Q: My wife had surgery and her boss gave her a hydrangea in a pot. It had beautiful blooms but now they are drying and falling off. The leaves look a little droopy as well.

A: My observation with florist hydrangeas is that they sometimes have very poor root systems. They are raised under perfect temperature, watering and humidity conditions in a greenhouse but a normal home can’t provide such perfection. Take the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. If they don’t fill the pot, you’ll have a hard time keeping the plant alive. If the roots seem adequate, repot the plant in new potting soil and give it the brightest indoor light possible.