By Pat Lea, Gardening

Q Most of my hydrangeas look fine, but my Nikko Blue are leafless and look dead. What happened? Should I replace them now or in spring?

A You will have to do some detective work to answer your question. Examine your plants up close. Are the leaves nipped off as if eaten?

Rabbits, groundhogs or deer could be the problem. Are the tips of stems brown and dried? Your plants could have dried up in the drought, or the root system could have been eaten by critters. Lumps and tunnels and wobbly stems at ground level could indicate critters are to blame.

If several inches of the tips of stems are blackened and shriveled, root rot or fungus could be the problem. In any case, cut a stem or two and take it to your full-service nursery and ask for a diagnosis. I would recommend waiting until spring to replace your plant if you can be patient. Hydrangeas are known for popping out of the ground from their roots in good spring weather, and yours may be one of those survivors. Look closely for signs of fat, juicy leaf buds still on the plant.

That will indicate life in the plant. The winter can be tough on the blooms of hydrangeas. Buds can drop in spring frosts, so waiting may ensure a new plant protected by its nursery home that will bloom well. If you are eager to replant, new plants do well if planted in early fall and will have a strong and established root system by spring. You have several choices to make, but they all can result in a nicely blooming plant next season.