How to help this hydrangea? (Pics)

[kumquattish]

I have an established hydrangea that's not doing well. Leaves are curling/brown. I do see lots of buds though, so it's not dead.

I wonder if part of the problem is that it's getting crushed by a neighbouring clematis and physocarpus? I've cut both back to let the hydrangea see some light. Will this help or is it something else?

I've had to cut back quite a lot of brown leaves, which means some flower buds became collateral damage, so I don't know if it will flower this year. Bonus question: can anyone tell if this is the sort that flowers on this year or last year's growth?

Thank you knowledgable gardeners!

Bump!

I think hydrangeas can be quite thirsty plants - certainly I have one which is much happier now I've started watering the plants I am trying to establish around it. I'd try a feed and water regime on yours and see if it improves.

Thank you. Yes they're super thirsty and I've been watering it well. Maybe it needs even more water??

go find monty don on google etc, showing how to renovate this plant i would let it do its thing this year, then do all the pruning at the right time next year (feb i think) and yes lots of water over winter

Thank you. Anyone else got advice? thanks again.

Optimistically tagging @nanthewiser and any other experts!

Our hydrangea was really struggling until I discovered that they don't do well in full sun, but love the morning sunshine and shade in the afternoons. We relocated it accordingly and it's now thriving.

Well, I’m no expert on Hydrangeas, I’m afraid, but would agree with all the advice given!

It looks desperately thirsty and suspect you are right about it being crowded out/dried out by other plants. They are tough old things though, as above I’d water it now while eyeing up somewhere better for it, then move it this autumn (or even chop it right back now and move it if you feel like it). On the other hand, if it shouldn’t be thirsty then is something attacking the roots? Vine weevils maybe?

Agree with all pps. Drown it in water ( the clue is in its name). Roots may be smothered by the other plants. Move into shade if you can. If not, cut right back to the crown of the plant and wait it out.

Thanks all! I've cut the competing plants back. I have cut the hydrangea but maybe one-third of the height - should I cut it right back to ground level? I noticed there were still lots of small buds so didn't want to cut them off. But maybe I should?

I meant to add - it's not in a sunny spot. It gets some sun but by no means full sun.

are there sng fungus like things on the stems?
there is a scale bug that plagues it these years and those are it's egg sacks.

tbh I would weed around it, cut it right back to hedgehog size and give it a good feed once it shows it's first shoots.

I suspect there's something wrong with its roots - it looks worse than just underwatered.

Water, get hydration levels up and then feed with appropriate feed for hydrangeas

You could try giving it a healthy dose of food (I liberally apply Miracle Gro to most things!). They’re quite hungry for aluminium.

I’ll be honest, I only know this as our neighbour gifted me a massive hydrangea yesterday for installing some fencing for her, so I I had to quickly bone up on hydrangea care lol. And that’s about where my hydrangea knowledge ends!

My dad said 'give it a cup of tea'

We have one doing magnificently in full sun that we never water. it's fed on rodent body parts, and cut down to knee/hip height every year or so.

Agree OP's looks wilted.

Tea like comfrey tea? 👃🏼