Question
We received these plants for my father-in-law's funeral.  The hydrangea has lost the flowers, the china doll is wilty and azalea is fading a droopy.  We live in Zone 8 (Texas). Right now they are in the original pots, inside by our back glass door getting the East sun during the day.  What do I need to do to keep them alive?  Do I need to repot and place outside for early to mid-morning sunlight?

Answer
Hi Robbie,

My condolences to you and your family.

Potted Hydrangeas do not fare well. They are forced into bloom and they rarely flower again. They are best discarded after the flowers are finished.

Azaleas may not fare too well in your area. They love cool temps and fresh air. They do best outside in the warmer months. Indoors they need lots of light, cool temps, and soil that is kept constantly moist, but not left standing in water. Even a single episode of drought can do it in. High humidity also helps. Fertilize with an acid-based fertilizer when it is growing actively. The flower buds are formed in the summer and are much larger than leaf buds. It is best to keep the plant in a semi-shady cool place outdoors in summer. Cool temps of about 50 degrees in the winter are important for setting buds. So let it stay outdoors until the temperatures are close to freezing. Then bring it indoors and put in a sunny window. Prune it back by about one-third following its spring blooming period, particularly long stems without many leaves. These are difficult conditions to meet. If you cannot, it may be best to discard the plant.

China doll's botanical name is Radermachera sinica. It is native to tropical regions of China where it can grow as tall 30 feet and will produce white or yellow trumpet shaped flowers. But that won't happen indoors. It needs lots of bright light, but protection from direct midday sun. A north or east windowsill is best. It also is a bit fussy about temperature, preferring constant temps in the 65 to 75 degree range and away from warm or cold drafts. It doesn't respond well to changes in light, so find a good location for it and leave it there.  China doll is a notoriously finicky plant that will drop leaves rather dramatically for many reasons, including a change in environment, improper light, irregular watering, temperature change, pests, normal aging, and repotting. My overall advice is to keep it potbound, prune it regularly, and provide a consistent environment for it.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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