What's wrong with my hydrangeas? - Ask Extension
Hello. My hydrangea blooms and leaves have turned brown and dry. Some leaves have large spots. I have two other hydrangeas that are a different variet...
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What's wrong with my hydrangeas? #878522
Asked July 24, 2024, 7:40 AM EDT
Hello. My hydrangea blooms and leaves have turned brown and dry. Some leaves have large spots. I have two other hydrangeas that are a different variety and in a different location, and they are fine. I know I have let this go way too long, but can you tell me what's wrong with this one and what I can do to help it? Thanks!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
You are not alone. We are getting many questions about hydrangeas this month.
For the most part, your plants are suffering from heat stress and leaf scorch. We have had long stretches of unusually high heat and lack of rain, and large parts of central Maryland are under 'moderate drought' conditions.
Most of our landscape plants, even large trees, are stressed. Hydrangea are water lovers ('hydra' meaning water).
You also have some leaf spot disease, but we tend to see that each year towards the end of summer and it is primarily cosmetic and we don't suggest treating.
Here is our Hydrangea page:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/hydrangea-identify-and-manage-problems/
It may be worse for that particular plant due to it being in an area that may have intensified heat bouncing off the house and stones/walk which also having less airflow (and maybe more sun?- they like part-shade, especially from the intense afternoon sun).
We wouldn't prune now or you might sacrifice next years flowers.
You could clip off just the flower stems of browned out flowers and the worst affected parts of leaves if you like.
When we don't get at least an inch of rain a week they would like a nice, slow, deep drink.
Christine
For the most part, your plants are suffering from heat stress and leaf scorch. We have had long stretches of unusually high heat and lack of rain, and large parts of central Maryland are under 'moderate drought' conditions.
Most of our landscape plants, even large trees, are stressed. Hydrangea are water lovers ('hydra' meaning water).
You also have some leaf spot disease, but we tend to see that each year towards the end of summer and it is primarily cosmetic and we don't suggest treating.
Here is our Hydrangea page:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/hydrangea-identify-and-manage-problems/
It may be worse for that particular plant due to it being in an area that may have intensified heat bouncing off the house and stones/walk which also having less airflow (and maybe more sun?- they like part-shade, especially from the intense afternoon sun).
We wouldn't prune now or you might sacrifice next years flowers.
You could clip off just the flower stems of browned out flowers and the worst affected parts of leaves if you like.
When we don't get at least an inch of rain a week they would like a nice, slow, deep drink.
Christine
Thank you, Christine. It's reassuring that I'm not the only one. I never thought about the white siding and stones reflecting the sunlight, but you're right. These plants do get some relief from mid- to late afternoon sun.
Unfortunately we have no outside spigot that I can connect a hose to in order to water these guys. I have to either fill up watering cans in the kitchen, which obviously doesn't provide much water for this size of plant, or drag a 200-foot hose from the barn where we do have water access. The result is, sadly, that I don't water the hydrangeas or other plants around the perimeter of the house very often! I can't fathom how a 100+ year old farmhouse doesn't have a spigot, but here we are. Now that I know the cause of the hydrangea stress, I'll be more diligent about dragging over that hose when needed...
Thanks again!
You're welcome.
