There are plenty of reasons why your hydrangeas may not be blooming as much as they once did. Conditions like extreme heat, drought, or excessive sun exposure can all impact how many flowers your shrubs produce. Pruning is also an important consideration.
Fortunately, many of the common issues that keep hydrangeas from flowering have simple fixes. We spoke with an expert to learn what you should do if you find your hydrangeas are not producing the beautifully lush blooms they are known for.
Justin Hanco*ck, director of R & D and horticultural content at Costa Farms
Your first step to ensuring your hydrangeas produce the fluffy clusters of flowers they're known for is making sure your conditions are right. Justin Hanco*ck, a horticultural craftsman for Monrovia, suggests confirming your growing conditions match up with your hydrangea's needs in terms of light, moisture, and soil fertility.
To make sure your hydrangea is getting the right amount of sun, you need to know which variety you're growing. "If it's Hydrangea paniculata, then full sun isn't a problem in most areas (though, in areas with especially hot, dry summers, some afternoon shade can be beneficial)," he says. "If it's a Hydrangea macrophylla, that gets a little tougher." According to Hanco*ck, this species generally does better in partial shade, so if it's currently getting blasted by direct sunlight, that may be the problem. "The cooler the summers are, the more sun these varieties can take without showing sunburn," he says.
Reconsider Your Watering Schedule
Determining if your blooming problem has to do with hydration is a little more straightforward. Too little water will leave you with wilting leaves, which can lead to yellowing and dropping. Most varieties of hydrangeas will be happiest with soil that feels like a well-wrung sponge to the touch. Anything wetter and your plant may be getting too much to drink.
Make Sure You're Pruning Appropriately
"If the environment seems fine, then look at pruning, and make sure your hydrangea is being pruned at the right time for its blooming cycle," Hanco*ck says. "Keep in mind that pruning happens by the hand of the gardener or by nature (deer nibbling the branches, cold winter temperatures killing the stems back, etc.)."
Remember: A Bloomless Hydrangea Isn't Necessarily an Unhealthy One
Is your hydrangea newly planted and not blooming much? Don't fret. The bush may be putting more energy into getting settled into the garden than blooming—which is a good thing, according to Hanco*ck. And, after checking all the obvious culprits, you may find your perfectly healthy hydrangea is no longer flowering because it's receiving too much of a good thing. If your plant is getting too many nutrients through your soil, it may begin producing lush, healthy leaves at the expense of blooms.
Though hydrangeas prefer protection from hot direct sun, too much shade can prevent them from forming flower buds. Ideal light conditions for hydrangeas are several hours of direct morning sun with afternoon shade, or dappled shade that allows plenty of bright indirect light.
Though hydrangeas prefer protection from hot direct sun, too much shade can prevent them from forming flower buds. Ideal light conditions for hydrangeas are several hours of direct morning sun with afternoon shade, or dappled shade that allows plenty of bright indirect light.
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. Old wood is the current year's growth and new wood is next year's (spring) growth.
Among the most common explanations for failure to bloom, in hydrangeas, is pruning. Improper pruning, or the accidental removal of flower buds, will result in a season without blooms. This is especially true for varieties that bloom exclusively on old wood, such as many Hydrangea macrophylla types.
Organic, slow-release fertilizers for roses (such as a 15-10-10, or 10-5-5 formula) work well on hydrangeas, giving the plants the nutrients they need to increase the size and quantity of their blooms. If you're looking for big blooms-and lots of them-this is the right fertilizer for your hydrangeas.
If a soil test reveals your soil is deficient in magnesium, applying Epsom salts may help temporarily improve conditions to boost flowering. However, if there is no deficiency, Epsom salt will have no effect on flowering.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Small, round, brown or purplish spots on hydrangea leaves are common. Often, affected leaves turn yellowish green and fall off, although the plant usually survives. The problem is caused by a fungus that spreads via spores in wet or humid conditions.
Hydrangeas bloom from spring into early fall. Some hydrangea blooms change color as they fade, creating plenty of interest well into fall and winter. To ensure you have dried blooms for the winter garden, stop pruning fading blooms in July or August before the production of new blooms begins to decrease.
No, not really. The vinegar will quickly dilute in the soil, especially if it rains or is irrigated, not making much of a pH difference. Plus, for your hydrangeas to change colors, they need a pH change sustained over a long time. It could take even longer than one growing season!
Deeply water 3 times a week to encourage root growth. Bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas require more water, but all varieties benefit from consistent moisture. Use a soaker hose to water deeply and keep moisture off the flowers and leaves. Watering in the morning will help prevent hydrangeas from wilting during hot days.
Balanced granular fertilizers such as Espoma Rose Tone and Holly Tone are good choices. Jobes Fertilizer Spikes are another good option. Avoid using fast-release fertilizers in liquid form on hydrangeas. These products can stimulate growth in the short term but may not sustain the plant for the long haul.
MiracleGro®, the most widely used liquid product on the market, has an N-P-K ratio of 15-30-15. This high phosphorous level is not ideal for a sustained 'blue' hydrangea fertilization program but for spot use, the nutrient charge can be immediate and beneficial for 'restarting' stressed plants.
Baking soda does not enhance hydrangea flowering, as it lacks essential nutrients. To produce more flowers on hydrangea plants, gardeners often look to home remedies like baking soda or Epsom salt to boost their plants. However, this usually results in disappointment.
Plant smooth hydrangeas in full sun if the soil stays moist. (Partial shade is better in spots that dry out from time to time.) Water them during times of drought, especially during the heat of summer. Amend the soil with organic matter (such as compost).
We've found that adding a few coffee grounds to your soil can do just the trick. Here's everything you need to know about how to produce the bluest hydrangea blooms while putting those spent coffee grounds to good use.
Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making
Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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