** Can someone please help me with my Hydrangea?**?

I planted a "Never ending summer" hydrangea about a month and a half ago and it suffered from lack of rain. When we came back from vacation, it was dry and brown with just a few green tips on the stems, just below what used to be the flower heads. Is my hydrangea fried or is there hope for it? Should I prune it back? Or dig it up and start with another one? And is this the right time of year to get another one or should I wait? If so, when should I get one?? I live in SE Pennsylvania, just 20 miles NE of Philadelphia-- I forget what "zone" that is.





MANY thanks for your help!





So many questions...

** Can someone please help me with my Hydrangea?**?
Your about in zone 7.


I don't think the others who left advice here read the question well enough. This plant isn't just wilting as Hydrangea do normally... Rather, it is near death.





Sure, Hydrangea can be trimmed after bloom but I would not suggest it for a plant trying to establish itself after nearly dying out.





It's a newly planted plant... therefore it's stalks are already pretty limited. Cutting them back won't support root growth during the growning season.





This is a recently planted hydrangea, not a previously established plant. If there is no green on the plant as described above, then it needs whatever leaves are left to support root growth for the rest of the summer season... Sure, if by mid August you get some leaves and life- go ahed and fertilze it. Right now, as described you just need to water it and hope it shows signs of recovery.


Look out for fungus.
Reply:Trimming it back is pointless. If you do, it will live but next year is awash. Just water it until you get it going again.


This way next year youll have a decent plant. Following the advice to trim it will limit not only the loss of this year but also extend that loss to most of next year.





If this was an established - big bush, then I would trim it.





That guy Jason F is correct.
Reply:The best home for an hydrangea is to be placed in the morning sun but with afternoon shade. I don't know where your Endless Summer hydrangea is located, but if you can get it into the shade, and (as it's name states), HYDRATE it with plenty of water everyday, you may just save it's life and bring it back from the brink of death.





You can cut it back, or leave it...but the best thing for it is water, water, water. I've see hydrangea grow right out of a pond before..they like water that much!





If you prefer to start again with a new one, make sure it gets morning sun and afternoon shade, and that it is in the ground long enough to root well before late autumn, and your first frost.





Endless Summer usually takes a year or two to get going really well, but they are well worth the wait!!!
Reply:You can prune it back to the part that is still green if you like - or cut it all the way down to the ground and keep it watered. The top of these plants are very easy to wilt - even an established plant may seem very wilted in the heat of the day, the bounce back in the evening. If the roots were established you should see new growth in a short time. Plant shrubs at the end of summer so they can settle in before the winter, Planting in the heat of the summer puts a lot of stress on the plant - buy it having to work on roots and bloom at the same time. Hope this helped!
Reply:It may have a little life in it yet. Try adding a little root stimulator, you can find this at any good garden center. You mix it with water and follow directions on the bottle. It is fine to do this now. You don't get as cold there as we do here and we fall plant in MN all the time. It is still early enough to get a root system going before fall sets in. Hydrangea flowers die back at some point anyway. The bushes take a while to establish but are normally very hardy and it should help to cut the dead part back. This would only strengthen the roots. I am hoping there is a little life left in them since you said there was some green in the stems yet. Best of luck with this and if it doesn't come back in the spring, then dig it up and plant a new one and use some of that root stimulator I mentioned earlier. A bottle is good for a few new plants.
Reply:Keep the plant, do as the others have said...water, prune only after flowering has ceased, use the root acelerator (you may want to check the roots to make sure nothing ate them) but also use Miracid for the correct Ph of the soil this is most important for the overall health of the hydrangea. When in doubt go to a local plant nursery and ask one of the professionals.....sometimes they will actually come and check it out for ya for free. Good luck.
Reply:I think you have a wait and see situation.





Here is more information from:


http://www.robertsonsflowers.com/Ask_the...





"Lace caps need a bit more sun than most Hydrangeas. Cut off old blooms when the blooms are faded. Don't cut the old wood however. Most Hydrangeas bloom on old wood from the previous year. Don't over fertilize. Use a time release plant food like Osmocote granular type. Just give it the right sun exposure, no hot noon summer sun they are best in morning and late afternoon sun. That is why the plant tags usually say "partial shade". Plant outside after May 15th (frost date) and it will come back every year."

irene