Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:29 pm
Extreme heat can cause dry leaves and drooping flowers on hydrangeas. A few tips can save the plant from heat damage.
The next heat wave in summer is sure to come. For many plants in the garden, however, midsummer temperatures around 30 degrees and bright sunshine also mean suffering heat damage. Especially the popular hydrangeas like it rather shady and need a lot of water. So what can you do to protect the cottage garden plant as well as possible from heat and sun?
Care for hydrangeas in the summer: High temperatures and too much sun lead to heat damage.
Hydrangeas can also suffer sunburn in extreme heat. On the plants, heat damage usually manifests itself as brown, wilted inflorescences or dry leaves. They lose color vigor and let their inflorescences hang down limply. With these reactions, the plant protects itself from evaporation. Bright and brown spots on the plant may indicate burning from extreme sun exposure.
As an amateur gardener, these signs mean action is needed. After all, watering mistakes can also harm the hydrangea. Therefore, certain tips should be followed to prepare the plant before the next heat wave.
But how the plant reacts to heat and sun also depends on the variety of hydrangea. The varieties ball hydrangea, panicle hydrangea as well as the oak leaf hydrangea tolerate the sun particularly well as my-schoener-garten reports.
Hydrangeas in the summer care: Simple tricks help the plant through the next heat period
When temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees, hydrangeas should be shaded in a sunny location. Sunshades, shade nets or other shading devices can help, but they leave the plant enough air and space. Hydrangeas in tubs can be easily relocated during the hot midday sun.
Another important tip refers to the leaves of hydrangeas, which have already suffered sunburn. It is recommended to leave the withered foliage on the plant, as the hydrangea flowers are supported in growth by the withered foliage. If the damage is from burns and not from pests or a fungus, the withered leaves can be left on the plant.
Care for hydrangeas in summer: consider location before planting, avoid watering mistakes.
Hydrangea location is also critical to avoiding heat damage. The popular varieties of hydrangeas tend to be more comfortable in semi-shaded locations facing east or west. Direct sunlight does not do velvet hydrangeas, farmer’s hydrangeas or plate hydrangeas any good. If you want to protect the plant from heat in the long term, be sure to choose a suitable location when planting it out.
In the case of already planted and older specimens, transplanting is not recommended because of the site loyalty of the plant. But still, certain tricks help to protect hydrangeas even in sunny locations. According to gartenjournal, anyone who wants to plant hydrangeas outdoors from the house should first accustom the plants to direct sunlight.
In addition, sufficient watering should be done on warm days. If the soil contains little moisture due to persistent drought, it is recommended to water in the morning and evening. A common watering mistake is to water the plant in the midday sun and distribute the water over the foliage. The water droplets then act as a magnifying glass and heat the leaves more quickly. Burns can occur more easily this way.