My poor Nikko Blue hydrangea started off with strong, beautiful blue flowers. We went away for about a week, and someone else took care of our pets/plants, but didn't water it. She did say it rained twice while we were away. Anyway, now it's turned a bit pink (not concerned - I understand alkaline/acidic soil will do this), but most of the flower heads have browned somewhat. Two heads are still blue. The leaves are still a nice green. I don't know if I'm supposed to deadhead, or what. I don't even know if this is a normal process for the nikko blue. When growing up we had a hydrangea (may be endless summer?) and it never seemed to fade/brown until fall. May be I just don't remember right.

Questions:
1. Is this 'normal'? or did my caretaker kill it by not watering
2. Do I deadhead the fading/brownish flowers? If so, how?

Thanks all!
Mary

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HI MARY hydrangeas love shade and water heres a few links that should help you ok.
http://www.greenhousebutterflies.com/hydrangea.htm
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Hydrangea.htm

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pruningroses.htm

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:www.agnr.umd.edu/users/cmrec/art4.htm

good luck with your hydrangea. your friend in gardening.mike57

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No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent.

I don't understand this. I have 2 blue ones that are in almost total shade and they do fine. My mother has one just like it in full sun that is blooming like crazy. She's had it 3 years and this is the first year it's done well. Go figure. The info says part shade but her's is in full sun. I cut my blooms as they start fading, unless of course, I cut them to bring in or dry. Post us a picture.

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http://www.picturetrail.com/bestofour

mine is in part sun but still gets a good deal of sun! Its beautiful but If I dont water it 2 times a day it does just what you were saying about the blooms drooping and falling on the floor. I water it at the roots 2 times a day and this seems to solve that problem!

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It doesn't matter where you go in life... It's who you have beside you when you get there.

Karrie's Photos

So today I watered really heavy, right? I didn't expect any change in a day. Well, I noticed tonight that it went from pinkish to like purplish-dark bluish. They were still laying on the ground. I picked one up to take a pic (that came out blurry of course), and noticed the part that was laying on the ground is a light GREEN!! Do I have some kind of alien variety here or what? I'll try to get pics of the green tomorrow...if it's still green by then!

I promise ya I haven't had anything to drink!

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