It is very common for hydrangeas to wilt during the first year. Once they become established in the garden, the number of wilting episodes and their severity will be greatly reduced. But wilting will never go away completely here in Texas.

Wilting is a type of defensive mechanism that large-leafed shrubs use when the leaves loose moisture faster than the roots can absorb it. Wilting reduces the surface area that the sun hits so the plant looses slightly less moisture.

Place the shrub in an area that is not windy and which provides afternoon shade. Windy days result in wilting episodes so water the night before a windy day. Make sure you have 3-4" of mulch so you do not have to water a lot.

Water the plant (1 gallon or so) when the soil feels almost dry or dry if you insert a finger to a depth of 4". If a wilting episode looks extreme, immediately provide the plant with 1/2 gallon of water. Otherwise, test the soil with the finger method. If the soil feels moist or wet, do nothing. Otherwise, provide the plant with about 1/2 gallon of water. This way, you give water when it is truly needed and you prevent the roots from developing root rot.

When the soil is moist, observe that hydrangeas usually recover from these wilting episodes on their own by night time or by the next morning.

Luis

Thank you very much for the info Luis! I've been very dilligent about their sun and water levels, but finally every leaf and flower on that one branch just shriveled up, dried out, and died! I deadheaded it yesterday and happily I still have three beautiful, thriving clusters!

I was thinking that little part of the branch may have gotten bent or pinched somehow during transport or planting and even though you couldn't see any obvious damage it was on the inside. Anyway considering all it's been through to have only lost that one small piece of it, I'd say it came through just fine. This time next year, you'll never know the difference.