My hydrangeas aren't blooming, Help!

Question

My hydrangeas have not bloomed for the last three summers.  I like to dry them and it has been disappointing.   Plus,  I found out this fall that deer like the leaves.  They are bare now.  Sure hope they come back in the spring.

Deana Kay Jenkins · Answer

Mine didn't bloom this summer either but they did last year. I've only had them for 2 years.

Shawna Bailey · Answer

Do you have a hydrangea plant that grows flowers only form older stacks? did it have a bunch of dead branches the year before it stopped blooming? If the answer is yes to both of those, you just have to wait it out and it'll start blooming again.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Did you prune them at any time?

Mona Benz · Answer

Hydrangeas need to be pruned every year to bloom. Cut the finished stocks down in the spring before they start to grow. Remember to fertilize.

LA · Answer

First of all, some plants bloom on new wood only and others on old. If you do not know your type of hydrangea, then I suggest no cutting. I am a hydrangea lover and grower! The only ones I cut back are my Annabelles and Limelight. They both produce blooms on new wood. Annabelles have basketball size lime green blooms turning to white. The Limelight is a paniculata bloom with same color and can take sunshine. I have many, many hydrangeas requiring shade and I never cut them back but do remove any dead cane. Remember HYDRA means water . . . . . This plant must have plenty. If you live in a cold winter zone, make sure the base of the plant is covered. I let our leaves stay around th root area. Other than this, I do nothing and have a spectacular show each year! I, too harvest them in the fall for drying and sharing with friends. Blue, pink, purple and in between line our fences and cover beneath shade trees. If you cut ones you should not have trimmed, they will grow and have beautiful leaves but it will be the following year for blooms to begin again for you. Hope this was helpful! Happy Gardening!

**** Sorry but I have no deer issue

Paula Marie Hyde · Answer

There's a product called Bobbex Deer Repellant, that works really well. You can get it on Amazon, or most nurseries, and places like Home Depot carry it too.

I have hydrangeas as well. I could never remember if my variety bloomed on old wood or new, but I would trim them back when they got winter ugly. And they wouldn't bloom. This last time around, I decided I wouldn't trim at all, and ALL my bushes got lots of flowers this time.

I also learned that with my variety, IF you're going to trim hydrangeas, trim them no later than July. By August, hydrangeas have their flower buds forming, so if you wait until August/Sept. or later, you're trimming the forming buds off...so no flowers in the summer.

Jan462198 · Answer

Thank you so much for the information.

Happy Holidays!!!

Sue Kiene · Answer

I agree with what 2 of the previous people have said about blooming on new wood versus old wood. Be patient. Only prune out the dead for the next summer or 2 and keep an eye on the children to see whether they are blooming on new or old wood. Trim accordingly after blooming.

Glynnda · Answer

Do you know the name of your hydrangea? Some grow on old wood and some new. Did you prune it way down in the Fall or the Spring? Some species have to be pruned at certain times of the year. Some can be temperamental. I always trim the dead flowers off to the first growth of new leaves unless it's too huge. I have cut them all the way to the ground and then had only a few blooms the following year. I've always been lucky with mine and I've grown a lot of them, all different colors. Some like acidic soil, some alkaline. Find out the species and go from there. I also use Epsom salt on most of mine for brilliant colors and leaves. They really like fertile soil. I just moved to a new area, so will see how my garden grows this year! Good luck to you. Hydrangeas and roses are my ultimate favorite flowers! Guess because they bloom for so long and hydrangeas are beautiful dried.

Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom · Answer

Mine got eaten by the deer around here as well. Wait until spring and it should rebloom. The deer likely pruned your plant for you every time it was about ready to bloom. Look for a deer repellant spray or try moving the plant to a different location. Deer seem to be creatures of habit and remember where all your yummy plants are located ;) Good luck!