Marianne's Response
What’s wrong with my hydrangea?
My Hydrangea bush is one year old. It blooms bright blue flowers in the spring but suddenly some of the blooms turn a dusky sort of pink with only a few blue flowers. Also some leaves have a partial yellowing at the tips going only half way up the leaves. I do not over water and have pine mulch at their base. What is the problem? Thank you for your help!
Posted by Walter Sulskis on September 10, 2014
Marianne's Response
Sounds like too much heat and not enough water. Is the hydrangea in the shade? Sometimes spring sunshine is fine but by the middle of summer even a bit of sun can bake a hydrangea dry. It is also expected for hydrangea blooms to dry and turn pale or dusky as they age and are hit by sunlight. Try adding a compost mulch next spring and move the mulch aside and soak the soil at least once a week when it does not rain. If the problem is back next summer plant to move that hydrangea to a cooler spot. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library
Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!