hydrangea question

I have some bigleaf hydrangeas that are in a mostly shady spot that gets a couple of hours of direct afternoon sun. I am having the hardest time keeping them watered. We have been having high temps and have not had any rain in ages. I water every other day, but by the second day they are droopy and when they rehydrate a lot of the leaves are crispy. I was afraid of watering them too much. Should I move them to a more shady spot? Can I move them now? I had read that it was best not to move things until the fall. I hate to lose them! Any suggestions?

In your climate, they'd probably be happier if those couple hours of sun were in the morning rather than the afternoon. They are thirsty plants and are going to tend to wilt in the heat and need a good amount of water no matter what, but the crispy leaves sounds to me like they are getting a bit more sun than they would like. Summer is not the best time to transplant anything--is there a way you can rig up a little more shade for them for the rest of the summer and then move them in the fall?

Thanks ecrane! I will see what I can rig up. I just needed someone with more knowledge to verify what I thought. You are always so helpful to everyone - it is greatly appreciated!

I have one of my bigleaf hydrangea in direct afternoon sun. I have to give it about 2 gallons a day in hot weather. I water in the a.m. before I leave for work and usually again when I get home. It perks up fast and I just love the look in a cottage garden so I haven't moved it. I am in zone 5b so mine can handle more sun so I would water like crazy then move it in the fall.

If the leaves are crisp you are not giving it enough water. Is there anyway to shade it at all?


All my other mopheads are in am sun only.

Hi bookreader - I have lost many plants to overwatering so now I am scared! lol But I will give it more water and try to figure out a way to shade it some until I can move it. Thanks for responding! Em

The word hydrangea comes from the Latin meaning , water lover. Hydro refers to water. I don't know how you are watering the plant but a good soaking at the roots is better than running a hose and having most of the water just run off. With the weather you are describing you probably can't water enough. Another Hydrangea, Hydrangea Quercifolia is more tolerant to heat and drier soils. They do best in a moist environment with filtered sun but are more forgiving than the Macro's.

Just a thought or two. Shade, umberella if need be duct taped to a tomato stake or old broom handle, you get the idea. Put stake in the ground and attach umberella. Water, a few gallon milk jugs with small slits or holes in the bottom. Adjust the cap to control flow of water. I know looks silly but it works. It is how I take care of plants I have to put in the ground late.

A few inches of good mulch would help keep it damp.

Any movable umbrella on a stand would be a huge help.

I have to tell you with all the rain this spring here in the east my hydrangea are amazing. They are covered with huge blooms and buds. The rest of the gardens are getting eaten by slugs but the hydrangea are fabulous.

Thanks for the idea of the umbrella, I am going to try that.

I wish we had rain here - we are in a drought - 95+ degree days and not a drop of rain in sight!

cyclops - I had no idea thats what the name meant - thanks for letting me know. I lay the hose in the bed and let it sit awhile until everything is very moist. Unfortunately by evening it is drying up again.

I have some oak leaves down as mulch but will add some regular mulch to it.

Thanks for the help everyone! Em

Ems - They are going to wilt in our heat and humidity regardless of what you do. Check them in the morning. If they are not wilted then, they are o.k. Drooping is a part of their habit in high heat and humidity. Do keep them properly watered, as others have suggested. Our heat wave (95 - 100) these past two weeks is testing all of our plants. I have many hydrangeas, and have grown them for years in central Alabama. Hang in there!

If I could, I would send you some of our rain. We hardly get a day of nice weather, then 2 or 3 days of storms. This weather pattern has been going on for months. Everything here is thick and lush, but enough is enough!

I have had the same problem in the past. We have a pump and connected a soaking hose to water our 3 big leaf hydrangeas. We finally transplanted them in early spring to an area that gets morning sun. They have done beautifully, but still need the soaking hose each day now that summer is here. One note, however, I have noticed that our more established hydrangea which gets the most shade does not have nearly as many blooms as those they get a little more of that morning sun. Just an observation.