"Spider" wrote in message
...

Sorry, Ophelia, I didn't attempt to answer your query about the sudden
sprouting of growth near the base. I can't be certain, but is it possible
that there has been some damage (perhaps due to your canine friend? or the
weather? or pest damage?) which has caused the hydrangea to put fight back
by putting on growth?

Other than the fact that our dog began to chew the cotoneaster ... I don't
think she went near the hydrangea. As for the rest ... I don't know because
we haven't been here for a long time.


Otherwise, I'm wondering about
a source of extra nutrients. Has a neighbour - or yourself - moved a
tree/shrub nearby which has allowed both more water and food to reach your
tree?

Yes! There was a bin of compost which had been sitting there for a few
years and when we came back we emptied it and scattered the contents around!
Could that account for the extra lower growth?


Sorry to answer in questions, but that's just my line of thought at the
moment and I'm thinking out loud.

Please do I am thrilled you are bothering)

Thank you

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