Struggling hydrangea

ruth.filsak

I was given a healthy hydrangea in a pot last July. I left it in the pot until I moved house in September where I put it into our garden by which time it had lost many of it's leaves. It is making a slow attempt at growing, and has some leaves but is there anything I can do to encourage it on? The soil is clayey; the ground is in the shade until the afternoon. I am giving it plenty of water.

Fairygirl

Hi @ruth.filsak - what prep did you give the hole it's planted in? 
Hydrangeas are just starting into growth really, so I wouldn't be too worried about it. 
Don't water it unless the ground is completely dry, but if it's clay, that's unlikely, as it should be getting roots down far enough by now, and coping with that.
I'm also assuming it was a decent sized plant when it was planted?

ruth.filsak

Hi, I think I probably put some potting compost in the hole first. There are leaves appearing which look healthy so I will leave off the watering and keep checking it. Yes, it was a decent sized plant. Thanks.

Fairygirl

I'd say it'll be ok @ruth.filsak, although it's alwasy harder without a photo.
They're tough plants, and unless something drastic is done to them, they can cope well.