QA

Quick Answer: Why Is My Hydrangea Not Flowering

The primary reasons hydrangeas don’t bloom are incorrect pruning, bud damage due to winter and/or early spring weather, location and too much fertilizer. Hydrangea varieties can be of the type that blooms on old wood, new wood or both. Say you purchased a Nikko Blue Hydrangea this year.

What do you do when hydrangeas don’t bloom?

If you have a hydrangea that won’t flower, you may have pruned it back too far the year before. Often, hydrangeas that aren’t producing flowers have been pruned in early summer and late winter.

What happens if you don’t prune your hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood do not need pruning and are better off for it. If you leave them alone, they’ll bloom more profusely the next season. Just remember new growth may come, but that new growth will be without blooms next season.

Do coffee grounds make hydrangeas bloom?

Impact of Coffee Grounds Coffee grounds turn soil more acidic, helping hydrangea blossoms turn blue rather than the typical pink or white. The acidity of the grounds provides the key element, though aluminum sulfate or eggshells also produce the same effect.

What is wrong with my hydrangea?

The problem is caused by a fungus that spreads via spores in wet or humid conditions. To control leaf spot, avoid watering your hydrangeas from overhead, and again, remove and destroy diseased plant parts. If summer rains make the problem worse, try a fungicide such as Immunox (always follow label directions).

What months do hydrangeas bloom?

Most new growth hydrangeas put on buds in early summer to bloom in the following spring, summer and early fall seasons. In hot climates, hydrangeas may stop blooming in the heat of summer, but will rebloom in the fall.

Do hydrangeas bloom every year?

Do hydrangeas rebloom? The plants only bloom once annually, but there are reblooming hydrangea varieties.

What fertilizer to use to encourage flowering?

If you are looking to boost flower production, you want a mix like 15-30-15, which is high in flower-developing phosphorus. If you want to green up your lawn, choose a mix like 25-6-4, which is high in nitrogen. Many fertilizers are formulated for specific plants like roses, bulbs, or vegetables.

Is Miracle Grow good for hydrangeas?

All-purpose Miracle-Gro fertilizer is well suited for hydrangeas. Mix the Miracle-Gro fertilizer with water according to package instructions for the size of your hydrangea shrubs. Apply the Miracle-Gro fertilizer every other time you water, about every two to three weeks.

Should I cut off dead hydrangea blooms?

You should deadhead throughout the blooming season to keep your hydrangeas looking their beast and encourage new flower growth. However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place.

What month do you prune hydrangeas?

Trimming should be done immediately after flowering stops in summer, but no later than August 1. Do not prune in fall, winter, or spring or you could be cutting off new buds. Tip-pruning the branches as leaves emerge in spring can encourage multiple, smaller flower heads rather than fewer larger flower heads.

Will hydrangeas grow back if cut down?

They are best pruned in fall or winter. Even if you cut canes back to ground level during dormancy, the shrubs will grow back and produce blooms in spring.

Do hydrangeas like shade?

Hydrangeas do best in moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade – not too sunny and not too shady. Hydrangeas will thrive in most soil types, including alkaline and acidic soil. However, the pH of the soil will change the colour of the flowers of some varieties.

How often should I put coffee grounds on my hydrangeas?

If you’re looking to harness the benefits of coffee grounds related to improving the quality of the soil, you can use them in composted form 2-3 times a year. If you want to alter the pH of the soil, you may need to use them more often, scattering them over the soil of your hydrangea.

What is the best fertilizer for hydrangeas?

A good all purpose 12-4-8 or 10-10-10 composition will provide all the fertilizing hydrangeas need. Either a chemical source or organic matter can be used successfully. Applying a once a year slow-release chemical formulated for shrubs and trees is the simplest solution to hydrangea care and feeding.

How do you bring a hydrangea back to life?

Directions: Bring a kettle or pot of water to a boil and set aside to cool slightly. Place the hydrangeas on the cutting board and use the sharp knife to cut the end of the hydrangea at a 45 degree angle. Place the hydrangea(s) in the vase filled with hot water. Let sit for a minimum of one hour and voila!.

How do you revive hydrangeas?

Use the Boiling Water Method: Boil water and pour it into a cup. Stand the stems of the wilted hydrangeas in this water for 30 seconds. Immediately put into room temperature water (this usually means back into the arrangement). If the blooms are not too old, within a couple of hours they will have completely revived.

Do hydrangeas need a lot of water?

Even though hydrangeas require more water than some other shrubs, they don’t like to be over-watered. It is best to have moist soil and not wet soil. One reason hydrangeas get over-watered is when they wilt in the afternoon sun. Watch the video above for tips on watering hydrangeas!.

Is my hydrangea dead?

If a stem is alive, it will display some green under the bark. If you can’t find any live stems and no sprouts are visible from the base of the plant by late spring, you have a dead hydrangea. Pull the plant out and try for a more cold-hardy variety.

How do I know if my hydrangea is overwatered?

Root rot caused by overwatering produces yellowed leaves rather than dark, rich green leaves. An overwatered plant may shed leaves prematurely, or there may appear to be an overgrowth of green foliage due to stunted flower growth. Leaves may also grow too large, obscuring opportunities for budding.

Why is my endless summer hydrangea not blooming?

There are a few main reasons that you may not see blooms on your hydrangea bushes: sun exposure, over-watering and over-fertilizing. Endless Summer® hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. Also, over-watering and over-fertilizing your plants can inhibit bloom production.