gravatt <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Sick hydrangeas (#0145430)
I actually think two of your Annabelles look good. Try pulling the rock mulch away from the base of your sickly shrub. Work in some granular fertilizer and then some compost. It is not happy with the growing situation and maybe that will help. Check to see what is different in that spot. Perhaps does water pool? Or, does it not get much water? Is a gutter draining on top of it? Don't overlook any possibility as to why that plant is suffering. There has to be something different there as Annabelle is a sturdy, hardy hydrangea that can withstand neglect.
Thanks for your help. We have water that pools on the sidewalk by the sick plant when there are heavy rains. Maybe it's getting too much water. Hopefully it can bounce back!
-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 7/2/24 6:50 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Tom Gravatt <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Sick hydrangeas (#0145430)