My hydrangea is very leafy, but not producing flowers. Should I be adding something to the soil? This is the second consecutive year and I am totally perplexed. Appreciate any and all assistance. Thank you.
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Did you fertilize and if so, with what? Has it bloomed before? Did you prune it and if so, how and when? Any changes to the environment? You can simply edit your own post any time. And: Sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words... Welcome to the site!– Stephie ♦Commented Jul 12, 2015 at 15:04
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Thank you. It has bloomed before and have not fertilized the plant. No changes to the environment. Pruned in the early spring and only removed old & damaged canes.– Frank ECommented Jul 13, 2015 at 17:08
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What kind of hydrangea is it? Where are you located? Did you have an exceptionally harsh winter? Do you have deer problems?– That IdiotCommented Aug 20, 2015 at 16:18
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Is your hydrangea in the ground, and is it planted near larger shrubs or trees?– BambooCommented Jun 24, 2016 at 18:51
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6 Answers
Hydrangeas won't flower well if you are using fertilizer with more nitrogen than phosphorous and potassium. Is this hydrangea in the middle of your lawn receiving lawn fertilizer? Lawn fertilizer has too much nitrogen for promoting flowers/fruit/reproductive growth. You'll get lots of healthy vegetative growth (leaves, stems) but very few flowers. Also, if your hydrangea is in deep, deep shade it won't flower well either. Pruning is important as well as timing of pruning.
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Thank you for your advice. It is located on edge of lawn, so may have received some lawn fertilizer. Not in deep shade, plenty of sun. Pruned in very early spring and only removed old & damaged canes. Thanks again for your advice.– Frank ECommented Jul 13, 2015 at 17:11
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Gotta ID your hydrangea because you don't want to be cutting old canes off on most of the hydrangeas I am familiar with...pruning should be done after flowering not in the spring...so SEND A PICTURE, grins.– stormyCommented Jun 25, 2016 at 19:59
Many of the older varieties of garden hydrangeas set flowers that can be killed by bad winters and late frosts in spring. I live in nyc and didn't get any flowers last season. This year I got flowers on one bush and not the other one(different varieties). These plants also flower on previous year's growth. They should not be pruned back because blooms develop on previous year's growth. Pruning in fall,winter or spring will remove flower buds.
There are several varieties of hydrangeas. I am guessing you have one that only blooms on old wood. Use one/two tablespoons of Holly-Tone fertilizer in early May and once again in late June. I also recommend putting your used coffee grounds in the soil, hydrangeas love that. Do not fertilize after August. In the winter after a good frost, cover the plant very generously with mulch such as straw/hay (I am talking about a big mound to protect all the tiny flower budlets on the old growth wood). Sometimes a very hard winter can not be protected against and you will have a bloom-less year. Avoid pruning completely. After all danger of frost has passed, remove the mulch so the sun can penetrate. Do not over-water the plant. Droopy leaves are normal in afternoon sun, the plant will perk up the next morning, no need to add water.
I can share my experience with you. I have hydrangea in my courtyard where is gets sun for only part of the day. I have had them for 4 years and have not really fertilized them much (I probably should). I had flowers all 4 years and they are particularly doing well this year. I did prune the dead flowers and I was told that they should only be pruned AFTER new growth starts appearing below the dead flower and not before. This is something you should be aware of as well and may not be directly related to what you are experiencing.
Hydrangeas may fail to bloom due to several factors, with improper pruning being a primary cause. Pruning at the wrong time can remove the buds that would produce flowers in the following season. For instance, some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, meaning they develop buds on the previous year's growth. Pruning these varieties in late autumn or winter can eliminate these buds, resulting in no blooms the next year. It's essential to identify your hydrangea type to determine the appropriate pruning schedule.
Environmental conditions also play a significant role. Hydrangeas generally prefer partial shade; too much shade can inhibit flowering, while excessive sunlight can stress the plant, leading to reduced blooms. Ensuring your hydrangea receives the right balance of light is crucial.
Soil quality and fertilisation are other critical factors. Over-fertilising, especially with high-nitrogen fertilisers, can promote lush foliage at the expense of flowers. It's advisable to use a balanced fertiliser and avoid excessive feeding to encourage blooming.
Additionally, hydrangeas require adequate moisture, particularly during dry spells. However, waterlogged soils can harm the plant. Maintaining consistent soil moisture without overwatering is key.
Lastly, extreme weather conditions, such as late frosts, can damage developing buds, preventing flowering. Providing frost protection when necessary can help preserve the buds and ensure blooms in the coming season.
By addressing these factors—pruning correctly, optimising environmental conditions, managing fertilisation and watering, and protecting from extreme weather—you can enhance your hydrangea's chances of producing abundant flowers.
I hope I could help. :)
You have to tell us what cultivar it is. The most common issue is that hydrangeas bloom only on old wood (save for "Endless Summer" and a few others). So if the plant was pruned back you will get no blooms that year. Leave it alone and see how it does. If as you say, you removed the old canes, that right there is your problem.
