What do I do/not do now w/ my hydrangea so it will have more blooms?
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Peg on Oct 20, 2013Trim back in Spring but leave a foot from ground, then use a fertilizer to give it a boost! This year is the first year I had beautiful green leaves & 1 or 2 flowers........have no idea what happened but we did have a hot season but plenty of water?Helpful Reply
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Norma W on Oct 20, 2013Some hydrangeas bloom only on old wood. Try only trimming back in the spring after you see the new growth and only trim down to the first sign of growth. You may be cutting off all the new blooms. Try to google this type of hydrangea for more information on when to trim.Helpful Reply
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Libby at An Eye For Detail on Oct 20, 2013I actually wouldn't trim your back at all this spring...let it grow full this year and watch it and see where the new growth is. But no, never just cut back as you will then not have any flowers the following year. And, if you do cut it back at all, ever, make sure to only cut the dead stems and on the others, cut only to just above the nodule showing new growth. Make sense?Helpful Reply
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Jaime Berg on Oct 20, 2013Thanks!Helpful Reply
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Gail Salminen on Oct 20, 2013@Jaime Berg I have had hydrangeas only for about 4 years. I got them from neighbours who cut back every year. I am a procrastinator (queen of actually LOL) so I tend not to trim them back. I only dead head in the spring. Always have lots of blooms and they are at least 5 feet tall. Do let us know what you do and your success. Thanks for posting :)Helpful Reply
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Candace Seaton on Oct 20, 2013Depends on what kind it is. Most bloom on last years branches, so if you prune you cut off next spirng's flowers. A few bloom on new wood. Don't prune at all and see what happens. I think people prune because they think they should...I rarely prune anything unless it is sick or broken. If you prune at all do it as soon as flowers fade, but then you lose the lovely faded blooms. If you live where it is very cold you may lose the buds and never get flowers. Sorry.Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Oct 21, 2013The truth is that there is much more hydrangea pruning going on in the world than there really needs to be. I join the chorus of voices that you should just let that plant grow through next season and see what it does for you. (Obviously you can prune out any dead or diseased branches.)Helpful Reply
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Jeanette S on Oct 21, 2013We live in Atlanta and never prune ours...the cold takes it down. In spring is comes right back and blooms very well! Love it! FYI, I lay the bottom limbs on the ground, place a shovel full of dirt half way to the end of the limb and it roots...in the spring, I get new bushes. I am going to plant half a dozen more this spring!Helpful Reply
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Kelp4Less on Oct 21, 2013Also - if you want a good fertilizer to increase blooms, I would recommend our bloom pack. Let it rest over the winter, (I tend to agree with Douglas Hunt a lot - he's really knowledgeable, I've noticed!) and come spring, use either Kelp or our Bloom Pack. I'll include the links if you want to check them out. But from what I understand, hydrangeas and lilacs, too (I have lilacs) like to send out a LOT of new growth, but they only bloom well on what's been there a year or two. And I almost forgot the links lol - here you go: Bloom Pack: http://www.kelp4less.com/product-category/nutrient-packs/, and Kelp: http://www.kelp4less.com/product-category/kelp/.Helpful Reply
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Linda on Oct 22, 2013I didn't get many blooms this year either ... guess I'll try not pruning and see if that works Thanks for all chiming in !Helpful Reply
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Rose S on Oct 22, 2013i agree with Norma W. I trim mine back in spring, but only to the first visible green bud. Then I use a liberal dose of Milorganite, a slooooow release fertilizer. (Processed sludge), and a lighter dose of 10/10/10 for a more immediate boost. Mine bloom their little hearts out. Depending don your soil, if I want some pink blossoms, then is liberally sprinkle lime onto the soil and water it in. It takes several applications, but does the job. But my soil is acid, so lime does the trick. Good luck.Helpful Reply
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Edward on Oct 22, 2013anyone add aluminum (I think that is it) to get blooms more blue?Helpful Reply
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Jill Schwalm on Oct 22, 2013I prune mine every third year and I have hearty full plants with lots of blooms. I live in rochester, New York.Helpful Reply
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Candy J on Oct 22, 2013I use my coffee grinds to add that acid to the soil - which they love. I never throw out the coffee grinds as many acid loving plants including petunias love it!Helpful Reply
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Heather (New House New Home) on Oct 22, 2013I'm with the non-pruners too. I had a similar hydrangea in my new yard that wasn't blooming when we moved in 3 summers ago. I pruned it the first year and got no blooms. So last spring, I left it and it had about 12 blossom heads on it - pink. So I think it's one of those ones that bloom on old wood. I'm leaving it this coming spring too, just cutting off the spent blossoms now.Helpful Reply
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Charlene on Oct 22, 2013I leave them over the winter and deadhead them late spring just to clean them up a bit and I have blooms on every branch. I too, use coffee grounds in my garden.Helpful Reply
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Wanda.ll on Oct 22, 2013My grandmother never pruned hers. Well I say never she didn't let them get over 4 foot tall. So I guess she just did the tops. They bloomed like crazy each year for her. So like others said don't trim and see what happens.Helpful Reply
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Gretchen on Oct 22, 2013As someone said, most hydrangeas bloom on new wood. So every year, cut off the blooms for display or drying, cut back those branches, and leave the rest alone. Your bush is next to pavement, so you will need to cut what hangs over or what is in your way. (Function over form, in this case), but just leave the rest.Helpful Reply
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Donna Lawless on Oct 22, 2013I'm with Douglas Hunt all the way. Very knowledgeable and accurate. My husband butchered our hydrangea one year and it had begun to show it is recovering and I have high hopes for next year. It took 3 years :(Helpful Reply
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Elaine Simmons on Oct 22, 2013If you are in the north, you should get a hydrangea that blooms on old and new wood. "Endless Summer" is one such hydrangea. That way, if there is a warming trend in the spring and then a freeze, you still have blooms on new wood. I only cut the flowers off the top when I had them in Iowa. I had one on either side of my front steps. One bloomed pink and the other blue which wasn't the way I wanted it but never tried to change the color of either.Helpful Reply
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Randy on Oct 22, 2013I've always found the site listed here ( http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/pruning.html ) helpful for the subject because it can be confusing and it depends on what type of plant you are working with. I have an Incrediball smooth hydrangea now that is covered w/ 'dead' blooms and I really like how it looks. I will clean these up in late winter after I enjoy them for a few more months since this variety blooms on new wood and will tolerate this type of cutback just fine. I agree w/ others here - WAY too much pruning in general on most landscape plants. I try to utilize 'right plant, right place' so that I don't spend very much time doing any drastic pruning. Mainly I prune for shape and to deadhead.Helpful Reply
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Claudia on Oct 22, 2013The website Randy mentioned gives excellent info on pruning the various types - old wood/new wood, etc. Pruning definitely stimulates new growth if done properly at the right time.Helpful Reply
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Carol P on Oct 22, 2013I have the oak leaf variety with white bloom that were newly planted this year. The blooms look like they turn to a dark tan and was told they would turn purple. Had roofers damage two plants breaking 1 of the main limbs on each. Will these heal themselves or should I replace them next spring. I live in SE Ks. I am not sure what the mature plant is suppose to look like or how big it will get. Right now they look pretty thin and messy and if that makes any sense. The are on the north side of the house that is almost full shade. Seemed like they would wilt a lot so watered them all summer to keep them perky. Wish I could attach a picture. .Helpful Reply
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Mtj1057 on Oct 22, 2013JUST TRIM THE DEAD BLOOMS OFF LEAVE THE WOOD STEMS NEW GROWTH WILL COME OUT OF THE STEMSHelpful Reply
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Carol P on Oct 22, 2013I just found where I could add photos and have attached two. the middle plant is how the others should be in size. Also tried to show you the color of the bloom in the second picture.Helpful Reply
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Candy J on Oct 22, 2013I know that knockout roses love them and all of your evergreens. Check it out on the internet and ask what plants love acid and you should get a list. My petunias especially loved them.Helpful Reply
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Valery on Oct 22, 2013carol p, I saw that you found out how to add photos. can you send the information along. I'm new here and can't figure it out. thank you valHelpful Reply
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Kathleen on Oct 22, 2013All evergreens, azaleas, rhodadendren love coffee grinds. I also crush egg shells andsprinkle around plants for lime and to keep slugs away. Hydrangeas grow new flowers on old wood, so do not cut back the branches and you will have nice flowers. The coffee ground or Holly Tone will assure you have blue flowers rather than pink:) Also, sprinkle around the perimeter of the plants, and not too close,to prevent burning.Helpful Reply
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Kathleen on Oct 22, 2013Oh, and banana peels are great for the garden as well! Nitrogen.Helpful Reply
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Patty A on Oct 22, 2013I have the same bush and the same problem. I usually just let it be. Two summers ago, after 10 years of healthy foliage but no blooms, I got a profusion of lace cap pink blooms. Last year and this year, NOTHING, I use coffee grounds, other acids, etc. But I really am frustrated with the nice green leaves but NO BLOOMS!Helpful Reply
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MaryAnn B on Oct 22, 2013Randy posted a great link. thanks! also Dec 2013 Garden Gate Magazine has a wonderful article on Panicle Hydrangea.Helpful Reply
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Judy on Oct 22, 2013Don't prune except for deadheading & removing dead branches. Also try giving it some potassium, which promotes blossoming.Helpful Reply
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Sara on Oct 22, 2013I don't know if I am doing it right or not, but I do know that my limelights this year were so full of blooms you couldn't see any green leaves. I live in North Dakota so it does get very cold here in the winter. The only pruning I do is to get the shape I want or to get rid of dead wood. My plants are about 6 feet tall right now and are just perfect for the spot they are in. I put an all purpose fertilizer on them in the spring and then just make sure the weeds are not around them. In the fall, I just take off the dead blooms and a few times because of storms coming up unexpectedly they stay on until spring and then I pull them off in the spring.Helpful Reply
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Patty on Oct 22, 2013Northern Ca, trim it back......................... it lets new growth come through.....Helpful Reply
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Jenny on Oct 22, 2013Don't trim it the blooms grow on the previous years branches. I cut mine all the way to the ground last year and this year i did not a get one bloom. I searched on the internet and that is what it said. I'm not trimming it this year.Helpful Reply
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Irena on Oct 23, 2013We leave it as it is in Fall. In Spring before it starts to green, we cut the old (wooden) stems and leave just the green ones (1 yaer old). And we have A LOT of blooms. No special dirt, no manuer, nothing. You can just add acidic dirt if you want blue blooms or alkaline dirt if you want your blooms to be pinkish. Hydrangea is my favourite blooming bush :) Wishing you a nice Fall from Slovenia.Helpful Reply
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Kathleen on Oct 23, 2013Thanks Judy- didn't remember...Helpful Reply
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Valery on Oct 23, 2013I use my phone all the time. maybe that's why. I also don't have a blog. thank youHelpful Reply
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Mary Sullivan on Oct 23, 2013Can these be propogated easily at this time of year or is it too late? We are in the 40's now.Helpful Reply
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Mary Sullivan on Oct 23, 2013*propagated.Helpful Reply
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Patty on Oct 24, 2013I used to cut mine back to the ground in the spring and I would only get 2 or 3 blooms on each bush, finally I realized that they must bloom on old wood. Now they bloom constantly all season long, just gorgeous. They are planted in clay soil and I don't add a thing to the soil.Helpful Reply
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Mary Sullivan on Oct 24, 2013Thank you Douglas. That was most helpful!!! I note that you use the word, "challenge". It is difficult to do? Any advice on exactly how to propagate?Helpful Reply
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Beth on Oct 30, 2013Do you have deer? Because they can eat the ends of the wood destined to be springtime's blossoms. I agree to prune dead wood in the spring. Depending on the variety and yours looks like the older type, it only blooms on last years' growth, so never cut that. I also adjust the pH for the beautiful blue color (which is reflective of acid soil) when necessary but I live in an acid area.Helpful Reply
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Wanda sinnema on Feb 16, 2015FLOWERS COME ON THE 2nd years GROWTH..If you cut it back short every year,, you cut NEXT YEARS BLOOMS off.. TRY THIS....... CUT about 1/2 of the stems back at the end of the season this year, PLUS any blooms off.... NEXT YEAR-- blooms will be on the ones you DID NOT CUT.This also lets you keep it the size you want ..I dump my used coffee grounds around the base for BRILLIANT BLUE HUGE BLOOMS..Helpful Reply
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Lorna sherman on May 20, 2015Why do I not get Hometalk any more ???Helpful Reply
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Ted Brydges on Jul 02, 2016The trick is in the pruning! I prune mine just below the newest leaf on each stem and just above the last pair of leaves. That's where you will get 2 new blossoms next year. Mine is 6 Ft. tall and is covered with blooms every spring. Good luck next year!Helpful Reply
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