If you ’ve ever asked yourself , Why are n’t my hydrangeas blooming ? , you ’ve add up to the right station . pick up how to prevent wintertime putting to death on hydrangeas . If your hydrangea look like dead stick , read my wintertime toss off hydrangeas guardianship steer . This article also talks about elbow room to keep hydrangea dependable from the cold , since protecting them from the cold is significant for their health .
In short , your hydrangeas are n’t bloom because it ’s been so cold this wintertime . If yours are deplorable brown sticks like mine , let ’s take a minute to call up that . Then , keep translate to learn what you could do about it .
Frigid winter temperatures , as well as winter winds , can cause winter kill on hydrangeas . The plant life might perish because of the stale winter weather or because the winds dry them out .

The backstory : I was n’t felicitous that I had n’t had any hydrangeas this summertime because a “ pro ” cut them up one spring . ensure to read this post … When to Prune Hydrangeas , so this does n’t happen to you .
I cry , I beg , and I might have even made a vision board with a picture of me running through a vale with hydrangeas in my arms to make those flowers come true .
My Hope were daunt when the winter Robert Lee Frost wreaked havoc on my sanity and my precious hydrangea .
Now I ca n’t see any heyday or even deep light-green leaves . All I can see are ugly dark-brown sticks with no bud to be seen .
These babies are strong ! If you face deep into the sad short hydrangea , you’re able to see leaves that look like rock ‘n’ roll reaching for the sun .
As a hydrangea lover , nothing breaks my heart more than seeing my beloved bloom look lackluster . But how can you tell if your hydrangea is just having an off year or if it ’s really kick the bucket ? This is a coarse head I get from nurseryman , especially in the early spring when hydrangeas are just set about to awake up . In this article , I ’ll go over the preindication that your hydrangea may be dying and what you’re able to do to hear to come to it .
Signs Your Hydrangea is Dying
Here are the most rough-cut signs that your hydrangea may be in fall
Wilted discolored leaves If the leave are drooping , withering or turning chickenhearted / brown , that ’s a red flag . Healthy hydrangea leave should be vibrant green .
Brittle break halt The stems should be flexible yet sturdy . If they lose it easily it ’s not a good sign .
No new growth : By early give , you should notice new folio buds on the shank . No unexampled growth could indicate a dying bush .
No rosiness : If your hydrangea has n’t bloom for a duo years , despite proper concern , it could be dying .
Unresponsiveness : If fertiliser and supererogatory water do n’t perk up it up , your hydrangea may be too far gone .
Dead section : Notice entire numb offshoot ? That section is probable a goner . insure other area for signs of life .
Of of course , the # 1 indicant is if your hydrangea drops all its leafage and turns brown . Hopefully it does n’t get to that stage before you take action !
First Aid for Ailing Hydrangeas
If you distrust your hydrangea is struggling , do n’t dig it up just yet ! Here are some first care tactics to seek and give suck it back to health :
cabbage test : Use your fingernail to scrape away some outer bark on the prow . If you see gullible just underneath , there ’s still life !
Prune stagnant branches : Cut away any clear dead section to sharpen the plant ’s energy on the portion that can be save .
Water deeply : Give it a dependable , tenacious deglutition . Soak the land around the roots . reprize hebdomadally if it ’s juiceless .
Mulch : tote up 2 - 3 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and insulate the roots .
Fertilize : Use a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertiliser or hydrangea food . But go easy — too much can burn the roots .
Move / replant : Could its position be the problem ? taste motivate the hydrangea to a spot with optimal conditions .
Wait and see : Have longanimity ! Some hydrangea are late knickers . Give it more time .
Common Causes of Hydrangea Death
If first assistance does n’t work , your hydrangea may be too far gone . But understanding why it go down can help you avoid the same misapprehension again . Here are the most vulgar reasons hydrangeas pass away :
Improper pruning : Cutting off old blooms or cut back at the incorrect time removes the flower buds . Always prune right after flowering .
Overwatering : Too much wet deprives roots of oxygen . get your finger in the soil to approximate tearing need .
Underwatering : Letting the soil wholly dry out for too long can be fateful . Drooping leaves show hungriness .
Sun singe : Afternoon sun can burn hydrangea leafage and flower . Ensure partial shade , specially in spicy climates .
Frost legal injury : Hydrangeas bloom on old Sir Henry Joseph Wood . A harsh wintertime or later frost can belt down off buds and limb .
pestis / disease : coarse killers are leafage spot fungus , powdery mildew , and insects like aphid . Watch for signs and do by ASAP .
Poor drain : hydrangea need moist yet well - draining land . stand piss or heavy clay causes root bunk .
Shock from graft : Quick changes in clean , soil , water , etc . when moving a hydrangea can accentuate it out . Ease the modulation .
honest-to-god eld : Hydrangeas broadly live 10 - 20 year . Gradually dying branches may indicate it ’s extend to its lifespan .
Should You Replace Your Hydrangea?
If you shape your hydrangea ca n’t be spare , replacement may be your only option . Here are a few thing to consider :
Can you transpose suckers from the original shrub ? Look for Modern shoot near the bag that you may grasp up and replant .
Was it the ill-timed hydrangea mixed bag for your geographical zone / clime ? Choose a more suitable type next fourth dimension .
Would a new position work best ? blame a spot with appropriate sunshine , drainage , etc .
Do you need to prove a unlike color flower ? Explore pinko , blue , royal options .
Is there an underlying government issue like inadequate soil quality ? better the soil before establish the new hydrangea .
Are sealed pest inevitable ? Prevent problems with quarrel cover , neem oil , etc .
Although saying good-by to a dear hydrangea is deplorable , view it as an opportunity to start fresh ! With the knowledge you ’ve derive , you could give your new hydrangea the practiced fear right from the outset . Soon you ’ll have abundant efflorescence and vibrant foliation once again .
Is Your Hydrangea Dead or Dormant? | Hydrangea | Hydrangea Care
FAQ
What does a dying hydrangea look like ?
Why are my hydrangeas not coming back ?
How do you know if a hydrangea is dead ?
When the leaves dry up and shine off , that is a sign of a healthy industrial plant . However , if the leaves remain on the plant , it indicate that the hydrangea is not able to shed them properly , and it intend the works is utter , specially if there are quite a few left on the plant when spring starts . 2 . Stalled Growth
How do you know if a hydrangea is overwatered ?
symptom of overwatered hydrangeas may admit brown and wilted leave-taking , white-livered leaves that will drop from the plant , and stunt growth . Signs of root decomposition may present themselves as well . This could appear that half of your plant is dead , and you may see ashen fungus near the crown of the hydrangea .
Do hydrangeas miss their foliage ?
Dead Leaves and Flowers The hydrangea is a deciduous plant that loses its leaf and efflorescence each twelvemonth in the fall . When the leafage dry up and accrue off , that is a mark of a healthy plant .
How do you roll in the hay if a hydrangea is abeyant ?
torpid hydrangea are flexible stem that do n’t snarl when dead set . They may be dark-brown - gray and look ironical , but if they ’re bendable , your hydrangea is dormant . Wait for the leaves to germinate , you should begin reckon the first signs of life with little leaves growing at the base of the hydrangea .