Hydrangeas thrive in woodland gardens, so that might be why you have had a hard time with them. But with regular slow-release granular fertilizer applications, plenty of water, and proper pruning, they should do just fine (as long as they are not sitting in baking hot sun all day). As for the silver leaves, I suspect it is powdery mildew, which is very common in the Pacific Northwest. It will not kill the plant. Remove the affected foliage and keep the soil free of any fallen leaves. Air circulation is important, so anything you can do to increase it is advised. Your plant sounds too young to do any real pruning on, but as it grows, keep on top of the pruning so branches don’t get crowded. Powdery mildew likes moist, temperate conditions.
Hi Linda,
Hydrangeas thrive in woodland gardens, so that might be why you have had a hard time with them. But with regular slow-release granular fertilizer applications, plenty of water, and proper pruning, they should do just fine (as long as they are not sitting in baking hot sun all day). As for the silver leaves, I suspect it is powdery mildew, which is very common in the Pacific Northwest. It will not kill the plant. Remove the affected foliage and keep the soil free of any fallen leaves. Air circulation is important, so anything you can do to increase it is advised. Your plant sounds too young to do any real pruning on, but as it grows, keep on top of the pruning so branches don’t get crowded. Powdery mildew likes moist, temperate conditions.