Question From: J. Yates - Shawnee, Kansas, United States
Q: Nancy, I have a large oak leaf hydrangea under a 35 year old locust tree on the northwest facing side of house. The locust has a lot of large surface roots but the hydrangea has been doing great for 8-10 years. This year it was beautiful, but now the leaves have turned a lighter green and looked a little wilted. There is another oakleaf right next to it that is still dark green and looking fine. I thought they were both the same plant as I originally only planted one but possibly the second one rooted or seeded off the first one. What could cause one's leaves to lighten almost yellow.
A: Yellowing of leaves of hydrangeas is caused by lack of iron. The following website will give you directions on how to treat the shrub.
https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/ppdl/Pages/POTW_old/5-10-10.html
Take the photos and a printout of the protocol to a good independent nursery for advice choosing products. Read the directions - the entire label and follow them to the letter. These products can damage plant if improperly applied. In late fall fertilize the hydrangea with Espoma Holly Tone at the recommended rate. The shrub is having a tough time competing with the tree roots for water and nutrients, especial in hot, dry, windy weather. Mulch the plants with three inches of good organic mulch and deep water weekly. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/ppdl/Pages/POTW_old/5-10-10.html
Take the photos and a printout of the protocol to a good independent nursery for advice choosing products. Read the directions - the entire label and follow them to the letter. These products can damage plant if improperly applied. In late fall fertilize the hydrangea with Espoma Holly Tone at the recommended rate. The shrub is having a tough time competing with the tree roots for water and nutrients, especial in hot, dry, windy weather. Mulch the plants with three inches of good organic mulch and deep water weekly. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
