I have a hydrangea plant that I've had for years. When I bought it, the instructions with it said to plant it in the shade. So I did, and each year I get just a few flowers. I've noticed that others here in Tn. have planted theirs in the sun, and they grow quite large and have tons of flowers on them. So I moved mine to a sunnier spot, and the leaves have burned. I will move it back to the shade, but wonder what I can do to make it grow larger and have more flowers. My neighbor planted one two years ago, in the sun, and has done nothing to care for it, but it is 20 times the size of my 12 year old plant, and has hundreds of flowers on it. I don't understand! Can you please help me?
It likely needs more nutrients. Make sure to fertilize it regularly with a phosphorus heavy fertilizer. This article will have some other suggestions as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/hydrangea-not-blooming.htm
Plants are older, and I do not prune until new growth appears in spring. I add peat moss and fertilizer in spring. They are planted in shade with hostas and ferns. They have bloomed in the past years.
Most likly a harsh winter or a late frost killed the blossoms. This article should help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/hydrangea-not-blooming.htm
I have 12 Hydrangeas in my garden and have never had any problems until recently, and only with 2 white flowered species. The flowers start to go brown immediately once they come into bloom. Can you please help? This is the second year this has happened.
Since both white plants are turning brown, that is a hint. I don't know where you live nor what the growing conditions are so this is hard to answer. The browning is typical of too much sun or too little water - this variety may require more water than the rest of your hydrangeas. I live in Texas and mine are being affected by the very hot, long-term heat. They are growing taller thus getting more sun - too much for our area. Where they once thrived as small plants, are struggling this summer.
The leaves are turning brown and ugly. Need help.
This is very difficult to answer without a lot more information. Too much sun, not enough sun, too much water, not enough water, your current temperatures, etc. Take a couple of leaves to a good local garden center and get advice from their plant expert. Hydrangeas require a lot of water - try not to get water on the leaves especially if you live in a humid area.
I have two hydrangea bushes, recently purchased. When the flowers die, do I use pruning shears to cut them off, and if so, how far should I cut them? If not, do I just leave the dead flowers on the plant?
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/prune-hydrangea-bushes-hydrangea-pruning-instructions.htm
One of my daisy plants turned black and looked like it had been burned. Then, I bought a new hydrangea, and it started looking the same way. I pruned the affected parts but now the new shoots are growing back brown instead of green. I also tried spraying with a fungicide/miticide for about a week after I noticed the blackness moving in. AND, several plants near it now have the same blackness starting on their leaves and their flowers are not coming in. The black seems to start right along the outer edge of the leaves and works its way in, eventually turning the existing flowers black as well. HELP!!! These are all perennials, too, so should I even expect them to come back next year?
It could be either black spot or sooty mold. Both are treatable and in most cases, not fatal to the plants. These articles will help:
(this is about black spot on roses, but it applies to all plants) https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/black-spot-roses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
Last year I bought a number of Hydrangea plants from a nursery. They had been cut back and did not have any flowers. This year I got a great number of strong branches (tall and a lot of leaves) but only a few flowers. I don't know wether to cut them back or just leave them alone. Please can you advise me?
Many hydrangeas bloom on "old wood." That means they are forming their blossoms for next year and by cutting off branches, you are cutting off next year's flowers. Some bloom on new wood (fresh branches produced in the Spring). I have found mine to be a combination of both. If they freeze to the ground and have all dead top growth, I get far fewer blossoms than in a mild winter where they keep their old wood (this past year). I don't prune except for dead material. There is a new hydrangea out called 'Pinky Winky' that is an exception to the pruning rule. I am replacing some of mine with it. Link for picture is http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/pinky-winky-hardy-hydrangea-hydrangea-paniculata