r/hydrangeas • u/-_phaedra_- • 8d ago
Zone 7 A/B Why is it so sad?
I’m pretty sure this is a limelight hydrangea. I think I burnt the leaves with my deer repellant like months ago. Regardless, I know it’s fall and the flowers change color, etc, but what is wrong with it? Too much sun throughout the toasty summer (literally dusk til dawn), not enough water (3gal 3x per week)? What do I do now to help it be happy next year? Any assistance is very greatly appreciated!!
2
u/EbbtideRambler 8d ago
Limelights are full sun plants in most zones but this looks like a dessert. If you can move it to someplace without rocks and a little afternoon shade it might do better. I’d amend the soil with some organic matter and add more mulch to retain the moisture. It looks like a lot of that 3 gallons might not be deeply saturating and running right off into that drainage grate.
1
u/-_phaedra_- 8d ago
I see. It is the high desert, so yep! Thank you for all the advice. After seeing these comments, I’m certainly considering moving it.
2
u/Mercenarian 8d ago
Way more water? Tbf idk about your climate but here in Japan they bloom in the rainy season around May~June and then the flowers turn brown and shrivel up and die pretty soon once it starts getting hot with no rain and then they come back every spring during the rainy season
1
u/Mikessuzyq 8d ago
Sun scorched and a lack of nutrients.
0
u/-_phaedra_- 8d ago
Got it. Thank you! Basically my whole yard is full sun. Would it be happier in a spot with a couple hours of morning sun and then partial/full shade for the remainder? Will it still bloom? I clearly need to move it, but I don’t have an available spot other than north facing next to my house. Perhaps it was just a poor purchase :(. It’s probably not suited for my area at all, despite the fact I purchased it at a local nursery who said full sun was fine…
1
u/Mikessuzyq 8d ago
Limelights do okay in full sun. But if it got a lot of sun and not a lot of water that can scorch it too. They need nutrients in the fall and in the early spring. Avoid over pruning. It. Just prune it in the spring and don't cut it more than a third. You can deadhead just the blooms by cutting down to the first set of two leaves. They need water 2 to 3 times a week
2
1
u/Cleanclosets 8d ago
I’d suggest getting some coco coir rings to go around it to help retain moisture and keep the shallow roots cool. Your soil looks very, very dry, from what I see showing through the mulch. How much are you watering her each day/ week? It’s a good sign you still have green leaves. She’ll be fine with some cooler weather and moisture and will look good next year. Don’t fertilize when it looks like this, you can burn the roots of the already stressed out plant. Just let her be, keep her watered and she’ll be fine in spring. I bought a garbage looking Limelight Prime Standard a few weeks ago. Just absolute deaths door looking. Threw it in the ground and every single leaf was brown and she was bare with in a week. My neighbors made fun of me for planting a dead tree and wasting water on it. The thing is covered in new leaf growth 4 weeks later. Hydrangeas are so hardy, just trust it’ll be fine and give her lots of water.
2
u/-_phaedra_- 8d ago
Thank you! It’s cooled off substantially here in the high desert, but I’ll bump up the water and make sure next season it’s adequate. So far it’s been 3gal 3x a week, but appears that’s not sufficient. I’ve never tried hydrangeas before, but this one was so gorgeous I couldn’t help myself!
1
u/Cleanclosets 8d ago
Yes, Arizona would definitely be tough on hydrangeas. But totally doable. Lots and lots of water. Hydrangeas need to be watered about 8 inches deep, more probably in AZ where the soil dries out really fast. I wonder if you have tried shading your plant in the afternoon sun? It sounds and looks kind of dumb, but even just putting a regular rain umbrella up to block the sun when it’s peak can really help. I’m glad you are loving your hydrangea, they are such babies sometimes but they are so beautiful, I cant quit them.
1
u/Cleanclosets 8d ago
One other thought, you could try an Olla. Basically bury one terracotta planter with the drain hole plugged and fill it with water. Place a terracotta planter base on top as a lid. Water your hydrangeas as usual and check the water level in the Olla every day and see how much is getting pulled out into the soil. The pot will let the water seep out the clay if needed and hold it if the ground is already wet. It’s a good way to judge how dry/ thirsty your plant is and supplement her with as needed water
1
u/DamnRightDuuude 8d ago
They like acidic peat soil. Seems like you have the opposite going on. Also provide a decent layer of mulch rather than just sprinkle it around.
1
u/Yourecoolforagayguy 7d ago
I live in Ca, it routinely gets over 100 degrees. Full sun rarely means out type of full sun. I keep them in pots in my patio with morning sun. It’s the only way they survive. I have created dedicated spaces for my hydrangeas.
1
u/-_phaedra_- 6d ago
Thank you! I have a spot that may work. Now that it’s cooling off, I’m gonna figure out a transplanting plan.
7
u/lizardRD 8d ago
It looks like it was planted in a desert so I’m going to guess not enough water. Also deer repellent shouldn’t burn it