Light frost; newly planted hydrangea hit

[Splaker]

Hi folks, didn't know where to stick this question so I am asking it in GGT.

We got a light frost the other night. Temps hit 30F. I planted two small Endless Bloom (Bloomstruck) hydrangeas and they both got damaged by the frost. A larger one on the south side of the home (also planted this year) didn't get touched.

Anyhow, the top third leaves are clearly wilted/damaged. Will the plants come back and hopefully flower this year? Should I prune the damaged leaves (or wait for them to get brown and crispy before doing so)?

I was surprised to see the damage as I was told in the past that a light frost really doesn't affect perennial shrubs in the spring. Perhaps this applies to established plants?

Thanks for your help!

 

[CanadianLori]

I'd do the wait and see. Plants can be very resilient.

That was one nasty night. One of my heaters ran out of fuel and I was sure I was going to lose some of my stuff before the wick was ready to light again!

 

[Beth_B]

Same thing happened a few years ago to many of my perennials when we had an early June frost. What I was told was, as @CanadianLori said: Do nothing. Pruning will just stress the plants more. Wait a week or two and then only prune the leaves that are completely dead. The plants looked a bit ragged for a few weeks but recovered fully. Hopefully your hydrangeas will do the same!

 

[Splaker]

Thanks folks! Hope the bloom this year! If not, maybe next year...

Cheers!