hydrangeas

jacqueline-22

am new to hydrangeas this is the 1st time i have had one the flowers are just starting to go a little brown round the edges, would i just deadhead them now or leave them ?

Pete.8

Generally, you leave the heads on hydrangeas until the following spring as they provide frost-protection for the heads that follow.
I only cut mine off a couple of weeks ago - just before we had a frost 

jacqueline-22

should they be going brown at this stage though... am not sure what to do with them

jacqueline-22

just saw online lack of water causes the flowers to brown .. oh dear 

Fairygirl

Yes - the ones that flower just now like moist conditions. If you beef up the soil they're in and mulch well, that helps too. It has been very dry almost everywhere in the country, so it wouldn't be surprising if the ground was a bit lacking in moisture.

I'm assuming you also have them in a suitable location and they're thriving well enough apart from that?

Borderline

Were these Hygrangeas bought this year? Seems like a forced plant as if they are growing in normal outside conditions, they will be forming flowers rather than going brown. Leaving flowers on is normal. Quite a few even leave it longer and then cut them off and have them as dried flower arrangements. 

Fairygirl

Good point Borderline - they're often sold in early spring in full flower (and I don't think there's a lot of info supplied which is poor ) but have been massively protected.

I hate them - those sickly pink and blue colours - but lots of people love them so they'll keep flogging them to unsuspecting customers. In most winters, they'd be fine, but it's unfair to those who don't know what to do if there's an issue. 

It should still be fine Jacqueline, and it'll be toughened up for next year