AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I planted 5 hydrangea shrubs the second week of June 2009. I live on Long Beach Island, NJ. The ground is sandy, but I put a nice layer of top soil in the hole. The area has full sun 6-7 hrs daily then shade in the afternoon. Initially the plants looked great and lots of flower bloomed. Now the stems are getting heavy and falling open, the flowers are starting to fade and die. Is this normal? Should I put mulch around the plants? Is there something I can do to improve their growth?
Answer Hi Jackie,
Thanx for your question. Sometimes plants will experience a delayed shock from being transplanted in the heat of summer. Most perennial plants will survive this shock but the recommended times for planting are in the spring after the last frost and in the fall at least 30-45 days before the first frost. Mulch will help keep the feet of the plants cool and conserve water. Give the plants a good soaking. They will recover. I hope this helps.
Tom
