why are hydrangea blooms fading immediately after blooming

I purchased 3 mophead hydrangea plants in early May and planted them in the front of my house. Most of the harsh sun is blocked by the house/roof so they get about 3 to 4 hours of sunlight per day and watered every other day when it’s hot/dry out. I’ve sprayed them for pests/fungus/mold/bugs etc. The foliage is a nice green but the blooms fade as soon as they bloom and the one bloom turned brown before it was fully bloomed and there was only 1 single purple flower that survived and it stayed purple for over a month.

I used Miracle Gro plant food for acid loving plants, which was specifically for hydrangeas, and it seems to have not made any difference with the blooms. When I water them, I use a bucket with a spout so I can pour the water directly on the roots and the foliage isn’t touched except when it rains. I live in central/south Jersey and average temps have been about 85 degrees. I’m at a total loss of what is causing this to happen to the blooms. When I purchased them from Lowes garden center, they were very healthy and the blooms were perfect. The first month and a half they were fine and then it all went downhill after that.

Any ideas of what I’m doing or not doing? Now also some leaves are getting a blackish tinge around the edges..Thank you for your time.

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1 Comment To "why are hydrangea blooms fading immediately after blooming"

#1 Comment By Downtoearthdigs On 07/14/2015 @ 12:14 am

Newly planted shrubs should receive daily water in the first two weeks of planting. They you can reduce the amount.
Deep watering is very important. The water from just a watering can is not likely reaching the entire root ball.

I suspect the plants have just not had enough time to become established and the root system to sustain the flowers.
Adding 2 to 3 inches of hardwood mulch can help the plant retain moisture between waterings.

Here are a few links to refresh you on the care requirements.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/growing-hydrangeas-hydrangea-care-guide.htm ^[1]
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/drooping-hydrangea-plants.htm ^[2]

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[1] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/growing-hydrangeas-hydrangea-care-guide.htm: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/growing-hydrangeas-hydrangea-care-guide.htm

[2] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/drooping-hydrangea-plants.htm: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/drooping-hydrangea-plants.htm

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