HELP!! What's going on with my Oak Leaf Hydrengias???
by
Diana F
This is my second season with these as we moved in mid June of last year. I pruned a bit in fall, but after reading up a bit on them I'm thinking I should of just left them maybe:(???? One whole plant died and a parts on the other two did as well. I also have some "purplish" spotted leaves on one.
Any advice to help save them (I just LOVE them) would be welcome.
Oh, by the way, I'm zone 5.
Any advice to help save them (I just LOVE them) would be welcome.
Oh, by the way, I'm zone 5.
2 answers
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I looked back on some old posts and Douglas and a few others gave me some good advice. When I did prune, it was in September like they said, and it was only for shaping.
Diana F
on Jul 24, 2014
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You need to remove and throw away the infected leaves. Some will give you advice about spraying but I do not see a whole lot of brown spots-if you feel the need then you can look for a sulphur based spray for brown spot at any garden center. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas are a native bush here in the south and they will get huge! I am talking at least 12' tall and wide! And it is highly suggested not to plant them next to a structure or home. It was a cold winter so the loss of one is probably due the cold. You pruning in Sept only lost you blooms-you did not kill it. LOL They bloom on previous years wood so you won't get blooms this year since you cut in September. If you must prune, these you do it right after flowering in the summer. I do not prune anything unless I know the branch is dead. I would highly recommend cutting these down and shaping them now for next year. You do not want them touching your house so shaping them now for the future. You can do what is called a rejuvenation pruning and cut them way down to fill back out-in your zone this may take 3 years but it will be worth it to have a full, beautiful blooming plant again. You will want mulch and fertilize them (I like Fish fertilizer)-hydrangeas need lots of nutrients. Hope this helps. Happy gardening
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jul 24, 2014
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