I planted an Endless Summer hydrangea two weeks ago. I noticed a rather odd brown striation to the stems and a slight brown color on the edges of several leaves of an otherwise healthy looking specimen. I thought that the leaves might be suffering from too much sun as the ES likes a lot of shade. I amended half the soil from the hole with Holly Tone for acid loving plants and lined the bottom of the hole with peat moss. I ran out of mulch but will take care of that tomorrow. I confess that I did get the leaves wet with city water several times. I know that's a no-no and have started to water with a bucket only on the ground. I have read that potassium bicarbonate is a good anti-fungal remedy. Is this a fungus and is the above remedy a good idea for this plant. The ES receives sun until about 1:00pm and then it is in the shade. Have I watered it too much? Or not enough? Did it come to me this way or did I inflict the condition? What can I do to cure this? I have long wanted a blue hydrangea and the Endless Summer seemed a perfect fit for me here in southwestern PA. Thanks for your help. Sandy
Looks a bit droopy, perhaps it is too hot in that spot. Also looks pale, may need some nitrogen. Paleness could also be associated with excessive light or dryness. Sample soil and have it tested before adding anymore fertilizers or other chemicals to the soil. Doubt it has a fungus problem, not seeing anything here I recognize as that. The brown or bronze tinting is not unusual on hydrangeas. http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/FactSheets/Planting fact sheet.pdf
They look pretty normal to me....I would not be worried about them. Just make sure they are well drained/planted not too deep...top of root ball at soil level or above ...they need moisture and morning sun afternoon shade which sounds like you have the perfect conditions.
