For The Second Year In A Row My Hydrangea Plants…
Janet Asked
For the second year in a row my hydrangea plants are not producing flowers. Any ideas why?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Janet: It is still very early in the growing season so do not be too discouraged quite yet, the season is just getting started. Were these hydrangeas new additions to your garden last year or are they established shrubs? If they were new to the garden last year, it may be that they are still getting settled in and using their energy for root development instead of producing blooms. Do you know what kind of hydrangeas you are growing? In some cases, the actual plant can be hardy but the blooms are not. These are often referred to as florist hydrangeas. If you know you have a hardy variety and they have been in the garden for several years with plenty of time to establish their roots, there may be something else going on. Did you prune them at all this year? Depending on which hydrangea you have, pruning at the wrong time of year can eliminate potential blooms. Some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, last season’s growth, and some on new wood, this season’s growth. Knowing what kind of hydrangea you have will matter in terms of when you should prune. Lack of nutrients or over-fertilizing with too much nitrogen can also prevent blooms, so it is always important to follow product recommendations rates for application. If you have not fertilized, they will benefit from a side dressing of compost or well-balanced fertilizer. Some hydrangeas like more sun than others, and if you are growing one that would like a bit more sunlight but is planted in the shade, this could be a reason for lack of blooms. A late spring freeze can also contribute to lack of blooms. As you can tell, there are many reasons why your shrubs are not blooming, and not having all the information I can only give you possibilities.
