Most garden plants are more sensitive than their wild counterparts, and the plant we’re talking about today is a perfect example.
QUICK ANSWER: If you notice the leaves of your Summer Crush turning brown, it could be due to not enough water, a phosphorus shortage, or a disease. To remedy this, make sure to water the hydrangea once the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Feeding it with a multi-purpose fertilizer twice a year can also help. And for diseases, a spray of fungicide on the leaves should do the trick.
Underwatering
Dry soil often leads to the edges of leaves turning brown. On cloudy days, you might see the leaves drooping due to lack of moisture, but under bright sun, the edges can crisp up.
Shrubs that have settled into their spot for a few years tend to be more resilient against drought. However, plants that are newly placed in the garden are much more vulnerable to drying out.
To keep your hydrangea happy and hydrated, it’s crucial to water it correctly. Following a rigid watering schedule isn’t the best approach, as it could lead to overwatering and root rot.
Water your Summer Crush only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Regularly check the soil’s moisture level. When you do water, use enough to thoroughly soak the soil, about 1 to 2 gallons, ensuring it’s well saturated.
Sunburn
While Summer Crush is more sun-tolerant than many other hydrangeas, too much direct sunlight can still harm it. If it’s under the sun all day, it’s likely to suffer from sunburn, leading to brown spots or even entire leaves turning brown and dropping off.
In cooler climates, like zones 5-6, Summer Crush can handle up to six hours of direct sunlight daily, especially if it’s sheltered from the harsh afternoon rays. However, in warmer regions, such as zones 8-9, it’s best to limit sun exposure to no more than four hours a day, ensuring it spends the rest of the time in shade.
Dry air can also cause the leaves to turn brown, starting with the edges. To prevent this, plant Summer Crush in a location that’s cool and slightly moist.
Read also: Summer Crush Hydrangea Care
Not enough phosphorus
Applying too much fertilizer can harm the roots and lead to brown leaves. This problem also arises if you go beyond the recommended fertilizer amount.
The initial step is to flush out the excess fertilizer. You can do this by watering your Summer Crush thoroughly several times, allowing the soil to slightly dry between each watering session.
It’s important not to fertilize your hydrangea more than twice a year—once in spring and again after it has flowered. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter to prevent damage.
Additionally, leaves can turn dark brown or nearly black if the plant lacks phosphorus. Sometimes, gardeners make the soil more acidic to change the flower color, but acidic soil hinders phosphorus absorption, causing the leaves to darken.
To prevent this, maintain a neutral soil pH. This approach not only promotes a red flower color but also avoids leaf issues. And always opt for a fertilizer that includes phosphorus.
Pests and diseases
Diseases like leaf spot can cause hydrangea leaves to turn brown. Initially, you might see small dark brown spots on the leaves, which can lead to the entire leaf turning brown as the spots spread.
Since various pathogens can cause leaf spot, treating your hydrangea with a fungicide is the most effective solution. Start with a multi-purpose fungicide, and for the second application, switch to a copper-based one.
Bacterial diseases can also lead to brown leaves. These are challenging to manage, but you can minimize the risk by avoiding overwatering and ensuring your hydrangea has ample air circulation.
Pests like spider mites are another concern; they can infest the undersides of leaves, causing the foliage to first turn pale and then brown. A neem oil water solution can be effective against these pests. If that doesn’t work, you might need to resort to an acaricide.
Summer Crush Hydrangea Flowers Turning Brown
One common reason for hydrangea flowers turning brown is simply natural aging. Once the hydrangea’s blooms have peaked, they begin to fade and dry up, leading to brown flowers.
Given that this variety of hydrangea blooms twice annually—once in the summer and again in early fall—seeing flowers turn brown as part of their lifecycle is typical. There’s no need for intervention other than to tidy up by removing the spent blooms.
Another cause for the flowers browning is excessive sunlight. If the Summer Crush is exposed to more than six hours of direct sunlight, its flowers may suffer from sunburn. In warmer southern climates, even more than four hours of sunlight can be too much.
To prevent this, ensure your hydrangea has some shade, particularly during the hottest parts of the day. If necessary, consider moving it to a less sunny spot during the cooler months of fall or spring.
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