However, I think he should replace them all with nursery hydrangeas as he wants large, tall, long stemmed robust plants and I just don’t see these squatty plants doing that. These things would be miniature hydrangeas if such things existed.

Your comments please. It’s Sept here and we still have time to get nursery one’s to plant now.

Hi Mary Ellen
Certain hydrangea, (macrophylla) can be semi-hardy depending on where you live. It will grow in summer, die back and regrow from the roots. The reason it will not bloom is that it blooms on old growth that died back, so the flower buds for the next season were destroyed. Unless you can keep it indoors in cold storage (35-40F) to keep the buds from freezing through the winter, it will never bloom. see florist hydrangea comments

Hi Anna
You may have lost it if you left it in the pot outdoors in winter. The ones in the ground benefit from the soil insulating the roots keeping them from freezing. The roots of plants grown in pots are more susceptible to cold and will freeze up much faster.

Hi John
Florist hydrangea can be very delicate and sensitive to cold and sun after all they have lead a pampered life. Keep it indoors and when you are sure the night temperatures are warmer 50’s leave it outdoors. Also be careful as to how much sun they get. When the leaves start to “flag” (wilt) move the plant away from the sum. Wilting can also occur when there is a root problem so be careful not to overwater or let the plant sit in water.

Hi Julia
Root rot occurs when the plant roots are in water for an extended period of time due to poor drainage or overwatering. Fungal disease attack the stressed, weakened roots. If the plant is in a container, be sure to drain out any exceess water. When the top inch feels slightly dry or the leaves start to droop (flag) then water again. It’s a fine balance between too dry and too wet with hydrangeas. If your plant is in the ground, then you will need to amend the soil by adding organic material such as pine bark /compost to the soil or plant in raised beds to improve drainage .For more info go to http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1212/

Hi Kevin
Most likely your hydrangea is suffering from root rot. For the time being, keep it in a semi-shaded area and let it dry between watering. When the top 1-2 inches of the soil are dry ,water it. The leaves may all wilt and die but if the roots recuperate, then they will send out new growth. You can then repot and place the plant in AM sun.

If this was a greenhouse gift plant, then there is a good chance that it is not hardy in Canada and will die in the winter. These plants are grown under controlled greenhouse conditions to produce large showy flowers at the expense of a healthy plant. If it is a nursery grown plant for outdoors, chances are that the garden center would sell a product that is hardy in your area but stranger things have been known to happen. I would still plant it and hope for the best. Either way, you have nothing to loose. Kris

Hydrangea are relatively easy to root. Take a 4-6″ softwood cutting from new growth with a least 4 eyes (buds). Take of the foliage from the bottom set of buds and cut the top leaves in half. This helps reduce moisture loss through the leaves. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and place it 2″ deep in a soiless mix of perlite and peat moss. Give it a good soaking. Keep container away from direct sun at an ideal temperature of 70-75. To maintain or increase moisture/humidity place container in a plastic bag using a stick to make a mini greenhouse. Be sure that it doesn’t get too hot inside as that will cook the plant. Don’t keep it too wet, water when soil looks lighter and like it is drying out. Your cutting should root in 3-5 wks. Once rooted, transplant and slowly expose it to morning sun. If it is leggy pinch it back to promote a bushier growth. Best time to do this is in the spring so that the plant has enough time to develop a strong root system for the winter otherwise the newly rooted plant may need to spend the winter indoors.

Put your plant in the shade and slowly ease your plant to more sun. As the flower matures it will turn a green color. I doubt that it will bloom again although if your’e lucky it might send out a small new flower if you deadhead the old one. It should send out some green growth from side shoots and with proper watering and light will grow. Depending on where you live-they are not hardy in Northern states and would have to be indoors during the winter.