Hydrangea has never bloomed!

Jeanne
by Jeanne
Planted 3 yrs ago it leafs out but never blooms
  5 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 23, 2017

    At some point do you prune the plant?What kind of Hydrangea is it?

  • Gail Danielson Gail Danielson on Apr 23, 2017

    The most common hydrangea purchased is the Bigleaf hydrangea. It is also a common hydrangea for people to ask, “Why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming?” This particular species of hydrangea is called Hydrangea macrophilia and they get blue or pink flowers on them. However, they produce a lot of cultivars and these cultivars can die back to the base of the ground in the winter, particularly if you have had a colder than normal winter. Since these hydrangeas bloom on old wood, this creates a problem. If the old wood dies back to the ground, your hydrangea won’t bloom when it grows back the following year. This is because it’s growing new wood and the new wood doesn’t produce flowers on this particular variety. You may also have planted a variety that does not do well in your zone. Protecting your hydrangeas in the winter may help these varieties bloom better in the summer. Another problem when your hydrangea won’t flower is that you may have pruned it the year before too far back. A lot of times if these particular hydrangeas are pruned in early summer or late winter, you will have on your hydrangea no flowers to speak of. This is because, if they are over pruned in summer, they tend to die back farther than they normally would and you will end up having to wait a year for hydrangea blossoms once more because the hydrangea won’t flower. If you’re having problems because your hydrangea won’t bloom, it is best to avoid pruning your hydrangeas any time but early spring when you can see where the dead wood is and will not accidentally over prune. So, if you find your hydrangea not blooming, pay attention to first, the type of hydrangea you planted, and second, how far back it died the year before. You might not want to prune it, and if you do prune it, you shouldn’t prune it back too far in case it needs old wood to bloom. Finally, if your hydrangeas are not flowering and none of the above apply, you should have your soil tested or think back to the last time you fertilized. Too much nitrogen or a lack of phosphorus in the soil could be the reason. An abundance of nitrogen produces lush green growth, but little to no blooms. Phosphorus is responsible for the flowering and fruiting in most plants, so the addition of a phosphorus-rich fertilizer may be all that is needed to correct this. Bone meal is also a great way to add phosphorus to the soil. If you follow these rules, you won’t be asking “why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming” any longer.


    Read more at Gardening Know How: Reasons And Fixes For A Hydrangea Not Blooming https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/hydrangea-not-blooming.htm


  • Teresa Teresa on Apr 24, 2017

    Not sure what happened! My comment got kicked out. If you're plant was a gift from Walmart or Lowe's or a store like that, they are purposely designed to be a one time blooming plant, the plants that are sold directly from nurseries are re-blooming. Is what I was told! But I was given one from my father in laws funeral and it took along time, I had almost given up on it. Left it alone and all of a sudden it bloomed. I don't cut it back. And it's about 20 times the size now!

  • Bulldog Bulldog on Apr 24, 2017

    Mine did not bloom till year 4 but now they are great the guy at the nursery told me not to prune them at all for at least the first 5 years then only prune slightly after that

  • Shirley Heikkinen Shirley Heikkinen on Apr 25, 2017

    They like to be thoroughly watered, so let the water soak in. Don't trim them back until they have bloomed the first time.