Hydrangea that won't flower.

Question

I have a hydrangea that has been in my garden for the past 3 years and has yet to flower.
Looks healthy.
Can anyone help??

Mary Beth @ The How to Home · Answer

I can't help but I had a hydrangea that didn't bloom for over 10 years ~ this year it has one lovely bloom ~ I have NO idea what changed. I hope you find something that works.

Linda (WHITEWEATHEREDHUTCH) · Answer

Thanks girls for your suggestions! I went to the sight hydrangeas and found that their answers pertain to pruning. I have left this one alone. Does it need fertilized?

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Where did you get your hydrangea, Linda? There are types that set their flower buds in the fall, and if your winters are too severe, this type will never bloom for you despite its healthy foliage.

Linda (WHITEWEATHEREDHUTCH) · Answer

This plant was in our garden when we purchased our home 3 years ago. It looks like it was a blue hydrangea that should have stayed in its pot inside the home.
Should I try digging some up and planting it in a pot?

Douglas Hunt · Answer

I think I would try to take a cutting rather than digging up the plant at this time of year.

Linda (WHITEWEATHEREDHUTCH) · Answer

Take a cutting and try to root??

Mar M · Answer

Try Pinterest. Search for rooting hydrangeas and you'll find several posts with pics and instructions.

Butch Fertic · Answer

Could be the male and males don't bloom or need another close by to cross pollinate it.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Yes, take a cutting and try to root it. Otherwise, try to build a little screen around it this fall from burlap so it has more winter protection.

Linda (WHITEWEATHEREDHUTCH) · Answer

Thanks for all your help everyone.

Pam goode · Answer

Don't cut it back in the fall. It takes Hydrangeas a long time to start blooming. They set their buds on the stems in the late summer and if you cut them back they won't bloom. Also fertilize and they need a lot of water.

Heather (New House New Home) · Answer

I had the same problem with my pink hydrangea. It had one lonely bloom on it the first summer (2011). I cut it back hard and it didn't bloom at all in 2012. So I left it alone last fall and now there are blooms all over it. I think your's probably sets buds on old wood, so don't cut it back. Fertilize it and take a cutting to see if you can get something else going. Douglas Hunt is right - protect it during the winter - the buds may be freezing in our climate.

Eli · Answer

Believe it or not, I took a potted hydrangea, given as a gift from a florist, planted it in my planter 15 years ago...It has bloomed every season except this one, and I think it's because I pruned it way too late in the season. Otherwise, it has bloomed beautifully, between a pink and/or a blue bloom, (depending on the PH of the soil), every year. I'm in FL, though, and we rarely see any freezing temps. during the winters...It gets partial sunlight during the a.m., and that's it...I've really had to do very little to enjoy it, other than prune it (at the right time of year!). Good luck with yours!

Carol Arney · Answer

They need acid fertilizer to bloom, and the acid also keeps the color, or it will revert back to white, mine did, until I learned......;)

Janela · Answer

I have two Hydrangea's that were planted by the landscapers at my new house I bought.  They bloomed the first year, possibly the 2nd year, but then nothing for 3 years.  I read that used coffee grounds would help.  I put some at the base of the plants sometime last winter and both plants bloomed this year.  They were beautiful and I was so excited!

Nancy Hand · Answer

Don't cut them back. They bloom off the old wood for next years blooms. :)

Patricia H · Answer

The big leaf Hydrangeas bloom on old wood not new. If you cut it back this spring that's why it's not blooming now. Leave it alone and you will have beautiful blooms next year provided you don't cut it back in the spring.

Wanda sinnema · Answer

IF you cut it back you cut off the blooms......I cut mine back in the fall BUT only cut 1/2 the branches...... that way you should have blooms on the ones you DID NOT CUT.. next fall CUT ONLY THE ONES THAT FLOWERED,,, that will give you the full plant and blooms.. its an easy cycle once you get the hang of it..be suire to bring the blooms inside and hang them to dry in a dark place upside down..they keep the color for several years.. OR place in a vase WITHOUT water and enjoy for several months also..

Wanda sinnema · Answer

also ANY ACID LOVING PLANTs- rody's, camellias, and hydrangeas LOVE LOVE LOVE COFFEE grounds.. sprinkle around the bases a few inches from the trunk and scratch into the soil a bit..IT intensifies the colors....