I was given a potted hydrangea in the spring that was stunning.

Designs by BSB
by Designs by BSB
Unfortunately I waited too long to get it in the ground and feed it :( I tried anyway.. but it seemed to be at the point of no return and it dwindled away this summer down to nothing (no flowers, by end of summer, only stems). Is there any hope that it will return in the spring? One day I will find the time to grown a green thumb ~BeckySue
  11 answers
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Dec 02, 2011
    I would absolutely wait until spring to throw in the towel! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Plants have a great will to live. Hydrangea's can be quite dramatic about drooping their leaves and dropping their leaves to make you feel sorry for them in the heat of summer. Once had a lady purchase a beautiful to-die-for Hydrangea in the heat of summer, did my usual don't leave this plant in the car for very long or you will cook it.....it was early in the day....she came back at the end of the day and demanded that I replace her dead plant! She opened her car trunk and sure enough the beautiful luscious leaves had actually turned black not just just wilted. I looked at her and said, 'you killed this the leaves when you left this plant in the car'. She confessed she had been at the mall the whole day. I told her it was still alive. She didn't believe me. I also told her I would not warranty it because it was still alive. I have to confess I have a way of guilting a person who willfully destroys beautiful plants that I sell them. ( Good thing I don't work at a box store) She didn't believe me, but bought another Hydrangea and left that one at the nursery. It came back in abut 2 weeks time. :)
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Dec 02, 2011
    Thank you for the encouragement .. it was such a beautiful plant and I was so excited to get it from a dear friend. Been sad ..until now :)
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Dec 03, 2011
    That is a great story, Four Seasons. Plants definitely have a strong survival instinct (some too much so), Becky. There were a couple of very neglected hibiscus in a planter on the front of my house when I bought it. They'd gotten no water and probably no attention and were little more than stunted branches with a few leaves. I literally pulled them out of the planters and just stuck them in the ground in the back yard, figuring if they lived, fine, if not, no loss. A year of so later, they are 4 1/2 feet high, full, and covered in a glorious red blooms.
  • Frank C Frank C on Dec 03, 2011
    Don't give up on it yet girl. My wife finds things that look like they ready for the compost pile. Nope she revives them some how. So do like 4 seasons suggested give it til spring Ya never know.
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Dec 05, 2011
    Crossing fingers :) Thanks for the encouragement and insight!
  • I had the exact same thing happen with a couple hydrangeas I planted last year. They were dead as a doornail at the end of the season, but this spring they came back beautifully! I think sometimes it takes them time to get used to their environment. Good luck with yours!
  • I agree and have had the same experience. Hydrangeas can play possum. They are also tougher than one may think. Good luck!
  • April April on Dec 06, 2011
    I'm glad so many here can give you such encouraging words. I echo their sentiments. Sometimes plants can give you the false impression that they're withering until they suddenly surprise you in the Spring. The dogwood tree outside of my bedroom tends to change quickly, so it sounds like they might be just going into sort of a hibernation phase. Anyway, I hope they grow back for you in the Spring. :)
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Dec 06, 2011
    the big unknown is what variety it is/was .. my luck it's probably an annual! I will definitely keep you posted :-)
  • April April on Dec 06, 2011
    Yeah, too bad you didn't get to check that out. Hopefully in the Spring, huh? Yes, please keep us posted. :)
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Dec 06, 2011
    the good news is that Hydrangeas are not annuals here :) I am anticipating a beautiful bloom picture from you next year!